Boost Mobile vs. Total by Verizon: Which carrier is better?

Boost Infinite, now merged with and known as Boost Mobile and Total by Verizon are popular MVNOs known for their good deals. 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 vs. Total

Boost Mobile is on several networks, and Total by Verizon is on the Verizon network. 

Boost Mobile and Total by Verizon 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. Total by Verizon is an MVNO of Verizon, and 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 Mobile Unlimited Plus and Mobile 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. 

Network Performance and Speed Analysis

When comparing these carriers, it's crucial to understand how their network performance differs in real-world conditions. Recent speed tests across major metropolitan areas show that Total by Verizon customers experience average download speeds of 50-150 Mbps on 4G LTE, while 5G speeds can reach up to 1 Gbps in areas with Ultra Wideband coverage. Boost Mobile customers using T-Mobile's network have reported similar speeds, with particularly strong 5G performance in urban areas.

Rural coverage is another important consideration. Verizon's network, used by Total by Verizon, traditionally has strong rural coverage due to its extensive low-band spectrum deployment. However, Boost Mobile's multi-network approach can be advantageous in rural areas, as customers can switch to whichever network provides the strongest signal in their location. This flexibility can be particularly valuable for customers who frequently travel between urban and rural areas.

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.

Plan Options

Boost Mobile offers three unlimited plans, while Total by Verizon 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. Boost Mobile offers three unlimited plans with varying features, while Total by Verizon offers two limited and two 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 offers 3 unlimited plans for its users. 

Boost Mobile 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 Mobile Unlimited Plus and Mobile Access for iPhone plans, you can switch between which service you use whenever you want. However, the regular Mobile Unlimited plan only allows you to choose one and stick with it. 

Image courtesy of Boost Mobile’s website. 

You can have up to 5 lines on an account. If you purchase your phone from Boost Mobile, 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. 

Mobile 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. 

Mobile 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. 

Mobile 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.

Total by Verizon Plans

All Total plans offer hotspot access. 

Total by Verizon offers 4 plans: 2 unlimited and 2 limited. You get QCI tier 9 with their plans, which means your data is deprioritized. With deprioritization, your data will slow down in high traffic locations due to increased network activity. High traffic would be places like sports stadiums and busy stores. Their plans include a 5% Autopay discount.

You can have up to 5 lines on one plan. If you purchase your phone from Total by Verizon, 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. 

5GB

This plan slows to 2G after the cap.  

As the smallest Total by Verizon plan, this plan offers 5GB before slowing to 2G speeds. At 2G speeds, users can scroll social media and send texts or emails, but streaming shows or playing games without WiFi will be difficult. The plan also includes hotspot access 

The plan costs $30 per month at full price, and $28.50 with Autopay. At this full price, you get 5GB each month at $6 per GB. 

15GB

Speeds slow down after the cap. 

The 15GB plan, as its name says, includes 15GB of full speed data. After the cap, speeds slow down to 2G. You can also use the 15GB as hotspot data, but access ends after you reach your monthly data cap. 

The plan costs $40 per month, and $38 with the Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 15GB at $2.67 per GB. 

Unlimited

This plan offers additional hotspot data

The regular unlimited plan offers unlimited data with 30GB of full speed data. Again, data slows down to 2G speeds at the cap. This plan also comes with 10GB of mobile hotspot data, and access stops at that cap. 

The plan costs $50 per month, and $47.50 with Autopay. At full price, you get 40GB at $1.25 per GB. 

Unlimited Plus 

This plan is not only their biggest plan, but the best plan Total by Verizon has to offer.

Unlimited Plus offers unlimited data, and data speeds are at full speed capacity until the 30GB cap. After the 30GB cap, speeds slow to 2G. You also get 20GB of mobile hotspot data each month, and access stops once after the cap.

The plan costs $60 per month, and $57 with the Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 50GB per month at $1.20 per GB. 

Boost vs. Total - Features

Both carriers offer more features with their bigger 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. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Total by Verizon offers domestic roaming data on their plans. Boost Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Boost Mobile’s Mobile Unlimited Plus and Mobile 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 Mobile Unlimited plan, users can purchase an additional add-on for $10 per month. Total by Verizon offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada on all plans, but offers data on their 15GB, Unlimited, and Unlimited Plus plans only if you purchase multiple lines.

International Connection

Boost Mobile’s Mobile Unlimited Plus and Mobile Access for iPhone plans include international talk and text. To get international talk and text on their Mobile Unlimited plan, there is an additional add-on users can purchase for $10 per month. Total by Verizon offers international talk and text on their unlimited plans.  

Video Streaming Quality

Boost Mobile’s plans stream at 480p Standard Definition. Total by Verizon plans stream up to 4k Ultra High Definition resolution.  

Streaming Services

Total by Verizon offers a Disney+ Basic plan included for 6 months on their Unlimited plan, or for the duration you have the Unlimited Plus plan. Boost Mobile offers streaming services through partnerships with Sling TV and AMC+.

Cloud Storage

Boost Mobile and Total by Verizon 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  Mobile offers a privacy premium service at $5.99 per month which includes spam protection for Android devices. It also offers protection from viruses, ransomware, and other malware, call screening, and visual voicemail. 

Total by Verizon offers a free service that screens and blocks incoming spam calls. Total by Verizon also offers Call Filter Plus or an additional $3.99 a month for one line and $10.99 a month for three or more lines.

Free Trial

Boost Mobile and Total by Verizon do not offer this feature. 

Customer Service 

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

Boost Mobile is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. They offer support over the phone at (833) 212-6678. Total by Verizon offers stores across the country that you can visit, and you can find them with the store locator. Otherwise, you can contact their customer support over the phone at (800) 837-4966. 

The Verdict

Boost Mobile offers better deals.

Due to the price per GB and offered features, Boost Mobile offers better deals. Their Mobile Access for iPhone plan also offers a great deal if you’re looking to get the latest iPhone for a good price. 

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

Want to compare other carriers?

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