Advertiser Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you click carrier links. This never influences our rankings. Read our affiliate disclaimer
Verizon vs Cricket Wireless: Which Plan Saves You More in 2026?
Updated April 2026 · Based on current published pricing
Starts at
$65/mo
Verizon network
1 line · w/ autopay
Starts at
$35/mo
AT&T network
1 line · w/ autopay
All Plans Side by Side
Verizon
Unlimited Welcome
$65/mo
- ● Unlimited data (30GB priority)
- ● No hotspot
- ● 5G included
Unlimited Plus
$80/mo
- ● Unlimited data (50GB priority)
- ● 30GB hotspot
- ● 5G included (Ultra Wideband)
Unlimited Ultimate
$90/mo
- ● Unlimited data
- ● 200GB hotspot
- ● 5G included (Ultra Wideband)
- ● International roaming
Cricket Wireless
Sensible 10GB
$35/mo
- ● 10GB data
- ● No hotspot
- ● 5G included
Smart Unlimited
$50/mo
- ● Unlimited data
- ● 15GB hotspot
- ● 5G included
- ● International roaming
Supreme Unlimited
$60/mo
- ● Unlimited data
- ● 50GB hotspot
- ● 5G included
- ● International roaming
Not sure about coverage in your area? Check official coverage maps →
⚡ Ninja Verdict
Cricket for AT&T coverage in cities at a lower price — Verizon for rural reach
Different networks — Cricket runs on AT&T towers, Verizon runs its own. Cricket includes taxes at every tier; Verizon adds them at checkout. Cricket's Supreme plan ($60, taxes included) undercuts Verizon's $65 Welcome (taxes extra, no hotspot) on price while adding a 50GB hotspot and MX/CA roaming — a clear win at the entry cross-point. Verizon's edge: RootMetrics 2026 ranks Verizon #1 for rural coverage and reliability, with consistent superiority in areas where AT&T thins out. Cricket is the move if AT&T covers your area and you want to cut your bill $5–$30/mo. Verizon wins in rural zones, the Midwest, and wherever building penetration and consistency matter most.
Not sure which is right for you?
Answer 8 quick questions and get a personalized recommendation — free, takes 60 seconds.
Find My Perfect Plan →