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Boost Mobile Prepaid Cell Phone Review
Last updated: January 19, 2022 by the Prepaid Reviews Staff
Our Editorial Rating
Overview
Boost Mobile started off as an MVNO on Nextel's network, where it gained notoriety for providing walkie-talkie services. Nextel eventually bought Boost, and Sprint in turn bought Nextel. Now Boost uses Sprint's CDMA network and functions as one of Sprint's main prepaid companies.
Pros: Boost has a wide range of phone options and they frequently have promotions and referral programs where you can save additional money on your plans or get money back.
Cons: Boost customer service has a reputation for refusing refunds and not helping consumers at all. To use Boost Mobile, you must buy a phone from them, but that phone cannot be unlocked for other networks.
Detailed Provider Information
Plans: Boost Mobile only has two types of plans: monthly and daily plans. Both include unlimited talk, text and data. The monthly plans have a limited amount of high speed data and range from $40 - $60. Daily plans for smartphones are $3 while daily plans for feature phones are $2. They no longer have a pay-as-you-go option. There are several add-ons available such as international calling and daily hotspot.
Customer Service: The customer service department can be reached by a toll free number which has an auto answer menu to handle most issues. You can also send an email and expect to receive a reply within 12 hours.
Free Nights: Available with unlimited plan
Credit Check: None
Free Weekends: Available with unlimited plan
Contract: None
Daily Access Fee: Monthly plans do not have access fees. Daily plans are available for $2 - $3
Payment Options: You can apply extra minutes to your phone via a refill card or set up an autopay with a credit or debit card. Refills can also be purchased via phone, online or at a Boost Mobile store using your credit or debit card.
Text and Picture Messaging: Text messaging is unlimited on all of Boost's plans. Sending text/picture messages to international numbers will cost $0.10/message unless you have an international add-on.
Data Plans: Web access is included in all of the plans. Unlimited lower speed is included with a set amount of 3G or 4G available.
Downloads: Ringtones, wallpapers, games, applications, etc are available for Boost Mobile phones. Prices vary.
International Calling: Boost Mobile has a few options for International calling, depending on what country you need to call. For $5, you can purchase unlimited calling to Mexico, most of Canada and unlimited worldwide texting. For $10, you can get 1000 minutes to call Mexico or Dominican Republic landlines, and unlimited calls to more than 70 countries, plus reduced per-minute rates for other countries. Boost also offers International Minute Packs which include a limited amount of minutes to a select country. Rates and amounts vary by country. Read more about international services.
Text Messaging Available: Yes
Roaming Charges: There are no roaming charges with Boost Mobile phones.
Shop Phones and Plans: Shop for Boost Mobile
Text Messaging Charge For Incoming: Only for international messages without an international plan
Calling Features: Boost plans include voice mail, call waiting, three-way calling and caller ID
Unlimited Text Messaging Plan Available: Yes
Activation Fee: There is no initial activation fee for new Boost Mobile users. However, there is a 10 dollar re-activation fee if service is terminated (by either the user or Boost Mobile).
Nationwide Long Distance: Long distance calls are charged the same as regular calls.
Unlimited Plan Available: Yes
411 Calls: Monthly plans include free 411 calls. Daily plans charge $1.29 plus airtime if applicable.
Earliest Minute Expiration: Boost's monthly plans expire in 30 days. They also have daily plans available which are good for 24 hours and renew at 12:01 a.m.
911 Calls: Yes.
Phones: Boost Mobile caters to the younger crowd who want feature-rich phones. As a result, nearly all of the phones are touchscreen smartphones with varying price and quality. They have a decent phone selection and carry everything from the newest iPhones to older flip phone models. Prices range from $30 - $600. Boost Mobile will not unlock phones to move to other carriers.
Standard Calling Features: Voicemail, and caller ID are available with all plans.
Some Available Cell Models: Kyocera Hydro, HTC Desire 510, Motorola Moto G, LG Volt, Samsung Galaxy S5, Apple iPhone 6
Coverage Map: Boost Mobile Map
Cheapest Phone Model: $29.99
Latest News: See the latest news about Boost Mobile
Activation Guide: Boost Mobile Activation Guide
Customer Service Contact: Boost Mobile Contact Information
Average Rating By Users
Most Recent Reviews
Boost mobile is the worst service provider...
Between the random messages that are out of sequence, and cause confusion deliberately, (so that customers will make extra payments by mistake), and auto-pay shutting off on its own, then not receiving any notification that I'm disconnected, I've been late to an appointment, it was a disaster to try and fix, And I've had boost over 15 years. They are going under, everything about boost sucks. Look elsewhere for phone service fam, only going to be trouble with these guys.
Consumer Review
I use to rave about Boost. How cheap it was and how everyone should which over. That was until I ran into a problem and needed to call customer service. I called 6 times to only be transfered time and time again and half of the time I was hung up on. boost charged me twice for a phone and doesnt seem to want to give me back the money but I am not one to just give up Boost you will be returning my 72.14. No more recommendations from me.
Consumer Review
Boost has the worst service ever. I live in Greenville, SC and it is awful. There is no customer service. I tried calling to get some help and I could not speak with a live person. I had to wait until someone called me back, which is just crazy. I would advise people to go with another pre-paid plan because Boost is awful. As soon as this month is up, I will be switching.
Consumer Review
My Samsung Prevail on Boost Rocks!! Great service & no complaints,
Consumer Review
I would have given half a star if possible but it is not so here it goes. My gf's phone died so we decided to give Boost a try. Bought the phone and put money on the account to activate and kept getting email messages about the account balance being too low; However the phone seemed to still work. The service was terrible and all the text messages would fail to send and then finally go on the resend. I have ATT and had no problems with my service, but with the Boost phone my gf would always have to go outside to make any phone calls. She had the phone for two days and decided to return the phone. We tried calling customer support to see about getting a refund but that is not possible. Once you navigate through the tangling menu options it finally tells you there are no refunds. I couldn't even get to a customer service representative to discuss. I believe their entire customer care is automated. Also they did not reply to the email I sent them even though they said they would get back to me within 12 hours. Glad I spent $50 for two days of terrible service. I would avoid Boost Mobile at all costs. Seems like Straight Talk from Walmart has better service from a phone and customer perspective.
Consumer Review
Boost mobile sucks their reps treat people like dirt. They act like they are helping you out by f'ing you over. They will charge you for stuff multiple for things you only wanted one of. i would have given them a no star rating but they didnt have that option the drop box………over all boost mobile sucks Virgin Mobile is way better.