Trimming everyday spending is fairly straightforward — fewer takeout meals, fewer impulse buys online — but lowering recurring monthly costs like phone and internet bills can be trickier. Metro by T-Mobile aims to make those recurring expenses more affordable by offering high-speed 5G home internet and budget-friendly phone plans. If you’re curious why it’s less expensive and whether it may suit your needs, this Metro by T-Mobile review covers what you should know.
What Is Metro by T-Mobile?
Formerly known as MetroPCS, Metro is a prepaid wireless label owned by T-Mobile. It provides mobile phone plans, tablet and smartwatch plans, and residential internet services. The service runs on T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G and 4G LTE infrastructure, but Metro’s lower prices come from its prepaid model, which can include slower or limited data during peak times. In other words, T-Mobile postpaid customers — who typically pay more — receive priority on the network. Still, many customers like Metro for its lower cost, no-contract approach and the absence of credit checks.
Plans & Pricing Breakdown
If a home internet plan is what you’re after, Metro advertises unlimited 5G home internet for as little as $40 per month* when you enroll in autopay. That rate advertises taxes and fees included and applies to new customers who activate a voice line and home internet together. Availability depends on local network capacity, so you’ll need to verify service at your address.
Here are the phone plan tiers:
- $40/month plan: Unlimited talk and text, unlimited 5G data.
- $50/month plan: Unlimited talk and text, unlimited 5G data, 8GB hotspot, 100GB Google One storage.
- $60/month plan: Unlimited talk and text, unlimited 5G data, 25GB hotspot, 100GB Google One storage, Amazon Prime.
All plans include T-Mobile Tuesdays, which offers weekly freebies and discounts on gas, food and entertainment available through the Metro app.
Coverage & Network Performance
Metro’s home internet runs over a 5G cellular link, powered by T-Mobile’s network. Typical download speeds range from about 87 to 318 Mbps — for reference, ~100 Mbps is generally sufficient while ~300 Mbps is ideal for high-bandwidth use like large downloads or multiple simultaneous streams.
Ookla named T-Mobile’s network the top mobile network in the U.S. this year. Still, you should know about data deprioritization: when the network is busy, Metro customers may see reduced speeds because T-Mobile postpaid users are prioritized. Coverage tends to be weaker in parts of the western U.S. and strongest in urban and suburban areas. You can view Metro’s coverage map here.
Pros and Cons of Metro by T-Mobile
- Prepaid plans are budget-friendly and advertised prices include taxes and fees
- Access to T-Mobile’s fast 5G network (most of the time)
- Phone plans offer extras like Amazon Prime and Google One on higher tiers
- No long-term contract and no credit check required
- When the network is congested, your data can be deprioritized
- There are recurring complaints about customer service
- Home internet requires signing up for a voice line
- Device financing is less flexible compared with T-Mobile postpaid options
Customer Reviews & Complaints
On Trustpilot, Metro by T-Mobile’s average score sits around 1.5 stars, with many negative reviews highlighting poor customer support and unexpected fees, though a small number of customers praise helpful agents.
The Better Business Bureau rating is similarly low at about 1.1 stars. Common complaints include customer service issues, refund disputes and surprise charges, while some users emphasize the low price as a positive. You can also read user discussions in this Reddit thread, where many commenters share generally favorable experiences.
Phones & Device Options
Metro offers a broad selection of devices, including models from Apple, Motorola and Samsung, along with tablets and smartwatches. Current promotions are posted both online and in stores — you can check current deals here. Financing is available via Affirm, but the repayment choices are more limited than some other financing programs.
How Metro Compares to Other Prepaid Carriers
Other well-known prepaid carriers to consider 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 excellent customer service is a top priority for you, or if you reside where T-Mobile’s signal is weaker and deal-breaks with internet reliability concern you, it may be worth exploring other providers. Although Metro rides on a generally fast and dependable network, deprioritization during busy periods can reduce performance.
On the other hand, if your primary goal is to lower your monthly bill for mobile service or home internet and you can accept a few trade-offs, Metro by T-Mobile can be an attractive option. You’ll get unlimited mobile data and a 14-day trial window on the home internet with a refund option if it doesn’t meet your needs. The lack of long-term contracts will appeal to those who prefer flexibility.
*$40 per month promotional pricing for new-to-file Metro wireless customers. Qualification requires both voice and Metro Home Internet plans.
If you want a comparison of low-cost home internet alternatives, also see our t mobile 5g home internet review for more details on other 5G home internet offerings.
FAQs About Metro by T-Mobile
Is Metro owned by T-Mobile? Yes — Metro is a T-Mobile-owned prepaid brand.
Does Metro include 5G access? Yes, plans include access to 5G on T-Mobile’s network.
Are taxes and fees added on top of the advertised price? No — taxes and fees are included in the listed price.
Will my data be deprioritized? Possibly — during network congestion, your speeds may be deprioritized behind T-Mobile postpaid customers.
The upper-tier phone plans include benefits like Amazon Prime and Google One storage.
