Mint Mobile vs. Boost Mobile: Navigating the Landscape of Affordable Wireless Services

Mint Mobile is an MVNO owned by the illustrious Ryan Reynolds and T-Mobile. It’s seen great success over the years providing affordable plans to all its customers. You’ve likely seen the commercials. Mint Mobile has deals at a similar price point to many other MVNOs, but they utilize their savings to incentivize contracts, not multi-line plans. 

Boost Infinite has a strong 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.

In this article, we plan to discuss the details 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 - How Do Mint Mobile and Boost Infinite Compare?

Mint Mobile is on the T-Mobile network, while Boost Infinite is on several networks. 

Mint Mobile and Boost Infinite are both 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. Mint Mobile is an MVNO of T-Mobile, while Boost Infinite is an MVNO of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Dish. This means that when you sign up with Boost Infinite, you can choose which network you use. 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

Mint Mobile offers limited and unlimited data plans, while Boost Infinite offers unlimited data plans. 

Both carriers give you unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Boost Infinite offers three unlimited plans with varying features, while Mint Mobile offers both limited and unlimited options. Both companies deprioritize data, meaning you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and shopping centers.

Mint Mobile Plans

Mint Mobile offers 4 plans, each with multiple options for lengths of service.

Mint Mobile offers plans ranging from 5GB to Unlimited (40GB) data, giving customers more options to meet their needs. Mint Mobile only offers 3, 6, or 12 month plans to sign up for. However, your data is reset every month. Their current New Customer Offer allows you to purchase a 3 month plan at the best deal. Mint Mobile also offers a deal where you can get 6 months of free service if you purchase a phone and a 6 month plan. Mint Mobile allows up to 5 lines on one account, each with their own customizable plan data to draw from.

As a T-Mobile MVNO, Mint Mobile is on tier 7 of 9 Quality of Service Class Identifiers (QCIs).

This indicates the priority level of the carrier on T-Mobile’s network compared to T-Mobile specific plans. This means they’re at a higher priority compared to MVNOs on Verizon or AT&T’s networks. As such, you may experience higher speeds while being deprioritized than other MVNOs. Unfortunately, no carrier is perfect. That would be nice! We’ve compiled a detailed list of Mint Mobile’s pros and cons to help you decide whether or not this is the right carrier for you.

Mint Mobile keeps your phone locked for the first year after purchase. After, you must request to have your phone unlocked. Taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

5GB

5GB of full speed data is included before you get unlimited data at slow speeds. 

This plan gives you 5GB of data and mobile hotspot access. The plan is again deprioritized, then slows down to 2G speeds after the 5GB allotment. With 2G speeds, users can expect to send text messages and emails or scroll the internet, but streaming video or playing games will be difficult. Hotspot data comes from the 5GB and stops after hitting that amount. The plan costs $15 per month and $45 for the first 3 months. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 5GB for $3 per GB.

15GB 

You get 15GB of full speed data, then unlimited slow data. 

This plan gets you 15GB of full speed data and mobile hotspot data. This plan is also deprioritized and slowed down to 2G speeds after 15GB. Your hotspot data comes from the 15GB allotment and stops after 15GB. The plan costs $20 per month and $80 for the first 3 months. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 15GB at $1.33 per GB. 

20GB

This plan also gives you unlimited slow data after 20GB. 

As it says in the name, you get 20GB of full speed data. This plan is deprioritized, however, and it slows down to 2G speeds after you reach the 20GB cap. The plan also includes mobile hotspot capabilities. Data comes from the 20GB allotment and stops after hitting that amount. The plan costs $25 per month and $75 for the first 3 months. To get the same deal afterwards, you need to purchase 12 months of service. At this rate, you get 20GB at $1.25 per GB. 

Unlimited

Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan gives you 40GB before slowing down speeds. 

With Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan, you get 40GB of data. Your data is deprioritized, and it slows down to 3G speeds (512 kbps) after 40GB. At 3G, you can still send texts, send emails, and scroll through social media without too many issues. Streaming video might be a bit slower. While this may be a negative for those who use large amounts of data, most users use about 20GB of data per month or less, according to Ericsson Mobility. This plan also gives you 10GB of mobile hotspot data, allowing your phone to become a WiFi connection for other devices. Data stops after 10GB. 

The plan costs $30 per month, or $90 for the first 3 months. After that, the price is $40 per month. To get the same $30 per month deal, you need to buy 12 months worth of service. At this rate, you get 50GB at $0.60 per GB.

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.  If you want more information about Boost Infinite’s pros and cons, you can check out our detailed and informative article. 

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. 

Features

Boost Infinite offers additional add-on features for users to choose from. 

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. Unlike Mint Mobile, Boost Infinite offers several add-ons for their plans, such as international connection.

Domestic Roaming Data

Mint Mobile and Boost Infinite do not offer this feature. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Mint Mobile offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada included and roaming data at $0.06 per MB. 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

Mint Mobile gives you international text included, while international talk and data are pay-per-use. International talk is $0.25 per minute, while international data is $0.20 per MB. 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. 

Video Streaming Quality

Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan streams at 480p Standard Definition, while their limited data plans stream at 4k Ultra High Definition. Boost Infinite plans stream at 480p Standard Definition.

Streaming Services

Mint Mobile and Boost Infinite do not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Mint Mobile and Boost Infinite 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

Mint Mobile and Boost Infinite do not offer this feature. 

Free Trial

Mint Mobile offers a 7 day free trial. Boost Infinite does not include this feature. 

Customer Service - Mint Mobile vs. Boost Infinite

Mint Mobile and Boost Infinite do not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support. 

Mint Mobile is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online and over the phone. Mint Mobile offers chat support 24/7 and support over the phone at (800)-683-7392 from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST every day of the week. Boost Infinite offers support over the phone at (833)-212-6678.

The Verdict

Boost Infinite offers a better deal with their Infinite Unlimited Plus plan. 

With their Infinite Access for iPhone plan, Boost Infinite beats Mint Mobile’s deals. Including the latest iPhone makes this plan a better choice, especially for those looking for a new phone. 

However, if you’re an Android user, Mint Mobile may be the better option for you, as their price per GB of data is cheaper than Boost Infinite’s on their Unlimited plan. They also offer limited data plans, while Boost Infinite does not offer this option. 

However, Mint Mobile’s Unlimited plan beats US Mobile’s in terms of price per GB. Make sure to check your data usage before committing to a plan. Being able to limit your data consumption opens up the option for far more low-data plans that are a fraction of the cost of major wireless unlimited high-speed data plans. The downside, of course, is that it is difficult to keep data consumption low. 

If you're shopping around for a new carrier, here's how Mint Mobile stacks up against some of the most popular options:

• For Budget Seekers: If saving money is your top priority, Mint Mobile wins hands down with plans starting at $15/month, compared to Visible’s $30 and PureTalk’s $20. Tello also offers competitive pricing but has slower data speeds.
• For Heavy Data Users: You’ll want to check out Boost Infinite or Visible if unlimited high-speed data is a must. Both offer unlimited data, while Mint Mobile tops out at 40GB per month. However, Mint’s service and pricing might still be more appealing if you don’t consistently hit that data ceiling.
• For Travelers: Mint Mobile offers solid international options, but if you frequently travel abroad, Cricket Wireless might leave you wanting more, with their more limited international coverage.
• For Simple Plan Structures: If you like keeping things simple, Mint Mobile gives you several options between 4GB and 40GB of data. By contrast, Visible and Boost Infinite stick to unlimited plans, which might feel restrictive if you’re not a heavy data user.

If that’s a lot of information, we understand! There are so many carriers out there, and it is hard to keep all that information together. Take a walk around our website, Really.com, and look up all these carriers for a deeper dive into their cell phone plans, what users they are best suited for, and more! In this article, we’ve covered Mint Mobile vs. Boost Infinite, but we’ve compared Mint Mobile to a wide variety of carriers out there, including Mint Mobile vs. PureTalk and many, many more. We recommend searching for your top two carriers when you get down to the wire to see what we have to say. 

Want to compare other carriers?

Really.com helps users compare between features, coverage, price, reviews, and more!

Are you still unsure which carrier to choose, or which phone plan to pick? Use really.com to compare your top choices and find the best deal to fit your needs. Really allows you to compare and sort between most phone plans on the market without the hassle!

Mint Mobile vs. Boost Infinite: Frequently Asked Questions

Which carrier offers better pricing and data options?

Mint Mobile offers budget-friendly plans starting at $15/month for 4GB, with a top-tier plan of $30/month for 40GB, but you need to prepay for several months. Boost Infinite provides a single unlimited high-speed data plan for $25/month, with no long-term commitment required. Mint Mobile is great for those seeking flexibility in data amounts and savings, while Boost Infinite is a better deal for users needing unlimited data.

How do Mint Mobile and Boost Infinite compare in terms of network coverage and speed?

Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network, providing excellent 5G in cities but weaker rural coverage. Boost Infinite operates on AT&T’s network, offering strong nationwide coverage, especially in more remote areas. Boost Infinite provides broader coverage overall, while Mint is strong, where T-Mobile’s network performs well.

What additional features or perks do Mint Mobile and Boost Infinite offer?

Mint Mobile includes multi-line savings, data rollover, and eSIM activation for quick setup. Boost Infinite focuses on simplicity with its unlimited plan and no throttling, giving high-data users consistent speeds without the need for multiple plan choices. Mint is best for budget-savvy users looking for flexibility, while Boost Infinite is ideal for those who want straightforward, unlimited data.