Is T-Mobile's Free Netflix A Good Deal?

T-Mobile bundles a streaming service with their plans: Netflix. The company introduced this add-on some time ago, and it's definitely appealing if you're used to shelling out $6.99-22.99 a month for this privilege (depending on your Netflix plan). Netflix subscriptions come standard with select T-Mobile unlimited plans.

Netflix on Us: Need to Know

Customers on Experience More and Experience Beyond Plus will receive Netflix Standard 2-screen (up to $17.99/mo. value)
Video streams at 4K UDH quality
Only one Netflix subscription per T-Mobile account
You can upgrade to multiple screens/accounts and pay the difference

Is this a good deal?

For folks who need the kind of data allotments T-Mobile provides, this is a great deal—especially since Netflix finally cut down on password sharing. No more mooching off of your friend's or parents' account—each Netflix member must pay for their own access. If you can get it for free through your mobile provider, even better.

Note too that T-Mobile is currently the only major carrier to fully subsidize the cost of any streaming service. Both Verizon and AT&T have done away with plan inclusions, with Verizon transitioning to discounted services available with its unlimited plans (AT&T has yet to bring back any entertainment offerings).

Don't let T-Mobile fool you: You're overpaying for Netflix

Most people don't need the massive data allotments included on T-Mobile's plans. The carrier throws in Netflix as a sweetener so you feel better about overpaying.

Many people don't realize that you can get the exact same coverage as you would from a T-Mobile plan by going with a much cheaper MVNO. Other T-Mobile network carriers include Mint Mobile, which offers an unlimited plan with access to T-Mobile's 4G LTE and 5G networks for just $30/month. That's half the cost of the T-Mobile Essentials plan. Plus, it comes with a 10GB mobile hotspot and a generous 40GB allotment of premium data. With all those savings, you can pay for a Netflix subscription outright and still come out ahead.

Compare 2 lines of unlimited data

Shared plan with 2 lines

#1	Google Fi Wireless	Google Fi Wireless Unlimited Essentials for 2 Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data T-Mobile 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices No mobile hotspot data 2 lines $30.00/mo View Plan	$30.00/mo	View Plan
#2	Metro by T-Mobile (MetroPCS)	Metro by T-Mobile (MetroPCS) $25 Unlimited Multi-line Plan (BYOD) \| Online Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data T-Mobile 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices No mobile hotspot data 2 lines $50.00/mo with AutoPay View Plan	$50.00/mo with AutoPay	View Plan
#3	Twigby Mobile	Twigby Mobile Multi-Line Plan Unlimited Verizon 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices 40GB mobile hotspot data 2 lines $50.00/mo for the first 3 months View Plan	$50.00/mo for the first 3 months	View Plan
#4	Verizon	Verizon Simplicity Plan Unlimited 5G Ultra Wideband Verizon 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices 20GB mobile hotspot data 2 lines $60.00/mo View Plan	$60.00/mo	View Plan
#5	Spectrum Mobile	Spectrum Mobile Unlimited Data Unlimited Full speeds up to 30GB Available on 1 Major 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices Unlimited mobile hotspot data 2 lines $60.00/mo + $40 Upfront View Plan	$60.00/mo + $40 Upfront	View Plan
#6	PureTalk	PureTalk Multi-Line Plan Unlimited AT&T 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices 4GB mobile hotspot data 2 lines $69.98/mo + $6 Upfront View Plan	$69.98/mo + $6 Upfront	View Plan

Chris Holmes

Staff Writer

Chris Holmes is a Contributing Writer for WhistleOut, where he covers the cell phone and internet industries. His work has been cited in publications like The Verge, The New York Times, and WIRED.

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