|
March 27, 2024
|
With plans from $8.33 per month, Boost Mobile is among one of the most affordable wireless carriers around. That said, these low prices are only available for those who pay for a year of service in advance. Month-to-month plans will cost a bit more, particularly for those who want unlimited 5G coverage.
In this guide to Boost Mobile for seniors, we’ll walk through the ins and outs of this popular provider. We’ll walk through its approach to pricing and provide an in-depth guide to any extra fees and charges.
FYI: Boost offers affordable introductory plans, but data can quickly get pricey. To find more affordable unlimited plans, read our guide to Consumer Cellular plans.
Boost Mobile Pros and Cons
Pros
- Diverse data plans: Boost Mobile offers more than the average carrier for users who want to pick and choose among a full range of data options, including unlimited plans.
- 5G access: Not all small carriers can offer 5G coverage, which gives Boost users limited access to a faster, more reliable network.
- Unlimited talk, text, and mobile hotspot use: No matter which plan you buy, Boost Mobile offers all its users unlimited talk and text, as well as the ability to use data to turn their phone into a mobile hotspot.
- Discounts for additional lines: Every additional line on Boost’s unlimited plans is discounted by $20.
- In-person retailers: Unlike many minor carriers today, Boost Mobile has some in-person retailers that can help you with the purchase process.
Cons
- Hidden fees: Boost Mobile has an unadvertised $25 activation fee for users who bring their own phone.
- High prices: Boost Mobile has high prices — particularly for its unlimited plans — compared to other MVNO carriers.
- Tricky activation process: Boost Mobile’s activation process is missing key steps that could create problems for some users.
Pro Tip: To learn more about our favorite plans for seniors, read our guide to the best senior phone plans.
Boost Mobile Plans and Pricing
Every Boost Mobile plan comes with unlimited talk and text. The main difference among the plans is the data allowance.
| Plan | Starting monthly price | Talk and text allowance | Data allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB per month | $8.33 per month | Unlimited | 1 GB |
| 5 GB per month | $15 per month | Unlimited | 5 GB |
| 10 GB per month | $35 per month | Unlimited | 10 GB |
| 35 GB per month | $60 per month | Unlimited | 35 GB |
Boost Mobile Plans for Seniors
Boost Mobile does not offer a specific plan for seniors, but its online-only introductory offer of $8.33 per month with a 1 GB data allowance could be the best choice for seniors looking for a no-frills, low-cost phone bill with no long-term contracts.
Boost Mobile’s plans increase in cost based on the data allotted. Choosing the right plan relies on evaluating the data allowance and considering whether you will be streaming video, downloading apps, or using other non-talk functions on your phone. Boost Mobile’s unlimited data plans run higher than the average carrier, but additional unlimited lines can be added for $20 less than the initial price.
Pro Tip: Boost doesn’t have a senior discount, but AT&T senior plans are a great discounted option.
How to Purchase Boost Mobile
Boost Mobile’s purchase process is straightforward, but the company isn’t as forthcoming about the necessary steps as other carriers. The main omission we noticed is that the normal checkout process never asks to check an existing device for its compatibility with Boost’s technology, which some users may not realize they need to do. Search the site for the compatibility feature and enter your phone’s IMEI number if you want to keep your old phone with your new plan (the IMEI can be found in the phone’s settings).
If you want to purchase a new phone, click “Phones” to see what Boost Mobile has to offer. The most popular offerings are from Samsung, such as the Galaxy A23 and A53 5G, both of which often go on sale. Boost also offers Galaxy Z Flip and Fold3 phones, as well as the iPhone 8.
After choosing a device, you can proceed to “Plans” to choose the plan that’s right for you. If the setup process is daunting, Boost Mobile has in-person retailers that can help you choose a plan, check your phone’s compatibility, and set up payments without dealing with their online system.
Pricing
Boost Mobile bases its pricing around the amount of data allotted, with prices ranging from the online-only offer of $8.33 per month (at the time of writing) to $60 per month for the most expensive unlimited plan. Boost does not have long-term contracts and fees, but a one-time $25 introductory fee may apply if you use your own device.
Boost does not offer international calls, but its service can be extended to include Mexico for $5 more per month. Users who love scouting for deals should check Boost Mobile’s website often, since it often slashes the prices of its plans and devices. The company sometimes offers 67 percent off Samsung phones, as well as new customer deals as low as $5 per month for the first three months.
That gives new users the ideal opportunity to try Boost’s service to see if it’s a good fit. If you’re looking to buy multiple lines at a time, you can save $20 per line by purchasing the more expensive unlimited plans.
Boost Mobile Network Coverage
Boost Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator, which means it uses the hardware of other carriers. Different MVPNs use different networks, but Boost has access to two of the biggest, using T-Mobile’s and AT&T’s network coverage to provide its services.
The coverage search tool on Boost’s site compares these major carriers’ networks to show whether you have access in your area. You likely will have service if these other networks serve your area, but Boost Mobile users have lower priority than customers on contracts with the larger carriers. That could result in slow data speeds for some Boost users, particularly on the cheaper plans that lack access to the 5G network.
Boost Mobile vs. T-Mobile
Since Boost Mobile’s network borrows T-Mobile’s hardware, many of its coverage benefits are the same. T-Mobile’s senior plans, however, offer far more reliable service — particularly for data usage.
| Boost Mobile Plan | T-Mobile Essentials 55+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $15 per month | $27.50 per month |
| Price increases | Never | Never |
| 5G access | Limited | Yes |
| Long-term contracts | None | None |
| Age requirement | None | Must be 55+ |
Bottom Line
Boost Mobile offers higher-priced unlimited data plans than most MVPNs. It offers deals on multiple lines and a basic plan of $15 per month, but it’s not the cheapest provider on the market. It does, however, offer many deals for first-time customers, including frequent trial offers and lower rates for online purchases.
As long as you’re able to navigate the activation process or visit an in-person retailer, Boost Mobile could be the service of choice for seniors looking for competitive plans with a lot of data per month.
To learn more about our favorite providers and phones for seniors, check out our helpful guides.
Boost Mobile Frequently Asked Questions
-
Does Boost Mobile have a senior plan?
Boost Mobile does not have a plan specifically priced for seniors.
-
Is Boost Mobile trustworthy?
Boost Mobile is a trustworthy MVPN that uses T-Mobile’s and AT&T’s network to offer coverage to its users.
-
What are the downsides of Boost Mobile?
Aside from being potentially expensive for unlimited data plans, Boost doesn’t have the clearest activation process or the most versatility for people looking for limited talk and text plans for even less money.