Mint Mobile vs. Republic Wireless: Which carrier is better?

It is important to note that Republic Wireless no longer offers cell phone plans. Republic Wireless has recently merged with Boost Infinite, which then merged with Boost Mobile. 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. 

Mint Mobile is a popular prepaid carrier that has great new customer deals, a strong family plan, and competitive rates on their limited high-speed data plans. Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s compare them and see which is better.

Before you decide which carrier to choose, check out our guide on how to choose the best phone plan that works for you!

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 

Mint Mobile vs. Republic Wireless — Coverage & Reception

Mint Mobile is on the T-Mobile network, while Boost Mobile leverages all three major wireless networks. 

Mint Mobile and Boost Mobile 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 lower price. Mint Mobile is an MVNO of T-Mobile, while Boost Mobile uses AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

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 are hailed as the best coverage overall. 

Plan Options — Mint Mobile vs. Boost Mobile

Mint Mobile and Boost Mobile offer various limited data plans

Both carriers give you unlimited talking and texting options with any plan you choose. Mint Mobile and Boost Mobile have various limited-data plans that give similar amounts of data, with Mint ranging between 5 and 40 GB of high-speed data, and Boost Mobile offering between 30 and 40 GB of high-speed data. As these are two MVNOs, you will notice data deprioritization when in areas of high traffic like cities, public transportation, and other events. If you live in an area with less traffic, however, you may never notice slow data, which gives you speeds similar to those on major wireless networks. 

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 Family Plan Savings

Mint Mobile’s family plan lets multi-line accounts (starting at just two lines) enjoy their cheapest prices on three-month contracts. For single-line accounts, users need to take out 12-month contracts to get those same prices. On multi-line accounts, each user can pick their own plan from the four offerings, letting Mint Mobile stay flexible if there are certain people who only need 4 GB and others who need the 40 GB on their unlimited plan. 

We recommend prioritizing staying under the 40 GB high-speed data cap of their unlimited plan if you want to make a Mint Mobile account. If you hit the cap, you are reduced to 3G speeds for the rest of the month, and 3G speeds are incredibly slow. There are huge differences in high-speeds versus throttled speeds, and that’s always a big downside to MVNOs that offer limited data plans. So, while thinking about Mint Mobile, make sure you take your monthly data usage into account!

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 Mobile Cell Phone 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 Infinite’s phone plans have a lot to bring to the table. 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 all three major wireless networks. 

With these plans, Boost Mobile customers can jump between all three major wireless 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; however, with major wireless plans, starting 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! 

Features

Mint Mobile offers more international capabilities, while Boost Mobile offers more domestic roaming capabilities.

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. For example, Boost Mobile offers the ability to connect to other networks while traveling domestically, but Mint Mobile offers more international connection capabilities. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Mint Mobile does not include this feature. All Boost Mobile plans include domestic roaming data capabilities, but it is restricted. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Mint Mobile offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada included and roaming data at $0.06 per MB. Boost Mobile provides an "International Connect Plus" add-on, allowing calling, texting, and data in Mexico and Canada. Some plans include this option, while others may require an additional fee. 

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 Mobile offers international calling and text add-ons for various countries, but international data usage outside of the US, Mexico, and Canada usually requires purchasing a specific plan or add-on.

Video Streaming Quality

Mint Mobile and Boost Mobile’s plans stream at 480p Standard Definition. 

Streaming Services

Mint Mobile and Republic Wireless do not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Mint Mobile and Republic Wireless do not offer this feature. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from Mint Mobile, the carrier allows you to pay for your device in installments over time. Boost Mobile is partnered with Affirm for device financing. 

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 Mobile offer basic spam protection features, but the overall suite of spam protection is less than what is offered by larger carriers. 

Free Trial

Mint Mobile offers a 7 day free trial. Boost Mobile occasionally offers free trial periods or discounted plans for new users to try out their services before fully committing, though the availability of such offers varies. 

Customer Service 

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

Mint Mobile and Republic Wireless are digital-only carriers, 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 Mobile's customer service is known for being accessible through multiple channels, including phone, chat, and social media. However, customer reviews are mixed. Some users report positive experiences, especially with their in-store assistance, where staff can help with setup, plan changes, and device troubleshooting. Boost also offers online resources like FAQs and community forums for self-help. 

The Verdict

Mint Mobile offers better deals overall, even with the Dish TV deal Republic Wireless offers. 

Boost Mobile offers strong features like device financing, international roaming options, and decent domestic coverage. However, Mint Mobile stands out for its consistently lower prices, especially with its multi-month plans, and includes Wi-Fi calling and generous data packages. Mint Mobile’s streamlined, cost-effective approach makes it a great choice for budget-conscious users, while Boost Mobile may appeal to those looking for flexible financing or international travel options. Overall, Mint Mobile is the better deal for users prioritizing affordability and solid data offerings.

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

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!

Hungry for more information? Our site is full of informative articles comparing US cell carriers, including Mint Mobile vs PureTalk and Straight Talk vs Republic Wireless. Every MVNO in the country is vying for your attention, but make sure you don’t get sucked into a carrier before you know which one provides the best value for you. 

Different cell phone users can find great value in plans tailored to their data needs. Low-data users, who mainly use their phones for calls, texts, and occasional browsing, can save money with affordable limited-data plans offered by many MVNOs. Medium-data users who regularly stream music, browse the web, and use social media, will benefit from more robust plans that offer a few dozen gigabytes of data each month without breaking the bank. High-data users, who often stream videos, game, or work remotely, get the most value from unlimited data plans, ensuring they avoid throttling or extra charges while staying connected. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you! Browse our website to find all the information you need.