Cricket Wireless vs Metro by T-Mobile: Plans Compared

Cricket Wireless and Metro by T-Mobile are two of the biggest brands in the prepaid market. Both also happen to be owned by major carriers—AT&T and T-Mobile, respectively. 

This major carrier backing gives both Cricket and Metro significantly more infrastructure than your run-of-the-mill prepaid provider. That means better-than-average customer service support, feature-backed plans, and generally good coverage. 

In this article, we’ll compare Cricket and Metro’s plan lineups, and explain more generally what the experience of being signed up with the providers is like. By the end, you should have a good idea of which carrier is likely to suit you the best. 

Cricket Wireless vs. Metro by T-Mobile: Unlimited Plans

Both Cricket Wireless and Metro by T-Mobile specialize in inexpensive unlimited data plans that undercut the prices found elsewhere in the prepaid market. 

The key distinction between the two carriers is the way they handle this unlimited data: whereas all of Cricket’s offerings feature unlimited deprioritized data (which translates to slowing anytime), Metro’s offer full-strength data that’s free of such restrictions. 

Cricket Wireless Unlimited Plans

Cricket Wireless sells three unlimited plans: Select Unlimited, Smart Unlimited, and Supreme Unlimited. 

Select Unlimited is Cricket’s least expensive unlimited option at $35/month, and also the most pared-down. It features unlimited deprioritized cellular data (meaning you’ll be subject to slowing at any time), and unlimited calls and texts from the U.S. to Mexico and Canada. 

Smart Unlimited ($45/month) is Cricket Wireless’ mid-tier unlimited plan, also featuring unlimited deprioritized cellular data and unlimited calls and texts from the U.S. to Mexico and Canada. However, unlike Select Unlimited, it includes a dedicated mobile hotspot data allowance (15GB), 100GB of cloud storage, and unlimited texts to 200+ countries. 

Supreme Unlimited is Cricket’s top-tier unlimited plan. As with the others, it includes unlimited deprioritized cellular data and unlimited calls and texts from the U.S. to Mexico and Canada. This is paired with a sizable mobile hotspot data allowance of 50GB, 150GB of cloud storage, unlimited texts from the U.S. to 200+ countries, and a free HBO Max with Ads subscription. 

Bottom line: if you can live with the uncertainty that a lack of dedicated premium cellular data brings with it, Cricket’s plans are worth considering, particularly since they come backed with AT&T coverage (more on that in a bit). 

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Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited Plans

Metro’s least expensive unlimited plan is its online-only (meaning it can only be purchased via the web) Unlimited 5G Data plan. It costs $40/month, 35GB of premium cellular data, and lacks a dedicated mobile hotspot data allowance. 

One tier above this plan is the non-web exclusive version, which features more premium high-speed cellular data (50GB), not to mention a dedicated 8GB mobile hotspot data allowance. It also includes a free 100GB Google One membership. 

Lastly, we have Metro’s highest-tier unlimited plan called, appropriately, Unlimited Premium 5G Data. It gives you unlimited premium cellular data—no slowing, ever—plus 25GB mobile hotspot data allowance, unlimited international texting to 210+ countries and destinations, and that same 100GB Google One membership that the previous plan includes. 

Bottom line: all of Metro’s unlimited plans include some amount of dedicated premium cellular data, something Cricket’s offerings lack. 

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Cricket Wireless vs. Metro by T-Mobile: Capped Data Plans

Many carriers, including Metro by T-Mobile, have phased out their capped data plans in favor of unlimited data. However, Cricket Wireless has apparently seen the value of including this option, as it has done with its Sensible 10GB plan. 

As the plan’s name suggests, it features 10GB of cellular data to use each month, but lacks any of the extras of the carrier’s unlimited plans. It costs $30/month. 

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Cricket Wireless vs. Metro by T-Mobile: Multi-Month Plans

Taking a page from popular carriers like Mint Mobile, both Cricket and Metro offer discounts when you pay for multiple months of service in advance. 

Cricket has two multi-month plans, the $15/month 3-Month plan, and the $25/month 12-month plan. Both include unlimited deprioritized data, unlimited texts from the U.S. to 200+ countries and territories, usage in Mexico and Canada, a free 2 GB Cloud Storage, but no dedicated mobile hotspot data.  

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Metro by T-Mobile has one multi-month option, which they call the “3 Months On Us” plan because, you guessed it, it gives you 3 months free, when you prepay for 3 months of service in advance. The upfront payment for the plan is $120, which breaks down to $20/month. 

The plan includes 35GB of high-speed premium data to use each month before you’re subject to potential deprioritized speeds. That’s about it in terms of features, as there’s no extra hotspot data or international perks. 

Cricket Wireless vs. Metro by T-Mobile: Taxes and Fees

One upside of going with Cricket Wireless or Metro by T-Mobile is that they package in all taxes and fees into their plan prices. So, you can rest assured that you won’t be hit with any extra charges each month when you go to prepay for your plan. 

Cricket Wireless vs. Metro by T-Mobile: Coverage

Cricket Wireless and Metro use distinctly different networks to provide coverage to their customers. Specifically, Cricket uses AT&T, while Metro uses T-Mobile. 

Cricket Wireless Coverage

Cricket Wireless customers get the security of one of the best networks in the country when they sign up. According to current FCC data, AT&T offers the best combined 4G and 5G service in the country, outdoing competitors Verizon and T-Mobile. 

Use the interactive map above to verify service in your specific area—simply punch in your home address, and you can see how well you’re covered by AT&T’s 4G and 5G towers. 

Metro by T-Mobile Coverage

Metro customers also enjoy the backing of a great network in T-Mobile. By the numbers, T-Mobile offers the most overall 5G service in the United States. 

You can verify this by typing your address into the map above and seeing how well your specific area is covered by T-Mobile’s 5G network. 

An Important Coverage Caveat 

One important reality to be aware of when signing up for an MVNO is that you may not get the same level of coverage that would were you to go with a major carrier. 

All major carriers—AT&T and T-Mobile included—tend to prioritize their own customers ahead of subcarrier customers in times of network congestion. So, while you may get full strength AT&T 5G coverage with Cricket, for example, during the day time, weekends, or in uncrowded areas, it can be a different story at busier times or in crowded places (like an airport or a sporting event). 

For many, this is a worthwhile tradeoff given the money saved over the pricier plans of AT&T itself; for others, particularly those coming from a major carrier, the drop in coverage consistency is a bigger issue. 

Cricket Wireless vs. Metro by T-Mobile: Similarities

• Both Cricket and Metro package taxes and fees into their plan prices.
• Both carriers are wholly owned by major carriers—Cricket is owned by AT&T, Metro by T-Mobile
• Both Cricket and Metro offer unlimited data plans.
• Both offer multi-month plans that allow you to save.
• Both carriers offer dedicated hotspot data with certain plans.

Cricket Wireless vs. Metro by T-Mobile: Differences

• Metro’s unlimited data feature portions of premium high-speed cellular data that’s not subject to deprioritization; Cricket’s plans are all subject to deprioritization. 
• Metro runs on the T-Mobile network, while Cricket runs on AT&T. 
• Cricket’s lineup includes a capped data plan; Metro’s does not.

Cricket Wireless vs. Metro by T-Mobile: Which Should You Choose?

Cricket and Metro are two of the best deals in prepaid. Both have major carrier backing, all-in pricing, and unlimited plans that cost far less than their parent companies charge.

The deciding factor for most people will be data. Every Metro unlimited plan includes some premium high-speed data, while Cricket’s plans can slow down anytime—so heavy users and streamers should lean Metro.

Cricket wins for flexibility and budget-friendly options. Its $30 capped plan suits light users, and its 12-month plan is hard to beat if you’re happy to pay upfront.

Coverage may decide it for you. Cricket rides on AT&T’s reliable all-around network, while Metro taps into T-Mobile’s leading 5G footprint, so check the maps above to see which is stronger where you live.

Pick Metro if speed matters most, Cricket if you care more about network reliability and low-cost options. Either way, you’ll pay a lot less than you would at AT&T or T-Mobile.