Cricket is owned by AT&T, however what is the distinction actually?

Cricket Wi-fi was as soon as an impartial regional provider, however that modified in 2014 when AT&T acquired it. At this time, Cricket operates as AT&T’s prepaid-only different. So, how do the 2 companies evaluate, and is Cricket the higher alternative for you? On this information, we take a more in-depth take a look at AT&T vs Cricket.

Please be aware that whereas I’ve used each AT&T Pay as you go and Cricket previously, I’ve by no means had AT&T Postpaid. Nonetheless, I’m very conversant in what to anticipate.

How properly does Cricket stack up towards AT&T?

First, let’s check out all of the AT&T plans provided by means of its postpaid service:

Subsequent, we’ll spotlight what Cricket and AT&T Pay as you go have to supply. Whereas all postpaid plans are listed above, I’ve omitted some pay as you go choices that have been much less compelling or too comparable, so it was redundant to incorporate them.

Now, let’s break issues down by pricing, prioritization, cellphone choice, customer support, and extra.

• Cricket Wi-fi usually gives higher worth than AT&T Postpaid, even for households.
• AT&T Pay as you go could also be a better option than AT&T Postpaid or Cricket Wi-fi for individuals who solely want one or two strains.

As anticipated, AT&T Postpaid is the most costly choice, with plans beginning at $50.99 for one line or $30.99 per line for 4. Regardless of this value, its most cost-effective plan gives decrease community precedence than its dearer postpaid plans. Moreover, system reductions and hotspot entry aren’t included within the Worth plan, although upgrading to AT&T Limitless Starter gives restricted hotspot entry and entry to a couple offers no less than.

Honestly, low-tier postpaid plans usually aren’t price it in comparison with pay as you go. These plans include restricted offers, poor precedence, and different drawbacks, making it really feel like pay as you go service anyway.

In the event you’re set on AT&T Postpaid, we suggest AT&T Limitless Further EL at a minimal. This plan consists of 75GB of high-priority knowledge, with an choice so as to add Turbo velocity precedence for an additional price.

AT&T Pay as you go plans begin at $30 per 30 days however embrace simply 5GB of information and there are not any household reductions on any of those. Usually, we’d both persist with a limiteless plan or contemplate a price provider like Tello in the event you don’t want a lot knowledge.

For AT&T Pay as you go, we suggest Limitless Stage Up or Limitless Max Plus. Each are equally priced, however Max Plus prices barely extra at $65 per line in comparison with $50.99 for Stage Up. Nonetheless, Max Plus gives higher-priority knowledge, hotspot entry, and HD streaming, making it the superior choice.

Stage Up saves you $15 per 30 days however comes with lower-tier speeds and no hotspot entry. One benefit of Stage Up is that after six months on AT&T Pay as you go, you qualify for assured financing in the event you swap to an AT&T Postpaid plan — an interesting choice for these contemplating a future improve.

Whereas Cricket Wi-fi doesn’t provide the rock-bottom pricing of some pay as you go carriers, it delivers an expertise that’s as near postpaid because it will get. This consists of strong multi-line reductions and Max streaming service for these on its costliest plan.

For restricted knowledge on Cricket, we suggest the 10GB plan. It begins at $40 per line however drops as little as $27.50 per 30 days per line for 4. There’s additionally a less expensive 5GB plan for $30 a month, however because it doesn’t embrace multi-line reductions, it’s greatest for single-line customers. Even then, paying an additional $10 per 30 days for double the information is probably going price it.

For limitless knowledge, we recommend skipping Cricket Limitless and choosing Cricket Limitless with 15GB Hotspot. Although it prices $5 to $10 extra per line (relying on the variety of strains), it consists of 15GB of hotspot entry and higher-priority QCI 8 knowledge—in contrast to the lower-tier QCI 9 service on the cheaper limitless plan.

Beginning at $60 per line or as little as $32.50 per line for 4, this plan gives each 15GB of hotspot entry and QCI 8 higher-priority knowledge.

In the end, Cricket Limitless with 15GB Hotspot gives an expertise corresponding to AT&T Limitless Further EL whereas saving you wherever from $15.99 to $33.96 per 30 days, relying on the variety of strains.

• AT&T gives the very best precedence (QCI 7) by means of its Turbo Improve add-on, out there on choose plans.
• General, Cricket’s precedence matches AT&T’s default precedence for mid-tier and better plans, however it doesn’t provide a Turbo improve.

You may assume that sticking with AT&T straight ensures one of the best precedence. Whereas that may be true, it in the end will depend on the precise plan. AT&T makes use of High quality of Service Class Identifiers (QCI) to separate its community into completely different precedence ranges. The decrease the quantity, the higher the precedence.

Listed here are the AT&T pay as you go and postpaid plans that provide high-priority (QCI 8) entry:

• AT&T Limitless Further EL
• AT&T Limitless Premium PL
• AT&T Limitless Max Plus
• AT&T 5GB

For the remaining AT&T pay as you go choices, there’s little readability on whether or not these plans use QCI 8 or QCI 9. Nonetheless, most of those plans include different limitations, akin to velocity caps — like Limitless Primary, which is proscribed to 3Mbps for 30GB after which simply 1.5Mbps after that. Even when these plans provide higher-priority knowledge, the advantages would principally enhance latency reasonably than general speeds.

In the meantime, Cricket Wi-fi assigns QCI 9 precedence to its cheaper Limitless plan, whereas the Limitless with 15GB Hotspot plan upgrades this to QCI 8. As for Cricket’s 10GB plan, its precedence stage isn’t explicitly acknowledged. Because of latest community modifications, dependable data on that is scarce, however it’s seemingly QCI 8 — although this shouldn’t be assumed. Sadly, I used to be unable to verify a technique or one other.

AT&T additionally gives a good larger precedence tier, QCI 7. Beforehand, this was the default for a lot of postpaid AT&T plans, however it’s now out there solely as a $7 per-line add-on for AT&T Limitless Further EL, Premium PL, and Max Plus. This implies it’s solely utilized by a small minority of AT&T subscribers.

Do you want QCI 7? That will depend on how congested your space is. For many customers, QCI 8 is greater than enough, however your expertise could fluctuate.

• AT&T gives a bigger cellphone choice general, although Cricket nonetheless carries most main flagship units, with a number of exceptions.
• Cricket has comparable insurance coverage and fee plan choices, although the phrases won’t be fairly pretty much as good as with AT&T straight.

Cricket’s catalog consists of round 25 units, in comparison with AT&T’s 40+ choices. Whereas Cricket gives widespread fashions just like the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16, it lacks sure manufacturers, akin to Google Pixel. Nonetheless, clients can all the time deliver their very own system if their most popular mannequin isn’t out there.

Cricket Wi-fi additionally gives robust offers for brand new clients. When you gained’t discover free flagship telephones as you may with AT&T postpaid, Cricket incessantly gives free mid-range and finances units. On the time of writing, the Moto G Play (2024) and Samsung Galaxy A15 5G are among the many greatest offers out there. Present Cricket clients may qualify for particular improve pricing each one year, which can make the telephones cheaper than the everyday retail worth.

For these desirous about financing, Cricket companions with Affirm to supply month-to-month fee plans. Cricket additionally gives system safety by means of Cricket Shield, which prices $8 per 30 days — cheaper than AT&T’s postpaid and pay as you go insurance coverage.

Cricket Shield consists of:

• Display screen repairs (at $29)
• Theft and injury replacements (deductibles vary from $10 to $250 per declare)
• 16GB of picture and video storage
• A restrict of three claims per system per 12 months

AT&T postpaid clients have plans beginning at $14 that cowl the next:

• Limitless claims
• $0 display and again glass restore
• Out-of-warranty malfunctions, loss, and theft, accidents (deductibles will fluctuate)
• Limitless battery replacements, and limitless picture and video storage

On the pay as you go facet, expenses $11.99/month for fundamental protection (loss, theft, accidents) or $14.99/month for added perks like tech assist and 50GB of storage. Like Cricket, AT&T pay as you go insurance coverage permits as much as three claims per 12 months, with various deductibles.

Whereas AT&T’s postpaid insurance coverage gives extra intensive protection, Cricket Shield and AT&T’s pay as you go plans nonetheless present strong safety at a decrease month-to-month value.

• Each AT&T and Cricket provide comparable customer support experiences, together with entry to brick-and-mortar shops for in-person assist.
• Whereas AT&T postpaid clients could obtain barely larger precedence service in comparison with AT&T pay as you go and Cricket customers, the distinction is unlikely to be important.

AT&T has its share of critics, however many loyal clients stand by its service. Whether or not you select AT&T pay as you go or postpaid, wait instances and assist availability usually aren’t main issues, with in-store choices out there when wanted.

Cricket Wi-fi gives a comparable expertise. In my very own testing, Cricket’s customer support has been environment friendly, with brief wait instances and educated tech assist — notably when in comparison with smaller pay as you go carriers. That stated, entry to in-person assist will depend on whether or not you reside close to a Cricket retail location. It’s a lot simpler to search out an AT&T retailer close to you, relying on the place you reside.

• AT&T gives worldwide options, brick-and-mortar service, free cellphone promos, and different fundamentals you’d count on from postpaid, however there are not any streaming companies included.
• Cricket Wi-fi gives fundamental worldwide options however stands out by together with Max with Advertisements on one among its Cricket Limitless plans.

On the subject of particular options and extras, you’d usually count on the key provider to have the higher hand. Nonetheless, in an fascinating twist, AT&T doesn’t provide any streaming perks, whereas Cricket does —no less than on its highest-tier plan, which features a free Max with Advertisements subscription.

That stated, AT&T postpaid nonetheless has an edge in cellphone promotions, trade-in offers, and extra worldwide perks in comparison with Cricket. Whereas Cricket doesn’t present the identical stage of worldwide streaming advantages, it does embrace calls, texts, and knowledge in Canada and Mexico at no additional value.

How do different pay as you go carriers on AT&T’s community evaluate?

Cricket Wi-fi isn’t the one provider that operates on AT&T’s community—there are a number of different nice choices to think about as properly. Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at simply three options that run on AT&T’s community.

The Dish-owned Increase Cellular not formally considers itself an MVNO as a result of it not solely gives each pay as you go and postpaid service, however it’s also now formally prioritizing its personal fledgling 5G community the place out there.

That stated, 5G isn’t accessible in all places and so it has a number of completely different SIM variants that decide whether or not AT&T or T-Cellular is the default different when Dish 5G isn’t an choice. You don’t get a say within the SIM variant you get usually, however AT&T has more and more turn into extra commonplace.

Increase Cellular is best if:

• You need cheaper choices than Cricket gives. Increase plans begin at as little as $25 a month for Limitless, with the primary month at simply $12.50. That’s considerably lower than the most cost effective Cricket or AT&T plan.
• You desire a true postpaid service however aren’t desirous about getting it from AT&T, T-Cellular, or Verizon. This will even allow you to reap the benefits of Increase’s Infinity Entry plan, which provides you a free iPhone or Galaxy yearly.

Cricket is best if:

• You need extra dependable service. The fact is Increase has a blended monitor file just lately and never everybody shall be prepared to provide them a shot. Cricket is certainly a extra confirmed supplier.
• You need extra alternative and management over the community you’re utilizing. Cricket makes use of AT&T, easy as that.

Shopper Mobile is definitely a postpaid service, although it doesn’t have its personal community and as a substitute makes use of AT&T. The service is primarily focused at older shoppers, with plans beginning as little as $20 a month for 1GB of information. There’s additionally a limiteless plan for $50 a month that’s completely for these 50 years outdated or over.

You’ll additionally discover an array of so-called dumb telephones alongside extra trendy smartphones right here as properly.

Shopper Mobile is best if:

• You need postpaid service that’s geared toward older customers. Meaning among the greatest customer support round and loads of accessibility options too. There’s even brick-and-mortar service in choose areas.
  You have an interest in a standard cell phone. In the event you don’t want a smartphone, Shopper Mobile is an honest alternative.

Cricket is best if:

• You need limitless plans and different superior options for the entire household.
• You desire a pay as you go service, simply with options that really feel extra like postpaid.

US Cellular is a good choice for individuals who need the power to make use of extra than simply AT&T’s community. The provider gives three selections: Mild Star (T-Cellular), Darkish Star (AT&T), and Warp 5G (Verizon).

You’ll be able to even swap between the networks for $2 per switch — or free with choose plans. Switching networks isn’t instantaneous and might take hours, and even longer in some uncommon instances, however it’s nonetheless a very nice additional.

You’ll additionally discover Limitless plans that begin as little as $17.50 per 30 days when paid yearly. Even its costliest plan is simply $44 a month (or $32.50 per 30 days when paid yearly). You won’t get Turbo, however you do get quicker AT&T speeds at QCI 8 right here. Warp (Verizon) is identical precedence as postpaid Verizon although, if you’re .

US Cellular is best if:

• You need the choice to modify between all three massive main networks.
• You might be searching for a extra value-oriented no frills service.

Cricket is best if:

• You desire a extra full-featured expertise with choices like streaming perks on choose plans and extra.
• You favor to stay with Cricket because it’s a bigger and extra established model.

The reality is that each Cricket and AT&T have nice options and plans, however there are a variety of options on the market relating to the greatest cellular suppliers within the US.

In a bubble, we’d decide Cricket over AT&T for many customers. Cricket isn’t precisely an inexpensive pay as you go provider, however you’ll nonetheless usually pay much less with Cricket than you’ll with AT&T’s most cost-effective plans ($50.99 at AT&T), whereas additionally getting higher community precedence. The addition of extras like Max streaming on choose plans and brick-and-mortar assist means you’ll all the time really feel like you could have an enormous provider however with out all the value gouging.

In the event you completely need to use the AT&T community, you may additionally contemplate US Cellular. Not solely will you pay lower than Cricket or AT&T most often, however you can also fall again onto Verizon or T-Cellular’s community as wanted.

You gained’t go improper with Cricket, however relying in your precise wants chances are you’ll save extra by wanting past the AT&T community. I might personally suggest Cricket over AT&T primarily based alone experiences, however the reality is that for individuals who care about saving cash, you’ll be able to seemingly discover a higher plan in the event you don’t thoughts wanting exterior of AT&T’s community.

I’d particularly contemplate T-Cellular if you’d like postpaid service for lower than AT&T is charging. The Uncarrier ($50 at T-Cellular) just isn’t solely one of the vital dependable choices, however it’s additionally the most cost effective of the large three, although that will even rely in your precise plan configuration. If you would like pay as you go, Seen is a good Verizon-based different, and Mint Cellular or Google Fi are nice options to T-Cellular.