Boost Infinite vs. Cricket Wireless: Which carrier is better?

Boost Infinite and Cricket Wireless are popular MVNOs that offer amazing deals for their customers to choose from. Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s put them head to head and see which brand comes out on top. 

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:

• What the coverage of both carriers looks like
• How prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Coverage & Reception

Boost Infinite is on several networks, and Cricket Wireless is on the AT&T network. 

Boost Infinite and Cricket Wireless are mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Cricket Wireless is an MVNO of AT&T, and Boost Infinite is an MVNO of AT&T, T-Mobile, and Dish. This means that if you choose Boost Infinite, you can choose which network you use when you sign up for your plan. Their Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans allow you to switch between services whenever you choose. 

Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers. 

However, T-Mobile’s 5G coverage and access is hailed as the best coverage overall. 

Plan Options

Boost Infinite offers three unlimited plans, while Cricket Wireless offers premium data. 

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Cricket offers premium data, which does not slow down no matter the amount of network traffic. Boost Infinite offers three unlimited plans with varying features. Both companies deprioritize data, meaning you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and sports arenas.

Boost Infinite Plans

Boost Infinite offers 3 unlimited plans for its users. 

Boost Infinite is a postpaid service, meaning you pay for the previous month of service after you use it. They offer 3 unlimited plans, with one allowing for a new iPhone upgrade each year. Additional add-ons, like hotspot access and extra high speed data, cost $10 per month. Their QCI tier is 7 on T-Mobile, 8 on AT&T, and 9 on Dish. With their Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans, you can switch between which service you use whenever you want. However, the regular Infinite Unlimited plan only allows you to choose one and stick with it. 

You can have up to 5 lines on an account. If you purchase your phone from Boost Infinite, your device will be locked until you pay off your phone. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not with the advertised price. 

Infinite Unlimited

This plan offers 30GB of high speed data. 

This plan offers 30GB of high speed data before slowing to unlimited data at 512kbps, or 3G speeds. 3G speeds still allow you to browse the internet and send texts or emails, but streaming videos may be more difficult. The plan does not include hotspot access, but an add-on is available for $10 per month. You can use up to 30GB in hotspot data with the add-on. 

The plan costs $25 per month. At this rate, you get 30GB at $0.83 per GB. 

Infinite Unlimited Plus

This plan allows you to trade for a new iPhone when you sign up.  

This plan also offers 30GB of high speed data before slowing to unlimited 3G speeds. This plan doesn’t have hotspot access, but an add-on is available to add so you can use up to 30GB. You can also trade for a new iPhone when you sign up. 

The plan costs $50 per month. At this rate, you get 30GB at $1.66 per GB. 

Infinite Access for iPhone

This plan includes the latest iPhone each year. 

Like their other plans, this plan offers 30GB of high speed data before slowing to unlimited 3G speeds. This plan doesn’t have hotspot access, but an add-on is available to add so you can use up to 30GB. Every year, this plan allows you to get the newest iPhone available. When you sign up, there's no trade-in required to get access to the latest tech. 

The plan costs $60 per month. At this rate, you get 30GB at $2 per GB.

Cricket Wireless Plans

Cricket Wireless offers premium data on several of its plans.

Cricket Wireless offers 4 plans, with 2 limited and 2 unlimited plans respectively. They offer premium data, but it will run out on limited plans due to data caps.

Some plans allow hotspot access, while others require you to purchase an additional add-on in order to use it. 

As an AT&T MVNO, Cricket Wireless’s QCI tier is tier 8. Their unlimited base plan is on tier 9. If you purchase your phone from Cricket Wireless, your device will be locked for 6 months after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are included with the advertised price. You can also add up to 5 lines on a plan.

5GB 

This plan has 5GB of premium data.

This plan offers 5GB of premium data, which doesn’t slow down during high traffic. After, your connection slows down to 128 kbps, or 2G, speeds. With these speeds, you can send texts and emails or browse the internet. It will be difficult to stream video or play games without WiFi, however. This plan does not come with hotspot access or the ability to add access. 

The plan costs $30 per month, with no available Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 5GB at $6 per GB. 

10GB 

This plan gives you premium data. 

This plan gives you 10GB of premium data, which slows down to 128 kbps, or 2G speeds after the cap. This plan does not include hotspot access, but can be added for $10 per month. You’ll get 10GB per month to use as hotspot data. 

The plan costs $40 per month before the $5 discount. At this rate, you get 10GB at $4 per GB. 

Unlimited 

This plan gives you unlimited data, but deprioritized. 

Cricket Wireless’s Unlimited plan offers unlimited data that does not slow down after any cap. However, the data you get is deprioritized, which means you’ll experience slower speeds during times of high congestion. The plan does not include hotspot access, but Cricket Wireless offers an add-on for 10GB of hotspot data for $10 per month. The hotspot stops after the 10GB are used. 

The plan costs $55 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. 

Unlimited + 15GB Hotspot 

This plan gives you unlimited premium data and access to 15GB of hotspot data included. 

As Cricket Wireless’s biggest plan, you get unlimited premium data. This means your data will not slow down no matter the traffic in the area and how much data you use. You also get 15GB of hotspot data, then unlimited hotspot data after this 15GB cap. Your speed will slow to 2G speeds after the cap. The plan also includes several features discussed below. 

The plan costs $60 per month before the $5 Autopay discount.

Features

Both carriers offer more features on their bigger plans.  

If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Cricket Wireless includes domestic roaming access, but in limited areas. Boost Infinite does not offer this feature. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Boost Infinite’s Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans include talk, text, and data to Mexico and Canada. To get talk, text, and data to Mexico and Canada on their Infinite Unlimited plan, users can purchase an additional add-on for $10 per month. Cricket Wireless offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada. They also offer data included in Mexico and Canada with their Unlimited + 15GB hotspot and Unlimited plans, as well as new accounts that purchase their 10GB plan. 

International Connection

Boost Infinite’s Infinite Unlimited Plus and Infinite Access for iPhone plans include international talk and text. To get international talk and text on their Infinite Unlimited plan, there is an additional add-on users can purchase for $10 per month. Cricket Wireless offers international text included with their Unlimited + 15GB hotspot and Unlimited plans. They also offer an add-on for international calling.  

Video Streaming Quality

All Boost Infinite and Cricket Wireless plans stream at 480p Standard Definition. 

Streaming Services

Cricket Wireless offers an ad-supported Max plan on their Unlimited + 15GB hotspot plan. Boost Infinite does not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Cricket Wireless offers 150GB of cloud storage using the myPhotoVault app on their Unlimited + 15GB plan. Boost Infinite does not offer this feature.

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from either carrier, they allow you to pay for your device in installments over time. 

WiFi Calling

Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception.

Spam Protection

Cricket Wireless offers Cricket Call Defense with all plans. Boost Infinite does not offer this feature.

Free Trial

Boost Infinite and Cricket Wireless do not offer this feature.

Customer Service 

Boost Infinite does not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support, while Cricket Wireless offers several stores across the country. 

Boost Infinite is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. They offer support over the phone at (833) 212-6678. Cricket Wireless offers several stores across the country, and users can find the closest store to them with the website’s store locator. They also offer chat support from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mon. through Sat. and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. They also offer support over the phone at 1-800-CRICKET (274-2538) from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon. through Sat.   

The Verdict

The better deal depends on what you need.

Cricket Wireless offers more features included with their plans, such as premium data, hotspot access, and cloud storage. However, if you’re looking for a new device, go with Boost Infinite to take advantage of their Infinite Access for iPhone plan. 

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

Really.com helps users compare between features, coverage, price, reviews, and more!

Are you still unsure which carrier to choose, or which phone plan to pick? Use really.com to compare your top choices and find the best deal to fit your needs. Really allows you to compare and sort between most phone plans on the market without the hassle!