Metro by T-Mobile FAQs: 7 Things to Know Before You Sign Up

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.

Answering Common Metro by T-Mobile FAQs

Here’s a little info to help you start our Metro by T-Mobile review! 

• What sets Metro by T-Mobile apart? Metro stands out with affordable plans, perks like Amazon Prime and Google One storage, and access to T-Mobile’s vast 5G network. It’s ideal for customers who want reliable service and bonus features at a lower price.
• What’s the price of Metro’s plans? Metro offers fairly expensive plans, including options with high-speed data. Key plans range from entry-level with basic data to larger plans that include perks and hotspot data.
• What kinds of plans does Metro offer? Metro offers several prepaid plans with varying high-speed data, unlimited talk/text, and family discounts. These options provide flexibility for those who want to avoid long-term commitments. Metro’s plan structure is similar to what you see from major wireless networks. Their plans offer sizable data allocations and big family plan discounts. We recommend avoiding Metro if you are on a single-line plan, as there are much more affordable options, like Visible Wireless, that do not offer any multi-line savings. 
• What network does Metro use? Metro operates on T-Mobile’s nationwide 4G LTE and 5G networks, giving customers strong coverage and fast data speeds in urban and many rural areas.
• Can you bring your own cell phone? Yes, Metro supports BYOD. With a compatible, unlocked device, you can bring your phone to Metro by T-Mobile. Metro’s online compatibility tool makes this easy to check.
• Does Metro have any stores? Yes, Metro has numerous retail stores across the U.S. for in-person assistance, phone purchases, and account support, making it convenient for those who prefer direct service.

1. 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. 

2. Metro by T-Mobile Services and Features

Metro by T-Mobile offers a wide range of services and features that cater to budget-conscious users while leveraging T-Mobile's strong 5G and 4G LTE networks. Here’s a breakdown of what Metro provides:

• Truly Unlimited High-Speed Data Plans: Rare among MVNOs, Metro offers unlimited high-speed data, making it a great choice for heavy data users who stream, game, or work on the go.
• Multi-Line Discounts: Families or groups save significantly, with the cost per line dropping as more lines are added.
• Bundled Perks: Some plans include free access to services like Amazon Prime or Google One, adding value without additional subscriptions.
• No Annual Contracts: Metro operates on a prepaid model, so users aren't locked into long-term agreements, offering flexibility.
• Nationwide 5G and 4G LTE Coverage: Users enjoy access to T-Mobile’s extensive network, with especially strong coverage in urban and suburban areas.
• Mobile Hotspot: Select plans come with high-speed hotspot allowances, enabling users to share their data across devices.
• In-Store Support: Metro has numerous retail locations, allowing for in-person assistance, device purchases, and plan management.

3. Metro by T-Mobile Versus Competition

Metro by T-Mobile stands out for its flexibility, unlimited high-speed data plans, and family discounts. It is a strong option for users looking for a robust MVNO and who are willing to pay for it. Metro’s plans are very expensive compared to more affordable MVNOs with smaller data allocations on their cell phone plans. 

Metro by T-Mobile vs. T-Mobile

As a subsidiary of T-Mobile, Metro benefits from access to the same robust 5G and 4G LTE network, offering nationwide coverage, robust plans, and excellent multi-line savings. T-Mobile customers receive higher data priority, so they are less likely to experience congestion in times of network strain. 

T-Mobile’s plans are more expensive but include perks like priority data, extensive international roaming options, and premium features like Netflix on select family plans. T-Mobile is worth the premium for users who need these benefits or want the fastest data speeds. However, Metro’s lower cost and similar service quality make it a strong choice for budget-conscious users who are looking for unlimited high-speed data through an MVNO. 

Metro by T-Mobile vs. Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile excels at offering extremely low-cost plans, particularly for customers who can commit to 3-, 6-, or 12-month contracts. However, Mint Mobile caps high-speed data on all plans, including their "unlimited" plan, which slows after 40 GB of usage. This limitation makes Mint unsuitable for high data users, but Mint’s prices are far below what Metro offers. 

Metro, on the other hand, offers plans with true unlimited high-speed data (no slowdowns) and greater flexibility since all Metro plans are month-to-month. Metro is better for high-data users interested in no-contract cell phone plans, while Mint is a more affordable option.

Metro by T-Mobile vs. Tello Mobile

Tello Mobile is one of the most affordable MVNOs, offering plans as low as $9 per month, but its high-speed data caps are much smaller, maxing out at 35 GB even on its "unlimited" plan. Tello Mobile operates without contracts and offers no multi-line savings, making it best-suited for light and medium-data users looking for extremely affordable cell phone plans. 

Metro, by contrast, is better suited for those who rely heavily on mobile data. Metro’s plans start at $30 and scale up to unlimited high-speed data, making it a more viable option for moderate to heavy data users. 

When thinking about our Metro by T-Mobile review, make sure to consider what you’re looking for in a cell phone plan. 

4. Metro by T-Mobile Phone Options

Metro by T-Mobile offers a wide variety of new devices for purchase, including the latest and greatest devices from Apple, Samsung, and more. As they are closely tied to T-Mobile, you can expect Metro’s store to remain stocked with all manner of devices, including cell phones, smartwatches, and tablets. Metro offers a lot of cell phone contracts, so be wary when purchasing a new device. If you do not pay for it in full, your device will remain locked to Metro, meaning you, effectively, can’t transfer carriers. These cell phone contracts are very common as the cost of devices increases. 

If you want to keep the flexibility to switch carriers, we recommend avoiding any cell phone contracts with Metro by T-Mobile. You can also bring a used cell phone when opening an account at Metro. Buying a used cell phone can be a cost-effective way to get a high-quality device. Used phones are typically sold in "certified refurbished" or "pre-owned" conditions, meaning they’ve been tested, repaired if necessary, and are guaranteed functional. You can buy used phones through various retailers like Amazon and BackMarket.

Before purchasing a used phone, be sure to check compatibility, warranty options, and condition (like “excellent” or “good”) to ensure it meets your needs.

5. Metro by T-Mobile Customer Service

Metro has many physical locations around the country, and you can call customer service on this number: 888-8-METRO-8, contact support through the MyMetro app, or explore their support website here!

6. Metro by T-Mobile Customer Reviews

switched to Metro a few months ago because they were giving away free OnePlus Nord N10 5G phones with a port-in. I came from Visible (which is owned by Verizon).

“My experience with Metro has been generally positive. There are things I like and things I dislike. The good stuff includes the fact that they have retail stores if you have an issue. Their customer support was helpful when I had a question/small issue. The speed is generally fine and often great. I've gotten 5G speeds of 200+ Mbps and regularly see speeds of 100+ Mbps. Oh, they also gave me a free Google One subscription, which is actually kind of decent since I came from a Pixel 3 (with unlimited photo storage)--having the extra cloud storage is a nice freebie.

I don't have any strong complaints about the service, however, I do plan on porting back to Visible as soon as they unlock my device (after 6 months). This was my plan before I joined Metro, but after joining, I want to go back to Visible even more. The primary reason is that I'm paying $50 for unlimited on Metro, and I paid only $25 for unlimited on Visible. Also, my experience with Verizon in my city is better than my experience with TMO (I've had TMO post-paid and pre-paid previously). That said, I'm not going to badmouth Metro's deprioritization because even when I experience it, my data is still pretty usable.

TLDR: My experience has been positive, but based on price you can do better.” — User on Reddit.

7. Metro by T-Mobile Review Summary

The Good

• Affordable plans. Metro by T-Mobile offers a range of budget-friendly plans, starting at just $50/month. All plans include taxes and fees, simplifying the pricing and making it easier to budget.
• T-Mobile’s powerful 5G network. Since Metro operates on T-Mobile's network, customers enjoy access to one of the fastest and most reliable 5G networks in the country.
• Perks for prepaid users. Metro sets itself apart by bundling benefits like Amazon Prime (on select plans), 100GB of Google One storage, and scam protection tools, which add extra value to their offerings.
• No annual contracts. Like most MVNOs, Metro doesn’t lock you into long-term agreements, giving you the freedom to change plans or carriers without penalties.

The Bad

• Deprioritized data. As a prepaid service, Metro customers might experience slower speeds during times of network congestion compared to postpaid T-Mobile customers.
• Limited international features. While Metro includes international texting and some calling to Canada and Mexico, it doesn’t offer robust global roaming options compared to other carriers.
• Few phone deals for existing customers. While new users often see excellent phone discounts, loyal customers may find fewer incentives to upgrade devices.
• Coverage gaps in rural areas. T-Mobile’s network excels in urban and suburban areas but can still be patchy in remote or rural regions, affecting Metro users.

Metro by T-Mobile delivers a solid mix of affordability, strong 5G coverage, and prepaid perks, making it a great choice for budget-conscious users who want to maximize their value. While data deprioritization and rural coverage gaps might deter some, Metro’s simplicity and added benefits, like Amazon Prime, help it stand out in the MVNO market. It’s an excellent option for those who prioritize savings without compromising access to a leading 5G network.