Best Google Fi Wireless alternatives 2025

While there are quite a few best Google Fi alternatives out there, choosing the right one can be a bit tricky. An MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) using T-Mobile's network infrastructure, Google Fi offers a trio of unlimited plans and an extremely affordable base plan. The unlimited offerings are better suited for heavy users who want lots of hotspot data and international use perks, whereas the starter plan is ideal for someone who just wants reliable connectivity along with some data thrown into the mix.

That said, there are numerous solid service providers that you can go for instead of Google Fi (Wireless), and these offer everything from high-speed 5G access to fully customizable plans. Our top vote goes to Mint Mobile, which is owned and operated by T-Mobile and utilizes its parent carrier's vast network infrastructure to deliver affordable wireless service in bundles of three, six, or 12 months. Then there is Visible, which is backed by Verizon and comes with three feature-laden plans, each offering incredible value for money.

• MVNO deals: Mint Mobile | Visible | Boost | Tello | Cricket

At a glance

Best overall

While most wireless service providers require you to pay your bill on a monthly basis, Mint Mobile takes a different approach by requiring you to buy three, six, or 12 months of service upfront at a time. Of course, this means you have to pay more initially, but it lets you save significantly over time as well.

Mint Mobile's data plans come with unlimited talk and text, and depending on your choice, 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, or unlimited (with no data caps) of 5G/4G LTE data. If you find you need additional data for a month, you can get it at a starting price of $10 for 1GB. You also get shared mobile hotspot usage with all but the top-tier plan, which includes 10GB of dedicated hotspot data. All the plans also have free calls to Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Do note that video streaming is limited to 480p (SD) resolution on all plans.

As a new customer, you can save by getting any of Mint Mobile's prepaid plans for at least three months. If you like the service, you can renew it for six months at a slightly higher prices, or lock in the low introductory prices for signing up for an entire year. service for a minimum of three months. With Mint Mobile, the longer your duration of service, the more you stand to save. The unlimited plan is quite a solid choice, since it no longer has any data caps.

Mint Mobile is owned and operated by T-Mobile, and uses the latter's LTE and 5G networks, which means you can bring over just about any unlocked phone and it'll work on the network. This also makes Mint Mobile a good way to test out the largest 5G network in the country.

Best for simplicity

Visible is easily the simplest and most straightforward prepaid wireless carrier in the United States. From setting up the device to picking the right plan, it makes everything easy as pie. Visible offers three unlimited plans, with each having lots of practical benefits. The base plan (called Visible) is similar to what we tested in our Visible review and offers high-speed 5G and 4G LTE connectivity, along with unlimited hotspot usage at 5Mbps. you also get 480p (SD) video streaming, and talk and text to Mexico and Canada, all at a standard price of $25 per month.

Moving up, the middle-level plan (called Visible Plus) upgrades your 5G access to Verizon's 'Ultra-Wideband' network for even better speeds. It also packs hotspot usage at 10Mbps and 1080p (FullHD) video streaming, along with roaming perks in Mexico and Canada, at a regular price of $35 per month. Lastly, the top-of-the-line plan (called Visible Plus Pro) includes 2160p (4K) video streaming, unlimited mobile hotspot usage at 15Mbps, full Mexico and Canada use, calling to over 85 countries and texting to more than 200 countries, bundled smartwatch service, and more, at a price of $45 per month.

It's worth mentioning that Visible's prices are inclusive of taxes and fees, and you also have the option to pay yearly for more savings.

Best for customization

US Mobile has three main unlimited plans worth checking out. The two higher plans (Unlimited Starter and Unlimited Premium) have monthly prices of $25 and $44, respectively, and these include unlimited talk and text, hotspot usage, international use perks, and more. The third plan (Unlimited Flex) is available as an annual option only, with an effective price of $17.50 per month. It comes with 10GB high-speed data and 5GB mobile hotspot data. Among the best MVNO carriers, US Mobile is particularly interesting because it uses the networks of all the 'Big Three' carriers; you can select the same while signing up for the service.

In addition to these, US Mobile has a lightweight plan that you can get for only $10 per month. It offers 2GB of premium data and international calling as an add-on, and you can save by signing up for a full year. You also have 'By the Gig' plans that let you buy chunks of data (e.g., 2GB for $10 per month) that can be shared across multiple devices and lines. Each plan's price also includes first line, and extra lines can be added at a price of $8 per line.

If you get at least three lines with the highest unlimited plan, you can choose to add pre-configured bundles that include subscription services such as Audible, Hulu, and Xbox Gamepass. Each of these bundles costs $15 per month.

Best for families

As the name suggests, Metro by T-Mobile is owned by T-Mobile and as a result, has some of the better prepaid options if you prefer the carrier's network. Metro offers excellent compatibility with phones that work with T-Mobile and has good multi-line discounts that you can take advantage of.

Metro by T-Mobile lets you pick from three unlimited plans that all come with unlimited talk and text with 5G access, 'ScamShield' for preventing scam calls, as well as access to the 'T-Mobile Tuesdays' promotions. The two higher plans also include dedicated mobile hotspot data, 100GB of cloud storage via Google One, and more. The base plan costs $40 per month, while the higher plans cost $50 and $60 per month. All prices are inclusive of taxes and fees and are backed by a five-year price guarantee.

With the top-of-the-line plan, you get international texting to more than 210 countries and destinations, along with Amazon Prime, and 1080p (FullHD) video streaming. Apart from these, Metro by T-Mobile also has an online-exclusive plan (priced at $25 per month) that's perfect if you want to bring your existing device to the network.

Best international perks

As AT&T's prepaid brand, Cricket Wireless might not tick every box for those who want an alternative to Google Fi, but it comes quite close. For example, you get reliable nationwide 5G network access, unlimited talk and text, and good phone compatibility. Cricket Wireless has done away with the speed caps that it had in place some time back, and its revamped plans now offer much better value for money.

Cricket Wireless has a base plan that costs $30 per month for a single one line and packs 10GB of high-speed data, but not a whole lot more. Moving up, you the three unlimited plans that have monthly prices ranging from $35-55 for one line. With these, you get unlimited talk and text, up to 50GB of hotspot data, (if you get the highest plan), offers a number of simple yet flexible plans, with 5GB, 10GB, Mexico and Canada usage, and unlimited texts to over 200 countries and territories around the world. The top-tier also comes with HBO Max (with ads), as well as 150GB of cloud storage. With the lower unlimited plan, you get 100GB of cloud storage. You get multi-line discounts with all but the base plan, and there are two multi-month plans available too.

Lastly, Cricket Wireless offers data-only plans that are perfect if you don't require calling functionality and rely on messaging apps for communication.

Best on a budget

Tello is a prepaid carrier you might not have heard of before, but it's time to take notice. Hands down one of the most interesting players in the mobile space, this is a Google Fi alternative that has a lot to like. Perhaps the biggest highlight of Tello is its online 'Build Your Own Plan' tool, which lets you configure exactly how much data and/or talk time minutes you need. From no to unlimited data (with a 50GB high-speed limit), and from zero to unlimited talk time minutes, you can mix and match things as you like.

If all that sounds too cumbersome, you can just pick from one of the four pre-configured plans that offer exceptional bang for the buck(s). For example, the base 'Economy' plan comes with 2GB of data, unlimited talk and text, as well as shared hotspot usage, all for $10 per month. You can also opt for the top-of-the-line 'Data' plan, which includes unlimited talk and text, 50GB of high-speed data, and more, for $25 per month. All of Tello's plans include free international calling to more than 60 countries, including popular destinations like Canada, Mexico, and India.

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It probably won't be an exaggeration to say that there's no carrier in the United States quite like Google Fi Wireless. Sure, it might be a bit more expensive than others, but goodies like roaming benefits to 'Bill Protection' make the extra cost almost seem justified. Many of the best Android phones will work with Google Fi's network with full 5G access, so it's the ideal choice for many users.

That said, there's no shortage of awesome Google Fi alternatives in the U.S., with our best pick being Mint Mobile. This MVNO is fully owned and operated by T-Mobile and requires you to pay for multiple months of service in advance. While this does mean you pay more from your pocket initially, you end up saving a lot in the long term. Mint Mobile offers high-speed 5G access, free mobile hotspot use, and a plethora of other features. Plans start at just $15 per month (with a minimum of three months), and there are typically plenty of great Mint Mobile deals that can help you save some extra cash when buying a new smartphone such as the Google Pixel 10 Pro through the prepaid carrier.

Then there's Visible, which is backed by Verizon and makes stuff super simple by letting you choose from three fully loaded plans. While the starter plan will more than suffice for everyone's needs, the higher plan comes with benefits such as access to Verizon's 'Ultra-Wideband' 5G network, international usage perks, and a lot more.

• MVNO deals: Mint Mobile | Visible | Boost | Tello | Cricket