Google Fi has overhauled its wireless lineup, introducing a new budget-friendly plan called Unlimited Essentials and revamping its existing offerings. The Unlimited Essentials plan, priced at $35/month for a single line (plus taxes and fees), includes unlimited talk, text, and data, but throttles speeds to 256Kbps after 30GB and excludes mobile hotspot. Multi-line discounts make it appealing for families: two lines cost $30/line, and four lines drop to $23/line ($92/month total before taxes/fees). It also supports smartwatch connectivity for select devices like Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy watches, a rare feature among competitors.
Google Fi’s other plans have also been upgraded:
- Unlimited Standard (formerly Simply Unlimited) remains $50/month for a single line, now offering 50GB of 5G data (up from 35GB) and 25GB of hotspot data (up from 5GB). Multi-line pricing starts at $90/month for two lines and $120/month for four lines (plus taxes/fees). It includes coverage in Canada and Mexico but lacks broader international roaming.
- Unlimited Premium (formerly Unlimited Plus) is priced at $60/month for a single line, with 100GB of 5G data (up from 50GB), 50GB of full-speed hotspot, and 100GB of Google One storage. It offers free data-only eSIM connectivity for tablets/laptops and international roaming in 200+ destinations, including 5G in 54 countries. Multi-line pricing is $110/month for two lines and $160/month for four lines (plus taxes/fees).
- Flexible Plan (pay-as-you-go) costs $20/month for unlimited talk/text plus $10/GB of data (no throttling). It includes international roaming in 200+ destinations and free data-only eSIM for tablets/laptops. Hotspot data uses the plan’s data allowance.
Additional perks across plans include:
- Data-only eSIM connectivity for tablets and laptops, now available without needing a physical SIM (free with Unlimited Premium and Flexible plans).
- Expanded international coverage: Unlimited Premium and Flexible plans now cover 92 additional locations, with 5G in 54 more countries. iPhone users also gain international 5G data.
- Voicemail upgrade: Starting soon, voicemails can be accessed via native phone apps, no longer requiring the Fi app.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Google Fi offers new subscribers a free Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel Watch 3 through April 29, 2025 (9:59 AM PT). The Pixel 9 Pro gets a $300 instant discount and $699 in 24 monthly bill credits. After the phone ships, a promo code provides $100 off the Pixel Watch 3, with $349 in bill credits over 24 months (code valid until May 13, 2025). Devices must be activated within 30 days, and changing devices before 120 days or canceling/pausing Fi service forfeits discounts and credits, with remaining device costs charged to your Google Pay account.
How Does Google Fi Compare to Other MVNOs?
While Google Fi’s Unlimited Essentials targets budget users, the U.S. MVNO market is fiercely competitive. Below, we compare Unlimited Essentials (and touch on Fi’s other plans) to affordable plans from US Mobile, Visible, Tello, and Metro by T-Mobile, focusing on single-line pricing, data, and features.
1. Google Fi Plans
- Unlimited Essentials ($35/month + taxes/fees)
- Data: Unlimited, throttled to 256Kbps after 30GB.
- Hotspot: Not included.
- Perks: Smartwatch connectivity, multi-line discounts (4 lines for $92/month + taxes/fees), Canada/Mexico roaming.
- Network: T-Mobile’s 5G with Wi-Fi integration.
- Drawbacks: Taxes/fees add cost, no hotspot, throttled data after 30GB.
- Unlimited Standard ($50/month + taxes/fees)
- Data: 50GB 5G, then throttled.
- Hotspot: 25GB.
- Perks: Canada/Mexico roaming, smartwatch support.
- Drawbacks: Pricey for limited international features.
- Unlimited Premium ($60/month + taxes/fees)
- Data: 100GB 5G, then throttled.
- Hotspot: 50GB.
- Perks: Free tablet/laptop eSIM, international roaming, Google One storage.
- Drawbacks: High cost for niche features.
- Flexible Plan ($20/month + $10/GB + taxes/fees)
- Data: Pay-per-GB, no throttling.
- Hotspot: Uses plan data.
- Perks: International roaming, free tablet/laptop eSIM.
- Drawbacks: Can get expensive for heavy data users.
2. US Mobile Unlimited Flex ($25/month, taxes/fees included)
- Data: Unlimited, 10GB premium 5G, then 1Mbps.
- Hotspot: 5GB.
- Perks: Free international roaming in select countries, choice of Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T networks.
- Network: Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T.
- Why It’s Better: Cheaper, tax-inclusive, includes hotspot, flexible networks. Downside: Less premium data (10GB vs. 30GB), no smartwatch support.
3. Visible Base Plan ($25/month, taxes/fees included)
- Data: Truly unlimited 5G/4G (deprioritized during congestion).
- Hotspot: Unlimited at 5Mbps.
- Perks: Free calls to Mexico/Canada, spam protection.
- Network: Verizon’s 5G/4G.
- Why It’s Better: Lower price, no data cap, hotspot included. Downside: No smartwatch support, weaker international features vs. Fi’s Premium/Flexible plans.
4. Tello Unlimited Plan ($25/month, taxes/fees included)
- Data: Unlimited, throttled to 2G after 35GB.
- Hotspot: Included (uses plan data).
- Perks: Free calls to 60+ countries, customizable plans.
- Network: T-Mobile’s 5G/4G.
- Why It’s Better: Cheaper, more high-speed data (35GB), hotspot included. Downside: No smartwatch support, limited international data vs. Fi’s Premium/Flexible.
5. Metro by T-Mobile Unlimited Plan ($40/month, taxes/fees included)
- Data: Unlimited, 35GB premium 5G.
- Hotspot: 5GB.
- Perks: 100GB Google One storage, family plans (4 lines for $110/month).
- Network: T-Mobile’s 5G.
- Why It’s Better: Tax-inclusive, hotspot included, competitive family pricing. Downside: No smartwatch support, weaker international roaming vs. Fi’s Premium/Flexible.
The Verdict: Are Google Fi’s Plans Worth It?
Unlimited Essentials ($35/month + taxes/fees) is a decent pick for families, especially with multi-line discounts ($92/month for 4 lines before taxes/fees) and smartwatch connectivity. The anniversary promo—free Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel Watch 3—adds serious value for new subscribers who commit long-term. However, single-line users may find better deals elsewhere, as competitors like Visible and Tello offer tax-inclusive plans with more data or hotspot support for $25/month.
Unlimited Standard ($50/month) and Premium ($60/month) cater to specific needs—Standard for moderate users wanting hotspot, and Premium for travelers needing international roaming and tablet/laptop data. The Flexible Plan suits low-data users who value international coverage but can get pricey with heavy use. Compared to MVNOs like US Mobile or Metro by T-Mobile, Fi’s higher-tier plans feel expensive unless you need their unique perks.
For budget shoppers, Visible or Tello often deliver more value, especially for single-line users. Families might find Fi’s multi-line pricing competitive, but tax-inclusive plans like Metro’s $110/month for four lines could edge out Fi after fees. If Fi’s smartwatch support, international features, or the anniversary promo align with your needs,
