Both are real options, and the right one depends on your coverage area, how much data you actually use, and whether you will tolerate a credit check. Here is the full breakdown with World Mobile in the mix, because if you are on the T-Mobile or AT&T network, a no contract prepaid option is usually the cheapest way to keep the same coverage.
| World Mobile | Cricket | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | T-Mobile or AT&T (strongest signal) + in-house (where deployed) | AT&T |
| Best value plan | $40/mo Unlimited (25GB fast, then unlimited) | $45/mo Unlimited, around $45 (promos vary) |
| Cheapest plan | $15/mo Starter (2GB) | $28/mo Prepaid talk and text tiers |
| Contract | No contract on any plan | Prepaid: none. Postpaid: month-to-month with credit check |
| Credit check | No credit check | Postpaid: yes. Prepaid: no |
| eSIM | Instant eSIM, or physical SIM | Yes |
| Keep your number | Yes | Yes |
| International | Free calling to 60 countries on Unlimited and Unlimited+ | International plans available |
Prices as of October 2026. Promo pricing changes. Verify before you sign up.
World Mobile runs on T-Mobile or AT&T, whichever has the strongest signal, with its own network expanding where deployed, no contract and no credit check. Unlimited 25GB fast data for $40, or 2GB for $15 if you use little. Keep your number when you switch.
See World Mobile Plans →No contract. No credit check. Keep your number.World Mobile best value is $40/mo, Cricket is $45/mo. Cricket is unlimited around $45 on AT&T's network. World Mobile is $40 with 25GB fast data, then unlimited, on T-Mobile or AT&T, whichever has the stronger signal, no contract and no credit check. World Mobile is the cheaper bill and covers both networks. Cricket is the play if you want the AT&T brand and its store network.
World Mobile: No credit check. Cricket: Postpaid: yes. Prepaid: no. World Mobile requires no credit check on any plan.
Yes. Port the number during activation and keep your old account active until the port completes. It usually takes 15 minutes to a few hours. See how to switch carriers for the full steps.
Yes. World Mobile runs on T-Mobile or AT&T, whichever has the strongest signal, with its own network expanding where deployed, at $40/month for unlimited 25GB fast data, no contract, no credit check, with a built in VPN and identity protection on top plans. Mint and Visible also ride the T-Mobile network.
See the full 2026 prepaid ranking or learn how to lower your phone bill.