Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
T-Mobile is known for having some of the cheapest plans out of all three of the major postpaid carriers. Unfortunately, the Uncarrier’s prices have crept closer to its competition recently. While T-Mobile still offers competitive pricing, the cheapest way to enjoy T-Mobile is to use a T-Mobile MVNO.
Let’s jump right in and take a look at the best T-Mobile MVNOs you should consider. Don’t understand what a T-Mobile MVNO is exactly? We explain what it is and why you might want to consider one towards the bottom of this post.
Consider Metro by T-Mobile
Edgar Cervantes / Android AuthorityMetro by T-Mobile isn’t actually an MVNO, as it is owned directly by T-Mobile itself. There are many reasons to consider Metro, including decent pricing and a few potential perks like international texting. Although the carrier offers limited or no data “Heritage” plans, in most cases, we recommend going with an unlimited plan.
Here are more details on what you get with Metro’s unlimited options:
| Cost | Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited $40 | Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited $50 | Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited $60 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited $40 | $40 for one line $80 for two lines $90 for three lines $100 for four lines $125 for five lines | $50 for one line $80 for two lines $110 for three lines $140 for four lines $170 for five lines | $60 for one line $90 for two lines $120 for three lines $150 for four lines $180 for five lines |
| Unlimited talk and text | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Data | Unlimited LTE/5G May see congestion after 35GB | Unlimited LTE/5G May see congestion after 35GB | Unlimited LTE/5G May see congestion after 35GB |
| International | Not included | Not included | Unlimited texting to 210+countries and destinations |
| Extras | T-Mobile Tuesdays ScamShield 1 year access to VIX Premium | T-Mobile Tuesdays ScamShield 1 year access to VIX Premium 100 GB Google One 8GB hotspot access | T-Mobile Tuesdays ScamShield 1 year access to VIX Premium 100 GB Google One 25GB hotspot access |
Need more reasons to consider Metro? Metro has brick-and-mortar locations across the country. There are only a few prepaid carriers out there, like Cricket, that can match this. Above-average customer support. Not just because of brick-and-mortar access. Metro is also known for its great online and phone-based customer service. You get T-Mobile extras like T-Mobile Tuesday discounts and other benefits that are typically reserved for postpaid carriers. All the prices include taxes and other fees, so there is nothing hidden to worry about.
The best T-Mobile MVNOs at a glance
Edgar Cervantes / Android AuthorityThere are a lot of T-Mobile MVNOs, but there are a few that stand out above the rest. Here are some of our favorites:
- Google Fi Wireless
- Mint Mobile Plan
- Ultra Mobile
- Boost Mobile
Looking for more options? Be sure to check out our guide to the best prepaid carriers. You can also check out our guides for Verizon and AT&T if you want to consider another network.
What is a T-Mobile MVNO? T-Mobile not only provides its plans and services, but it also sells its network capacity in bulk to other businesses. These businesses can then do whatever they wish with this capacity, including creating their own mobile virtual network operator (or MVNO). That’s just a fancy way of saying it’s a carrier that piggybacks off another network. These carriers typically use the prepaid model for payments, meaning you pay for services ahead of each month instead of receiving a bill for charges at the end of a billing period. A T-Mobile MNVO might use T-Mobile’s network, but it is still completely responsible for its own marketing, customer service, promotions, phone selection, activations, and more. You can learn more in our guide…