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Cricket Wireless suits people who want a predictable bill: as listed in October 2026, plans cost $30 to $55 a month per line with Auto Pay ($35 to $60 without), government taxes included. It is a legitimate prepaid carrier owned by AT&T, and it runs on AT&T's 5G network with no annual contract. The tradeoffs are slower data when the network is busy, standard-definition video on most plans, a $25 activation fee in stores, and poor customer service reviews: 79% one-star on Trustpilot, 1,177 BBB complaints in three years, and 652 points in J.D. Power's 2026 prepaid ranking, behind Mint and Visible.
- Owner and network
- Cricket Wireless, LLC, a subsidiary of AT&T; uses AT&T's nationwide 5G and 4G LTE network2
- Plan prices
- Sensible 10GB $30, Select Unlimited $35, Smart Unlimited $45, Supreme Unlimited $55 per month with Auto Pay; $5 more without (as listed October 2026)1
- Taxes and fees
- Government taxes and provider monthly fees are included in the monthly price1
- One-time fees
- $25 activation fee and $25 non-compliant return fee, both only in Cricket stores1
- Video quality
- Standard definition (about 1.5 to 2 Mbps) on most plans; Supreme Unlimited says video may be limited to SD2
- Data slowdowns
- Unlimited plan users may get slower speeds than others on the same tower when the network is busy; the 10GB plan drops to 128 Kbps after 10GB2
- Typical 5G download speed
- 51 to 290 Mbps on 5G and 7 to 59 Mbps on 4G LTE, per Cricket's FCC broadband label1
- Free trial
- 14-day test drive of the network through the tryCricket app, without interrupting your current service1
Pros
- Runs on AT&T's nationwide 5G network
- Taxes and monthly fees included in the advertised price
- No contract; plans from $30 a month with Auto Pay
- Free 14-day network test through the tryCricket app
- Smart and Supreme plans include hotspot data and use in Mexico and Canada
Cons
- Standard-definition video on most plans
- Data can be slowed when the network is busy
- $25 activation fee if you sign up in a store
- Weak customer service ratings: 1.6 on Trustpilot, BBB not rated with 1,177 complaints in 3 years
- All lines on an account must be on the same plan
Best for: People in strong AT&T coverage areas who want a simple prepaid bill with taxes included and don't need HD streaming.
Skip it if: You stream a lot of HD video, need top data priority, or want strong customer support.
Cricket Wireless vs. competitors
| Company | Network | Lowest unlimited price | How you pay | Taxes and fees | J.D. Power 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cricket Wireless | AT&T | $35/mo with Auto Pay ($40 without) | Monthly | Included | 652 (prepaid) |
| Mint Mobile | T-Mobile | $30/mo on a 12-month plan ($360 upfront) | Prepay 3, 6 or 12 months | Extra | 711 (prepaid) |
| Visible | Verizon | $25/mo | Monthly | Included | 708 (prepaid) |
Cricket Wireless pricing at a glance
Cricket Wireless plans, one line, as listed October 20261
| Plan | With Auto Pay | Without Auto Pay | Data | Hotspot | Mexico and Canada use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensible 10GB | $30 | $35 | 10GB, then 128 Kbps | Not available | No |
| Select Unlimited (new lines only) | $35 | $40 | Unlimited, SD video | Add-on | No |
| Smart Unlimited | $45 | $50 | Unlimited, SD video | 15GB | Yes |
| Supreme Unlimited | $55 | $60 | Unlimited high-speed, video may be SD | 50GB | Yes |
Prices include government taxes. The first month is charged at the non-Auto Pay price. Supreme Unlimited includes HBO Max Basic with ads and 150GB cloud storage. Multi-line prices are shown when you pick a line count on Cricket's site; 3-month and 12-month prepaid unlimited plans are also offered.
Cricket Wireless, step by step
Check coverage or test it
Enter your ZIP code on Cricket's coverage map, or use the tryCricket app for a free 14-day test of the network alongside your current service.
Pick a plan and phone
Choose a plan and either buy a phone from Cricket or bring your own compatible, unlocked phone. Every line on an account must be on the same plan.
Activate online
Activating online avoids the $25 per-line fee Cricket charges in its stores. You can keep your number by transferring it from your old carrier.
Pay each month in advance
Cricket is prepaid with no contract. Turn on Auto Pay to get the lower price; the first month is billed at the full rate.
Leave any time
Cricket plans don't require a contract. If you financed a phone, check the financing terms before switching carriers.
Cricket Wireless legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Cricket Wireless, LLC is AT&T’s prepaid brand, and its own network policies describe AT&T as its parent company. Service runs on AT&T’s 5G and 4G LTE network, and plans don’t require a contract. The myCricket app has a 4.7 rating from more than 222,000 App Store reviews.
Service reputation is weaker. The BBB currently shows Cricket as not rated and not accredited, with 1,177 complaints in the last three years. Its unclaimed Trustpilot profile has a 1.6 score, with 79% one-star reviews. In J.D. Power’s 2026 wireless study, Cricket scored 652 among prepaid carriers, tied for third behind Mint Mobile (711) and Visible (708).
Cricket Wireless plans and prices
As listed in October 2026, one line costs $30 a month for Sensible 10GB, $35 for Select Unlimited (new lines only), $45 for Smart Unlimited and $55 for Supreme Unlimited, all with Auto Pay. Without Auto Pay, and for your first month, each plan costs $5 more. Government taxes and provider fees are included.
The main differences are hotspot data (none on 10GB, an add-on on Select, 15GB on Smart and 50GB on Supreme), use in Mexico and Canada (Smart and Supreme only), and extras like cloud storage and HBO Max Basic with ads on Supreme. Cricket also sells 3-month and 12-month prepaid unlimited plans and a $10 smartwatch line. The only one-time fees listed are a $25 activation fee and a $25 non-compliant return fee, both only in Cricket stores.
Network, speeds and data slowdowns
Cricket’s FCC broadband labels list typical download speeds of 51 to 290 Mbps on 5G, 144 to 445 Mbps on 5G+, and 7 to 59 Mbps on 4G LTE. Two network practices affect what you get:
- Congestion management: on unlimited plans, Cricket says you may see slower speeds and more lag than other customers on the same tower when it’s busy, either always or after a set amount of data, depending on the plan.
- Video management: streaming video is held to standard definition, about 1.5 to 2 Mbps, on plans that include only SD. The Sensible 10GB plan lets you turn this off.
Coverage varies by location, so test it with tryCricket before you switch.
What customers say about Cricket Wireless
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Reliable coverage on AT&T's network
- Taxes included in the price, so the bill is predictable
- Helpful in-store staff
- Easy-to-use myCricket app (4.7 on the App Store)
Common complaints
- Hard-to-reach live support and automated phone and chat systems
- Billing problems, surprise fees, Auto Pay errors and suspensions
- Slow data or dropped service despite coverage maps
- Store activation and return fees customers didn't expect
Cricket Wireless complaints
The most common complaints on Trustpilot are trouble reaching a live agent, automated phone and chat systems, billing problems such as unexpected fees, Auto Pay failures and service suspensions, and weak service in some areas. To avoid the most common problems:
- Activate online to skip the $25 store activation fee.
- Check that Auto Pay is on, since the discount only applies with it, and the first month is charged at the full price.
- Keep your account PIN private and ask Cricket about protections against unauthorized number transfers.
- If a billing or service problem isn’t fixed, you can file a complaint with the FCC or the BBB.
Who should skip Cricket
Cricket is a poor fit if you stream a lot of HD video, rely on fast data at busy times, or want different plans on different family lines, since all lines on an account must be on the same plan. If price matters most and Verizon or T-Mobile covers you well, Visible or Mint Mobile cost less and scored higher with J.D. Power in 2026.
Alternatives to Cricket Wireless
- Visible Cheaper monthly unlimited on Verizon's network with taxes included, and it scored higher than Cricket with J.D. Power in 2026. Read review
- Mint Mobile Lower cost if you can prepay a year at a time and T-Mobile covers your area well. Read review
- AT&T prepaid or postpaid Same network as Cricket, sold directly by AT&T; compare its plans if you want features Cricket's plans leave out. Read review
- Cricket Sensible 10GB If you mostly use Wi-Fi, the $30 Auto Pay plan is Cricket's cheapest option and lets you turn video management off.
Cricket Wireless reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is Cricket Wireless owned by AT&T?
Yes. Cricket's network management disclosures name AT&T as its parent company, and Cricket service runs on AT&T's network.
Does Cricket use the same towers as AT&T?
Cricket uses AT&T's nationwide 5G and 4G LTE network. On unlimited plans, Cricket customers may get slower speeds than others on the same tower when it's congested.
How much is Cricket Wireless per month?
As of October 2026, one line costs $30 to $55 a month with Auto Pay, or $35 to $60 without. Government taxes are included in those prices.
Does Cricket include taxes in its prices?
Yes. Cricket's broadband labels say government taxes and provider monthly fees are included in the monthly price.
Does Cricket charge an activation fee?
Only in Cricket stores, where activation costs $25 per line. Activating online avoids the fee.
Does Cricket slow down data?
Unlimited plan users may see slower speeds when the network is busy, and the Sensible 10GB plan drops to 128 Kbps after 10GB. Video is limited to standard definition on most plans.
Can I try Cricket for free?
Yes. The tryCricket app lets you test Cricket's 5G network for 14 days without interrupting your current service.
Which Cricket plans include hotspot?
Smart Unlimited includes 15GB of hotspot data and Supreme Unlimited includes 50GB. Select Unlimited offers hotspot as a paid add-on, and Sensible 10GB has none.
Can I use Cricket in Mexico and Canada?
On Smart Unlimited and Supreme Unlimited, yes, along with unlimited calls and texts from the U.S. to those countries. Select Unlimited and Sensible 10GB don't include use there.
Is Cricket better than Metro by T-Mobile or Visible?
It depends on which network is strongest where you live. Cricket uses AT&T, Metro uses T-Mobile and Visible uses Verizon. In J.D. Power's 2026 prepaid ranking, Visible scored 708 and Cricket 652.
Sources (7)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Cricket Wireless: Cell phone plans and FCC broadband labels (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Cricket Wireless: Broadband and network management disclosures (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Cricket Wireless, LLC profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Cricket Wireless reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Apple App Store: myCricket app (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Apple App Store: tryCricket app (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Business Wire: J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Wireless Carrier Satisfaction Study, Volume 2 (July 30, 2026) (accessed October 13, 2026)
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