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

Boost Infinite and AT&T are well known carriers that offer great deals for their customers. Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s put them head to head and see which brand comes out on top. 

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 Infinite is on several networks. 

Boost Infinite 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 Infinite is an MVNO of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Dish. This means that if you choose Boost Infinite, 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 Infinite 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 Infinite 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 Infinite Plans

Boost Infinite offers 3 unlimited plans for its users. 

Boost Infinite is a postpaid service, meaning you pay for the previous month of service after you use it. They offer 3 unlimited plans, with one allowing for a new iPhone upgrade each year. Additional add-ons, like hotspot access and extra high speed data, cost $10 per month. Their QCI tier is 7 on T-Mobile, 8 on AT&T, and 9 on Dish. With their Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans, you can switch between which service you use whenever you want. However, the regular Infinite Unlimited plan only allows you to choose one and stick with it. 

You can have up to 5 lines on an account. If you purchase your phone from Boost Infinite, your device will be locked until you pay off your phone. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not with the advertised price. 

Infinite Unlimited

This plan offers 30GB of high speed data. 

This plan offers 30GB of high speed data before slowing to unlimited data at 512kbps, or 3G speeds. 3G speeds still allow you to browse the internet and send texts or emails, but streaming videos may be more difficult. The plan does not include hotspot access, but an add-on is available for $10 per month. You can use up to 30GB in hotspot data with the add-on. 

The plan costs $25 per month. At this rate, you get 30GB at $0.83 per GB. 

Infinite Unlimited Plus

This plan allows you to trade for a new iPhone when you sign up.  

This plan also offers 30GB of high speed data before slowing to unlimited 3G speeds. This plan doesn’t have hotspot access, but an add-on is available to add so you can use up to 30GB. You can also trade for a new iPhone when you sign up. 

The plan costs $50 per month. At this rate, you get 30GB at $1.66 per GB. 

Infinite Access for iPhone

This plan includes the latest iPhone each year. 

Like their other plans, this plan offers 30GB of high speed data before slowing to unlimited 3G speeds. This plan doesn’t have hotspot access, but an add-on is available to add so you can use up to 30GB. Every year, this plan allows you to get the newest iPhone available. When you sign up, there's no trade-in required to get access to the latest tech. 

The plan costs $60 per month. At this rate, you get 30GB at $2 per GB.

AT&T Plans

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

AT&T only offers one limited plan. The rest are unlimited plans with varying amounts of premium data.

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 Infinite 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 Infinite does not offer this feature.

Mexico & Canada Connection

Boost Infinite’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 Infinite’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 Infinite’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 Infinite and AT&T do not offer this feature.

Cloud Storage

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

Free Trial

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

Customer Service 

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

Boost Infinite is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. Boost Infinite 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 Infinite offers the better deal.

AT&T plans offer a better price per GB than Boost Infinite plans. They also offer premium data, while Boost Infinite doesn’t. However, the Infinite Access for iPhone plan with Boost Infinite 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.

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