Google Fi vs. FreedomPop: Which carrier is better?

Google Fi and FreedomPop are popular prepaid carriers that offer unique plans with their service. 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, while FreedomPop is on AT&T.

Google Fi and FreedomPop are mobile virtual network operators, or MVNOs. 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, and FreedomPop is on the AT&T 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 offers premium data, and FreedomPop offers a free plan. 

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options. Google Fi offers premium data, which does not slow down no matter the amount of network traffic. FreedomPop also offers several limited plans, as well as a free plan. Both carriers deprioritize 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. 

If you purchase your phone from Google Fi, your device will already be unlocked. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

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. 

FreedomPop Plans

FreedomPop offers a free plan. 

FreedomPop is one of the most unique carriers, as they offer a free plan that allows people to get free service if they don’t qualify for the Affordable Connectivity program. 

The rest of their plans are limited data. They offer QCI tier 8, as they’re on the AT&T network. You can also only get one line on a plan. 

If you purchase your phone from FreedomPop, your device will be locked for 6 months after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

Freenium Plan 

This plan is free! 

FreedomPop offers 25MB, or 0.025GB each month. You also get 10 minutes of call time and 10 texts. Access stops once you hit these caps, and the plan does not allow hotspot access.  

The plan is free for those who cannot qualify for the Affordable Connectivity program. 

1GB 

This plan gives you full speeds. 

With the smallest paid plan, you get 1GB of full speed data each month. Access stops after 1GB, and it doesn’t offer hotspot access.

The plan costs $15 per month.

4GB 

This plan gives you 4GB before access stops. 

This plan gives you 4GB of full speed data each month before stopping access once you hit that cap. You don’t get hotspot access with this plan.

The plan costs $25 per month. At this rate, you get 4GB at $6.25 per GB. 

10GB Plan 

This plan gives you the most data. 

As the biggest FreedomPop plan, this plan gives you 10GB of full speed data before stopping access. You also don’t get hotspot access with this plan. 

The plan costs $30 per month. At this rate, you get 10GB at $3 per GB. 

Features

Google Fi offers more features with their plans than FreedomPop.

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. FreedomPop does not offer this feature. 

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. FreedomPop 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. FreedomPop 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. FreedomPop plans stream at 480p SD resolution.  

Streaming Services

Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan offers a free subscription to Youtube Premium. FreedomPop does not offer this feature.  

Cloud Storage

Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan offers 100GB of Google One. FreedomPop does not offer this feature.  

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from Google Fi, the carrier allows you to pay for your device in installments over time. FreedomPop does not offer this feature.   

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. FreedomPop does not offer this feature.   

Free Trial

Google Fi offers a 7 day free trial. FreedomPop does not offer this feature.   

Customer Service 

Google Fi and FreedomPop do not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support. 

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. FreedomPop offers chat support and you can speak to a representative over the phone at 1 (888) 702-8302 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST every day.

The Verdict

The better carrier depends on what you need. 

Both Google Fi and FreedomPop offer very different plans, so the best deal depends entirely on what you’re looking for. If you need an unlimited data plan with several included features, Google Fi is the better option. If you need a limited data plan, choose FreedomPop over Google Fi’s Flexible plan. 

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!