Shopping for a cell phone plan that meets all your needs and wants can be a bit overwhelming at times. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to weed through all the options and decide what’s best.

We’ve taken the hard work out of shopping around for a cell phone plan by comparing and reviewing MetroPCS plans. Take a look at our guide and decide which plan will work best for you and hopefully save you some money!

What is MetroPCS?

MetroPCS offers prepaid, no contract cell phone plans. If you’ve never used a prepaid plan, some of the benefits include no contract, only paying for the minutes you need, little to no loss of monthly minutes, and no fees if you terminate the plan early.

Special Features and Perks

Before you go ahead and sign up with the first cell phone company you come across, you need to do a little research, especially finding out about any special features or perks. What sets apart MetroPCS from similar companies?

Operates Under T-Mobile

Even though may have never heard of MetroPCS, you’ve probably heard of its parent company, T-Mobile, a popular and trusted provider across the U.S. T-Mobile is also known for having the fastest 4G LTE in the country.

So, what does this mean for you? MetroPCS users get to use T-Mobile’s nationwide network.

No Activation Fees

Anyone who has ever owned a cell phone knows that it’s never just as easy (or cheap) to get a cell phone. There are usually a lot of paperwork to fill out and additional costs; one of the expenses often includes an activation fee.

Depending on the provider, an activation fee can be anywhere from under $20 to $45, and it’s money you’ll never get back. When you get a Metro PCS plan, there are no activation fees for setting up an account.

You Can Bring Your Old Device

When you sign up for a cell phone plan, you’re often pressured to upgrade your device or buy a new one. One of the perks about MetroPCS is that you can bring your old device as long as it’s compatible. While the service plan supports most smartphones, you may want to check the compatibility before signing up.

Cons

If your device is not compatible and you need to buy a new smartphone, the major downside is that the phone selection is limited. While smartphones are always changing, MetroPCS may not have the brand or the model that you want to own.

Pricing

While the type of smartphone you want to own and talk on is important, the price of the plan is often the biggest priority. If you’re like most cell phone users, you want to find a plan that is affordable and reliable. The MetroPCS plans are as follows:

$30 Unlimited Talk, Text, and 2GB of Data

This plan has no annual contract, and the taxes and regulatory fees are included. It operates off of a 4G LTE T-Mobile Network and has a 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot. Other features include a Data Maximizer, WI-FI Calling, Caller ID, Call Waiting, and 3-Way Calling. You also receive voicemail, visual voicemail, premium directory assistance.

Not sure if 2GB of data is enough for your browsing needs? 2GB equals either 2 hours of video streaming or 100 hours of music streaming or 100 hours of social media

$40 for 3GB of Data

Just like the 2G MetroPCS plan, the 3GB plan has unlimited talk and text. This plan has no annual contract, and the taxes and regulatory fees are included. It operates off of a 4G LTE T-Mobile Network and has a 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot. Other features include a Data Maximizer, WI-FI Calling, Caller ID, Call Waiting, and 3-Way Calling.

You also receive voicemail, visual voicemail, premium directory assistance. Additionally, you can get the Music Unlimited feature. If you’re trying to determine whether or not 3GB will be enough data you can always use the MetroPCS usage calculator.

Some examples of usage include 5MB for each download (such as songs or apps), 249 KB per email when sending and receiving email messages, and 942 KB for each page you browse on the Internet.

3GB also equates to 4 hours of video streaming or 150 hours of music streaming or 150 hours of social media.

$50 for Unlimited Data

An unlimited data MetroPCS plan is a smart option for users who rely on their phone for everything from work emails to connecting with friends on social media and even gaming.

This unlimited talk and text plan has no annual contract, and the taxes and regulatory fees are included. It operates off of a 4G LTE T-Mobile Network and has a 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot. Other features include a Data Maximizer, WI-FI Calling, Caller ID, Call Waiting, and 3-Way Calling. You also receive voicemail, visual voicemail, premium directory assistance.

$60 Unlimited Data Plus a Hotspot

This plan, with unlimited talk and text, has no annual contract, and the taxes and regulatory fees are included. It operates off of a 4G LTE T-Mobile Network and has a 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot. Other features include a Data Maximizer, WI-FI Calling, Caller ID, Call Waiting, and 3-Way Calling. You also receive voicemail, visual voicemail, premium directory assistance.

Additionally, this plan has a hotspot feature. What’s the point in using a hotspot feature? Imagine having a meeting with coworkers and working on a project or getting together with a large group of phones where no WI-FI exists (or is working poorly).

With the 4G LTE Hotspot, you can create your own secure network and connect up to ten phones to your hotspot. A hotspot allows you to stay connected and browse securely.

Family Plans

One of the most attractive features of a cell phone plan is the option to get a plan for everyone in your family. Some providers offer family plans that ending up costing more than most want to spend and some don’t offer a family plan at all. MetroPCS offers affordable family plans.

$5 Discount per Added Line

Discounts can be a huge incentive and selling feature. With a MetroPCS plan, you receive a $5 discount for each line you add, and you can add up to five family members to the family plan. Even if $5 doesn’t seem like a lot, it’s a saving that adds up.

Customized Pricing

Do you only need 3GB of data but your daughter wants unlimited? The family plans at MetroPCS can be customized to fit your needs, so everyone is happy with their plan and still keeping it affordable.

For example, if you have a family of four, you can get two of the $30 plans and two of the $60 plans.

Additional Information

While we work hard to compare and review cell phone plans and give you all the information you need, you might want just a little more information. Here is a common question that some cell phone users have:

Is MetroPCS Nation Wide?

People that are interested in getting a MetroPCS plan often wonder if its coverage is nationwide. MetroPCS has about 99 percent of nationwide coverage and most of the areas without coverage on areas on the West Coast (although there is coverage on the West Coast, too).

If you want to find out about specific coverage, you can visit the MetroPCS website and take a check out the coverage map.

What The Public Says

A big part of research is reading what others have to say about a product or service. Before you settle on MetroPCS, you may want to read a few peer reviews of your own. There’s overwhelmingly positive feedback on the MetroPCS plan because it’s one of the few prepaid plans that offers family plans.

Some common complaints center around poor coverage and a being frustrated with the customer service they received. Some users experienced slower data speeds than they expected, especially since it works off of T-Mobile’s nationwide network.

Who is it For?

MetroPCS is a plan for people who don’t want to make a commitment to a long-term phone plan. It’s a good plan for people who want to use their own devices and need an affordable plan for the whole family.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a no-contract phone plan and can find and afford the phone you want, MetroPCS might be for you.