Twigby vs. Cricket Wireless: Which carrier is better?

Twigby and Cricket Wireless are popular prepaid carriers that offer amazing deals for their customers to choose from. Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s put them head to head and see which brand comes out on top. 

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:

• What the coverage of both carriers looks like
• How prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Unsure of what you need out of a plan? Check out our guide on how to choose the best phone plan. 

Coverage & Reception

Twigby is on the Verizon network, while Cricket Wireless is on the AT&T network. 

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Twigby and Cricket Wireless are mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Twigby is an MVNO of Verizon, and Cricket Wireless is an MVNO of AT&T.

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Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers. 

Plan Options

Cricket Wireless offers premium data, and Twigby offers several limited plans. 

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Twigby offers several limited data plans along with an unlimited plan and a plan without data. Cricket offers premium data, which does not slow down no matter the amount of network traffic. Both companies deprioritize data, which means your connection may slow down during times of high traffic, such as a concert or a crowded parking lot. 

Twigby Plans

Twigby plans give you a discount for the first three months of service. 

Twigby offers 5 plans, ranging from plans with no data included to unlimited data. All plans offer unlimited talk and text, and all data plans offer hotspot access. All plans allow up to 50 lines on an account. All Twigby plans are on QCI tier 9. 

If you purchase your phone from Twigby, your device will be sold to you unlocked after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

No Data Plan

This plan does not have data access. 

With this plan, you do not have access to any data. This means you must have a WiFi connection in order to browse the internet, send emails, stream videos, and play games. According to Twigby, you also need to have WiFi access to use iMessage on iPhones. You also do not have access to group messaging on basic or Android phones. 

You do not have hotspot access on this plan either. 

The plan costs $10 per month, and $5 for the first 3 months. 

2GB Plan 

This plan gives you 2GB per month before slowing down. 

This plan gives you 2GB per month, which slows to 2G speeds after the cap. This slower speed allows you to send texts and emails or browse the internet, but playing games and streaming video. The plan also allows for mobile hotspot access with the 2GB included in the plan. This access stops at the 2GB cap.

The plan costs $15 per month. At this rate, you get 2GB at $7.50 per GB. This plan costs $5 per month for the first 3 months. 

5GB Plan 

This plan gives you 5GB per month if you use their service. 

This plan gives you 5GB of data to use per month, which then slows to 2G speeds after you reach the cap. 

The plan costs $20 per month. At this rate, you get 5GB at $4 per GB. The plan also gives you the first 3 months of service at $10 per month. 

8GB Plan 

This plan gives you 8GB monthly. 

This plan gives you 8GB per month of service, which slows to 2G speeds after this cap. You also get access to mobile hotspot data, which stops at 8GB. 

The plan costs $26 per month. At this rate, you get 8GB at $3.25 per GB. The plan also gives you service at $16 per month for the first 3 months. 

Unlimited Plan 

This plan gives you 20GB before slowing speeds. 

This plan gives you 20GB of data before slowing down to 2G speeds. You also get 20GB of mobile hotspot data access, which stops at the cap. 

The plan costs $35 per month. At this rate, you get 20GB at $1.75 per GB. You get service at $25 per month for the first 3 months. 

Cricket Wireless Plans

Cricket Wireless offers premium data on several of its plans.

Cricket Wireless offers 4 plans, with 2 limited and 2 unlimited plans respectively. They offer premium data, which means your data will not slow down due to high network congestion. However, premium data on the limited plans will run out due to data caps.

Some plans allow hotspot access, while others require you to purchase an additional add-on in order to use it. 

As an AT&T MVNO, Cricket Wireless’s QCI tier is tier 8. Their unlimited base plan is on tier 9. If you purchase your phone from Cricket Wireless, your device will be locked for 6 months after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are included with the advertised price. You can also add up to 5 lines on a plan.

5GB 

This plan has 5GB of premium data.

This plan offers 5GB of premium data, which doesn’t slow down during high traffic. After, your connection slows down to 128 kbps, or 2G, speeds. With these speeds, you can send texts and emails or browse the internet. It will be difficult to stream video or play games without WiFi, however. This plan does not come with hotspot access or the ability to add access. 

The plan costs $30 per month, with no available Autopay discount. At this rate, you get 5GB at $6 per GB. 

10GB 

This plan gives you premium data. 

This plan gives you 10GB of premium data, which slows down to 128 kbps, or 2G speeds after the cap. This plan does not include hotspot access, but can be added for $10 per month. You’ll get 10GB per month to use as hotspot data. 

The plan costs $40 per month before the $5 discount. At this rate, you get 10GB at $4 per GB. 

Unlimited 

This plan gives you unlimited data, but deprioritized. 

Cricket Wireless’s Unlimited plan offers unlimited data that does not slow down after any cap. However, the data you get is deprioritized, which means you’ll experience slower speeds during times of high congestion. The plan does not include hotspot access, but Cricket Wireless offers an add-on for 10GB of hotspot data for $10 per month. The hotspot stops after the 10GB are used. 

The plan costs $55 per month before the $5 Autopay discount. 

Unlimited + 15GB Hotspot 

This plan gives you unlimited premium data and access to 15GB of hotspot data included. 

As Cricket Wireless’s biggest plan, you get unlimited premium data. This means your data will not slow down no matter the traffic in the area and how much data you use. You also get 15GB of hotspot data, then unlimited hotspot data after this 15GB cap. Your speed will slow to 2G speeds after the cap. The plan also includes several features discussed below. 

The plan costs $60 per month before the $5 Autopay discount.

Features

Cricket Wireless offers HBO Max on their best plan, and Twigby offers high quality streaming resolution. 

If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Twigby does not offer this feature. Cricket Wireless includes domestic roaming access, but in limited areas.

Mexico & Canada Connection

Twigby plans allow unlimited talk in Mexico and Canada, but not text or data. Cricket Wireless offers talk and text in Mexico and Canada. They also offer data included in Mexico and Canada with their Unlimited + 15GB hotspot and Unlimited plans, as well as new accounts that purchase their 10GB plan.

International Connection

Twigby allows unlimited talk in up to 80 countries, but not text or data. Cricket Wireless offers international text included with their Unlimited + 15GB hotspot and Unlimited plans. They also offer an add-on for international calling. 

Video Streaming Quality

All Twigby data plans stream at 720p High Definition resolution. Their No Data plan requires WiFi to stream video. All Cricket Wireless plans stream at 480p Standard Definition.  

Streaming Services

Twigby does not offer this feature. Cricket Wireless offers an ad-supported Max plan on their Unlimited + 15GB hotspot plan.  

Cloud Storage

Twigby does not offer this feature. Cricket Wireless offers 150GB of cloud storage using the myPhotoVault app on their Unlimited + 15GB plan. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from either carrier, they allow you to pay for your device in installments over time with PayPal. Twigby requires Paypal for this feature. 

WiFi Calling

Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception. 

Spam Protection

Cricket Wireless offers Cricket Call Defense with all plans. Twigby does not offer this feature. 

Free Trial

Twigby and Cricket Wireless do not offer this feature.   

Customer Service 

Twigby does not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support. Cricket Wireless offers thousands of stores across the country, as well as online customer support. 

Twigby is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. They offer chat support from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST Mon. through Fri. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST Sat. through Sun. You can also email Twigby Customer Support at twigby.support@twigby.com. Cricket Wireless offers several stores across the country, and users can find the closest store to them with the website’s store locator. They also offer chat support from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mon. through Sat. and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. They also offer support over the phone at 1-800-CRICKET (274-2538) from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon. through Sat. 

The Verdict

Cricket Wireless is best for those who need lots of data, but Twigby offers a good plan for average and light users. 

Cricket Wireless and Twigby offer about the same rates on their limited plans when it comes to price per GB. However, Cricket Wireless doesn’t offer hotspot access with their plans besides Unlimited + 15GB. If you need hotspot access but a limited amount of data, Twigby is the better option. Their Unlimited plan is also best for the average user. If you need a lot of data, Cricket Wireless has that option for you. 

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

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Are you still unsure which carrier to choose, or which phone plan to pick? Use really.com to compare your top choices and find the best deal to fit your needs. Really allows you to compare and sort between most phone plans on the market without the hassle!