When selecting a prepaid cell phone carrier, customer satisfaction is a critical factor to consider. Here’s a comparison of the customer satisfaction ratings for all major prepaid carriers, based on recent surveys and studies.

Cricket Wireless, an AT&T subsidiary, also receives high marks for customer satisfaction. It consistently ranks near the top among full-service Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in both the ACSI (77) and J.D. Power studies (842 in costumer care & 850 in retail experience). Cricket is praised for its value and customer service, making it a strong contender in the prepaid market.

Metro by T-Mobile, formerly MetroPCS, scores well in the J.D. Power studies, with 840 in costumer care satisfaction and 858 in retail experience. In the ACSI study, its socre is 76. Metro offers competitive plans and solid customer service, earning high marks for its retail experience.

T-Mobile leads in the J.D. Power study for customer care with a score of 834 and in purchase experience with a score of 836. In the ACSI study, T-Mobile scored 77 out of 100, just one point below AT&T. T-Mobile's consistent performance in customer satisfaction highlights its commitment to providing excellent service to its customers.

AT&T ranks highly in customer satisfaction, consistently scoring well in both the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) and J.D. Power studies. In the 2024 ACSI study, AT&T scored 78 out of 100, making it the top performer among the major carriers. J.D. Power also ranked AT&T second in customer care with a score of 821 out of 1,000 and in purchase experience with a score of 824.

Verizon, while a strong performer overall, ranks slightly lower in customer satisfaction compared to AT&T and T-Mobile. In the ACSI study, Verizon scored 74 out of 100. In J.D. Power’s customer care category, Verizon scored 820, and in purchase experience, it scored 809, placing it last among the major carriers.

When comparing the two major studies on customer satisfaction in the U.S., Cricket—owned by AT&T—stands out as the top prepaid carrier in the country.

Cricket and Metro, both Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), operate without owning the infrastructure but still provide budget-friendly options with high satisfaction ratings.

It's worth mentioning that Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are the three dominant carriers in the U.S. They own their networks and also control most of the prominent MVNOs in the market.

By carefully considering customer satisfaction scores and the features offered by each carrier, you can find a prepaid plan that fits your needs and ensures a positive user experience.