Google Fi vs. Connect by T-Mobile: Which carrier is better?

Google Fi and Connect by T-Mobile are popular prepaid brands that offer good deals on their services. Each carrier has its positives and negatives, but which offers better phone plans? Let’s put them head to head and see which brand comes out on top. 

In this article, we plan to discuss the ins and outs of both carriers and what they offer. We’ll also cover:

• What the coverage of both carriers looks like
• How prices of their plans compare to how much data you get
• The features each carrier offers for their plans 

Unsure of what you need out of a plan? Check out our guide on how to choose the best phone plan. 

Coverage & Reception

Google Fi is on the T-Mobile network. 

Google Fi is a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO. This means that they purchase service access wholesale from one of the three major networks that own infrastructure across the country – AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile – giving customers service at a much cheaper price. Google Fi is an MVNO of T-Mobile, while Connect by T-Mobile is a section of the prepaid plans offered directly on the T-Mobile network. 

Often, the quality of coverage comes down to your area. One carrier’s coverage may be better in New York, while another’s coverage may be better in California. It’s important to compare between providers on a coverage map of your specific city. Ookla’s coverage map allows you to see where cellular towers are located and which company owns them. This coverage map provides information about coverage from 2G to 5G for several providers.

However, T-Mobile’s 5G coverage and access is hailed as the best coverage overall. 

Plan Options

Google Fi and Connect by T-Mobile both offer premium data. 

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options. Connect by T-Mobile also offers a plan with limited talk and text. Both carriers offer premium data, which does not slow down no matter the amount of network traffic. Google Fi deprioritizes data, meaning you’ll have slower connection speeds in high traffic areas like concerts venues and sports arenas.

Google Fi Plans

Several plans offer unlimited data with premium data at a cap. 

Google Fi offers 2 unlimited plans and one plan with pay-per-use data. Each of its unlimited plans offer a limited amount of premium data. Each plan allows up to 6 lines and renews monthly. Google Fi is on QCI tier 6 of 9.

Image courtesy of Google Fi’s website. 

Flexible 

This plan allows you to pay for the exact amount of data you use each month. 

Google Fi’s Flexible plan is unlike a lot of other plans on the market, as it allows you to pay a set amount per month for talk and text features. Users then pay for only the amount of data they use. After 15GB of data, your speed is slowed to 256 kbps, or 3G speeds. You can still send texts, emails, and use social media with little issues. Streaming video will be much more difficult. 

The plan also includes the ability to buy mobile hotspot data, and all plan data can be used as hotspot data. 

The plan costs $20 per month, plus $10 for each GB you use. For example, you’d pay about $70 per month if you used 5GB.

Simply Unlimited 

This plan gives you 35GB of premium data before slowing down. 

The Simply Unlimited plan gives you 35GB of premium data. Premium data means your data will not be deprioritized in times of high traffic and congestion. After 35GB, data slows down to 3G speeds. 5GB of hotspot data is also included in the plan, then stops after that allotment. 

The plan costs $50 per month. At this rate, you get 35GB at $1.42 per GB. 

Unlimited Plus

This plan is 50GB of premium data. 

Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan has 50GB of premium data. Connection is then slowed down to 3G speeds. You can use all 50GB of plan data as mobile hotspot data, but hotspot data stops after the 50GB. 

The plan costs $65 per month. At this rate, you get 50GB at $1.30 per GB. 

Connect by T-Mobile Plans

Connect by T-Mobile plans offer premium data. 

Connect by T-Mobile consists of 4 plans, each with a different amount of limited premium data. You can have up to 5 lines on these plans. Every plan offers unlimited talk and text except for the 1GB plan, which gives you 1000 minutes of talk and 1000 texts per month. 

If you purchase your phone from T-Mobile, your device will be locked for 12 months after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

1GB 

This plan has limited minutes and texts. 

This plan gives you 1GB of premium data, as well as 1000 minutes of talk and 1000 text messages. Access stops once you hit these limits. You can use all plan data as mobile hotspot data. 

The plan costs $10 per month.

3.5GB 

This plan gives you more data each year until 2025. 

The 3.5GB gives you premium data, but stops data access once you reach the cap. You have unlimited talk and text as well as mobile hotspot access. All plan data can be used for hotspot access.  

It’s important to note that T-Mobile plans to increase data on this plan by 500MB, or 0.5GB, every year until March 2025.

The plan costs $15 per month. At this rate, you get 3.5GB at $4.29 per GB. 

6.5GB 

This plan gives you a data increase each year until 2025. 

This plan gives users 6.5GB of premium data to use, as well as mobile hotspot access. Network access stops after you use the 6.5GB. This plan also offers unlimited talk and text.

It’s important to note that T-Mobile plans to increase data on this plan by 500MB, or 0.5GB, every year until March 2025. 

The plan costs $25 per month. At this rate, you get 6.5GB at $3.85 per GB. 

12GB Plan 

This plan gives you 12GB of premium access. 

This plan gives you 12GB of premium data you can also use as mobile hotspot access. Access stops once you reach the cap. You also get unlimited talk and text. 

The plan costs $35 per month. At this rate, you get 12GB at $2.92 per GB.

Features

Google Fi offers more features with their plans, but both offer spam protection and call filtering.  

If you’re looking for a plan with more included features, such as international connection or domestic roaming data, it’s best to compare carriers with what they offer. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Google Fi offers domestic roaming data on their plans. Connect by T-Mobile offers 100MB of domestic roaming capabilities on all plans. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Google Fi offers talk, text, and data in Mexico and Canada included with both its unlimited plans. However, only text is included in their Flexible plan. Talk and data are pay-per-use. Connect by T-Mobile does not offer this feature.  

International Connection

Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan includes international text and data. Calling internationally is pay-per-use outside the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The Simply Unlimited plan does not include international connection, and the Flexible plan includes international texting, but talk and data are pay-per-use. Calling costs $0.20 per minute. Connect by T-Mobile does not offer this feature 

Video Streaming Quality

Google Fi offers 4k Ultra High Definition streaming for their Flexible plan and 480p Standard Definition streaming for their unlimited data plans. All Connect by T-Mobile plans stream at 480p SD resolution.

Streaming Services

Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan offers a free subscription to Youtube Premium. Connect by T-Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Cloud Storage

Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan offers 100GB of Google One. Connect by T-Mobile does not offer this feature. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from either carrier, the carrier allows you to pay for your device in installments over time.

WiFi Calling

Both carriers offer WiFi calling, which allows you to send and receive phone calls over a WiFi connection rather than cellular reception. 

Spam Protection

All Google Fi plans offer spam protection included. Connect by T-Mobile offers call filtering and spam protection on all plans through Scam Shield. 

Free Trial

Google Fi offers a 7 day free trial. Connect by T-Mobile does not offer this feature.  

Customer Service 

Google Fi does not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support, and T-Mobile offers stores across the country.

Google Fi is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. Google Fi offers 24/7 customer support over chat and over the phone at 1-844-TALK-2-FI. T-Mobile offers several stores across the country, and users can find the closest one with their store locator. They also offer customer support online with their website live chat, their support website for common questions, and over the phone at 1-800-937-8997. 

The Verdict

Connect by T-Mobile is the better option if you’re looking for a limited plan.  

Since Google Fi’s Flexible plan is very expensive, Connect by T-Mobile offers a better deal if you’re looking for limited data. Google Fi and Connect by T-Mobile offer very different plans otherwise. As such, the better plan depends entirely on what you need from one.  

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

Really.com helps users compare between features, coverage, price, reviews, and more!

Are you still unsure which carrier to choose, or which phone plan to pick? Use really.com to compare your top choices and find the best deal to fit your needs. Really allows you to compare and sort between most phone plans on the market without the hassle!