Updated October 17, 2026 · TariffCue Editorial Team
Astound vs Budget Thuis Mobile
Astound vs Budget Thuis Mobile: the differences
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Seller type | Reseller | Mvno |
| Price from | $19.95 | €3.75 |
| Unlimited plan price | $30 | €10 |
| Markets | US | NL |
| Reference plan prices | 150 Mbps: $19.95/mo, 150 Mbps, no contract; 1 Gig WiFi: $40/mo, 1000 Mbps, no contract; 1.5 Gig WiFi: $60/mo, 1500 Mbps, no contract | Not confirmed |
| eSIM | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Wi-Fi calling | Yes | Not confirmed |
| EU roaming | Paid | Not confirmed |
| Roaming countries | Not confirmed | 43 |
| Data rollover | No | Not confirmed |
| Hotspot sharing | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Mid-contract price rises | Price for Life rate locked while service kept; other promos valid 12 mos then regular rates | Not confirmed |
| Credit check required | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: SIM-only (Yes), 5G (Yes), Multi-line discount (Yes).
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Key differences
- Astound scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.2.
- Billing: only Astound offers Rolling.
- Billing: only Budget Thuis Mobile offers Contract.
- Markets: only Astound offers US.
- Markets: only Budget Thuis Mobile offers NL.
Our verdict on each
Astound
Astound suits US households that want matching download and upload speeds, a low entry price and no contract to be tied into, and the same account can carry mobile lines. Entry pricing starts at $19.95 a month, Gig tiers arrive with Whole Home WiFi included, and the setup fee is $0.
Budget Thuis Mobile
For Dutch customers who already own a phone, this is a SIM only mobile subscription offered in the Netherlands on a contract basis. It works well for people who want a straightforward mobile plan with a choice of bundles.
Score breakdown
| Area | Astound | Budget Thuis Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6Entry price of $19.95 a month and a setup fee of $0 put cost near the top of the range. | 9.6 |
| Offer | 9.3HigherNo cancellation penalty; change or cancel anytime, and Whole Home WiFi arrives included with Gig plans. | 8.9 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Astound | Budget Thuis Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | Astound | Budget Thuis Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| SIM-only deals | 1 of 416 | 8 of 416 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Astound | Budget Thuis Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | Rolling | Contract |
| Contract length | 1 | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Radiate HoldCo, LLC d/b/a Astound Broadband | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | United States | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre | Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Astound | Budget Thuis Mobile | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roaming countries | Not confirmed | 43below the median | 100 |
Median across 178 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Astound
Pros
- Download of 5,000 Mbps matches upload of 5,000 Mbps, so sending a large file is as quick as downloading one.
- The setup fee is $0, and it ranks 1 of 86 on that measure, ahead of every other brand compared.
- Service runs on cable and fttp, so one provider can cover a cable street or a fibre to the home street.
Cons
- EU roaming is paid, so European travel is billed separately.
- Data rollover is no, so unused mobile allowance does not carry into the next cycle.
- A credit check is required on the mobile side, which adds a step before a line is active.
Budget Thuis Mobile
Pros
- Simple SIM only plans for customers who keep their own phone
- Reliable network positioned for everyday use across the Netherlands
- Existing mobile number can be kept when switching
Cons
- Plans run on a contract with a set term
- Available to customers in the Netherlands only
Who each suits
Astound
Who it suits
- Households in US whose street already has cable or fibre to the home and who want equal download and upload speeds.
- Families adding mobile lines to the same account, where a multi line discount and rolling billing apply.
- Renters and short-stay households, since No cancellation penalty; change or cancel anytime.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want a fibre to the home provider and nothing else, because cable and fttp includes cable while Abissnet and Kinetic list fibre to the home alone.
- Homes a wired network does not reach, where EarthLink adds fttp, 5G and satellite options.
- Travellers who expect European roaming to come included, since EU roaming is paid.
Budget Thuis Mobile
Who it suits
- Dutch customers who already own a phone and want a SIM only plan
- People who want to keep their current mobile number
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants a handset bundled with a mobile plan
- Customers who need a plan for regular use in several far away countries
Country by country
| Country | Astound | Budget Thuis Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Astound
How much does Astound broadband cost a month?+
Plans start at $19.95 a month on the entry tier. The listed lineup then steps up through Gig and multi-Gig WiFi plans, and every plan shown is on no-contract terms, so the monthly figure is the whole commitment. Whole Home WiFi is included with Gig plans rather than sold as an extra.
Is there a setup or installation fee with Astound broadband?+
Setup costs $0 to add, and in this comparison the brand ranks 1 of 86 for setup fee, ahead of every other brand measured on that point. Equipment also counts: Whole Home WiFi is supplied with Gig plans, with the top tier hardware paired to the quickest speeds.
Budget Thuis Mobile
Is a handset included with this subscription?+
The plan is sold as SIM only, which means no handset is included and the customer uses a phone they already own. This keeps the decision focused on the mobile service itself rather than on a device bundled into a contract. Anyone who wants new hardware will need to arrange that separately from the subscription.
Can a current mobile number be kept when switching?+
Customers who switch can usually keep their current mobile number, as long as the existing subscription or prepaid card is still active at the time of the move. The same number then continues on the new SIM only plan, so contacts do not need to be told about a change. Keeping the number is one of the simpler parts of moving to this kind of plan.
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