We may earn a commission when you sign up through some links. It never changes a score. Advertiser disclosure
If you use a lot of dataMetro Unlimited Premium$55/moThe $55 Unlimited Premium tier is the only Metro plan with premium data that isn't deprioritized at all, and it's the only one with HD video. It also has a 25GB hotspot and $5 watch and tablet lines.
What each tier actually buys you
Every Metro plan is unlimited, so the price differences come down to four things. This is the clearest way to see what your money adds.
PlanHotspotSlowdown thresholdVideoPerks
6-Month at $20/moNone35GBSDT-Mobile Tuesdays, Scam Shield
Metro $25None35GBSDT-Mobile Tuesdays, Scam Shield
Metro $3010GB35GBSDT-Mobile Tuesdays, Scam Shield
Metro $40 PeriodNone35GBSDNo AutoPay required
Metro $508GB50GBSD100GB Google One, phone upgrades
Metro Unlimited Premium25GBNone: premium dataHDGoogle One, $5 watch lines
Taxes and fees are included on all plans. The $40 Period plan is the only tier that doesn't require AutoPay; the others cost $5 more in the first month.
Metro by T-Mobile at a glance
NetworkT-Mobile 5G + 4G LTE
Owned byT-Mobile USA, not a third-party MVNO
Plans6: $25 to $60 monthly, plus a 6-month prepay at $20/mo
Taxes & feesIncluded in every advertised price
Price guarantee5 years on talk, text and 5G data (exclusions apply)
Show all 10 facts
AutoPayRequired on most tiers; first month costs $5 more
Deprioritization35GB on $40 Period, 50GB on $50, none on $60 premium data
HotspotNone below $30; 10GB at $30, 8GB at $50, 25GB at $60
VideoSD on most plans; HD available on the $60 tier
RetailYes: walk-in stores nationwide
What you'll actually pay
Metro includes taxes and fees in every price, which makes direct comparison against Straight Talk, Tracfone or Simple Mobile closer than the numbers suggest: those all add 7–10% at checkout.
The pricing ladder has an obvious anomaly. The $30 plan includes 10GB of hotspot; the $50 plan includes 8GB. The $50 tier's real advantages are a 50GB slowdown threshold instead of 35GB and a Google One membership, not tethering.
The six-month deal is the cheapest entry to T-Mobile's network anywhere. $120 upfront covers six months at $20/mo, against $40 monthly, but it's new customers only, bring your own phone, and there's no hotspot.
Only the $60 tier has premium data. Every other plan may slow after 35GB, or 50GB on the $50 plan, when the network is busy. For most people that's academic; for heavy users it's the whole decision.
Metro by T-Mobile is a good fit if…
You want T-Mobile's network with taxes included and a price fixed for five years.
You want a store you can walk into. Metro has nationwide retail, unlike the discount MVNOs.
You're a new customer with your own phone: six months at $20/mo is the cheapest entry anywhere.
You need hotspot on a budget: the $30 tier includes 10GB, more than tiers costing $20 more.
You're a heavy data user who wants premium, never-deprioritized data at $60.
Look elsewhere if…
You want a small capped plan. Every Metro tier is unlimited and starts at $25.
You watch video on cellular and won't pay $60; everything below it streams SD.
You want Verizon or AT&T coverage rather than T-Mobile's.
You won't run AutoPay: only the $40 Period plan is priced without it.
You need more than 35GB at full speed on a budget tier.
Are taxes and fees included in Metro by T-Mobile plans?+
Yes, on every plan. Metro includes taxes and fees in the advertised price, so the number you see with AutoPay is what you pay, though the first month costs $5 more on most tiers.
What is Metro's 5-year price guarantee?+
Metro commits to holding your rate on talk, text and 5G data for five years across its plan lineup. Exclusions apply, and it covers the service rather than promotions or add-on products.
Which Metro plan is the best value?+
The $30 web-exclusive tier. It includes 10GB of hotspot, more than the $50 plan's 8GB, along with unlimited 5G data, taxes included and the five-year guarantee. The $25 plan is cheaper but has no hotspot at all.
Which Metro plans include hotspot?+
The $30 plan includes 10GB, the $50 plan 8GB and the $55 Unlimited Premium plan 25GB. The $25, $40 Period and six-month prepay plans include no hotspot data.
Does Metro by T-Mobile throttle data?+
On most plans, yes: above 35GB a month you may see slower speeds when the network is busy, rising to 50GB on the $50 plan. Only the $55 Unlimited Premium tier has premium data that isn't deprioritized. Metro also notes it may be slower than T-Mobile itself during congestion.
What is Metro's 6-month plan?+
$120 paid upfront covers six months of unlimited 5G at an effective $20/mo, against $40 for the same plan monthly. It's for new customers bringing their own phone, includes taxes and fees, and carries no hotspot.
Sources Metro by T-Mobile plan pages and price labels. Plan scores come from our plan reviews: how we rank. Prices and promotions change often, so confirm with Metro by T-Mobile before you order.