Google Fi vs T-Mobile: Plans Compared

T-Mobile is a major carrier that offers a wide selection of plans aboard the company’s own national 4G and 5G networks. Google Fi is a prepaid provider (or MVNO) that subleases space on T-Mobile’s network and is owned and operated by the tech behemoth Google.  

If you’re trying to decide between signing up with Google Fi or T-Mobile, this guide will help you navigate their various plan offerings. Read on as we compare the two carriers. 

Google Fi vs T-Mobile: Similarities

• Both offer a selection of unlimited plans. 
• Both T-Mobile and Google Fi’s plans include international travel privileges.  
• Both sell a range of mid-range and flagship smartphones, from Samsung devices, to Apple iPhones, to Google Pixel phones.
• Both T-Mobile and Google Fi allow you to sign up for multiple lines of service (also known as family plans), which result in cost savings. 
• Neither include taxes and fees in their advertised prices.

Google Fi vs T-Mobile: Differences

• T-Mobile’s plans are postpaid—meaning you pay for your service at the end of the month—whereas Google Fi’s are prepaid, and can be paid for in advance. 
• T-Mobile’s unlimited plans come with additional mobile hotspot data allotments; Google Fi’s hotspot data gets extracted from your primary monthly data allowance. 
• T-Mobile operates its own nationwide system of 4G and 5G networks. Google Fi subleases network space from T-Mobile. 
• T-Mobile’s plans are among the most expensive around, while Google Fi’s are more affordable.

Google Fi vs T-Mobile: Unlimited Plans

T-Mobile has done away with its capped plan offerings, opting to go all-in on unlimited. As a result, the carrier now sells five different unlimited data plans: Essentials Saver, Essentials, Go5G, Go5G Plus, and Go5G Next. 

Essentials and Essentials Saver both include unlimited 3G mobile hotspot data allowances, while Go5G, Go5G Plus, and Go5G Next feature varying amounts of decidedly faster 5G hotspot data. Additionally, the latter three of these unlimited plans come bundled with streaming perks like free Netflix and AppleTV subscriptions, and data in 210+ countries. 

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Google Fi offers two unlimited plans: the entry-level $50/month Simply Unlimited, and the mid-range $65/month Unlimited Plus. 

Unlimited Plus is the way to go if you’re looking for an unlimited plan that includes lots of premium data (50GB) and international perks (data in 200+ international destinations, calls from the U.S. to 50+ destinations). It also includes an unlimited mobile hotspot allowance, although that data comes out of your overall monthly data allotment. 

Google Fi’s Simply Unlimited plan is a more modest —albeit less expensive—offering, with 35GB of monthly premium data, 5GB/month of hotspot data, and unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada.

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What Is an Unlimited Plan? As the name suggests, an unlimited data plan is a phone plan that includes unlimited data. However, the type of unlimited data included in these plans varies. Lower-priced unlimited plans tend to come with unlimited deprioritized data that is subject to slowdowns during busy times on a network. Some entry-level unlimited plans also offer a small amount of premium data (aka high-speed data), but many do not. Mid-level unlimited plans typically include a mix of high-speed data, capped to a certain amount, plus unlimited deprioritized data. The highest-priced unlimited plans are where you'll find truly unlimited premium data.

Google Fi vs T-Mobile: Capped Plans

As mentioned, T-Mobile has axed its capped plan offerings in favor of unlimited data plans. Google Fi, meanwhile, offers capped data by way of its Flexible plan. 

Each GB of data you add on to the Flexible plan costs an additional $10/month, making it a good option for those who tend to stay connected to WiFi most of the time. The plan also allows for hotspot usage, although whatever you consume counts against your overall monthly data.

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What Is a Capped Plan? Also commonly referred to as "By the Gig" plans, capped plans offer customers a set amount of data each month instead of unlimited data. Capped plan data is deprioritized, which means it's subject to slowdowns when the network is congested. Capped data plans can be a cost-effective alternative to unlimited plans, assuming you don’t mind deprioritized data and know how much data you use in a typical month. That's because exceeding your data cap can result in significant fees.

Google Fi vs T-Mobile: Coverage

T-Mobile’s nationwide 4G LTE and 5G networks blanket the country, allowing customers to take advantage of the carrier’s fast and reliable cellular service. Google Fi, meanwhile, subleases network space from T-Mobile, providing its customers with similarly solid coverage. 

It’s important to note that while T-Mobile’s customers are able to enjoy fast coverage straight from the source, Google Fi’s reliance on subleased network space from T-Mobile can in some instances result in slightly inferior service. Major carriers tend to prioritize their customers ahead of those who use their networks via smaller carriers like Google Fi, Mint Mobile, and Visible, at least in times of network congestion. 

These differences tend to be relatively minor, however. In all likelihood, you’ll be able to enjoy good coverage regardless of whether you’re with T-Mobile or Google Fi. 

To check T-Mobile and Google Fi coverage in your area, enter your address into our T-Mobile coverage map below. No need for a separate Google Fi coverage map—just use T-Mobile as a proxy.

The Bottom Line

Signing up for T-Mobile means you get all of the perks that come along with going with a major postpaid carrier, including excellent coverage, generous plan extras, and lots of mobile hotspot data. Of course, it all comes at a price, as T-Mobile unlimited plans are some of the most expensive on the market. 

Google Fi, of course, represents a different, very prepaid, experience. Google Fi’s plans may lack the bells and whistles of T-Mobile’s slate of offerings, they cost a lot less, and may give you enough of what you need to convince you to make the jump.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Google Fi a better deal than T-Mobile?

Yes, Google Fi is generally a better deal than T-Mobile. T-Mobile gives you great coverage, many perks, and solid hotspot options, but it comes with a higher price tag. Google Fi runs on T-Mobile’s network for less, though you might miss out on some extras and see slower speeds during busy times. 

Does Google Fi use T-Mobile Towers?

Yes, Google Fi uses T-Mobile's towers as part of its network. Google Fi is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), meaning it doesn’t own the infrastructure but partners with major carriers—in this case, T-Mobile—to provide coverage.

What are the disadvantages of Google Fi?

Some of the disadvantages of Google Fi include the limited number of plans offered, the occasionally deprioritized data resulting in slow speeds, and the lack of perks of offered with their plans, especially compared to T-Mobile.