Visible vs. Cricket Wireless: Which carrier is better?

Visible and Cricket Wireless are popular prepaid carriers that offer great deals for their customers. Visible has been known to have many great deals on phone plans that are more than budget-friendly. While Cricket Wireless has kept its name in the public eye for decades, even through AT&T’s acquisition! Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s put them head to head and see which brand comes out on top. 

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:

• What the coverage of both carriers looks like
• How prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Coverage & Reception - How does Visible and Cricket Wireless Compare?

Visible is on the Verizon network, while Cricket Wireless is on the AT&T network. 

Visible and Cricket Wireless are mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Visible is an MVNO of Verizon, while Cricket Wireless is an MVNO of AT&T. 

A common aspect of MVNOs you should know about is they are more likely to subject users to data deprioritization and throttled speeds. 

• Data deprioritization is “the temporary slowing of data speeds for certain customers in order to give priority to other customers.” Which means that those who are direct customers of the “parent” company will get network priority when you’re in a high traffic area like a concert hall or sports stadium, or when there’s network congestion.

• Throttling is also more likely to occur with MVNOs and “the dramatic slowing of your data speeds to the point that it becomes almost unusable.” This will happen when you go over a certain number of gigabytes of data for the month, which is referred to as a “data cap.” You’ll see this number displayed somewhere on your carrier’s website. Your normal speeds will slow down until the start of your next billing cycle.

Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers.

Verizon has the most nation-wide 4G LTE coverage out of every wireless carrier in the country which is no small feat. Covering over 70% of the country, Verizon has had it’s footprints all over the map giving reliable coverage to even the most rural of areas when it comes to LTE.

As for AT&T, they are very much considered to be the “middle of the pack” when comparing it directly to Verizon and T-Mobile. Their 4G LTE sits comfortably between the two, behind Verizon but ahead of T-Mobile, and their 5G network is above Verizon but below T-Mobile, so you know at least that you’ll be nestled in between the other two providers with a Cricket Wireless phone plan.

Another good way to look at your coverage options is to go directly to the source and see what the Visible and Cricket Wireless coverage maps look like from the websites themselves, then you can see the Visible Wireless Coverage Map here and the Cricket Wireless Coverage Map here.

Plan Options - A Close Look at Visible vs. Cricket Wireless

Visible and Cricket Wireless both offer premium data, but Visible offers hotspot access with each of their plans.

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Visible and Cricket both offer premium data options, which does not slow down no matter the amount of network traffic. Both companies deprioritize data on some of their plans as well, meaning you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and shopping centers.

It’s also important to note that Cricket Wireless does not offer hotspot access on all of their plans. 

Visible Plans

Both Visible plans offer unlimited data. 

Visible only offers two plans – Visible Base and Visible+. Visible+ offers more features as well as premium data. Both plans offer a hotspot, with that data coming from your overall plan data. As an MVNO on Verizon’s network, Visible is on QCI tier 9. Visible + has higher priority for its 50GB of premium data, which will be further explained below. 

It’s also important to note that Visible is a single line carrier – meaning you can only have one phone on an account. If you’re buying a plan for your family or with your significant other, you need to make separate accounts with separate plans for everyone. 

If you purchase your phone from Visible, your device will be locked for the first 60 days after activation. Both plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are included with the advertised price. As you can see there are a lot of Pros and Cons with Visible Wireless, so it’s always good to read up before you sign up!

Visible Base

This plan is always deprioritized.

As we said before, like most plans you’ll see on the market, Visible’s base plan has unlimited talk and text. 

Visible Base also has unlimited data with no cap – meaning you have truly unlimited data that never slows down no matter how much you use. However, the Visible base plan is always deprioritized. Your data and connection will slow down at any point of high traffic in your area, so you have access to Visible’s high-speed data no matter how much you use, but they can’t guarantee that it will stay consistent at all times.

The plan also includes unlimited mobile hotspot data. Again, your data is deprioritized and may slow down in times of high network traffic. 

This plan has two payment options, you can either pay monthly or annually. 

The Visible Base Monthly plan is $25 per month (taxes and fees included) and the Visible Base Annual plan is $275 a year (taxes and fees included, save $25 with this payment option).

Visible+

This plan gives you 50GB of premium data, then unlimited deprioritized data. 

Visible+ gives you access to Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network, which is their network for premium data. As such, the 50GBs of premium data you get with this plan will not slow down no matter how much network traffic in your area. After you use the 50GB, your data is unlimited – but subjected to the same deprioritization as the Visible Base plan. The mobile hotspot is also premium data for the first 50GB at speeds up to 10Mbps, then is deprioritized after. 

This plan has two payment options, you can either pay monthly or annually. 

The Visible+ Monthly plan is $45 per month (taxes and fees included) and the Visible+ Annual plan is $395 a year (taxes and fees included, save $145 with this payment option). At this rate, you get the 50GB of premium data at $0.90 per GB. 

Cricket Wireless Plans

Cricket Wireless offers premium data on several of its plans

Cricket Wireless offers four unlimited plans and two “fixed” or “limited” data plans. We’ll first look at their unlimited plans: 

Their $60/mo. Unlimited + 15 GB Mobile Hotspot plan comes with premium data, which means your data will not slow down due to high network congestion. However, premium data on the limited plans will run out due to data caps.

Some plans allow hotspot access, while others require you to purchase an additional add-on in order to use it. 

As an AT&T MVNO, Cricket Wireless’s QCI tier is tier 8. Their unlimited base plan, however, is QCI tier 9. If you purchase your phone from Cricket Wireless, your device will be locked for 6 months after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are included with the advertised price. You can also add up to 5 lines on a plan. Just like Visible there are a lot of Pros and Cons with Cricket Wireless, so it’s always good to read up before you sign up!

5GB 

This plan has 5GB of high-speed data.

This plan offers 5GB of high-speed data. After you go over 5GBs, your connection slows down to 128 kbps, or 2G, speeds. With these speeds, you can send texts and emails or browse the internet. This plan does not come with hotspot access or the ability to add access. 

The plan costs $30 per month, with no available Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 5GB at $6 per GB. 

10GB 

This plan gives you high-speed data. 

This plan gives you 10GB of high-speed data, which slows down to 128 kbps, or 2G speeds after the cap. 

The plan costs $40 per month before the $5 discount. At this rate, you get 10GB at $4 per GB. 

3-Month Unlimited Plan (Get your first 3 months for $75)

This plan gives you unlimited data, but deprioritized. 

Cricket Wireless’s Unlimited plan offers unlimited data that does not slow down after any cap. However, the data you get is deprioritized, which means you’ll experience slower speeds during times of high congestion.

The plan costs $25 per month for three months which means you can get your first three months for $75. 

12-Month Unlimited Plan (when you prepay $300)

This plan gives you unlimited data, but deprioritized. 

This plan offers unlimited data that does not slow down after any cap. However, the data you get is deprioritized, which means you’ll experience slower speeds during times of high congestion.

The plan costs $25 per month for twelve months but you only can get access to this plan if you prepay $300.

Unlimited Plan

This plan gives you unlimited data, but deprioritized. 

This plan offers unlimited data that does not slow down after any cap. However, the data you get is deprioritized, which means you’ll experience slower speeds during times of high congestion. The plan does not include hotspot access, but Cricket Wireless offers an add-on for 10GB of hotspot data for $10 per month. The hotspot stops after the 10GB are used. 

The plan costs $55 per month.

Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot Plan

This plan gives you unlimited “high-speed” premium data and access to 15GB of hotspot data included. 

As Cricket Wireless’s biggest plan, you get unlimited premium data. This means your data will not slow down no matter the traffic in the area and how much data you use. You also get 15GB of hotspot data, then unlimited hotspot data after this 15GB cap. Your speed will slow to 2G speeds after the cap. The plan also includes several features discussed below. 

The plan costs $60 per month.

Features - Visible vs. Cricket Wireless

While both carriers offer pretty good deals for their customers, there are some differences in the features and benefits that may entice you to pick one over the other. If you’re a frequent traveler, talk to your international friends and family a lot, or are looking for a bit more “perk” with your plan then this section will break down all of that juicy info so you can know what you’re potentially gonna get.

Cricket Wireless offers more features with their premium data plan than Visible does with theirs. 

If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer. Both Visible and Cricket Wireless offer features depending on what plan you purchase. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Visible offers domestic roaming data on their plans. Cricket Wireless includes domestic roaming access, but in limited areas.

Mexico & Canada Connection

Visible and Cricket Wireless both offer talk and text in Mexico and Canada. However, Visible does not include roaming data for Mexico and Canada with Visible Base. Visible+ includes 2GBs of roaming data per day that slows down to 2G speeds after you use it each day. Cricket Wireless offers data included in Mexico and Canada with their Unlimited + 15GB hotspot and Unlimited plans, as well as new accounts that purchase their 10GB plan.

International Connection

Visible does not give you international roaming data, but you can buy it with their Global Pass. Though, Visible+ gives you international talk and text, Visible Base does not offer this feature. The Global Pass is an add-on with their plans, you can get these benefits:

Cricket Wireless offers international text to 37 countries included with their Unlimited + 15GB hotspot and Unlimited plans. They also offer an add-on for international calling and texting for their 10GB plan and Unlimited.

Video Streaming Quality

All Cricket Wireless and Visible plans stream at 480p Standard Definition.

Streaming Services

Cricket Wireless offers an ad-supported Max plan on their Unlimited + 15GB hotspot plan. Visible does not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Cricket Wireless offers 150GB of cloud storage using the myPhotoVault app on their Unlimited + 15GB plan. Visible does not offer this feature. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from Cricket Wireless, the carrier allows you to pay for your device in installments over time. 

Visible has partnered with Affirm which is a financial company and through them you can “Buy Now and Pay Later” with select phones and Smartwatches. You can get APR financing through Visible’s deal with Affirm- (note that you may need to make a down payment, so be aware of that before you look into the program). Then once you’re done paying off said loan, the device(s) are yours. More information you need on Visible and Affirm can be found here.

WiFi Calling

Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception. 

Spam Protection

Visible offers spam protection on both of their plans, which blocks spam calls and protects you from potential fraud. Cricket Wireless offers Cricket Call Defense with all plans.

Free Trial

Visible offers a 15 day free trial. Cricket Wireless does not offer this feature. 

Customer Service 

Visible does not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support. Cricket Wireless has several locations. 

Visible is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. Visible offers 24/7 chat support from a live agent. Cricket Wireless offers several stores across the country, and users can find the closest store to them with the website’s store locator. They also offer chat support from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mon. through Sat. and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. They also offer support over the phone at 1-800-CRICKET (274-2538) from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon. through Sat. 

The Verdict

Cricket’s Unlimited + 15GB Hotspot plan is the best overall, but Visible’s Base plan is much better than Cricket’s Unlimited plan.

With the amount of features this plan includes, Cricket’s Unlimited + 15GB Hotspot plan is the best deal. They include several features such as cloud storage and streaming services for a decent price. However, Visible’s Base plan is better than Cricket’s Unlimited plan. Visible offers the same data, except with hotspot access and a much better price. 

If you’re looking for a limited data plan, the obvious choice is to go with Cricket Wireless, as Visible does not have limited data plans. 

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

Really.com helps users compare between features, coverage, price, reviews, and more!

We’ve compared Visible with other carriers before: Visible vs. Total by Verizon: Which carrier is better?

And if you want to compare and contrast Visible Wireless and Cricket Wireless to over 1,200 other phone plans so you know you’re getting the service that’s right for you, then make sure to check out the REALLY compare page which allows you to look at pricing, coverage, what phone plans are available, current deals and steals, and how you can make the most of your potential phone bill.