Cricket Wireless vs Tello

By Rob Webber • Founder & Editor

Head-to-head comparison of plans, features, and pricing

Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless

AT&T network

$—/mo

0 plans available

Tello

Tello

T-Mobile network

$8/mo

7 plans available

Looking to switch carrier but not sure if Cricket Wireless or Tello is better? Within this guide, you'll be able to compare Cricket Wireless and Tello coverage, features, plans, and prices side-by-side, so you can decide which carrier offers the best deal.

Cricket Wireless vs Tello: Coverage & Plan Comparison 2026

  1. 1. Cricket Wireless vs Tello: Reviews
  2. 2. Cricket Wireless vs Tello: Plans
  3. 3. Cricket Wireless vs Tello: Coverage
  4. 4. Cricket Wireless vs Tello: Features
  5. 5. Our Verdict
  6. 6. FAQ

Cricket Wireless vs Tello: Reviews

Cricket Wireless
Our Rating:
3.8/5
See Deals → View Plans

Pros

  • ✓ AT&T 5G & 4G LTE network coverage
  • ✓ Multi-line discounts up to 5 lines
  • ✓ Taxes and fees included
  • ✓ Retail stores nationwide
  • ✓ eSIM compatible

Cons

  • ✗ Data speeds capped at lower tiers
  • ✗ No international roaming on basic plans
  • ✗ Higher priced than online-only MVNOs
Tello
Our Rating:
5/5
See Deals → View Plans

Pros

  • ✓ T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless coverage
  • ✓ Free international calling to 60+ countries
  • ✓ Free mobile hotspot included
  • ✓ Excellent score on Trustpilot
  • ✓ eSIM compatible

Cons

  • ✗ No international roaming
  • ✗ No multi-line discounts

Cricket Wireless vs Tello: Plans

Cricket Wireless Top Plan

Unlimited

$55/mo

Powered by AT&T

See at Cricket Wireless →

Cricket Wireless Plans

Tello Top Plan

Unlimited

$25/mo

Powered by T-Mobile

See at Tello →

Tello Plans

Unlimited Talk & Text

Talk & Text · 5G

$8

See Plan →

1GB

1GB · 5G

$9

See Plan →

2GB

2GB · 5G

$10

See Plan →

5GB

5GB · 5G

$14

See Plan →

10GB

10GB · 5G

$19

See Plan →

15GB

15GB · 5G

$24

See Plan →

Unlimited

Unlimited · 5G

$25

See Plan →

Cricket Wireless vs Tello: Coverage

Cricket Wireless

Cricket Wireless is powered by AT&T 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.

View Cricket Wireless coverage map →

Tello

Tello is powered by T-Mobile 5G & 4G LTE wireless networks.

View Tello coverage map →

Cricket Wireless is powered by AT&T and Tello is powered by T-Mobile. Coverage varies by location — check availability in your area.

Cricket Wireless vs Tello: Features

Feature Cricket Wireless Tello
Networks — T-Mobile
Data Speed — 5G & 4G LTE
3G Network — GSM
Mobile Hotspot — ✅
5G — ✅
VoLTE — ✅
WiFi Calling — ✅
Visual Voicemail — ✅
Bring Your Phone — ✅
Keep Your Number — ✅
Contract — Prepaid
Credit Check — ❌
Taxes Included — ❌
Multi-line Discounts — ✅
Multi-month Discounts — ❌
Money Back Guarantee — ❌
Customer Service — Mon-Sun 8am-11:45pm ET
International Calls — Yes - 60+ countries
International Roaming — Yes - As add-on

Our Verdict

Cricket Wireless is better for budget-conscious users who want plans starting at $0/mo on the AT&T network. Tello is better if you want plans on the T-Mobile network starting at $8/mo. Both carriers offer the same tower coverage as Big Wireless at a fraction of the price.

Who Should Choose Cricket Wireless

  • ✓ You want the AT&T network
  • ✓ Plans starting at $0/mo
  • ✓ 0 plan options to choose from
View Cricket Wireless Plans →

Who Should Choose Tello

  • ✓ You want the T-Mobile network
  • ✓ Plans starting at $8/mo
  • ✓ 7 plan options to choose from
View Tello Plans →

Why You Can Trust This Comparison

I've spent years helping people ditch overpriced phone plans by exposing hidden fees and carrier tricks. At MoneySavingPro, we go beyond the fine print, testing and comparing real-world network performance so you don't have to.

I've personally tested Cricket Wireless, Tello, and other low-cost providers, comparing their speeds, coverage, and pricing to the Big 3. If there's a smarter way to save, you'll hear about it here first.

— Rob Webber, Founder & Editor

Compare Cricket Wireless vs Tello — How Much Could You Save?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cricket Wireless or Tello cheaper?
Cricket Wireless is cheaper, with plans starting at $0/mo. Tello starts at $8/mo.
Which network does Cricket Wireless use?
Cricket Wireless uses the AT&T network. You get the same coverage as AT&T customers at a lower price.
Which network does Tello use?
Tello uses the T-Mobile network. You get the same coverage as T-Mobile customers at a lower price.
Can I keep my phone number if I switch to Cricket Wireless or Tello?
Yes. Both carriers support number porting. You can transfer your existing phone number in about 10-30 minutes during the sign-up process.
Do Cricket Wireless and Tello offer 5G?
Most modern plans from both Cricket Wireless and Tello include 5G access at no extra cost where the network supports it.