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

AT&T is one of the three major wireless networks popular in the United States, and Metro by T-Mobile is an MVNO that operates on, well, T-Mobile’s network. It provides affordable plans with the caveat that it is more likely to experience data deprioritization than major wireless providers.

Metro by T-Mobile is an MVNO that operates on T-Mobile’s network. It provides affordable plans with the caveat that it is more likely to experience data deprioritization than major wireless providers. Metro has a more expensive set of plans (relative to MVNOs) that come with a good data allocation, which is pretty high relative to other MVNOs. 

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 do the prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Coverage & Reception

Metro by T-Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). This means it purchases 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 lower price. Metro uses T-Mobile’s network.  

Metro is comparable with AT&T regarding coverage and reception, as both AT&T and T-Mobile have excellent nationwide coverage with 4G LTE and 5G coverage maps. AT&T has better coverage in certain areas, while T-Mobile takes the cake in other regions. Make sure to check local coverage maps for more information about your area.  

The other significant difference between the coverage and reception of these carriers is that AT&T customers have a far higher data priority than Metro Mobile’s customers. When there is more traffic on a network than it can handle, the owning company (AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon) will throttle the data of specific customers. To evade slowing everyone’s data speed at once, carriers have users divided into tiers with different data priorities. In the United States, that priority data is roughly divided into three tiers, like so: 

• Tier 1 Data has the maximum data speeds at all times. If tier-one data is ever slowed down, it means no network customers can access high-speed data. This may occur at sporting events, concerts, or other large congregations of people.
• Tier 2 Data retains maximum speeds after MVNO customers' data is slowed down. This is excellent on all but the busiest occasions. If congestion returns after MVNOs are slowed down, then T2 gets slowed to make room for Tier 1 Data, which this plan offers, to stay at max speeds. With T2 data, you may notice slowdowns in bigger cities where there are many residents and commuters. 
• Tier 3 Data, or MVNO data, is always the first tier of data to receive slowdowns. Metro Mobile utilizes MVNO data, which is an excellent way to use major wireless networks with affordable plan pricing. 

So, AT&T offers plans that have either tier 1 or tier 2 data, and Metro Mobile offers plans that are on tier 3 data. If you live in a major metropolitan area, you will notice far more slowdowns due to data deprioritization than if you live in a suburban or rural area.

Plan Options

AT&T Prepaid and Metro by T-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 Metro’s cell phone plans. 

Metro Mobile Cell Phone Plans

Metro by T-Mobile’s unlimited plan provides unlimited high-speed data, which separates them from other MVNOs. Few MVNO data plans offer the same. Metro Mobile has four cell phone plans. Three are unlimited plans, and the last is a 10 GB plan. Each plan comes with unlimited talk and text, as well as the same 5G and 4G LTE coverage that T-Mobile users get. The phone plans at Metro Mobile are competitively priced and come with a variety of benefits and shortcomings, just like their competitors. Their four major plans are:

MetroFlex Plus

Metro Mobile’s most expensive cell phone plan offers a huge selection of add-ons on top of their unlimited high-speed data. The difference between Metro Mobile’s three unlimited cell phone plans is the hotspot data and additional add-ons like international messages and subscription services. With MetroFlex Plus, you receive 25 GB of hotspot data, an Amazon Prime membership, a 1-year VIX Premium subscription, and a 100 GB Google One membership. That’s a lot of add-ons!

The downside, of course, is the price of this plan. A $70 MVNO is a steep price. The multi-line savings are great, but it is still around $44 a month per line. 

MetroFlex UP

This cell phone plan comes with 25 GB hotspot data, the Google One membership, the VIX subscription, and unlimited international texting. Along with unlimited high-speed data, this plan and all three unlimited plans have a soft cap of 35 GB. After you use 35 GB of data, you become further susceptible to data throttling in times of congestion. That means you will get slower data speeds than other Metro by T-Mobile customers as well as T-Mobile customers. 

MetroFlex Start

The basic unlimited plan from Metro still comes with 8 GB of hotspot data, as well as the Google One and VIX memberships. These are nice, but they add to the significant price tag of this unlimited plan. Paying $50 a month for an MVNO is still a hefty price tag, even if it does come with unlimited high-speed data. 

10 GB plan

Coming in at $40 a month with no multi-line savings, Metro’s limited-data plan is not very well priced compared to other MVNO plans that provide this amount of data. This means Metro is best for people who want unlimited high-speed data. If you are interested in limited-data plans where you can save big on your monthly phone bill, we recommend looking at providers like Tello Mobile, Mint Mobile, and Ting Mobile. 

Low-data providers have fantastically priced cell phone plans that provide single-digit GB of high-speed data. This data allocation does not give you a lot of wiggle room when it comes to data usage, but it is a fantastic way to get a phone number with unlimited talk and text, and, of course, you can use as much data as you want on WiFi. 

AT&T Pre-Paid Cell Phone Plans

AT&T offers a range of prepaid plans designed to cater to various needs, from light users to heavy data consumers. Here’s a breakdown of their current offerings, focusing on data, pricing, and how they stack up against the competition.

5 GB Plan

AT&T’s 5GB plan is designed for moderate users who don’t need a lot of data but still want a reliable connection when they’re not on Wi-Fi. The plan includes 5GB of high-speed data, after which speeds are reduced to 128 Kbps. This plan also includes unlimited talk and text within the U.S., making it a solid choice for those who mainly use their phone for communication and occasional data use. One standout feature is the rollover data, which allows any unused data to carry over to the next month, giving users more flexibility. 

The plan also supports mobile hotspot usage, though it draws from the same 5GB data pool. The cost is $30 per month for a single line, with multi-line discounts available. All AT&T's Pre-Paid cell phone plans have excellent multi-line discounts.

15 GB Plan

For users who need more data but aren’t quite power users, AT&T’s 15GB plan strikes a good balance. It provides 15GB of high-speed data each month, with speeds slowing down to 128 Kbps after the data cap is reached. This plan also includes unlimited talk and text, ensuring users can stay connected without worrying about their minutes. Like the 5GB plan, this one includes rollover data and allows for mobile hotspot use. Priced at $40 per month for a single line, this plan is a bit more expensive but offers greater flexibility for data usage throughout the month.

Unlimited Plan

AT&T’s Unlimited plan is perfect for users who want unlimited data without any unexpected overage charges. This plan provides unlimited high-speed data, though speeds may be reduced during times of network congestion after 22GB of usage. The plan also includes unlimited talk and text, making it a comprehensive option for those who need constant connectivity. Additionally, it comes with 5GB of mobile hotspot data, after which speeds are reduced to 128 Kbps. The price for a single line is $50 per month.

The data deprioritization after 22 GBs means your data is placed in a lower tier where you are considered, for all intents and purposes, like an MVNO customer. Fortunately you can take full advantage of unlimited high-speed data, but be prepared for slowdowns in times of high data usage. 

Unlimited Plus Plan

For those who want the best features available in a prepaid plan, AT&T’s Unlimited Plus plan is the top-tier option. It offers unlimited high-speed data, with priority data up to 50GB before potentially slowing during times of congestion. This plan also includes 15GB of mobile hotspot data, and supports HD video streaming, making it ideal for power users who need robust data capabilities. The cost is $60 per month for a single line.

Multi-Line Savings

Multi-Line savings make AT&T’s prepaid plans more attractive for families or groups looking to manage multiple lines under one account while enjoying the benefits of a prepaid service.

Single versus multi-line accounts are a good way to differentiate the kind of carrier you should look for. Unfortunately, no major wireless carriers offer powerful and well-priced single-line plans, but MVNOs like Visible, Tello, and Ting are all geared toward single-line plans. Metro by T-Mobile is an MVNO that has powerful multi-line savings. 

Major Wireless Network vs. MVNO

One of the biggest differences between AT&T and Metro Mobile is that AT&T is a major wireless network, while Metro Mobile is an MVNO. There are several key differences between these kinds of carriers. Let’s get into it.

Data throttling and data deprioritization are two key differences between major wireless networks and MVNOs. 

• Deprioritization: during network congestion, causing slower speeds. Some plans, like the AT&T Pre-paid Unlimited Plans, offer a set amount of premium data each month, after which your data may be deprioritized, leading to potential slowdowns when the network is busy.
• Throttling: when you use up all your data on a limited plan. Unlike deprioritization, throttling dramatically reduces your data speeds for the rest of the month, returning to normal when your data resets the next month.

As an MVNO, Metro Mobile’s data fluctuates far more than AT&T’s data, as Metro Mobile receives data deprioritization far more. This makes Metro Mobile, among other MVNOs, unreliable in terms of data speeds. Anytime there is a danger of congestion within Verizon’s network, the high-speed data given to Metro Mobile’s customers is slowed down to allocate more bandwidth to major wireless customers. 

This congestion is seen most in big cities around the United States. In those cities, the network is stronger but not strong enough to handle the city's residents and the commuters coming in for work. 

Customer Service 

AT&T has physical locations and robust online customer service offerings, similar to Metro Mobile. You can call AT&T’s customer service line at 844-931-0552. You can also reach AT&T’s help pages following this link, which have answers to frequently asked questions, the option to chat, and more. 

Metro Mobile's contact information is 888-8-METRO-8, or you can access its help page here. 

The Verdict

Metro is on the expensive side for MVNOs, providing pricing and multi-line savings that are very similar to what you see at T-Mobile. It is best for high-data users who use lots of data each month but don’t rely on the data priority that makes major networks so strong. We love unlimited high-speed data in MVNO plans, but Metro’s plans are very expensive. 

Overall, we recommend Metro by T-Mobile over AT&T Prepaid. AT&T Prepaid’s plans are too expensive for us to recommend them, even though they are from a major wireless carrier. If you want the bells and whistles of a big carrier, we recommend AT&T’s post-paid plans over their prepaid plans, as the post-paid plans are better priced, have great add-ons, and awesome multi-line savings. 

Want to compare other carriers?

Really.com helps users compare features, coverage, prices, 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!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile the same?

No, T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile are not the same. T-Mobile is a major wireless carrier, while Metro by T-Mobile is its prepaid subsidiary. T-Mobile offers a few prepaid cell phone plans that offer limited high-speed data, like these MVNOs, but those are still a part of T-Mobile proper, where users have a higher data priority and access T-Mobile’s robust support network. 

What's the difference between AT&T Prepaid and Postpaid plans?

The main difference between AT&T Prepaid and Postpaid plans is how you pay and manage your service. Prepaid plans require you to pay upfront each month, with no contracts or credit checks, and offer more flexibility but fewer premium features. Postpaid plans involve billing at the end of each month, often include contracts or installment plans for devices, and provide more perks like higher data priority, better international options, and access to premium services.

Should I open an AT&T Prepaid or Postpaid account?

Choosing between AT&T Prepaid and Postpaid depends on your needs:

• Go with Prepaid if you want flexibility, no contracts, and the ability to pay upfront each month. It's ideal if you don't need premium features, prefer a simple, budget-friendly option, and don't mind slightly lower data priority during congestion.
• Opt for Postpaid if you prefer more perks, such as premium data priority, device financing options, and better international features. It's a good choice if you're okay with a contract or installment plan and want access to AT&T’s full range of services.

If you value flexibility and affordability, prepaid is the way to go. If you prioritize premium features and long-term value, postpaid might be better suited for you.