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

Boost Mobile and Spectrum Mobile offer unique deals for their customers, such as multiple months of service upfront or flexible plans. 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, and Spectrum Mobile is on Verizon. 

Boost Mobile aand Spectrum 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 Spectrum Mobile is an MVNO of Verizon.

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

Spectrum offers a flexible plan as well as unlimited plans, 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. Spectrum Mobile offers a plan where you can buy the exact amount of data you need. Boost Mobile offers multiple months of data on some plans, as well as monthly options. 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.

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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.

Spectrum Mobile Plans 

Spectrum Mobile plans require you to purchase Spectrum Internet to use. 

Spectrum Mobile offers 3 plans, and one offers flexible amounts of data. It’s important to note that Spectrum Mobile requires you to purchase Spectrum Internet to use their mobile services. You can have up to 10 lines on one account, and you can mix and match between what plans each line has. Spectrum Mobile, as a Verizon MVNO, is a QCI tier 8. 

If you purchase your phone from Spectrum Mobile, your device will be locked until it's paid in full. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are included with the advertised price. 

By the Gig Plan

This plan allows you to buy the specific amount of data you need. 

This plan allows users to buy data for $14 per GB. Once you stop buying data, access slows to 3G speeds. With 3G speeds, users can expect to continue scrolling social media and send texts or emails without issue, but may find difficulty with streaming video or playing games. You can use up to 5GB as hotspot data as well, then access slows to 3G speeds. 

The plan costs $14 per GB per month.

Unlimited

This plan also slows speeds after the cap. 

This plan gives users 20GB of full speed data, which slows to 3G speeds after the cap. Users also have access to 5GB of mobile hotspot data, which also slows to 3G speeds after the cap.

The plan costs $30 per month. At this rate, you get 25GB at $1.20 per GB. 

Unlimited Plus

This plan gives you 30GB. 

This plan gives users access to 30GB of full speed data, which slows to 3G after the cap. Users also get access to 5GB hotspot data. 

The plan costs $40 per month. At this rate, you get 35GB at $1.14 per GB.

Features

Both carriers offer extra features for an additional fee. 

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 also offers add-ons for their plans to include more features for an additional fee. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Boost Mobile and Spectrum Mobile do not offer 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. Spectrum Mobile also offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada as well as roaming data at pay-per-use rates. 

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. Spectrum Mobile includes international texting, and international talk and data are at pay-per-use rates.  

Video Streaming Quality

All plans from Boost Mobile stream at 480p Standard Definition, except for Unlimited Plus. That plan streams at 1080p High Definition. Spectrum Mobile’s By the Gig and Unlimited plans stream at 480p Standard Definition resolution. Their Unlimited Plus plan streams at 1080p High Definition.  

Streaming Services

Boost Mobile and Spectrum Mobile do not offer this feature.

Cloud Storage

Boost Mobile and Spectrum 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

Boost Mobile and Spectrum Mobile do not offer this feature. 

Free Trial

Boost Mobile and Spectrum Mobile do not offer this feature. 

Customer Service 

Boost Mobile and Spectrum Mobile 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. Spectrum Mobile also has multiple stores across the country, and users can find the store closest to them with their store locator. You can also call Spectrum at (866) 782-2681 for support over the phone from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET Mon. through Fri. They also offer chat support 24/7.   

The Verdict

Boost Mobile offers the better deal. 

Because of the price per GB, Boost Mobile offers the better deal on their plans. They also don’t require you to purchase internet service to sign up for a plan, which is another bonus. Whether you need multiple months of coverage or prefer a month to month plan, Boost Mobile has you covered. 

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

Want to compare other carriers?

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