- Free talk and text with all plans
- Unlimited data plans available
- Available in retail stores
- Multi-line discount available
- Fastest data speed capped at 8 Mbps
- Mobile hotspot use costs extra
- One of the few MVNOs that charge an activation fee
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At a glance
- Value for money: Cricket Wireless offer good features, but their prices are higher than a number of other MVNOs.
- Coverage: Great coverage on the AT&T network.
- Customer experience: Some customers praised the service is great for basic use, but others have found the customer service unhelpful or non-existent.
- Transparency: Pricing is clear, with monthly plans and multiple month discount, but the additional info for unlimited plans is not clear.
- Range of choice: Cricket Wireless provide options for low and heavy data users, but it's still a limited choice at high prices.
Cricket Wireless review: An in-depth analysis
Cricket Wireless might be on your radar as a potential carrier if you're looking to save money on your cell phone plan.
With plans starting at around $30 a month, Cricket Wireless offers a small choice of plans on the AT&T 5G & 4G LTE network.
Activating your service is straightforward and free when done online, although opting for in-store activation incurs a $25 fee.
In this Cricket Wireless review, I'll cover different aspects of the carrier, such as its plans, network options, performance, customer service, and alternatives. By the time we're through, you'll have everything you need to know if Cricket Wireless is the right carrier for you.
What is Cricket Wireless?
Cricket Wireless is an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) that utilizes the AT&T network. Founded in 1999, this low-cost carrier has been around for a quarter of a century. AT&T acquired Cricket Wireless in 2014, and it has a proven track record for reliability and saving consumers money on their phone service.
What makes Cricket Wireless different?
The highest-tier plan from Cricket Wireless gives you Max (with ads) for free. It's extremely unusual to find perks like streaming services on any MVNOs, so this really gives the carrier an edge.
Cricket Wireless plans offer multi-line and multi-month discounts to help reduce your costs if you're looking for plans for the whole family or to commit for longer.
However, these savings are still not as nifty as those of other MVNOs on the market.
Plans & pricing
Cricket Wireless 5GB plan
- AT&T coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Cricket Wireless 10GB plan
- AT&T coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
Cricket Wireless unlimited data plan
- AT&T coverage
- Unlimited talk and text
- Instant eSIM activation
How does Cricket Wireless compare to AT&T?
AT&T vs Cricket Wireless comparison
Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $420 per year
| Carrier | Network Coverage | 4G/5G Data | Price | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | AT&T 4G & 5G | Unlimited | $75/mo | $900/yr |
| Cricket Wireless | AT&T 4G & 5G | 10GB | $40/mo | $480/yr |
| Savings | $35/mo | $420/yr | ||
How much does Cricket Wireless cost?
Plans start at around $30 a month for a single line. If that sounds pricey, that's because it is. That's not where this carrier really comes through with the value. If you need a family plan, on the other hand, that's where the savings can pack a punch.
If you do just need one line, your best bet is with the carrier's multi-month plans. You can save almost half off the regular prices by purchasing 3, 6, or 12 months at a time.
Is Cricket Wireless a good value?
Cricket Wireless plans offer good value if you need multiple lines, and the plans are competitive in terms of features and coverage.
However, when it comes to value, there are a number of other low-cost carriers that can beat Cricket Wireless to get your money's worth.
Compare Cricket vs other carriers
During my research, I found numerous carriers with significantly cheaper plans and better customer ratings:
| Cricket Wireless | How do Cricket Wireless plans compare? | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
*30 Day FREE Trial
|
*$45 for 3 Months
|
| AT&T 4G & 5G | T-Mobile 4G & 5G | Verizon, AT&T & T-Mobile 4G & 5G | T-Mobile 4G & 5G |
| 10GB data | Unlimited data | Unlimited data | Unlimited data |
| $40/mo | $25/mo | $15/mo* | $15/mo* |
| $480/yr | $300/yr | $270/yr | $315/yr |
| 1.6 on Trustpilot | 4.5 on Trustpilot | 4.6 on Trustpilot | 3.1 on Trustpilot |
- Boost Infinite vs Cricket Wireless
- Boost Mobile vs Cricket Wireless
- Cricket Wireless vs AT&T
- Cricket Wireless vs Boost Mobile
- Cricket Wireless vs T-Mobile
- Cricket Wireless vs Verizon
- Lycamobile vs Cricket Wireless
- Mint Mobile vs Cricket Wireless
- Red Pocket vs Cricket Wireless
- Tello vs Cricket Wireless
- Ultra Mobile vs Cricket Wireless
- US Mobile vs Cricket Wireless
Network coverage
What network does Cricket Wireless use?
Since AT&T owns this carrier, that's the network it uses to provide cellular service. If the AT&T network is new for you, it's worth checking out our Cricket Wireless coverage map before signing up to ensure coverage in your area.
Does Cricket Wireless have good coverage?
AT&T boasts the second-largest coverage area of the big three networks. That means most people across the US will have excellent service with this provider. You can check out the best coverage in your area to see which network is strongest.
Does Cricket Wireless have 5G coverage?
Yes. As long as your device supports 5G technology, you'll be able to access AT&T's 5G coverage where available. You can see how it compares to Verizon and T-Mobile in the 2023 OpenSignal 5G Experience Report.
Cricket Wireless 5G coverage map
How fast are Cricket Wireless data speeds?
Data speeds can differ depending on your network, location, and device.
Customer service
Does Cricket Wireless have good customer service?
Experiences with this carrier vary significantly.
BBB raters and the Cricket Wireless Trustpilot scores reflect pretty low customer satisfaction ratings, while our reviewers put the provider squarely in the middle of the road. You can see what real people have to say in our Cricket Wireless customer reviews.
Customer support is available through several venues:
- Dial: 611 from your Cricket Wireless phone
- Call: 1-800-CRICKET (274-2538) from any phone Mon-Sat 10 am - 8 pm EST
- Live Chat: Via the website Mon-Sat 9 am - 11:30 pm Sun 10 am - 11 pm EST
- Social media: Facebook (m.me/cricketwireless) or X (@cricketsupport)
User experience
What are reviewers saying about Cricket Wireless?
Reviews are mixed regarding customer service and coverage, but customers, in general, seem to love the app and give the myCricket app high ratings.
Cricket Wireless customer reviews roundup
- Cricket Wireless MoneySavingPro rating: 2.5 stars (46)
- Cricket Wireless Trustpilot rating: 1.6 stars (325)
- Cricket Wireless Amazon rating: 4.3 stars (4,500+)
- Cricket Wireless Best Buy rating: 4.2 stars (365)
What are some common complaints about Cricket Wireless?
Some customers have complained about customer service not being able to resolve their issues. Others have noticed a billing issue where they were accidentally charged twice.
A few subscribers have experienced frustrations with defective SIM cards as well.
SIM activation
Is it easy to switch?
Activating your Cricket Wireless SIM card should be simple and straightforward. The process typically takes minutes.
Does Cricket Wireless support eSIM?
Cricket Wireless supports eSIM in Apple iPhone and the most recent Samsung models. Activating your eSIM is even faster and more convenient. Purchase your plan and get going installing it right away- no need to wait for a SIM card in the mail.
Phone selection
What phones do they have?
While the carrier's phone selection is modest, it does offer several very budget-friendly device options, as well as a handful of the latest smartphones. Plus, phone financing is available via Affirm.
Can I bring my own phone to Cricket Wireless?
Save money by using your current device with Cricket Wireless plans. You can bring your existing phone number, too. You just need to verify that you have a compatible device that will work on the AT&T network.
Is my phone compatible?
While most 4G and 5G smartphones are compatible with any network, you'll be able to check on the Cricket Wireless site during sign-up.
Cricket Wireless features
My viewpoint - Is Cricket Wireless any good?
Short answer: Cricket Wireless is like the "old reliable" of MVNOs. It's been saving its customers money for 25 years and is currently owned by AT&T. Naturally, its coverage is provided on the AT&T 5G & 4G LTE network, which allows customers comparable coverage at a lower cost. Of course, there isn't a single carrier or plan that is universally the best choice for all types of data usage. So, I've conducted comparisons of carriers and plans to help you determine which one fits your specific needs.
Is Cricket Wireless worth it?
Cricket Wireless offers a variety of options, including multi-month subscriptions and family plan discounts. They also offer some pretty attractive features at first glance.
AT&T owns this MVNO, so you'll get their 5G and 4G LTE wireless coverage.
But if you're looking for a single-line plan, Cricket Wireless plans come in pretty high. With a more competitive market than when they first launched, there are a number of MVNOs that can offer plans at a much more budget-friendly price, with features that you really need.
Would I use Cricket Wireless?
Short answer: If you have access to the AT&T network, Cricket Wireless can certainly save you money on your phone bill. However, with a lack of mobile hotspot data options and international calling features, it doesn't fit my needs. I feel there is a large selection of low-cost carriers that provide more features that people need on a regular basis at much more budget-friendly prices.
Cricket Wireless FAQs
You have the option to either purchase a Cricket Wireless SIM card online or buy one from a physical store nearest to you. You get free 2-day shipping. If you bring your own phone number, shipping can take a little longer.
You can also purchase them from third-party retailers such as Walmart, eBay, and Amazon, but I recommend buying directly from the carrier to simplify the process.
Various options are available, including Red Pocket Mobile, Boost Mobile, and Tello. You can compare other prepaid cell phone plans to find the perfect fit.
If you're in search of data plans for a tablet or other device, this provider does offer them. Or, for more options, you can compare a range of data only plans on the AT&T network.
The carrier does offer dedicated hotspot data, but only with its most expensive plan and not if you use the multiple-month option. For the second-highest plan, you can pay extra for hotspot data.
Yes, each line drops the price a considerable amount, making it an option for families.
Yes - if you buy in-store. If you order online, there's no activation fee.
Yes. The myCricket app helps you do virtually anything you need to, from paying your bill to adding features.
You'll get free calling and roaming to Canada and Mexico with every plan except the 5GB version. International calling packages for other countries are available as an add-on. Roaming in other countries isn't supported.
Recap: Is Cricket Wireless the best cell phone plan?
Cricket Wireless is a cost-effective alternative to going directly to AT&T, offering the same coverage at a lower price. Although no single carrier or plan is perfect for every individual, this carrier is particularly attractive if you've got a houseful of cell phones.
But with a highly competitive market, I don't believe Cricket Wireless gives as much value for money as some other MVNOs. So it's worth comparing other MVNO plans to see if there are other options that fit your needs at a more affordable price.
Keep the following key points in mind when deciding whether this carrier is right for you:
- Plans: There's a small selection of plans to choose from, although the majority are unlimited plans. It is quite pricey for single-line plans; the best discount is with multiple lines.
- Coverage: This cell phone provider is known as a full-service MVNO because they're owned by AT&T, which also provides 5G & 4G LTE coverage.
- Phones: You can bring your own phone or choose from a small selection of new devices.
- Customer experience: The overall user experience is mixed, although there are varying opinions about customer service.
- Multi-month option: If you love to have your bill paid up for months at a time, this provider offers savings the longer you commit.
How we reviewed Cricket Wireless
To select the best carriers and plans, MoneySavingPro's team of experts evaluated over 30 different carriers.
Carriers were rated in five categories, with a star rating from 1-5, with 5 stars being the best. We then calculate the overall star rating using the five categories:
- Value for money: We compare carriers based on price, features, benefits, and promotions. It's not just about the lowest price but getting the most bang for your buck.
- Coverage: We look at network 5G and 4G LTE coverage across the US. We use coverage maps to determine service availability and data speeds in urban, suburban, and rural locations.
- Customer experience: We take into account items such as current user experience, website and app usability, ease of switching, and customer service in terms of availability, channels, and satisfaction ratings.
- Transparency: We assess whether carrier pricing is clear and straightforward. We examine the fine print to check for hidden fees, confusing terms or conditions, and misleading offers to ensure upfront, honest prices and advertising.
- Range of choice: We evaluate the diversity of plan options to determine if they fit the individual needs of all customers.
Read more about our carrier ratings methodology and our editorial process.
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