Google Fiber vs. Google Fiber Webpass: Which One Is Worth Your Money?

Both Google Fiber and Google Fiber Webpass are owned by Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company. In 2016, Google Fiber acquired Webpass, a smaller ISP, and incorporated its network of connected neighborhoods into its own. While both internet services have fiber in their name, Google Fiber offers a fiber connection while Google Fiber Webpass offers a wireless connection. However, both offer symmetrical speeds.

Google Fiber is the best kind of fiber and best overall internet you can get, according to Reviews.org. It offers big speeds, consistent connections, and fair prices for its powerful symmetrical internet speeds. While it doesn't offer a ton of flashy new-customer deals, Google Fiber does offer simple and standalone internet plans—no tricky promos or new-customer pricing. If you’re lucky enough to get it on your block, here’s what you get:

• Gigabit and multi-gigabit speeds
• Free installation
• No annual contract
• No extra fee for modem

Google Fiber Webpass uses wireless technology to deliver symmetrical internet speeds. It’s offered in even fewer places than Google Fiber, but you can find it in individual buildings like apartments and condominiums. Webpass tops out at 1Gig (which isn’t slow at all). Here’s what you get with Google Fiber Webpass:

• Gigabit speeds
• Free installation
• No annual contract
• No extra fee for modem

Google Fiber has four main plans called 1 Gig, 2 Gig, 5 Gig, and 8 Gig—super straightforward names just like the plans themselves. Google Fiber’s cheapest plan with 1,000Mbps is perfect for most households and doesn’t tack on any extra fees like professional installation or modem/router fees. There are some extra plans available though very limited to specific zip codes.

Google Fiber Webpass is a less common internet service, installed in specific apartment or residential buildings. It provides internet over a wireless connection while still offering symmetrical speeds. Google Fiber Webpass offers a simple 1 Gig plan for $70 (unless you want to pay a flat annual fee of $750). You can read more about Google Fiber Webpass in our full Google Fiber review.

Google Fiber and Google Fiber Webpass are small-time internet service providers, especially when you compare them to the big players like Comcast Xfinity or Spectrum.

Google Fiber is only available in about a dozen cities across the United States. Here’s the list of current places where it’s operating.

• Atlanta, Georgia
• Austin, Texas
• Carrboro, North Carolina
• Chapel Hill, North Carolina
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• Chicago, Illinois
• Denver, Colorado
• Des Moines, Iowa
• Huntsville, Alabama
• Irvine, California
• Kansas City, Missouri
• Kansas City, Kansas
• Mesa, Arizona
• Miami, Florida
• Nashville, Tennessee
• North Salt Lake, Utah
• Oakland, California
• Huntington Beach, California
• Provo, Utah
• Raleigh, North Carolina
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• San Antonio, Texas
• San Diego, California
• Sandy, Utah
• San Francisco, California
• Seattle, Washington

Google has talked about expanding its Fiber service in several new markets in the coming years, including cities in Idaho, Nevada, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Colorado.

Google Fiber Webpass is available in even fewer places than Google Fiber. Some notable cities it operates in are San Francisco, Oakland, Denver, and Miami. Check out this map for a full view of the cities with Webpass-connected buildings.

If you live in a city where Google Fiber Webpass has a presence but isn’t connected to your office or residential building, you can request the service on Google’s website.

Both of Google’s internet services are great internet providers. But with the limited availability and relatively high prices, they’re not the perfect option for every kind of user.

We recommend the ISPs listed in this chart if you want a cheaper internet plan.

If either Google Fiber or Google Fiber Webpass interests you, the next step is to see if your address is eligible.