Is Metro By T-Mobile Really Free Or Are There Hidden Fees - Complete Guide

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If you've seen Metro by T-Mobile's eye-catching ads promising free phones and ultra-low monthly rates, you're probably wondering whether those deals are too good to be true. The question "is Metro by T-Mobile really free or are there hidden fees" is one of the most common questions we get from readers, and the honest answer is: it's complicated. There are real savings available, but there are also costs that Metro doesn't always advertise prominently.

What Metro by T-Mobile Actually Costs

Metro by T-Mobile operates on the T-Mobile network and markets itself aggressively as an affordable prepaid option. Their standard plans range from around $25/month for a basic 5GB data plan to $60/month for unlimited premium data. On the surface, those prices look competitive — but the real costs start to emerge when you look more carefully.

First, Metro's advertised prices often require autopay with a debit card or bank account. If you prefer to pay with a credit card, you'll typically pay $5 more per month. That's $60 per year in hidden costs that never shows up in the headline price. For a family on multiple lines, that adds up fast.

Second, taxes and fees are not always included in the advertised plan price. Depending on your state and local jurisdiction, you could be paying anywhere from $3 to $10 more per month in regulatory fees and taxes. Metro is upfront about this in the fine print, but many shoppers don't see it until their first bill arrives.

The "Free Phone" Promotions — What's Really Going On

Metro's free phone deals are the most misunderstood part of their marketing. To qualify for a free phone, you typically need to:

• Port your number from another carrier (new customers only)
• Choose a qualifying unlimited plan (usually $40–$60/month)
• Visit a Metro store in person — online purchases often don't qualify
• Sometimes trade in an existing device

The "free" device is essentially subsidized by locking you into Metro's more expensive unlimited tier. If you just need a basic plan, you won't qualify. And if you switch carriers before a certain period, you may find you're stuck with a device that's locked to Metro's network for up to 6 months.

Are There Activation or Porting Fees?

Metro typically charges a $25 activation fee for new customers, though this is occasionally waived in promotional periods. Online activations are sometimes free, but in-store activations almost always carry the fee. This is a one-time cost, but it's rarely mentioned in ads that lead with a "no contract, low monthly price" hook.

Porting your number from another carrier is usually free on Metro's end, but it's a requirement for most of their promotions — meaning you can't just walk in as a Metro customer upgrading your device and expect the same deal.

How Metro's Plans Stack Up Against Competitors

To give you a fair picture, here's how Metro by T-Mobile compares to some of the top-rated prepaid carriers we track:

Feature	Metro by T-Mobile	Visible	Tello
Our Score	6.5/11	10/11	9.5/11
Starting Price	~$25/mo	$25/mo	$8/mo
Taxes Included	No	Yes	No
Network	T-Mobile	Verizon	T-Mobile
Hotspot	Limited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Data Breach History	None known	None known	None known
Contract Required	No	No	No

Visible stands out immediately because their $25/month plan includes taxes and fees — what you see is what you pay. Tello offers plans starting as low as $8/month on the same T-Mobile network Metro uses, with far more flexibility and no hidden costs to speak of.

If you're already committed to the T-Mobile network, Tello gives you the same underlying coverage Metro does, often for significantly less money and with more transparent pricing. For those open to Verizon's network, Visible is one of the best values in prepaid wireless, period.

You can compare options side-by-side with our prepaid plan finder tool to see what works best in your zip code.

What Metro Gets Right

It's only fair to acknowledge where Metro by T-Mobile genuinely delivers value. Metro has a strong physical retail presence, with thousands of stores across the country. If you want in-person support, that's a real advantage over online-only carriers like Visible or Tello, which rely entirely on digital customer service.

Metro also offers a surprisingly solid device lineup — including newer Android flagship phones at discounted prices — and extras like Amazon Prime, Google One storage, and even free international calling on some plans. These perks have genuine value and aren't standard across the prepaid industry.

Metro's Network Performance

Since Metro runs on T-Mobile's network, its coverage is excellent in most urban and suburban areas. T-Mobile's 5G footprint is the largest in the US by some measures, and Metro customers get access to it. That said, Metro customers are deprioritized behind T-Mobile postpaid customers during network congestion, which can result in slower speeds during peak hours.

This is a standard trade-off with MVNOs and Metro alike — you're saving money in exchange for being lower on the priority queue. For most everyday users, you'll never notice. For heavy streamers or remote workers who rely on mobile data constantly, it can occasionally be frustrating.

The Real Hidden Fees Checklist for Metro by T-Mobile

Before you sign up, here's every potential extra cost you should be aware of:

• Activation fee: $25 (sometimes waived online)
• Credit card surcharge: $5/month extra if not using debit/bank autopay
• Taxes and regulatory fees: $3–$10/month depending on location
• Device unlock fee/wait: Devices locked for up to 6 months after purchase
• Premium plan requirement for promos: Free phone deals require $40–$60/month plans
• International calls: Not included on base plans
• Hotspot: Limited or throttled on lower-tier plans

None of these are outright scams — they're fairly standard in the telecom industry. But when Metro's marketing leads with "free" and "no contract," these details deserve a much brighter spotlight.

Who Should Still Consider Metro by T-Mobile

Despite the caveats, Metro isn't a bad choice for everyone. If you want a physical store to walk into, a broad selection of devices, and bundled perks like streaming or international calling, Metro can deliver real value — especially if you catch a genuine promotional window.

Metro makes the most sense for:

• Shoppers who want in-person customer support at a retail location
• Families who need multiple lines and can negotiate bundle pricing
• Users who want a subsidized device included with their plan
• Anyone already deep in T-Mobile's ecosystem and wanting a branded prepaid experience

For everyone else — especially solo users and value hunters — the alternative carriers we recommend below offer better transparency and lower total monthly costs.

Better Alternatives to Metro by T-Mobile

If you've been drawn in by Metro's promotions but aren't fully sold, here are the carriers we recommend most:

Visible (10/11): On Verizon's network, $25/month with taxes included, unlimited data and hotspot, and no hidden fees. Visible is what "what you see is what you pay" actually looks like in practice. Read our full Visible review for more detail.

Tello (9.5/11): On T-Mobile's network — the exact same towers Metro uses — Tello offers plans from $8/month with no contracts, unlimited hotspot on qualifying plans, and genuinely transparent pricing. It's the strongest argument against paying Metro prices for T-Mobile coverage. Check out our Tello vs Metro comparison to see how they match up.

US Mobile (9.5/11): If you want maximum flexibility, US Mobile lets you choose between all three major networks — Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T — and build a truly custom plan. Their pricing is highly transparent, and they score a 9.5/11 in our rankings.

Best Phone to Pair With This Plan

If you're switching carriers and need an unlocked phone that works with any of these services, we recommend the Google Pixel 9a. It's our top budget phone pick for 2026:

• Works with all US carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T networks)
• Supports eSIM + physical SIM for easy switching
• 7 years of software updates
• Excellent camera and battery life
• Around $499 unlocked

View Pixel 9a on Amazon →

The Bottom Line

Metro by T-Mobile is not "really free" — and the promotional deals, while genuinely attractive on the surface, come with meaningful strings attached. Between activation fees, credit card surcharges, taxes not being included in advertised prices, and plan tier requirements for device promos, the true monthly cost is almost always higher than what's on the billboard.

That doesn't make Metro a bad carrier. It makes them a standard carrier with aggressive marketing. If the in-store experience, device bundles, and T-Mobile coverage match your needs, Metro is a workable choice. But if you want true pricing transparency and the best value per dollar, Visible (10/11) and Tello (9.5/11) are the carriers that actually deliver on what Metro promises.

Use our prepaid plan finder to compare your options and find the right plan for your budget and location before you commit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Metro by T-Mobile charge taxes on top of their advertised prices?

Yes. Metro's advertised plan prices do not include taxes and regulatory fees. Depending on your state and city, you could pay an additional $3–$10 per month on top of the plan price. This is one of the most common surprises for new Metro customers.

Q: Is the Metro by T-Mobile free phone deal legitimate?

The free phone promotions are real, but they require you to port your number from another carrier, sign up for a qualifying unlimited plan (typically $40–$60/month), and often visit a physical store. The phone is subsidized by the plan commitment, not truly free.

Q: Can I use a credit card to pay for Metro by T-Mobile?

You can, but you'll typically pay an extra $5 per month compared to customers who use autopay with a debit card or bank account. Over a year, that's $60 in additional costs.

Q: Is Metro by T-Mobile the cheapest option on T-Mobile's network?

No. Tello Mobile uses the same T-Mobile network and offers plans starting at $8/month with more transparent pricing and no hidden fees. For most users who want T-Mobile coverage at a lower cost, Tello is the smarter choice.

Q: How does Metro by T-Mobile score compared to other prepaid carriers?

In our 11-point carrier evaluation, Metro by T-Mobile scores 6.5/11 — a middle-of-the-pack rating. It loses points for pricing transparency and overall value. Visible leads our rankings at 10/11, followed by Tello and US Mobile at 9.5/11 each.

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