Cricket Wireless vs Metro by T-Mobile: which is better in 2027?

Coverage and Network Performance in 2027

Cricket Wireless uses AT&T’s network, which in 2027 still holds the largest LTE footprint across the United States, especially in rural areas and along highways. AT&T has continued to expand its mid-band 5G (C-band) in cities, but its 5G speeds generally lag behind T-Mobile’s. Metro by T-Mobile runs on T-Mobile’s network, which has the fastest median 5G download speeds in the country due to its extensive mid-band (2.5 GHz) 5G spectrum. In urban centers like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas, Metro users often see speeds above 100 Mbps, while Cricket users typically see 40–70 Mbps in the same locations.

However, T-Mobile’s network still has coverage gaps in very rural parts of the Midwest, the Mountain West, and parts of Alaska. Cricket’s AT&T network is more reliable in those areas. If you live in a small town or frequently drive through rural stretches, Cricket is the safer bet. If you live in a dense city and rarely leave, Metro will feel faster.

Plan Pricing and Features

Both carriers offer unlimited data plans with no annual contracts. In 2027, Cricket’s top unlimited plan (Cricket More) costs around $60 per month with autopay and includes 15GB of mobile hotspot, while Metro’s top unlimited plan (Metro Flex Plus) costs around $50 per month with autopay and includes 10GB of mobile hotspot. Both plans cap video streaming at 480p standard definition. Metro’s base unlimited plan (Metro Flex) starts at $40 per month with autopay but includes only 5GB of hotspot and slower data after 35GB of usage.

Cricket also offers a $30/month plan with 5GB of high-speed data (then 128kbps throttled), while Metro offers a $30/month plan with 5GB of high-speed data (then 2G speeds). Cricket’s throttled data is slightly faster (128kbps vs 64kbps on Metro), but both are basically unusable for modern apps.

Multi-line discounts are available from both carriers. Cricket offers a 4-line unlimited plan for about $100 total ($25 per line), while Metro offers a 4-line unlimited plan for about $100 total as well. The pricing is nearly identical for families.

Phone Selection and Financing

Both carriers sell locked phones that only work on their respective networks until the device is paid off (or for 6–12 months, after which you can request an unlock). Cricket offers a decent selection of budget to mid-range phones: iPhone 17, iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy S26, Galaxy A series, Moto G Stylus 2027, and Nokia G series. Metro offers a similar lineup plus a few exclusive color variants and older models at deeper discounts.

Phone financing is available from both carriers with 0% APR for 24–36 months on select devices. Cricket requires a credit check for financing; Metro also requires a credit check. If your credit is poor, both carriers offer pay-in-full options or installment plans via Affirm (Metro) or Klarna (Cricket) at variable interest rates.

International Roaming and Travel Features

Metro by T-Mobile includes unlimited talk and text plus 5GB of high-speed data in Canada and Mexico on most of its unlimited plans. Cricket Wireless, on the other hand, does not include Canada/Mexico roaming on its base unlimited plan—you must buy a $10/day add-on or upgrade to the Cricket More plan (which includes 5GB roaming in Canada/Mexico). For frequent cross-border travelers, Metro is clearly the better option.

For international calling, both carriers offer add-on packages. Cricket charges $15/month for unlimited calling to 80+ countries. Metro charges $10/month for unlimited calling to 100+ countries. Metro’s package is cheaper and covers more countries.

Neither carrier includes overseas data roaming in Europe, Asia, or Africa. You’ll need to buy a separate international data plan (e.g., Airalo, Holafly, or Google Fi) for those trips.

Home Internet Bundles

In 2027, both carriers offer home internet discounts for existing wireless customers. Metro by T-Mobile gives you T-Mobile Home Internet for $30/month (normally $60) if you have a Metro unlimited plan. Cricket Wireless offers AT&T Internet Air for $35/month (normally $55) if you have a Cricket unlimited plan. Both home internet services use 5G fixed wireless access.

T-Mobile Home Internet has wider availability and generally faster speeds (up to 300 Mbps in many areas) compared to AT&T Internet Air (up to 100 Mbps in most areas). However, AT&T Internet Air is more consistent in rural areas where T-Mobile’s 5G signal is weaker.

Customer Service and Account Management

Cricket Wireless has physical stores in many cities (often in strip malls) and a 24/7 customer service phone line. Metro by T-Mobile also has physical stores (often in urban areas) and 24/7 customer service. Both carriers have received mixed reviews for customer service, with common complaints about long hold times and inconsistent store experiences.

Online account management is straightforward on both carriers. Cricket’s app allows you to pay bills, change plans, add international features, and view usage. Metro’s app (the T-Mobile app) does the same. Both apps support autopay discounts ($5/month off on Cricket, $5/month off on Metro).

Porting your number from another carrier takes about 2–10 minutes on both networks. Cricket offers a $50 prepaid Mastercard as a port-in bonus (check current offers), while Metro offers a $100 prepaid card for port-in customers (check current offers). These bonuses change frequently, so verify on the carrier’s website before signing up.

Data Deprioritization and Throttling

Both carriers are prepaid MVNOs, meaning they can be deprioritized behind postpaid customers on their respective networks during times of congestion. In practice, this means that in crowded areas (stadiums, concerts, rush-hour trains), your data speeds may drop to 1–5 Mbps while postpaid users get faster speeds. Cricket’s deprioritization tends to be less severe than Metro’s in most cities, according to crowd-sourced speed tests from OpenSignal.

Video streaming is capped at 480p on both carriers’ unlimited plans. You can sometimes bypass this with a VPN, but that violates the terms of service and may result in throttling or account suspension. If you want HD video, you’ll need to look at postpaid plans (e.g., AT&T Unlimited Premium or T-Mobile Go5G Plus).

FAQ

Does Cricket or Metro have better coverage in rural areas? Cricket (AT&T) has significantly better rural coverage, especially in the Midwest, Mountain West, and parts of Alaska. Metro (T-Mobile) has gaps in those regions.

Can I use my own phone on Cricket or Metro? Yes, both carriers accept unlocked phones that are compatible with their networks. Cricket requires AT&T-compatible devices (GSM/UMTS/LTE/5G on bands 2, 4, 5, 12, 14, 30, 66, 71). Metro requires T-Mobile-compatible devices (GSM/LTE/5G on bands 2, 4, 5, 12, 66, 71, n41, n71, n260, n261). Check the IMEI on each carrier’s website.

Which carrier has faster 5G speeds in cities? Metro by T-Mobile generally has faster 5G speeds in cities due to T-Mobile’s extensive mid-band 5G (2.5 GHz). Cricket’s AT&T 5G is slower in most urban areas.

Do Cricket or Metro offer family plans? Yes, both offer multi-line discounts. Cricket’s 4-line unlimited plan is about $100 total. Metro’s 4-line unlimited plan is also about $100 total. Both include autopay discounts.

Can I finance a phone without a credit check? No, both carriers require a credit check for 0% APR financing. If your credit is poor, you can pay in full or use third-party financing (Affirm for Metro, Klarna for Cricket) at variable interest rates.

Which carrier is better for international travel? Metro by T-Mobile is better for travel to Canada and Mexico (included on most plans). For overseas travel, neither carrier offers good roaming—use an eSIM provider like Airalo or Holafly instead.

Do Cricket or Metro have contracts? No, both are prepaid carriers with no annual contracts. You can cancel anytime without penalties.

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Sources

• Cricket Wireless official plans page
• Metro by T-Mobile official plans page
• OpenSignal: US Mobile Network Experience Report 2026
• RootMetrics: US Mobile Network Performance Report 2026
• FCC Broadband Map for coverage comparison
• PCMag: Best Prepaid Phone Plans 2027
• CNET: Cricket vs Metro comparison 2027

Bottom Line

In 2027, the choice between Cricket Wireless and Metro by T-Mobile comes down to coverage vs. speed. Cricket (AT&T) wins for rural coverage, consistent throttled data, and straightforward plan pricing. Metro (T-Mobile) wins for urban speed, international roaming, and lower starting prices. Check coverage maps for your specific ZIP codes before committing, and take advantage of both carriers’ free 7-day trials to test real-world performance. For most people living in cities or suburbs, Metro offers better value. For rural residents or those who frequently travel through areas with weak T-Mobile signal, Cricket is the more reliable choice.