Metro by T-Mobile has rolled out new unlimited plans for 2025, offering lower prices, a 5-year price guarantee, and enhanced multi-line discounts. These changes make Metro a strong contender in the prepaid wireless market, especially for budget-conscious consumers searching for affordable cell phone plans, unlimited data plans, or prepaid wireless services. However, these updates mirror features introduced by Verizon’s prepaid brand, Total Wireless, raising questions about which carrier offers the best value. In this blog post, we’ll break down Metro’s new Starter Plus, Metro Flex Unlimited, and Metro Flex Unlimited Plus plans, compare them to Total Wireless, and help you decide which MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) is the best fit for your needs.
Metro by T-Mobile New Unlimited Plans: What’s New?
Metro by T-Mobile’s 2025 plans bring a $10/month price cut for single lines, deeper multi-line savings, and a 5-year price lock, ensuring your bill won’t increase for half a decade. These plans retain Metro’s signature perks like taxes and fees included, T-Mobile Tuesdays rewards, and Scam Shield protection. However, some features have been shuffled, and the Starter Plus plan is now store-only for port-in customers.
Here’s a detailed look at Metro’s new plans (previous pricing in parentheses):
| Plan | Starter Plus | Metro Flex Unlimited | Metro Flex Unlimited Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Previous Plan Name | Flex Start | Metro Flex Up | Metro Flex Plus |
| Single Line Price | $40 | $50 ($60) | $60 ($70) |
| 4-Line Price | $100 | $120 ($165) | $140 ($175) |
| Hotspot Data | None | 8GB | 25GB |
| Google One (100GB) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Amazon Prime | No | No | Yes |
| HD Video Streaming | No | No | Yes |
| Scam Shield | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| T-Mobile Tuesdays | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| $5 Watch/Tablet Line | No | No | Yes |
| Unlimited Int’l Texts | No | No | Yes |
| Phone Upgrades | No | Yes | Yes |
Key Changes
- Price Reductions: Single-line prices dropped by $10/month for the mid- and high-tier plans. Multi-line discounts are now more aggressive, with 4-line pricing as low as $100 for the Starter Plus plan.
- Feature Adjustments: The Starter Plus plan lost its 8GB hotspot and Google One membership. The Metro Flex Unlimited plan’s hotspot data dropped from 25GB to 8GB, and unlimited international texting is now exclusive to the Metro Flex Unlimited Plus plan.
- New Perks: The Metro Flex Unlimited Plus plan now supports HD video streaming (previously 480p), making it ideal for streaming enthusiasts.
- Availability: The Starter Plus plan is only available in-store for customers porting in a number, while other plans can be purchased online.
- BYOD Option: Metro offers a $25/month Unlimited BYOD plan for bring-your-own-device customers, matching Starter Plus features but at a lower price. This plan is also store-only.
All plans include taxes and fees, but only the Metro Flex Unlimited and Metro Flex Unlimited Plus plans qualify for a $5/month autopay discount (already factored into listed prices). Data is deprioritized, and users exceeding 35GB in a billing cycle may experience slower speeds during congestion.
Metro also discontinued its Heritage plans, which were cheaper alternatives to the previous lineup, and launched a new video ad to promote these changes.
Total Wireless: A Formidable Competitor
Metro’s new plans seem inspired by Total Wireless, Verizon’s prepaid MVNO brand, which pioneered the 5-year price guarantee and identical $40, $50, and $60 price points for single lines. Total Wireless has gained traction with aggressive promotions and rapid store expansion, adding 137,000 prepaid subscribers in Q1 2025 (compared to a 131,000 loss in Q1 2024). Let’s compare Total Wireless’s plans to Metro’s:
| Feature | Total Wireless Base | Total Wireless Plus | Total Wireless Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Line Price | $40 | $50 | $60 |
| 2-Line Price | $80 | $85 | $95 |
| 4-Line Price | $100 | $110 | $130 |
| Hotspot Data | 5GB | 10GB | 20GB |
| 5G Access | Yes (Verizon 5G) | Yes (Verizon 5G) | Yes (Verizon 5G) |
| Price Guarantee | 5 Years | 5 Years | 5 Years |
| Taxes & Fees | Included | Included | Included |
| Disney+ (6 Months) | No | No | Yes |
Total Wireless Highlights
- Pricing: Matches Metro’s single-line prices ($40, $50, $60) and offers a 4-line base plan for $100, like Metro. However, Total’s higher-tier 4-line plans are $10 cheaper ($110 and $130 vs. Metro’s $120 and $140).
- Hotspot Data: Provides 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB across plans, slightly less than Metro’s 8GB and 25GB for the mid- and high-tier plans.
- Perks: Includes Disney+ for 6 months with the Premium plan, but lacks Metro’s Google One, Amazon Prime, or T-Mobile Tuesdays benefits.
- Network: Runs on Verizon’s reliable 5G network, which may offer better coverage in rural areas compared to T-Mobile’s network.
Metro vs. Total Wireless: Which Is Better?
Choosing between Metro by T-Mobile and Total Wireless depends on your priorities. Here’s a quick comparison based on key factors:
1. Pricing and Value
- Metro: Offers more perks like Google One, Amazon Prime, and HD streaming on the Metro Flex Unlimited Plus plan. The $25/month Unlimited BYOD plan is a steal for single-line BYOD customers.
- Total Wireless: Slightly cheaper for multi-line higher-tier plans and includes Disney+ for Premium plan users. Hotspot data is less generous than Metro’s mid- and high-tier plans.
- Winner: Metro for single-line users (especially BYOD) and perk enthusiasts; Total Wireless for multi-line savings on higher-tier plans.
2. Network Coverage
- Metro: Uses T-Mobile’s 5G network, which excels in urban areas but may lag in rural coverage.
- Total Wireless: Leverages Verizon’s 5G network, known for broader coverage, especially in rural regions.
- Winner: Total Wireless for rural users; Metro for urban users.
3. Perks and Features
- Metro: Includes T-Mobile Tuesdays, Scam Shield, and plan-specific perks like Google One and Amazon Prime. The Metro Flex Unlimited Plus plan’s HD streaming and international texting are ideal for global travelers and streamers.
- Total Wireless: Offers Disney+ for 6 months but lacks the breadth of Metro’s extras.
- Winner: Metro for diverse perks.
4. Accessibility
- Metro: The Starter Plus and Unlimited BYOD plans are store-only, which may inconvenience online shoppers. Other plans are available online.
- Total Wireless: Plans are widely available online and in stores, with rapid store expansion.
- Winner: Total Wireless for ease of access.
Who Should Choose Metro by T-Mobile?
Metro’s new plans are ideal for:
- Budget-conscious urban dwellers who want affordable unlimited data plans on T-Mobile’s 5G network.
- Perk seekers looking for Google One, Amazon Prime, or T-Mobile Tuesdays rewards.
- BYOD customers who can access the $25/month Unlimited BYOD plan in-store.
- Families needing multi-line discounts, with 4-line pricing starting at $100.
However, be cautious of the store-only restrictions for the Starter Plus and Unlimited BYOD plans, and ensure you’re not upsold to a pricier plan unnecessarily.
Who Should Choose Total Wireless?
Total Wireless is better for:
- Rural customers needing Verizon’s superior coverage.
- Multi-line households looking for cheaper higher-tier family plans.
- Disney+ fans who value the 6-month subscription.
- Online shoppers who prefer straightforward plan access.
Final Thoughts
Metro by T-Mobile’s 2025 plans are a welcome refresh, bringing affordable unlimited plans with a 5-year price guarantee and robust perks. By matching Total Wireless’s pricing and price lock, Metro has positioned itself as a top MVNO contender. However, Total Wireless’s Verizon-backed coverage and multi-line savings make it a strong alternative, especially for rural users or families on higher-tier plans.
For the best value, urban BYOD customers should jump on Metro’s $25/month Unlimited BYOD plan, while multi-line users may save more with Total Wireless’s Plus or Premium plans. Compare your coverage needs and desired perks before deciding.
Ready to switch? Visit Metro by T-Mobile or Total Wireless to explore these prepaid wireless plans today!
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