Cricket Wireless vs. Metro by T-Mobile – A Detailed Comparison
With a diverse list of plans and varying settings, Cricket Wireless and Metro by T-Mobile set out to provide top notch services for users, but which one is better?
For some time, MVNO (Mobile Virtue Network Operators) have been providing users with cheaper talk, SMS and data plans as compared to the main mobile carriers in the market today. Cricket Wireless, owned by AT&T, is one of these MVNOs, and it takes care of both individual and family customers. Its competition, Metro by T-Mobile which is owned by T-Mobile, also comes with incredibly cheap and ideal data, talk and SMS plans for regular use.
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When to use Cricket Wireless
If you are an individual or a family that has unique needs as far as data, calls and SMS go, you might want to get yourself a Cricket Wireless line. It comes with a total of 8 plans that have different combinations and prices, and that are suited for different needs. You will also realize that they are pretty affordable, making it ideal for people who want to save a coin or two.
When to use Metro by T-Mobile
Just like Cricket Wireless Metro by T-Mobile comes with a good deal of plans from which to choose, and it boasts excellent speeds, delivering the best 5G speed of all mobile carriers. This makes it ideal for people who are in metropolitan areas because this is largely where coverage is excellent.
Cricket Wireless vs. Metro by T-Mobile Features Comparison
Feature |
Cricket Wireless |
Metro by T- Mobile |
Network Type |
MVNO |
MVNO |
Number of Plans |
8 |
5 |
Monthly Subscriptions |
$35 – $125 |
$30 – $60 |
Mobile Hotspot |
Available on the Cricket More plan |
Available on the Unlimited $50 Plan |
Action |
Cricket Wireless vs. Metro by T-Mobile – What Criteria did we use to evaluate them?
To determine the better mobile carrier of the two, we sought to find out which one gives better plans at more competitive prices, and which one of the two comes with excellent coverage. We also sought to determine the more inclusive mobile carrier as far as both individual and group/ family plans are concerned.
Cricket Wireless vs. Metro by T-Mobile – A Detailed Review
Cricket Wireless Review
Easily one of the most affordable and largely preferred budget mobile carriers, Cricket Wireless comes as an easy to use and versatile service that makes sure that there is something for everyone.Owned by the widely known and used AT&T, Cricket Wireless comes with cheap plans that are mostly ideal for people who have high internet needs but who are on a budget.
One of the main reasons it manages to remain so affordable is the fact that it is an MVNO, meaning that it relies on larger mobile carrier’s towers for network coverage. In this case, Cricket Wireless depends on AT&T towers for the same. This is likely why they are much cheaper, especially considering that they do not have to deal with tower maintenance costs.
When it comes to plans, Cricket Wireless comes with quite a number for both individual and family use. This allows for people to pick that which suits them best, and they are distributed as below;
Cricket Wireless Individual Plans
Number of lines |
Data Provided |
Monthly Subscription |
1 |
Unlimited calls and SMS + 2 GB |
$30 |
1 |
Unlimited calls and SMS + 5GB |
$40 |
1 |
Unlimited calls and SMS + BYOD |
$40 |
1 |
Unlimited calls and SMS + Unlimited Data |
$55 |
1 |
Unlimited calls and SMS + Unlimited data + 15 GB Hotspot |
$60 |
Cricket Wireless Family Plans
Bundle/ Plan |
2 lines |
3 lines |
4 lines |
5 lines |
2 GB data + calls and SMS |
$60 per month |
$90 per month |
$120 per month |
$150 per month |
10 GB + calls and SMS |
$70 per month |
$90 per month |
$110 per month |
$130 per month |
Unlimited data + calls and SMS |
$80 per month |
$90 per month |
$100 per month |
$125 per month |
Unlimited Plus |
$90 per month |
$110 per month |
$130 per month |
$160 per month |
The tables above are a clear indication that there are many choices from which to pick, and that affordability is key.
Feature |
|
Number of available plans |
8 |
Network Type |
MVNO |
Mobile Hotspot |
Available on the Cricket More Plan |
Pros
- Comes with multiple plans
- Pretty affordable
- Offers mobile hotspot on the Cricket More plan
Cons
- You get mobile hotspot on just one plan
Metro by T-Mobile Review
Formerly referred to as Metro CPS, Metro by T-Mobile is a budget mobile carrier that works incredibly well for people in metropolitan regions, and who have high data needs, but on a low budget.Just like Cricket Wireless, it comes with both individual and family plans for easy choosing.
Just as the name suggests, it is owned by T-Mobile, and uses its towers for network transmission. It is incredibly reliable and fast, especially in metropolitan areas. When it comes to both family and individual plans, Metro by T-Mobile comes with multiple bundles from which to choose, allowing you to select one that works best for you. In case you are looking for a plan that has mobile hotspot support, you might want to choose the unlimited $50 plan which comes with 15 GB for hotspot.
Below are Metro by T-Mobile plans.
Plan |
Number of lines |
Specifics |
Subscription per month |
Unlimited data plan |
1 |
Unlimited data, no contract needed |
$30 |
Unlimited text, talk and fast data |
1 |
Unlimited fast data, no contract needed |
$37 + initial $3.99 |
Unlimited text, call and fast data |
1 |
Unlimited fast data, no contract needed |
$39 |
Unlimited data – Single month plan |
1 |
Unlimited data, no contract needed |
$39 |
Unlimited plan |
1 |
Unlimited data, no contract needed |
$40 + $10 (Upfront) |
Unlimited plan |
4 |
Unlimited data |
$150 + $40 (Upfront) |
While most plans come with nearly similar characteristics, it is worth noting that each one presents different features such as data capping and mobile hotspot.
Feature |
|
Number of available plans |
5 |
Network Type |
MVNO |
Mobile Hotspot |
Available on the Unlimited $150 Plan |
Pros
- Comes with many plans
- It is pretty affordable
- Incredible network coverage
Cons
- Mobile hotspot is only available on one plan
Cricket Wireless vs. Metro by T-Mobile – How do they compare?
Number of Available Plans
Metro by T-Mobile is a mobile carrier that comes with a total of 5 plans, 4 of which are meant for individual use. For family use, they offer one plan that allows for a maximum of 4 lines at the same time. On the other hand, Cricket Wireless come with a total of 8 plans, 3 of which are made for family use.
Cricket Wireless comes with more plans for both individual and family use, making it better than Metro by T-Mobile.
Data Prices
Both mobile carriers actually present decent prices, but you will definitely get a lot more for your money when you are using Metro by T-Mobile which has more competitive prices for every plan, and you will notice that each comes with unlimited data. On the other hand, Cricket Wireless comes with great data plans, but just a few come with the unlimited data option.
Metro by T-Mobile comes with much better prices and a lot more data for less money, making it better than Cricket Wireless.
Mobile Hotspot
Both Cricket Wireless and Metro by T-Mobile come with Mobile Hotspot, but on different plans. With Cricket Wireless, you will have access to mobile hotspot on the Cricket More plan while Metro by T-Mobile comes with mobile hotspot on the unlimited $150 plan for 4 people.
Metro by T-Mobile comes with mobile hotspot for 4 people while Cricket Wireless only allows it for one person, and this makes Metro by T-Mobile a better option.
Conclusion
While both mobile carriers come with unique offers, it is pretty clear that Metro by T- Mobile comes with better plans, especially because every plan offers unlimited data for users. This feature sets it apart from Cricket Wireless, making it a better mobile carrier.
FAQs
- Can I buy a Metro by T-Mobile line online?
No, but you will have access to numerous physical shops to buy a line.
- What is the deprioritization threshold for Metro by T-Mobile?
Data deprioritization begins at 35GB.