Can You Use Cricket Hotspot for Home Internet?


Updated

Cricket Hotspot

If you'd like to save some serious money while staying connected, you can replace your home internet plan with a Cricket hotspot.

Add hotspot data to your current qualifying Cricket Wireless plan and use your compatible mobile device to get other devices connected. Cricket is owned by AT&T and its hotspot uses the AT&T 5G network. Just note that a Cricket hotspot is only a good replacement for a home internet plan if you don't use much data.  

If you're a current (or future) Cricket Wireless customer, then you already know their cell phone plans can save you some serious money. But did you know that you can take those savings one step further by replacing your home internet plan with a Cricket hotspot? Read on to find out more. 

Best Cricket Mobile Hotspot Plans
Monthly Hotspot Plan Details Learn More
Supreme Unlimited Plan
50GB 
Hotspot data is an add-on 
Buy Now
Smart Unlimited 
Plan
15GB
15GB of hotspot data
Buy Now
Select Unlimited planHotspot data is an add-on
Buy Now

What is a hotspot and how does it work?


To connect to the internet with a cable or DSL plan, you'd need a router and a modem to transmit the service to your devices. Using a mobile hotspot is very similar, but instead of using broadband via cable or DSL, you're using available data from your mobile plan. And instead of using a modem and a router, you're using your cell phone (or a hotspot device) to enable the connection. 

Once you've signed up for Cricket's hotspot plan, you'll be able to stay connected wherever you go—at home or on-the-go. To find out how to tether your devices to your mobile hotspot, take a look at our guide below. 

Is hotspot data right for you?


Mobile hotspot is incredibly useful, but it's not always a good choice for home internet. Most people can't survive on only 10-15GB of data, which are the limits for Cricket's hotspot options. If you can stay at or under 15GB of data each month, then it might be perfect for you. If not, then determine how much data you'll need to be happy. You can always add more hotspot data at 10GB for $10, but that can add up pretty quickly if you're not careful. 

Also, be aware that mobile companies might advertise that you can connect up to 6 devices at one time, but it's more ideal if you keep your connections at a max of 2, so you can enjoy speeds that don't leave you buffering. Take a look below at more pros and cons for replacing your home internet with Cricket hotspot data.

Cricket's Hotspot Data
  • Secure internet connection wherever you go
  • Stop paying for expensive home internet
  • No additional equipment needed
  • Easy to add on more data if you need it
  • Your max streaming speeds are limited to 1.5Mbps
  • Limited data allotment
  • Will struggle with large uploads
  • Hotspot data is not unlimited 

Best Cricket Hotspot Plans 


Cricket Wireless only offers hotspot data with their unlimited plans, so we'll go over the differences between those two plans briefly. 

Cricket's Select Unlimited Plan does not include a standard mobile hotspot. That said, you can get a 10GB mobile hotspot feature as a paid add-on for $10/month.  

Cricket’s Supreme Unlimited plan includes 50GB of hotspot data, while its Smart Unlimited plan include 15GB of dedicated mobile hotspot data. Once the allotment is used up the hotspot speeds are slowed to 128Kbps (3G speeds). 

Cricket Mobile Hotspot Plans

The Cricket unlimited data plans below can be shared between your mobile phone and your devices (such as your laptop or tablet) for tethering with their hotspot add-on for a small monthly fee. As you pick between the plans below, let your need for speed and data allotment guide you.

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Other Cricket Hotspot Tips


If you're looking for more Cricket hotspot info, we've got it all below for you.  

  • You can only add hotspot data to a qualifying unlimited plan.
  • If you're a current Cricket customer, then you can try their hotspot data plan out for a month, to test it out—just make sure you know when the billing cycle begins and ends.

As always, WhistleOut's key goal is to ensure that you're getting a plan you love at the best price possible. So if you'd like to compare all unlimited mobile plans before you switch to a Cricket hotspot, then take a look below or use our state-of-the-art comparison engine to get customized results in an instant. 

#1
PureTalk
PureTalk

Unlimited Data w/ 30GB Hotspot Plan

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • 30GB mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get this plan for only $32.50 for the first month of service with new line activation. Plan renews at standard pricing thereafter.
$64.99/mo
+ $3 Upfront
#2
Red Pocket
Red Pocket

Premium Annual Plan (GSMA)

  • Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data
  • 10GB mobile hotspot data
  • Deal: Get 2 months FREE of service and pay only $300 for 12 months of service (equals to $25/mo.)
$300.00
Only $300 for 12 months (equals to $25/month);<br> Regular rate is $360/year or $30/month

Chris Holmes

Staff Writer

Chris Holmes
Chris Holmes is a Contributing Writer for WhistleOut, where he covers the cell phone and internet industries. His work has been cited in publications like The Verge, The New York Times, and WIRED.

Read full bio


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