Mint Mobile vs. Google Fi: Which is better for you?

Data savings Mint Mobile Worldwide coverage Google Fi Mint Mobile will save you money on data for three months. You can also save more with 6- and 12-month plans. T-Mobile's vast LTE network and 5G network are available to you at an affordable price. There are many data options that will suit most users and there is no risk of overage charges. Starting at $15/month Mint Mobile Pros Bulk SavingsCheaper dataThere are no overagesCompatible with all phonesCons 5GB Mobile Hotspot International roaming is additionalMinimum three monthsUnlimited is limited to 35GB. Google Fi, a premium option that comes with no contracts, is great. With a supported phone, you can access more networks and get faster speeds. This allows you to enjoy a wider range of coverage than other carriers. With most plans, you can take your data internationally without additional fees in over 200 countries. Starting at $20/mo. at Google Fi Pros Free-roaming data in 200+ countriesData is available for free up to 6GBMultiple networks5G coverageMulti-line savings Pros Expensive dataOnly a few phones can support the full networkAll plans slow down dataThe Simply Unlimited plan offers fewer perksMint Mobile and Google Fi, two of the most popular MVNOs you can find, are Mint Mobile or Google Fi. Mint Mobile is a great option for people who spend most of their time in the U.S. within an area that has T-Mobile coverage. Google Fi will still have better coverage due to the use of T-Mobile and US Cellular towers. Google Fi is also a good choice for those who travel internationally and do not have to pay any additional data charges in over 200 countries. Google Fi charges $10 per gigabyte for its lowest plan. This can quickly add up.Mint Mobile vs. Google Fi - Mint trims fatMint Mobile reduces costs by focusing on areas that Google Fi excels. Mint Mobile asks you to commit up to one year to maximize savings. Mint Mobile doesn't offer much flexibility in terms of plan options, with only three data amounts and an unlimited plan.Additionally, in the U.S. you will see your service drop to zero more often if you only have access to one network. It's important to mention that T-Mobile's network (which Mint Mobile uses) covers most people and is the largest part of Google Fi's coverage.Mint Mobile Google Fi Network T-Mobile T-MobileUS Cellular 5G Support Yes Yes Family Savings None Up to 6 Lines Data Throttling At data limit or 35GB (unlimietd Plan) Flexible plan: 15GBSimply Unlimited and Unlimited Plus plans: 22GB Minimum term 3 Months 1 Month Maximum term 12 Months 1 MonthlyMint Mobile was designed to meet the needs of most people when it comes to a phone service. T-Mobile covers most people. Most people can fit into one of the 4GB, 10GB or 15GB data tiers. There is also unlimited access for those who need more. Google Fi is targeted more at heavy users and travelers who may require more flexibility in their phone plans. Google Fi is more expensive than regular phone plans, but it will provide coverage wherever you are. You'll also have enough data to get you where you are.Mint Mobile vs. Google Fi - Mint Mobile's plansSource: Android Central/ Samuel ContrerasMint Mobile offers a variety of options to its customers. You only need to choose how much data and how long you want to pay. Although the monthly cost is less if you sign up for a full year, you'll still have to pay the full amount upfront. If you're interested in Mint, you can try three months at the introductory price before you commit to the full year.You can check your last phone bill to see how much data you have used or go into the settings menu of your phone to determine your current usage. You can also reduce your data usage by using Wi-Fi to download music and videos to your smartphone. You can upgrade to a larger plan or add data per gigabyte if you feel you still require more data than you have chosen.Mint Mobile includes unlimited talk and text, so all you have to do is decide how much data you require. Your data can be used as a hotspot for connecting to another device, such as a tablet or laptop. However, the Unlimited plan comes with only 5GB hotspot data.Unlimited 3 Months 4GB 10GB 15GB (introductory price $15/mo. ($45) $20/mo. ($60) $25/mo. ($75) $30/mo. ($90) 3 Months $25/mo. ($75) $35/mo. ($105) $45/mo. ($135) $40/mo. ($120) 6 Months $20/mo. ($120) $25/mo. ($150) $35/mo. ($210) $35/mo. ($210) 12 Months $15/mo. ($180) $20/mo. ($240) $25/mo. ($300) $30/mo. ($360)If you run out of high-speed data, you can add it at a $10 per 1GB rate or $20 per 3GB rate. Even if you don't, your data won't get cut off, just slowed down.Mint Mobile vs. Google Fi - Google Fi's PlansSource: Android CentralGoogle Fi offers three plans: an Unlimited Plus plan and Simply Unlimited plan. There is also a Flexible plan. All plans include unlimited calling and texting to US numbers, free calling to Mexico or Canada (or 50 countries with UnlimitedPlus), and data within the U.S., Mexico and Canada. You can also save money by adding additional lines to your plan. The cost per line for up to four lines will be reduced.Unlimited Plus and Simply Unlimited plans offer unlimited data. However, your data speed may be reduced if you use more that 22GB per month. This is more than most people use, but it's worth looking into if you are a heavy user. The Unlimited Plus plan only comes with 100GB Google One cloud storage. It is also the most expensive. The plan is $70 per month for one phone line. As you add more lines, the price drops.Flexible plans grow with you, and are more affordable for those who use less than 6GB per month. The plan costs $20 per month for one line and $10 per gigabyte for data. Google Fi charges only for data used. There is no rounding up to the nearest gigabyte. Google will stop charging you for data beyond 6GB. However, if you use 15GB or more, your speed will be throttled.Google Fi's Simply Unlimited plan is different from the others because it has fewer perks and costs less. The plan does not include hotspot data. This means that you will not be able to tether your tablet or laptop when Wi-Fi is unavailable. This plan does not offer a data-only SIM, like the others, and it doesn't allow unlimited texting, calling or data when you travel abroad. However, the Unlimited Plus plan allows you to roam free. The Flexible plan will cost you the same as domestic data. If you require a lot of data but not much else, the Simply Unlimited plan is an excellent choice.Mint Mobile vs. Google Fi - Which phones are the best?Source: Hayato Huseman / Android CentralMint Mobile works on T-Mobile's network. It can be used with all compatible phones, even GSM phones. To be certain, you can check the status of your phone by visiting Mint Mobile's site. The Mint Mobile app can also be used to check your phone. Mint Mobile allows you to purchase or finance a new phone online if you are ready for it. You can shop for a variety of phones online, including Android phones and iPhones. Many Mint Mobile compatible phones are also available unlocked.Google Fi's phone compatibility requirements are a little more complicated. You can use the T-Mobile part of Google Fi's service with almost any unlocked device. However, if you want the full benefit of the service, one of the Designed for Fi-approved phones is required. These phones can dynamically switch among all available towers in order to provide the best coverage.Google's Pixel series of phones are one of the best ways of getting the most out Google Fi. However, there are other options such as the Galaxy S21 series from Samsung. An unlocked Google Pixel phone, such as the mid-range Pixel 4a/5g, can be purchased. It will activate with Google Fi's full LTE/5G capabilities. Google's online store allows you to finance or buy phones. These phones are the best for Google Fi.Mint Mobile vs. Google Fi - Google Fi has the edge in coverageSource: Samuel Contreras / Android CentralMint Mobile uses T-Mobile's network which includes full LTE and 5G. This covers most Americans. It's important to verify your coverage before you sign up for a new plan. Mint Mobile will most likely have you covered if you live in an urban area or suburb. However, you may experience some dead spots if you frequent cities. T-Mobile's network covers most of Sprint's coverage so most people should be able to get great coverage.Google Fi combines towers from T-Mobile (including Sprint), and US Cellular to create its coverage area. You should be able to get service across the United States if your phone is compatible with this network. However, 3G speeds may vary between cities if you don't have coverage. Most coverage and network performance should be identical.Both carriers support 5G over T-Mobile's networks, but you'll need a 5G capable phone that can work with T-Mobile. For the best results, make sure you have support for bands N71 and n41. Most Android phones can support T-Mobile's full network. All 5G Designed for Fi phones, including the Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5 and the Galaxy S21, will also support this network.Mint Mobile vs. Google Fi - Google Fi works almost everywhereMint Mobile customers get free calls to Mexico, Canada, and variable rates to other countries. Mint Mobile international data must be purchased separately at different rates depending upon the country. Mint Mobile charges $0.25 per minute for texting, $0.05 per MB of data per month, and $0.05 per message in countries that offer service. Mexico and Canada offer lower rates of $0.02 per text, $0.06/minute, and $0.05/MB data.Source: Samuel Contreras / Android CentralGoogle Fi, on the other hand, is known for its strong roaming options. If you're traveling outside the U.S. frequently, it can keep your connection without you having to change SIM cards and worry about outrageous costs. Calling will be $0.20 per minute. However, your data rates will remain the same unless the Simply Unlimited plan is selected. Google Fi offers international roaming in over 200 countries with the Unlimited Plus or Flexible plans.Google Fi Unlimited Plus offers free calling to 50 countries if you're only looking to make international calls. Calls to Mexico and Canada are free if you're on the Simply Unlimited or Flexible plan. These rates are also applicable to Unlimited Plus plans for countries not included.Mint Mobile vs. Google Fi - Which one is best for you?Mint Mobile and Google Fi offer two of the most popular cell phone plans available today. Google Fi is a great service, especially for those who travel frequently outside of the United States. Google Fi continues to expand its coverage by adding sub-6 5G support. As we found in our Mint Mobile Review, Mint still has enough data and coverage for most people. Mint Mobile is also very compatible with all devices and does not require any special equipment to access its entire network. Mint Mobile plans can be used to save you a lot of money if you are able to work within them.Mint Mobile Data Savings Buy data in bulk to save Mint Mobile money Selling data in multiple months on T-Mobile's unlimited calling and texting network. Starting at $15/month at Mint MobileGoogle Fi - Worldwide coverage Google Fi An excellent plan for those who require a lot of data. It includes legendary roaming and strong networks that work with many devices. Starting at $20/mo Google Fi