Twigby and Metro by T-Mobile are popular prepaid carriers that offer several amazing deals with their phone plans. Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s put them head to head and see which brand comes out on top.
In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:
Unsure of what you need out of a plan? Check out our guide on how to choose the best phone plan.
Twigby and Metro by T-Mobile are mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Twigby is an MVNO of Verizon, while Metro by T-Mobile is an MVNO of T-Mobile.
Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers.
However, T-Mobile’s 5G coverage and access is hailed as the best coverage overall.
Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Twigby offers several limited data plans along with an unlimited plan and a plan without data. Metro by T-Mobile’s unlimited plans all offer additional data specifically for hotspot access. Both carriers deprioritize data, which means your connection may slow down during times of high traffic, such as a concert or a crowded parking lot.
Twigby offers 5 plans, ranging from plans with no data included to unlimited data. All plans offer unlimited talk and text, and all data plans offer hotspot access. All plans allow up to 50 lines on an account. All Twigby plans are on QCI tier 9.
If you purchase your phone from Twigby, your device will be sold to you unlocked after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price.
With this plan, you do not have access to any data. This means you must have a WiFi connection in order to browse the internet, send emails, stream videos, and play games. According to Twigby, you also need to have WiFi access to use iMessage on iPhones. You also do not have access to group messaging on basic or Android phones.
You do not have hotspot access on this plan either.
The plan costs $10 per month, and $5 for the first 3 months.
This plan gives you 2GB per month, which slows to 2G speeds after the cap. This slower speed allows you to send texts and emails or browse the internet, but playing games and streaming video. The plan also allows for mobile hotspot access included. This access stops at the 2GB cap.
The plan costs $15 per month. At this rate, you get 2GB at $7.50 per GB. This plan costs $5 per month for the first 3 months.
This plan gives you 5GB of data to use per month, which then slows to 2G speeds after you reach the cap.
The plan costs $20 per month. At this rate, you get 5GB at $4 per GB. The plan also gives you the first 3 months of service at $10 per month.
This plan gives you 8GB per month of service, which slows to 2G speeds after this cap. You also get access to mobile hotspot data, which stops at 8GB.
The plan costs $26 per month. At this rate, you get 8GB at $3.25 per GB. The plan also gives you service at $16 per month for the first 3 months.
This plan gives you 20GB of data before slowing down to 2G speeds. You also get 20GB of mobile hotspot data access, which stops at the cap.
The plan costs $35 per month. At this rate, you get 20GB at $1.75 per GB. You get service at $25 per month for the first 3 months.
Metro by T-Mobile offers 3 unlimited plans and 1 limited data plan. Their unlimited plans vary with the number of features and GB of hotspot data included in the plan. You can add up to 5 lines per plan. You also get a $5 Autopay discount per month when you sign up, but the first month is full price. As a T-Mobile MVNO, this carrier is on QCI tier 7. All plans with this carrier are deprioritized.
You also can get a 5GB plan.
If you purchase your phone from Metro by T-Mobile, your device will be locked for 180 days after activation. Then, it will be unlocked automatically. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are included with the advertised price.
This plan includes 5GB of data, but no hotspot access or extra features. With this plan, data stops after the 5GB cap.
The plan costs $35 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 5GB for $7 per GB.
This plan gives you unlimited data with no cap, meaning you can use as much data as you want without any slow downs. However, this plan is still deprioritized. You’ll experience slower connections in times of heavy traffic.
The plan costs $45 per month before the $5 Autopay discount.
This plan includes unlimited deprioritized data with no cap, as well as 8GB of hotspot data. Hotspot data is deprioritized as well, and stops after 8 GB.
The plan costs $55 per month before the $5 Autopay discount.
As their biggest plan, you get unlimited deprioritized data with no cap. You also get 25GB of hotspot data included with the plan. It’s deprioritzed data, and data stops after 25GB.
The plan costs $65 per month before the $5 Autopay discount.
If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer.
Metro by T-Mobile and Twigby do not offer this feature.
Twigby plans allow unlimited talk in Mexico and Canada, but not text or data. Metro by T-Mobile offers an additional add-on to include Mexico and Canada connection, called “Mexico and Canada Unlimited”.
Twigby allows unlimited talk in up to 80 countries, but not text or data. None of Metro by T-Mobile’s plans include international roaming. However, their Unlimited + 25GB hotspot plan includes international texting. Metro by T-Mobile also offers an additional add-on for international talk, called “Metro by T-Mobile Global Voice+”.
All Twigby data plans stream at 720p High Definition resolution. Their No Data plan requires WiFi to stream video. Metro by T-Mobile’s plans stream at 480p Standard Definition.
Twigby does not offer this feature. Metro by T-Mobile’s Unlimited plans offer a free one year subscription to ViX Premium.
Twigby does not offer this feature. Metro by T-Mobile’s Unlimited + hotspot plans offer 100GB of Google One.
If you buy a phone from Twigby, the carrier allows you to pay for your device in installments over time with PayPal. Metro by T-Mobile does not offer this feature.
Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception.
Metro by T-Mobile’s Unlimited plans include Scam Shield. Twigby does not offer this feature.
Metro by T-Mobile and Twigby do not offer this feature.
Twigby is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. They offer chat support from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST Mon. through Fri. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST Sat. through Sun. You can also email Twigby Customer Support at twigby.support@twigby.com. Metro by T-Mobile offers several store locations across the country. Metro by T-Mobile has locations across the country, and you can use their store locator to find the closest one. If you’d like to call their customer service line, call 888-8-METRO-8.
When it comes to limited data plans, Twigby offers the better deal because of the price per GB with included hotspot access. On the other hand, Metro by T-Mobile’s unlimited plan selection offers great deals with included features and additional hotspot access.
We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.
Are you still unsure which carrier to choose, or which phone plan to pick? Use really.com to compare your top choices and find the best deal to fit your needs. Really allows you to compare and sort between most phone plans on the market without the hassle!
Yep, we offer premium wireless service on the T-Mobile® 5G Network, the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network. If you are in our dewi coverage areas, you’ll also get access to our decentralized phone network powered by the people which will give you even faster speeds and better coverage.
Nope, it’s pay as you go.
Yeah! You put your card on file and prepay each month so that you never experience any disruption.
Yep, but it’s super easy to unlock your device as long as it’s paid off. Chat with us and a real human can help you here.
We have some recommendations on what we think you should get, from iPhones to Droids. Check out our list here which includes affordable places online to get a good deal.
It means we are building a phone network that is powered by the people. Your neighbors put small radios on their roof and help extend the phone network to cover deadzones™ and get even faster speeds. Right now our DeWi network is available in Austin, but we’ll be expanding to other cities REALLY soon. Learn more about DeWi here.
Great question. If you’re in Austin, TX, you’ll install 2 new SIMs. The REALLY nationwide SIM as your first SIM, which will give you voice / text & data on the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network powered by T-Mobile®. Your 2nd SIM will give you access to the REALLY DeWi network in Austin, TX, which you’ll prioritize when available so that you get even faster speeds and better coverage. Depending on your device, you may be able to install eSIMs via a QR code.
Yep, we are powered by T-Mobile®, the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network. If you are in Austin, TX you’ll also get access to our decentralized phone network powered by the people which will give you even faster speeds and better coverage.
The plan is unlimited, but once you reach 20GB you may experience slower speeds depending on network usage.
You get 10GB of hotspot data per month, but can add more if you need to.
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