Cricket Wireless Review in 2024: Is it Any Good? - MoneySavingPro (2024)

Cricket Wireless unlimited data plan

• AT&T coverage

• Unlimited talk and text
• Instant eSIM activation

Unlimited

data

$55/mo

View Plans

$240 in annual savings

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

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?
	See at Tello	See at US Mobile *30 Day FREE Trial	See at Mint Mobile *$45 for 3 Months
AT&T 4G & 5G	T-Mobile 4G & 5G	Verizon & T-Mobile 4G & 5G	T-Mobile 4G & 5G
10GB data	10GB data	10GB data	10GB data
$40/mo	$25/mo	$15/mo*$29/mo	$15/mo*$30/mo
$480/yr	$300/yr	$306/yr	$315/yr
1.6 on Trustpilot	4.6 on Trustpilot	4.7 on Trustpilot	2.9 on Trustpilot

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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

4G

5G

The FCC collects coverage data, which only offers an approximate indication and doesn't account for indoor coverage. The actual speed and performance can vary depending on your location and device. The reception you experience is influenced by local conditions and elements like natural and artificial physical features in your area.

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:

1. Dial: 611 from your Cricket Wireless phone
2. Call: 1-800-CRICKET (274-2538) from any phone Mon-Sat 10 am - 8 pm EST
3. Live Chat: Via the website Mon-Sat 9 am - 11:30 pm Sun 10 am - 11 pm EST
4. 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

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.

Cricket Wireless guides

• Cricket Wireless Review
• Cricket Wireless Cell Phone Plans
• Cricket Wireless Customer Reviews