Boost Mobile vs. Xfinity Mobile: Which carrier is better?

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. 

Xfinity Mobile is an MVNO tied to Xfinity Internet. Bundling this deal with your internet service is a great way to save on your cell phone bill, as long as you are okay without unlimited high-speed data each month! Xfinity Mobile has a great set of plans for Internet customers, including shared-data plans and limited-data plans. Xfinity Mobile is not as prominent in the advertising sphere as major wireless networks or MVNOs like Mint Mobile, but that does not mean you should look over the company! 

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. Xfinity Mobile

Both Boost Mobile and Xfinity Mobile offer competitive nationwide coverage by piggybacking on networks from major carriers—T-Mobile and AT&T for Boost and Verizon for Xfinity. Although these MVNOs leverage the strength of reliable networks, each network has its dead zones and spots where it lags behind the coverage offered by the other two networks. Below is a closer look at how Boost Mobile and Xfinity Mobile leverage major networks.

Boost Mobile Coverage (via T-Mobile and AT&T Networks)

Boost Mobile primarily uses T-Mobile's 5G and LTE infrastructure, offering extensive coverage and fast speeds in urban and suburban areas. However, in 2023, Boost also began tapping into AT&T’s network for certain plans, improving its reach in rural areas and providing redundancy for users seeking more reliable service. Boost Mobile’s AT&T service depends on the location. If you live where T-Mobile’s network is strong, you likely won’t have the option to use AT&T’s network. 

• Strengths:some text
  • Dual-Network Access: Boost offers connectivity through both T-Mobile’s and AT&T’s networks, giving users flexibility and better coverage in different regions.
  • Better Rural Access: Select Boost plans using AT&T’s network to fill gaps in T-Mobile’s rural coverage, making Boost a more attractive option for people in less populated areas.
• Weaknesses:some text
  • Inconsistent Plan Coverage: Not all Boost plans use AT&T’s network, meaning coverage quality may vary depending on the specific plan and location
• Deprioritization: Like other MVNOs, Boost customers experience slower speeds during network congestion since T-Mobile and AT&T prioritize their direct customers.

Xfinity Mobile Coverage (via Verizon’s Network)

Xfinity Mobile relies entirely on Verizon’s network, which is known for its exceptional LTE coverage and reliable performance, especially in rural regions. Additionally, Xfinity Mobile enhances coverage through access to millions of public Wi-Fi hotspots, which reduces cellular data usage and improves performance in busy areas.

• Strengths:some text
  • Rural Coverage Leader: Verizon’s LTE network is one of the strongest in rural areas, giving Xfinity Mobile users a reliable connection when traveling or living outside major cities.
  • Wi-Fi Offloading: Automatic access to Comcast’s extensive Wi-Fi hotspot network improves service in urban areas and helps reduce reliance on cellular data. This is great, considering Xfinity’s plans have limited monthly high-speed data allocation. 
  • Reliable LTE Performance: Even where 5G isn’t available, Verizon’s LTE network offers consistent speeds and coverage.
• Weaknesses:some text
  • Limited 5G Coverage: Verizon’s high-speed mmWave 5G is only available in select cities, and its broader 5G footprint is still growing, trailing behind T-Mobile in overall availability.
  • Deprioritization: Xfinity Mobile users experience slower speeds during peak times as Verizon prioritizes its own customers.

The Verdict

Both Boost Mobile and Xfinity Mobile offer reliable service, but the best option depends on where you live and how you use your phone. Boost’s access to T-Mobile’s network gives it a significant edge in urban and suburban areas with fast 5G speeds, while its use of AT&T’s network makes it a solid choice for rural coverage. Meanwhile, Xfinity Mobile shines in rural regions thanks to Verizon’s dominance in those areas and provides additional connectivity through Wi-Fi hotspots.

In reality, for most users, both carriers will offer comparable performance. If you value faster 5G access, Boost may be better. If rural coverage and reliable LTE are more important, Xfinity Mobile may be better. You can check local coverage maps to see how the major networks compare in your area. 

A Fourth Major Network: Dish

Boost Mobile’s parent company, Dish Network, is in the process of building out its own 5G network. Once fully operational, Dish's network will reduce Boost’s reliance on T-Mobile and AT&T, giving Boost users a unique advantage with more control over coverage and reduced congestion risks.

Currently, Dish’s 5G network is still in its construction stage. Upon completion, Dish hopes to challenge the major wireless networks with comparable coverage, but creating a 5G network is a monumental task. When this rollout is complete, Boost Mobile users may experience even faster speeds and greater reliability—particularly if Dish offers exclusive plans for Boost customers through this new infrastructure​. Until then, Boost will continue to rely on T-Mobile and AT&T networks to provide coverage across the U.S.

Plan Options — Boost Mobile vs. Xfinity Mobile

Boost Infinite offers three unlimited plans, while Xfinity Mobile 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. Xfinity Mobile offers premium data, which does not slow down no matter the amount of network traffic. 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 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. Alas! No carrier is perfect. Check out our detailed breakdown of Boost Mobile Pros and Cons for a better idea as to whether or not this carrier is right for you. 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 sizable 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! 

Xfinity Mobile Plans

Xfinity Mobile plans are postpaid rather than prepaid. 

Xfinity Mobile offers 3 limited data plans and 3 unlimited data plans. Each plan, except Unlimited Intro, offers premium data. This means your data will not be deprioritized in times of high traffic and network congestion. However, the data Xfinity Mobile offers will slow or stop completely once you reach your plan’s data cap. Alas! Xfinity Mobile is good, but it is best when coupled with Xfinity Internet. You can check out a detailed list of Xfinity Mobile’s Pros and Cons on our website! 

Unlike Boost Mobile and most other MVNOs, Xfinity Mobile’s plans are postpaid. You’ll pay for the previous month of service rather than the upcoming month because of this. As Xfinity Mobile is an MVNO of Verizon, their QCI tier is 9. You can have up to 10 lines on one account. 

If you purchase your phone from Xfinity Mobile, your device will be locked until its completely paid off and for 60 days after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

1GB

This plan stops after 1GB of premium data. 

As Xfinity Mobile’s smallest plan, this plan offers 1GB of premium data. Your connection won’t slow down. However, your data will stop after 1GB. The plan also includes hotspot access, where you can use all plan data. Hotspot access stops after the cap. 

The plan costs $15 per month. 

3GB

This plan gives you hotspot access with all data. 

This plan also gives you premium data, which stops after 3GB have been used. Users also get hotspot access with the 3GB, which stops after the data cap.

The plan costs $30 per month. At this rate, you get 3GB at $10 per GB. 

10GB 

This plan gives you 10GB of premium data. 

You get 10GB of premium data with this plan before it slows to 3G speeds. You also get hotspot access, which you can use all plan data for. 

The plan costs $60 per month. At this rate, you get 10GB at $6 per GB. 

Unlimited Intro 

This plan gives you 20GB before slowing your speeds. 

Xfinity Mobile’s Unlimited Intro plan gives you 20GB of full speed data before slowing down your speeds to 3G. With 3G speeds, users can browse the internet and send texts or emails, but streaming videos and playing games without WiFi may be difficult. Unlike other unlimited plans with Xfinity Mobile, this plan deprioritizes your data. You may experience slower speeds in high traffic areas. The plan also gives you unlimited hotspot data at 3G speeds. 

The plan costs $45 per month. At this rate, you get 20GB at $2.25 per GB. 

Unlimited Plus

This plan gives you 30GB of premium data. 

Xfinity’s Unlimited Plus plan gives you 30GB of premium data, which doesn’t slow down even in high traffic. After 30GB, the plan slows to unlimited data at 3G speeds. This plan also gives you 5GB of hotspot data. 

The plan costs $55 per month. At this rate, you get 35GB at $1.57 per GB. 

Unlimited Premium 

This plan gives you 50GB of premium data. 

Unlimited Premium is Xfinity Mobile’s biggest plan, as they give you 50GB of premium data before slowing your speeds to 3G. After this initial 50GB, your slow speed data is unlimited. This plan also gives you 15GB of hotspot data. 

The plan costs $65 per month. At this rate, you get 65 GB at $1.00 per GB. 

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. Both carriers offer add-ons for their plans to include more features for an additional fee. Boost Infinite also offers several features with their Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Boost Infinite does not offer this feature while Xfinity Mobile offers domestic roaming data on their plans. 

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. Xfinity Mobile offers an add-on for talk in Mexico and Canada, but does not offer text or data.

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. Xfinity Mobile offers an add-on, called a Global Travel Pass, where users pay a flat rate for international talk, text, and data.   

Video Streaming Quality

Boost Infinite’s plans stream at 480p Standard Definition. All Xfinity Mobile plans, with the exception of their Unlimited Intro plan, stream at 720p High Definition. The Unlimited Intro plan streams at 480p Standard Definition.  

Streaming Services

Boost Infinite and Xfinity Mobile do not offer this feature.

Cloud Storage

Boost Infinite and Xfinity Mobile 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 Xfinity Mobile do not offer this feature.   

Free Trial

Boost Infinite and Xfinity 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 Xfinity Mobile offers several retail locations 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. Xfinity Mobile offers physical locations across the country, and customers can find the closest store to them with their website’s store locator. They also offer online chat support 24/7.  

The Verdict

The better plan depends on what you want.

If you’re looking for hotspot access and premium data, Xfinity Mobile is a great option. But if you still want international connection options along with a new iPhone every year, Boost Infinite is the better deal for you. Otherwise, their deals are very similar.

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

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