Metro by T-Mobile Review (2026): Plans, Coverage & Pros/Cons

Figuring out how to cut back on your everyday spending is one thing. Less takeout? Fewer Amazon purchases? Totally doable. But reducing monthly bills — like your phone or internet — is a little tougher. But with Metro by T-Mobile, you can get phone plans (plus high-speed, 5G home internet) for a more affordable price. If you’re wondering what makes it cheaper and if it could be a good option for you, we talk about that and more in our Metro by T-mobile review.

TL;DR: Metro by T-Mobile is best if…

• You want a lower monthly bill with taxes and fees included
• You don’t mind slower speeds occasionally
• You’re OK with prepaid service and fewer extras

Metro by T-Mobile is not the best fit if…

• You want top-priority data at all times
• Premium perks like international roaming or bundled streaming are important to you
• You’re looking for top-notch customer support

Key takeaways at a glance

• Uses T-Mobile’s network, but Metro customers may be deprioritized during congestion
• Prepaid, month-to-month service with no long-term contracts
• Promos (like the $25 plan) often have eligibility rules and can change

What Is Metro by T-Mobile?

If you remember MetroPCS, that is now just Metro, which is a prepaid wireless brand owned by T-Mobile. It offers cell phone plans, watch and tablet plans, and home internet plans. Although it uses T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G and 4G LTE network, what makes Metro more affordable is that they are prepaid plans that can come with slower/limited data. That’s because T-Mobile customers, who for the most part are paying more, are prioritized on the network. However, in addition to the lower cost, some people also prefer no contracts and the fact that it doesn’t require a credit check. 

Is Metro the same as T-Mobile?

Metro is owned by T-Mobile and uses the same cell towers, but you don’t get the same service. The biggest difference is that Metro customers are prepaid and typically have lower network priority than T-Mobile’s postpaid customers.

Prepaid vs. postpaid: what changes for you?

Prepaid service means you pay upfront each month for your plan instead of being billed later. That’s great for people who don’t want to commit to a longer contract or want to avoid surprise charges. However, it also comes with fewer perks, fewer financing options and less priority during busy network times.

Feature	Metro by T-Mobile	T-Mobile (Postpaid)
Network	T-Mobile towers	T-Mobile towers
Priority	Lower during congestion	Higher
Contract	Month-to-month prepaid	Monthly postpaid
Credit check	Usually not required	Often required
Perks	Limited	More premium extras

Metro Plans and Pricing (Updated)

Metro’s biggest appeal is its simple, prepaid pricing that often includes taxes and fees. If you’re looking for a phone plan, you can get that for as little as $40 a month* and that’s for unlimited 5G data and talk and text. That price includes taxes and fees. You will have to check if it’s available at your address, as there are network capacity limits. 

Best deal for one line: the $25 BYOD offer

Metro frequently advertises a $25-per-month unlimited plan when you bring your own compatible phone. This deal is available to new customers, requires autopay and doesn’t include a hotspot.

This plan works best if you want the lowest possible monthly cost and don’t need add-ons.

Standard unlimited plans ($40, $50 and $60) and what you actually get

If you’re looking for a phone plan, these are your options: 

• $40/month plan: Unlimited talk/text, unlimited 5G data, Scam Shield to protect from spam calls and T-Mobile Tuesday, which is when customers get exclusively deals on food, gas and entertainment.
• $50/month plan (with autopay, $55 the first month): Unlimited talk/text, unlimited 5G data, 8GB hotspot, 100GB Google One storage. Scam Shield. T-Mobile Tuesdays. 
• $60/month plan (with autopay, $65 the first month): Unlimited talk/text, unlimited 5G data, 25GB hotspot, 100GB Google One storage, Amazon Prime. Scam Shield. T-Mobile Tuesdays. Unlimited international texting.

These plans all come with a 5-year price guarantee, but plans and promos change frequently. Always verify current eligibility and details before switching.

Multi-line pricing offers options for families

Metro can be a strong value for households with multiple lines because it costs less per line when you add more people. For example, a family of four can often pay as little as $100 a month. A two-line plan starts at $65 a month.

Coverage and Data Speeds (What to Expect)

Metro customers access the same towers as T-Mobile customers, and Ookla did name T-Mobile’s network as the best mobile network in the U.S. this year. However, it’s important to note the data deprioritization you’ll experience. 

Coverage is the same as T-Mobile, but priority is different

When the network is congested, T-Mobile customers will be prioritized rather than Metro by T-Mobile customers. That means you should expect slower speeds during peak times. Its coverage also is weaker on the west side of the country and generally strongest in metro areas. You can see its coverage map here.

Deprioritization explained in plain English

Deprioritization means your speeds may slow down if the network is crowded. You’re most likely to notice it:

• During rush hour
• At concerts or sporting events
• In dense urban areas

Most users still find speeds usable for everyday tasks, but it’s not ideal for people who need consistently fast data.

Metro Home Internet 

T-Mobile 5G home internet is a home internet service that doesn’t use traditional cable internet connections. Instead, you’ll get it via T-Mobile’s 5G and LTE network and use a gateway device that acts as the router and modem. It’s a monthly service, so there’s no annual contract or commitment like with phone plans. 

Price, eligibility and voice-line requirements vary

If you sign up with a voice line and set up autopay you could pay as low as $30 a month, taxes and fees not included. And you’ll pay more for faster speeds. A plan with faster speed and 24/7 tech support is $40 a month, and one with all that plus access to Hulu and Paramount+ is $50 a month. You also get those prices with a voice line and auto pay. If you don’t want the voice line, you could pay as low as $50 a month.

Speeds and returns depend on location

As with the phone data, speeds vary widely based on congestion and proximity to towers, and Metro advertises expected ranges rather than guarantees. We have all the details in our T-Mobile 5G Home Internet review.

Customer Reviews and Common Complaints

The average rating for Metro by T-Mobile on TrustPilot is 1.4 stars. Negative reviews cite poor experiences with customer service and surprise charges. There are, however, a few positive reviews praising customer service and the low prices. 

The customer review rating on the BBB isn’t any better at 1.1 stars. There are similar issues — poor customer service, problems with refunds and unexpected charges. Some users do appreciate the lower price point. Here is a Reddit thread of users talking about their experiences, which are generally positive. 

Most complaints fall into a few recurring themes

Common issues mentioned in reviews include:

• Billing or promo misunderstandings
• Unhappy with customer service
• Unexpected fees and charges 

You can reduce issues with a few practical steps

To avoid problems:

• Get plan and promo details in writing
• Screenshot offer terms during signup
• Consider online activation to avoid in-store fees when possible

Phones, eSIM and Switching

There’s a wide selection of device options. This includes iPhone, Motorola and Samsung phones. It also offers tablets and smart watches. You can also check here for current deals and promotions that you can get both online and in store. As for financing options, those are a little bit more limited. It uses Affirm, a buy-now-pay-later app, which has limited repayment structure options.

Bringing your own phone is also fairly easy to do. 

You can usually keep your phone and number

Most unlocked GSM phones (phones with SIM cards) work on Metro, and number porting is typically straightforward as long as your device is compatible.

Metro does support eSIM on select devices

Metro supports eSIM on many newer phones, which can make switching faster. Compatibility depends on your specific model and software version.

Switching can take about 30 minutes if you prepare

Before switching:

1. Check coverage in your area
2. Confirm phone compatibility or eSIM support
3. Decide whether to activate online or in-store
4. Keep your account information handy for number transfer

How Metro Compares to Other Prepaid Carriers

Is Metro by T-Mobile Worth It?

Metro by T-Mobile is worth considering if you want predictable prepaid pricing on a major network and don’t need premium perks. It’s especially appealing for families, those who are bringing their own phones and people on a budget. If you’re currently paying around $80–$90 per month on a postpaid plan, moving to a $40–$60 prepaid plan can save you about $350 a year. If a more basic plan is fine with you and you don’t mind if your data slows down, the savings can be worth it. But consider if deprioritization and customer service issues would frustrate you.

*$40 per month prospective pricing available for new-to-file Metro wireless customers. Both voice and Metro Home Internet plans are required to qualify.

FAQs About Metro by T-Mobile

Final Verdict

If you value a positive customer service experience, live where T-Mobile coverage is weaker and are frustrated by internet issues, you might want to consider other options. Although it is part of a fast and generally reliable network, data deprioritization can happen. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable cell phone or home internet plan, and you’re OK with a few caveats, Metro by T-Mobile could be a good choice for you. You get unlimited data on your phone and 14 days to try out the home internet and get a refund if you’re not a fan. It’s also appealing to those who don’t want to be locked into a contract.