Connecting with friends and family overseas on Cricket Wireless is simple and affordable, fitting its reputation as a cost-conscious carrier. Whether you make a quick call once in a while or chat for hours every week, Cricket has an option that won’t break the bank. The key is figuring out which solution fits your calling habits best.
What Are My Options for Calling Internationally With Cricket?
Think of Cricket’s international calling plans like picking a data plan. You wouldn't pay for unlimited data if you only check email, and you wouldn't want a tiny data bucket if you stream movies all day. The same logic applies here. It's all about matching the plan to how often you call to get the most value for your money.
This guide can help you figure out the best fit based on your calling habits.
As you can see, the main thing to consider is whether you're making occasional, regular, or frequent calls. That one factor will point you toward the most cost-effective choice.
Your Three Main Choices
Cricket keeps things simple with three primary ways to call abroad, each built for a different kind of user.
Here’s a quick rundown of how they stack up against each other.
Cricket International Calling Options at a Glance
| Calling Method | Monthly Cost | Key Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay-Per-Use | $0 (rates vary per minute) | No monthly commitment | The occasional, short, or emergency call abroad. |
| Cricket International | $5 | Calls to landlines and mobiles | Regularly calling friends and family in 35 included countries. |
| Cricket International Extra | $15 | Unlimited landline calls | Long, frequent conversations with people in 35 specific countries. |
Let's break down what each of these really means for your budget.
The Pay-As-You-Go Route (Individual Rates)
If you don't have an international add-on, you can still make calls. Cricket will charge you a pay-per-minute rate. These rates vary significantly depending on where you're calling, so this option is best for "just in case" situations or a very quick, one-off call. Use this sparingly to avoid surprise charges.
The Monthly Add-ons for Predictable Bills
For a flat monthly fee, you can get one of Cricket's two main add-on packages:
- Cricket International: For $5 a month, this add-on gives you calling access to 35 countries. It's a great middle-of-the-road option for regular, but not constant, communication.
- Cricket International Extra: At $15 a month, this is for the serious talkers. It gives you unlimited calls to landlines and picture/video messaging to 35 countries, plus 1,000 minutes to mobile numbers in 31 of those countries.
It's worth noting that all these options use the standard cellular network. Sometimes, you can get a clearer connection or even save money by using a different technology. You can learn more by reading up on what is WiFi calling and how it can be a great alternative.
Using Cricket Wireless Abroad: What You Need to Know
A common point of confusion is using your Cricket phone while traveling internationally. Cricket is designed for calling from the U.S. to other countries. If you're traveling, your service is generally limited to Mexico and Canada on qualifying plans.
Planning a trip to Europe, Asia, or anywhere else? Your Cricket phone likely won't connect to local networks. This is a crucial distinction for budget-conscious travelers.
Smart, Cost-Effective Alternatives for Travelers
If you're a Cricket user heading overseas, you need a different game plan. Here are two practical options:
- Get a Local SIM: This is often the cheapest method. Buy a prepaid SIM card when you arrive to get a local number and affordable data.
- Use VoIP Over Wi-Fi: Apps that use Voice over IP (VoIP), like CallSky, are a lifesaver. They let you make clear, cheap calls to any phone number in the world using a Wi-Fi connection, bypassing expensive roaming charges.
Understanding Pay-Per-Use International Rates
What happens if you don't have one of Cricket's monthly international add-ons? You can still make calls, but Cricket will handle it on a pay-per-use basis. This is convenient for a rare call but can be expensive if you talk regularly.
Think of it like a taxi meter—great for a quick trip, but the cost adds up fast on a long journey. With Cricket's pay-per-use, every minute is billed to your account, and rates can vary wildly depending on the country.
How Quickly the Costs Can Add Up
It’s crucial to know the per-minute charges. Calling a landline in one country might be cheap, but calling a mobile in another could cost several times more. For a complete breakdown of this model, check out our guide on pay-as-you-go international calls.
A single 30-minute call to some countries could easily cost more than the $5 monthly add-on.
Sample Pay-Per-Use International Calling Rates
This table gives a snapshot of what you might pay per minute from the US without an international add-on from Cricket. Rates are subject to change, so always check with Cricket for current pricing.
| Country | Calling a Landline (per minute) | Calling a Mobile (per minute) |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | $0.15 | $0.25 |
| South Korea | $0.05 | $0.10 |
| Mexico | $0.10 | $0.20 |
| United Kingdom | $0.07 | $0.22 |
As you can see, even a few short conversations can start to add up. This is exactly why a predictable monthly add-on—or a specialized VoIP service like CallSky—is usually the smarter, more cost-effective choice for anyone who regularly calls abroad.
When a VoIP App is the Cheaper, Better Choice
Cricket’s add-ons are great for predictable budgeting, but they have limits. For frequent callers, small businesses, or anyone who needs crystal-clear call quality, carrier plans can fall short. This is where Voice over IP (VoIP) apps like CallSky offer a superior and often cheaper alternative.
VoIP routes your calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines, which usually means two things: better call quality and much lower costs. It’s the go-to solution when standard Cricket international calling isn't flexible or affordable enough.
A Strategic Upgrade for Cost-Conscious Callers
Moving to a dedicated VoIP service like CallSky is a smart financial move. While Cricket offers a simple package, a service like CallSky lets you pay only for what you need with better quality and control.
Here’s where a specialized VoIP service really shines:
- Pay Only for What You Use: Instead of a fixed monthly fee, you buy credits that never expire. This is ideal for inconsistent calling patterns, ensuring you never pay for unused minutes.
- Superior Global Reach: Connect to over 180 countries, often with clearer calls routed through high-quality global networks.
- No App Required: Make calls directly from your web browser on any device, avoiding another app download.
- Business-Friendly Features: Small teams can benefit from shared credit pools, centralized contacts, and detailed call logs for easy expense tracking.
For a family with connections all over the world, a VoIP solution offers better control, quality, and cost-efficiency than a standard prepaid add-on.
Cricket is an excellent starting point for basic international calls. But for anyone whose needs are more complex or budget-sensitive, a dedicated VoIP service offers the precision and savings that a budget carrier isn't designed to provide.
Making Your First Call With a VoIP Service
If you find that standard Cricket international calling is too rigid or pricey, switching to a VoIP service is surprisingly easy. With providers like CallSky, you can make your first call just minutes after signing up.
Unlike mobile carrier plans that involve add-ons or app installations, many modern VoIP platforms are browser-based. You can start calling right from your laptop or desktop—no software downloads necessary.
Getting Started in Three Simple Steps
Here’s how to make your first international call with a service like CallSky:
- Create Your Account: Signing up is fast and just requires an email. There are no long-term contracts or credit checks.
- Add Credit: The pay-as-you-go model puts you in control. Start with as little as $5, and the credits never expire.
- Use the Web Dialer: Type the full international number into the online dialer, hit the call button, and you’re connected. It’s that straightforward.
The biggest win here is financial control. You only pay for the minutes you actually talk, which is a massive departure from the fixed monthly fees of carrier add-ons.
For a professional touch, set up your caller ID so your real phone number shows up. If you're curious about the tech, you can learn more about how VoIP for international calls delivers better quality and savings.
Got Questions? We've Got Answers
Making sense of international calling options can leave you with questions. Let's clear up some common ones so you can choose the right path for your calls abroad.
Which Countries Can I Call with the Cricket International Add-On?
The standard Cricket International ($5) and Cricket International Extra ($15) add-ons include calls to 35 countries. The "Extra" plan provides unlimited calls to landlines in all 35 countries and 1,000 minutes to mobile numbers in 31 of those countries.
For the most accurate and up-to-date list, always check Cricket's international countries page directly.
How Do I Add or Remove a Cricket International Plan?
Managing your add-ons is simple. You can log into the myCricket App or your account on their website. From there, navigate to 'Manage Features' to add or remove an international plan. Changes you make will typically take effect at the start of your next billing cycle.
Is a VoIP Service Like CallSky Actually Cheaper Than Cricket?
For many people, yes. If you make frequent, long calls to a country on Cricket's unlimited landline list, their $15 add-on can be a good value. However, for most other scenarios—calling various countries, calling mobile numbers, or making infrequent calls—a pay-as-you-go VoIP service like CallSky is often much more affordable.
With VoIP, you only pay for the minutes you use, and the credits never expire, giving you maximum value and flexibility. And when you're juggling calls across different time zones, managing your messages is just as important. Having a tool that can translate voicemail to text is a lifesaver for keeping track of important details without having to listen over and over.
Ready for clearer, cheaper international calls without being tied to a monthly plan? CallSky offers superior quality and pay-as-you-go flexibility to over 180 countries. Start calling in minutes at CallSky.io.