Visible and Metro both sell unlimited data for $25 a month with taxes included. Visible is owned by Verizon and uses its network; Metro is owned by T-Mobile and uses T-Mobile's. So the first question is which network works better where you live and work. After that, Visible has the more useful hotspot, and Metro has stores, cheap phones and a 6-month deal for new customers.
The short answer
| If you... | Pick |
|---|---|
| Get better coverage on Verizon | Visible |
| Get better coverage on T-Mobile | Metro |
| Use hotspot | Visible |
| Want a cheap or free phone | Metro |
| Want help in a store | Metro |
| Want the lowest price for 6 months | Metro 6-Month Unlimited, $20/mo |
Plans compared
| Plan | Price | Network | Hotspot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visible | $25 | Verizon | Unlimited at 5 Mbps |
| Visible+ | $35 | Verizon, premium data | Unlimited at 10 Mbps |
| Metro 6-Month Unlimited | $20/mo ($120 upfront) | T-Mobile | 3G speeds only |
| Metro $25 | $25 | T-Mobile | 3G speeds only |
| Metro $30 | $30 (own phone, online) | T-Mobile | 10GB |
| Metro Unlimited Premium | $55 | T-Mobile, premium data | 25GB |
Price over a year
| Plan | Year one | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visible | $300, or $275 paid yearly | Taxes included |
| Visible+ | $420, or $375 paid yearly | Premium data, faster hotspot |
| Metro $25 | $305 | $30 first month |
| Metro 6-Month Unlimited | $120 for the first 6 months | New customers, own phone |
| Metro $30 | $365 | $35 first month, 10GB hotspot |
Hotspot
Visible's base plan lets you hotspot without a cap at 5 Mbps, enough for email, browsing and a video call. Metro's $25 plan only allows hotspot at 3G speeds, which is too slow for most laptop use. To get real hotspot data on Metro, you need the $30 plan (10GB) or Premium (25GB).
Data priority
On Visible base and Metro's $25 and $30 plans, your data can be slowed when a tower is busy. Metro may slow you after 35GB in a month. Visible+ ($35) and Metro Premium ($55) include premium data that isn't slowed first.
Phones and stores
Metro has thousands of stores and often gives new customers a free or cheap phone when they switch (current Metro phone deals). Visible is online only and sells phones at full price, sometimes with a gift card.
$25 a month with AutoPay, taxes included ($30 the first month). Stores nationwide and phone deals for people who switch.
See Metro's $25 plan →Prices checked October 25, 2026. We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Families
Neither charges much less per line for families. Visible is $25 a line. Metro often runs a 4 lines for $100 offer, which matches Visible's price.
| Lines | Visible | Visible+ | Metro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $25 | $35 | $25 |
| 2 | $50 | $70 | Check Metro's site |
| 4 | $100 | $140 | $100 on the 4-lines offer |
Extras
| Visible+ | Metro Unlimited Premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $35 | $55 |
| Hotspot | Unlimited at 10 Mbps | 25GB |
| Smartwatch | $10/mo | $5 watch and tablet lines |
| Other | Mexico and Canada roaming | 100GB Google One, HD video, texting to 210+ countries |
Metro's 3G-speed hotspot on its cheaper plans is the main weakness: see Metro hotspot explained.
Switching from Metro to Visible
- Check your phone works on Visible's network and is unlocked (is my phone unlocked?).
- If you're paying off a phone, the remaining balance becomes due when you leave. Pay it off or plan for it (hidden costs of switching).
- Get your account number and number transfer PIN from Metro. Don't cancel Metro yourself: the move cancels it.
- Sign up with Visible and choose to keep your number. Most newer phones can use an eSIM, so you're often live within minutes (how to switch to eSIM).
- Metro phones must be unlocked before they work elsewhere: see Metro unlock requirements.
Support
Metro has stores across the country for setup, payments and help. Visible is online and chat only.
The bottom line
Choose the network first: test both if you can. If both work well for you, Visible is the better plan for most people because of its hotspot. Metro is better if you want a new phone, store support or the $20 6-month deal.
Frequently asked questions
Is Visible or Metro better? +
What network does Metro use? +
What network does Visible use? +
Do Visible and Metro include taxes? +
Which is better for hotspot? +
Which is better for families, Visible or Metro? +
Can I use a Metro phone on Visible? +
Does Visible have a 6-month deal like Metro? +
Keep reading
All guides
Jean has tested carrier plans independently since 2019, running SIMs on all three networks and paying for every line himself. He ranks carriers on the bill you actually get, taxes and fees included, not the price on the ad.