Updated September 28, 2026 · NomadCue Editorial Team
Boost Mobile AU vs US Mobile
Boost Mobile AU
US Mobile
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | Boost Mobile AUReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | US MobileReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | A$20 | $5 |
| Countries covered | 42 | from 130 |
| Unlimited data | No | YesHas it |
| Reference plan prices | One roaming price for all 42 countries incl. USA, UK, Japan, Thailand, Turkey and Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, etc): Small 2GB AUD 20 / 3 days, Medium 5GB AUD 30 / 7 days, Large 7GB AUD 40 / 14 days; Mexico not included | Canada, Mexico, UK: Unlimited Premium 20 GB + 200 mins + 250 texts; annual Unlimited Starter 1 GB; roaming add-on from $15; roaming top-ups $15 for 1 GB, $30 for 5 GB |
| Fair use policy | Pack expires 3, 7 or 14 days after purchase; unused data, calls and texts are lost, no rollover | Unlimited Premium never slowed; Unlimited Starter on Warp and Light Speed may slow after 70 GB monthly; Unlimited Flex may slow after 10 GB monthly |
| Networks | Telstra | Warp, Dark Star, Light Speed |
| Price per GB from | Not confirmed | $15 |
| Hotspot sharing | Not confirmed | Yes |
Same on both: 5G (Yes), Top-ups (Yes), Seller type (Mvno).
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Key differences
- US Mobile scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.8.
- Unlimited data: only US Mobile.
- Networks: only Boost Mobile AU offers Telstra.
- Networks: only US Mobile offers Warp, Dark Star, Light Speed.
- Support channels: only Boost Mobile AU offers Community.
- Support channels: only US Mobile offers Email.
- Features: only Boost Mobile AU offers Carrier plan.
- Features: only US Mobile offers Unlimited data, Hotspot.
Our verdict on each
Boost Mobile AU
Boost Mobile AU suits a short trip that stays inside a single roaming zone, where one price covers the USA, UK, Japan, Thailand, Turkey and Europe. Packs start at AUD 20 and run on the Telstra network, so setup happens inside your own carrier plan rather than on a marketplace.
US Mobile
US Mobile suits travellers heading for a short trip who want one budget line for a home plan and roaming rather than a travel-only eSIM. Coverage of from 130 countries and a budget model sit against a fair use policy that slows lower tiers, so heavy streamers should read it first.
Score breakdown
| Area | Boost Mobile AU | US Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.5 | 8.6HigherPrice from $5 and price per GB from $15 sit well back from the field on 125 of 313 and 110 of 115. |
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.3Higher |
| Trust | 9.1 | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | Boost Mobile AU | US Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Travel SIMs and eSIMs | 351 of 926 | 337 of 926 |
| Travel eSIMs | 357 of 918 | 344 of 918 |
Licences and countries
Additional countries for Boost Mobile AU: 1. Additional countries for US Mobile: 1.
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Boost Mobile AU | US Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Not confirmed | Global |
| Features | 5G, Instant activation, Carrier plan | Unlimited data, 5G, Hotspot, Instant activation |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Budget |
| Audience | Short trip | Short trip |
| Legal entity | Telstra Limited ABN 64 086 174 781 (trading as Boost Mobile) | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | Australia | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2000 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Help centre, Chat, Phone, Community | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Boost Mobile AU | US Mobile | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per GB from | Not confirmed | $15highest quarter | $2 |
| Countries covered | 42lowest quarter | from 130above the median | 120 |
Median across 492 listed travel providers.
Pros and cons
Boost Mobile AU
Pros
- A single roaming price covers the USA, UK, Japan, Thailand, Turkey and Europe across 42 countries, so the same pack carries a whole itinerary
- Top-ups are available, and the eSIM range lists 5g, instant activation and carrier plan, so a plan is ready as soon as you buy it
- Support covers help centre, chat and phone, the brand has been trading since 2000, and the service runs on the Telstra network
Cons
- The fair use policy is strict: a pack expires after a set period, and unused data, calls and texts are lost
- Unlimited data is not offered, so heavy use simply runs into the cap the pack size sets
- Coverage of 42 countries sits below the eSIM listing median 76, so it is a set of destinations rather than a global one
US Mobile
Pros
- Roaming add-ons start at $15 with top-ups available, so a short trip stays predictable
- Coverage of from 130 countries with a global footprint
- Hotspot sharing and 5G are both included on the plans listed
Cons
- Fair use policy slows the lower unlimited tiers, with the lightest one slowing after a small monthly allowance
- The budget model carries the price per GB, ranked 110 of 115
Who each suits
Boost Mobile AU
Who it suits
- Travellers on a short trip whose destinations all sit in the covered set, who want a single price across the whole itinerary
- People who would rather buy a carrier plan with instant activation than pick through a marketplace listing
- Travellers who want a person to call while abroad, since support runs on help centre, chat and phone
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone whose itinerary includes Mexico, since Reference plan prices leave it out; Zwitchy covers 200 countries for a wider trip
- Buyers chasing the lowest entry price, since eSIMGo.is starts at $0.99
- Long-trip travellers who want weeks of validity, since Boost packs expire after a set period; Zwitchy at 200 countries fits longer itineraries
US Mobile
Who it suits
- Travellers on a short trip who want a roaming add-on on a plan they already hold
- People who value hotspot sharing and 5G without paying for a travel-only esim
- US customers who prefer a budget line run over Warp, Dark Star and Light Speed
Who should look elsewhere
- Travellers who want a large, fixed data allowance for a long trip
- Readers who want a travel esim bought and used only abroad, where Zwitchy covers more countries
- Heavy data users who need unthrottled speed, since the fair use policy slows the lighter tiers
Current offers
Boost Mobile AU
Current offer
First period offer
$39 SIM/eSIM for $13: AUD 13 for the first 28-day recharge instead of AUD 39
Sale ends 5 Oct. Online only, on new activations. eSIM/SIM includes first recharge; ongoing recharges $39. Activate by 2 Nov 2026, remaining recharges by 5 Apr 2027.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
6-times the bonus on selected 28 day plans: Bonus data on first 6 recharges (e.g. 60GB instead of 30GB on the $39 plan)
New activations; 60GB on first 6 recharges, 30GB from 7th recharge (105GB then 55GB on the $59 plan, 150GB then 100GB on the $74 plan). Activate by 2 Nov 2026, remaining recharges by 5 Apr 2027.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
$300 12-month SIM for $265: AUD 265 instead of AUD 300 for the 12-month expiry SIM (290GB)
Sale ends 28 Sept. Online only, on new activations. Ongoing recharges $300.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
US Mobile
Current offer
Free trial
30 days free when you bring your number: 30 days free, 30 GB data plus unlimited talk and text during the trial
New US Mobile customers who transfer an existing number to Dark Star or Warp networks; line then renews on the monthly Unlimited Premium plan
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
$10 prepaid Mastercard with new annual Unlimited line: $10 prepaid Mastercard
New lines only, annual billing, 1 prepaid card per account
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
$100 service credit with eligible iPhone 18 Pro activation: $100 service credit
With eligible activation
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Boost Mobile AU | US Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
Boost Mobile AU
How much does a Boost Mobile AU roaming pack cost?+
Prices start at AUD 20, and the same price applies across every covered country rather than changing by destination. The allowance and the validity window depend on the size you pick, with small, medium and large packs aimed at different trip lengths.
Which countries are covered?+
42 countries are covered, and the same roaming price works in the USA, UK, Japan, Thailand, Turkey and across Europe, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. Mexico is listed as not included, so check the destination list before you rely on it.
US Mobile
How much does US Mobile cost?+
Plans start at $5 as a budget line, and roaming costs $15 per GB from. Roaming is added as a top-up to an existing plan rather than bought as a separate travel esim, so the same line covers a home period and the trip.
How many countries does it cover?+
Coverage reaches from 130 countries on a global footprint. It runs over Warp, Dark Star and Light Speed networks, so service in a given country follows whichever of those carries the line there. No separate activation per country is needed.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Boost Mobile AU
US Mobile