Comparison

tryCricket by Cricket Wireless vs AirTalk Wireless

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

tryCricket by Cricket Wireless

Test a wireless carrier's network from your own unlocked phone for 14 days. Experience unlimited talk and text, 3GB of data, and nationwide 5G. Seamlessly switch to a full plan within the app if you're satisfied.

Highlights
  • 14-day free trial
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • 3GB of data
  • Nationwide 5G access
  • Hassle-free eSIM setup
  • Switch to full plan in-app
Features
Read full description

Looking for an affordable wireless provider? Download the tryCricket® app to see how our network stacks up where you work, live and play. We’ll give you a phone number to use during the trial on your unlocked phone, so there’s zero disruption to your existing service. Included with Your 14-day Free Trial: • Unlimited talk & text • 3 GB of data* • Nationwide 5G** • Hassle-free setup with eSIM*** (start trial in 15 minutes or less) *U.S. only. Video is limited to SD. **Cricket 5G requires a compatible device and is not available everywhere. ***Compatible device required Love us? Join Cricket Nation with Just a Tap You can switch to a full Cricket plan with no annual contract, no credit check, or hidden fees directly in the app. Bring the phone you love (BYOD) or buy one from us. Download tryCricket® and start your free Cricket 14-day trial.

About

AirTalk Wireless

This app provides free wireless phone service, including a smartphone and monthly plan with unlimited talk, text, and data. Manage your account, check usage, purchase extra data, and activate international calling. Refer friends to earn rewards and shop for new devices and accessories.

Highlights
  • Apply for free phone and plan
  • Check data, minutes, and text usage
  • Purchase extra 5G data
  • Activate international calling
  • Refer friends for rewards
  • Shop phones and accessories
Features
Read full description

AirTalk Wireless – Free Wireless, No Gimmicks We keep it simple: Free phone. Free plan. Everything you need, nothing you don’t. Get started in minutes and manage it all from one app. Whether you're applying for service or checking your data, the AirTalk app puts full control in your hands. Lifeline-eligible? You could get a free smartphone and monthly service with unlimited talk, text, and up to 15GB of data — no contracts, no credit checks. Manage your account: • Apply for your free phone & plan in minutes • Check your data, minutes & text usage • Purchase extra 5G data whenever you need it • Activate international calling instantly Share & earn: • Refer friends and get rewarded • Easily send invite links from inside the app Shop phones & accessories: • Explore our latest smartphones, tablets, and accessories • Get exclusive upgrade deals inside the app Why AirTalk? We're a licensed Lifeline provider serving millions of Americans. Our mission is to keep you connected — without the fees or confusion. Download the app today Join thousands who are already getting free service through AirTalk Wireless. Apply in-app, manage everything with ease, and never miss a moment.

Screenshots

tryCricket by Cricket Wireless4 screens
AirTalk Wireless4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: tryCricket by Cricket Wireless at 4.8 against AirTalk Wireless's 4.5. tryCricket by Cricket Wireless also leads on review sentiment (62% vs 46%). AirTalk Wireless's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

tryCricket by Cricket Wireless holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 23K and 18K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of tryCricket by Cricket Wireless's written reviews are positive against 46% of AirTalk Wireless's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

tryCricket by Cricket Wireless ships an update every 3 weeks, AirTalk Wireless weekly. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
tryCricket by Cricket Wireless versus AirTalk Wireless: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametertryCricket by Cricket WirelessAirTalk Wireless
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (23K ratings) — better4.5 (18K ratings)
Positive reviews61.5% of reviews — better45.8% of reviews
Number of ratings23K — better18K
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.614.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB97 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperCricket Wireless, LLCHTH COMMUNICATIONS

Customer experience

tryCricket by Cricket Wireless

All ratings22,379 ratings
Positive95.2%
Neutral1.5%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews247 reviews
Positive61.5%
Neutral2.0%
Negative36.4%

AirTalk Wireless

All ratings17,948 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral3.9%
Negative8.5%
Written reviews487 reviews
Positive45.8%
Neutral7.8%
Negative46.4%

User reviews

tryCricket by Cricket Wireless

From 23K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Seamless and easy to use
  • 🚀 Hassle-free setup and activation
  • 💡 Helpful 14-day free trial
  • 🚀 Reliable service and coverage

Room to improve

  • 🐛 eSIM activation issues
  • 🐛 Microphone not working
  • 🐛 Unable to receive texts or make calls
  • 🐛 Trial period ended prematurely

AirTalk Wireless

From 18K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great phone service
  • 👍 Awesome service
  • 🚀 Exceptional service
  • 👍 Mostly good reviews
  • 👍 Mostly good service

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Horrible customer service
  • 🐛 Inept customer service
  • 🐛 No customer service
  • 🐛 Terrible customer service
  • 🐛 App doesn't work

Bugs and requests

tryCricket by Cricket Wireless

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • eSIM not working
  • App deleting eSIM
  • Inability to receive QR code
  • 5G not functioning as expected

Requested features

4 requests
  • Increase free trial duration
  • Improve data allotment for trial
  • Add option to cancel trial
  • Ensure full compatibility with all devices

AirTalk Wireless

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Phones not working
  • Activation problems
  • Porting issues
  • App not functioning

Requested features

3 requests
  • Unlimited data plan
  • Better phone selection
  • Improved customer service

In-app purchases

None

tryCricket by Cricket Wireless

No in-app purchases

None

AirTalk Wireless

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is tryCricket by Cricket Wireless free?
tryCricket by Cricket Wireless is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AirTalk Wireless free?
AirTalk Wireless is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, tryCricket by Cricket Wireless or AirTalk Wireless?
tryCricket by Cricket Wireless is rated higher. tryCricket by Cricket Wireless averages 4.8 out of 5 from 23K ratings, while AirTalk Wireless averages 4.5 from 18K ratings.
Do tryCricket by Cricket Wireless or AirTalk Wireless have ads?
Neither tryCricket by Cricket Wireless nor AirTalk Wireless shows ads.
Which is updated more often, tryCricket by Cricket Wireless or AirTalk Wireless?
tryCricket by Cricket Wireless ships an update every 3 weeks, and AirTalk Wireless weekly. Most recently, tryCricket by Cricket Wireless was updated on November 7, 2026 and AirTalk Wireless on November 7, 2026.

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