Metro vs. Straight Talk: Which Carrier is Better?

Metro by T-Mobile and Straight Talk Wireless are two MVNOs. Metro uses T-Mobile’s major wireless network, while Straight Talk uses Verizon’s network to deliver awesome coverage to all it’s users. They have a nice set of plans that, while expensive, offer a lot of data to mid-data users to find a great plan without breaking the bank. Straight Talk has multi-line savings, lots of data, a good mixture of plans, and a store full of the latest and greatest devices. Metro by T-Mobile provides affordable plans with similarly impressive multi-line savings.

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 and Straight Talk are both popular MVNOs, each one with its pros and cons. Metro by T-Mobile is an MVNO directly under T-Mobile, offering access to T-Mobile's robust network. Straight Talk, also an MVNO, purchases network access from Verizon, allowing Straight Talk to offer competitive pricing while utilizing Verizon’s extensive network infrastructure of these larger carriers.

Metro by T-Mobile benefits from T-Mobile's expansive 5G and 4G LTE networks. T-Mobile's 5G network is known for its impressive speed and coverage in urban areas, while its 4G LTE network provides widespread and reliable service nationwide. Metro customers enjoy this high-speed network as long as there is no congestion in the area. 

Straight Talk offers a similar network reach through Verizon’s network. Verizon's 5G and 4G LTE networks are renowned for their coverage and reliability, particularly in rural and suburban areas. However, Straight Talk users experience the same low data priority compared to customers on the main carriers’ plans. This means that during times of network congestion, Straight Talk customers have slower data speeds as they are deprioritized in favor of higher-tier customers from the primary carriers. The intensity of congestion and data throttling depends on your location. New York City, for instance, will always have more congestion than its suburbs. 

Be sure to explore our detailed guides and reviews on our website for a comprehensive analysis of Verizon and T-Mobile networks' performance and how MVNOs like Straight Talk and Metro leverage these networks.

Plan Options

Metro offers various plans that provide unlimited data, while Straight Talk offers a quartet of data plans with limited 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 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. 

Straight Talk Cell Phone Plans

Straight Talk has four main plans for its store. All of them are viable, depending on how much data you want each month, with great savings coming from creating a multi-line account. Carriers like Tello Mobile and Visible Wireless, who don’t have any multi-line savings, are able to provide more affordable prices when compared to the maximum cost of Straight Talk’s cell phone plans, but the multi-line savings from Straight Talk is an excellent choice for if you have friends or family who are willing to open an account with you. Here are the main Straight Talk plans:  

• Bronze Unlimited — $35 per month (no multi-line savings)
• Silver Unlimited — $45/37.50/30/25
• Gold Unlimited — $55/47.50/40/35
• Platinum Unlimited — $65/57.50/50/45

The savings available from these plans make them excellent choices for multiple-line accounts. Straight Talk’s Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans all come with 60 GB of high-speed data before your plan is throttled to 2G data speeds. Outside of the data, the Gold and Platinum plans both come with hotspot data (15 and 20 GB, respectively), 100 GB cloud storage, international calling, and a Walmart+ membership!

As long as you are content with using less than 60 GB of high-speed data each month, opening an account with Straight Talk is a great choice. For single-line users, we still recommend the Silver plan, as the Bronze plan only comes with 10 GB of high-speed data.

Straight Talk offers a simple family plan for all its customers. When you have multiple lines on an account, each line receives its lowest prices on Straight Talk’s 3-month contract plans, which are the shortest contracts they offer. 

Major Wireless Network vs. MVNO

Metro and Straight Talk are both MVNOs, so they have a lower data priority than any of the major wireless networks in the United States. MVNOs are amazing, but they have a few downsides compared to the more expensive and expansive major networks. 

Impact on Data Speeds

As mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), both Metro by T-Mobile and Straight Talk can experience data deprioritization. However, the level of impact can differ based on their parent networks and how they manage congestion. Metro by T-Mobile operates on T-Mobile’s network, while Straight Talk can leverage both Verizon and T-Mobile networks.

Metro by T-Mobile users face frequent data deprioritization in high-congestion areas. During times of network congestion, Metro users can still experience slower speeds, particularly in heavily populated cities such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Miami.

Straight Talk users experience the same deprioritization when Verizon’s network is congested. Straight Talk must yield bandwidth to the main carrier’s direct customers during peak times. Straight Talk users experience noticeable slowdowns in densely populated cities. Predicting congestion in less populated areas and rural regions is more challenging. However, temporary events such as festivals, concerts, and sporting events can overload local networks, causing temporary slowdowns for both Metro and Straight Talk users.

Network Comparison

When comparing major wireless networks, Verizon and T-Mobile both offer extensive coverage and high-speed data services, but their performance can vary by location.

• Verizon: Known for its superior coverage in rural and suburban areas, Verizon generally provides reliable service with less data deprioritization. Verizon customers benefit from higher data priority, often enjoying either Tier 1 or Tier 2 data, which means MVNO customers, including those on Straight Talk using Verizon’s network, are deprioritized before Verizon's direct customers.
• T-Mobile: Excelling in urban areas with its robust 5G network, T-Mobile offers high-speed data and extensive coverage in cities. Metro by T-Mobile users benefit from this strong network but can still face data deprioritization during peak times.

Customer Service 

Metro Mobile's contact information is 888-8-METRO-8, or you can access its help page here. For Straight Talk, you can contact them here: 877-430-2355 or access their help page here. 

The Verdict

Both of these cell phone carriers operate in a similar niche. They are MVNOs that provide large data allocations to customers who want a break from major wireless networks and their expensive cell phone plans, but still use their phones a lot on mobile data. At the end of the day, we recommend Metro by T-Mobile over Straight Talk because Metro offers unlimited high-speed data. With unlimited high-speed data you never have to worry about your data consumption, and with Metro’s impressive multi-line savings, you can grab some friends or family and bring your monthly price way down. 

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan. Being able to limit your data consumption opens up the option for far more low-data plans that are a fraction of the cost of major wireless unlimited high-speed data plans. The downside, of course, is that it is difficult to keep data consumption low. For low-data users there are many available MVNOs that offer single-line plans under $20 a month. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Metro by T-Mobile and Straight Talk?

Metro by T-Mobile is a prepaid service directly operated by T-Mobile, offering access to T-Mobile’s network with higher data priority. Straight Talk, an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), purchases network access from major carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile, providing a cost-effective alternative but with potentially lower data priority.

How does data deprioritization affect my service with Metro and Straight Talk?

Data deprioritization occurs when the network is congested, and users on lower-priority plans experience slower speeds. Metro by T-Mobile typically has higher data priority compared to Straight Talk, meaning Metro users are less likely to experience slowdowns during peak times. Straight Talk, using MVNO access, is more susceptible to data deprioritization, especially in high-traffic areas.

Does Metro by T-Mobile have better coverage than Straight Talk?

Metro by T-Mobile generally offers similar coverage to Straight Talk, as both use T-Mobile’s network for the majority of their service. However, Metro’s direct affiliation with T-Mobile may provide it with slightly better data priority, potentially leading to a more stable connection in congested areas.

In which areas is data congestion more common for both carriers?

Data congestion is more prevalent in densely populated urban areas such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Miami. Both Metro and Straight Talk users in these cities may experience slower data speeds during peak times. Rural and less populated areas are less likely to experience significant congestion, but major events can temporarily overload local networks.

How does Straight Talk’s use of Verizon’s network impact its performance?

Straight Talk users on Verizon’s network benefit from Verizon’s extensive coverage and strong network infrastructure. However, they are still subject to data deprioritization, meaning they may experience slower speeds during network congestion, especially compared to Verizon’s direct customers who enjoy higher data priority.

What is the difference in data plans between Metro and Straight Talk?

Metro by T-Mobile’s plans often include higher data priority, providing faster speeds and more reliable service during peak times. Straight Talk’s plans are typically more budget-friendly but come with lower data priority, making them more susceptible to slowdowns during heavy network traffic.

Which carrier is better for urban vs. rural areas?

Urban Areas: Metro by T-Mobile may offer a better experience in cities due to its higher data priority on T-Mobile’s network. Straight Talk users might experience more frequent slowdowns in these areas.

Rural Areas: Verizon’s network generally provides superior coverage in rural regions, making Straight Talk a solid choice for rural users. T-Mobile’s coverage in these areas is also strong but may vary.

Can I switch between Metro by T-Mobile and Straight Talk easily?

Switching between Metro and Straight Talk can be straightforward, but it’s essential to consider your coverage needs, data priority, and pricing. Check coverage maps and read user reviews for your specific area to make an informed decision. Also, ensure your phone is compatible with the carrier you choose.

Which carrier offers better customer service?

Customer service experiences can vary, but Metro by T-Mobile, being directly operated by T-Mobile, generally offers customer service through T-Mobile’s support channels. Straight Talk’s customer service is managed by Tracfone, which may have varying reviews depending on your location and issue.

Where can I find more information on these carriers?

For detailed reviews, coverage maps, and comparisons of Metro by T-Mobile and Straight Talk, visit our website. We provide comprehensive guides, user testimonials, and expert analyses to help you choose the best carrier for your needs.