Should I Upgrade From Boost Mobile To Cricket Wireless If Under $20 - Complete Guide
If you're paying under $20 for Boost Mobile and considering Cricket Wireless, you might want to pause and consider better alternatives. Both carriers score poorly in our rankings — Boost at 6/11 and Cricket at 6/11 — while much better options exist in your budget range.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Our Pick | Tello |
| Best For | Budget users |
| Price | $8-19/month |
| Network | T-Mobile |
| Our Score | 9.5/11 |
If you're paying under $20 for Boost Mobile and considering Cricket Wireless, you might want to pause and consider better alternatives. Both carriers score poorly in our rankings — Boost at 6/11 and Cricket at 6/11 — while much better options exist in your budget range.
The short answer: Skip both and switch to Tello (9.5/11) for $8-19/month with superior service, better customer support, and unlimited hotspot data. If you need Verizon's network specifically, US Mobile offers excellent $15 plans with a 9.5/11 rating.
Bottom Line: Don't upgrade from one mediocre carrier to another equally mediocre carrier. Tello offers superior service for $8-19/month on T-Mobile's network, while US Mobile provides excellent Verizon coverage for $15/month — both dramatically outperform Boost and Cricket.
Pros of Switching from Boost
- Escape poor customer service (6/11 rating)
- Better plan flexibility with top carriers
- No more AT&T network limitations
- Access to unlimited hotspot options
Cons of Cricket Specifically
- Equally poor 6/11 rating
- AT&T network deprioritization
- Limited hotspot data
- No significant improvement over Boost
Why Both Boost and Cricket Score Poorly
Before diving into better alternatives, let's understand why both carriers earn mediocre 6/11 ratings in our comprehensive evaluation system.
Boost Mobile's Problems (6/11 Rating): Boost Mobile has struggled since its acquisition and network migration to AT&T. Customer service complaints are frequent, with long wait times and unhelpful representatives. The carrier offers limited plan flexibility, and users often experience slower data speeds due to network deprioritization. Additionally, Boost's pricing isn't competitive when compared to superior alternatives.
Cricket Wireless Issues (6/11 Rating): Cricket, owned by AT&T, suffers from similar deprioritization issues on the AT&T network. While it's technically a "postpaid" service, it functions like a heavily restricted prepaid option. Users report throttled speeds during peak times, limited customer service hours, and inflexible plan options. The carrier also caps video streaming quality and offers minimal hotspot data.
Both carriers represent the bottom tier of MVNO options, making a switch between them a lateral move rather than an upgrade.
Better Alternatives for Under $20
Rather than switching from one poor carrier to another, consider these superior options that deliver exceptional value under $20:
Tello: The Clear Winner (9.5/11)
Tello emerges as the standout choice for budget-conscious users seeking quality service. Operating on T-Mobile's network, Tello offers remarkable flexibility and value.
Tello's $8-19 Plan Options:
- $8/month: 1GB data, unlimited talk/text
- $14/month: 5GB data, unlimited talk/text
- $19/month: Unlimited data (with 25GB premium data)
Tello's build-your-own approach means you only pay for what you need. If you use 2GB monthly, create a custom plan for around $10. Need more data some months? Upgrade instantly through their app.
US Mobile: Premium Verizon Access (9.5/11)
For users who prefer Verizon's network coverage, US Mobile offers exceptional value with its $15 "Light" plan featuring 10GB of data. This carrier operates across all three major networks but excels on Verizon.
US Mobile's advantages include priority data (unlike most MVNOs), excellent customer service via chat and social media, and the flexibility to switch between networks. Their perks program adds streaming service discounts and other benefits typically found on expensive postpaid plans.
Network Coverage Considerations
Your current location and travel patterns should influence your carrier choice more than brand recognition.
T-Mobile Network (Tello): T-Mobile offers the fastest 5G speeds in most urban areas and has significantly improved rural coverage. The network performs exceptionally well for streaming, gaming, and general internet use. If T-Mobile works well in your area, Tello provides the best value proposition.
Verizon Network (US Mobile): Verizon maintains the most extensive rural coverage, making it ideal for users who travel frequently or live in less populated areas. The network's reliability during emergencies and in remote locations is unmatched.
AT&T Network (Boost/Cricket): AT&T's network offers good coverage but MVNOs on this network typically receive heavy deprioritization. Both Boost and Cricket users frequently report slower speeds during busy periods, making this network less appealing for budget MVNOs.
Cost Comparison Analysis
Let's examine the real costs over 12 months for various options under $20:
Current Boost Mobile Plans:
- $15/month plan: 5GB data, limited hotspot
- Annual cost: $180
- $15/month plan: 2GB data, no hotspot
- $20/month plan: 5GB data, limited hotspot
- Annual cost: $180-240
- $14/month plan: 5GB data, unlimited hotspot
- Annual cost: $168
- Savings: $12-72 annually
- $15/month plan: 10GB data, premium network access
- Annual cost: $180
- Value: Double the data for same price
Real-World Performance Differences
Customer experiences highlight the practical differences between these carriers:
Boost Mobile User Experience: Users frequently report customer service frustrations, billing issues, and inconsistent network performance. The recent network migration has created additional complications, with some users experiencing service interruptions during the transition.
Cricket Wireless Experience: Cricket users often complain about throttled speeds during peak hours, limited customer service availability, and restrictions on device compatibility. The carrier's video streaming limitations and hotspot restrictions frustrate users who expect modern connectivity features.
Tello User Experience: Tello customers consistently praise the carrier's transparency, flexible billing, and responsive customer service. The unlimited hotspot feature alone provides functionality that neither Boost nor Cricket matches at comparable prices.
US Mobile Experience: Users appreciate US Mobile's premium network access, excellent customer service, and innovative features like network switching. The carrier's perks program and priority data access create a postpaid-like experience at prepaid prices.
Why Trust Our Analysis? We evaluate carriers on 11 data-driven criteria including network performance, customer service quality, plan flexibility, pricing transparency, and security features. Our rankings are based on extensive testing, user feedback analysis, and direct carrier evaluation — not paid placements.
Making the Switch: Step-by-Step Process
If you decide to leave Boost Mobile, follow these steps for a smooth transition:
Before You Switch:
Switching Process:
Post-Switch Tasks:
Special Considerations for Specific User Types
Heavy Data Users: Choose Tello's unlimited plan ($19) with unlimited hotspot over Cricket's restricted options. The T-Mobile network handles heavy usage better than AT&T's deprioritized MVNO traffic.
Rural Users: Consider US Mobile on Verizon's network for superior rural coverage, even if it costs slightly more than your current Boost plan.
International Callers: Tello offers competitive international calling rates and plan add-ons, while Cricket's international options are limited and expensive.
Multiple Lines: US Mobile provides better family plan discounts, while Tello's individual plan flexibility works well for mixed usage households.
Best Phone to Pair With This Plan
If you need an unlocked phone that works perfectly with 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
The Bottom Line
Don't upgrade from Boost Mobile to Cricket Wireless — you'd be trading one mediocre carrier for another equally problematic option. Instead, switch to Tello for $8-19/month on T-Mobile's superior network, gaining unlimited hotspot, better customer service, and plan flexibility. If you need Verizon coverage, US Mobile's $15 plan provides 10GB with priority data access. Both options dramatically outperform Boost and Cricket while saving you money or providing significantly better value.
Your current under-$20 budget can deliver premium MVNO service with carriers that score 9.5/11 instead of settling for 6/11 mediocrity. Make the smart switch to a carrier that respects your time, money, and connectivity needs.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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