Visible rides Verizon with unlimited hotspot and no stores. Cricket rides AT&T with retail support and stronger family pricing. The decision comes down to two questions.
Visible and Cricket attack the budget market from opposite ends. Visible runs on Verizon, sells entirely online, offers one simple single-line unlimited plan family with taxes included, and includes unlimited hotspot. Cricket runs on AT&T, has thousands of stores, real family plans, and a big hotspot. Which wins depends on your network, whether you need family lines, and how much you value simplicity versus options.
Quick Answer: Which Should You Pick?
- Pick Visible if you want a simple single-line plan on Verizon, taxes included, unlimited hotspot, and you're comfortable managing service online.
- Pick Cricket if you need a family plan, want in-store support, prefer AT&T, or want a big hotspot with taxes included.
Short version: Visible for simple solo service on Verizon; Cricket for families, retail, and perks on AT&T.
See Visible plans →
Not sure it'll work at your address? Test the network free first — most of these carriers offer a no-risk trial before you switch.
At a Glance
| Visible (Verizon) | Cricket (AT&T) |
|---|---|
| Network | Verizon |
| Entry unlimited | $25/mo |
| Taxes & fees | Included |
| Family / multi-line | No (single-line only) |
| Hotspot | Unlimited (5–15 Mbps) |
| Retail stores | Digital-only |
| Top perks | Global Pass travel |
| Premium data | Visible+ no deprioritization |
Network: Verizon vs AT&T
Visible runs on Verizon; Cricket runs on AT&T. Both are deprioritized behind postpaid users during congestion. Verizon and AT&T both have strong nationwide coverage — Verizon often edges ahead in rural reach, AT&T has excellent wide LTE coverage. Check both maps for your area; the better network is whichever covers your home and work.
Price & Plans
| Tier | Visible | Cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Entry unlimited | $25 (taxes in) | Select — $35 (no hotspot) |
| Mid | Visible+ — $35 (no deprioritization) | Smart — $45 (15GB hotspot) |
| Top | Visible+ Pro — $45 | Supreme — $55 (50GB hotspot) |
For one line, Visible's $25 (taxes included, unlimited hotspot) undercuts Cricket's $35 Select (no hotspot, though taxes are included). Cricket only pulls ahead when you need what Visible doesn't offer: family lines, stores, or big perks.
Family Plans: Cricket Wins
Visible has no family plans — every line is separate. Cricket's Select Unlimited is $100 for four lines ($25/line). If you need multiple lines on one bill, Cricket is the clear pick; Visible is single-line by design.
Hotspot & Simplicity: Visible's Strengths
- Hotspot: Visible includes unlimited hotspot on every plan (5–15 Mbps by tier). Cricket's Select has none; you need Smart (15GB) or Supreme (50GB) for a real allotment.
- Simplicity: Visible is deliberately simple — one network, one plan family, taxes included, nothing to configure. Cricket has more tiers and add-ons to weigh.
So for a single user who tethers or just wants zero hassle, Visible is excellent. For families and perk-seekers, Cricket's complexity buys more.
Perks
- Cricket Supreme: 50GB hotspot, Mexico/Canada calling and roaming, with taxes included.
- Visible+: Global Pass international travel days and premium no-deprioritization data.
Which Is Better for You?
| Your situation | Better pick |
|---|---|
| Verizon is best where you live | Visible |
| AT&T is best where you live | Cricket |
| Single line, simple + taxes included | Visible |
| You need a family plan | Cricket |
| You want unlimited hotspot cheaply | Visible |
| You want in-store support | Cricket |
| You want a big hotspot | Cricket |
| You want no-deprioritization premium data | Visible+ |
Pros and Cons
Visible (Verizon)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| $25 unlimited, taxes included | Verizon only; single-line only |
| Unlimited hotspot on every plan | No family plans; digital-only |
| Visible+ removes deprioritization | Fewer bundled perks |
| Dead-simple, month-to-month |
Cricket (AT&T)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Real family plans ($100/4 lines) | Pricier single line ($35) |
| Thousands of stores | Select has no hotspot |
| 50GB hotspot; taxes included | Deprioritized during congestion |
| AT&T coverage | More tiers to navigate |
Get Visible →
Visible runs a 15-day trial and Cricket a 14-day one. Run them side by side on dual eSIM.
Every free carrier trial, compared →
Jean Gilles has researched personal finance, consumer technology, and wireless pricing for over a decade. He founded ShopCellPlans in 2019 and writes every review on the site.
Frequently asked questions
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