Should I Upgrade From Boost Mobile To Cricket Wireless If Backup Phone - Complete Guide

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If you're asking whether you should upgrade from Boost Mobile to Cricket Wireless for a backup phone, the short answer is: it depends on your priorities — but there are actually better options worth considering first. Both carriers sit on the AT&T network and score similarly in our rankings, so the upgrade may be less impactful than you think.

Boost Mobile vs Cricket Wireless: How They Compare

Before deciding whether to switch, it helps to understand exactly where both carriers stand. In our 11-point rating system, Boost Mobile earns a 6/11 and Cricket Wireless also earns a 6/11. That's a tie — which tells you something important right away. You're not making a dramatic upgrade by moving from one to the other.

Boost Mobile runs on the AT&T network after its acquisition by Dish/EchoStar, though it has been transitioning infrastructure over recent years, which has caused some inconsistency in service quality for existing customers. Cricket Wireless is also an AT&T brand — in fact, it's a wholly owned subsidiary — meaning both carriers ultimately tap into the same core network infrastructure.

What Boost Mobile Offers

Boost Mobile's plans start around $15/month for a basic 1GB plan and go up to $60/month for unlimited tiers. The carrier has repositioned itself several times in recent years, and plan structures have shifted with it. For a backup phone, you likely don't need a premium unlimited tier — but Boost's lower-end plans have had mixed reviews for throttling and consistency.

One concern worth noting: Boost Mobile has experienced customer data breaches in the past, which is a meaningful consideration when evaluating any carrier, even for secondary devices. A backup phone still holds your personal information, SIM identity, and potentially payment data.

What Cricket Wireless Offers

Cricket Wireless offers plans starting at $25/month for 5GB of data with taxes included — a cleaner pricing model than many competitors. Their unlimited plan runs $55/month. Cricket benefits from being a direct AT&T subsidiary, which typically means a more stable and consistently managed network experience compared to Boost's transitional period.

Cricket also supports Wi-Fi calling and has a broader retail footprint, which can be helpful if you prefer in-person support for a backup device. International calling options are included in some plans, which is a plus if your backup phone doubles as a travel or international use device.

Feature	Boost Mobile	Cricket Wireless
Our Score	6/11	6/11
Network	AT&T	AT&T
Starting Price	~$15/mo	$25/mo
Taxes Included	No	Yes
Data Breach History	Yes	No confirmed major breach
Wi-Fi Calling	Yes	Yes
Hotspot	Limited	Yes (on most plans)

Is the Switch Worth It for a Backup Phone?

Here's the honest reality: if your backup phone is truly just for emergencies — the device you grab when your primary phone dies, breaks, or gets lost — you probably don't need to spend much on it. A backup phone plan should be cheap, reliable, and low-maintenance.

On that basis, Cricket does have a slight edge over Boost. The pricing is more transparent (taxes included), the AT&T network connection is more direct, and there's no recent history of major data security incidents. For a phone you want to "set and forget," Cricket is the more stable option of the two.

However, the difference between 6/11 and 6/11 is exactly zero. If you're going to the trouble of switching carriers and potentially transferring a number or setting up a new SIM, you might as well consider whether there's a meaningfully better option available.

The Case for Staying on Boost

If you're already on Boost and your backup phone is working fine, switching to Cricket doesn't offer a dramatic improvement. The network is the same, the score is the same, and you'd be paying a minimum of $25/month at Cricket versus potentially $15/month at Boost for light data use. For a rarely-used backup device, paying $10 more per month for a marginal improvement in brand stability may not be worth it.

The Case for Switching to Cricket

If your Boost service has been unreliable — whether due to Boost's network transition issues or spotty coverage in your area — Cricket's more direct AT&T relationship could provide a more consistent experience. Cricket's cleaner pricing (taxes included) also makes monthly budgeting easier. And if customer service or retail access matters to you, Cricket's larger physical presence is a genuine advantage.

Better Alternatives to Consider for a Backup Phone

Since you're already evaluating your options, this is the ideal moment to look beyond the Boost vs. Cricket comparison entirely. Several higher-rated carriers offer excellent backup phone plans at competitive prices.

Visible: Our Top-Rated Option at $25/Month

Visible earns a 10/11 in our rankings — the highest score of any carrier we've reviewed. It runs on the Verizon network, which has the broadest coverage footprint in the United States. For a backup phone, Verizon coverage is particularly valuable because you want your emergency device to work everywhere, not just in cities.

Visible's base plan starts at $25/month with taxes included, unlimited data, and no contract. That's the same price as Cricket's entry plan, but on a higher-rated carrier with better network reliability and a cleaner track record. There are no reported data breaches associated with Visible, and the eSIM setup process is simple — great for setting up a backup device quickly.

Tello: The Best Budget Option Starting at $8/Month

If you're looking to minimize what you spend on a backup phone, Tello is hard to beat. Earning a 9.5/11 in our rankings, Tello runs on the T-Mobile network and offers plans starting at just $8/month for basic talk and text with minimal data. Their build-a-plan model lets you pay only for what you actually need — which is perfect for a backup device that sits mostly idle.

Tello also includes unlimited hotspot on all plans, which is a surprising perk at this price point. There are no data breaches on Tello's record, and the pricing is refreshingly transparent. For a secondary phone you only activate occasionally, a $8-10/month Tello plan is arguably the smartest money you can spend.

US Mobile: Flexibility Across All Three Networks

US Mobile earns a 9.5/11 and uniquely offers access to Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T networks — all in one provider. Their build-a-plan model means you can customize exactly what your backup phone needs without overpaying for features you'll never use. This is particularly useful if your backup phone serves a specific secondary purpose, like data-only use or international travel.

For a deeper dive into choosing the right carrier for your situation, our guide to the best prepaid phone plans walks through each option in detail.

What to Look for in a Backup Phone Plan

Not all backup phone plans have the same requirements as your primary line. Here's what actually matters when you're evaluating a carrier for a secondary device.

Coverage reliability over price. A backup phone that doesn't have signal when you need it is useless. Prioritize Verizon or T-Mobile network coverage (check coverage maps for your most-traveled areas) over saving a few dollars per month.

Simple, low-maintenance billing. Look for plans that include taxes in the listed price and don't require you to actively manage add-ons or renewals. Visible and Tello both score well here.

No long-term contracts. Backup phones can sit unused for months at a time, and your needs may change. Month-to-month prepaid plans give you the flexibility to pause or switch without penalty.

Security and data privacy. Even a backup phone holds sensitive data. Carriers with a history of data breaches deserve extra scrutiny. Our carrier security comparison covers this topic in depth.

If you want a personalized recommendation based on your specific usage, our Plan Finder tool can match you with the best option in minutes.

Best Phone to Pair With This Plan

If you need an unlocked phone that works perfectly as a backup device on Cricket, Boost, or any of the alternative carriers above, we recommend the Google Pixel 9a. It's our top budget phone pick for 2026 and an excellent choice for a secondary device:

• Works with all US carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T networks)
• Supports eSIM + physical SIM for easy switching between carriers
• 7 years of software updates — long lifespan for a backup device
• Excellent camera and battery life
• Around $499 unlocked

View Pixel 9a on Amazon →

The Bottom Line

Should you upgrade from Boost Mobile to Cricket Wireless for a backup phone? If you've had consistent problems with Boost's service — spotty coverage, billing confusion, or reliability concerns during their network transition — then yes, Cricket is a reasonable step up. The AT&T connection is cleaner, pricing is more transparent, and the overall customer experience tends to be more polished.

But with both carriers scoring 6/11 in our rankings, this is a lateral move more than a true upgrade. If you're going to put in the effort of switching, we'd strongly encourage you to consider Visible ($25/month, 10/11, Verizon) or Tello (from $8/month, 9.5/11, T-Mobile) instead. Either one offers meaningfully better value, better network options, and a stronger track record for exactly the kind of reliable, low-drama service a backup phone demands.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Cricket Wireless better than Boost Mobile for a backup phone?

Cricket Wireless has a slight edge for backup phone use due to its more stable AT&T network relationship, transparent pricing (taxes included), and cleaner data security record. However, both carriers score 6/11 in our rankings, so the difference is marginal. Higher-rated alternatives like Visible or Tello may serve you better.

Q: What is the cheapest plan for a backup phone?

Tello offers plans starting at $8/month on the T-Mobile network, making it one of the most affordable options for a backup device. It scores 9.5/11 in our rankings and includes unlimited hotspot even on low-cost plans.

Q: Do Boost Mobile and Cricket Wireless use the same network?

Both Boost Mobile and Cricket Wireless operate on the AT&T network. Cricket is a direct AT&T subsidiary, while Boost has been transitioning its infrastructure following its acquisition. In practice, both use AT&T towers, though Cricket's integration is more seamless.

Q: Should I get a separate carrier for my backup phone?

It's often a good idea to choose a different network for your backup phone than your primary. That way, if one network experiences an outage in your area, your backup device still has connectivity. For example, if your main phone uses AT&T (like Boost or Cricket), consider Visible (Verizon) or Tello (T-Mobile) for your backup.

Q: Is $25/month reasonable for a backup phone plan?

$25/month is a reasonable price for a backup phone if it includes unlimited data and taxes. Visible charges $25/month with both included and earns a 10/11 rating. If you want to spend less, Tello has plans under $15/month that are perfectly suited for occasional-use backup devices.

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