Boost Infinite vs. AT&T: Which carrier is better?

AT&T is a major wireless carrier in the United States that provides fantastic cell phone coverage all throughout the country. There are three major wireless providers, including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. These companies own and operate nationwide networks, working tirelessly to increase their network’s strength throughout the country. There are a lot of excellent cell phone plans from AT&T, but the landscape of carriers in the USA opens up many options, such as the plans from Boost Mobile. 

Note: Boost Mobile recently combined with Boost Infinite. 

Boost Mobile uses all three major wireless networks to create powerful multi-network coverage for all its users. Boost Mobile has a simple set of cell phone plans, great new-customer deals, and fair data allocations for low- and mid-data customers. This MVNO gives users the ability to switch between all three major wireless networks depending on which one is strongest at the time, helping users evade congestion in areas with larger populations. 

The plans offered at AT&T and Boost Mobile are seriously different. Figuring out which plan is the perfect fit for you will save you big in the long run, whether it is saving money with an MVNO cell phone plan or saving with a major wireless plan that gets you all you need. 

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:

• What the coverage of both carriers looks like
• How prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans

Coverage & Reception — Boost Mobile vs. AT&T

Boost Mobile is on several networks. 

Boost Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Boost Mobile is an MVNO of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Dish. This means that if you choose Boost Mobile, you can choose which network you use when you sign up for your plan. Their Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans allow you to switch between services whenever you choose. 

Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers. 

However, T-Mobile’s 5G coverage and access is hailed as the best coverage overall. 

Plan Options — Boost Mobile vs. AT&T

Boost Mobile offers three unlimited plans, while AT&T offers premium data. 

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Boost Mobile offers three unlimited plans with varying features, while AT&T offers both limited and unlimited plans. Both companies deprioritize data, meaning you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and sports arenas.

Boost Mobile Plans

Boost Mobile has a simple set of cell phone plans that all provide 30 GB of high-speed data with various add-ons and price points. All plans come with unlimited talk and text, and Boost Mobile's phone plans have a lot to bring to the table. Let’s break them down. 

• Infinite Access for iPhone — $65
• Infinite Access for Galaxy — $65
• Unlimited Premium — $60
• Unlimited Plus — $50
• Unlimited — $25

Infinite Access

With Boost Mobile, you have, for all intents and purposes, three plans from which to choose. Let’s start with the most expensive, the Infinite Access for iPhone or Galaxy. These plans come with two huge features that work to justify the price. Infinite Access customers receive free device trade-ins every year, ensuring they keep abreast of the latest and greatest devices. The iPhone plan receives the latest iPhones, and the Galaxy plan receives the latest Galaxy S series every year. In addition to this, these plans have access to America’s Smart Network, which comprises Boost Mobile’s own network as well as T-Mobile and AT&T. 

With these plans, Boost Mobile customers can jump between these networks, depending on which one is strongest in their area. This is a great way to evade slow data speeds, especially for travelers who are often in areas where the networks don’t all have 5G coverage. 

Unlimited Premium 

Boost Mobile’s second most expensive plan, Infinite Unlimited, has access to America’s Smart Network and lets the customer trade in an old device for an iPhone 15! This plan costs $60, saving you $10 a month or $120 a year. This plan provides great value to people who aren’t as interested in the stream of new devices that come with Boost Mobile’s most expensive cell phone plans.

The downside to this plan is that it only comes with 50 GB of unlimited high-speed data. This is a big data allocation, but you might run out of data if you are a frequent mobile user. Running out of high-speed data in the middle of the month is never good. Sixty dollars a month is still a huge price tag for limited MVNO data. Major wireless plans start at around $65 for single-line plans.  

Unlimited Plus 

Unlimited Plus is a similar plan, a little less expensive at $50 a month and offering 40 GB of high-speed data. We bundle this one together with Unlimited Premium, where it’s a sizeable data allocation and more expensive than we would like. 

Unlimited

Rounding out Boost Mobile’s cell phone plan is their Unlimited plan at $25 a month. This is far more reasonably priced and gives single-line users the opportunity to save big on their cell phone plans. Devoid of add-ons, Unlimited asks customers to pick one major wireless network and makes them use that one exclusively with around 30 GB of high-speed data each month. Being confined to one major wireless network still lets you pick out the strongest one in your area, and as long as you don’t travel too often to remote corners of the map, you should stay covered all the time! 

AT&T Plans

AT&T offers premium data with some of their plans. 

AT&T, like the other major wireless providers, offers cell phone plans with unlimited high-speed data and lots of add-ons. Customers pay a premium for these cell phone plans but receive a lot in return. In this article, we will cover AT&T’s pros and cons, including their cell phone plans, pricing, coverage, and family plans. 

Alongside AT&T’s flagship plans are their prepaid options. AT&T Prepaid offers affordable, no-contract plans with nationwide coverage, leveraging AT&T’s reliable network. Plans start around $30/month and go up to $65/month, featuring options with unlimited data, hotspot access, and 5G support. Users can also get discounts for autopay or multi-line plans. There’s flexibility to switch plans anytime, and AT&T Prepaid supports international add-ons for calling and roaming. It’s a solid option for those wanting dependable service without a long-term commitment.

The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

If you purchase your phone from AT&T, your device will be locked for 60 days after activation. 

The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

4GB 

This plan is the smallest one AT&T offers.  

Each month, you get 4GB of full speed data and hotspot access included. Once you reach that limit, both your data access and hotspot access stop. Access begins again at the start of the next month. It’s important to note that this plan charges overage fees if you use more than the allotted amount. 

The plan costs $60 per month at full price, and $50 with the Autopay discount. With this plan, you get 4GB per month for $15 per GB. 

Value Plus 

This plan gives you unlimited data. 

Value Plus gives you unlimited, but deprioritized, data. With this, you’ll have full speeds the whole month because the plan doesn’t have any data cap. Speeds will only slow down for high network congestion. It does not offer hotspot access. 

This plan costs $60 per month at full price, and $50 with the included Autopay discount. 

Unlimited Starter 

This plan gives you unlimited data. 

AT&T offers deprioritized unlimited data with this plan. Like their Value Plus plan, your speeds won’t slow down because of any data cap – only because of high network congestion. This plan also offers 3GB of hotspot data, which slows to 2G speeds once you run out. With 2G speeds, users can still send texts and emails or browse the internet. However, it’s difficult to stream video or play games without access to WiFi. 

This plan costs $75 at full price, and $65 with Autopay. 

Unlimited Extra 

This plan gives you limited premium data. 

Unlimited Extra is the first plan to offer premium data with AT&T’s services. You get 50GB each month, then unlimited deprioritized data afterwards. You also get 15GB of hotspot data, which slows down to 2G speeds after that cap. 

This plan costs $85 per month before the $10 Autopay discount, and $75 per month after. You get 65GB per month for $1.30 per GB at full price. 

Unlimited Premium 

This is AT&T’s biggest and best plan they have to offer. 

AT&T offers users unlimited premium data. No matter what, whether it be the amount you use or the network traffic, your speeds will not slow down. They also give 50GB of hotspot data with this plan, and speeds slow to 2G once you run out for the month. 

This plan costs $95 per month before the discount, and $85 with Autopay.

Features

Both carriers offer add-ons for international access, or even included features. 

If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer. Boost Mobile offers several features with their Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans. Both companies offer add-ons for their plans to include international access for an additional fee.  

Domestic Roaming Data

AT&T includes domestic roaming capabilities with all of their plans. Boost Mobile does not offer this feature.

Mexico & Canada Connection

Boost Mobile’s Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans include talk, text, and data to Mexico and Canada. To get talk, text, and data to Mexico and Canada on their Infinite Unlimited plan, users can purchase an additional add-on for $10 per month. AT&T includes talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada included with all of their plans. 

International Connection

Boost Mobile’s Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans include international talk and text. To get international talk and text on their Infinite Unlimited plan, there is an additional add-on users can purchase for $10 per month. AT&T offers international text, but calling and roaming data capabilities require an additional add-on. 

Video Streaming Quality

Boost Mobile’s plans stream at 480p Standard Definition. All AT&T plans with the exception of Unlimited Premium stream at 480p Standard Definition, and Unlimited Premium streams at 4k Ultra High Definition. 

Streaming Services

Boost Mobile and AT&T do not offer this feature.

Cloud Storage

AT&T offers an add-on for cloud storage. Boost Mobile does not offer this feature.

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from either carrier, they allow you to pay for your device in installments over time. 

WiFi Calling

Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception.

Spam Protection

AT&T offers AT&T Active Armor on all of their plans, which blocks spam calls. Boost Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Free Trial

Boost Mobile and AT&T do not offer this feature.

Customer Service 

Boost Mobile does not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support, while AT&T offers stores across the country. 

Boost Mobile is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. Boost Mobile offers support over the phone at (833) 212-6678. AT&T offers thousands of brick-and-mortar stores across the country, and you can find one near you with their store locator. You can also call (800) 901-9878 on Mon. through Sat. from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.  

The Verdict

AT&T offers a better price per GB, but Boost Mobile offers the better deal.

AT&T plans offer a better price per GB than Boost Mobile plans. They also offer premium data, while Boost Mobile doesn’t. However, the Infinite Access for iPhone plan with Boost Mobile offers a better deal due to the included free iPhone every year. You’d have access to the latest technology for a much cheaper price than anywhere else. 

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

Really.com helps users compare between features, coverage, price, reviews, and more!

Are you still unsure which carrier to choose, or which phone plan to pick? Use really.com to compare your top choices and find the best deal to fit your needs. Really allows you to compare and sort between most phone plans on the market without the hassle!

Boost Mobile vs. AT&T – Your Questions Answered

1. What’s the key difference between Boost Mobile and AT&T?

Boost Mobile is an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) that uses AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon networks to offer service at lower prices. In contrast, AT&T owns and operates its own nationwide network, providing more premium features like priority data on certain plans. 

2. Does Boost Mobile have better coverage than AT&T?

While AT&T offers extensive nationwide coverage, Boost Mobile users can switch between the strongest available network (AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon) for their area, which helps avoid congestion. Data speeds are an essential part of this comparison, and AT&T customers have a higher data priority than Boost Mobile customers, lessening the chance for data deprioritization. 

3. Which carrier offers better international features?

Both carriers provide international add-ons, but AT&T includes Mexico and Canada coverage with most plans, while Boost Mobile only includes this in higher-tier plans. To access international talk and text on Boost's entry-level plan, you'll need to pay an additional $10/month.

4. Can I transfer my number from AT&T to Boost Mobile?

Yes, but you’ll need a transfer PIN from AT&T to complete the process. Learn more about AT&T transfer PINs to ensure a smooth switch. Transfer PINs are very easy to acquire, but it is critically important to complete that step prior to changing carriers. 

5. Does Boost Mobile offer device financing?

Yes, Boost Mobile provides device financing for phones purchased through them. However, these phones remain locked until fully paid off. AT&T also offers installment plans, similarly locking devices for 60 days after activation.

6. Which carrier offers better customer service?

AT&T provides in-person support through thousands of physical stores across the U.S., while Boost Mobile offers online and phone support only, as it operates as a digital-first carrier. AT&T offers better customer service because it has invested much more in its nationwide customer service. Being able to go in-store confers many advantages when dealing with a thorny problem in your cell service. 

We hope that this article has provided clarity on the key differences between Boost Mobile and AT&T, helping users pick the best plan for their needs. If you're still deciding, visit Really.com to explore more carrier comparisons!