Boost Infinite vs. Metro by T-Mobile: Which carrier is better?

Boost Infinite and Metro by T-Mobile are popular MVNOs that offer a lot of features with some of their plans. 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 Metro by T-Mobile is on the T-Mobile network. 

Boost Infinite and Metro by T-Mobile 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. Metro by T-Mobile is an MVNO of 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 Metro by T-Mobile offers separate hotspot data. 

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Metro by T-Mobile’s unlimited plans all offer additional data specifically for hotspot access. 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.

Metro by T-Mobile Plans

Metro by T-Mobile offers several varying unlimited plans with different hotspot options. 

Metro by T-Mobile offers 3 unlimited plans and 1 limited data plan. Their unlimited plans vary with the number of features and GB of hotspot data included in the plan. You can add up to 5 lines per plan. You also get a $5 Autopay discount per month when you sign up, but the first month is full price. As a T-Mobile MVNO, this carrier is on QCI tier 7. All plans with this carrier are deprioritized. 

You also can get a 5GB plan. 

If you purchase your phone from Metro by T-Mobile, your device will be locked for 180 days after activation. Then, it will be unlocked automatically. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are included with the advertised price. 

5GB

This plan does not include hotspot access. 

This plan includes 5GB of data, but no hotspot access or extra features. With this plan, data stops after the 5GB cap. 

The plan costs $35 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 5GB for $7 per GB.

Unlimited 

This plan gives you unlimited data without hotspot access. 

This plan gives you unlimited data with no cap, meaning you can use as much data as you want without any slow downs. However, this plan is still deprioritized. You’ll experience slower connections in times of heavy traffic.  

The plan costs $45 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. 

Unlimited + 8GB hotspot 

This plan gives you 8GB of hotspot data included. 

This plan includes unlimited deprioritized data with no cap, as well as 8GB of hotspot data. Hotspot data is deprioritized as well, and stops after 8 GB. 

The plan costs $55 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. 

Unlimited + 25GB hotspot

This plan is their biggest and most expensive plan. 

As their biggest plan, you get unlimited deprioritized data with no cap. You also get 25GB of hotspot data included with the plan. It’s deprioritzed data, and data stops after 25GB. 

The plan costs $65 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. 

Features

Both carriers offer add-ons for their plans.

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. Metro by T-Mobile and Boost Infinite both offer add-ons for specific plans to include more features for an additional fee.  Boost Infinite offers several features with their Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans.

Domestic Roaming Data

Boost Infinite and Metro by T-Mobile do not include 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. Metro by T-Mobile offers an add-on to include Mexico and Canada connection, called “Mexico and Canada Unlimited”. 

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. None of Metro by T-Mobile’s plans include international roaming. However, their Unlimited + 25GB hotspot plan includes international texting. Metro by T-Mobile also offers an additional add-on for international talk, called “Metro by T-Mobile Global Voice+”. 

Video Streaming Quality

Both Boost Infinite and Metro by T-Mobile’s plans stream at 480p Standard Definition. 

Streaming Services

Metro by T-Mobile’s Unlimited plans offer a free one year subscription to ViX Premium. Boost Infinite does not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Metro by T-Mobile’s Unlimited + hotspot plans offer 100GB of Google One. Boost Infinite does not offer this feature. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from Boost Infinite, they allow you to pay for your device in installments over time. Metro by T-Mobile does not offer this feature. 

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

Metro by T-Mobile’s Unlimited plans include Scam Shield. Boost Infinite does not offer this feature.

Free Trial

Boost Infinite and Metro by T-Mobile do not offer this feature.

Customer Service 

Boost Infinite does not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support, while Metro by T-Mobile offers several stores across the country. 

Boost Infinite is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. They offer support over the phone at (833) 212-6678. Metro by T-Mobile offers several store locations across the country. Metro by T-Mobile also has many locations across the country, and you can use their store locator to find the closest one. If you’d like to call their customer service line, call 888-8-METRO-8. 

The Verdict

Metro by T-Mobile offers more features, but Boost Infinite offers more international connectivity options and device perks.

Both carriers ultimately are great options for users depending on what they’d like. Metro by T-Mobile offers more perks like cloud storage, hotspot access, and streaming, but Boost Infinite offers international connection and device perks with their Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans. You can’t go wrong with either carrier. 

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

Want to compare other carriers?

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