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

Even if you only know Cricket Wireless by name, you’ve almost certainly its colorful commercials. They’re the ones with vibrant characters that look like friendlier versions of Cousin Itt. Well, the carrier is banking on those memorable ads and backing them up with savings. Cricket has doubled its subscriber count since joining AT&T, but there’s a lot more to learn about the MVNO.

See also: The best Cricket Wireless deals

Cricket Wireless only offers prepaid plans, 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 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 10 million subscribers, up from five million prior to 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 a 4G LTE network in all 50 states and uses the aforementioned carrier’s network. While it doesn’t reach the entire US, its 4G and 3G networks help to provide a solid blanket of service. 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 options on Cricket Wireless, so don’t expect any contracts when you make the switch. Each plan is primarily identified by its data cap, but you can add a variety of 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.

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 simply 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. Extra data and the per-line discount are the only differences though — there’s still no streaming or hotspot available.

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. Along with unlimited LTE data access, Core includes standard definition (480p) streaming and international texting to 37 countries. You can use your talk, text, and data in Canada and Mexico too, 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 is also your best bet for high-speed data as it’s the only option with 5G access.

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, it doesn’t take much effort to add a few extra features. Each one 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:

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 certain 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 the 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 want to use 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 on a recurring basis.

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. 

Which Cricket Wireless plan is right for you?

If you’re preparing to make the switch, it’s tough to top the Cricket Core — or basic unlimited — plan. There’s the obvious draw of unlimited data, but you also get benefits like 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.

You won’t get a hotspot with 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 it includes 5G access.

Cricket Wireless vs the competition

As an MVNO, it seems unfair to compare the best Cricket has to offer 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. All of the plans we’re comparing are 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 of the 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 really 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 a brand-new unlimited plan or $45 per month gets you 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 way of 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

Google Fi isn’t owned by a single carrier, and that’s good news for you when it comes to service. The hybrid MVNO uses T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular towers to constantly switch to the best signal available. Fi supports an absolutely massive list of phones, covering options from many major US manufacturers as well as Huawei and even Red Hydrogen.

As for the plan, Google Fi’s unlimited 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.

Highlights:

• Impressive phone support.
• Plenty of international connection.
• 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 a variety of 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 a number of 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, but that doesn’t mean its phone options are too limited. While there are plenty of budget-friendly options — which maintain the affordable theme — Cricket also has many of the latest and greatest devices on the market, at least from Apple anyway.

You can pick up either the iPhone 12 or iPhone SE, and highlights on the Android side include the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and LG Stylo 6. If you want to bring your own phone, you’ll want to take extra caution in making sure it works with Cricket Wireless. Cricket used to be 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:

• Best Android phones
• Best cheap Android phones
• Best Cricket phones