Metro by T-Mobile vs T-Mobile: Plans Compared

Metro, formerly known as MetroPCS, is a prepaid subsidiary of T-Mobile offering a limited amount of cheap unlimited and capped cell phone plans. In theory, it offers customers access to the nationwide T-Mobile 4G and 5G networks for a lot less than a typical T-Mobile plan. 

The reality is more complicated. We’ve worked through the fine print, analyzed both carrier’s plans, and compared their prices to help you understand how Metro stacks up against T-Mobile. If you’re wondering if you should switch from Metro to T-Mobile and need help deciding between a Metro unlimited plan and a T-Mobile unlimited plan, you can use this detailed breakdown to help decide on your best option.

Metro vs. T-Mobile: Similarities

Metro is owned by T-Mobile—its full name is Metro by T-Mobile—meaning the two carriers have plenty in common. Here are their most important similarities:

• Both Metro and T-Mobile operate on the nationwide T-Mobile 4G and 5G networks. 
• Both carriers offer unlimited data plans.
• Both carriers include hotspot data with their unlimited data plans.
• Both carriers promise relatively fast 5G speeds and low latency, also known as lag.
• Both carriers offer multi-line discounts, allowing families to save money on their monthly bill.

Metro vs. T-Mobile: Differences

Despite their similarities, Metro and T-Mobile have plenty of differences, including some important distinctions. Here are the most crucial contrasts:

• Metro is a prepaid carrier, meaning their plans are aimed at bargain-conscious consumers who don’t need massive data allowances. T-Mobile is a postpaid carrier, so their plans are aimed at users who want premium data allowances.
• Metro’s unlimited plans may be deprioritized, meaning a user’s speeds might be slowed, after using their monthly data allocation. T-Mobile’s unlimited plans may be deprioritized, too, though their premium data allowances are much higher, at 50GB and 100GB.
• Metro offers less hotspot data (8GB and 25GB) than T-Mobile (50GB and unlimited). 
• Metro’s slim perks and add-ons (Google One, Amazon Prime) are limited to one plan, while T-Mobile’s heftier offerings (Apple TV+, Netflix) are available across multiple plans.

Metro vs. T-Mobile: Coverage

Metro and T-Mobile operate on the same nationwide 4G and 5G networks. T-Mobile’s 4G coverage map only covers 37% of the country, though it reaches 99% of Americans. That’s because it’s concentrated in the country’s more densely populated urban areas. Unfortunately, that means that T-Mobile’s coverage in rural areas is sparse and can be frustrating for folks who live far away from those metropolitan areas.

T-Mobile’s 5G network, though, is the largest in America, covering 29% of the map and reaching 98% of the population. That footprint bests AT&T, whose 5G coverage area covers 28% of the map, and Verizon, whose 5G only covers 12%.

The key distinction between Metro and T-Mobile coverage is network prioritization. T-Mobile prioritizes its customers on the network during congestion. If the network is especially busy, Metro customers can expect slower speeds than T-Mobile customers. If you’re someone who requires reliable, high-speed service at all times, that’s an important factor to consider.

Want to see if Metro’s and T-Mobile’s plans will provide reliable wireless coverage near you? Use our interactive T-Mobile coverage map below to check coverage near you for both carriers.

What’s an unlimited plan?
Most people assume an unlimited data plan means they’ll be able to use as much high-speed data as they’d like, for as long as they’d like. This is rarely the case.

Most unlimited plans offer a limited amount of high-speed data per month. When a user exceeds that amount, their data will be deprioritized, which they’ll feel through slower speeds while using their phone.

Other unlimited plans deprioritize when the network is congested, like a digital rush hour. For these plans, it doesn’t matter how much data a user has burned through—they’ll experience slower speeds during those rush hours.

Want to learn more about unlimited cell phone plans? Read more in our guide to understanding unlimited data plans.

Metro vs. T-Mobile: Entry-Level Unlimited Plans

Both Metro and T-Mobile offer entry-level unlimited plans, which are ideal for folks who use their phones for typical activities—like talk, text, navigation, and music streaming—but rarely use their phones for more data-intensive activities, like gaming or hotspots. 

These unlimited plans risk slower speeds, thanks to relatively low premium data allotments. T-Mobile's Essentials are deprioritized during network congestion and then further deprioritized if a user has exceeded their premium data allowance, making for an experience that could be especially frustrating for some users. Still, some users might find the lower monthly payments worth the sacrifice. 

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Metro vs. T-Mobile: Mid-Level Unlimited Plans

People who use their phone a bit more for things like gaming, video streaming, and the occasional mobile hotspot will need a mid-level unlimited plan. While their price tags are higher than their entry-level counterparts, both Metro’s and T-Mobile’s mid-level options offer real value, with larger premium data amounts, more significant perks, and more generous hotspot allowances. However, if perks are important to you, that’s where the scales may tip in T-Mobile’s favor.

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Metro vs. T-Mobile: Premium Unlimited Plans

Premium unlimited plans are reserved for the most data-heavy users. While you might feel like you’re addicted to your phone, most people don’t understand how much data they actually use and, as a result, overestimate the amount they need. 

We recommend a premium unlimited plan if you use your mobile hotspot more than three times a week, frequently videoconference on Zoom or FaceTime, or use your phone as the primary screen for binge-watching and gaming. 

Metro doesn’t offer a premium unlimited plan because its target demographics are moderate and low-data users who are looking for more affordable options. T-Mobile, though, offers power users more than one premium unlimited plan to satisfy their high-data needs. 

T-Mobile’s Go5G Plus and Go5G Next plans both offer unlimited full-speed data, a high threshold (over 100GB) for deprioritization during congestion, and great perks, including Apple TV+ and Netflix. Both plans also allow you to upgrade your device early, before it’s fully paid off, through the Jump! program. (Go5G Next includes a complimentary Yearly Upgrade, though you'll need to stick with the device for six months and pay off 50% of its cost before snagging a new phone.)

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The Bottom Line

Metro is a great option for people looking to score high-speed 5G coverage on the T-Mobile network at reduced rates. There is one caveat, though: those people should be low or average data users, who don’t rely on their phone for entertainment or work.obile

T-Mobile is the better choice for premium users, who don’t want to risk having their speeds slowed with deprioritization. T-Mobile’s prices are higher than Metro’s, but premium users will need to pay those prices if they want premium coverage on the T-Mobile network.

If you’re looking to compare these options against your current phone plan, be sure to use our free and unbiased Plan Finder, which sorts through the thousands of options in our database to help you pick the plan that best meets your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Metro by T-Mobile?

Metro by T-Mobile is a prepaid wireless carrier offering moderate data plans that operate on the nationwide T-Mobile 4G and 5G networks. Metro is owned by T-Mobile and is aimed at more budget-conscious consumers.

What network does Metro use?

Metro uses the nationwide T-Mobile 4G and 5G networks. Metro customers have access to the same coverage that T-Mobile customers do.

Is Metro PCS the same as T-Mobile?

No, MetroPCS (now known as Metro by T-Mobile) is not the same as T-Mobile, though they do have many similarities, the most important being that they operate on the T-Mobile network. An important difference, though, is that Metro’s prepaid plans have much lower unlimited data allowances, so it’s more likely to be deprioritized with a Metro prepaid plan than it is with a T-Mobile postpaid plan.