Should I Upgrade From Boost Mobile To Cricket Wireless If Under $100 - Complete Guide

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If you're spending under $100 a month on wireless and asking whether you should upgrade from Boost Mobile to Cricket Wireless, the honest answer is: probably neither. Both carriers score below average in our rankings, and for the same money — or far less — you can get significantly better service from top-rated MVNOs. That said, if your choices are truly limited to these two, this guide breaks down exactly what you're getting with each and whether the switch makes sense.

Boost Mobile vs. Cricket Wireless: How They Stack Up

Before deciding whether to switch, it helps to understand how these two carriers compare on the metrics that actually matter. Boost Mobile runs on AT&T's network after its acquisition by Dish/EchoStar, and it scores a 6/11 in our rankings. Cricket Wireless also runs on AT&T and scores an identical 6/11.

At a surface level, they're tied. But the details reveal important differences in pricing transparency, plan structure, and day-to-day usability.

Network Coverage

Both Boost Mobile and Cricket Wireless use AT&T's network infrastructure, which covers approximately 99% of Americans with 4G LTE. AT&T's network is strong in suburban and urban areas but can trail behind Verizon in rural coverage. If you're in a major metro area, both carriers will serve you reasonably well. If you're in a rural zone, you may want to look at Verizon-based options like Visible or US Mobile instead.

Plan Pricing Under $100

Cricket Wireless offers plans ranging from $25/month (2GB data) up to $60/month for unlimited with hotspot. Boost Mobile is similarly priced, with plans starting around $25 and topping out near $60 for their unlimited tiers. Both carriers advertise taxes included in their pricing, which is a genuine plus for budgeting.

The honest reality is that neither carrier offers anything remarkable under $100. You're getting mid-tier AT&T-based service with deprioritization during congestion — not priority access.

Why the Score Is the Same (And Why That Matters)

Our 11-point scoring system evaluates carriers on criteria including network quality, pricing value, plan flexibility, customer support, data breach history, and security features like SIM PIN protection and two-factor authentication. Boost and Cricket both land at 6/11 for similar reasons.

Cricket has an edge in customer satisfaction — it's been operating longer and has a more established retail presence through AT&T. Boost, on the other hand, has experienced more ownership transitions (from Sprint to T-Mobile to Dish), which has created inconsistency in customer support quality.

Data Security Comparison

Neither Boost nor Cricket has a clean record when it comes to data security. Boost has experienced SIM-swapping vulnerabilities and security incidents. Cricket has had its share of account breach reports tied to AT&T's broader infrastructure. Neither carrier stands out as a security-first provider, which is a concern if you use your phone for banking, two-factor authentication, or sensitive accounts.

Customer Support

Cricket Wireless has a slight advantage here. It maintains physical retail stores across the U.S., giving you a walk-in option for troubleshooting. Boost also has retail locations, but user-reported satisfaction scores tend to favor Cricket for in-store experience and resolution times. Online support for both is inconsistent.

Should You Actually Switch from Boost to Cricket?

If your only goal is marginal improvement on AT&T's network with a slightly more stable brand, then yes — Cricket is the better of the two options. You'll likely encounter fewer billing surprises, and Cricket's plan structure is more straightforward.

However, the improvement is modest at best. You're going from a 6/11 carrier to another 6/11 carrier. The real question is: why stay in this tier at all when you have $100/month to work with?

When Switching to Cricket Makes Sense

Switching from Boost to Cricket makes sense if you value in-person support, want clearer billing, or have been frustrated by Boost's customer service. Cricket's multi-line discounts are also more competitive — families of 4 can get service for around $25/line, which is a solid deal if you're managing multiple lines.

When It Doesn't Make Sense

If you're a single-line user looking for the best value under $100, Cricket offers nothing that a top-ranked MVNO doesn't offer better — and usually for far less money. The switch won't improve your network speeds meaningfully, and you won't gain much in terms of features or plan flexibility.

Better Alternatives Under $100: Our Top Picks

This is where we'd be doing you a disservice by not mentioning the alternatives. Under $100 a month, you have access to some of the best-rated MVNOs in the country. Here's how they compare:

Feature	Boost Mobile	Cricket Wireless	Visible	Tello
Our Score	6/11	6/11	10/11	9.5/11
Starting Price	~$25/mo	~$25/mo	$25/mo	$8/mo
Network	AT&T	AT&T	Verizon	T-Mobile
Taxes Included	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Data Breach History	Yes	Yes	No	No
Hotspot Included	Limited	Limited	Yes	Yes (unlimited)

The difference in score — 10/11 vs. 6/11 — isn't arbitrary. Visible on Verizon's network at $25/month with taxes included, unlimited hotspot, and no data breaches is objectively a better product than either Boost or Cricket at the same or higher price point.

Tello is even more flexible. Their plans start at $8/month and go up from there, letting you pay only for what you need. You get unlimited hotspot on all plans, T-Mobile's network, and a company with zero data breach history. For those of you comparing to our full MVNO rankings and scoring methodology, the gap between these tiers is significant.

What About US Mobile?

US Mobile scores 9.5/11 and stands out as a unique option because it gives you access to all three major networks — Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. This is especially useful if you live in a coverage dead zone on one network but fine on another. Their "build-a-plan" model means you only pay for the data, talk, and text you actually use.

For users currently on Boost or Cricket who are frustrated with AT&T coverage in their area, US Mobile lets you test a different network without fully committing to a new carrier ecosystem. You can learn more in our US Mobile vs. Visible comparison to see which Verizon-based option suits your needs.

Real Cost Breakdown: What $100/Month Actually Gets You

Let's be specific. If you're currently spending $100/month on wireless service, here's what your money could buy instead:

• Visible ($25/mo): Unlimited data, unlimited hotspot, taxes included — leaving you $75 to spare every month
• Tello ($25/mo): Unlimited talk/text plus 25GB high-speed data with unlimited hotspot on T-Mobile
• US Mobile ($35/mo): Unlimited plan on Verizon with premium data and strong security features

The point isn't that you need to spend less — it's that spending the same amount on a better carrier gets you more. If you've been paying $50–$60/month at Boost or Cricket, redirecting that to Visible gives you better Verizon coverage, no data breach risk, and taxes included.

Best Phone to Pair With This Plan

If you need an unlocked phone that works perfectly with any of these carriers, 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 →

How to Make the Switch Without Hassle

If you've decided to leave Boost — whether for Cricket or a better-rated MVNO — the process is straightforward. Start by requesting your account number and PIN from Boost Mobile before canceling. Both are required to port your existing phone number to a new carrier. Most unlocked phones purchased in the last three years will work with any carrier; you can verify IMEI compatibility on the new carrier's website before committing.

For those moving to Visible or Tello, both carriers offer eSIM activation, meaning you can switch in minutes without waiting for a physical SIM card. This is particularly convenient if you want to test coverage in your area before fully canceling Boost. For a step-by-step guide on this process, see our how to switch prepaid carriers without losing your number walkthrough.

The Bottom Line

Switching from Boost Mobile to Cricket Wireless is a lateral move at best. Both carriers score 6/11 on our scale, run on the same AT&T network, and offer similar plans at similar prices. Cricket has a slight edge in customer service consistency and retail presence, so if those factors matter to you and you're committed to staying on AT&T, the switch is worth making.

But if your goal is genuine value under $100/month, you owe it to yourself to consider Visible (10/11, $25/mo on Verizon) or Tello (9.5/11, from $8/mo on T-Mobile) instead. These aren't minor upgrades — they're carriers that outperform Boost and Cricket on nearly every dimension, at a fraction of the price. Don't settle for a 6/11 carrier when 9.5 and 10 options exist in the same price range.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Cricket Wireless better than Boost Mobile?

Cricket Wireless has a slight edge over Boost Mobile in customer satisfaction, billing transparency, and in-store support availability. Both run on AT&T's network and score 6/11 in our rankings, but Cricket tends to offer more stable plan pricing and fewer service disruptions tied to ownership changes.

Q: Can I keep my phone when switching from Boost to Cricket?

In most cases, yes. Both carriers run on AT&T, so any unlocked phone or AT&T-compatible device should work on Cricket. Check your phone's IMEI on Cricket's compatibility checker to confirm before switching.

Q: What is the best prepaid carrier under $100 a month?

Visible is our top pick at just $25/month with taxes included, unlimited data, and unlimited hotspot on Verizon's network. It scores 10/11 in our rankings. Tello is a close second at 9.5/11, with plans starting as low as $8/month on T-Mobile.

Q: Does Cricket Wireless deprioritize data?

Yes. Like most MVNOs and prepaid carriers, Cricket Wireless customers experience data deprioritization during network congestion. This means your speeds may slow down in busy areas or at peak times, since postpaid AT&T customers get network priority.

Q: Is it worth switching carriers just to save money?

Absolutely — especially when better-scored carriers are cheaper. Visible at $25/month outperforms both Boost and Cricket while costing the same or less. Switching takes less than 30 minutes with eSIM activation and you can port your existing phone number at no charge.

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