Astound Mobile vs. Metro by T-Mobile: Which Carrier is Better?

Astound Mobile operates on T-Mobile’s reliable network, offering affordable plans with good coverage in urban and suburban areas. This MVNO focuses on budget-conscious customers, providing simple plans and added perks like hotspot options. With a straightforward approach to pricing, Astound Mobile is a great choice for light to moderate data users looking for a no-frills experience at an affordable price.

Note: To purchase Astound Mobile cell phone plans, you must be an Astound Internet customer. 

Metro by T-Mobile is a popular prepaid carrier offering affordable, no-contract plans on T-Mobile’s robust 4G and 5G networks. Known for its simple pricing, Metro provides several high-speed data options and family plans with discounts as you add more lines. Metro’s plans include perks like Google One storage, Amazon Prime memberships, and access to T-Mobile’s expansive network, giving customers the performance of a major carrier at prepaid prices. This makes Metro a solid choice for those seeking value and reliable service without a contract.

Coverage & Reception — Astound Mobile vs. Metro by T-Mobile

Astound Mobile and Metro leverage the same network: T-Mobile. T-Mobile provides excellent coverage.

T-Mobile’s Network 

T-Mobile’s network is a leader in 5G innovation, offering extensive mid-band 5G coverage alongside reliable LTE service. It excels in urban and suburban areas, providing fast speeds for streaming, gaming, and other data-intensive tasks.

Strengths:

• Extensive 5G Deployment: T-Mobile’s mid-band 5G is unmatched in availability and speed, making it a top choice for urban users.
• Urban and Suburban Excellence: Performance in densely populated areas is exceptional, with reliable connectivity for most users.
• Innovative Features: T-Mobile continuously enhances its network with cutting-edge technology, such as standalone 5G.

Weaknesses:

• Rural Coverage Gaps: While improving, T-Mobile’s coverage in rural and remote areas is less comprehensive than Verizon’s.
• Deprioritization: As an MVNO, Astound Mobile users may experience slower speeds during network congestion.

Throttling and Deprioritization

Both Metro and Astound Mobile operate as MVNOs on T-Mobile’s network, which means they do not receive the same priority as T-Mobile’s direct customers. During times of network congestion, MVNO customers receive data slowdowns before T-Mobile customers. 

Astound Mobile only offers plans with limited allocations of high-speed data. If a customer ever uses up all their high-speed data, their data speeds are throttled down to 2G or 3G speeds. While these limitations are common among MVNOs, it is essential to gauge your own data usage before picking out a new MVNO plan. Metro, however, offers unlimited high-speed data, a perfect option for high-data users. 

Plan Options — Astound Mobile vs. Metro by T-Mobile 

Metro by T-Mobile and Astound Mobile offer plans with varying amounts of high-speed data. Along with high-speed data, both carriers offer unlimited talk and text along with various features and add-ons. First up, let’s talk about Astound’s cell phone plans. 

Astound Mobile Plans and Pricing

Astound Mobile offers four plans, each with its own benefits and downsides. The four Astound Mobile phone plans are as follows: 

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• $15 per month for 1.5 GB
• $25 per month for 3 GB
• $40 per month for Unlimited (20 GB)
• $50 per month for Unlimited + (20 GB)

1.5 GB

This plan is designed for users who only need mobile data for essentials, like occasional GPS navigation, checking email, or brief browsing sessions. With 1.5 GB of high-speed data, it’s perfect for those who primarily use Wi-Fi and just want reliable talk and text with minimal data on the go. This plan is the most cost-effective option in the lineup.

3 GB

While this plan won’t cover heavy usage, it’s a low-cost option for users who mostly rely on Wi-Fi but need some data for basic tasks on the go. Ideal for those who use limited data on social media or streaming apps away from home, it's a budget-friendly pick for minimal mobile data needs. There’s not much difference in how long 1.5 and 3 GBs of high-speed data will take you, but this plan is nice for those who want a little extra piece of mind while out and about. 

Unlimited

This plan offers 20 GB of high-speed data, which is suitable for moderate use, such as streaming music, occasional video, and browsing throughout the month. However, high-speed data users will consume this allocation quickly, so make sure to check your data usage before switching to this plan.

Unlimited +

Unlimited+ also offers 20 GB of high-speed data but also includes high-speed hotspot data and HD streaming while your data lasts. Once you hit the 20 GB cap, you are reduced to 3G data speeds, which will severely limit your usage. 

Metro by T-Mobile Plans and Pricing

Metro by T-Mobile’s plans cater to users interested in an MVNO experience that mirrors major wireless networks. Budget-conscious families benefit greatly from Metro’s multi-line discounts, which significantly lower the cost per line on their unlimited plans. Heavy data users will appreciate Metro’s rare offering of truly unlimited high-speed data, a standout feature among MVNOs that ensures reliable access for streaming, gaming, and other bandwidth-heavy activities. 

Value seekers are also drawn to Metro’s bundled perks, such as Google One or Amazon Prime memberships, which add extra utility to their plans without additional costs. All of this is supported by T-Mobile’s expansive 5G and 4G LTE networks, delivering strong coverage, particularly in urban and suburban areas. However, users in rural areas should verify coverage beforehand, as it may not be as robust in more remote regions. Overall, Metro’s straightforward pricing and added features make it an attractive option for a wide variety of mobile users. Let’s break down their cell phone plans. 

1. Metro Flex Start - $50/month with AutoPay

This entry-level plan is perfect for users seeking essential features at an affordable price. It includes unlimited 5G data, 8 GB of mobile hotspot, a 100 GB Google One membership for extra storage, and access to T-Mobile Tuesdays for weekly perks. 

An eight GB hotspot is a solid choice for light data users, but if you want a reliable source of on-the-go WiFi for your computer or tablet for more than checking email, you’ll want more than eight. 

2. Metro Flex Up - $60/month with AutoPay

The Flex Up plan adds more value for those needing more connectivity options. It features 25 GB of mobile hotspot data, maintaining the same unlimited 5G and Google One perks. Additionally, it provides unlimited texting to over 210 countries. This plan is excellent for users who rely on their phones for tethering, though some competitors offer hotspot data at a comparable or reduced price. 

One of the upsides of Metro by T-Mobile is how closely connected this company is to its parent. Other MVNOs, like Ting or US Mobile, have no real tie to any of the major wireless carriers outside of the agreements to rent bandwidth from their cell network. T-Mobile directly owns Metro, so there’s a lot of perks, deals, and a well-stocked store of all the latest and greatest devices waiting at Metro. 

3. Metro Flex Plus - $70/month with AutoPay

This top-tier plan is ideal for users seeking a premium experience. It offers all the perks of the lower plans while adding an Amazon Prime membership and Scam Shield protection. With 25 GB of hotspot data and global texting, it’s great for heavy users or those wanting entertainment and security extras. Metro’s plans are expensive, but the addition of unlimited high-speed data is an amazing boon for its customers. Few MVNOs offer unlimited high-speed data with no throttling. 

Family Plan savings

Metro plans shine when paired with family lines. For example, four lines on the $70 plan cost $180/month, bringing the per-line cost down to $45. This affordability makes Metro competitive against other carriers, particularly for households with multiple users. The savings are so great that we strongly recommend only checking out Metro by T-Mobile if you have at least one other person prepared to open an account with you. 

Unlimited high-speed data

It’s rare for MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) to offer truly unlimited high-speed data. Most MVNOs focus on offering plans with capped high-speed data, followed by unlimited data at significantly reduced speeds. This practice helps them manage network capacity, as MVNOs lease bandwidth from larger carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Providing unlimited high-speed data requires significant resources, which can strain their agreements with the parent networks.

Metro offers all the data you can use. They do deprioritize data, so you will see slowdowns in times of network congestion before major wireless network customers. Outside of all but the biggest metropolitan areas, you probably won’t notice too much congestion. 

The Verdict

Astound Mobile shines with its affordable, no-frills plans, making it a great choice for Astound Internet customers who want reliable mobile service without breaking the bank. Leveraging T-Mobile’s network, it delivers excellent performance in urban and suburban areas, perfect for streaming, browsing, and other data-heavy tasks. However, its requirement to bundle with Astound Internet and the absence of family plan discounts may limit its appeal to individual users in select regions.

Remember: To purchase Astound Mobile cell phone plans, you must be an Astound Internet customer. 

Metro by T-Mobile, on the other hand, offers wide accessibility with no internet service restrictions and a strong lineup of prepaid plans. Its perks, like free streaming subscriptions and generous family discounts, make it especially appealing for budget-conscious families or users looking for added value. Plus, with T-Mobile’s nationwide coverage, Metro provides solid service in both urban and rural areas, ensuring dependable connectivity wherever you go.

• Go with Astound Mobile if you’re already an Astound Internet customer and want a simple, low-cost mobile plan with strong urban and suburban coverage.
• Go with Metro by T-Mobile if you need flexible prepaid plans, family discounts, or added perks, and value broader coverage without any service restrictions.

Want to compare other carriers?

Really.com helps users compare between features, coverage, price, reviews, and more!

Are you still unsure which carrier to choose, or which phone plan to pick? Use really.com to compare your top choices and find the best deal to fit your needs. Really allows you to compare and sort between most phone plans on the market without the hassle!

Quick Comparison: Metro by T-Mobile

Metro by T-Mobile stands out for its flexible, unlimited high-speed data plans and family discounts, making it a strong choice for users who need robust service and are willing to pay for it. While Metro’s plans cost more than budget MVNOs, they deliver solid value for heavy data users.

Metro vs. T-Mobile

As a T-Mobile subsidiary, Metro uses the same reliable 5G and 4G LTE network but at a lower cost. T-Mobile offers premium perks like priority data, international roaming, and Netflix on select plans, making it worth the extra cost for users who need these features. Budget-conscious users, however, can enjoy similar coverage and unlimited data with Metro.

Metro vs. Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile offers extremely low-cost plans for those willing to commit to multi-month contracts but caps high-speed data, even on its "unlimited" plan. Metro, with month-to-month plans and true unlimited high-speed data, is better for heavy data users, while Mint is ideal for those prioritizing affordability.

Metro vs. Tello Mobile

Tello Mobile offers ultra-affordable plans starting at $9, but its high-speed data caps top out at 35 GB, with no family discounts. Metro, starting at $30, is a better fit for moderate to heavy data users who need more flexibility and reliable high-speed data.

FAQ: Metro by T-Mobile vs. Astound Mobile

Which carrier offers better pricing, Metro by T-Mobile or Astound Mobile?

Astound Mobile offers lower prices, but only for current Astound Internet customers. Metro by T-Mobile has slightly higher costs but is widely available without any service requirements.

Does Metro by T-Mobile or Astound Mobile have better coverage?

Both carriers use T-Mobile’s robust 5G and 4G LTE network, ensuring excellent coverage in urban and suburban areas. However, Metro offers broader availability, while Astound Mobile is limited to regions where Astound Internet is offered.

Which carrier is better for families?

Metro by T-Mobile is the better choice for families, thanks to its multi-line discounts and family-friendly perks. Astound Mobile does not offer family plan savings, making it better suited for individuals.

Do either of these carriers offer unlimited high-speed data?

No, only Metro by T-Mobile offers unlimited high-speed data. Astound Mobile throttles data speeds whenever customers hit their plan data allocation. 

Which carrier is more flexible?

Metro by T-Mobile offers greater flexibility with no contracts and widespread availability. Astound Mobile requires bundling with Astound Internet, limiting its appeal to a specific audience.