Boost Mobile is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) owned by DISH Wireless and primarily runs on the T-Mobile network. Boost Mobile is known for its affordable data plans and offers one of the best add-ons for users who need to roam in Mexico. It has a plan that will work for just about anyone, whether you need just 1GB of data or up to 30GB. Check out our detailed Boost Mobile buyer's guide to know just about everything about its plans, devices, and much more!
Big on data
Boost Mobile offers plans with lots of data at competitive prices for people looking to save some cash. The plans also come with hotspot functionality, multi-month savings, a variety of add-ons for roaming usage, and some extra perks.
Boost Mobile buyer's guide: The network
Initially based on Sprint's network, Boost Mobile now utilizes the combined network infrastructure of T-Mobile (primarily), its parent company DISH Wireless, and also to some extent, AT&T. As such, it can be a solid option for many customers.
T-Mobile's network coverage has improved a lot in the past few years and with many of Sprint's assets now under its belt, it continues to get better — especially when it comes to 5G coverage. Boost Mobile refers to T-Mobile's network as its expanded network.
DISH Wireless is working on implementing its own 5G network infrastructure going forward, but that's going to take quite some time. At least for the next few years, it's safe to think of Boost Mobile as a T-Mobile-based carrier.
Boost Mobile buyer's guide: The plans
While Boost Mobile has gone a long way to simplify its plan offerings, things can still seem a bit complicated. Its plans start with 1GB of monthly data, with unlimited talk and text bundled too if you buy 12 months of service upfront. You can also get 5GB, 15GB, and unlimited plans depending on how long you want to sign up for. It's worth mentioning that some plans are only available for new customers.
The unlimited plans come with 30GB of high-speed data and an allotment of hotspot data. The base 'Unlimited' plan comes with 12GB of hotspot data, while the premium 'Unlimited Plus' plan includes 30GB of hotspot data. For other plans, hotspot data is shared with data allotment. Once the data limit is reached, data speeds are reduced to 512kbps.
| Plans | Monthly | 3 months | 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | Not available | Not available | $100 ($8.33 per month, new customers only) |
| 5GB | $15 per month | $45 ($15 per month, new customers only) | Not available |
| 15GB | Not available | Not available | $240 ($20 per month) |
| Unlimited | $25 per month ($10 per month for a limited time, new customers only) | Not available | Not available |
| Unlimited | $40 per month (new customers only) | $90 ($30 per month) | $300 ($25 per month) |
| Unlimited Plus | $60 per month | Not available | Not available |
There are savings for those signing up for the unlimited plans with multiple lines, however. New customers opting for one of the two unlimited plans (priced $40 and $60) can add up to an extra four lines and avail a $20 discount per line.
Keep in mind that while you can remove a line from your account at any time, it's only possible to add lines at the time of purchasing the service. Also, removing a line will be reflected at the start of your next billing cycle.
Boost Mobile Buyer's Guide: Add-ons and perks
One of Boost Mobile's most well-known features is its add-ons, which are perfect for customers who also need international service(s). The 'Todo Mexico' add-on lets you use the service while roaming in Mexico including receiving calls, unlimited calls to landlines and mobile phones (both in Mexico and in the US while roaming in Mexico), unlimited texting to more than 200 countries, up to 8GB of roaming data (depending on your plan), and more. All this can be added to any Boost Mobile plan at just $5 a month, while the $60 plan already comes bundled with it.
Then there's the 'Global Talk & Text' add-on, which enables calling (to landlines and mobile phones) and texting from the US to over 200 countries. This add-on costs $10 a month.
Apart from these, you can also get additional data packs, which can be either one-time or recurring. These range from 2GB ($5 a month) to 10GB ($10 a month).
Boost Mobile has also expanded with a number of other add-ons, including Secure Wi-Fi (a VPN service for public Wi-Fi access), Boost Family Guard (a family safety app), and Boost Protect (a comprehensive phone protection plan).
| Add-on | Price |
|---|---|
| Todo Mexico | $5 per month for all plans, included with $60 plan |
| Global Talk & Text | $10 per month |
| Data Packs | $5 for 2GB, $10 for 10GB |
| Boost Device Protection | $2.75-18 per month |
| Secure Wi-Fi | $2 per month |
Boost Mobile buyer's guide: The phones
Boost Mobile sells a wide range of Android phones and iPhones via its website, with everything from budget devices to semi-recent flagships. If you're looking for a high-end Android phone, you can choose something like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. That said, the majority of the devices available tend to be affordable options.
Still, if you want one of the best Android phones, just about any unlocked device that supports T-Mobile's network should work on Boost Mobile without any issues. Unlocked phones are also nice since they allow you to easily switch carriers.
Boost Mobile buyer's guide: Why go prepaid?
Even if you've checked the coverage map, it's still possible that you won't be satisfied with the area(s) served by Boost Mobile. But since this is a prepaid carrier that we're talking about, you aren't locked into a contract, and are free to try out more options. Just be sure to transfer your phone number before you let your contract run out, or you could lose it.
Boost Mobile is also flexible with its plans and savings, so if you're willing to sign up for up to 12 months at a time, you can save a lot of money. It's also worth keeping in mind that bigger carriers like to lock you in with phone promotions that can often be expensive to get out of. Using a prepaid carrier with an unlocked phone gives you a lot of options to move around and find what suits your needs the best. If you're not happy with Boost Mobile for one reason or another, there are plenty of alternative carriers to choose from.
Save with long-term plans
If you're thinking about jumping over to a prepaid carrier, Boost Mobile can be a great choice. Its plans offer anywhere from 1GB to 30GB of high-speed data, and you can get reliable service for less than $10 a month if you don't mind paying for a full year in advance.
