At a Glance
Standard price$50/mo ($45/mo effective with AutoPay from month 2)
NetworkAT&T 5G + 4G LTE: deprioritized during congestion
High-speed dataUnlimited (deprioritized; video at 480p)
Hotspot15GB high-speed, then 128 Kbps
Perks100GB cloud storage included
InternationalFull talk/text/data in Mexico & Canada; texting to 200+ countries
EligibilityAll customers: new and existing
Multi-line4 lines $110/mo ($27.50/line); 5 lines $130 ($26/line)
Taxes & feesIncluded: $45 with AutoPay means $45
Retail supportYes: thousands of Cricket stores
Our Score
Pricing: The Middle Tier, Priced Like It
Smart runs $50/mo standard with taxes included, or $45/mo effective with the AutoPay credit from month 2.
Multi-line is where it earns its keep: 4 lines for $110/mo ($27.50/line), 5 for $130 ($26/line): comparable to AT&T Value 2.0 per line but with unlimited high-speed data instead of a 5GB cap.
What You Get, and What You Don't
What we like
✓Unlimited AT&T-network data with all-in pricing
✓15GB hotspot: a real step up from Select's zero
✓Full Mexico & Canada talk/text/data roaming
✓100GB cloud storage included
✓Open to existing customers (Select is new-only)
✓Strong family math: $27.50/line at 4 lines
Where it has limits
✕Deprioritized below Supreme and AT&T postpaid during congestion
✕Video capped at 480p on cellular
✕No HBO Max: Supreme only
✕Cricket's 12-Month prepay ($25/mo, $300 upfront) is far cheaper for committed single lines
✕No Latin America inclusion beyond Mexico/Canada
✕Visible Base at $25 all-in undercuts it for non-AT&T loyalists
Smart vs. Supreme
The in-family decision: Smart against Supreme, $10/mo apart.
FeatureSmartSupreme
Price (AutoPay)$45/mo$55/mo
Priority dataNo: deprioritizedYes (QCI 8)
Hotspot15GB50GB
HBO Max with AdsNoIncluded
Cloud storage100GB150GB
4-line total$110/mo$130/mo
Choose it if
✓You're an existing Cricket customer wanting unlimited (Select is new-only)
✓You tether occasionally: 15GB covers light remote work and travel
✓You visit Mexico or Canada: full data roaming included
✓You run 4–5 lines: $26–27.50/line is genuinely competitive
✓You want monthly flexibility, not a $300 annual prepay
✓You rarely hit congestion and don't need Supreme's priority data
Skip it if
✕You're a new customer who never tethers: Select saves $10/mo
✕You can prepay a year with your own device: Cricket 12-Month runs $25/mo
✕You hit congestion regularly or watch HBO Max: Supreme is worth the $10
✕You're not tied to AT&T. Visible Base ($25 all-in) or Mint ($30 annual) cost less
Final Verdict
7.3/10 · Cricket Smart Unlimited
The default Cricket recommendation for most users: not the cheapest, not the most feature-rich, but the most balanced: unlimited AT&T data, useful hotspot, MX/Canada roaming, and all-in pricing at $45 AutoPay. Upgrade to Supreme if you hit congestion or want HBO Max; drop to the 12-Month prepay if you're a committed single line; look at Visible if AT&T isn't a requirement.
Consider instead: Visible Base. Not tied to AT&T or retail stores? Visible Base delivers unlimited Verizon-network data with unlimited 5 Mbps hotspot for $25/mo all-in: $20 less than Smart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smart Unlimited really unlimited?
Data never stops, but it's deprioritized: during congestion, AT&T postpaid and Cricket Supreme customers get served first. In routine, non-congested use, performance is essentially identical to postpaid.
What's the difference vs Select Unlimited?
For $10/mo more, Smart adds a 15GB hotspot, full Mexico/Canada data roaming, 100GB cloud storage, and availability to existing customers. Select is new-customers-only with none of those.
Does Smart work in Mexico and Canada?
Yes: unlimited talk, text, AND data roaming in both countries, unlike Select which includes voice/text only.
Are taxes included?
Yes: Cricket's all-in pricing means $45 with AutoPay ($50 the first month) is the complete bill, versus postpaid plans that add 8–15% in taxes and fees.
Sources
- Cricket Wireless plan page and price label
- Our scoring method: How we rank
Prices change often; confirm with the carrier before you order.