Consumer Cellular vs. Cricket Wireless

Phone Plans and Prices

Consumer Cellular Plans

*Price includes a $5 discount for opting in to AutoPay and paperless billing.

Consumer Cellular offers simple, affordable phone plans designed for older adults. You don’t need to sign a contract, and you can customize your plan to pay only for the data and services you want.

Consumer Cellular lets you bring your own phone, but you can’t add it online like at T-Mobile and AT&T. When shopping online, we found that you have to call the carrier. We spoke to a pleasant customer service agent and didn’t experience any sales pressure. Plus, you can add a plan while you’re on the phone!

Our online shopping experience was straightforward with Consumer Cellular, and each plan was clearly explained with friendly and helpful customer service agents available to answer our questions.

>> Further Reading: Technology for Seniors

There are no overage fees if you use up your plan’s monthly data. Consumer Cellular automatically upgrades you to the next data plan if you go over – there’s no stress about running out of data and racking up huge fees. Remember that even with the unlimited data plan, your speeds will be slower if you use over 50 GB of data. (Cell phone companies call that “throttling.”)

Another plus: Unlike many other companies, such as Boost Mobile, Consumer Cellular doesn’t charge an activation fee when you sign up. Cricket doesn’t charge activation fees when you sign up for service online, but you will pay a $25 activation fee if you purchase or upgrade a phone plan in a Cricket store.

We like that Consumer Cellular offers multiline discounts with all plans. Each line you add costs an extra $15. If you don’t use your cell phone a ton, the unlimited talk, text, and 10 GB of data is a particularly good deal when you sign up for multiple lines. With three phone lines, for example, each line costs less than $22 per month (with autopay). You’ll also get a good amount of data and 5G coverage.

Consumer Cellular Verve Snap

>> Dive Deeper: 2024 Consumer Cellular Review

Consumer Cellular offers a money-back guarantee for 30 days — or 45 days for AARP members — if you’re not happy with your plan. We found several discounts, such as 5 percent off your monthly bill for AARP members and a $20 credit for referrals. Cricket offers referral bonuses as well: $25 for each friend you refer.

>> Related Reading: A Guide to AARP Membership

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

In my experience, Consumer Cellular is a great choice for older adults due to its flexible, straightforward, and affordable phone plans. I also give the carrier high marks for its 5G coverage and customer service.

Consumer Cellular charges 5 cents per international text sent and 10 cents a minute for roaming, so it’s not the best choice for older adults who like to travel outside the U.S. If you want unlimited data and extra perks such as service abroad and free in-flight Wi-Fi, you may want to consider T-Mobile’s Unlimited 55+ plans.

Cricket Wireless Plans

*Prices include a $5 autopay discount

Cricket offers prepaid phone plans with 5G speeds. Cricket is a prepaid carrier, which means you pay for service online or via the Cricket app at the beginning of each month. You can also set up autopay with most plans, just like with Consumer Cellular. We like how Cricket doesn’t charge data-overage fees, another similarity to Consumer Cellular.

Phone plans include unlimited talk, text, picture messages, HD Voice (which makes phone calls sound clearer), and Wi-Fi calling. You’ll need a phone that’s compatible with those features. Depending on your phone, you may need to turn on cellular data or confirm with your carrier that you’re able to use HD Voice. You’ll also need a compatible phone to use Cricket Call Defense, a helpful service that alerts you to spam, nuisance, and fraud calls, if you’re in an HD Voice coverage area.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

If you buy a phone from Cricket, you’ll need to use Cricket’s service for six months to unlock the phone. Once unlocked, you can use it with a different cell phone provider. For comparison, any phones bought from Lively can work only with Lively’s service, so we appreciate the flexibility to switch carriers.

Cricket offers a $5 autopay discount for some plans, similar to Consumer Cellular. Check out the website or call for more information because of some restrictions. There are, for example, no autopay discounts with multi-month plans or plans with a multi-line discount.

With the Unlimited + 15 GB Mobile Hotspot plan, your speeds won’t slow based on your data usage. It’s worth upgrading from the basic Unlimited plan since Cricket Wireless will slow or throttle speeds if the network is busy if you use a lot of data. Cricket lets you customize the 10 GB and 5 GB plans. For $10 per month, you can add extra features to your plan, such as an extra GB of data, mobile hotspot data, or an individual country. The customization provides flexibility, so you can build a plan perfect for your needs.

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Cricket’s prepaid plans have no contracts, so you won’t be locked into a two-year contract like you would with AT&T’s senior plans. Cricket’s plans and phones aren’t specifically designed for seniors like Consumer Cellular’s plans are, but Cricket’s monthly costs are comparable. 

A plan with 5 GB of data costs $25 per month with Consumer Cellular or $30 a month with Cricket. People with very low data needs may prefer Consumer Cellular’s plan with just 1 GB of data, since Cricket’s lowest data plan is 5 GB. Another difference is that Cricket doesn’t offer discounts for AARP members like Consumer Cellular does.

We found that Cricket’s multimonth plans can help save money and simplify your cell phone service. New customers who sign up for a single line and bring their phones can save by paying for three or more months in advance. Just remember that there’s no additional autopay discount with multi-month plans.

You can purchase Cricket plans directly from one of Cricket’s 4,400 stores nationwide, but in-store purchases include a $25 activation fee. Upgrading an existing Cricket plan in-store will also incur a $25 fee. You won’t pay an activation fee if you purchase a Cricket plan online, however, just like with Consumer Cellular. Customers have a seven-day return window for qualifying devices.

Buying in-store can be a positive experience. Cricket won the top award in customer satisfaction for its retail experience, according to J.D. Power. That’s good for customers who prefer to try a device and learn about its features in person.

The external screen on Consumer Cellular's Verve Snap

Cricket’s colorful website is easy to use. We could explore plans — which already include taxes and fees in the monthly cost — and check coverage in our area by entering our ZIP code. We like that Cricket offers free next-day shipping when you buy a phone online. When we chatted with a customer service representative on Cricket’s website, we received prompt and helpful answers to our questions.

Cricket includes international texting to 37 countries, in addition to unlimited calling and texting to Canada and Mexico on select plans. You can also use your Cricket Unlimited phone plan if you travel to Canada and Mexico. Consumer Cellular, on the other hand, charges 5 cents per text message sent to international phone numbers and international roaming fees if you want to use your service when you travel.

Cricket plans cost a little more than Consumer Cellular’s, but the international coverage may tip the scale for older adults who enjoy traveling. Purchasing a multimonth plan from Cricket, however, lowers plan costs to make them more competitive with Consumer Cellular’s notably low rates.

Nationwide Coverage

Consumer Cellular

Consumer Cellular operates on AT&T and T-Mobile networks, and partners with international carriers. Mobile analytics firm RootMetrics rated T-Mobile the best in terms of 5G availability and speed in its 2023 analysis.2

Consumer Cellular's continental U.S. coverage map

Consumer Cellular offers 5G ultra-wideband coverage, but you won’t have 5G unless your phone is compatible. We realized when we tested Consumer Cellular’s Iris Easy Flip that the phone offered only 4G coverage. We didn’t have any difficulty talking on the phone and texting with 4G coverage though. Overall, we were happy with our service.

Cricket Wireless

Cricket operates as its own company, but it’s owned by AT&T. It runs on AT&T’s reliable, nationwide 5G network. AT&T won awards for call and text performance and reliability in RootMetrics’ annual analysis in 2023.3 We found Cricket’s coverage excellent, although the connection can be weaker in rural, remote areas.

Like Consumer Cellular, Cricket’s 5G service depends on your phone compatibility and the area where you’re using your phone. Terrain and buildings can interfere with your signal and affect your service. Another thing to note is that not all Cricket plans have service to Canada and Mexico. For comparison, Consumer Cellular offers talk and text to Canada and Mexico with cheaper plans.

>> More Reading: Compare Consumer Cellular to AT&T

Consumer Cellular vs. Cricket Wireless Phones

Consumer Cellular

Using the GrandPad tablet from Consumer Cellular

You can bring your own phone, buy a phone outright, or pay in monthly installments. Consumer Cellular also offers specials on popular devices, like iPhones, Apple Watches, and Samsung Galaxy products. Like Cricket, Consumer Cellular lets you keep your old phone number. Some Consumer Cellular devices are available at Target, so you can check them out in person before ordering online or via phone.

>> Related Reading: Best Cell Phones for Seniors in 2024

When we tested Consumer Cellular’s Iris Easy Flip phone, we loved its easy-to-read screen, voice assistant, simple design, and rubberized keys that help prevent fingers from slipping. We also liked its simple, list-based menu that allows you to immediately access your calls, texts, contacts, camera, calendar, and settings.

Taking a photo on the IRIS Easy Flip.

Many Target stores sell Consumer Cellular products, but the company suggests checking online first to see whether it has a particular item in stock.

Cricket Wireless

Like Consumer Cellular, Cricket offers the option to bring your own phone and keep your phone number. Cricket will charge a $10 SIM card fee when you bring your own phone. Consumer Cellular, on the other hand, will give you a free SIM card if you need one.

Alternatively, you can purchase a new phone from Cricket Wireless. Many phones are available for free or at heavy discounts when you purchase one to three months of service.

Cricket Wireless offers a $50 flip phone, the Debut Flex, for people who want a simple device. Like Consumer Cellular, Cricket offers some deals on phones. They’re usually tied to a specific plan, whereas Consumer Cellular offers discounts on phones with any plan you choose.

Cricket Wireless Debut Flex

Our Final Thoughts on Consumer Cellular vs. Cricket Wireless

Both Consumer Cellular and Cricket use AT&T’s network, so coverage is pretty similar. Both companies also slow speeds when data usage reaches a certain point on certain plans.

In general, Consumer Cellular may be a better choice for older adults who are more concerned about price than data, especially with the provider’s AARP discount. The carrier has cheaper monthly plans than Cricket and frequently runs sales on phones. We also give Consumer Cellular high marks for its lack of activation and overage fees and U.S.-based support team that caters specifically to the senior market.

We love that Cricket is transparent about its pricing. Cricket’s monthly costs are more expensive than Consumer Cellular’s for single-line plans, but prices are more comparable when you purchase a multiline or multi-month option.

We think older adults who love to travel may prefer Cricket over Consumer Cellular, since it has a more generous international call and text plan. We also appreciate Cricket Call Defense, a nice perk that helps protect older adults from spam and nuisance calls. Seniors who don’t want to worry about running out of data and are willing to spend a little extra may want to choose Cricket over Consumer Cellular.