Yes, Cricket Wireless lets you finance phones through Affirm monthly loans or Progressive lease-to-own, each with different costs.
If you like Cricket Wireless but don’t want to pay full price upfront, you’ve got two main routes: a monthly loan at checkout or a lease-to-own plan. Both let you leave with a new device today. The setup, fees, and long-term cost differ, so picking the right path matters for your wallet and for true ownership.
Financing A Phone With Cricket Wireless: Your Options
Cricket supports a traditional installment-style loan through an approved partner and a separate lease-to-own offer through a third party. The table below lays out how each path works at a glance so you can match the terms to your situation.
| Option | How It Works | Good Fit For |
|---|---|---|
| Affirm Monthly Payments | A loan at checkout with fixed monthly installments; terms vary by approval. | Buyers seeking predictable payments and clear payoff dates. |
| Progressive Lease-To-Own | Lease phones/accessories with set renewals and a path to own after the term. | Shoppers without traditional credit or who prefer a lease path today. |
| Pay In Full | Purchase the phone outright in one transaction. | Anyone avoiding finance charges or lease costs altogether. |
Option 1: Affirm Monthly Payments
At checkout on Cricket’s site, you can apply for a loan and split the phone’s price into fixed monthly payments. Approval and terms come from the lender, not the carrier. If approved, you’ll see a schedule with the amount due each month and the total you’ll pay across the term. This path offers simple, predictable billing and full ownership once the final payment is made.
Want the official details in writing? Read the specifics on Cricket’s Affirm financing, including eligibility and the note that available terms come from Affirm’s lending partners.
Option 2: Progressive Lease-To-Own
Cricket also offers a lease-to-own program through Progressive Leasing. You can apply online or bring a lease ID to a store for help completing the purchase. Standard agreements run on a schedule to ownership, and acquiring ownership by leasing costs more than paying the cash price. Availability varies by state, and some states are excluded.
See the official overview, eligibility notes, and state availability on Cricket’s lease-to-own details.
Eligibility, Application Steps, And What You’ll Need
What Lenders Look For
Approval for a monthly loan depends on the lender’s review. You apply during checkout and receive an offer if you qualify. The offer spells out the term length, monthly amount, and total cost across the term for that device and cart.
What Lease Providers Require
The lease path reviews income and banking history rather than a traditional credit score. You’ll share basic identity info and provide a card or bank account for payments. Availability depends on your location; some states don’t support this program through Cricket’s partner.
Ownership, Fees, And The Real Cost
Before you choose, map out three things: the price of the phone, the total cost over time, and what ownership looks like at the end.
With A Monthly Loan
You own the device once the final installment posts. If the lender offers multiple terms, a shorter term usually yields lower total cost but a higher monthly bill. Long terms cut the monthly bite but increase the grand total. Check the payment schedule shown at approval so you know exactly what you’ll pay.
With A Lease-To-Own
You’re leasing during the term and can reach ownership per the agreement’s timeline or early-purchase options if offered. The provider states up front that leasing costs more than paying cash. Budget for that spread when you compare paths. Availability limitations also apply.
Worked Scenarios: What Payments Might Look Like
To help you visualize the trade-offs, here are simple model scenarios using round numbers. These aren’t quotes; they’re plain math illustrations so you can line up a budget. Real offers depend on approval, term, taxes, and promos at checkout.
| Scenario | Monthly Payment* | Estimated Total Paid* |
|---|---|---|
| $600 phone, 12-month loan | $55–$60 range | $660–$720 range |
| $600 phone, 24-month loan | $30–$35 range | $720–$840 range |
| $600 phone, lease-to-own path | Varies by agreement | More than cash price |
*Illustrations only, not offers. Your terms, taxes, shipping, and any upfront payment change the math.
Step-By-Step: Applying Online
Monthly Loan At Checkout
- Add the device and any accessories to your cart on Cricket’s site.
- At payment, choose the monthly loan option and apply.
- Review the term length, the monthly amount, and the total cost shown on the offer screen.
- If the offer fits, accept it and finish checkout.
Lease-To-Own Flow
- Start your application through the listed lease provider.
- Once you have a lease ID, select the lease payment method at checkout or visit a store with that ID.
- Confirm the schedule to ownership and any early-purchase path in the agreement.
The official lease page spells out how to apply, store help options, and state exclusions.
How To Pick The Right Path For Your Budget
If You Want A Simple Payoff Date
A fixed loan with a set end date keeps planning easy. You’ll see your total cost up front. If you can afford a higher monthly amount, a shorter term can lower your grand total.
If Traditional Credit Is A Hurdle
The lease path looks beyond a standard credit score and can be a way to get a device today. Plan for a higher total outlay than a cash purchase and review state availability.
If You’re Rate-Sensitive
Compare the monthly loan’s total charge to the lease path’s total to ownership. That head-to-head view keeps you from overspending just to shrink the monthly bite.
Ways To Trim What You Pay
- Pick a modest device tier. Midrange models handle daily tasks well and cut both the loan and the lease amount.
- Watch Cricket promos. Deals that drop the phone’s sticker price reduce the financed amount too. Check the current device list on Cricket’s store pages for timing.
- Trade in if offered. A trade-in credit, when available, brings down the financed or leased amount.
- Avoid impulse accessories. Every add-on rolls into the payment math. Keep the cart lean.
- Pay early when it helps. If your agreement allows an early payoff or a larger installment, you can reduce total charges.
What To Expect After You Check Out
Billing And Account Access
Your lender or lease provider sends reminders and shows your balance in its app or portal. Keep notifications on so due dates never sneak past you.
Late Or Missed Payments
If a payment looks risky, contact the lender or lease provider before the due date. They can explain options tied to your agreement. Fees, reattempts, or pauses depend on their policies, not the carrier. For lease customers, non-payment can affect your right to own the device, so reach out early.
Common Questions Buyers Ask
Can You Use Financing For Accessories Too?
At checkout, accessories can be part of the same loan or lease when the provider supports it. The official pages above describe what items are eligible across each path.
Is This Available Everywhere?
The loan path is online across Cricket’s store; final approval comes from the lender. The lease program isn’t offered in a handful of states, and participation can vary by store. The lease pages list current exclusions and contact info for questions.
Alternatives If Financing Isn’t A Match
- Buy unlocked from a reputable retailer. Pair it with a Cricket SIM and plan. This avoids finance charges and keeps your device free for future provider changes.
- Refurbished or previous-year models. A gently used flagship or last year’s midrange often lands at half the price yet still feels fast.
- Save and pay cash. A short saving window can beat long payment plans once you tally total cost.
- Manufacturer installment plans. Apple and Samsung sometimes run their own payment offers. Compare totals side by side with the options at checkout.
Quick Decision Checklist
- Do you need full ownership after the last payment? Pick the path that ends with clear title to the phone.
- Can your budget handle a slightly higher monthly bill to cut total cost? A shorter loan term can help.
- Does your state support the lease program? Check the official lease page before you plan around it.
- Are you stacking accessories in the cart? Trim the extras to keep payments lean.
- Did you read the exact schedule and total? Print or save the offer page so there are no surprises later.
Bottom Line
Yes—phone financing with Cricket is available, and it comes in two flavors. A monthly loan keeps payments simple and ends with clear ownership. A lease-to-own plan may suit shoppers who can’t use a standard loan, with a trade-off in total cost. Pick the track that matches your budget, your state’s availability, and the level of flexibility you want after payoff. If you still can’t decide, price a midrange model, check current promos, and compare the total for both paths on the same device. Clear math beats guesswork every time.