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Mint Mobile vs. Straight Talk vs. Cricket: Which Should I Choose?

Mint Mobile vs. Straight Talk vs. Cricket: Which Should I Choose?

    If you want to choose a cheap phone carrier for your wireless service,the MVNO carrier may be a great option.They don't build and operate their own networks and instead utilize other carriers' networks like AT&T or T-mobile.But these MVNO carriers can also provide a more streamlined experience and keep costs down.But when it comes to searching for the best MVNOs, there are some common mistakes that we are likely to commit.There are many great no-contract, prepaid carriers like Mint Mobile,Cricket,Straight Talk and more.Thanks to savvy marketing and well-built, affordable plans, Mint,Straight Talk and Cricket may be the two leading MVNO carriers at present.Mint Mobile vs. Straight Talk vs. Cricket:which is better for you?How to choose the best phone plan?In this guide, you'll be able to compare Mint Mobile,Cricket Wireless and Straight Talk coverage, features, plans and prices side-by-side, so you can decide for yourself which carrier offers the best deal.

Cover Photo:freestocks on unsplash.com
 

Mint Mobile Review

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Source:mintmobile.com

Founded in 2016, Mint Mobile is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that offers prepaid wireless plans. Its wide variety of service offerings include international calling and roaming, and Wi-Fi calling and texting.Now Mint Mobile has been recognized within the industry and has gained a positive reputation. 

Mint Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s network and utilizes its cell phone towers, including 5G at no extra charge. Mint Mobile users can expect the same ability to make and receive calls that T-Mobile’s customers experience. Best of all, Mint Mobile offers some of the cheapest unlimited data plans in the wireless market. But before you get too excited, know that your data speeds can throttle while using a prepaid carrier like Mint Mobile.As it stands heading into 2024, Mint Mobile currently offers the most value out of any cell phone carrier on the market.

Mint Mobile pros and cons

ProsCons
  • No contracts

  • The plans are simple

  • Reliable network coverage

  • Super-low monthly rates

  • Generous data allowances

  • The Hotspot plans with each plan

  • Works with most unlocked phones

  • Free calling to Mexico and Canada

  • You must buy at least three months

  • 5GB mobile hotspot cap (unlimited plan)

  • 35GB data cap (unlimited plan)

Mint Mobile plans and pricing

Mint Mobile offers four main plans that work out to as low as $15 a month, but there isn’t actually a monthly plan. You must buy plans for either three, six or 12 months at a time.

Plan
InclusionsPrice
4GB Data Plan
  • 4GB full speed data

  • Unlimited talk & text

  • Nationwide coverage

  • Uses 5G or 4G LTE, whichever

    is strongest

$15/mo
10GB Data Plan
  • 10GB full speed data

  • Unlimited talk & text

  • Nationwide coverage

  • Uses 5G or 4G LTE, whichever

    is strongest

$20/mo
15GB Data Plan
  • 15 GB full speed data

  • Unlimited talk & text

  • Nationwide coverage

  • Uses 5G or 4G LTE, whichever

    is strongest

$25/mo
Unlimited Data Plan
  • Unlimited data

  • Unlimited talk & text

  • Nationwide coverage

  • 35GB of 5G • 4G LTE Data

$30/mo
Mint Mobile now also offer family plans starting at $15/mo per line(Minimum of 2 lines | Maximum of 5 lines).

>>Go to site to view details

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Straight Talk Review

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Source:straighttalk.com

Straight Talk is a TracFone brand that primarily targets data-hungry, individual users on a budget. It has 25 million users and is known to be the largest no-contract cellular provider in America.

This MVNO operates on the networks of the big four cellular providers including T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint. The preferred network depends on coverage in your area.

It has around 800 stores in 15 countries worldwide. Today, straight talk is offering phones, devices, service plans, mobile hotspots, and other phone payment plans.Having a joint venture with Walmart makes it easier to act as an exclusive retailer which allows customers to purchase goods and services straight from Straight Talk. 

Straight Talk pros and cons

ProsCons
  • International calling

  • Easily accessible at WalMart stores

  • Unlimited data plans

  • Two-line plan option

  • Phone financing available

  • Multi-month savings available

  • Discounts for enrolling and using the auto-refill program

  • Can quickly transfer data from old phone

  • No International Texting

  • Coverage isn’t great depending on the carrier you select

  • No family plans

  • Plans not as flexible as some MVNOs

  • Slow Speed

  • Hotspot is not available with all plans and networks

Straight Talk plans and pricing

When it comes to plans, Straight Talk has options for everybody. As a matter of fact, this is the major selling point for Straight Talk that makes it popular among the competitors.

PlanInclusionsPrice
Basic Phone Plan(Nationwide)
  • 1500 Minutes Nationwide Calling

  • Unlimited Texts

  • 100MB Data

  • 30 days of service

$30/mo
Unlimited International Plan
  • Unlimited Data

  • Unlimited Nationwide + International Calling

  • 5GB Hotspot Data

$60/mo
Unlimited Plan(Nationwide + Calls to Canada & Mexico)
  • Unlimited Data

  • Unlimited Nationwide + Calls to Canada & Mexico

  • Two Lines

  • 100GB Cloud Storage per Line

  • 15GB Hotspot Data per Line

$90/mo
Platinum Unlimited Plan(Nationwide + International)
  • Unlimited Data

  • Unlimited Nationwide + International Calling

  • 20GB Hotspot Data

  • 100GB Cloud Storage

  • HD Video Streaming

  • Mobile Protec

$65/mo
Gold Unlimited Plan (Nationwide + Calls to Canada & Mexico)
  • Unlimited Data

  • Unlimited Nationwide + Calls to Canada & Mexico

  • 15GB of Hotspot Data

  • 100GB Cloud Storage

$55/mo
Silver Unlimited Plan(Nationwide + Calls to Canada & Mexico)
  • Unlimited Data

  • Unlimited Nationwide + Calls to Canada & Mexico

  • 5GB Hotspot Data

$45/mo
Bronze Unlimited Plan(Nationwide + Calls to Canada & Mexico)
  • 10GB Full Speed Data

  • Unlimited Nationwide + Calls to Canada & Mexico

  • Hotspot Enabled up to 5GB

$35/mo

>>Go to site to view details

Cricket Wireless Review

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Source:cricketwireless.com

Cricket wireless is one of the Biggest Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in the country.It was founded in Chicago in 1999. They are currently headquartered in Atlanta, GA, and they have 5,000 retail stores nationwide.

The company is also praised for its healthy marketing budget and chances to save money all year round. The company is currently owned by AT&T and sells phone services on AT&T’s network.

Easily one of the most affordable and largely preferred budget mobile carriers, Cricket Wireless comes as an easy to use and versatile service that makes sure that there is something for everyone.Owned by the widely known and used AT&T, Cricket Wireless comes with cheap plans that are mostly ideal for people who have high internet needs but who are on a budget.

Cricket pros and cons

ProsCons
  • Huge AT&T network

  • Free talk and text with all plans

  • Comes with multiple plans

  • Unlimited data plans available

  • Multi-line discount available

  • Low prices compared to some of the competitors

  • Offers mobile hotspot on the Cricket More plan

  • No activation fee if you order online

  • Auto Pay discount

  • Additional $10 per month for mobile hotspot

  • Hotspot and 5G are only on the top plan

  • No data-free music streaming feature

  • Speed limits on most plans

  • Poor customer care

  • One of the few MVNOs that charge an activation fee

Cricket plans and pricing

Cricket has four main rate plans that all include unlimited talk and text in the U.S. The main difference is data, with the first two data plans being limited to 8Mbps. The cheaper unlimited plan is limited to 3Mbps, while the most expensive unlimited plan isn't limited in speed. 3Mbps is close to what you could expect on 3G as far as speed.Taxes and fees included in pricing.

PlanInclusionsPrice
5 GB Data Plan
  • 5 GB of high-speed data

  • Unlimited talk, text & picture messages in the U.S.

  • HD Voice & Wi-Fi Calling with compatible phone

$30/mo
10 GB Data Plan
  • 10 GB of high-speed data

  • Unlimited talk, text & picture messages in the U.S.

  • HD Voice & Wi-Fi Calling with compatible phone

$40/mo
Unlimited Plan
  • Unlimited high-speed data

  • Unlimited talk, text & picture messages in the U.S.

  • SD quality video streaming (480p)

  • Mexico and Canada usage

  • Unlimited texts from the U.S. to 37 countries

  • HD Voice & Wi-Fi Calling with compatible phone

$55/mo
Unlimited + 15 GB Mobile Hotspot Plan
  • Unlimited high-speed data

  • 15 GB Mobile Hotspot

  • 150GB Cloud Storage

  • Unlimited talk, text & picture messages in the U.S.

  • HBO Max™ with Ads

  • SD quality video streaming (480p)

  • Mexico and Canada usage

  • Unlimited texts from the U.S. to 37 countries

  • HD Voice & Wi-Fi Calling with compatible phone

$60/mo

>>Go to site to view details

Mint Mobile vs. Straight Talk vs. Cricket: Comparison Side by Side

1.Features


Mint Mobile

Straight Talk

Cricket

NetworkT-MobileT-Mobile, AT&T & VerizonAT&T
5G accessAll plansAll Plans
Top unlimited plan only
International textingNot includedIncluded with unlimited international plansIncluded with unlimited plans
Mobile hotspotNot available with all plans and networksAdditional fee
Multi-line discounts
Multi-month Discounts
International Roaming
Taxes/fees included
Bring Your Phone
Keep Your Number
Customer Service24/78 am to 11:45 pm - 7 days24/7

2.Plans and Pricing


Mint MobileStraight TalkCricket
Cheapest Plan$15/mo (for 12-month bundle) for 4GB of data and unlimited talk/text$30/mo for 2GB of data and unlimited talk/text$25/mo (auto-pay) with 2GB of data and unlimited talk/text
Most Expensive Plan$30/mo for unlimited data and unlimited talk/text$90/mo for unlimited data,unlimited nationwide + calls to Canada & Mexico and 15GB hotspot data$55/mo (auto-pay) for unlimited LTE and 15GB of mobile hotspot
Most Popular Plan$20/mo (first three months prepaid, $35/mo thereafter) for 10GB of data and unlimited talk/text$40/mo for 10GB of data and unlimited talk/text$35/mo (auto-pay) for unlimited LTE when you bring your own device (speeds throttled at 22GB)

The plans on Straight Talk ranges from Basic to more advanced and expensive plans. With the basic plans, you will have to count minutes and watch your data usage. 

Mint, on the other hand, offers 3, 6, or 12-month billing cycles. The more months you bundle into a Mint pay period, the more you save.For people that are sure to stay with the Mint Services for long, you can pick the 12 months plans. The annual plans give users a better chance to save money.

Cricket offers fairly straightforward unlimited talk and text plans with varying allotments of 4G LTE data. All plan prices are flat fees, with taxes and fees included. It charges monthly and offers a $5 discount when customers enroll in autopay.

3.Coverage

Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile network to provide their services. This shows that you will only benefit from the service if you can get T-Mobile coverage in your area. Luckily, Mint Mobile is very competitive and they have increased their coverage with time. 

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Source:mintmobile.com

Cricket uses the AT&T network, which will work well for the majority of Americans. You should check out the coverage map to be sure.

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Source:cricketwireless.com

Straight Talk, on the other hand, has an advantage over Mint mobile and Cricket because it uses the top 4 carrier networks in the country. Straight Talk uses networks from AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile. This shows that you can easily use any of the simcards to get the services. It doesn’t matter where you live, there’s always a provider near you. In case you have more than one alternative, then Straight Talk will help you pick the right network.

Coverage can vary depending on your location. Start by entering your address and checking the coverage maps on websites:

Which is Best for You?

From a purely price-conscious perspective, Mint Mobile is the better option, especially if you have an unlocked phone of your own. T-Mobile's network is solid, and Mint Mobile's plans are straightforward. So long as you are willing to sign up for three months or longer at a time, you get a lot more data for your money.But still, Mint Mobile cannot match the unlimited Straight Talk’s plans for heavy users and cord cutters. 

Cricket plans tend to be more expensive than those you get from mint, but with unlimited multiple lines the price is significantly lower. It’s hard to recommend a slow unlimited plan to most people, but if you need to connect the whole family, cricket is also of great value in the top plan. 

Moving on to Straight Talk, you can get unlimited options on any network. The company offers a wide range of plans. This means that you can choose the best plan depending on your needs and preferences from 5GB to unlimited data and even international options. Users also have chances to choose which of the four major networks to use.With Straight Talk, you can save a lot of money if you pick the annual and semi-annual plans.

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2021-12-22 19:253018