(Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)
You might remember Boost Mobile as a scrappy discount carrier that belonged to Sprint. Its story started in 2001 and followed a circuitous path to where it stands today: an independent wireless brand that offers 5G across huge swaths of the US.
Most recently, Sprint sold the prepaid brand to Dish Network as a condition of its 2020 merger with T-Mobile. Under the Dish (and Dish parent, EchoStar) umbrella, Boost Mobile operates its own 5G towers, which support sub-6GHz 5G (bands n29, n66, n70, and n71) but not C-Band and not mmWave. The company says it is the first and only 5G network with simultaneous four-carrier downlink and two-carrier uplink aggregation (which basically allows for speedy connections).
Boost says its network covers 80% of the US population. When you add its roaming partners, AT&T and T-Mobile, it claims to cover up to 99% of Americans. As of December 31, 2024, it had about 7 million subscribers. In all likelihood, Boost Mobile is available where you live.
I recently got the chance to test Boost where I live, New York City. So, while I can't say how well it works across the nation, I can say that it looks to be a worthy competitor to AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon in New York.
Plans: Same Rates, Postpaid or Prepaid
Boost offers three main plans, available in postpaid and prepaid versions. It doesn't require contracts, and all plans include unlimited talk, text, and data. The only significant difference is whether you pay before or after your billing cycle. Once you've reached your plan's high-speed data ceiling, data speeds are subject to throttling at 512Kbps. Advertised prices require AutoPay enrollment, without which each plan costs $5 more per month.
For a single line, the Unlimited plan offers 30GB of high-speed data and costs $15 per month for the first three months, after which it increases to $25 per month "forever." When asked about this promise, a Boost representative said, "Boost Mobile’s Unlimited plan is $25 per month. Forever. Boost Mobile has no plans or intentions to change this price in the future." (T-Mobile made a similar promise and later reneged.)
(Credit: Boost/PCMag)The Unlimited+ plan offers a 40GB cap and adds a mobile hotspot allowance and Global Talk and Text for $50 per month. The Unlimited Premium plan has the same perks as the Unlimited+ plan but increases its data to 50GB for $60 per month.
For comparison, a single line on AT&T's Unlimited Extra EL plan costs $75.99 for unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data up to 75GB before throttling. T-Mobile's Essentials Saver plan is $50 per month with unlimited talk, text, and 50GB of data before it reduces speeds. Verizon charges $65 per month for its Unlimited Welcome plan with unlimited talk, text, and data. However, this plan does not connect to Verizon's fastest mmWave 5G network.
TL;DR: Boost's prices are comparable with T-Mobile and undercut AT&T and Verizon for similar services. All four carriers offer per-line discounts when you have two or more on the same account.
Each Boost plan can be modified with Add-Ons for an additional charge. For example, you can add Global Talk and Text to the Unlimited plan for another $10 per month. The company also offers security services like Boost Family Guard, a parental control app, at $10 per month. Not all Add-Ons are available for all plans.
Boost offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but there are a few prerequisites. In order to qualify, you have to port your existing number over, activate the service online, enroll in autopay, and request a refund within 30 days of creating your account. I would have liked to see an eSIM trial option instead, similar to what AT&T and MobileX offer. They allow you to install an eSIM through their mobile app to test the network for a limited time with no commitment before you become a customer.
Phones: Bring Your Own or Buy From Boost
Boost supports the most popular unlocked 4G LTE and 5G phones, so you can bring your own device. The company has an online tool that lets you verify your phone's compatibility with its service.
The latest phones from Apple and Samsung, like the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 series, are available for purchase directly from Boost either at full cost or financed monthly over 36 months. Some customers may qualify for 0% financing. Boost's Infinite Access for iPhone plan lets you get a new iPhone every year, while its Infinite Access for Galaxy plan gets you a new Galaxy S or Galaxy Z device yearly. The iPhone plan comes with unlimited talk, text, and data, while the Galaxy plan adds Global Talk and Text. Each service plan costs $65 per month, with monthly device payments varying by phone model and capacity.
Testing: Boost 5G in NYC
(Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)I took Boost for a test spin in New York City. I visited parts of Manhattan and ran speed tests on a Samsung Galaxy S24 (provided by Boost) inside buildings, outside, and at subway stops along the B and R lines. For comparison, I brought along a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 on T-Mobile's network. In testing, I found Boost's download and upload speeds frequently outperformed T-Mobile's. For full details, check out the data below:
At its fastest in testing, Boost reached 807Mbps down, while T-Mobile hit 711Mbps. In one location, I couldn't connect to T-Mobile's network at all, while Boost hit a peak of 333Mbps down and 7.98Mbps up. I found Boost's network reliable throughout testing, and its connection never dropped while in use. The caveat here is that fewer people are likely connecting to Boost Mobile right now compared with T-Mobile, which has a larger customer base.
In test call recordings, my voice sounded clear and understandable, with no wavering or dropouts. Boost's voice call quality is on par with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
Should You Switch to Boost?
I can't speak to the quality of Boost's nationwide network without further testing. Still, in New York City, Boost Mobile's wireless service provides excellent coverage, consistent reliability, and fast data speeds. Depending on its coverage and availability where you live, Boost is indeed shaping up to be a viable contender to AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.