Shopping for an unlimited phone plan doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. If you’re in the market for some new cell service, a low-cost MVNO is a great place to start. With a good mix of price, features, and unlimited data, Cricket Wireless is one of the most popular prepaid carriers in the business, featuring unlimited plans that start at only $30.
What’s an MVNO?
MVNO stands for mobile virtual network operator and it’s a term used for companies that offer wireless phone and data services using existing networks provided by one or more major US carriers: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and/or Sprint. By selling cell phone plans powered by major networks at more wallet-friendly prices, consumers have more options available to them when shopping for cheap wireless service. For more, check out our blog post: How to save money on your existing network with an MNVO.
There’s a good chance Cricket Wireless was already on your radar or you’ve at least driven by one of their brick-and-mortar stores and were curious to see what’s being offered (and how they differ from major carriers like AT&T). In this post we’ll be exploring Cricket’s phones, plans, reviews, and commonly asked questions surrounding Cricket Wireless. When it’s all said and done, you should be in a much better position to decide if Cricket is a good fit for you.
What network does Cricket use?
Cricket Wireless was originally founded by Leap Wireless back in 1999 and later purchased by AT&T in 2014. Since then, Cricket’s growth has exploded, with more 10 million subscribers in the United States, making it one of the largest prepaid MVNOs in the country. Cricket acts as an affordable, no-contract option for anyone wanting to take advantage of AT&T’s nationwide 4G LTE network, but still needs plans that are a bit more wallet-friendly.
Seeing as how Cricket is a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T, it should come as no surprise that Cricket Wireless runs on AT&T’s network. This means Cricket customers get the same cell coverage thanks to AT&T’s expansive network footprint, but with lower rates (and slightly slower speeds) compared to AT&T’s official unlimited plans.
With over 99% of Americans covered by AT&T’s network, there should be no questioning if Cricket is any good in your area (although individual mileage may vary). You can see Cricket’s 4G LTE coverage using the above map, or you can also check out Cricket’s website for a more detailed coverage map.
Is a Cricket unlimited plan really unlimited?
Like most other carriers, Cricket also offers a variety of unlimited data plans to pick and choose from. And while yes, their plans are technically “unlimited,” not all of Cricket’s plans are created equal. Normally, carriers offer various amounts of 4G LTE data that, once exceeded, could end up slowing your data speeds during times of network congestion. This is called deprioritization and it’s simply a way for carriers to manage their network by slowing down heavy users, freeing up bandwidth for other customers who stay within their monthly allowance.
Cricket’s unlimited plans, on the other hand, work a little different. Some Cricket plans have those now familiar thresholds (their 2 or 5 GB plans, for instance), while other plans are simply labeled “Unlimited.” Don’t let that fool you, all of Cricket’s plans are actually unlimited, as there are no overages for exceeding your monthly allowance. What’s different is no matter which Cricket plan you choose, all of them are in a permanently deprioritized state. This means Cricket may slow data speeds at any time when their network (AT&T) becomes busy. This is similar to AT&T’s entry-level Unlimited Starter plan.
It’s also worth noting that all of AT&T’s phone plans reduce the quality of video streams to standard definition (480p). This “feature” can be turned off on their 2GB and 5GB plans, but you may want to keep it on to avoid exceeding your data limits. Unlike AT&T unlimited plans which only deprioritize your line after reaching a certain amount of data (all of Cricket’s phone plans are already deprioritized out the gate), Cricket will immediately reduce speeds to 128 Kbps if you go over your monthly allowance. Exceed your data for the month and you’ll have to suffer with 128 Kbps speeds until your billing cycle is over.
How much is a Cricket unlimited plan?
Cricket Wireless currently offers five different unlimited phone plans: 2 GB plan ($30), 5GB plan ($40), BYOD plan ($40), Core plan ($55), More plan ($60), as well as a $5 Auto Pay discount on select plans (after the first month at full price). As discussed in the section above, all of Cricket’s phone plans feature unlimited talk, text, and data, so why the difference in prices? This has to do with the way Cricket handles data on each of these plans and although it’s a bit convoluted, we’ll help you make sense of it.
For instance, on Cricket’s website you’ll notice that some plans are labeled as “High-Speed,” while others show “Our Fastest 4G LTE Speeds.” If that wasn’t confusing enough, you’ll find some High-Speed plans are labeled as 4G LTE but capped at 8 Mbps (Cricket’s 2 GB and 5 GB plans), while others are capped at 3Mbps (Unlimited Core). The hard part is figuring out which Cricket plan offers actual 4G LTE speeds (none of them), capped 4G LTE speeds (8 Mbps), and which plans are limited to 3G speeds (3 Mbps).
If you’re having difficulty making sense of it, Cricket limits all of their 4G LTE plans to 8 Mbps max, something you may not be used to if you’re coming from a larger carrier. By comparison, a proper AT&T plan will always give you the fastest possible 4G LTE speeds the network can deliver. For AT&T, the average data speeds for their 4G LTE network is 30 Mbps in the US according to a recent report by Ookla Speedtest, so you’ll be sacrificing some of that potential speed if you opt for a Cricket 4G LTE plan.
Cricket 2GB Plan – $30
- 2 GB high-speed data (128 Kbps after)
- Network speed: 4G LTE (8 Mbps max)
- Hotspot: No
- Video streams: SD (480p), Stream More optional
- Auto Pay discount: No
Cricket 5GB Plan – $40
- 5 GB high-speed data (128 Kbps after)
- Network speed: 4G LTE (8 Mbps max)
- Hotspot: No
- Video streams: SD (480p), Stream More optional
- Auto Pay discount: Yes
Cricket’s 2GB plan and 5GB plan are very similar and provide customers with different amounts of high-speed data based on their needs. Other than the obvious high-speed data allotment and pricing, the only big difference between the two plans is that the cheaper 2 GB plan isn’t eligible for Cricket’s $5 Auto Pay discount.
Other than, Cricket’s 2 GB and 5 GB plans are identical in features and limitations. Seeing as how you can bring down the price of the 5 GB plan to $35 with the Auto Pay discount, that’s more than double the data for only $5 more than the lower 2 GB plan. This makes the 5GB plan a much better value.
Unlimited Cricket BYOD Plan – $40
- Network speed: 4G LTE (8 Mbps max)
- Hotspot: No
- Video streams: SD (480p) 1.5 Mbps max
- Auto Pay discount: No
Cricket’s BYOD (bring your own device) plan is a limited time offer that offers a tremendous value for those who already have an existing phone compatible with Cricket/AT&T. Anyone looking to take advantage of the deal will need to port-in new line of service (although AT&T network port-ins are excluded) as well as bring their own phone (unlocked LTE-compatible GSM device required). The perk is that you get an unlimited plan that closely resembles the highest Cricket More plan (minus 15GB hotspot data), but around $15-20 cheaper.
While you can potentially save a lot of money every month by bringing your own phone, the BYOD plan isn’t eligible for the Auto Pay discount and you’ll still need to purchase a $9.99 non-refundable Cricket SIM Kit to activate your device with service. It’s a great deal and a shame it’s only here for a limited time.
Unlimited Cricket Core Plan – $55
- Network speed: 3G speeds (3 Mbps)
- Hotspot: +$10/10GB hotspot add-on available
- Video streaming max of 1.5 Mbps at SD quality (about 480p)
- Auto Pay discount: Yes
- Canada and Mexico data: Yes
Unlimited Cricket More Plan – $60
- Network speed: 4G LTE (8 Mbps max)
- Hotspot: 15GB hotspot (128 Kbps after)
- Video streams: SD (480p) 1.5 Mbps max
- Auto Pay discount: Yes
- Canada and Mexico data: Yes
Now when it comes to Cricket’s Unlimited Core and Unlimited More plans, these too include unlimited talk and text, and data. The difference from 2 GB/5 GB plans is that there’s no data allotment (a huge plus), but Cricket Core or More plans are still deprioritized which means speeds can be slowed during times of network congestion.
We also want to point out that by default, Cricket Core features slower speeds than any other plan Cricket offers, capping data speeds to 3 Mbps max (roughly 3G speeds). On the other hand, Cricket More features the same 4G LTE speeds (8 Mbps max) as the 2 GB and 5 GB plans, only there’s no limit to how much high-speed data you can use.
A nice perk offered by the Cricket Core and More plans is that they also feature unlimited talk, text, and data in the US, Canada, and Mexico. So frequent travelers or those with friends and family in neighboring countries will definitely want to consider these plans. To view all of Cricket’s phone plans on Swappa, hit the button below to see how they compare with other carrier plans.
Cricket Phones
Just like AT&T and other major carriers, Cricket offers a handful branded phones for customers to use on their network. Although most Cricket phones tend to be more wallet-friendly (low to mid-range devices), those with deeper pockets can also find higher-end devices like the latest iPhones.
Cricket also lets customers bring their own phone for use on their network. You’ll want to make sure you have an unlocked GSM phone compatible with AT&T’s network bands and frequencies since this is the network Cricket uses for their wireless services. Should you have any questions on whether or not a phone you’re looking to activate on Cricket will work, they also provide a complimentary BYOP check to verify compatibility.
Can I use an AT&T phone on Cricket Wireless?
Although Cricket recommends unlocked devices, AT&T locked phones are also compatible with the carrier. Of course, Cricket still recommends you “unlock” the device before attempting to activate on Cricket, although a full SIM unlock isn’t exactly necessary. This has to do with the fact that Cricket operates on AT&T’s network, so an AT&T branded phone using a Cricket SIM card will also work fine providing the phone hasn’t been carrier blacklisted.
Cricket SIM cards can be purchased online through Cricket’s website for $10, or at your local Best Buy store. Occasionally, Cricket will have promotions offering free Cricket SIM cards, so keep an eye an out for those, especially around the holiday season.
Does Cricket give free phones?
Unlike a lot of MVNOs who only offer refurbished or full price devices, Cricket does provide a little extra incentive for new customers switching over (porting an existing number) to their network. This comes by way of discounts ranging from $100 or more on select handsets, and additional requirements like activation of a $30-$50/mo voice plan depending on the handset/discount in question.
With lower-end devices, this often times equates to a free phone which should be fine for anyone who doesn’t require the latest phone hardware. It’s also worth noting that AT&T port-ins are excluded from these discounts, and there’s also additional fees to consider like a $25 in-store activation fee, $3 Customer Assistance Fee, and a $10 Cricket SIM card. Check out their website for more on Cricket’s fees.
Shopping for a Cricket phone?
If you’re looking to optimize your savings, bringing your own phone is the best way to activate a new line on Cricket. Why pay the premium for a brand new phone when Swappa has the best deals on both unlocked and AT&T phones in our marketplace. Start shopping today to see just how much you can save when buying a gently used phone on Swappa.
Cricket reviews
Cricket has been around since 1999, and during the last 20 years they’ve managed to accumulate quite a following. Even with 10 million subscribers, the prepaid carrier doesn’t have the same popularity as major US carriers. Because of this, one of the most important questions for people exploring the idea of moving to a smaller carrier like Cricket is how well they’re reviewed.
Obviously customer service plays a huge role in overall satisfaction and unlike many online-only MVNOs, Cricket has more than 5,000 retail stores located nationwide. This makes it easy for Cricket customers to drop in, check out new phones for sale, or have questions/issues answered by knowledgeable staff. More recently, Cricket Wireless was ranked highest in customer service among non-contract full-service wireless providers, something that’s important to a lot of people shopping for a good and affordable cell phone plan.
Seeing as how their network is powered by the largest carrier in the US — AT&T — you can expect reliable cell phone coverage, almost anywhere in the US. For a look at unbiased reviews from Swappa users, you can check out our Cricket Reviews page. There you’ll find Cricket reviews based on network speed, support, and coverage. Looking for Cricket customer service or tech support? Head on over to our Cricket contact info page for more.
