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

Boost Infinite and T-Mobile’s postpaid plans offer amazing deals for their users, which is why they’re some of the most popular companies in the industry. 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 Infinite is on several networks. 

Boost Infinite is a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO. 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 Infinite is an MVNO of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Dish. This means that if you choose Boost Infinite, you can choose which network you use when you sign up for your plan. 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

Boost Infinite offers three unlimited plans, while T-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. T-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 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. 

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.

T-Mobile Plans

T-Mobile plans include varying amounts of data, numbers of lines allowed, and discounts. 

T-Mobile’s postpaid options include 6 plans. Their Essentials and Essentials Savings plans allow for up to 6 lines, Magenta and Magenta MAX allow for up to 12, and their GO5G, GO5G Plus, and GO5G Next plans allow for up to 8 lines. All T-Mobile postpaid plans are QCI tier 6. 

If you purchase your phone from T-Mobile, your device will be locked for 40 days after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are included with the advertised price on Magenta MAX, Magenta, GO5G, GO5G Plus, and GO5G Next. The Essentials plan does not include taxes with the advertised price. 

T-Mobile also includes additional discounts for seniors, veterans and military, and first responders.

Essentials

This plan is deprioritized after the premium data cap. 

The Essentials plan comes with 50GB of premium data, then unlimited deprioritized data afterwards. The plan also includes unlimited 3G hotspot data. With 3G speeds, users can expect 

The plan costs $65 per month, and $60 with Autopay. At full price, you get 50GB of premium data at $1.30 per GB. 

Magenta 

This plan gives you 100GB. 

This plan gives users 100GB of premium data access before slowing to deprioritized speeds. You also get 5GB of premium hotspot data before unlimited 3G speeds.  

The plan costs $75 per month, and $70 with Autopay. At full price, you get 105GB at $0.71 per GB. 

Magenta MAX 

This plan gives you unlimited data access. 

Magenta MAX is one of T-Mobile’s most popular and well known plans, as it gives users unlimited premium data access. This means that you get unlimited high speeds without worrying about deprioritization or data caps. 

The plan costs $90 per month, and $85 with Autopay.

GO5G 

This plan gives you premium data. 

This plan gives users 100GB of premium data before unlimited deprioritized data. Users also get 15GB of full speed hotspot data before slowing to unlimited 3G speeds. 

The plan costs $80 per month, and $75 with Autopay. At full price, you get 115GB of premium data at $0.70 per GB. 

GO5G Plus 

This plan gives you unlimited premium data access. 

GO5G Plus is one of T-Mobile’s biggest plans, as it gives you unlimited premium data. This means that you get unlimited full speed data without any cap or deprioritization. Users also get 50GB of hotspot data before slowing to 3G speeds. 

The plan costs $95 per month, and $90 with the Autopay discount. 

GO5G Next 

This plan allows you to switch phones every year.

GO5G Next is one of T-Mobile’s biggest plans, as it gives you unlimited premium data. This means that you get unlimited full speed data without any cap or deprioritization. You also get 50GB of premium hotspot data Once you run out of premium data, you get unlimited deprioritized hotspot data. 

What makes this plan stand out from GO5G Plus is that it allows you to get a new phone every year rather than waiting two years. Otherwise, the plans are the same. 

This plan costs $105 each month, but the autopay discount brings the price to $100.  

Features

Both carriers offer several features, but T-Mobile offers more included.

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 Boost Infinite and T-Mobile offer several features included with their different plans depending on what you purchase. 

Domestic Roaming Data

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

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. All T-Mobile postpaid plans include talk, text, and roaming data in Mexico and Canada. The amount of roaming data varies per plan. For example, their GO5G Plus plan includes 15GB of high speed data, then unlimited data at 3G speeds.

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. T-Mobile plans include international texting and international pay-per-use calling for $0.25 per minute. Magenta, Magenta MAX, GO5G, GO5G Plus, and GO5G Next plans include 5GB of full speed international data, and unlimited 3G data after the cap.  

Video Streaming Quality

Boost Infinite’s plans stream at 480p Standard Definition. T-Mobile’s Magenta MAX, GO5G Plus, and GO5G Next plans include 4k Ultra High Definition streaming, and their other postpaid plans include 480p Standard Definition. 

Streaming Services

T-Mobile includes free Netflix Basic for single line users and free Netflix Standard with 2+ line plans, as well as free AppleTV+, on Magenta MAX, GO5G Plus, and GO5G Next. T-Mobile’s Magenta and GO5G plans include free Netflix Basic and 6 months of AppleTV+. Boost Infinite does not offer this feature.

Cloud Storage

Boost Infinite  and T-Mobile do not offer this feature. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from either carrier, the carrier allows 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

T-Mobile offers Scam Shield Premium with GO5G Plus, GO5G Next, and Magenta MAX. Boost Infinite does not offer this feature.

Free Trial

Boost Infinite and T-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 T-Mobile offers several stores 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. T-Mobile offers several stores across the country, and users can find the closest one with their store locator. They also offer customer support online with their website live chat, their support website for common questions, and over the phone at 1-800-937-8997. 

The Verdict

T-Mobile’s plans offer the better deal – unless you’re looking for the latest tech.

Due to their extremely inexpensive price per GB and included features, T-Mobile offers the better plans between both carriers. However, since Boost Infinite offers the Infinite Access plan with the option to get the latest iPhone each year for free, their deals are also a great option. 

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!