Can You Switch A Cricket Phone To Straight Talk

Merely a short time agone, you only really had a choice between the large 4 carriers: AT&T, Verizon, Dart, and T-Mobile. Notwithstanding, the last few years take seen the rising of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) who operate on major carrier networks but after some serious discounts on monthly phone bills. Their main claim is that since they don't have to pay for or maintain cell telephone towers, they can provide cheaper service to customers.

Straight Talk and Cricket Wireless are two of the leading MVNOs in the US. Both accept a range of plans that can meet any upkeep.

In this budget carrier showdown, nosotros'll take a wait at Directly Talk vs. Cricket Wireless to help you determine if one of these options is a skilful fit for you.

Before We Brainstorm: Both are MVNOS

Since both are MVNOs, they have similar advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional major network alternatives. Both companies offering no-contract, prepaid plans. Both likewise mostly have the performance and coverage of the network they employ.

On the downside, both companies have issues like reduced data speeds, information caps, or other drawbacks. So which is the correct choice for you? Take a look at this guide to notice out.

About Straight Talk

Straight Talk Wireless is currently America's largest budget carrier, with nigh 25 million customers. Amid MVNOs, they're unique in that they use AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon towers and not just ane or two networks exclusively.

TracFone is Straight Talk'due south parent company. They created the make primarily to target data-hungry individual users on a $35-55 monthly budget.

You won't find Straight Talk in any stores as well Walmart, which has an exclusive retail understanding with the company. Nevertheless, yous can purchase both phones and cellular service directly from Direct Talk via their website or by telephone.

Directly Talk Pros

First-class coverage on all major cell networks
Competitive speeds fifty-fifty with big four carriers
A large number of uniform phones
Large selection of Android and iPhones with promo discounts
Cheap activation $.99
Skilful international options (with an added fee)

Directly Talk Cons

Just three primary plans
No family plans
No data-free music streaming characteristic
Beneath boilerplate client service
Hotspot only available on $55 plan

About Cricket

Cricket was one time the fifth-largest provider in the US. It yet has an extensive network across many states, including Arizona, Texas, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and several others. AT&T purchased Cricket in 2013 and at present operates it equally a prepaid upkeep option.

Cricket uses AT&T's networks, so information technology generally has first-class service across the state. All the same, Cricket has an imposed speed cap of 8 Mbps on most of its plans, so it may not be the best pick for serious streamers.

Overall, Cricket's force is the variety of plans its offers in the $25-lx per month per line range earlier discounts. It'southward an excellent option for people looking for multi-line discounts too.

Cricket Pros

Uses AT&T National Coverage (which is improve than Dart)
Bring your own phone and a large number of uniform options
Slap-up savings on family plans
Unlimited international texting to 38 countries with higher-tier plans
No online activation fee
Good selection of budget smartphones

Cricket Cons

Unlimited LTE is more than expensive than competitors
Have to select the highest plan for mobile hotspot
No complimentary music streaming feature
Poor customer service

Unlimited Isn't Really Unlimited

Don't be tricked by either carrier'southward "unlimited information plans." Look closely, and you'll see that most of their plans provide a certain allocation of data at 4G LTE speeds, followed by a reduction in 2G speeds. Trust us; you won't exist able to get much done at those speeds.

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However, both Straight Talk and Cricket do offer truly unlimited plans will hash out in more detail after.

Directly Talk Plans

Straight Talk has three primary plans from $35-$45 per month:

3 GB: $35 per month ($34 with Automobile-refill)
25 GB: $45 per month ($44 with Automobile-refill)
Unlimited: $55 per month ($l/month for iii months with Automobile-refill)

Straight Talk customers' speeds (forth with Cricket Wireless) are deprioritized behind directly customers on the network they are using during congestion. For example, if you are using Verizon'southward network, these customers will go priority during decorated times.

Winner: Directly's Talk $45 25 GB plan is the best value for individual lines between the two carriers.

Straight Talk does not offering family plans, but at present has a 2-line, unlimited plan for $90 a month.

Cricket Plans

Cricket has a variety of plans. We'll focus on the main ones they offer:

2GB: $30
5GB: $twoscore
Unlimited BYOD: $40 (express time only)
Cricket Core (Unlimited): $55
Cricket More (Unlimited + 15GB mobile hotspot): $60

*The Cricket Core Programme offers data speeds at a max of 3Mbps while Cricket More provides unlimited data access on 4G LTE speeds (although the network may wearisome due to congestion, regardless of data usage). But the Cricket More plan offers a personal hotspot for users.

Straight Talk vs. Cricket: Family Plans

Directly Talk doesn't offer any family plans. However, they now provide a 2-line, unlimited plan for $90, which is a savings of $20 on their single-line plans.

Cricket has a diversity of family plans for 2-5 lines ranging from $lxxx-125. These plans are a role of the Cricket Cadre Programme with:

Unlimited calls and messages
Unlimited data at 3 Mbps speeds
Unlimited Video Streaming at 480P

Cricket too has fixed-rate data plans from $70-$130 per month at five GB per line at 8 Mbps speeds.

When it comes to multi-line plans, Cricket is the clear winner.

Winner: Cricket

Straight Talk vs. Cricket: Coverage and Performance

Equally mentioned, Cricket uses AT&T's network. Information technology generally has excellent coverage, but you may suffer from operation issues because of speed caps.

Straight Talk's coverage and operation are a little more than complicated. Straight Talk tin can operate on any of the major carrier networks. You do this by selecting your phone's compatibility. For instance, if you're bringing a Dart phone to Directly Talk, yous choose a SIM bill of fare designed to run on Sprint.

If you buy a phone from Direct Talk, it volition use a GSM network, either T-Mobile or AT&T.

The departure between Directly Talk and Cricket, however, is that Direct Talk doesn't have speed caps.

And you tin choose the network that has the best coverage for the area you lot live in. So if Verizon is better past you, you can go with it instead of relying on AT&T. This combination gives it a clear advantage over Cricket Wireless.

Winner: Straight Talk

Straight Talk vs. Cricket Wireless: Bring Your Ain Phone

Both carriers have brought your own phone compatibility. You tin can easily check on either site to see if your phone volition work on their network or non. Then you can purchase a SIM carte du jour, load up money, and select the best plan for you lot.

Winner: Tie

Direct Talk vs. Cricket Wireless: Telephone Selection

You can also buy phones direct from both Direct Talk and Cricket Wireless. You tin discover the latest flagship phones on their sites, but both are known for their collection of budget smartphones nether $300. Direct Talk has a huge selection, so if you lot're looking for more options to become with them.

Both companies as well do offer phone leasing options. Unlike leasing through a major carrier or direct from Apple tree, yous can expect to pay added involvement, particularly if you opt for a 24-month lease plan.

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If you can pay the phone off in less than a yr, Direct Talk won't actually charge y'all any involvement. Cricket has a "Progressive Leasing" program that can be really expensive. If you don't pay within 90 days, you could cease up paying almost double for your iPhone.

When it comes to phone selection and leasing, you're amend off going with Direct Talk or looking for an affordable option from a national carrier.

Winner: Straight Talk

Direct Talk vs Cricket Wireless: Customer Service

With any budget carrier, ready your expectations also depression when it comes to customer service. Both aren't great in this race to the bottom. But somehow, Cricket manages to have worse client service than Cricket.

Regardless of which you cull, be prepared to solve problems on your own and not receive much aid from customer service. Hopefully, you won't demand to contact them at all.

Here are the toll-free numbers for both services:

Cricket Wireless: ane-800-274-2538
Directly Talk: 1-877-430-2355

Winner: Straight Talk (barely)

Straight Talk vs. Cricket: Rewards and Perks

Both Straight Talk and Cricket have rewards programs. Well-nigh of these are discounts for using features like automobile-pay, paying bills on time, signing up friends, etc.

Both oftentimes practise have promotions for gratis phones (don't expect a flagship) if you select a qualifying rate and commit for at least three months.

If you're making the switch, bank check to come across the latest offers to see the better fit for yous.

Winner: Necktie

Directly Talk vs. Cricket: Final Thoughts

So which should y'all choose between Cricket and Direct Talk? Overall, private users will be better off going with Directly Talk, particularly the $45, 25 GB programme.

On the other, for people looking for multi-line deals, it's difficult to beat Cricket Wireless. Cricket has few competitors in the realm of solid budget family unit plans.

To encounter more carrier breakdowns, visit the Buyback Boss Blog. Nosotros' e reviewed upkeep rials similar MetroPCS vs. Boost. Or check out this head to head of Dart vs. MetroPCS. The winner may surprise you. Observe out everything y'all need to cull the all-time carrier for you lot on the Buyback Dominate Blog.