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

Ting Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile are popular MVNOs that offer great deals on data. 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 

Coverage & Reception

Ting Mobile is on several networks, while Metro by T-Mobile is on the T-Mobile network.

Ting Mobile 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. Ting Mobile is an MVNO of both Verizon and T-Mobile, and Metro by T-Mobile is an MVNO of T-Mobile. You can choose which network you use with Ting 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

Both Ting Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile offer 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. Ting Mobile offers several limited and unlimited plans as well as a flexible data plan. Metro by T-Mobile’s unlimited plans all offer additional data specifically for hotspot access. Both companies deprioritize data, meaning you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and sports arenas.

Ting Mobile Plans

Ting Mobile offers several unlimited and limited plans, as well as a pay-as-you-go plan. 

Ting Mobile offers varying unlimited and limited plans with the ability to include an unlimited number of lines on your plan. Any fast data you don’t use will roll over to the next month. Their QCI tier changes depending on which network you choose. If you choose T-Mobile, your QCI tier will be 7. It will be tier 9 on Verizon’s network.

Their unlimited plans also include varying amounts of hotspot data. 

They also offer a pay-as-you-go, or flexible, plan, where you pay for the exact amount of data you use.

If you purchase your phone from Ting Mobile, your device will be sold to you already unlocked. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

Flex Plan

This plan gives you a rate of $5 per GB. 

As a flexible plan, Ting Mobile allows you to pay for the exact amount of data you use. Any data you buy can be used as hotspot data. 

The plan costs $10 per month, and each GB you use is $5. For example, if you used 1GB, you’d pay $15. 

Set 5 

This plan gives you 5GB, then slow data afterwards. 

Ting Mobile gives you 5GB of data with this plan, and all plan data can be used as a hotspot data. After the cap, you can use unlimited slow data at 2G speeds, or 128 kbps. This allows you to send text messages and emails or browse websites, but not much else. 

The plan costs $25 per month. At this rate, you get 5GB at $5 per GB. 

Set 12

This plan is 12GB with hotspot data and unlimited slow data. 

Set 12 gives you 12GB of data, and all of it can be used as hotspot data. Again, data slows to 2G speeds after the cap. 

The plan costs $35 per month. At this rate, you get 12GB at $2.92 per GB. 

Unlimited

This plan slows down after 22GB of full speed data. 

Ting Mobile’s unlimited plan gives you 22GB of full speed data before slowing down to 2G speeds for the rest of the month. The plan also gives you separate hotspot data, which stops after 12GB. 

The plan costs $45 per month. At this rate, you get 22GB of full speed data and 12GB of hotspot data at $1.32 per GB. 

Ollo Unlimited Pro 

Their biggest plan gets you 35GB of full speed data and 18GB of hotspot data. 

Ollo Unlimited is Ting Mobile’s biggest plan, which gives you 35GB of full speed data before slowing down to 2G speeds. You also get an additional 18GB of hotspot data, which stops after you reach that cap. 

The plan costs $55 per month. At this rate, you get 35GB of full speed data and 18GB of hotspot data at $1.04 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

Metro by T-Mobile offers more features.

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. Ting Mobile offers international connectivity at pay-per-use rates, and Metro by T-Mobile and Boost Infinite both offer add-ons for specific plans to include more features for an additional fee. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Ting Mobile offers domestic roaming with no specific limits and Metro by T-Mobile do not include this feature.

Mexico & Canada Connection

Ting Mobile offers pay-per-use rates on talk, text, and data for both Mexico and Canada. Talk rates are $0.30 per minute, text rates are $0.12 per message, and data rates are $0.20 per MB. Metro by T-Mobile offers an add-on to include Mexico and Canada connection, called “Mexico and Canada Unlimited”.  

International Connection

Ting Mobile offers varying pay-per-use rates depending on the country. None of Metro by T-Mobile’s plans include international roaming. However, their Unlimited + 25GB hotspot plan includes international texting. Metro by T-Mobile also offers an additional add-on for international talk, called “Metro by T-Mobile Global Voice+”.  

Video Streaming Quality

All Ting Mobile plans offer 1080p High Definition streaming. Metro by T-Mobile’s plans stream at 480p Standard Definition.  

Streaming Services

Metro by T-Mobile’s Unlimited plans offer a free one year subscription to ViX Premium. Ting Mobile does not offer this feature.

Cloud Storage

Metro by T-Mobile’s Unlimited + hotspot plans offer 100GB of Google One. Ting Mobile does not offer this feature.

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from Metro by T-Mobile, they allow you to pay for your device in installments over time. Ting 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

Metro by T-Mobile’s Unlimited plans include Scam Shield. Ting Mobile does not offer this feature.

Free Trial

Boost Infinite and Metro by T-Mobile do not offer this feature. Ting Mobile does not offer this feature.

Customer Service 

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

Ting Mobile is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. They offer chat support 24/7 and phone support at the number 1-855-846-4389. Metro by T-Mobile offers several store locations across the country. Metro by T-Mobile also has many 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

Ting Mobile offers better limited plans, while Metro by T-Mobile offers better unlimited plans. 

Because of the price per GB, Ting Mobile offers better limited data plans. Metro by T-Mobile on the other hand offers better unlimited plans because of the features included. 

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

Want to compare other carriers?

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