Should I Upgrade From Boost Mobile To Cricket Wireless If Under $40 - Complete Guide

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If you're spending under $40 a month on Boost Mobile and wondering whether Cricket Wireless is a better deal, you're asking exactly the right question — but the answer might surprise you. Neither carrier is the clear winner at that price point, and there are stronger alternatives worth considering before you make any switch.

Boost Mobile vs. Cricket Wireless: The Quick Comparison

Before diving deep, here's how these two carriers stack up on paper:

Feature	Boost Mobile	Cricket Wireless
Our Score	6/11	6/11
Network	AT&T	AT&T
Starting Price	~$15/mo	~$25/mo
Unlimited Plan	~$25–$35/mo	~$30–$40/mo
Hotspot Included	Limited	Yes (limited)
Data Deprioritization	Yes	Yes
Data Breach History	Yes	Yes

Both carriers sit at 6 out of 11 in our independent rankings. They're tied — and that tie tells you a lot. At nearly every price point under $40, you're getting similar coverage, similar data caps, and similar trade-offs with either provider.

What You Actually Get From Boost Mobile Under $40

Boost Mobile operates on the AT&T network, which gives it solid coverage across the country, particularly in suburban and rural areas. For under $40 a month, Boost offers plans that include unlimited talk and text, with varying data allowances depending on the tier you choose.

The catch with Boost is that it has a history of ownership instability — it was sold from Sprint to Dish Network, and more recently sold again, creating uncertainty about long-term service quality. Customer service reviews are mixed, and data speeds can slow significantly during peak hours due to network deprioritization. Boost also has a history of data security incidents, which is worth factoring in if you care about protecting your personal information.

Boost Mobile Pros and Cons

What You Actually Get From Cricket Wireless Under $40

Cricket Wireless is also an AT&T MVNO — in fact, it's owned directly by AT&T, which means it uses the exact same network as Boost but with AT&T's backing. This ownership structure provides more stability than Boost, and Cricket has a reasonably solid reputation for straightforward pricing.

For under $40, Cricket's plans typically offer unlimited talk and text with a capped or limited data tier. Cricket does include a hotspot on many plans, which is a genuine advantage over Boost at similar price points. However, Cricket customers are always deprioritized below AT&T's postpaid customers, meaning your speeds can suffer during congestion. Cricket also has its own history of data security concerns.

Cricket Wireless Pros and Cons

Should You Switch From Boost to Cricket?

Here's the honest answer: probably not, at least not without exploring better options first.

Switching from Boost to Cricket means moving from one 6/11 carrier to another 6/11 carrier on the same AT&T network. You might get marginally more plan stability with Cricket due to AT&T's ownership, and taxes are sometimes included in Cricket's advertised prices (making real costs slightly more predictable). But you're not getting a meaningfully better experience for your money.

If your Boost plan is working fine for your coverage needs and you're comfortable with the price, the inconvenience of switching — porting your number, potentially buying a new SIM, adjusting auto-pay — may not be worth it for a lateral move. If Boost is not working for you, that's a sign to look elsewhere entirely, not just cross the street to Cricket.

The real question isn't "Boost or Cricket?" It's "why are you still paying for a 6/11 carrier when 9.5/11 and 10/11 options exist at the same price or less?"

Better Alternatives Under $40 a Month

If you're already considering switching, you might as well switch to something significantly better. Here are the carriers that consistently outperform both Boost and Cricket at the same price point.

Tello — 9.5/11 (T-Mobile Network)

Tello is one of the most underrated MVNOs in the US. It scores 9.5 out of 11 in our rankings and runs on the T-Mobile network, which has the largest 5G footprint in the country. Tello's plans start as low as $8 a month, and a fully featured unlimited plan runs just $25 a month — all with no data breaches on record and unlimited hotspot data included.

What makes Tello exceptional under $40 is the flexibility. You can build a custom plan with exactly the data you need — 1GB, 5GB, 10GB, unlimited — and pay only for what you use. There's no bloat, no retail markup, and no corporate instability to worry about. For most users comparing Boost and Cricket, Tello will deliver a faster network, a lower price, and a better overall experience. You can learn more in our full Tello plan breakdown.

Visible — 10/11 (Verizon Network)

Visible earns our top score of 10 out of 11 and is one of the best values in prepaid wireless. At just $25 a month with taxes included, Visible gives you unlimited data on Verizon's network — the carrier consistently rated #1 for network reliability in the US. There are no contracts, no surprise fees, and Visible has a spotless record with zero data breaches.

For anyone spending $30–$40 a month on Boost or Cricket, Visible is a direct upgrade in every measurable way. The same money (or less) gets you a better network, better data speeds, and a more trustworthy company. Visible is especially compelling if you're in a suburban or rural area where Verizon tends to outperform T-Mobile and AT&T.

US Mobile — 9.5/11 (All Three Networks)

US Mobile scores 9.5 out of 11 and is unique in that it lets you choose between Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T networks. If you're worried about leaving AT&T's coverage behind when switching from Boost or Cricket, US Mobile lets you stay on AT&T's network while still upgrading to a much better-run carrier. Prices start low and scale flexibly, and US Mobile has never had a data breach.

How to Decide: A Framework for Switching

Not every switch is right for every person. Here's a simple way to think through your decision:

Stay on Boost Mobile if: Your current plan costs under $20 a month, coverage is good in your area, and you're not having any service issues. The savings from switching may not justify the hassle.

Switch to Cricket Wireless if: You want slightly more plan predictability and AT&T coverage is essential in your area, but understand you're making a lateral move without significant improvement.

Switch to Tello if: You want the best value under $40, T-Mobile coverage is strong in your area, and you want unlimited hotspot without paying extra.

Switch to Visible if: You want the most reliable US network (Verizon) at a flat $25/month with no hidden fees, and simplicity matters to you.

Switch to US Mobile if: You want flexibility to stay on AT&T, move to Verizon, or try T-Mobile — all with one account and better service than either Boost or Cricket.

You can also use our prepaid plan finder tool to compare options based on your specific data needs and zip code.

What About Coverage? Does the Network Change Matter?

One of the most important factors when switching carriers is whether you're changing networks. Both Boost and Cricket run on AT&T. If you switch to Tello or Visible, you're moving to T-Mobile or Verizon respectively — which may be better or worse depending on where you live and work.

T-Mobile has invested heavily in 5G infrastructure and tends to perform best in urban and suburban markets. Verizon consistently leads in overall reliability rankings and performs well in rural areas. AT&T sits in the middle and is strong in certain regions, particularly the Southeast. Before switching, it's worth checking coverage maps for your specific area — especially if you travel frequently or have spotty service at home.

For more on how these networks compare, see our guide on choosing the best prepaid network for your area.

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 →

The Bottom Line

If you're asking whether you should upgrade from Boost Mobile to Cricket Wireless under $40 a month, the short answer is: it's not really an upgrade. Both carriers score 6/11 in our independent rankings, both run on AT&T's network, and both carry data security concerns. You'd be switching for the sake of switching.

The smarter move is to use this moment of consideration as a jumping-off point to find a genuinely better carrier. Tello at 9.5/11 offers incredible flexibility and value on T-Mobile's fast 5G network. Visible at 10/11 gives you Verizon's top-rated reliability for just $25 a month with taxes included. Either option represents a real upgrade — not just a brand change. If you're already taking the time to compare and consider switching, make it count.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Cricket Wireless better than Boost Mobile?

They are ranked equally at 6/11 in our independent carrier rankings. Cricket has slightly more stability due to AT&T ownership, but both run on the same AT&T network with similar deprioritization and data security concerns. For most users, it's not a meaningful upgrade.

Q: What is the cheapest good carrier under $40 a month?

Tello offers plans starting at $8/month with no data breaches and unlimited hotspot included. Visible provides a full unlimited Verizon plan for $25/month including taxes. Both score far higher than Boost or Cricket and cost less than $40.

Q: Will my Boost Mobile phone work on Cricket Wireless?

Since both Boost and Cricket use the AT&T network, most unlocked Boost phones will work on Cricket. However, you should confirm your device is unlocked and check Cricket's BYOD compatibility tool before switching.

Q: Does Cricket Wireless include hotspot?

Yes, Cricket includes limited hotspot data on most of its plans. Boost's hotspot availability varies by plan. For comparison, Tello includes unlimited hotspot on its unlimited plan — a clear advantage at similar price points.

Q: How do I check if Tello or Visible has coverage in my area?

You can visit each carrier's website to check their coverage maps. Tello uses T-Mobile's network, and Visible uses Verizon's network. Both have interactive maps where you can enter your zip code to verify service quality in your area.

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