Is Boost Mobile Worth The Extra Money Over T-Mobile - Complete Guide

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If you're weighing whether Boost Mobile is worth the extra money over T-Mobile's own prepaid options, you're asking exactly the right question. The honest answer is that for most people, Boost Mobile doesn't offer enough value to justify the premium — and there are better MVNOs that cost less and perform just as well or better.

Wait — Boost Mobile Isn't Even on T-Mobile's Network Anymore

This is the most important thing to understand before comparing Boost Mobile to T-Mobile prepaid plans. Boost Mobile was historically a Sprint/T-Mobile MVNO, but after the Sprint merger and DISH Network's acquisition of Boost in 2020, Boost transitioned to AT&T's network. As of 2024, Boost operates primarily on AT&T infrastructure, with some coverage on its own developing 5G network.

So if you're trying to decide between Boost Mobile and T-Mobile because you want T-Mobile coverage, you're actually comparing two different networks entirely. That changes the calculus considerably. T-Mobile's prepaid arm, Metro by T-Mobile, gives you direct access to T-Mobile's network — and Metro by T-Mobile scores 6.5/11 in our rankings, which is actually slightly ahead of Boost Mobile's 6/11 score.

This network shift is a big deal. T-Mobile has consistently ranked among the top networks in the US for 5G coverage and urban reliability. AT&T is strong in its own right, but if your reason for looking at Boost was T-Mobile coverage, you may want to reconsider entirely.

How Boost Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile Stack Up

Before diving deeper, here's a quick side-by-side comparison of the two carriers most people are actually comparing:

Feature	Boost Mobile	Metro by T-Mobile
Our Score	6/11	6.5/11
Network	AT&T	T-Mobile
Starting Price	~$15/mo	~$15/mo
Unlimited Plan	$60/mo	$30-50/mo
Hotspot Included	Yes (limited)	Yes (limited)
Data Deprioritization	Yes	Yes
Contract Required	No	No

At similar price points, Metro by T-Mobile edges out Boost Mobile in our scoring, largely because T-Mobile's network continues to outperform AT&T in 5G availability across more US markets. Metro also benefits from being a direct subsidiary of T-Mobile, which means fewer network translation layers and generally better plan management.

That said, neither carrier is our top recommendation. If you're already reconsidering your current plan, this is a good opportunity to look further than just these two options.

Is Boost Mobile Worth the Extra Money? Rarely.

When people ask "is Boost Mobile worth the extra money over T-Mobile," they typically mean: does Boost offer something meaningfully better that justifies its price? In most cases, the answer is no — and here's why.

Boost Mobile's Strengths

Boost does have some legitimate selling points. The carrier has a large retail presence, which is useful if you prefer in-person support. Its unlimited plans include some streaming perks and international calling features. Boost has also been investing in its own 5G network buildout through DISH, which could improve its independence over time.

For users who live in areas where AT&T coverage is dominant — particularly in rural parts of the Southeast and Southwest — Boost Mobile could be a practical choice over a T-Mobile-based MVNO.

Boost Mobile's Weaknesses

The problems with Boost are harder to overlook. At a 6/11 score in our rankings, Boost falls well below our top picks. It has a complex pricing structure with promotional pricing that often resets at renewal, meaning your $25/month plan could quietly climb to $60/month. Customer service reviews are consistently below average, with long wait times and difficulty resolving billing issues.

Boost also has a history of network disruptions during its transition from T-Mobile to AT&T infrastructure. While most of those issues have stabilized, the underlying uncertainty around DISH's network buildout continues to make long-term reliability a question mark.

Better Alternatives to Both Boost Mobile and T-Mobile Prepaid

If you're shopping around, this is the right moment to look at MVNOs that beat both Boost and Metro in our rankings. You don't have to settle.

Tello: The Best T-Mobile MVNO

Tello scores 9.5/11 in our rankings and runs on T-Mobile's network — giving you the same coverage Metro by T-Mobile offers, often at a significantly lower price. Plans start at just $8/month for basic use and go up to $25/month for an unlimited plan with unlimited hotspot data. That's a remarkable value compared to Boost's $60/month unlimited tier.

Tello's build-a-plan system lets you mix and match data and minutes to pay only for what you actually use. There's no contract, no activation fee, and Tello has never had a reported data breach. For anyone who wants T-Mobile's network without paying T-Mobile retail prices, Tello is the obvious winner. You can compare Tello's plans against other top MVNOs to see exactly how much you could save.

Visible: Best Overall Value on Verizon

Visible scores a near-perfect 10/11 in our rankings and runs on Verizon's network. For $25/month — with taxes already included — you get unlimited data, unlimited talk and text, and unlimited hotspot. That price is all-in, which is rarer than it sounds in the prepaid world.

Visible is particularly compelling because it offers Verizon-quality coverage at a price point well below what Boost charges for comparable plans. Verizon consistently ranks number one or two nationally for overall network reliability, which makes Visible's value proposition extremely strong. For most users, Visible at $25/month beats Boost at $40-60/month without question.

US Mobile: Best for Power Users and Flexibility

US Mobile scores 9.5/11 and is unique in that it offers access to all three major networks — Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T — letting you choose the best fit for your location. Its build-a-plan approach is similar to Tello's, but US Mobile also offers pooled family plans and a premium unlimited option called Unlimited Plus.

If you want AT&T coverage (which Boost currently uses) but without Boost's pricing and service headaches, US Mobile's AT&T-based plans are worth exploring. You get the same underlying network without the brand markup. Check out our US Mobile full review for a deeper breakdown of its plan options.

Who Should Actually Consider Boost Mobile?

To be fair to Boost, there are some specific use cases where it makes sense:

• Users who need a physical store nearby for in-person help and can't manage an account online
• Customers in AT&T-dominant rural areas where T-Mobile and Verizon MVNOs have weaker signals
• Buyers looking for prepaid phone deals — Boost sometimes offers heavily discounted or free phones with plan activation
• International callers — some Boost plans include calling to Mexico and other countries at no extra charge

Outside of these scenarios, the value case for Boost Mobile is thin. Most people will save money and get better service with Tello or Visible.

What About the T-Mobile Prepaid Plans Directly?

If you want to stay in the T-Mobile ecosystem, going directly through Metro by T-Mobile is generally better than choosing Boost. Metro offers competitive pricing, a more reliable plan structure, and T-Mobile's full 5G network access. Its 6.5/11 score edges Boost's 6/11, which reflects Metro's stronger network reliability and cleaner pricing.

However, Metro still falls far short of our top-ranked MVNOs. You'll pay more through Metro than you would through Tello for the same T-Mobile network coverage. Metro's main advantage is brand familiarity and a large retail presence — but if you're comfortable managing your account online, Tello beats Metro on almost every metric that matters. See how Metro by T-Mobile compares to Tello in our detailed head-to-head.

Best Phone to Pair With This Plan

If you're switching carriers and need an unlocked phone that works with any of our top picks — Visible, Tello, or US Mobile — we recommend the Google Pixel 9a. It's our top budget phone pick for 2025:

• 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

Boost Mobile is rarely worth the extra money — whether you're comparing it to T-Mobile's own Metro brand or to the top-rated MVNOs in our rankings. At 6/11, Boost underperforms on pricing, customer service, and overall value. Its network switch from T-Mobile to AT&T also makes it a poor choice for anyone specifically seeking T-Mobile coverage.

If you want T-Mobile's network, go with Tello at 9.5/11 — plans start at $8/month and go up to $25/month for unlimited with hotspot. If you want the best overall prepaid value in the US, Visible at 10/11 delivers Verizon coverage for $25/month with taxes included. Both options decisively outperform Boost Mobile for the vast majority of users.

Use our Plan Finder tool to enter your usage needs and location, and find the best MVNO for your specific situation in under two minutes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Boost Mobile on T-Mobile's network?

No — Boost Mobile is no longer on T-Mobile's network. After DISH Network acquired Boost in 2020, it transitioned to AT&T's network. Boost is now building its own independent 5G network using DISH's spectrum, but for most users today, Boost runs on AT&T infrastructure.

Q: Is Boost Mobile cheaper than T-Mobile prepaid plans?

Not consistently. Boost Mobile's unlimited plans often cost $50-60/month, which is comparable to or more expensive than Metro by T-Mobile. Budget T-Mobile MVNOs like Tello offer T-Mobile network access for as little as $8-25/month, making Boost look expensive by comparison.

Q: What's the best alternative to Boost Mobile?

For the best overall value, we recommend Visible (10/11) on Verizon's network at $25/month all-in, or Tello (9.5/11) on T-Mobile's network starting at $8/month. Both carriers significantly outperform Boost in our 11-point scoring system.

Q: Is Boost Mobile reliable for everyday use?

Boost Mobile is generally reliable for calls and texts, but its data speeds can be inconsistent, particularly during congested periods, since Boost customers are deprioritized behind AT&T's postpaid subscribers. Network reliability improved after the AT&T transition but still lags behind carriers using Verizon, especially in dense urban areas.

Q: Can I keep my number if I switch away from Boost Mobile?

Yes. You can port your existing Boost Mobile number to any new carrier, including Tello, Visible, or US Mobile. Before canceling your Boost service, contact your new carrier with your Boost account number and PIN/transfer code to initiate the port. Your number will transfer within a few hours to a few days.

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