Buy more to save more
Owned and operated by T-Mobile, Mint Mobile helps you save money by offering its wireless service in chunks of three, six, or 12 months. All plans come with unlimited talk and text, mobile hotspot, and Mexico and Canada usage.
Pros
- Unlimited talk and text on all plans
- Affordable pricing structure
- Mexico and Canada usage
Cons
- No multi-line discounts
- Taxes and fees are extra
Lots of premium data
Using three networks, Boost Mobile offers feature-laden plans that are ideal for data-heavy users that are always browsing or streaming. You also get a handful of add-ons, as well as autopay discounts with all plans.
Pros
- More than sufficient premium data with all plans
- Autopay discounts available
- Useful add-ons
Cons
- Relatively expensive plans
- Base plan doesn't offer much
Mint Mobile vs. Boost Mobile: Overview, Networks and Coverage
If you can't decide between Mint Mobile vs. Boost Mobile, we're here to help you out. Although they're both Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) using T-Mobile's network, there are quite a few differences between the two. Mint Mobile is a proper MVNO that solely uses the network of T-Mobile, its parent company. On the other hand, Boost Mobile is a hybrid MVNO that uses the network of its parent company DISH Wireless, while also relying on the networks of T-Mobile and AT&T to fill in the gaps in its coverage area.
Both of these no-contract service providers offer a variety of prepaid wireless plans, complete with high-speed 5G access, unlimited talk and text, international usage add-ons, and much more. Mint Mobile is a unique carrier because it lets you save money by offering wireless service in chunks of multiple months, for which you have to pay in advance. Boost Mobile uses a more traditional approach, as its wireless service is available on a monthly basis. Both carriers have their own pros and cons, but the question is, which one of them is better for your needs? Let's find out.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Mint Mobile | Boost Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Network(s) | T-Mobile (Full coverage) | DISH Wireless (Primary), T-Mobile & AT&T (Secondary) |
| 5G Access | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited talk and text | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum service commitment | 3 months | 1 month |
| Discounts | 3, 6, or 12 month bundles | Multiple lines |
| High-speed data offerings | 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, and Unlimited (capped at 40GB) | 30GB, 40GB, and 50GB |
| Talk and text | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Mobile Hotspot | Included (Shared on three base plans, and 10GB on Unlimited plan) | Included with Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Premium plans (Shared) |
| Mexico and Canada usage | Included | Included with Unlimited Premium, available as add-on with other plans |
| International usage | Available as add-on | Available with Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Premium, and as add-on with Unlimited |
| Starting cost (Monthly plan) | $15 | $25 |
As mentioned before, Mint Mobile solely utilizes the network of T-Mobile (its parent company) for its service. Although T-Mobile's network is easily among the best in the country, you should check the coverage before getting signed up. Similarly, Boost Mobile uses the network of DISH Wireless (its parent company), but since it's not the best in the nation, you'll most likely end up utilizing the network of either AT&T or T-Mobile. Again, we recommend you check the coverage before moving forward.
Mint Mobile vs. Boost Mobile: Mint Mobile's plans
Arguably one of the best MVNO carriers out there, Mint Mobile is a unique wireless operator that offers wireless service in chunks of three, six, or 12 months. No matter which duration you go with, you have to pay in advance, and that's how Mint Mobile helps you save money in the long term. If you go with the three-month plan and then renew the service for six months, your monthly price goes up a bit. However, should you choose to renew the service for an entire year, you can lock-in the monthly price that you get with the three-month service duration.
All four of Mint Mobile's plans come with unlimited talk and text, high-speed 5G data access, mobile hotspot, as well as Mexico and Canada usage. The table below details the pricing of Mint Mobile's plans.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | 5GB | 15GB | 20GB | Unlimited (40GB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months (New customers only) | $15 per month ($45) | $15 per month ($45) | $15 per month ($45) | $15 per month ($45) |
| 3 months | $15 per month ($45) | $20 per month ($60) | $25 per month ($75) | $30 per month ($90) |
| 6 months | $20 per month ($120) | $25 per month ($150) | $35 per month ($210) | $35 per month ($210) |
| 12 months | $15 per month ($180) | $20 per month ($240) | $25 per month ($300) | $30 per month ($360) |
On all plans, your speeds are reduced once you've used up the monthly high-speed data allotment, but connectivity remains. Still, you can easily add more data to your account if you need it. Of course, you can also upgrade your plan at any point.
Mint Mobile vs. Boost Mobile: Boost Mobile's plans
Boost Mobile keeps things quite straightforward and offers three unlimited plans for you to pick from. The base 'Unlimited' plan costs $25 a month (with autopay) and has unlimited talk and text, as well as 30GB of premium data. However, this plan doesn't come with any hotspot functionality or international usage benefits, instead offering them as add-ons. Also note that this plan's price is before taxes & fees.
Moving up, the 'Unlimited Plus' plan costs $50 a month (with autopay) and upgrades your premium data to 40GB, while also bundling the 'Global Talk & Text' add-on for international usage and hotspot functionality. This plan's price includes taxes & fees.
Lastly, you have the 'Unlimited Premium' plan that costs $60 a month (with autopay) and includes all the benefits of the 'Unlimited Plus' plan, while also giving you 50GB of premium data, as well as the 'North America Connect' add-on for usage in Mexico and Canada.
Note: Apart from these three no-contract plans, Boost Mobile also offers two 'Infinite Access' plans aimed at users of Apple's iPhones and Samsung's Galaxy smartphones. These plans are postpaid and involve getting into a contract, but they do offer yearly device upgrades.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Unlimited | Unlimited Plus | Unlimited Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited talk and text | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Premium data | 30GB | 40GB | 50GB |
| Mobile hotspot | Available as add-on | Included (shared) | Included (shared) |
| Mexico and Canada usage | Available as add-on | No | Included |
| International usage | Available as add-on | Included | Included |
| Monthly price | $25 (with autopay discount) | $50 (with autopay discount) | $60 (with autopay discount) |
| Taxes and fees | Extra | Included | Included |
Mint Mobile vs. Boost Mobile: Device compatibility
Since both Mint Mobile and Boost Mobile support 5G on the T-Mobile network, you don't really have to worry about device compatibility. If you just want a phone that'll work without any hassles, you can look at the best Boost Mobile phones as well as the best phones to use with Mint Mobile to pick a solid option. If you'd rather bring over your own device, you can use the relevant BYOD tool.
Although Boost Mobile uses the former Sprint network and should technically work with Sprint phones, many of those devices will not work. For the most part, you'll be needing a compatible Boost Mobile smartphone, and the easiest way to check for it is by entering your device's IMEI on Boost Mobile's website. That being said, most of the unlocked phones should be compatible with the network.
Of course, Mint Mobile has a clear advantage when it comes to device compatibility, as it fully uses T-Mobiles network. This means that just about any of the best Android phones will work on the network with no issues. Again, you can enter your device's IEMI on Mint Mobile's website to see if it's compatible.
Mint Mobile vs. Boost Mobile: International usage
Although all of Mint Mobile's plans include Mexico and Canada usage, you'll need to pay extra if you need to call or text other countries around the world. The carrier lets you call and text to over 160 countries at fairly nominal prices. If you need roaming functionality, you can purchase a 'Minternational Pass' that starts at $5 for a day.
Boost Mobile's highest plan includes Mexico and Canada usage, while the base plan can get it as an add-on. Similarly, calling and texting functionality to other countries across the globe is only included with the two higher plans, while the base plan can get it as an add-on. Lastly, international roaming functionality can be added to any plan at an introductory price of $20 per month.
Mint Mobile vs. Boost Mobile: Which should you get?
It's clear that Boost Mobile offers a wide range of plans and some of the best add-on services of any MVNO carrier, especially when it comes to international perks. While its own network isn't the best, the fact that you have AT&T and T-Mobile as backup is quite reassuring. Although its unlimited plans are a bit on the expensive side, you get loads of premium data and autopay discounts to offset those costs.
Conversely, Mint Mobile keeps things super simple and focuses on the basics. With it, you won't be getting heaps of premium data (although the highest unlimited plan doesn't have this limitation and is comparable to what Boost Mobile offers), or even autopay discounts, but the multi-month savings and the reliability of T-Mobile's top-tier network infrastructure are two great advantages.
In summation, unless you absolutely need lots of high-speed data and international usage benefits, we suggest signing up for Mint Mobile. It continues to be a fantastic option, even more now that it's owned by T-Mobile.
Buy more to save more
Owned and operated by T-Mobile, Mint Mobile helps you save money by offering its wireless service in chunks of three, six, or 12 months. All plans come with unlimited talk and text, mobile hotspot, and Mexico and Canada usage.
Lots of premium data
Using three networks, Boost Mobile offers feature-laden plans that are ideal for data-heavy users that are always browsing or streaming. You also get a handful of add-ons, as well as autopay discounts with all plans.
- MVNO deals: Mint Mobile | Visible | Boost Mobile | Tello | Cricket Wireless
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