UPDATE: Boost Infinite has merged with Boost Mobile
The prepaid sister brand to Boost Mobile is now fully part under the Boost Mobile umbrella. Boost Infinite's plan options have been rebranded but are essentially the same offerings, with customers now able to choose whether they want a prepaid or postpaid plan structure.
Find out more in our coverage of the merger.
Boost Infinite and Boost Mobile are two mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that sell discounted service on three national cellular networks—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Dish. Despite the similar names, these two carriers aren't the same, but they do have a close relationship. Dish owns both carriers and Boost Infinite's name is absolutely playing on the legacy of its sister carrier. Both carriers offer the same coverage—and in our testing experience, we found 5G service to be exceptional. Additionally, Boost Mobile is a prepaid wireless carrier whereas Boost Infinite is postpaid.
So what makes these closely-named carriers different? We'll take a closer look at the two and compare their plans, prices, features, and coverage to help find out which Boost is right for you.
Summary: Boost Infinite vs. Boost Mobile
The biggest difference between Boost Infinite and Boost Mobile is that the latter offers up more options with more inclusions. Boost Mobile can satisfy a broader range of customers, but Boost Infinite's plans do have Boost Mobile's similarly priced plans beat.
Boost Infinite plans
- Simple, cheap unlimited plans
- Great coverage via 3 networks
- No family plan discounts
- No included hotspot (add-on only)
Boost Mobile plans
- Several limited + unlimited options
- Hotspot included on all plans
- Unlimited is more expensive
- Price isn't locked in for life
How we compared Boost Infinite and Boost Mobile
- Price & value We ensured you’re getting the most bang for your buck without sacrificing on the essentials to keep you connected.
- High-speed data We looked at whether the amount of guaranteed “premium” data was reasonable for the plan price, and flagged if you’re being overcharged for data you likely don’t need.
- Coverage & network reliability We evaluated each carrier’s nationwide 4G LTE and 5G coverage to predict your service quality (no dropped calls allowed!).
- Plan extras and perks If you get free Netflix or a hefty hotspot, we factored those in relative to the cost of the plan.
You can read more about our detailed methodology below.
Boost Infinite vs. Boost Mobile: Plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | Inclusions | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Infinite Unlimited Infinite Unlimited+ Infinite Access for iPhone |
$25/month $50/month $60/month |
30GB premium data Basic 5G network 30GB premium data Expanded 5G network Mexico/Canada privileges Talk/text to 200+ locations 30GB premium data Expanded 5G network Mexico/Canada privileges Talk/text to 200+ locations New iPhone each year |
 |
1GB annual plan 5GB plan Unlimited (new/existing customers) Unlimited (new customers only) Unlimited Plus |
$100/year $15/month $25/month $40/month $60/month |
Unlimited talk/text + 1GB premium data Hotspot access Unlimited talk/text + 5GB premium data Hotspot access 30GB premium data Hotspot: N/A 30GB premium data 12GB high-speed hotspot 30GB premium data 30GB high-speed hotspot Mexico talk/text/8GB roaming data |
Boost Infinite now offers two main plans (up from its single unlimited plan on its debut). At $25/month, its Infinite Unlimited plan provides unlimited talk, text, and data on Boost's 5G network. For double the price, Infinite Unlimited+ throws in access to "America's Smart Network," a combination of T-Mobile, AT&T, and Dish's 5G mobile networks for broadened coverage. You'll also get Canada/Mexico privileges, plus texting to over 200 international locations.
For iPhone aficionados, you can opt for the Infinite Access for iPhone, which includes everything in the Infinite Unlimited+ plan but also gets you a brand-new iPhone each year.
Boost Mobile, on the other hand, has multiple plans, starting with a bite-sized 5GB plan at just $15/month, followed by three unlimited options at $25, $40, and $60 per month. While its $25 unlimited plan pretty much matches Boost Infinite's equivalent option, each of its more expensive unlimited plans comes with more features like dedicated hotspot allowances and international calling perks.
We tested Boost's service... did it make the grade?
One of our mobile experts tried out Boost Mobile's $25 unlimited plan for a full month—hop over to our Boost Mobile review to see if he decided whether he'd be willing to switch from his tried-and-true AT&T plan over to Boost.
If saving money as much money as possible is your top priority, Boost Mobile's 5GB limited data plan would probably be your best choice. Just keep in mind that the average person uses more than 5GB/month, and there's a good chance you will exceed the limit and see very slow speeds before the month is over. If you don't want to deal with data limits but still want to reduce your budget, either carrier's $25 unlimited plan could be the right fit.
One of the more overlooked benefits of Boost Infinite's pricing is that it is locked in for as long as you keep your account active. You will not have to worry about any price hikes in the future, which makes it a great value.
That said, as Boost Mobile offers a wider variety of price points for different data needs, we give it the edge in this category.
- Price locked for life
- 30GB of premium data
- Only two options
- Plans as low as $15/month
- Multiple options available
- Prices not locked in
Boost Infinite vs. Boost Mobile: High-speed data
All unlimited plans from both carriers offer the exact same amount of premium high-speed data allotments—30GB. What does "premium data" mean, though? On unlimited data plans, if you use more than the 30GB allowance, your speeds can throttled, especially in times of peak network traffic.
However, there is a big difference in how each carrier treats their priority data threshold. With Boost Infinite, your speeds may be throttled... meaning, you could potentially slow down, or you could keep getting the same 4G/5G speeds you're accustomed to. With Boost Mobile, your speeds will be throttled—no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
For this reason, we think Boost Infinite provides a better experience and has the upper hand for premium data.
Boost Infinite vs. Boost Mobile: Mobile hotspot data
Neither Boost Infinite plan includes any dedicated hotspot data, nor does Boost Mobile's $25 unlimited plan. But both of Boost Mobile's more expensive plans include hotspot allowances, offering 12GB and 30GB respectively. You can also use hotspot on both of the smaller limited data plans, up to your plan limit. To get hotspot with Boost Infinite at all, you have to purchase a $10/month 30GB add-on.
If hotspot data is super important to you, Boost Mobile is definitely the way to go.
Boost Infinite vs. Boost Mobile: Perks
Smaller carriers or MVNOs aren't really known for offering perks like you might find with the major carriers (like free Netflix from T-Mobile), and the two Boosts are no exceptions to this rule. You can expect very few frills from these carriers, but they do provide affordable service on a trusted network. This one is an easy tie.
Boost Infinite vs. Boost Mobile: Family plans and other discounts
As with perks, MVNOs don't typically offer family plan discounts (some do, but it's rare). Both carriers follow this pattern with all plans except Boost Mobile's $60 Unlimited Plus plan—new customers can create a family plan with up to four additional lines and receive a discount of $20/month on each line. Sadly for existing Boost customers, this option isn't available... you'd have to create an entirely new account with new phone numbers.
(Hint: Take a look at our favorite family plans to see how you can save for everyone on your plan.)
Boost Infinite vs. Boost Mobile: Coverage
Image: Boost Mobile
The story is pretty simple here. Boost Infinite and Boost Mobile currently operate on the same networks—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Dish—giving their customers access to the second-larget 4G LTE and 5G networks in the country. When we tested Boost Mobile around urban and coastal North Carolina, for example, our writer found better 5G coverage thanks to T-Mobile's network than he typically sees on his standalone AT&T phone plan. WhistleOut team members in California and Idaho also report excellent T-Mobile 5G speeds in urban areas, though coverage can drop pretty dramatically once you leave the suburbs.
You can see how these two carriers have you covered by checking out the respective coverage maps below:
Boost Infinite vs. Boost Mobile: Recap
Boost Infinite and Boost Mobile have a ton of similarities that go beyond having "Boost" in their names. Of course, this isn't too surprising considering the two are sister brands and that Boost Infinite was purposefully named after Boost Mobile.
You can't go wrong in terms of quality service with either carrier. If you're in need of smaller data options and/or mobile hotspot access, Boost Mobile wins out over Boost Infinite. However, if you are looking for a low-cost unlimited plan, both carriers fit the bill with their equal $25 options, and iPhone users particularly may want to seriously consider Boost Infinite's Apple-friendly plan with automatic upgrades.
Methodology: How WhistleOut compares cell phone plans and carriers
WhistleOut evaluates phone plans and carriers based on the following criteria:
- Price & value: Not all cheap plans are “bad,” and not all expensive plans are worth it. We look at everything a plan includes and compare it both to other plans from the same carrier, as well as similar plans from competitors in the market, to determine whether the value is consistent with the price.
- High-speed data: Also called “premium” data, this is how much data you get at full 4G/5G speeds before they can or will slow down. The more guaranteed high-speed data the plan includes, the better experience you’ll generally have—but there’s also usually a limit to how much you actually need, and we ensure that you’re not overpaying for data that will go unused.
- Coverage & network reliability: The breadth of each carrier’s 4G LTE and 5G networks determines your reception and service. Particularly in the case of 5G, some carriers offer far more robust coverage than others, which affects how their phone plans perform in different parts of the country.
- Plan extras and perks: In addition to the basics—talk, text, and data—some plans throw in freebies like hotspot allowances, cloud storage, entertainment subscriptions, or service discounts.
Our mobile experts leveraged proprietary data and real-world customer feedback to evaluate Boost Infinite and Boost Mobile. We compared the two MVNOs by analyzing their coverage, cost, and plan options. We considered plan-specific elements, including perks, premium data allowances, and mobile hotspot allocations. After performing hands-on testing and extensive research, including customer feedback, we picked the best carrier we feel meets the needs of most people. We only compared Boost Infinite vs. Boost Mobile—no other carriers, big or small, were included in our examination.
Visit our guide to choosing a phone plan to dive deeper into a cell phone carrier or plan to find the one that best meets your specific needs.
Boost Infinite vs. Boost Mobile: FAQ
How do I switch from Boost Mobile to Boost Infinite?
To switch from Boost Mobile to Boost Infinite, you'll want to finish your current prepaid period with Boost Mobile and join Boost Infinite as a new customer. Although Boost Infinite and Boost Mobile are sister carriers, there are no shortcuts to switching between the two.
Do Boost Mobile and Boost Infinite have the same network coverage?
Yes, Boost Mobile and Boost Infinite have the same network coverage. Both operate on the AT&T network. Boost Infinite will eventually also operate on T-Mobile and DISH networks.
Is Boost Mobile shutting down?
No, Boost Mobile has not announced any plans to shut down. The carrier seems to be here for the long run.
Lauren Hannula
Managing Editor
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