Boost Mobile vs. Cricket Wireless: Which Prepaid Carrier Is Right for You?

If you're comparing Boost Mobile vs Cricket Wireless, here's the short version: both can save you a lot of money compared to major postpaid carriers, but they shine in different areas.

Boost Mobile is usually the better pick for solo users who want the cheapest possible plan and flexible pricing. Cricket Wireless makes more sense for families, people who want in-store support, or anyone who prefers AT&T’s network with simpler plan options.

This guide gives you the quick answer up front, then breaks down the details so you can confidently decide which carrier actually fits your life.

Boost Mobile vs. Cricket Wireless: Quick Verdict

Choose Boost Mobile if you want the lowest starting prices, flexible prepaid options, and access to T-Mobile’s strong 5G network.

Choose Cricket Wireless if you want better family-plan value, physical stores for support, and included Canada/Mexico usage.

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Both Boost Mobile and Cricket Wireless are MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators). That just means they use larger carriers’ cell towers instead of building their own network. You still get access to major coverage networks, but usually at much lower prices and without contracts or credit checks.

Pricing: Which Carrier Is Actually Cheaper?

For single-line users, Boost Mobile usually wins on price.

Boost’s unlimited plans start around $10/month, while Cricket’s cheapest unlimited option typically starts around $15/month. Cricket does offer autopay savings, but Boost still tends to be cheaper overall for individuals.

Typical Single-Line Pricing

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Where Cricket gets interesting is family plans.

A family of four on Cricket’s Unlimited plan can often land around $100/month total, which dramatically changes the value equation. Boost doesn’t offer the same level of aggressive multi-line discounts.

Bottom line:

• Solo users: Boost is usually cheaper
• Families: Cricket often delivers better value overall

Cricket also gives most plans a $5/month autopay discount, which helps narrow the gap a bit.

Network Coverage: Which Carrier Has Better Signal?

This is where things get surprisingly close.

For most customers today, both Boost Mobile and Cricket Wireless run primarily on AT&T’s network. That means overall coverage is very similar in most parts of the U.S.

That’s a major shift for Boost Mobile, which historically used Sprint’s network and later leaned heavily on T-Mobile.

So is there any real difference?

Mostly, it comes down to network prioritization.

• Cricket Wireless generally operates at QCI 8 on AT&T
• Boost’s AT&T access is also typically QCI 8
• Some Boost customers may also connect to T-Mobile’s network depending on the device and plan

In plain English: when the network gets crowded, prepaid customers may temporarily experience slower speeds compared to premium postpaid customers.

Most people won’t notice this often. But if you live in a packed downtown area, stadium-heavy city, or congested suburban area, it can matter.

Before switching, it’s smart to check coverage at the ZIP-code level instead of relying on nationwide maps.

You can use Goji’s coverage map tool to compare coverage in your specific area.

Plans & Data: What Do You Actually Get?

Boost Mobile offers more flexibility. Cricket Wireless offers more simplicity.

Boost Mobile Plans

Boost has:

• Cheaper entry-level plans
• Limited-data options
• Multi-month prepaid discounts
• More plan variety overall

You can find plans as low as $15–$25/month depending on promotions and prepaid terms.

Boost is a better fit for:

• Budget shoppers
• Light-data users
• People comfortable comparing multiple options

View Boost Mobile’s plans here. 

Cricket Wireless Plans

Cricket keeps things simpler with a smaller lineup of plans.

That’s actually a good thing for many people. Less confusion. Less decision fatigue. Fewer “wait… what does this one include?” moments.

Cricket is a better fit for:

• Families
• Users who want simplicity
• People who don’t want to compare 20 different plans

View Cricket Wireless’s plans here. 

Speed Caps & Throttling

This is one of the bigger differences between the two carriers.

Some Cricket plans cap speeds at lower levels, sometimes around 8 Mbps depending on the plan.

Boost generally gives users full-speed data until they hit their high-speed allotment, after which speeds can slow dramatically.

That matters most for:

• Streaming video
• Gaming
• Heavy hotspot use
• Large downloads

Hotspot Features Compared

Hotspot access is one area where plan details really matter.

Boost Mobile Hotspot

• Included with Unlimited Premium and Unlimited Plus.

Cricket Wireless Hotspot

• Included on higher-tier unlimited plans
• Cricket Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot includes:
  
  • 15GB hotspot data
  • Unlimited hotspot afterward at slower 2G speeds

If hotspot matters a lot to you, Boost usually gives more flexibility and larger hotspot allowances.

5G Access: Does It Matter With These Carriers?

Yes — but probably not in the way most ads make it sound.

Both Boost Mobile and Cricket Wireless offer 5G access.

• Cricket uses AT&T’s 5G network
• Boost can access T-Mobile’s 5G network and AT&T’s network depending on your setup

T-Mobile currently has one of the largest and strongest 5G networks in the U.S., which gives Boost a potential advantage in some areas.

That said, for everyday activities like:

• scrolling social media
• streaming music
• using maps
• browsing the web

…the difference between LTE and 5G often feels pretty small.

5G matters most for:

• hotspot usage
• crowded urban areas
• future-proofing your phone

Also important: you need a 5G-compatible phone to actually use 5G service.

Phone Compatibility & Device Selection

Both carriers support BYOD (bring your own device).

As long as your phone is:

• unlocked
• GSM-compatible
• supported by the carrier

…you can usually switch pretty easily.

One thing to watch for: older Boost phones from the Sprint era may not work properly on today’s network setup.

Both Boost and Cricket also sell phones directly:

• iPhones
• Samsung Galaxy devices
• Budget Android phones
• Mid-range devices

Neither carrier matches the giant flagship inventory or financing options of the big postpaid carriers, but that’s pretty normal for prepaid providers.

Also worth knowing:

• Phones purchased through either carrier are usually locked initially
• Unlock requirements vary by carrier and payment status

Customer Support: In-Store vs. Online

This is one of Cricket’s clearest advantages.

Cricket Wireless has a much stronger physical retail presence, including stores connected to AT&T.

Boost has some retail locations too, but it leans more heavily on:

• online support
• phone support
• self-service account management

If you’re the kind of person who wants to walk into a store when something goes wrong, Cricket is probably the safer choice.

If you’re comfortable managing everything online, the difference may not matter much.

Neither approach is inherently better. It really comes down to how hands-on you want your wireless experience to be.

International Coverage: Cricket Has an Edge

This is an area where Cricket quietly stands out.

Many Cricket unlimited plans include:

• Canada usage
• Mexico usage
• international texting

…at no extra charge (with fair-use limits).

That’s a huge perk for:

• frequent travelers
• border-area residents
• people with family in Canada or Mexico

Boost offers international features too, but they usually come as:

• add-ons
• upgraded plans
• optional features like Todo Mexico

For international usage, Cricket is generally the easier and more valuable option.

Pros and Cons

Boost Mobile Pros

• Lower starting prices
• Strong value for single lines
• Access to T-Mobile’s strong 5G network
• Flexible prepaid options
• Larger hotspot allowances on some plans

Boost Mobile Cons

• Family discounts are weaker
• Retail presence is smaller
• Plan lineup can feel confusing
• Older Sprint-era compatibility issues

Cricket Wireless Pros

• Excellent family-plan pricing
• Strong retail/in-store support
• Reliable AT&T coverage
• Canada & Mexico usage included on many plans
• Simpler plan structure

Cricket Wireless Cons

• More expensive for solo users
• Some plans have speed caps
• Hotspot access is limited to higher tiers
• Less flexibility in pricing options

Who Should Choose Each Carrier?

Choose Boost Mobile if:

• You’re a solo user on a budget
• You want the cheapest entry-level pricing
• You like flexible prepaid options
• You want access to T-Mobile’s 5G network

Choose Cricket Wireless if:

• You need 2+ lines
• You want in-store support
• You regularly travel to Canada or Mexico
• You prefer simpler plan choices

Consider other options if:

• You need the absolute best rural coverage
• You want premium data priority
• You’re a very heavy data user

If you want to compare Boost, Cricket, and dozens of other carriers side-by-side, Goji makes it much easier to see which plans actually fit your usage and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boost Mobile better than Cricket Wireless?

It depends on your needs. Boost is usually better for cheaper single-line plans, while Cricket is often better for families and people who want in-store support.

Do Boost Mobile and Cricket use the same network?

Mostly, yes. Cricket uses AT&T’s network, and many Boost customers also use AT&T’s network today, though some Boost users may connect to T-Mobile as well.

Can I keep my phone if I switch to Boost or Cricket?

Usually yes, as long as your phone is unlocked and compatible with the carrier’s network.

Which carrier has better 5G?

Boost may have an advantage in some areas because of access to T-Mobile’s strong 5G network, but both carriers offer solid 5G coverage overall.

Can I switch from Boost to Cricket (or vice versa) and keep my number?

Yes. Both carriers support number porting, so you can usually keep your existing phone number when switching.