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Straight Talk vs Cricket Wireless: Which Is Right for You in 2026?
Cricket for pricing transparency — Straight Talk for Verizon-network value and Walmart perks
Straight Talk starts at $35/mo on Verizon. No annual contract — cancel anytime.
Cricket Wireless starts at $35/mo. Runs on AT&T network.
Cricket wins on pricing transparency — taxes are already included in Cricket's advertised price; Straight Talk adds taxes at checkout, making plans look cheaper than they are. Straight Talk's edge is Verizon-network coverage in areas where AT&T is weaker.
Cricket Smart $45/mo (taxes included) vs Straight Talk Silver $45/mo (+ taxes) — similar sticker price, but Cricket's is all-in. Cricket Supreme $55/mo (taxes included) includes a 50GB hotspot and MX/CA roaming; Straight Talk's top tiers have lower hotspot caps. Straight Talk's $55 Gold plan adds Walmart+ membership if you're already a subscriber.
Bottom line: Cricket wins on transparency and top-tier value. Straight Talk is the right pick if you're in an area where Verizon's network outperforms AT&T, or the Walmart+ bundle at the Gold tier has real value for you.
How they stack up, line by line
All plans, head-to-head
3 tiers compared · single-line pricing · w/ AutoPay
All prices single-line w/ AutoPay. Before taxes & fees unless noted.
How we rated each carrier
Weighted out of 100 · Coverage, Value, Features & Support
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