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

Boost Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile are popular prepaid carriers that offer several plans at great prices. 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 

Unsure of what you need out of a plan? Check out our guide on how to choose the best phone plan. 

Coverage & Reception

Boost Mobile is on several networks, while Metro by T-Mobile is on the T-Mobile network. 

Boost Mobile 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. Boost Mobile is an MVNO of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Dish, while Metro by T-Mobile is an MVNO of 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 is hailed as the best coverage overall. 

Plan Options

Metro by T-Mobile offers separate hotspot data, and Boost Mobile 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 several different plans with varying data amounts. Metro by T-Mobile’s unlimited plans all offer additional data specifically for hotspot access. 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 monthly, 3 month, and annual plans. 

Boost Mobile offers several plans with varying data caps and lengths of service. Some plans will allow you to pay for several months of service up front at a cheaper price – either 3 or 12 months ahead.

All plans at Boost Mobile are deprioritized. Boost Mobile’s QCI tier is 7 on T-Mobile, 8 on AT&T, and 9 on Dish. 

Some of Boost Mobile’s plans are for new customers only, so make sure to read the fine print.

You can have up to 4 lines on one plan. If you purchase your phone from Boost Mobile, your device will be locked for up to a year after activation. The plans they offer renew their data monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

1GB Per Month Annual Plan

This plan is for new customers only.

This plan is the smallest Boost Mobile offers at 1GB of data per month. You can use all plan data as mobile hotspot data. Data stops after the cap, and you lose hotspot access. 

The plan costs $8.33 per month, and $100 annually.

5GB Monthly

This plan is for new customers only.

This plan gives you 5GB of data, and stops after this cap. You get hotspot access and can use all plan data as hotspot data. 

The plan costs $15 per month. At this rate, you get 5GB at $3 per GB. 

Boost Mobile also offers this plan for $45 per month for 3 months, which is the same rate as their monthly plan. Both versions are for new customers only. 

5GB Annual 

This plan is for new customers only. 

Like its other 5GB plan, you get 5GB of data per month that can also be used as hotspot data. Once you hit the cap, data and hotspot access stop. 

The plan costs $14 per month, and $168 per year. At this rate, you get 5GB per month at $2.80 per GB. 

15GB Annual Plan

This plan gives you 15GB per month for a year of service. 

With the 15GB plan Boost Mobile offers, you can use all data as hotspot data. Data stops at 15GB, and you lose hotspot access at this data cap.

The plan costs $20 per month, and $240 per year. At this rate, you get 15GB per month at $1.33 per GB. 

Unlimited $25 Monthly

Autopay is required with this plan.

This plan gives you 30GB per month of full speed data, which slows to 3G speeds after this cap. You can use up to 30GB of the plan on hotspot data, and access stops after. 

The plan costs $25 per month. At this rate, you get 30GB at $0.83 per GB. Boost Mobile also offers 50% off for the first month of service with this plan. 

Unlimited $40 Monthly

This plan is for new customers only.

This plan is similar to the 3 month Unlimited plan, as it offers 30GB of full speed data before slowing to 3G speeds. The plan also gives you 12GB of hotspot data. 

The plan costs $40 per month. At this rate, you get 42GB per month for $0.95 per GB. 

Unlimited 3 Month Plan

This plan gives you 30GB before slowing down.

Your unlimited data resets at the beginning of every month, and you have up to 30GB of full speed data. Afterwards, data slows to 512 kbps, or 3G speeds. This is standard for the industry. You can still send texts and emails or scroll through social media without issue, but streaming video will be slower. This plan also gives you 12GB of hotspot data, which stops after the cap. 

This plan costs $90 every 3 months, or $30 per month. You get 42GB per month for $0.71 per GB. 

Unlimited Annual

It’s important to note that this plan requires you to buy a year worth of data.

This plan offers the best price out of all of Boost Mobile’s plans. Here, you get 30GB full speed data before your speeds slow to 3G. At 3G, you can still send emails and texts or scroll social media, but streaming video or playing games on your phone may be more difficult. This plan also comes with 12GB of hotspot data, which stops at that limit. 

This plan costs $300 per year, and $25 per month. At this rate, you get 42GB per month for $0.60

Unlimited Plus

This plan gives you 30GB of full speed data and 30GB of additional hotspot data. 

Unlimite Plus is Boost Mobile’s biggest plan. You get 30GB of data at full speeds before it slows to 3G speeds. The plan also gives you 30GB of hotspot data. 

The plan costs $60 per month. At this rate, you get 60GB at $1 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. Boost Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile both offer add-ons for their plans to include more features for an additional fee. 

Domestic Roaming Data

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

Mexico & Canada Connection

Boost Mobile offers an add-on, where you get unlimited talk and text to both Mexico and Canada as well as 1.5GB of data in Mexico for $5 per month. This add-on is included with the Unlimited Plus plan. Metro by T-Mobile offers an add-on to include Mexico and Canada connection, called “Mexico and Canada Unlimited”. 

International Connection

Boost Mobile does not offer international data, but texts are $0.10 per message. There is also an add on available for unlimited plans to include international talk. 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

All plans from Boost Mobile stream at 480p Standard Definition, except for Unlimited Plus. That plan streams at 1080p High Definition. 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 Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

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

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from Boost Mobile, the carrier allows 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 Mobile does not offer this feature.

Free Trial

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

Customer Service 

Boost Mobile  and Metro by T-Mobile both offer several stores across the country. 

Boost Mobile offers several physical locations, and you can find the closest store to you with their store locator. They also offer support over the phone at (833) 502-6678 at 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.on Mon. through Fri. PST and 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST on Sat. and Sun. 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

The better plan depends on what you need. 

With the different offerings both carriers offer, the better plan depends entirely on what you need. If you’d like more features and hotspot data, a Metro by T-Mobile plan is a great option. Their unlimited plans also don’t put a cap on how much data you can use. If you need a limited data plan, however, Boost Mobile offers better plans. 

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

Want to compare other carriers?

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