Google Fi vs. Straight Talk: Which carrier is better?

Google Fi and Straight Talk are popular prepaid carriers that offer solid deals for their customers. 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 Straight Talk is on the Verizon network. 

Google Fi and Straight Talk 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 Straight Talk is an MVNO of Verizon.

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 Straight Talk offers several data buckets. 

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options. Straight Talk also offers limited minutes as an option. Google Fi offers premium data, which does not slow down no matter the amount of network traffic. Both companies 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. 

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. 

Straight Talk Plans

Straight Talk plans offer varying talk, text, and data capabilities.

Straight Talk offers 9 plans. It’s important to note that Straight Talk’s plans allow up to 5 lines, but some only allow 2 depending on the deal. As an MVNO of Verizon, Straight Talk is on tier 9 of the QCI levels. 

If you purchase your phone from Straight Talk, your device will be locked for 12 months after activation. The plans they offer renew at varying service lengths, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

Basic Phone Plan

This plan includes limited talk, but unlimited text. 

This plan comes with 1500 minutes of talk and 100MB of data, as well as unlimited texting. 

This plan doesn’t include hotspot access, and data speeds slow to 2G speeds. With 2G speeds, you can still browse the internet or send emails and texts, but you need WiFi to play games or stream video. 

The plan costs $30 per month. At this rate, you get 100MB at $300 per GB. 

Bronze Unlimited Plan 

This plan slows data after the 10GB cap. 

This plan gives you 10GB of full speed data before slowing to 2G speeds. This plan also gives you 5GB of mobile hotspot capabilities, which stops after the cap. You also get unlimited talk and text. 

The plan costs $35 per month. At this rate, you get 15GB of data in total at $2.33 per GB. 

Silver Unlimited Plan

This plan gives you 60GB before slowing down.  

This plan gives their users 60GB of full speed data before slowing down to 2G speeds. Users also get access to 5GB of mobile hotspot data before access stops. You also get unlimited talk and text.

The plan costs $45 per month. At this rate, you get 65GB at $0.69 per GB. 

Gold Unlimited Plan

This plan allows for up to 2 lines. 

This plan offers 60GB of full speed data, which slows down to 2G speeds after the cap. You also get 15GB of hotspot data before access stops. 

The plan costs $55 per month for one line. At this rate, you get 75GB at $0.73 per GB. This plan also gives you the option of having 2 lines for $90 per month. At this rate, this would be $1.20 per GB. 

Platinum Unlimited Plan

This plan offers 20GB of plan data and 20GB of hotspot data.  

This plan comes with 20GB of full speed data included, which then slows down to 2G speeds. It also comes with 5GB of mobile hotspot data. 

The plan costs $65 per month. At this rate, you get 40GB at $1.63 per GB. 

Extended Unlimited Plan

This plan has multiple service lengths to choose from.

This plan comes with 25GB of full speed data before slowing to 2G speeds. This plan renews monthly, but you pay for multiple services upfront. You also get 5GB of hotspot data included.

The plan costs $130 for 3 months, $255 for 6 months, and $495 for 12 months. 

Unlimited International Plan

This plan includes international calling. 

This plan includes 25GB of full speed data, which then slows down to 2G speeds. It also comes with 5GB of mobile hotspot data and stops after the cap. This plan also comes with international calling capabilities. 

The plan costs $60 per month. At this rate, you get 30GB at $2 per GB.

Features

Both carriers offer some features only on specific plans.  

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. Straight Talk 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. Straight Talk offers talk in Mexico and Canada on all plans except Extended Unlimited plans. They offer an add-on for calling access in Mexico and Canada for that plan. 

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. Straight Talk offers international calling on their Unlimited International and Platinum Unlimited plans. They offer international calling as an add-on on other plans. 

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 Straight Talk plans stream at 480p Standard Definition.

Streaming Services

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

Cloud Storage

Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan offers 100GB of Google One. Straight Talk offers 100GB of cloud storage on their Gold Unlimited and Platinum Unlimited plans.

Device Financing

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

Free Trial

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

Customer Service 

Google Fi and Straight Talk 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. Straight Talk offers support over the phone at 1-877-430-2355 from 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. EST every day. 

The Verdict

Google Fi offers the best deal.  

While Straight Talk’s Silver Unlimited plan offers the best price per GB, Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan offers the same price but with included features like Youtube Premium and Google One. However, if you’re looking for a limited data plan, Straight Talk is the better option.  

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!