After 7 years of service, I'm a fan of Google Fi at home and abroad.
My Google Fi Review (2026): Why I’m a Long-Time User
5 min read
Edited ByBrenna EliesonBefore eSIMs were a standard phone feature, I was looking for a phone carrier I could use abroad without having to deal with the hassle of getting a local physical SIM card. Google Fi was exactly what I was looking for, giving me access to international data in over 200 destinations for the same price as back home. I never worry if I'll have data coverage in a different country with Google Fi. It provides a seamless transition between being at home and abroad.
Seven years later, I still use Google Fi. It's won me over not only for its travel convenience but also with its great data coverage and high-speed performance.
But is Google Fi right for you? Keep reading to learn about my full experience with Google Fi and take a look at reviews from other customers.
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My Google Fi app home page displays my current data usage and plan details. Photo courtesy of Sara Nguyen, Reviews.org
Here’s my expert Google Fi review
For all our mobile reviews, we give a rating based on four main criteria:
Then, we average the scores to make an overall score.
Google Fi impresses at home and abroad. I've used Google Fi in countries like Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Thailand with no problems. On top of the great service, Google Fi doesn't charge you extra fees for international data use.
Google Fi plans
Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect from a Google Fi cell phone plan:
- Unlimited data with up to 100 GB of premium data
- Full connectivity for select smartwatches
- International data with no extra fees (Premium or Flexible plans)
- No activation or cancellation fees
- Multi-line discounts from $20 to $100 monthly with two to four lines
Dollar value
5/5
Google Fi offers three tiers of unlimited data: Unlimited Standard ($35/month), Unlimited Essentials ($50/month), and Unlimited Premium ($65/month). There's also a Flexible plan that charges $10 per GB used.
If you’re a heavy traveler who needs over 6 GB of data each month, upgrade to the Unlimited Premium plan. It includes up to 100 GB of premium high-speed data, free international data (no fees), and also has extra perks like 6 months free of YouTube Premium and 100 GB of storage with Google One. And if you don’t care about travel perks, the Unlimited Essentials plan with 30 GB of premium data is a solid deal.
I use the Flexible plan because I tend not to use a lot of data. Why pay for data that I don't use? In the months that I use a lot of data, my Flexible plan stops charging after 6 GB. It's helpful to know that I won't go over budget because I'll never get charged more than $60 for data every month.
Another reason why I like the Flexible plan is that I get perks that are included in the Unlimited Premium plan, like international data and hotspot tethering with no extra fees. As someone who travels abroad frequently, these two features are crucial for me to enjoy my trip.
Perks and add-ons
Google Fi’s best perk is free international data with its top-tier plans. You can also add data-only SIM cards for other devices to your plan at no extra cost, so you don't have to rely on your phone's battery-draining hotspot.
International data
With Unlimited Premium & Flexible plans, you can get international data in over 200 destinations.
Free streaming and storage
With Unlimited Premium plans, you get 6 months free of YouTube Premium and 100 GB of storage with Google One.
Flexible multi-device data
With Unlimited Premium & Flexible plans, connect cellular-enabled devices (like tablets and laptops) at no-extra cost with data-only SIMs.
Share your experience and rate your mobile carrier
Your feedback helps others find the right cell phone plan. Whether your experience was great, frustrating, or somewhere in between, we want to hear about it.
Network coverage
5/5
Google Fi is part of the T-Mobile network, which has the best 5G Coverage Experience and 5G Availability, according to OpenSignal's Mobile Network Experience Report. It's not a surprise to me — I’ve never had a problem connecting to Google Fi while at home in Utah, traveling in rural Montana, or during international trips in Central and South America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
While abroad, Google Fi connects to reliable network providers. Within minutes of turning on my phone after an international flight, I'll get a notification that says "Welcome to Italy! Give us a few minutes to connect". And I'm always connected before I leave the airport. It's super convenient not to have to switch to a different international eSIM or buy a physical local SIM card.
Keep in mind, Google Fi has rules about how long you can use international data. After 90 consecutive days abroad, Google Fi will turn off your data coverage, though you can still make calls and texts. You'll need to return to the US to have your data restored.
Data performance
4/5
Outside of the Flexible plan, all Google Fi plans include unlimited data, but they also have a limit on high speeds before data gets deprioritized. Depending on your plan, your data will slow down after using 15 to 100 GB.
With the Flexible plan, I get up to 15 GB of premium data before deprioritization. Since I mostly use Wi-Fi networks, I never use the full 15 GB, and I haven't faced the slower speeds issue.
Google Fi plans also limit how much hotspot tethering you can use: up to 50 GB. It's a decent amount, as it’s hard for me to use that much data. While traveling, I will hotspot from my phone to use my laptop. I don't have problems connecting and streaming my favorite shows.
Customer service
5/5
Signing up for Google Fi couldn't be easier. Just download the app on your unlocked phone, follow the instructions, and you're ready to go. The app is simple and does the job well. It clearly shows how much data you're using and your current billing. I've had no problem using Google Fi through the app.
In 7 years, I've only needed to contact customer support once. I couldn't figure out how to use an eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time for one of my international trips. I contacted them through the app, and they helped me every step of the way.
Need to contact Google Fi?
- Download Google Fi's app
- Chat with the customer service on Google Fi's website
- Call customer service at +1-844-825-5234
- Check out the Google Fi Help Center
- Join the Google Fi Community
Quality of Google Fi customer service
Chat service/AI chatbot: The chat service is readily available, and agents are quick to respond.
Calling customer service at +1-844-825-5234: Wait times are low (sometimes even less than one minute) for phone support.
Quality of Google Fi mobile app: The app is easy to use, and I have no problem seeing my data usage or billing.
Final take: Is Google Fi worth your money?
Dollar value
5/5
Network coverage
5/5
Data performance
4/5
Customer service
5/5
Overall quality
4.8/5
Google Fi is a worthy option for most, especially if you frequently travel abroad and don't want to deal with the hassle of eSIMs and physical SIM cards. Google Fi also has multi-line discounts. For single-users, consider the Flexible plan for premium benefits at a potentially lower cost.
I wrote this review based on my personal experience using Google Fi for 7+ years. Besides the US, I've also used Google Fi abroad in several countries on different continents. Some aspects I evaluated include the following:
- Ease of use domestically and abroad
- Customer support reliability
- Overall value of data coverage
For more information on how we test, check out our methodology.
Still not convinced? These cell phone carriers are also great
Google Fi is a convenient and affordable option for frequent international travel. If you don't travel that often but still want good international data, consider these other options:
- T-Mobile
- Mint Mobile
- Red Pocket Mobile
- US Mobile
Other cell phone carriers
Google Fi FAQ
Google Fi will stop providing international data coverage after 90 consecutive days outside of the US.
Google Fi is an MVNO and uses the T-Mobile network.
Google Fi is a great cell phone plan for international travel since it doesn't charge additional fees for international data coverage and can connect to over 200 destinations.
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