# tryCricket by Cricket Wireless vs Helium Mobile

The clearest difference is ads: tryCricket by Cricket Wireless at none against Helium Mobile's shown. tryCricket by Cricket Wireless also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported) and review sentiment (62% vs 51%). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for tryCricket by Cricket Wireless against 4.8 for Helium Mobile. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24K and 15K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 62% of tryCricket by Cricket Wireless's written reviews are positive against 51% of Helium Mobile's.

tryCricket by Cricket Wireless ships an update every 3 weeks, Helium Mobile every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 11, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | tryCricket by Cricket Wireless | Helium Mobile |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (24K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trycricket-by-cricket-wireless/id1616533573/reviews)** | [4.8 (15K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helium-mobile/id1640323514/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **24K** | 15K |
| Positive reviews | **61.5% of reviews** | 51.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 50 MB | 179 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Cricket Wireless, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/626392757) | [Noble Mobile](https://appshunter.io/developer/1820512033) |

## What reviewers say

### tryCricket by Cricket Wireless

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trycricket-by-cricket-wireless/id1616533573)

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:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- eSIM not working
- App deleting eSIM
- Inability to receive QR code
- 5G not functioning as expected

**Requested features**

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


### Helium Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helium-mobile/id1640323514)

Experience a new way to connect using the nation's largest 5G network and a community-driven infrastructure. Earn rewards based on network activity and usage. This app provides a mobile service with potential for user-generated network contributions.

**Highlights:** Nation's largest 5G network access, People-built network infrastructure, Earn rewards for network activity, Mobile service provider, Community-driven connectivity

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Excellent value
- 👍 Great phone plan
- 👍 Simple, reliable, and refreshingly honest
- 👍 Best phone plan on the planet
- 👍 True GEM

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Horrible, non-existent customer support
- 🐛 Not fully transparent or honest
- 🐛 Stupid app
- 🐛 No service
- 🐛 can't enable location sharing

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Discovery mapping feed isn't working after latest update
- Unable to claim rewards after recent update

**Requested features**

- Unlimited data option
- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard


## Frequently asked questions

### Is tryCricket by Cricket Wireless free?

tryCricket by Cricket Wireless is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Helium Mobile free?

Helium Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, tryCricket by Cricket Wireless or Helium Mobile?

tryCricket by Cricket Wireless is rated higher. tryCricket by Cricket Wireless averages 4.8 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Helium Mobile averages 4.8 from 15K ratings.

### Do tryCricket by Cricket Wireless or Helium Mobile have ads?

Helium Mobile shows ads; tryCricket by Cricket Wireless does not.

### Which is updated more often, tryCricket by Cricket Wireless or Helium Mobile?

tryCricket by Cricket Wireless ships an update every 3 weeks, and Helium Mobile every 2 weeks. Most recently, tryCricket by Cricket Wireless was updated on November 11, 2026 and Helium Mobile on November 11, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*