Boost Infinite vs. Consumer Cellular: Which carrier is better?

Boost Infinite and Consumer Cellular are some of the most popular MVNOs in the cell phone industry. 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, while Consumer Cellular is on AT&T and T-Mobile networks. 

Boost Infinite and Consumer Cellular are mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. 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. Consumer Cellular is an MVNO of AT&T and T-Mobile, and 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 Consumer Cellular offers both unlimited and limited data plans. 

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Consumer Cellular also offers several limited data plans, as well as an unlimited plan. Boost Infinite offers three unlimited plans with varying features. 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.

Consumer Cellular Plans

All plans allow for a $5 Autopay discount when you sign up for participation. 

Consumer Cellular offers 4 plans, with limited plans ranging from 1 to 10GB. You can add up to 7 lines on one plan, with additional lines being $15 each. All plans from Consumer Cellular are deprioritized. As for QCI tiers, Consumer Cellular is tier 7 on T-Mobile’s network and tier 8 on AT&T’s network. 

If you purchase your phone from Consumer Cellular, your device will be locked until your device is paid for in full. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. The advertised price includes their $5 Autopay discount. 

1GB 

This plan stops data access after 1GB.

This plan offers 1GB of data. You can use all of your plan data as hotspot data. However, after you use 1GB, your data access stops completely. 

The plan costs $25 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. 

5GB

This plan gives you 5GB with hotspot access. 

This plan gives you 5GB of data per month, with the option to use it as hotspot data. Again, your data access stops after this allotment. 

The plan costs $30 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 5GB at $6 per GB. 

10GB

This plan allows hotspot access with all plan data. 

This plan gives you 10GB of data before cutting off at the data cap. You can use your hotspot for all plan data. 

The plan costs $40 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 10GB at $4 per GB. 

Unlimited 

This plan gives you 50GB of full speed data before slowing down your connection. 

This is Consumer Cellular’s biggest plan, as it gives you 50GB of full speed data. After you reach 50GB, your data will slow to 128 kbps, or 2G speeds. This is enough to send text messages and emails and browse websites, but not much else. These speeds are extremely slow and may be frustrating for users. You can use a hotspot for all plan data.

The plan costs $55 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 50GB at $1.10 per GB. 

Features

Both carriers offer features for an additional fee.  

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. Some Consumer Cellular features are pay-per-use only, and Boost Infinite offers add-ons for their Infinite Unlimited plan to include more features for an additional fee. They also offer several features included with their Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans.

Domestic Roaming Data

Boost Infinite and Consumer Cellular do not offer this feature.

Mexico & Canada Connection

For Consumer Cellular, Mexico and Canadian connection is pay-per-use at various rates depending on your network. 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. 

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. For Consumer Cellular, international connection is pay-per-use at various rates depending on your network.  

Video Streaming Quality

Boost Infinite’s plans stream at 480p Standard Definition. Consumer Cellular streams at 480p Standard Definition on all plans.  

Streaming Services

Boost Infinite and Consumer Cellular do not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Boost Infinite and Consumer Cellular do 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

Boost Infinite and Consumer Cellular do not offer this feature. 

Free Trial

Boost Infinite and Consumer Cellular do not offer this feature. 

Customer Service 

Boost Infinite does not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support, while Consumer Cellular has 4 physical stores. 

Boost Infinite is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. They offer support over the phone at (833) 212-6678. Consumer Cellular has 4 stores, with 2 located in Florida and 2 located in Arizona. Otherwise, users can call their customer support line at (877) 320-3486 and use their chat line any time between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT.   

The Verdict

Boost Infinite offers the better deal.

Due to the price per GB, included features, and plan option that allows you to get the newest iPhone every year, Boost Infinite offers a better deal over Consumer Cellular. However, if you’re looking for a limited data plan, Consumer Cellular offers them at a decent price.

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

Want to compare other carriers?

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