Metro by T-Mobile Review: Affordable Prepaid Plans on T-Mobile’s Network
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 high-speed, 5G home internet and phone plans 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.
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.
Plans & Pricing Breakdown
If you’re looking for a home internet plan, you can get that for as little as $40 a month* (as long as you set up autopay) and that’s for unlimited 5G home internet. That price includes taxes and fees and is for new customers who sign up for a voice line and home internet in one go. You’ll also have to check if it’s available at your address, as there are network capacity limits.
If you’re looking for a phone plan, these are your options:
- $40/month plan: Unlimited talk/text, unlimited 5G data.
- $50/month plan: Unlimited talk/text, unlimited 5G data, 8GB hotspot, 100GB Google One storage.
- $60/month plan: Unlimited talk/text, unlimited 5G data, 25GB hotspot, 100GB Google One storage, Amazon Prime.
All three come with T-Mobile Tuesdays, which is when you’ll get free stuff and deals on gas, food and entertainment through the Metro app.
Coverage & Network Performance
The home internet is delivered via a 5G cellular network, so it’s powered by T-Mobile’s network. Its typical download speed is between 87 – 318 Mbps (for context, 100 is considered good but 300 is ideal for high-bandwith activities like large downloads).
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. That means that when the network is congested, T-Mobile customers will be prioritized rather than Metro by T-Mobile customers. Its coverage is weaker on the west side of the country and generally strongest in metro areas. You can see its coverage map here.
Pros and Cons of Metro by T-Mobile
Pros
- The prepaid plans are affordable and the price includes taxes and fees
- Access to fast T-Mobile 5G (most of the time)
- Phone plans have perks like Amazon Prime and Google One
- You’re not locked into a contract and there’s no credit check
Cons
- If the network is congested, your data is deprioritized
- There are complaints about customer service
- Home internet plans require a voice line
- Device financing options are less flexible than T-Mobile postpaid
Customer Reviews & Complaints
The average rating for Metro by T-Mobile on TrustPilot is 1.5 stars. Negative reviews cite poor experiences with customer service and surprise charges. There are, however, a few positive reviews praising customer service.
The 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.
Phones & Device Options
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.
How Metro Compares to Other Prepaid Carriers
Other popular options for prepaid carriers include Cricket Wireless and Boost Mobile.
| Carrier | Phone plan cost | Home internet | Tablets and smartwatches |
|---|---|---|---|
Metro by T-Mobile |
$40-$60/month |
As low as $40/month |
Yes |
Cricket Wireless |
$30-$55/month |
Around $60/month |
Smartwatches only |
Boost Mobile |
$25-$60/month |
None |
Yes |
Metro by T-Mobile Review: Is It Right for You?
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.
*$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
Metro is owned by T-Mobile, but its phone and internet plans are prepaid.
Yes, plans include 5G access on T-Mobile’s network.
No — all taxes and fees are included in the advertised price.
Most likely, as network congestion may cause your data to be deprioritized.
The higher tier phone plans come with Amazon Prime and Google One.
