Boost Mobile Review: The Best eSIM for Travel in 2025

If you’re a frequent traveler, digital nomad, or business jet-setter looking for a flexible and affordable eSIM option to use while overseas, you might be wondering what the Boost Mobile option is like.

Known for riding on Telstra’s extensive 4G and 5G networks (which is the largest in Australia), Boost Mobile’s eSIM offering is relatively new, having only been launched in 2024. But it has made staying connected Down Under or selected overseas destinations that little bit easier.

This review takes a closer look at Boost’s eSIM service, which is primarily targeted towards budget-conscious travelers who don’t want to sacrifice their coverage or data performance. Offering no lock-in contracts, competitive prepaid plans, and unlimited data on selected offers, it’s a very good option for those needing simple, reliable mobile access.

It doesn’t matter if life requires you to hop between coworking spaces in Cape Town and Tirana, or dialling into Zoom meetings from Bangkok, Boost’s eSIM could offer a hassle-free solution to your connectivity needs.

In this article, we’ll unpack everything you need to know about their service. We will also break down some of its main pros and cons to help you decide if it’s appropriate for you.

Overview of Boost Mobile eSIM

Since Boost Mobile was established in Australia in 2000 by Peter Adderton, it has evolved into a prominent prepaid mobile service provider.

Initially, the company partnered with Optus. But it transitioned to the Telstra network in 2012, which enabled it to gain access to Australia’s most extensive mobile coverage.

In 2024, Telstra acquired Boost Mobile and subsequently integrated it into its multi-brand strategy. In doing so, it kept the brand name and retained its focus on offering customers affordable prepaid services.

In Australia, Boost Mobile competes with other prepaid providers like Aldi Mobile and Amaysim. Its unique selling proposition lies in offering full access to Telstra’s 4G and 5G networks, which therefore provide much superior coverage in comparison to many of their competitors.

This is what makes it a particularly appealing choice to budget-conscious travelers, digital nomads, and remote workers who require reliable connectivity across Australia.

Key Features at a Glance:

Boost utilizes Telstra’s full mobile network, covering 99.7% of the Australian population.
They offer both 4G and 5G services, with 5G available in selected areas on compatible devices.
The company provides competitive prepaid plans, which include 28-day and 12-month plans.
The My Boost Mobile app allows users to manage their accounts and recharge with ease.
eSIM activation is straightforward through their app, and setup is instant.

Coverage & Network Reliability

Boost Mobile operates primarily within Australia on the back of the full Telstra mobile network, which covers 99.7% of the population. This extensive coverage ensures that connectivity is strong in both urban and remote areas.

For international travelers, Boost Mobile offers roaming packs that provide coverage in 42 countries, including parts of Europe, North America, and Asia.

Here is what you can expect when you are in these regions:

Europe: You’ll enjoy strong connections in countries like the UK, Germany, and France. However, some remote rural areas may encounter variable performance.
North America: Utilizes the AT&T and T-Mobile networks to provide good and broad urban coverage. Again, you may experience reduced speeds in rural areas.
Asia: Connectivity is available in only select countries such as Japan and Singapore. You can expect limited or inconsistent performance in places like India or China, if you can even get a connection at all.
South America & Africa: Coverage is very limited, and when it is available, you can expect slower speeds than you might be used to.

Essentially, while Boost Mobile is great for when you are in Australia, if you want to use it internationally, you should check what country-specific availability there is before relying solely on them while abroad.

Data Plans & Pricing

Boost Mobile offers a range of prepaid eSIM plans that are tailored to the needs of various customers. They range from short-term travelers to long-term residents.

Overall, their plans are competitively priced when compared to other providers and will give you access to Australia’s extensive Telstra network.

While the prices can change at any time, here are some examples of what you can expect to pay.

Example Domestic Plan Options:

28-Day Plans: $26 plan (17GB for first 3 recharges, then 7GB), $59 (120GB for first 3 recharges, then 45GB), $74 (160GB for first 3 recharges, then 90GB).
12-Month Plans: $300 plan (290GB, then 240GB on renewal), $365 plan (365GB annually).

Example International Roaming Packs:

Small: $20 for 1GB, 15 mins, 15 texts (3 days).
Medium: $30 for 3GB, 30 mins, 30 texts (7 days).
Large: $40 for 5GB, 60 mins, 60 texts (14 days).

You may find that competitors like Airalo and Holafly may offer lower international prices. However, Boost Mobile does offer superior local coverage that provides excellent value for domestic travel. Moreover, tethering is included, and there are no hidden fees. That said, data expiry resets every 28 days.

Internet Speed & Network Performance

As it runs on the Telstra network, Boost Mobile’s eSIM offers excellent speed and performance. All plans now include 5G, and their speeds are as follows:

$26–$49 plans: speeds up to 150Mbps
$59 plan: up to 250Mbps
$74 plan: uncapped
12-month plans: up to 150Mbps

These speeds are suitable for activities like streaming Netflix, browsing the internet, and using social media. You’ll find the latency is low, which makes the network reliable for video calls, gaming, and cloud-based work. However, during peak hours or in remote areas, some users do report occasional slowdowns.

Once data caps have been reached, speeds are slowed down until the next recharge. Major reports of throttling have not been raised beyond this.

Ease of Use & Setup Process

One of the key selling points about using the Boost Mobile service is that you can get started with it very quickly.

Essentially, all it involves is buying a plan via the Boost Mobile website or app. Once you have done this, you’ll receive a QR code or activation link. After scanning it with your device’s eSIM setup screen, you will be live in minutes.

The My Boost Mobile app is intuitive and lets you do things like recharge, check usage, and easily manage your plans. It also supports eSIM installation, as well as tracking, and plan switching.

Unlike some of their bigger-name international competitors, customer support is available 24/7 through live chat and email. Additionally, phone support is offered during extended business hours.

According to reviews from sites like TrustPilot and Google, most users claim to have received quick response times and helpful guidance. This seems to be particularly the case during the activation phase.

Pros & Cons of Boost Mobile eSIM

Like every company that offers eSIM services, Boost Mobile does some things very well. But then there are areas in which they could certainly lift their game.

To highlight their relative strengths and weaknesses, here are some of the main pros and cons of using their service at a glance.

Pros:

You gain full access to Telstra’s 4G/5G networks across Australia through their service.
The company offers affordable prepaid options and does not insist you commit to a contract. (You can cancel their service at any time).
It is easy to activate their eSIM via their app and manage your account with them.
Tethering and mobile hot-spotting are included without extra charge.

Cons:

The company offer limited international coverage in only 42 countries. So, it might not be the best option outside of Australia.
There are speed caps on lower-tier plans, which you might find annoying.
For long-term plans, there is no provision for rolling over data.
Some users have reported that customer support can be slower during peak hours than at other times of the day.

How Does Boost Mobile Compare to Other eSIM Providers?

If you are considering using the Boost Mobile service in Australia, you’ll be pleased to know it stands up extremely well against some of the other major eSIM providers like Airalo, BNESIM, Holafly, Flexiroam and Truphone. This is largely because Boost Mobile offers full access to the Telstra network, which includes 5G and hotspot usage, and, of course, because it offers competitive rates.

That said, several international providers may offer better global roaming, and Boost Mobile’s international reach is nowhere near as extensive as other players in the industry. So, it does lag behind them in terms of its global offering.

Is Boost Mobile’s eSIM Worth It?

If your travels are based in Australia or you want reliable service while working remotely from down under, then you can’t really go wrong with Boost Mobile.

With its wide 4G/5G coverage, solid performance, and flexible plans that won’t break the bank, the company ticks a lot of boxes. Granted, its international roaming is more limited, and there are plenty of other good options out there. However, in Australia, it’s an excellent choice for those who prioritise reliability, ease of use, and value for money.