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With the massive number of prepaid MVNOs and carrier options, it’s sometimes hard to keep track of it all and even harder to compare and decide which company is the right one for you. So, every once in a while we’re going to go through and do a Face-off of two popular companies, comparing plans and services to help you better decide. Today, we’ll look at Cricket Wireless and AT&T GoPhone. Both services are owned by AT&T, but often have slightly different pricing. If you’re wanting to get on the AT&T network but don’t want to mess with the other guys, these are the two to consider. Here’s how they compare:

Plan Prices – Price range? What is included?

Cricket Wireless – Plans range from $30 – $60

All Cricket Wireless plans come with unlimited talk, text, and low-speed data. The $40-60 plans are all eligible for the group save discount and $5 monthly credit if the account is enrolled in autopay. The $50 and $60 plans also include unlimited international texting as well as access to minutes, texts, and data while in Canada and Mexico. Conditions apply. View plans here.

GoPhone – Plans range from $30 – $65

All plans include unlimited talk and text, but only the $45 and $65 plans offer data. Both of the top tier plans allow customers to use their data, minutes, and texts in Mexico and Canada as well. View plans here.

Unlimited Talk/Text – Is it offered? What is the lowest price?

Cricket Wireless – Yes, $30 is the least expensive; it also includes 1 GB of data.

GoPhone – Yes, $30 is the least expensive; it does not include any data

Data Ranges – What is the most and least data available?

Cricket Wireless – All Cricket plans include unlimited 2G data. High speed data ranges from 1 GB to unlimited, although unlimited customers who use more than 22 GB may be slowed during select periods. Stream More, which lessens video quality to DVD quality to preserve data, is available on all plans.

GoPhone – Data options include 6 GB and unlimited. Stream Saver is automatically enabled on the unlimited plan, and can be activated on the 6 GB data plan. Add on data is available for less expensive plan; rates are around $5 for 250 MB.  The $45 plan includes data rollover.

Pay-As-You-Go Rates – What are the pay-as-you-go per minute rates?

Cricket Wireless – N/A

GoPhone – $2 per day passes are available with unlimited talk and text for the whole period; data is charged at either $0.01/MB or $1 per day. Pay-per-minute rates are also available at $0.25 /minute, $0.20/text, and $0.01/MB.

International Calling – What options are available? What does it cost?

Cricket Wireless – Cricket offers several international calling options, including a $5 and $15 international add-on as well as individual country international calling credits. Click here for more information.

GoPhone – The $45 and $65 plans include unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada as well as options to use services in both countries. Per-minute rates are available to 225 other countries; rates vary by country. Select countries are offered at a discount including Caribbean, Dominican Republic, and others. Click here for more information.

Activation Fees – How much do they cost?

Cricket Wireless – No fee if done online

GoPhone – No fee

BYOD – Can you activate your own device?

Cricket Wireless – Yes, provided it is GSM compatible. You’ll need to purchase a SIM card.

GoPhone – Yes, provided it is GSM compatible. You’ll need to purchase a SIM card.

Network/Coverage – What network does it use?

Cricket Wireless – AT&T | Coverage Map

GoPhone  – AT&T | Coverage Map

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