Should I Upgrade From Boost Mobile To Cricket Wireless If Heavy Data User - Complete Guide

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If you're a heavy data user wondering whether you should upgrade from Boost Mobile to Cricket Wireless, the honest answer is: it depends — and there may be better options you haven't considered yet. Both carriers have real limitations for high-consumption users, and understanding exactly where each one falls short could save you a lot of frustration (and money) every month.

Boost Mobile vs Cricket Wireless: An Overview for Heavy Data Users

Both Boost Mobile and Cricket Wireless sit in the mid-tier of the prepaid carrier market. Boost Mobile runs on AT&T's network and scores 6/11 in our rankings. Cricket Wireless also runs on AT&T and scores an identical 6/11. At face value, switching from one to the other might feel like a lateral move — and in many ways, it is.

The key question for heavy data users isn't just about price or network. It's about deprioritization policies, hotspot allowances, video streaming caps, and what happens when you exceed your data threshold. These are the details that separate a smooth browsing experience from a throttled crawl halfway through the month.

What "Heavy Data User" Actually Means

For context, a heavy data user typically consumes 15GB or more per month on mobile. That includes people who stream video on the go, use their phone as a mobile hotspot for laptops or tablets, regularly use video calls, or work remotely from locations without reliable Wi-Fi. If you regularly hit 20GB, 30GB, or more, you need a carrier that can handle that load without penalizing you.

A Side-by-Side Comparison: Boost Mobile vs Cricket Wireless

Feature	Boost Mobile	Cricket Wireless
Network	AT&T	AT&T
Our Score	6/11	6/11
Unlimited Plan Price	~$60/mo	~$55/mo
Video Streaming	Up to 480p (SD)	Up to 480p (SD)
Hotspot	Limited or none on base plans	Up to 15GB on higher tiers
Deprioritization	Yes, in congestion	Yes, in congestion
Data Breach History	Yes	Yes

The most striking thing about this table: both carriers throttle video to 480p (standard definition). For heavy users who stream on the go — whether it's YouTube, Netflix, or live sports — this is a significant limitation. You simply won't get HD streaming on either carrier's standard unlimited plan.

Hotspot Availability

Cricket's higher-tier plans do include up to 15GB of mobile hotspot data, which is a slight edge over Boost Mobile's more limited hotspot offerings on entry-level plans. However, 15GB of hotspot data is still a meaningful cap for users who rely on their phone as a home internet backup or a remote work tool. Once that 15GB runs out, hotspot speeds drop to 128kbps — essentially unusable for anything beyond basic messaging.

Network Deprioritization on AT&T

Both Boost and Cricket are AT&T MVNOs, which means they share the same physical towers. The catch: AT&T prioritizes its own postpaid customers during congestion. As a Boost or Cricket subscriber, you'll be deprioritized during busy periods. In dense urban areas or during peak hours, this can mean noticeably slower speeds even if you technically have "unlimited" data.

Why Heavy Data Users Should Look Beyond Both Carriers

Here's the hard truth: if you're a heavy data user, upgrading from Boost Mobile to Cricket Wireless is unlikely to solve your problems. You're still on AT&T infrastructure, still subject to the same deprioritization rules, and still capped at 480p video. The upgrade isn't really an upgrade — it's a sideways step.

What you actually need is a carrier that gives you full-speed data with higher deprioritization thresholds, better hotspot allowances, and HD streaming. And the good news is that carriers like that exist at very competitive prices.

For more context on how these carriers compare to the wider market, check out our guide to the best prepaid carriers for data-heavy users and our breakdown of MVNO deprioritization policies.

Better Alternatives for Heavy Data Users

Visible — Best Overall for Heavy Data Users

Visible earns a 10/11 in our rankings, making it the top-rated prepaid carrier we cover. At just $25/month (taxes and fees included), it offers unlimited data, unlimited talk and text, and unlimited hotspot — all on Verizon's network, which consistently outperforms AT&T for coverage and speed in most of the United States.

The $25/month price point is genuinely remarkable. Boost Mobile and Cricket's comparable unlimited plans both cost significantly more. Visible's Verizon backing means you're getting premium network infrastructure without the premium price tag. Hotspot speeds are capped at 5Mbps, which is sufficient for basic laptop use, video calls, and streaming. For heavy data users, Visible is almost always a dramatic improvement over both Boost and Cricket.

Tello — Best for Customizable Data Plans

Tello scores 9.5/11 and runs on T-Mobile's network. Plans start as low as $8/month and scale up based on your exact data needs. This is one of the few carriers that lets you genuinely build your plan around your usage rather than forcing you into a rigid unlimited tier.

For heavy data users, Tello's unlimited plan sits around $25/month and includes unlimited hotspot data. T-Mobile's network has expanded aggressively over the past several years, especially in suburban and rural areas, making Tello a strong option for users who live outside major cities. Tello has also never experienced a known data breach, which is a meaningful trust signal compared to carriers with known security incidents.

US Mobile — Best for Flexibility Across Networks

US Mobile scores 9.5/11 and is the only major MVNO that lets you choose between all three major US networks — Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. For heavy data users who travel frequently between regions or want to optimize coverage in their specific area, US Mobile's flexibility is hard to beat.

US Mobile's "build-a-plan" model means you pay for what you actually need. Their unlimited plans are competitively priced and include strong hotspot allowances. Like Tello and Visible, US Mobile has no known history of data breaches, which sets it apart from both Boost and Cricket.

Comparing All Four Options Head-to-Head

Feature	Boost Mobile	Cricket Wireless	Visible	Tello
Network	AT&T	AT&T	Verizon	T-Mobile
Our Score	6/11	6/11	10/11	9.5/11
Unlimited Plan	~$60/mo	~$55/mo	$25/mo	~$25/mo
Video Streaming	480p	480p	720p+	Full speed
Hotspot	Limited	Up to 15GB	Unlimited (5Mbps)	Unlimited
Data Breach History	Yes	Yes	No	No

The data speaks for itself. Visible and Tello both offer better value, better data policies, and better security track records — at significantly lower prices.

Who Should Consider Staying With Cricket or Boost?

To be fair, there are scenarios where sticking with Cricket or Boost makes sense. If you're already deeply invested in a carrier's device payment plan, switching may not be financially practical in the short term. Cricket also has a relatively strong retail presence, which matters for users who prefer in-person customer support.

Additionally, if your primary concern is AT&T network coverage in a specific rural area where AT&T genuinely outperforms Verizon and T-Mobile, then Cricket's AT&T access might be worth the tradeoff. But for the vast majority of heavy data users, especially in suburban and urban environments, Visible or Tello will deliver a noticeably better experience at a lower price.

Use our prepaid plan finder tool to compare options based on your specific location and data usage needs.

Best Phone to Pair With This Plan

If you need an unlocked phone that works perfectly with Visible, Tello, or US Mobile, we recommend the Google Pixel 9a. It's our top budget phone pick for 2026:

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

View Pixel 9a on Amazon →

The Bottom Line

If you're a heavy data user asking whether you should upgrade from Boost Mobile to Cricket Wireless, our recommendation is to skip that lateral move entirely and consider Visible or Tello instead. Cricket scores the same 6/11 as Boost in our rankings, runs on the same AT&T infrastructure, caps video at the same 480p, and still subjects you to deprioritization during peak hours.

Visible at $25/month on Verizon's network is the single best option for most heavy data users — unlimited everything, taxes included, with a score of 10/11. Tello is a close second at 9.5/11 if you prefer T-Mobile's coverage footprint or want more granular control over your plan. Either way, you'll spend less money and get a meaningfully better experience than either Boost or Cricket can offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Cricket Wireless better than Boost Mobile for data?

Cricket Wireless and Boost Mobile score identically (6/11) in our rankings. Both run on AT&T's network, both cap video streaming at 480p, and both deprioritize MVNO customers during congestion. Cricket has slightly better hotspot options on its higher-tier plans, but neither carrier is well-suited to heavy data users.

Q: What is the best prepaid carrier for heavy data users?

Visible is our top pick for heavy data users, scoring 10/11. At $25/month on Verizon's network, it offers unlimited data, unlimited hotspot, and no hidden fees. Tello (9.5/11) is another excellent option, with unlimited hotspot data and flexible plans starting around $25/month on T-Mobile.

Q: Does Cricket Wireless throttle data?

Yes. Cricket Wireless caps video streaming at 480p standard definition across all plans. Additionally, as an AT&T MVNO, Cricket subscribers are subject to network deprioritization behind AT&T's own postpaid customers during congestion. Once hotspot limits are reached, speeds drop to 128kbps.

Q: How much does it cost to switch from Boost Mobile to Visible?

Visible plans start at $25/month with taxes and fees included. There's no contract, so you can switch at any time. You'll need an unlocked phone or purchase one from Visible directly. The Visible+ plan at $45/month offers premium data prioritization and international calling perks.

Q: Which MVNO has the best hotspot for heavy users?

Tello and Visible both offer unlimited hotspot data on their unlimited plans. Visible caps hotspot speeds at 5Mbps, which is sufficient for most remote work tasks. US Mobile (9.5/11) also offers strong hotspot options with the added flexibility of choosing your preferred network.

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