Cricket Wireless vs AT&T: Which carrier is best?

We compared AT&T vs Cricket plans, coverage & customer ratings: Which cell phone service is best for you?
AT&T
$75/mo
Unlimited data
AT&T 5G & 4G networks
$900/yr Total cost
vs
$30/mo
2GB data
AT&T 5G & 4G networks
Save $540/yr
$40/mo
10GB data
AT&T 5G & 4G networks
Save $420/yr
$55/mo
Unlimited data
AT&T 5G & 4G networks
Save $240/yr
Cheap AT&T phone plans starting at $5/mo* -Compare Now
By
Rob Webber
Rob Webber

Rob Webber

Founder

About Rob

Rob has 15+ years experience running price comparison & review websites that empower consumers to find the cheapest cell phone services, cell phone deals, home phone, and internet providers available. He has been published in Forbes, US News, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc.

Rob's Expertise

5G wireless networks, cell phone plans, cell phone deals, MVNOs, internet services, tablets, comparison shopping, money saving, reviewing telecom products & services

- Last updated on January 20th, 2023

MoneySavingPro independently researches the products & services to bring you our recommendations. We may earn money when you click our links - disclosure policy.

Looking to switch carrier but not sure if Cricket Wireless or AT&T is better?

Within this guide, you'll be able to compare Cricket Wireless and AT&T coverage, features, plans and prices side-by-side, so you can decide for yourself which carrier offers the best deal.

Switch & Save $600/yr - Calculate Your Savings

Cricket Wireless vs AT&T comparison

Our Rating:
View Plans

Read our Cricket Wireless review

Our Rating:
AT&T Plans

Cricket Wireless

AT&T

Pros

  • Free talk and text with all plans

  • Unlimited data plans available

  • Available in retail stores

  • Multi-line discount available

Pros

  • Great network coverage

  • Fast data speeds

  • Decent value if you buy 4 lines

Cons

  • Fastest data speed capped at 8 Mbps

  • Mobile hotspot use costs extra

  • One of the few MVNOs that charge an activation fee

Cons

  • Very expensive

  • Limited range of plans

  • Unlimited' plans are not unlimited

  • Hidden fees and taxes

  • Unclear pricing


Cricket Wireless vs AT&T plans

Cricket Wireless plans start at $30 and AT&T plans start at $75. With no contract, you can get some of the cheapest cell phone plans when shopping for a deal with MVNO's like Cricket Wireless.

Cricket Wireless SIM card vertical

Cricket Wireless 2GB

  • AT&T 5G & 4G LTE network
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 2GB data
$30/mo
View Plans

This Cricket Wireless 2GB plan includes unlimited mins, unlimited texts and 2GB data for only $30 per month. Cricket Wireless plans offers wireless coverage on the AT&T 5G and 4G LTE network. Read Cricket Wireless review

Cricket Wireless plans

Plan

Data

Price

Cricket Wireless 10GB plan

10GB

$40/mo

Cricket Wireless unlimited data plan

Unlimited

$55/mo

Compare AT&T unlimited plans

Plan Data Monthly Price Annual Cost
AT&T Unlimited Extra Unlimited $75 $900
AT&T Unlimited Elite Unlimited $85 $1,020

AT&T vs Cricket Wireless comparison

Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $240 per year

Carrier

Network Coverage

4G/5G Data

Price

Annual Cost

AT&T

AT&T 4G & 5G

Unltd*

$75/mo

$900/yr

Cricket Wireless

AT&T 4G & 5G

Unlimited

$55/mo

$660/yr

*Don't waste money on unlimited data - Avg. data usage is only 3-5GB

Savings

$20/mo

$240/yr


Cricket Wireless vs AT&T coverage

Cricket Wireless is powered by AT&T. Coverage can vary depending on your location. You can check their availability in your area by using our coverage checker.

Cricket Wireless coverage

Cricket Wireless is powered by AT&T 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.

View Cricket Wireless coverage map

AT&T coverage map

AT&T coverage

View AT&T coverage map

AT&T coverage map

Find the cheapest cell phone service in your area

Enter your ZIP code below to find the best cell phone service in your area.

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Cricket Wireless vs AT&T plan features

Carrier Features Cricket WirelessAT&T
Networks AT&TAT&T
Data Speed 5G & 4G LTE5G & 4G LTE
3G Network GSMGSM
Mobile Hotspot
Bring Your Phone
Keep Your Number
Contract No - prepaidNo - Postpaid
Credit Check
Customer Service 24/7
Money Back Guarantee
5G 00
Taxes/fees included
VoLTE
WiFi Calling
Visual Voicemail
Multi-line Discounts
Multi-month Discounts
International Calls
International Roaming

Cricket Wireless vs AT&T customer service

Cricket Wireless customer service

46 Cricket Wireless customer reviews

Contact Cricket Wireless customer care

  • Call (800) 274-2538

  • Tag @CricketNation on Twitter

AT&T customer service

Contact AT&T customer care

  • Call (800) 331-0500

  • Tag @att on Twitter


AT&T vs Cricket Wireless FAQs

What's the difference between AT&T and Cricket Wireless?

Cricket Wireless is an MVNO with AT&T 5G & 4G wireless coverage, they offer cell phone plans starting at $30/mo. While AT&T's phone plans start at $75/mo.

Is Cricket Wireless as good as AT&T?

Cricket Wireless is powered by the AT&T network, they offer much cheaper cell phone service than AT&T. However, because Cricket Wireless is an MVNO, data speeds may be slowed during peak times.

Do AT&T phones work with Cricket Wireless?

Most recent AT&T phones should work with Cricket Wireless as long as the device is unlocked. Before signing up, you can check your device's compatibility on the Cricket Wireless website.

Does Cricket Wireless use AT&T network towers?

No. Cricket Wireless operates on the AT&T 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.