Google Fi vs Verizon: Plans Compared

Verizon Wireless is the biggest carrier in the country, with national 4G LTE and 5G networks that stretch from coast to coast. Google Fi is a much smaller prepaid provider (or MVNO) that subleases space on T-Mobile’s network. 

If you’re trying to decide between signing up with Google Fi or Verizon, this guide will help you navigate their various plan offerings. Read on as we compare the two carriers. 

Google Fi vs Verizon: Similarities

• Both offer multiple unlimited plans.
• Both Verizon 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 Verizon 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 Verizon: Differences

• Verizon’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. 
• Verizon’s unlimited plans come with additional mobile hotspot data allotments; Google Fi’s hotspot data gets extracted from your primary monthly data allowance. 
• Verizon operates its own nationwide system of 4G and 5G networks. Google Fi subleases network space from T-Mobile. 
• Verizon’s plans are among the most expensive around, while Google Fi’s are more affordable. 

Google Fi vs Verizon: Unlimited Plans

Verizon sells three primary postpaid unlimited plans: the entry-level Unlimited Welcome ($65/month), mid-tier Unlimited Plus ($80/month), and premium Unlimited Ultimate ($90/month). All three include unlimited calling, texting and data in Mexico, while the latter two also feature monthly mobile hotspot allowances. From here, you can add on various streaming, gaming, music, shopping, and travel perks for an additional $10/month as part of the carrier’s myPlan program. 

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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?

Let’s quickly define what an unlimited plan is. First, you should know that all unlimited plans include unlimited data. However, keep in mind that not all data plans necessarily offer high-speed data. 

Lower-priced unlimited plans tend to include unlimited deprioritized data (or data that slows down when networks are busy). Some plans include a small amount of high-speed data, while others don’t. Mid-level unlimited plans typically include a mix of high-speed data, capped` to a certain amount, and unlimited deprioritized data. 

Premium unlimited plans tend to offer premium, high-speed data all the time, with no limit.

Google Fi vs Verizon: Capped Plans

Verizon used to offer a selection of capped, or limited data, postpaid plans, but the carrier has done away with these in favor of unlimited. Google Fi, sells one capped plan: the $20/month Flexible. 

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?

Capped plans—also sometimes called “By the Gig” plans—offer customers a set amount of data to use per month, instead of unlimited data. All the data on capped plans is deprioritized, which means you may experience data slowdowns when the network is congested.

Capped data plans are sometimes a more cost-effective alternative to unlimited plans. If you don’t mind deprioritized data and you know how much data you use in a typical month, it makes sense to only pay for the data you’re going to use.

Google Fi vs Verizon: Coverage

Verizon’s 4G LTE network is generally understood to be the best in America, outdoing the likes of AT&T and T-Mobile. Verizon’s 5G network, while smaller and less far-reaching, is growing fast as the company installs more towers. The combination of these two networks means that Verizon offers some of the best coverage in the country. 

Google Fi makes use of larger carrier T-Mobile’s national system of 4G and 5G networks to provide its customers with generally reliable coverage. It's important to note, however, that Google Fi’s reliance on subleased network space 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. 

The Bottom Line

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

Google Fi represents a different, very prepaid, experience. The Google-owned carrier offers a selection of comparatively stripped-down unlimited and capped plans, although many do come with international privileges. The big argument for going with Google Fi revolves around price—the provider's plans are far less expensive than Verizon's.

Still not sure which plan is right for you? Check out our article on what to look for in a wireless plan.