As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
- Best overall: Cricket Wireless Unlimited Plan
- Best budget: Cricket Wireless 5GB Monthly Plan
- Best premium: Total Wireless 5G Unlimited+ Plan
- Best for hotspot use: Cricket Wireless Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot Plan
- Cricket Wireless offers several plan styles, including a 5GB option and unlimited-data options.
- Total Wireless focuses on 5G unlimited plans with different levels of included benefits.
- Cricket Wireless is a straightforward fit for shoppers who value simple plan choices and family lines.
- Total Wireless is worth comparing for shoppers who want 5G service and a plan with added extras.
- Check device compatibility, hotspot terms and service coverage before choosing either carrier.
Cricket Wireless vs Total Wireless Black Friday 2026 comes down to how you use your phone: data needs, hotspot habits, household size and coverage where you live. Cricket Wireless offers easy-to-understand choices, from a limited-data plan to unlimited service. Total Wireless centers its lineup on 5G unlimited options with different included features. Neither carrier is the automatic winner for every shopper.
I researched and compared plan details, network information, customer feedback and practical trade-offs to make this guide useful before you switch. Cricket Wireless is the Best bet for shoppers who want simple plan selection and a clear family-line path. Total Wireless is an Easy recommendation for people seeking an unlimited 5G plan and extra included benefits. Check each carrier’s current terms before activating.
How We Picked
- Compared plan data allowances and whether the plan suits light, moderate or heavy phone use.
- Reviewed 5G access, hotspot availability and the importance of checking plan-specific limits.
- Considered single-line shoppers as well as households adding multiple lines.
- Looked at carrier coverage and device compatibility as essential parts of the buying decision.
- Prioritized clear trade-offs, practical use cases and service features over promotional language.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Phone data | Hotspot data | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cricket Wireless 5GB Monthly Plan | Light data users | 5GB | Plan terms apply | 4G LTE and 5G where available |
| Cricket Wireless Unlimited Plan | Everyday unlimited use | Unlimited | Plan terms apply | 4G LTE and 5G where available |
| Cricket Wireless Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot Plan | Phone users who share a hotspot | Unlimited | 15GB | 4G LTE and 5G where available |
| Cricket Wireless Multi-Line Unlimited Plan | Families and shared accounts | Unlimited | Plan terms apply | 4G LTE and 5G where available |
| Total Wireless 5G Basic Plan | Entry-level 5G unlimited service | Unlimited | Plan terms apply | 5G where available |
| Total Wireless 5G+ Unlimited Plan | Unlimited users seeking added benefits | Unlimited | Plan terms apply | 5G where available |
| Total Wireless 5G Unlimited+ Plan | Heavy data users | Unlimited | Plan terms apply | 5G where available |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1
Cricket Wireless 5GB Monthly Plan
The Cricket Wireless 5GB Monthly Plan is the best limited-data choice for light users, with 5GB of monthly data for browsing, messaging and occasional streaming.
Best for: Light data users
- Monthly data
- 5GB
- Network
- 4G LTE and 5G access where available
- Service lines
- 1 line per account plan
- Clear data allowance helps manage routine use.
- A fit for people who rely on Wi-Fi at home and work.
- Uses Cricket Wireless service and compatible phones.
- 5GB runs out faster with frequent video streaming or hotspot use.
Is the Cricket Wireless 5GB Monthly Plan worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Cricket Wireless 5GB Monthly Plan is worth considering for people who mostly use Wi-Fi and need mobile data for essentials. The Cricket Wireless 5GB Monthly Plan's 5GB allowance makes the monthly limit easy to understand, but frequent streaming users should compare unlimited options.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#2 · Top pick
Cricket Wireless Unlimited Plan
The Cricket Wireless Unlimited Plan is the best everyday option for one-line shoppers who want unlimited phone data without selecting a fixed 5GB allowance.
Best for: Everyday unlimited use
- Monthly data
- Unlimited
- Network
- 4G LTE and 5G access where available
- Service lines
- 1 line per account plan
- No fixed monthly data bucket to track.
- Straightforward choice for regular app, map and video use.
- Works with compatible unlocked devices.
- Hotspot availability and data treatment depend on plan terms.
Is the Cricket Wireless Unlimited Plan worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Cricket Wireless Unlimited Plan is a practical choice for a phone user who does not want a 5GB cap. Compare its included features with Cricket Wireless Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot Plan if sharing a connection with other devices matters.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#3
Cricket Wireless Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot Plan
The Cricket Wireless Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot Plan is the best Cricket choice for hotspot users, pairing unlimited phone data with 15GB of mobile hotspot data.
Best for: Phone users who share a hotspot
- Phone data
- Unlimited
- Hotspot data
- 15GB
- Network
- 4G LTE and 5G access where available
- Includes a defined 15GB hotspot allowance.
- Provides unlimited data for use on the phone.
- Useful for travel, laptops and tablets away from Wi-Fi.
- The hotspot allowance is finite and requires tracking.
Is the Cricket Wireless Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot Plan worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Cricket Wireless Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot Plan is a strong fit for people who regularly connect a tablet or laptop while away from Wi-Fi. The Cricket Wireless Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot Plan's 15GB hotspot allotment is separate from unlimited phone data, so review hotspot terms before activation.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#4
Cricket Wireless Multi-Line Unlimited Plan
The Cricket Wireless Multi-Line Unlimited Plan is the best Cricket option for households combining service, with support for up to 5 lines on eligible multi-line arrangements.
Best for: Families and shared accounts
- Maximum lines
- Up to 5
- Phone data
- Unlimited
- Network
- 4G LTE and 5G access where available
- Designed to bring multiple household lines together.
- Unlimited data suits varied day-to-day phone use.
- One account simplifies managing the household’s service.
- Confirm current line eligibility and plan terms for every member.
Is the Cricket Wireless Multi-Line Unlimited Plan worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Cricket Wireless Multi-Line Unlimited Plan is worth comparing for a household with several phone lines. The plan supports up to 5 lines on eligible arrangements, and each person should confirm device compatibility, data terms and coverage before the account is switched.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#5
Total Wireless 5G Basic Plan
The Total Wireless 5G Basic Plan is the best entry point for shoppers who want 5G service and an unlimited-data plan without starting with a premium tier.
Best for: Entry-level 5G unlimited service
- Phone data
- Unlimited
- Network
- 5G access where available
- Service lines
- 1 line per account plan
- Unlimited data removes a fixed monthly data bucket.
- 5G access is available in supported coverage areas.
- A simple starting point for comparing Total Wireless plans.
- Included extras and hotspot terms differ by plan.
Is the Total Wireless 5G Basic Plan worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Total Wireless 5G Basic Plan is a useful starting point for a shopper who wants unlimited data and 5G access where available. Compare the plan’s hotspot and extra-benefit terms with higher Total Wireless tiers before picking a service.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#6
Total Wireless 5G+ Unlimited Plan
The Total Wireless 5G+ Unlimited Plan is the best upgrade choice for shoppers who want unlimited 5G service with more included plan benefits than a basic tier.
Best for: Unlimited users seeking added benefits
- Phone data
- Unlimited
- Network
- 5G access where available
- Service lines
- 1 line per account plan
- Pairs unlimited data with a higher-tier feature set.
- 5G access suits compatible phones in covered areas.
- A useful comparison point against Cricket’s hotspot plan.
- Confirm which extras are included in the selected plan terms.
Is the Total Wireless 5G+ Unlimited Plan worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Total Wireless 5G+ Unlimited Plan is worth a look for shoppers who want unlimited data and a higher-tier feature set. Compare its included benefits, hotspot rules and local 5G coverage with the Total Wireless 5G Basic Plan before switching.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#7
Total Wireless 5G Unlimited+ Plan
The Total Wireless 5G Unlimited+ Plan is the best premium pick for heavy phone users who want unlimited data and the carrier’s expanded 5G plan tier.
Best for: Heavy data users
- Phone data
- Unlimited
- Network
- 5G access where available
- Service lines
- 1 line per account plan
- Unlimited data supports frequent phone use.
- Higher-tier positioning suits shoppers comparing added benefits.
- 5G access is available with a compatible device in covered areas.
- A premium tier is unnecessary for users with modest data needs.
Is the Total Wireless 5G Unlimited+ Plan worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
The Total Wireless 5G Unlimited+ Plan suits heavy phone users who value unlimited data and a higher-tier plan. Check its current included features alongside coverage and device support, then compare those details with the less feature-rich Total Wireless options.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
Which carrier is better for Black Friday 2026?
Cricket Wireless and Total Wireless offer 2 different approaches to prepaid phone service: Cricket Wireless emphasizes a range of familiar data options, while Total Wireless focuses on unlimited 5G plans. The better fit depends on your current phone, local signal and how much data your household uses.
Choose Cricket Wireless if you want to compare a 5GB plan, an unlimited plan and a plan with 15GB of hotspot data. Choose Total Wireless if unlimited service and 5G access are your priorities and a higher-tier plan’s included features appeal to you. Before a switch, check service coverage at home, work and your regular travel destinations.
For Black Friday 2026, compare the service itself rather than choosing by a headline alone. Look at activation requirements, device compatibility, hotspot rules and line-management needs.
Is Cricket Wireless or Total Wireless better for unlimited data?
Cricket Wireless and Total Wireless both have unlimited-data plan options, so 2 questions matter most: which plan features you need and which network serves your locations well. Cricket Wireless Unlimited Plan is a simple option for everyday phone use; Total Wireless 5G Basic Plan is a starting point for shoppers focused on 5G unlimited service.
Unlimited phone data does not automatically mean unlimited hotspot use. Cricket Wireless Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot Plan specifies a 15GB hotspot allowance, while other plans have their own terms. Read the current plan details if you connect a laptop, tablet or gaming device away from Wi-Fi.
Consider your usage before upgrading. People who mostly browse and message on Wi-Fi often do not need the most feature-rich tier. Frequent video, navigation and app use make unlimited phone data more appealing.
Which carrier is better for families and multiple lines?
Cricket Wireless Multi-Line Unlimited Plan supports up to 5 lines on eligible arrangements, making Cricket Wireless a clear option to investigate for a household account. Comparing several lines together can simplify service management and help everyone use one carrier account.
Total Wireless plan eligibility and line details depend on the selected plan, so confirm the current terms before moving a family. Check each person’s phone compatibility, number-transfer requirements and coverage needs. A carrier that works well for one family member’s commute is not automatically a fit for everyone.
Make a short list of each user’s data habits and device needs. A household with frequent hotspot use has different priorities from one where every phone stays connected to home or school Wi-Fi.
What should shoppers know about hotspot data?
Cricket Wireless Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot Plan includes 15GB of hotspot data, making it the most clearly specified hotspot pick in this guide. Hotspot data lets a compatible phone share a cellular connection with other devices, such as a laptop or tablet.
Phone data and hotspot data are separate plan details. A plan with unlimited data on the phone does not necessarily provide unlimited tethering. Review the hotspot allowance, compatible devices and any speed or usage rules before relying on a phone as your primary travel connection.
If hotspot use is rare, a plan without a large hotspot allocation can be a sensible fit. If you work on the move, check how often you use video calls, cloud services and large file downloads before choosing.
How do coverage and phone compatibility affect the choice?
Cricket Wireless and Total Wireless both require suitable coverage and a compatible phone for reliable service, so check both before ordering or transferring a number. A plan’s advertised 5G access only helps when the location and device support the carrier’s available network.
Confirm that your phone is unlocked and eligible for the carrier you select. Check the device’s model number, supported network bands and eSIM or physical SIM requirements. Older phones and imported models deserve an extra compatibility check.
Review coverage at the places you use most: home, workplace, school and common travel routes. Ask household members about dead zones and call quality, then use each carrier’s coverage information to guide the final decision.
Buying Guide
Start with your data use
Estimate how much mobile data you use in a typical month. The Cricket Wireless 5GB Monthly Plan suits light use, while unlimited options are easier for frequent streaming, navigation and app use.
Count every line
List the phones that need service and compare account rules for each line. Cricket Wireless Multi-Line Unlimited Plan is designed for eligible arrangements with up to 5 lines.
Check hotspot needs
Decide whether your phone needs to connect a laptop or tablet. Cricket Wireless Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot Plan lists a 15GB hotspot allowance; compare the included hotspot terms on other plans.
Verify network and device fit
Check carrier coverage where you live and work, then confirm that your unlocked phone is compatible. 5G service requires both supported network coverage and a compatible device.
Compare plan details before activation
Read the latest plan terms for data treatment, hotspot access, included benefits, number transfers and activation. Confirming those details helps prevent surprises after a carrier switch.
FAQ
Is Cricket Wireless better than Total Wireless for Black Friday 2026?
Cricket Wireless is a strong choice for shoppers who want a clear selection of limited-data, unlimited and hotspot plans. Total Wireless is worth comparing for unlimited 5G service and higher-tier plan benefits. Check coverage, device compatibility and current terms before choosing.
Does Cricket Wireless or Total Wireless offer unlimited data?
Both Cricket Wireless and Total Wireless offer unlimited-data plan options. Cricket Wireless has the Cricket Wireless Unlimited Plan, while Total Wireless offers options including Total Wireless 5G Basic Plan. Compare hotspot rules and other included features, not just the unlimited label.
Which Cricket Wireless plan includes hotspot data?
Cricket Wireless Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot Plan includes 15GB of mobile hotspot data alongside unlimited phone data. The hotspot allowance is separate from phone data. Check the current plan terms and confirm your phone supports the hotspot feature.
Is Total Wireless 5G available everywhere?
Total Wireless 5G access depends on coverage at your location and a compatible phone. Check the carrier’s coverage information for home, work and travel routes before switching. A 5G plan alone does not guarantee a 5G connection in every place.
Can I bring my phone to Cricket Wireless or Total Wireless?
You can bring a phone when it is unlocked and compatible with the carrier’s service. Confirm the phone’s model, network support and SIM or eSIM requirements before moving your number. Check eligibility directly with the carrier before starting activation.
Which carrier is better for a family plan?
Cricket Wireless Multi-Line Unlimited Plan is a family-friendly option to compare, with eligible arrangements supporting up to 5 lines. Families should review each member’s coverage, phone compatibility, data use and line terms before consolidating service.