Google Fi vs. Verizon

While Google Fi Wireless (formerly Project Fi) and Verizon are two excellent cell phone carriers, the companies are quite different. Verizon boasts a stronger 4G LTE network powered by its own cell tower infrastructure, while Google Fi—a prepaid carrier—piggybacks off of T-Mobile's network, offering the nation's biggest 5G footprint. Generally, Google Fi is more affordable; however, Verizon provides more plans and the option for add-on perks. But which carrier should you choose?

Plans and prices differ a bit, but not by much. This comparison will examine coverage, pricing, and other essentials to help you make the right choice. Let's compare Verizon and Google Fi.

Is Google Fi coverage as good as Verizon's? 

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As mentioned, Google Fi runs on T-Mobile's network, while Verizon utilizes its own network to provide mobile service. T-Mobile and, therefore, Google Fi shine in expansive 5G coverage, spanning 53% of the U.S.. However, Verizon sports a best-in-class 4G LTE network with better rural signal strength than Google Fi's parent carrier, T-Mobile. 

While Verizon leads the pack for 4G LTE, it trails behind with a paltry 12% nationwide 5G coverage area. Verizon offers great speeds with its Ultra-wideband (UW) 5G network, but just average speeds with its Nationwide network. You'll get blisteringly-fast 5G speeds where its mmWave 5G is present, but those signals are few and far between.

Considering the differences in Google Fi coverage vs. Verizon coverage, it's tough to pick a winner. While Google Fi is a great choice for folks in urban areas seeking the best possible 5G coverage, Verizon touts stronger 4G LTE and is a better fit for a wider range of customers. Because 4G LTE is still the predominant network across the U.S., Verizon provides more reliable coverage to a more significant potential number of people.

Compare Verizon and T-Mobile's cell phone network coverage maps 

To determine if Verizon or Google Fi has better coverage where you live, toggle between the Verizon network and the T-Mobile network below. While price, data allowance, and perks are important, the first thing you should evaluate when determining which carrier to switch to is coverage. If you see that your neighborhood is saturated in purple, that means you'll have reliable coverage from that carrier. 

Google Fi vs. Verizon plan pricing

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Verizon’s cell phone plans are notoriously expensive. Its cheapest unlimited data plan, Unlimited Welcome, begins at $65/month for a single line. The top-shelf Unlimited Ultimate option sets you back a painful $90/month. Although you can save with a Verizon prepaid offering or a family plan discount, Google Fi plans significantly undercut Big Red with its prepaid unlimited tier costing as little as $35/month. 

For perspective, Google Fi’s most expensive unlimited data plan costs the same as Verizon's least expensive. Additionally, Google Fi's Flexible plan tier is just $20/month and an additional $10/GB, making it perfect for folks primarily relying on Wi-Fi for internet access (like if you work remotely). With its lower prices, Google Fi is considerably more affordable than Verizon, and its most expensive unlimited plan remains lower than Verizon's cheapest option. 

Google Fi saves you a pretty penny over Verizon. But if you need a reliable 4G LTE network and great rural coverage, consider a Verizon MVNO like Visible Wireless, Twigby, or US Mobile. Since they're both MVNOs, Visible and Google Fi match up quite nicely.

Google Fi vs. Verizon: Perks

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While Verizon previously bundled goodies like streaming services and cloud storage with its plans, now those extras are optional paid add-ons, albeit at competitive discounts. For instance, you can tack on the Disney Bundle, Apple One, Apple Family Music, a Walmart+ membership, or Verizon Cloud Storage for just $10/month extra per perk.

Google Fi largely foregoes perks, although its Unlimited Plus package includes 100GB of Google One cloud storage and a year of YouTube Premium. The 100GB of Google One cloud data storage is a great deal, while one year of YouTube Premium is underwhelming—we'd rather that be an annual perk. On the flip side, Verizon provides many more goodies, but at an additional cost. Since neither carrier blows the other one out of the water, we’re calling this a tie.

Does Google Fi or Verizon offer more high-speed data?

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Premium data refers to a high-speed data allotment before you experience lower mobile data speeds. Because of data deprioritization, most unlimited plans aren't completely unrestricted. Although most carriers don't charge overages, you'll experience slower data after a certain threshold. Check out how Google Fi’s and Verizon's high-speed data compare:

As you can see, Verizon includes truly unlimited premium high-speed that doesn't slow down, regardless of usage, with its Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Ultimate tiers. Google Fi tops out at 100GB of priority data on its own Unlimited Premium plan. However, all of Google Fi's plans include at least some premium data, whereas Verizon's base unlimited plan doesn't guarantee your speeds at all... you could be deprioritized at any point.

Given that 100GB is honestly more than enough for most folks (just check your monthly data usage—you probably burn less than you think!), you likely don't need to pay up for Verizon's completely unlimited premium tiers. We like that Verizon offers it, but the variety of options from Google Fi (and the price points that go with them) give the carrier just as much leverage here in our opinion. So we're also calling this one a tie.

Google Fi vs. Verizon: Mobile hotspot data

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Mobile hotspot data lets you enjoy the internet on your laptop, tablet, or game console on the go. While you can use a dedicated portable Wi-Fi hotspot, relying on your phone for internet at an airport terminal is more convenient (and much more secure). Let's compare Verizon’s and Google Fi's mobile hotspot data allocations.

Both Google Fi and Verizon include mobile hotspot in two unlimited plans. Google Fi features high-speed hotspot data on its unlimited plans, except for the Unlimited Essentials plan. There's no cap at all on your usage with Unlimited Standard and Unlimited Plus—but your speeds will slow once you hit that aforementioned 50GB and 100GB premium data allowances respectively. The Flexible plan also allows hotspot access, but your usage will come out of the overall balance of data you purchase at $10/GB. So if you buy 5 gigabytes, and you use 2GB tethering, you'll have 3GB left for general usage until you need to buy more data.

Verizon treats its hotspots differently. On the base Unlimited Welcome plan, you get no hotspot at all, not even access at much slower speeds. To use your phone as a hotspot, you'd need to purchase the 100GB add-on for $10. On its mid- and top-tier Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Ultimate plans, you get unlimited hotspot usage (just like Google Fi) but with a dedicated high-speed allowance of 30GB and 60GB, respectively, compared to Fi's 50GB. Plus, you can still add on the extra 100GB if you really need to tether frequently while on the go.

We do like that Verizon gives you the option to add a massive 100GB of hotspot to any plan, which would come in handy for its hotspot-barren Unlimited Welcome plan. But you're still paying around $20/month more than the most expensive Google Fi plan, which already includes plenty of high-speed hotspot. Given that Google Fi allows hotspot access on all of its plans without requiring an add-on purchase, and given that its top-tier plan includes only slightly less high-speed hotspot than Verizon's but for significantly cheaper, Fi walks away with the win in this category.

Google Fi vs. Verizon: Family plans

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Family plans let you enjoy multi-line discounts. Thankfully, both Verizon and Google Fi let you add lines for increased savings. Here's how family plan pricing breaks down for each carrier:

Google Fi trounces Verizon on family plan pricing alone—but the answer to which carrier offers better family plans isn't quite that cut and dry. Although Verizon's four-line family plan prices are higher than Google Fi's, its savings remain greater when you compare the gap between the single-line prices to the cheaper 4-line prices. Ultimately, it's a tie, and choosing the right plan for your family will depend on whether price or coverage is more important. 

Google Fi vs. Verizon: Customer service

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Fun fact: the telecom industry is notorious for its subpar customer support. Regardless of which carrier you pick, expect long hold times and a labyrinth of audio menus when contacting support via phone, making you feel like you've stumbled into the maze from The Shining. According to Trustpilot, Google Fi Wireless averages an unimpressive 1.2 out of five stars, while Verizon clocks an equally disappointing 1.2 out of 5 stars. However, remember that often the loudest voices aren't always the most biased. Many people leave reviews when they're upset rather than after having a positive experience, so take these Trustpilot scores with a grain of salt. 

In our experience, online live chat support for Google Fi and Verizon is pretty solid—we've had great success getting information on plans, prices, and technical questions like bring your own device support. While customer support is nearly neck-and-neck, we're throwing this one to Verizon because of a big advantage: physical stores. Big Red's many brick-and-mortar locations let you easily pop in for assistance picking out a mobile device, switching plans, or getting help deciphering your phone bill.

Which is the better carrier, Google Fi or Verizon?

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Google Fi and Verizon bring a lot to the table but differ in their approaches. As a major carrier, Verizon offers plentiful perks, comprehensive premium high-speed data, and generous hotspot tethering, albeit for a price. You also get the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network with great rural coverage. Small carrier Google Fi piggybacks off of T-Mobile's towers for a best-in-class 5G network, especially in suburban or urban areas, without paying big carrier prices.

Since this is a Verizon vs. MVNO comparison, picking a hands-down winner is difficult, and it's a bit of an apples-to-oranges comparison. Ultimately, we recommend Google Fi for budget-conscious buyers in urban and suburban areas with fast T-Mobile 5G speeds, while Verizon is better for high-data users and general stronger 4G LTE coverage.

Peruse Google Fi and Verizon offerings to pick the right plan for your needs and budget. 

Google Fi vs. Verizon: Frequently Asked Questions

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Does Verizon have better coverage than Google Fi?

Is it worth switching to Google Fi?

What is the difference between Google Fi and Verizon?

Does Google Fi use Verizon's network?