Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
I’ve spent a significant portion of the past few years reporting on and testing various wireless service providers operating in the US market. As you might imagine, this has allowed me to form clear recommendations for just about every need — family plans, customer service, pricing, and more.
Considering postpaid and prepaid options together, there are dozens of choices available, yet only a handful of providers truly stand out enough to recur regularly in my recommendations. Some carriers are excluded because they don’t offer anything unique enough, others because they simply target too narrow of a niche.
After digging into reader comments on my coverage and Android Authority’s mobile service content in general, I noticed certain brands were frequently mentioned, with readers wondering why they were left out. Indeed, some carriers can be useful in specific situations but don’t often make mainstream recommendation lists due to limited appeal.
Here’s a closer look at a few commonly mentioned alternatives that I typically don’t highlight, examining who they’re for and whether you’re better off skipping them.
Boost Mobile
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
I remember a comment in my best US carrier guide earlier this year asking why Boost Mobile doesn’t get more attention from us, or really from the media in general.
I understand the confusion. On paper, Boost sounds appealing, with unlimited plans starting as low as $25 per month and premium postpaid options offering yearly flagship upgrades for iPhones or Galaxy devices at just $65 monthly. These prices significantly undercut Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile. However, looking deeper reveals issues.
One challenge is Boost’s unclear identity. While it now operates as a genuine postpaid provider with prepaid options, many still associate it with its budget prepaid legacy. Beyond perception, network consistency is a major concern.
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