Updated September 30, 2026 · TariffCue Editorial Team
Cricket Wireless vs Simpel
Cricket Wireless vs Simpel: the differences
| Compare |  Cricket Wireless |  Simpel |
|---|---|---|
| Host network | AT&T | Odido |
| Price from | $15 | €2.50 |
| Reference plan prices | 12-Month Unlimited: $25/mo, unlimited, 12-month; 3-Month Unlimited: $15/mo, unlimited, 3-month prepay; Sensible 10GB: $30/mo, 10GB, 1-month | Cheapest 12-month 30GB+: 40GB EUR12.00/mo, 40GB, 12 months; Cheapest unlimited: none listed - unlimited calls addon EUR1.50/mo; Cheapest overall: from EUR2.50/mo |
| Markets | US | NL |
| Unlimited plan price | $15 | Not confirmed |
| Wi-Fi calling | Yes | Not confirmed |
| EU roaming | Not confirmed | Included |
| Data rollover | Not confirmed | No |
| Hotspot sharing | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Mid-contract price rises | Not confirmed | Tariffs may be indexed annually as specified in your contract |
| Multi-line discount | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Seller type (Mvno), SIM-only (Yes), 5G (Yes), eSIM (Yes), Credit check required (No).
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Key differences
- Simpel scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- Support channels: only Cricket Wireless offers Chat, Phone.
- Support channels: only Simpel offers Email, Community.
- Billing: only Cricket Wireless offers Prepaid.
- Billing: only Simpel offers Contract.
- Contract length: only Cricket Wireless offers 1.
- Contract length: only Simpel offers 24.
- Markets: only Cricket Wireless offers US.
- Markets: only Simpel offers NL.
Our verdict on each
Cricket Wireless
Cricket Wireless suits US prepaid buyers who want unlimited data, hotspot sharing and eSIM support on the AT&T network with no credit check. Starting price and unlimited price are the same figure, $15 and $15, and terms run 1 and 12, so nothing jumps at renewal.
Simpel
Simpel is a Dutch virtual network operator for people who want a cheap sim only plan, a 5G connection and an eSIM without a credit check, with tariffs starting at €2.50 a month. The catch is commitment: plans run on 12 and 24, and data rollover is not on the menu.
Score breakdown
| Area | Cricket Wireless | Simpel |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0Price from ranks 194 of 258 compared brands, while the unlimited price reaches 35 of 173. | 9.6HigherSim only tariffs start at €2.50, below the €9.30 median here, though data rollover is not offered. |
| Offer | 9.0HigherHotspot sharing, wifi calling, eSIM and 5G come with the plans, a credit check is not required, and terms run 1 and 12. | 8.8Broad scope: 5G, an eSIM, no credit check and fibre reaching 1,000 Mbps on fttp. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 8.7An mvno on Odido run by Simpel.nl B.V., trading since 2007, with support on email, help centre and community. |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Cricket Wireless | Simpel |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | Netherlands |
How they place
| Ranking | Cricket Wireless | Simpel |
|---|---|---|
| SIM-only deals | 167 of 416 | 150 of 416 |
| Cheap cell phone plans (MVNOs) | 79 of 137 | 73 of 137 |
| Phone plans with eSIM | 175 of 389 | 157 of 389 |
| Phone plans without a credit check | 10 of 26 | 8 of 26 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Cricket Wireless | Simpel |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | Prepaid | Contract |
| Contract length | 1, 12 | 12, 24 |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Simpel.nl B.V. |
| Headquarters | United States | Netherlands |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2007 |
| Support channels | Chat, Phone, Help centre | Email, Help centre, Community |
Broadband
| Fact | Cricket Wireless | Simpel |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Not confirmed | Fttp |
| Top download speed (Mbps) | Not confirmed | 1,000 |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | Not confirmed | 100 to 1,000 |
| Exit fee terms | Not confirmed | After minimum term rolling monthly with 1 month notice |
| Router | Not confirmed | Modem included |
| Address checker | Not confirmed | https://www.simpel.nl/internet/product/zelf-samenstellen |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Cricket Wireless | Simpel | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited plan price | $15below the median | Not confirmed | $25 |
Median across 32 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Cricket Wireless
Pros
- A credit check is not required, which opens the door for buyers with little or no credit history.
- Hotspot sharing, wifi calling, eSIM and 5G come as standard on the plans listed, not as paid extras.
- Sim only service means you can keep the handset you already own and pay only for the plan.
Cons
- Billing is prepaid only, so there is no rolling monthly or contract invoice structure to fall back on.
- As an MVNO, mvno, coverage and speeds come from the AT&T network rather than from Cricket Wireless itself.
- Contract terms run 1 and 12, so the longer prepaid option locks you into a fixed schedule.
Simpel
Pros
- A credit check is not required, so an application does not rest on a credit file.
- An eSIM and 5G are both offered, so a recent handset works without waiting for a card in the post.
- EU roaming is included in the sim only line, and only 36.1% of the listings include it.
Cons
- Data rollover is not offered, so unused data from a quiet month is lost rather than carried into the next one.
- Plans run 12 and 24 with billing on contract, and leaving early is governed by After minimum term rolling monthly with 1 month notice, while only 78% of the listings are month to month.
- Support runs on email, help centre and community, with no phone line listed, while 81.5% of the brands offer one.
Who each suits
Cricket Wireless
Who it suits
- US prepaid buyers who want unlimited data without a credit check.
- People bringing their own phone, since sim only and an eSIM are both offered.
- Households adding several lines, where a multi line discount applies.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want a network operator rather than an MVNO: GETESA sells as network and yesss! as network, while Cricket Wireless is mvno.
- Anyone who needs a rolling or contract bill rather than prepaid: Cricket Wireless has no such structure, and Lonestar Cell MTN is a network seller.
Simpel
Who it suits
- People in NL who bring their own handset and want sim only service on 5G with no credit check.
- Households that want both lines in one place, since fibre runs to 1,000 Mbps and hardware is Modem included.
- Travellers who would rather not buy a roaming pack, since EU roaming is included.
Who should look elsewhere
- People set on a network operator rather than a virtual one: Simpel is an mvno, while GETESA (network) and yesss! (network) sit on the other side of the market.
- Anyone unwilling to sit a full term: plans run 12 and 24 with notice set by After minimum term rolling monthly with 1 month notice, so if your plans may change, read the terms at Lonestar Cell MTN (network) as well.
Current offers
Cricket Wireless
Current offer
Free trial
14-day free trial with unlimited talk and 3GB data: 14 days
Requires compatible unlocked iOS or Android phone via tryCricket app
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Cricket Wireless | Simpel |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Cricket Wireless
How much does a Cricket Wireless plan cost a month?+
Plans start at $15 a month, and the Unlimited plan is listed at $15. The two figures match, so the entry point is not a lower teaser that steps up later: the starting rate and the unlimited rate read the same. Both are monthly figures.
How long is the term on a plan?+
Contract terms run 1 and 12, so there is a monthly option alongside a longer prepaid term. Take the shorter term if you want to keep changing your mind, and the longer term if you would rather settle into a fixed schedule. Prepaid describes how you pay, not how long you commit.
Simpel
How much does a Simpel sim only plan cost to start?+
Sim only plans start at €2.50 a month, below the €9.30 median across the brands tracked here. The lowest priced bundle with a larger data allowance runs on a year contract, and unlimited calls come as a small monthly add-on rather than a plan of their own. Read the tariff terms, since the entry price is separate from what you pay later.
How long is the contract and can I leave early?+
Plans run 12 and 24 with billing on contract, and the notice terms are After minimum term rolling monthly with 1 month notice. Only 78% of the listings are month to month, so a shorter rhythm does exist elsewhere in the market. Read that notice wording before you sign, because rolling monthly is not the same as having no term.
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