Google Fi vs. Metro by T-Mobile: Which carrier is better?

Google Fi and Metro by T-Mobile are popular prepaid carriers that offer several amazing deals with their phone plans. Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s put them head to head and see which brand comes out on top. 

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:

• What the coverage of both carriers looks like
• How prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Unsure of what you need out of a plan? Check out our guide on how to choose the best phone plan. 

Coverage & Reception

Google Fi and Metro by T-Mobile are both on the T-Mobile network.

Google Fi and Metro by T-Mobile are mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Google Fi and Metro by T-Mobile are MVNOs of T-Mobile. 

Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers.

However, T-Mobile’s 5G coverage and access is hailed as the best coverage overall. 

Plan Options

Google Fi offers premium data, and Metro by T-Mobile offers separate hotspot data.

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Google Fi offers premium data, which does not slow down no matter the amount of network traffic. Metro by T-Mobile’s unlimited plans all offer additional data specifically for hotspot access. Both carriers deprioritize data, which means your connection may slow down during times of high traffic, such as a concert or a crowded parking lot. 

Google Fi Plans

Several plans offer unlimited data with premium data at a cap. 

Google Fi offers 2 unlimited plans and one plan with pay-per-use data. Each of its unlimited plans offer a limited amount of premium data. Each plan allows up to 6 lines and renews monthly. Google Fi is on QCI tier 6 of 9.

Image courtesy of Google Fi’s website. 

Flexible 

This plan allows you to pay for the exact amount of data you use each month. 

Google Fi’s Flexible plan is unlike a lot of other plans on the market, as it allows you to pay a set amount per month for talk and text features. Users then pay for only the amount of data they use. After 15GB of data, your speed is slowed to 256 kbps, or 3G speeds. You can still send texts, emails, and use social media with little issues. Streaming video will be much more difficult. 

The plan also includes the ability to buy mobile hotspot data, and all plan data can be used as hotspot data. 

The plan costs $20 per month, plus $10 for each GB you use. For example, you’d pay about $70 per month if you used 5GB.

Simply Unlimited 

This plan gives you 35GB of premium data before slowing down. 

The Simply Unlimited plan gives you 35GB of premium data. Premium data means your data will not be deprioritized in times of high traffic and congestion. After 35GB, data slows down to 3G speeds. 5GB of hotspot data is also included in the plan, then stops after that allotment. 

The plan costs $50 per month. At this rate, you get 35GB at $1.42 per GB. 

Unlimited Plus

This plan is 50GB of premium data. 

Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan has 50GB of premium data. Connection is then slowed down to 3G speeds. You can use all 50GB of plan data as mobile hotspot data, but hotspot data stops after the 50GB. 

The plan costs $65 per month. At this rate, you get 50GB at $1.30 per GB. 

Metro by T-Mobile Plans

Metro by T-Mobile offers several varying unlimited plans with different hotspot options. 

Metro by T-Mobile offers 3 unlimited plans and 1 limited data plan. Their unlimited plans vary with the number of features and GB of hotspot data included in the plan. You can add up to 5 lines per plan. You also get a $5 Autopay discount per month when you sign up, but the first month is full price. As a T-Mobile MVNO, this carrier is on QCI tier 7. All plans with this carrier are deprioritized. 

You also can get a 5GB plan. 

If you purchase your phone from Metro by T-Mobile, your device will be locked for 180 days after activation. Then, it will be unlocked automatically. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are included with the advertised price. 

5GB

This plan does not include hotspot access. 

This plan includes 5GB of data, but no hotspot access or extra features. With this plan, data stops after the 5GB cap. 

The plan costs $35 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 5GB for $7 per GB.

Unlimited 

This plan gives you unlimited data without hotspot access. 

This plan gives you unlimited data with no cap, meaning you can use as much data as you want without any slow downs. However, this plan is still deprioritized. You’ll experience slower connections in times of heavy traffic.  

The plan costs $45 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. 

Unlimited + 8GB hotspot 

This plan gives you 8GB of hotspot data included. 

This plan includes unlimited deprioritized data with no cap, as well as 8GB of hotspot data. Hotspot data is deprioritized as well, and stops after 8 GB. 

The plan costs $55 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. 

Unlimited + 25GB hotspot

This plan is their biggest and most expensive plan. 

As their biggest plan, you get unlimited deprioritized data with no cap. You also get 25GB of hotspot data included with the plan. It’s deprioritzed data, and data stops after 25GB. 

The plan costs $65 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. 

Features

Both Google Fi and Metro by T-Mobile plans offer streaming perks depending on the plan you buy.  

If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer. Google Fi offers more features on their plans than Metro by T-Mobile. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Google Fi offers domestic roaming data on their plans. Metro by T-Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Google Fi offers talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada included with both its unlimited plans. However, only text is included in their Flexible plan. Talk and data are pay-per-use. Metro by T-Mobile offers an additional add-on to include Mexico and Canada connection, called “Mexico and Canada Unlimited”.  

International Connection

Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan includes international text and data. Calling internationally is pay-per-use outside the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The Simply Unlimited plan does not include international connection, and the Flexible plan includes international texting, but talk and data are pay-per-use. Calling costs $0.20 per minute. Metro by T-Mobile also offers an additional add-on for international talk, called “Metro by T-Mobile Global Voice+”. 

Video Streaming Quality

Google Fi offers 4k Ultra High Definition streaming for their Flexible plan and 480p Standard Definition streaming for their unlimited data plans. Metro by T-Mobile’s plans stream at 480p Standard Definition. 

Streaming Services

Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan offers a free subscription to Youtube Premium. Metro by T-Mobile’s Unlimited plans offer a free one year subscription to ViX Premium. 

Cloud Storage

Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan and Metro by T-Mobile’s Unlimited + hotspot plans offer 100GB of Google One. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from Google Fi, the carrier allows you to pay for your device in installments over time. Metro by T-Mobile does not offer this feature.  

WiFi Calling

Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception. 

Spam Protection

All Google Fi plans offer spam protection included. Metro by T-Mobile’s Unlimited plans include Scam Shield. 

Free Trial

Google Fi offers a 7 day free trial. Metro by T-Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Customer Service 

Google Fi does not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support. Metro by T-Mobile offers several store locations across the country. 

Google Fi is a  digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. Google Fi offers 24/7 customer support over chat and over the phone at 1-844-TALK-2-FI. Metro by T-Mobile offers several store locations across the country. Metro by T-Mobile has locations across the country, and you can use their store locator to find the closest one. If you’d like to call their customer service line, call 888-8-METRO-8. 

The Verdict

Metro by T-Mobile plans are a better deal because they include additional hotspot data.  

Even though these plans are deprioritized, Metro by T-Mobile offers better deals because these plans include several features as well as hotspot data. However, if you don’t need additional hotspot data, you may want to take advantage of Google Fi’s plans instead of the plain Unlimited plan with Metro by T-Mobile. If you’re looking for a limited plan, you may want to look at other brands, as both Metro by T-Mobile and Google Fi only offer expensive options. 

It’s important to note that Metro by T-Mobile doesn’t include international capabilities with their plans. If you’re looking for international talk, text, or data with your plans, go with Google Fi. 

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

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