If you’re looking for an affordable cell phone plan, Consumer Cellular and MetroPCS are two great options to consider. Both offer discounted rates on talk, text, and data without requiring a contract. But how do you decide which low-cost wireless carrier is right for your needs?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare Consumer Cellular and MetroPCS in detail so you can determine the pros and cons of each. We’ll take a real user approach and cover key features like network coverage, phone selection, plan options, and perks.
By the end, you’ll have all the info you need to pick the budget cell phone provider that fits your lifestyle.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | Consumer Cellular | MetroPCS |
| Network | AT&T or T-Mobile | T-Mobile |
| Plans | Customizable talk/text/data buckets | Unlimited talk/text/data only |
| Phone Selection | Basic phones to smartphones, senior-focused | Mostly smartphones |
| Perks | Usage alerts, excellent customer service | Mobile hotspot, streaming extras |
| Ideal User | Light data users, seniors | Heavy data users |
| Contracts | No contracts | No contracts |
Overview Of Consumer Cellular
Consumer Cellular is a top-rated wireless company that primarily targets seniors and other users who don’t need unlimited data. They utilize the powerful AT&T and T-Mobile networks to deliver reliable nationwide coverage. Some key facts about Consumer Cellular include:
- Available for users of any age, but caters especially to seniors
- Runs on AT&T and T-Mobile networks
- No contracts required
- Option to bring your own phone or buy from Consumer Cellular’s selection
- Flexible talk, text, and data options
- Senior-friendly features like usage alerts and customer support
Overview Of MetroPCS
MetroPCS is a prepaid wireless brand owned by T-Mobile. They market to budget-conscious consumers who want unlimited talk, text, and data without a credit check or annual contract. Here’s a quick rundown of what MetroPCS offers:
- Low-cost unlimited plans
- Bring your own phone or purchase from MetroPCS
- Runs on T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G and LTE networks
- No annual contracts or credit checks
- Data maximizer feature helps conserve high-speed data
- Unlimited music streaming on select plans
- Mobile hotspot capability
Now let’s take a deeper look at how Consumer Cellular and MetroPCS compare on topics like coverage, phone selection, plans, and perks.
Network Coverage Comparison
One of the most important factors when choosing a wireless carrier is coverage, as this determines where you can access service.
Consumer Cellular offers:
- Runs on AT&T network: The majority of Consumer Cellular plans use AT&T’s nationwide 4G and 5G networks. AT&T offers extensive coverage across the U.S.
- Runs on T-Mobile network: Some Consumer Cellular plans utilize T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G and LTE networks instead. T-Mobile also provides thorough coverage across most of the country.
MetroPCS offers:
- Runs on T-Mobile network: All MetroPCS plans operate on T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G and LTE networks. Like AT&T, T-Mobile coverage spans most of the U.S.
Both carriers offer nationwide wireless coverage on strong networks, so most users will have a good experience regardless of location. However, exact coverage quality can vary on a case-by-case basis. The best option is checking coverage maps for your address.
Phone Selection And BYOD
What phones can you use with each carrier? And can you bring your own device? Here’s how Consumer Cellular and MetroPCS compare:
Consumer Cellular phones:
- Sells a variety of phones from basic flip phones to higher-end smartphones. Most are designed for seniors.
- New and refurbished options available
- Can also bring your own compatible phone instead of buying from Consumer Cellular
MetroPCS phones:
- Sells a wide selection of Android smartphones; no basic phones
- New and pre-owned options available
- Option to bring your own unlocked device or purchase a phone from MetroPCS
Both carriers allow you to use your own compatible phone or buy one from them. MetroPCS has a larger smartphone selection, while Consumer Cellular offers basic flip phones and senior-focused devices.
Plan Options And Pricing
When it comes to plans, Consumer Cellular and MetroPCS take different approaches. Here’s how their talk, text, and data options compare:
Consumer Cellular plans:
- No unlimited plans
- Share talk and text on family plans
- 250MB to 15GB of data per line
- $15-$80 per month depending on usage
- Minutes, texts, and data can be mixed and matched between lines
- Data unused each month carries over to the next billing cycle
MetroPCS plans:
- Only unlimited talk, text, and data
- Plans range from 2GB to fully unlimited high-speed data
- $40-$60 per month per line
- Add extra lines for $30/month
- Mobile hotspot and Google One cloud storage included
- Discount for combining wireless with MetroPCS Home Internet
Consumer Cellular offers more flexibility like sharing buckets of minutes and customizing data amounts per line. MetroPCS only has set unlimited plans to choose from. But MetroPCS includes extras like hotspot and cloud storage and offers discounts for bundling.
Also Read: Is Consumer Cellular Better Than Xfinity Mobile?
Perks And Extras
Aside from core service, what extra features and perks does each carrier provide?
Consumer Cellular perks:
- Usage alerts to avoid overages
- Discounts on new phones for existing customers
- No activation fees
- Free calls to Canada & Mexico
- Exceptional senior-friendly customer service
MetroPCS perks:
- Mobile hotspot data included
- Google One cloud storage
- Unlimited music streaming on higher-tier plans
- Amazon Prime and Google One discounts for plan members
- Occasional free phone promotion when you switch
- MetroPCS Tuesdays offers in-store discounts
Key extras to note are the senior-focused features from Consumer Cellular like usage alerts and accessible customer service. Meanwhile, MetroPCS offers plenty of entertainment perks like unlimited tunes and Amazon/Google One deals.
Consumer Cellular Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Flexible talk, text, and data amounts
- Well-liked by seniors
- Strong network coverage through AT&T and T-Mobile
- Affordable shared family plans
- Data rollover to the next month
Cons:
- No unlimited high-speed data options
- Smaller phone selection compared to MetroPCS
- Not ideal for heavy data users
MetroPCS Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Low-cost unlimited plans with several data amounts
- Lots of Android smartphones to choose from
- Extras like mobile hotspot, Google One, and Amazon Prime deals
- Good coverage through T-Mobile’s network
Cons:
- No basic/flip phones, only smartphones
- No data rollover to the following month
- Video streaming can be limited to 480p resolution
Now that we’ve compared the pros and cons, is one carrier clearly better than the other?
Is Consumer Cellular Or MetroPCS The Better Choice?
When choosing between Consumer Cellular and MetroPCS, there are a few key questions to consider:
- Do you need unlimited data? If yes, MetroPCS is the way to go.
- Do you want flexibility with talk, text, and data amounts? Consumer Cellular offers more customization.
- Will you use mobile hotspot or music/video streaming? MetroPCS includes more entertainment perks.
- Is exceptional customer service a priority? Consumer Cellular wins for senior-friendly support.
In general, Consumer Cellular is ideal for light data users, especially seniors, who want customized plans. Their outstanding customer service and usage alerts provide a great experience for those new to smartphones.
MetroPCS is better for heavy data users who rely on unlimited video/music streaming. Their tiered unlimited plans come packed with entertainment extras and mobile hotspot.
Hopefully this detailed comparison gives you a good idea of which budget cell phone carrier aligns more closely with your needs and priorities!
Also Read: Is Verizon Better Than Cspire?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The main disadvantages of Consumer Cellular are:
No unlimited high-speed data options
Smaller phone selection compared to other carriers
Plans can get pricey for heavy data users
Not ideal if you stream lots of music/video
No, Consumer Cellular and MetroPCS are separate wireless carriers and are not compatible with each other. Consumer Cellular uses the AT&T and T-Mobile networks, while MetroPCS uses T-Mobile’s network.
You cannot activate Consumer Cellular service on a MetroPCS phone, and vice versa. The only option for switching would be to obtain a new device.
Overall, Consumer Cellular receives outstanding reviews with mostly positive feedback from customers. Their biggest advantage is top-rated customer service. That said, some drawbacks mentioned in less favorable reviews include:
Average data speeds/connectivity in certain areas
Smaller phone selection lacking newer models
Difficulty upgrading phones for existing customers
But most reviews praise their helpful support, flexible plans, and ease of use for seniors. Many say it’s the best carrier they’ve been with.
Some carriers to consider that are better than MetroPCS in certain ways:
Verizon or AT&T: More robust coverage, especially in rural areas
Visible: Truly unlimited high-speed data on Verizon’s network
T-Mobile: Faster 5G speeds and max resolution video streaming
Consumer Cellular: More personalized plans and excellent customer support
However, these carriers are likely more expensive than MetroPCS. Overall, MetroPCS remains a solid choice for budget-friendly unlimited data.
Conclusion
We’ve covered the key strengths and weaknesses of Consumer Cellular and MetroPCS wireless. Both offer affordable service on a national network without contracts. For light usage and senior-focused perks, Consumer Cellular takes the lead.
But MetroPCS is ideal for unlimited everything at the lowest cost. Now you have the details you need to confidently decide!