Cricket Wireless buyer's guide: Plans, pricing, and more

Even if you’re not familiar with Cricket Wireless, you’ve undoubtedly seen the carrier’s commercials. They’re the ones with animated characters that look like they’re straight out of a Pixar flick. Well, the carrier is hoping you take those ads to heart and is backing them up with savings. Cricket has doubled its subscriber count since joining AT&T, but there’s a lot more to learn about Cricket Wireless plans before you sign up.

See also: The best Cricket Wireless deals

Cricket Wireless sticks to prepaid service, so we’ll take you through all of the options and the best phones you can get. As an MVNO, there are some unique aspects to Cricket Wireless, and we’ll touch on a few alternatives that use Big Blue’s network. Are you ready to see what all of the excitement is about? Let’s talk Cricket and take a look at the best Cricket Wireless plans.

Cricket Wireless at a glance

As we’ve alluded to, Cricket Wireless is an MVNO that joined the AT&T family in 2014 as part of a merger with AIO wireless. The carrier currently serves a base of 12.4 million subscribers, up from five million before the merger. Cricket isn’t Better Business Bureau accredited though it does have an A-plus rating. 

Once upon a time, Cricket had its own small regional network. These days, thanks to its affiliation with AT&T, Cricket Wireless has access to a robust network in all 50 states and uses the carrier’s 4G LTE and 5G towers. It took a while for Cricket to join AT&T’s 5G network, but now it has a new slate of devices on offer. You can finally tap into faster speeds at low prices following an extended rollout. You can use third-party coverage throughout southern Canada, and Cricket has veins of LTE coverage throughout Mexico.

If you want to learn more about the coverage network, check out the North American map here.

Pre-paid Cricket Wireless plans

There are no post-paid plans on Cricket Wireless, so don’t expect any contracts when you make the switch. Its data cap primarily identifies each plan, but you can add various extra goodies to flesh out your experience. Check out the table below for more details:

2GB Plan

Simple name, simple plan — at least that’s the idea behind the 2GB option. As the name suggests, you’ll get 2GB of 4G LTE data access per month along with unlimited talk and text. Cricket’s 2GB plan also supports HD Voice and Wi-Fi calling if you have a compatible phone. Beyond that, you can add another gig of data as needed for a fee. Each line of 2GB service runs at a constant $30 per month rate. Cricket has also added 5G access to all of its plans and removed the long-standing 8Mbps speed cap from its most affordable options.

Highlights:

• Enough data for low-limit users.
• Unlimited talk and text at a low price.

Best for:

• Users who want to talk and text on a budget.
• Users who spend most of their time on Wi-Fi.

10GB Plan

2GB of data isn’t enough for everyone, so you may want to jump to the 10GB Cricket plan if you need to stay connected on the go. Luckily, each line is more affordable than the last, so five times the data is well worth the extra fee. Additional data and the per-line discount are the only differences, though — there’s still no streaming or hotspot available. However, you still get access to 5G as mentioned above without the 8Mbps cap.

Highlights:

• Five times more data at a low cost.
• Discount for each line you add.

Best for:

• Users who plan to use data and don’t want to pay per gig.
• Users who don’t need a hotspot and would rather stream on a TV.

Cricket Core Plan

The Core plan is Cricket Wireless’s best option for most people — it offers plenty of unlimited functions, but you don’t have to pay for a hotspot if you don’t want one. Core includes standard definition (480p) streaming and international texting to 37 countries and unlimited LTE data access. You can also use your talk, text, and data in Canada and Mexico as long as you just more than 50% of your plan in the US.

Highlights:

• Unlimited data, talk, and text.
• Streaming in standard definition.

Best for:

• Users who plan to text other countries.
• Users who want the option of hotspot and streaming.

Cricket More Plan

The most expensive Cricket plan of the lot, Cricket More, is just like Core except it includes 15GB of hotspot access for just $5 more. It’s the more affordable option if you know you’ll need that extra data each month, and it packs all of the same perks as Cricket Core. Streaming is still limited to standard definition, but it’s always nice to know that your plan will work for trips to Canada or Mexico. Cricket More also comes with a new slate of perks at just $60 per month. You can test out ad-supported HBO Max and get your shopping on with a one-year membership to Sam’s Club.

Highlights:

• Usage in Canada and Mexico, up to 50%.
• 15GB of included hotspot access.

Best for:

• Users who plan to make the most of the included hotspot.
• North American travelers who want to stay connected with a single plan.

Add-on options

Although some of Cricket’s basic plans are bare, adding a few extra features doesn’t take much effort. Each comes at a cost, but these add-ons cover everything from an extra gig of data to international access. Check out the table for the specifics of each add-on.

Here’s what each add-on includes:

Bark Jr and Bark Premium

Cricket’s new partnership with Bark means that you can get free access to manage your kids’ screen time and filter websites to keep them safe. You can even sign up for Bark Premium, which adds email monitoring and monitoring across more than 30 apps to the mix for just $9.99 per month.

International

As long as you’ve set up a plan that costs $40 per month or more, Cricket International will let you dial landline numbers in 35 countries. You can cancel at any time.

International Extra

International Extra adds pictures and video calling to the mix for all 35 countries, and you can dial mobile numbers in 31 of those countries for up to 1,000 minutes.

Individual Countries

If you have relatives in a particular country that does not fall within the 35 international options, you can add select nations for a varying fee. Available countries include much of Central America as well as the Philippines and Vietnam. Plans include varying talk minutes and typically unlimited texting.

Add 1GB of data

Mainly designed for limited data plans, this add-on kicks your cap from 2GB to 3GB or from 10GB to 11GB. You can add it just once or on a recurring monthly basis.

Hotspot

Although Cricket More includes 15GB of hotspot data, this add-on grants the same amount to the Core plan. It’s helpful if you only want to use a hotspot for one month, but you may be better off with the More plan if you’re going to use a hotspot often.

Hotspot add-ons

If 15GB isn’t enough for your needs, you can add another 15GB to either the Core or More plans. Just like the standard hotspot addition, you can add it one time or regularly.

Does Cricket have any perks?

While there are no fancy perks on Cricket like free Netflix or anything, one of its more important perks is its Group Save discount.

It’s not as generous with savings as it once was, but you can save $10 on a second line and $20 more per line. There is a limit to the savings — after the fifth phone, there are no more discounts. When it’s all said and done, you’re looking at four lines of data for your family with a monthly bill of just $100 — not an easy price to top.

Which Cricket Wireless plan is right for you?

If you’re ready to make a move, it’s tough to top the Cricket Core — or basic unlimited — plan. There’s the obvious draw of unlimited data, but you also benefit from standard-definition streaming and usage in Canada and Mexico that can’t exceed 50%. You can text your friends in 37 countries, and once you have more than three lines, the Cricket Core plan costs less than the 10GB alternative. Cricket’s affordable plans are now more enticing than ever with 5G and the removal of the 8Mbps cap.

You won’t get a hotspot with the $55 per month Cricket Core, but you can always add one for an extra monthly fee. If you know that you’ll absolutely need that hotspot, opt for Cricket More, as it will save you $5 per month and give you access to sweet perks like HBO Max.

Cricket Wireless vs the competition

As an MVNO, it seems unfair to compare the best Cricket offers with the best that Verizon and AT&T can do. Instead, we’ll stack it against a few of the other MVNOs on each network. We’re comparing all of the plans featured in the Best prepaid and no-contract plans in the US if you want to do a bit more research.

Visible

Visible, like Cricket, is a wholly-owned subsidiary carrier. However, it relies on the Verizon network and swaps some perks for a lower base price. There’s only one plan to choose from, and it offers unlimited talk, text, and data. The plan also allows for hotspot access, and you can finally call internationally and tap into Verizon’s Nationwide 5G.

Party Pay is what sets Visible apart, as you can join as many friends as you please, and each of you will pay as little as $25 per month. One late payer doesn’t hurt the others, and you’ll all save money. Visible has no physical stores, though, so customer service can be a challenge.

Highlights:

• One plan, one rate.
• Everything is unlimited.

Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile is a true MVNO, owned by Ryan Reynolds himself rather than a larger carrier. It offers an unlimited plan, or you can pay $25 per month for 15GB of 4G LTE or 5G access — whichever is stronger. You can call Mexico and Canada at no extra charge, and you can dedicate as much of your data to the hotspot as you please.

Unlike some carriers that charge you for a SIM card when you switch, Mint includes one that you can punch out to any of three sizes. You won’t get much by streaming perks or add-ons, but Mint is an affordable and fast option on T-Mobile’s network.

Highlights:

• Up to unlimited 4G LTE or 5G data per month.
• Calling to Mexico and Canada included.

Google Fi

A single carrier doesn’t own Google Fi, and that’s good news for you regarding service. The hybrid MVNO uses T-Mobile, the remains of Sprint, and US Cellular towers to switch to the best signal available constantly. Fi supports a massive list of phones, covering options from many major US manufacturers and Huawei and even Red Hydrogen.

As for the plan, Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan is a great international option. You can call over 50 countries and territories for free, and contact with other areas can start at just one penny. Each line gets unlimited data up to 22GB, a Google One membership, and full-speed hotspot tethering. You can also try Simply Unlimited for a US-based experience.

Highlights:

• Exceptional phone support.
• Plenty of international access.
• Google One membership included.

Other MVNOs with similar service to Cricket Wireless 

Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular is a network designed for users over 55. You can have up to three lines on an account, and an AARP membership can help you nab a discount. Plans offer unlimited talk and text, though it’s up to you to decide on data. There’s no international access or roaming, though, to help protect against extra fees.

Straight Talk

Straight Talk is a popular MVNO, and signing up is as easy as going to Walmart. You can also sign up online and choose from various plans, both with limited and unlimited data. Like many MVNOs, you can pay monthly and reload your account as you need more data. Best of all, basic plans start at just $30 per month.

Red Pocket

Red Pocket is unique among MVNOs in that it works on all of the major carriers. However, you’ll choose your carrier at signup, and then you’re locked in for the duration of your service. Once again, there are limited and unlimited options, and it’s easy to bring a phone along, thanks to the network choices.

Tracfone

Tracfone is one of the oldest and best-known MVNOs on the market, and its staying power speaks volumes. You can choose from several plans with limited or unlimited talk, text, and data. Add-ons are another great way to flesh out your service for an added cost.

What phones can you use on Cricket Wireless?

Cricket Wireless is an MVNO, making it a great way to get your hands on a budget device. There are certainly plenty to choose from, but Cricket has many of the latest and greatest devices on the market, too.

You can pick up either the iPhone 13 or iPhone XR, and highlights on the Android side include the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G and Motorola One 5G. If you want to bring your own phone, you’ll want to take extra caution in making sure it works with Cricket Wireless. Cricket was previously a CDMA carrier like Verizon and Sprint — at least until AT&T stepped in. Now it’s a GSM carrier, so you can bring phones from AT&T or T-Mobile.

See also: The best Cricket phones to spend your money on

If you purchase a Cricket device and then decide to leave the network, you’ll have to wait six months unless you’re heading to AT&T. The most important factor in changing carriers is band support, as always. If your device doesn’t support the right bands, then you’re all out of luck. Check the table below for the list of Cricket Wireless bands:

Find the right phone by checking out one of the guides below:

• The best Android phones
• The best cheap Android phones