No-Contract Cricket Prepaid Wireless Plans

Which Cricket mobile phone plan is best for you?

By
Adam Fendelman
Adam Fendelman
Writer
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
Adam Fendelman is a syndicated technology writer and senior web designer whose focus was on web analytics and web design among other things.
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Updated on September 1, 2021

Cricket Wireless is one of the major wireless service providers to offer no-contract prepaid plans (also known as pay-as-you-go plans). With Cricket Wireless, there are no data, texting, or calling overage charges. If you go over your data limit, you still have data—just at reduced speeds.

Unlike some wireless providers, Cricket Wireless doesn't base its plans on voice or texting minutes. Instead, the company offers five monthly, flat-rate plans for individuals. All are prepaid, with unlimited talk and texting and no contracts.

Buy a Phone or Bring Your Own

Cricket Wireless offers phones from major manufacturers like Alcatel, Apple, Nokia, LG, Samsung, and Motorola. Phones are sometimes free if you transfer your existing phone number from another carrier or choose a preowned phone. Otherwise, prices range from $29.99 for two Alcatel models to prices as high as $1,449.99 for the Apple iPhone 11 Pro (512 GB). Rebates are available on some phone models, as well.

You can keep your phone if it's compatible with the Cricket network. Use the Cricket phone compatibility tool to check.

Discounts

MOST plans offer Group Save (multiline) discounts or Auto Pay credits. If you have an eligible plan, Auto Pay credit takes $5 off your monthly bill. The Group Save discount cuts $10 to $20 off every line you add to your account, up to a maximum of five lines.

Check with Cricket to confirm the details before making a decision. Find the available plans on the Cricket Cell Phone Plans page.

Unlimited High-Speed Data Plan

What We Like

  • Unlimited high-speed data, calls, and texts in the U.S.

  • High-definition (HD) voice on compatible phones.

  • Best value for group and multiline subscribers.

  • 5G service available for all 5G-compatible devices.

What We Don't Like

  • Doesn't include cloud storage or a hotspot.

  • Reduces, or throttles, speeds after you reach the data limit.

  • No Auto Pay credit with a group or multiline subscription.

At $55 per month, Cricket's flagship unlimited plan is perfect for most people. If you know you need unlimited data but don't require a complementary mobile hotspot or cloud storage bonus, this is the plan for you. It includes unlimited high-speed data (up to 8 Mbps), calls, and texts, and picture messages, as well as SD quality video streaming (480p).

Through the multiline discount, the plan is potentially as cheap or cheaper (per person) than the lower-tier data plans.

Unlimited 5G Data Plan

What We Like

  • Unlimited 5G data access.

  • Includes a 15 GB mobile hotspot.

  • 150 GB of bonus cloud storage space.

What We Don't Like

  • Reduces, or throttles, speeds after you reach the data limit.

  • No Auto Pay credit with a group or multiline subscription.

This Unlimited plan includes access to 5G speeds on compatible 5G devices, as well as unlimited calls, texts, and picture messages. It also offers SD quality video streaming (480p). The plan costs $60 per month for one line, with a four-line discount of $33 per line per month. (Visit the website to view other group and multiline prices.)

10 GB Data Plan

What We Like

  • Eligible for the Group Save discount.

  • Only $35 per month after the Auto Pay credit.

  • Unlimited talk, text, and picture messages in the United States.

What We Don't Like

  • No Auto Pay credit with a group or multiline subscription.

  • Speeds are throttled after you hit the data limit.

If you need more data than the 2 GB plan offers but can't afford the price of an unlimited package, this plan supports 10 GB of high-speed data and includes unlimited talk, text, and picture messages.

If you require four or five lines, this plan is a better deal than the lower-tier data plan (2 GB). It costs $40 per month for one line and $28 per line per month for four lines.

2 GB Data Plan

What We Like

  • Most affordable option for 1 or 2 lines.

  • Unlimited talk, text, and picture messages in the U.S.

What We Don't Like

  • Slow data speeds when the network is congested.

  • Not eligible for Auto Pay discount.

  • No group or multiline discount.

If you only want a cheap, bare-bones prepaid service plan, the 2 GB plan is for you. At $30 per month per line, it is the cheapest plan available. The plan supports up to 2 GB of high-speed data, including unlimited talk, text, and picture messages. However, there is no Auto Pay discount for multiple lines—the only Cricket prepaid plan without it.

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