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Boost Mobile vs Metro by T-Mobile: Which carrier is best for you?
Choosing the right mobile carrier is arguably more important than choosing the right phone. What’s the point in picking up the best smartphone if your carrier imposes strict limits? Today, we’re looking at Boost Mobile vs Metro by T-Mobile, two MVNOs that may be just what you’re looking for. But which should you go with? Find out below.
Boost Mobile vs Metro by T-Mobile: Pricing and plans
Winner: Tie
| Boost Mobile Unlimited | Boost Mobile Unlimited Plus | Boost Mobile Unlimited Premium | Metro FLEX Start | Metro FLEX Up | Metro FLEX Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost | Boost Mobile Unlimited $25/month ($12.50 for first month) WITHOUT hotspot data $40/month WITH hotspot data | Boost Mobile Unlimited Plus $50/month | Boost Mobile Unlimited Premium $60/month | Metro FLEX Start $50/month $85/month for 2 lines $120/month for 3 lines $155/month for 4 lines | Metro FLEX Up $60/month $95/month for 2 lines $130/montn for 3 lines $165/month for 4 lines | Metro FLEX Plus $70/month $105/month for 2 lines $140/montn for 3 lines $175/month for 4 lines |
Talk, text, and data | Boost Mobile Unlimited Unlimited Talk & Text Unlimited data (throttling during congestion after 30GB) | Boost Mobile Unlimited Plus Unlimited Talk & Text Unlimited data (throttling during congestion after 30GB) | Boost Mobile Unlimited Premium Unlimited Talk & Text Unlimited data (throttling during congestion after 50GB) | Metro FLEX Start Unlimited Talk, Text, and data | Metro FLEX Up Unlimited Talk, Text, and data | Metro FLEX Plus Unlimited Talk, Text, and data |
Hotspot | Boost Mobile Unlimited No for base plan, 12GB for the hotspot option | Boost Mobile Unlimited Plus Unlimited (high-speed up to 30GB) | Boost Mobile Unlimited Premium Unlimited (high-speed up to 50GB) | Metro FLEX Start Yes, 8GB | Metro FLEX Up Yes, 25GB | Metro FLEX Plus Yes, 25GB |
Extras | Boost Mobile Unlimited N/A | Boost Mobile Unlimited Plus Global talk and text | Boost Mobile Unlimited Premium Free roaming in Canada and Meixco | Metro FLEX Start 100GB Google One membership 1-year VIX Premium | Metro FLEX Up 100GB Google One membership 1-year VIX Premium Unlimited texting in 210+ countries | Metro FLEX Plus Free Amazon Prime 100GB Google One membership 1-year VIX Premium Unlimited texting in 210+ countries |
Boost and Metro have both moved their focus primarily to unlimited data plans but the latter certainly is the cheapest at just $25 per month for its entry unlimited plan. Metro’s unlimited plans start at $50 a month, though you’ll get discounts for multiple lines. Even so, with four lines you’ll still pay more at $41.25 a month per line.
If you don’t care about hotspot data and just want a cheap plan, Boost Mobile is hard to ignore. If you want better hotspot data and other perks, there’s also a $50 or $60 a month plan. The former gives you 30GB of hotspot data and unlimited talk, text, and data. The latter bumps this up to 50GB of hotspot data, as well as unlimited talk, text, and data.
Metro offers three FLEX tiers: Start, Up, and Plus. These plans range from $50 to $70 a month for one line but there are pretty substantial discounts for those who add multiple lines.
In many ways, both the $50 FLEX Start and $60 FLEX Up plan compare very well to Boost’s most expensive plan. Start only gives you 8GB of hotspot data versus the 30GB allowed by the Boost Unlimited Plus plan, but FLEX Up comes much closer at 25GB. Metro levels the playing field a bit with a few extra perks of its own like 100GB Google One access and a 1-year VIX subscription.
Want even more out of your mobile service? Metro FLEX Plus adds an Amazon Prime membership to the mix for just $10 more a month over the Up tier.
Boost Mobile vs Metro by T-Mobile: Coverage
Winner: Tie
As its name suggests, Metro uses T-Mobile’s network in the US, which has fairly broad coverage if you live in the mid-west or eastern seaboard. There are a few blips in western states, mainly across the Rockies, but if you live in an urban center, you shouldn’t have any issue with signal strength on Metro. It’s worth noting that Metro’s service area covers a fair bit of Canada and Mexico, too, so roamers should be well-equipped. Find Metro’s coverage map here.
Boost uses a combination of Dish, AT&T, and T-Mobile to provide service. Its coverage map shows slightly less service area than Metro, but major cities and towns are well covered. View Boost Mobile’s coverage map here.
Boost Mobile vs Metro by T-Mobile: Phone selection
Winner: Tie
Our Boost Mobile vs Metro by T-Mobile battle gets to the juicy part — phone availability. Both phones actually offer pretty similar selections, with around 30 or more phones on offer from each carrier. This includes both newer flagships like the iPhone 15 and Galaxy S23 FE, as well as many budget phones.
If either’s phone selection doesn’t convince you, you can bring in your own device. You’ll need to check your device’s compatibility using Boost Mobile’s checker and Metro by T-Mobile’s tool. If your device is supported, you’ll advance to purchasing a SIM card for the network of your choice, then activate it by purchasing your preferred plan.
Which carrier is right for you?
There’s no clear winner between Boost Mobile vs Metro by T-Mobile. Each network excels in its own way. If I’m honest, I’d recommend Boost Mobile only for those interested in the plan with limited data or the basic $25 unlimited plan. The higher-tier options don’t add enough to be worth it when compared to Metro. As for Metro? It’s a better fit if you want an experience that feels more like a typical postpaid carrier.