Metro and Boost are both store-and-online prepaid carriers offering unlimited data around $25 with a price guarantee. The key difference is the network underneath: Metro runs on T-Mobile’s mature nationwide network, while Boost has run mainly on AT&T's network since shutting down its own towers in November 2025.
Quick answer
- Pick Metro for established T-Mobile coverage, Amazon Prime + Google One perks, and taxes included.
- Pick Boost if its own-network coverage is solid in your area and you want the “$25 forever” price lock, global talk/text, or a yearly phone upgrade (Infinite Access).
| Metro (T-Mobile) | Boost | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry unlimited | About $25/mo with AutoPay | $25/mo with AutoPay, $30 without |
| Price guarantee | 5-year lock | “$25 forever” while AutoPay stays on |
| Hotspot on base plan | None | None |
| Hotspot tiers | 25GB on the $60 plan | Unlimited+ $50/mo (40GB), Premium $60/mo (50GB) |
| Perks | Amazon Prime, 100GB Google One, T-Mobile Tuesdays | Global talk and text to 100+ countries on higher plans |
| Yearly phone upgrade | Not offered | Infinite Access: $65/mo |
| Network | Established T-Mobile network | AT&T's network (plus T-Mobile access) |
Network: the real difference
Metro uses T-Mobile’s mature nationwide 5G and LTE. Boost runs mainly on AT&T's network, with access to T-Mobile's. Check AT&T's coverage map for Boost and T-Mobile's for Metro. Metro’s coverage is the safer, more predictable bet — check Boost’s own-network map for your address before switching.
Price and plans
Both anchor on ~$25 unlimited with a guarantee — Metro’s 5-year lock vs Boost’s “$25 forever” (autopay required; $30 without). Boost’s $25 base has no hotspot — tethering needs the $50 Unlimited+ (40GB) or $60 Premium (50GB). Metro reserves its 25GB hotspot for the $60 tier, which also bundles Amazon Prime and 100GB Google One.
Perks: different strengths
Metro bundles Amazon Prime and Google One on its $60 plan, plus T-Mobile Tuesdays. Boost includes global talk and text (calls to 100+ countries) on higher plans and offers Infinite Access ($65) for a new iPhone or Galaxy every year: a perk Metro doesn’t match. International calling or annual upgrades → Boost; streaming/storage value → Metro.
Frequently asked questions
What networks do they use? +
Which is cheaper? +
Which has better coverage? +
Do both have a price lock? +
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Jean Gilles has researched personal finance, consumer technology, and wireless pricing for over a decade. He founded ShopCellPlans in 2019 and writes every review on the site.