Google Fi vs. Mint Mobile – Which Carrier is Right for You?

Picking a new phone plan is tough—there are so many choices, and they all promise the ‘best deal.’ Two names you’ll see a lot are Google Fi and Mint Mobile. Both are affordable alternatives to the big carriers, but which one is actually right for you?

In this guide, we’ll break down the big questions every phone plan shopper cares about: price, coverage, perks, and international travel. By the end, you’ll know which carrier fits your lifestyle—and your wallet.

Meet the Carriers

Google Fi

Google Fi is Google’s very own MVNO. Fi runs on T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G and 4G LTE network in the U.S. If you’re a frequent traveler, Fi is a dream: it offers international roaming in 200+ countries at no extra charge for texting and (affordable) data.

Plans come in four flavors:

• Unlimited Premium – For data-hungry streamers and work-from-anywhere types.
  
  
• Unlimited Standard – The sweet spot for most users.
  
  
• Unlimited Essentials – The entry-level unlimited option.
  
  
• Flexible – Pay for what you use (great for light data users). 

Fi’s biggest differentiator? It’s designed for seamless international coverage and flexible billing, making it one of the most travel-friendly carriers on the market.

Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile burst onto the scene in 2016 with a simple pitch: crazy-low prices if you prepay. It runs on T-Mobile’s massive 5G and 4G LTE network, giving you reliable coverage in most cities (though rural users might notice gaps).

Here’s the catch: Mint doesn’t do monthly billing. Instead, you buy service in 3-, 6-, or 12-month chunks. The longer you commit, the cheaper your monthly cost.

Mint’s plans are straightforward:

• Unlimited (with a soft cap at 40GB)
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• 20GB
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• 15GB
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• 5GB

Mint’s claim to fame is low-cost simplicity, often dropping intro pricing as low as $15/month for new customers.

Google Fi Plans

Note: Google Fi’s prices vary depending on how many lines you add—multi-line discounts can drop the per-line cost significantly. Below is single-line pricing for comparison.

Unlimited Premium

All-in option for heavy users. Unlimited talk, text, and data with 100GB of high-speed data, 50GB of hotspot, international data in 200+ destinations, 100GB Google One storage, and perks like YouTube Premium (limited trial). $65/month for 1 line.

Unlimited Standard

Balanced for most people. Unlimited talk, text, and 50GB of high-speed data, plus 25GB hotspot. $50/month for 1 line.

Unlimited Essentials

Budget-friendly unlimited. Unlimited talk, text, and data with 30GB of high-speed data, 5GB hotspot. $35/month for 1 line.

Flexible Plan

Pay-as-you-go. Unlimited talk and text for $20/month, plus $10 per GB used. Great for super light data users who mostly use Wi-Fi.

👉 Pro tip: The more lines you add, the cheaper Google Fi gets. A 4-line Unlimited Standard plan drops the per-line cost to just $25/month.

Mint Mobile Plans

Note: Mint Mobile’s 3-month pricing reflects their introductory promo—new customers pay the same low monthly rate as the 12-month plan for their first 3 months.

Unlimited Plan

Unlimited talk, text, and data with 40GB of high-speed data (then slows) plus 10GB hotspot. $30/month with a 12-month prepay, $35/month with a 6-month prepay, or $30/month with a 3-month prepay.

20GB Plan

Extra breathing room for moderate users who don’t want to worry about going over. $25/month with 12-month prepay, $35/month with 6-month prepay, or $25/month with a 3-month prepay.

15GB Plan

A balanced option that covers most everyday users with streaming, maps, and light social scrolling. $20/month with 12-month prepay, $25/month with 6-month prepay, or $20/month with a 3-month prepay.

5GB Plan

Perfect for light users who just need talk, text, and a little data for browsing or social. $15/month with 12-month prepay, $20/month with 6-month prepay, or $15/month with a 3-month prepay.

👉 Pro tip: Mint Mobile plans are cheapest when you pay for 12 months upfront, but 3- and 6-month options are available too.

Quick Plan Comparison

Coverage

• Mint Mobile: Runs on T-Mobile’s network, which shines in cities and suburbs but can be patchy in rural areas.
  
  
• Google Fi: Uses T-Mobile’s network in the U.S. Fi also leans on Wi-Fi calling and international roaming for connectivity abroad.

📍 Check the maps yourself:

See Google Fi’s coverage at your location here.

See Mint Mobile’s coverage at your location here. 

High-Speed Data & Prioritization

• Google Fi: Unlimited plans include 30GB–100GB high-speed before potential slowdowns. Flexible plan is pure pay-as-you-go.
  
  
• Mint Mobile: Unlimited plan soft caps at 40GB high-speed. After that, you’ll drop to slower speeds.

Both carriers can experience deprioritization on T-Mobile’s network during congestion.

Hotspot Data & Perks

• Google Fi: Hotspot included in all plans. Premium tiers also come with Google One cloud storage and discounts on Google services.
  
  
• Mint Mobile: Hotspotting is allowed, but it eats into your plan’s data allowance (capped at 10GB on Unlimited). No extra perks—Mint keeps it barebones to keep prices low.

Customer Service & Experience

• Google Fi: Support via app, chat, and phone. Google integration makes it easy to manage your account.
  
  
• Mint Mobile: Digital-first with chat and call support. No physical stores, so it’s DIY.

Both make porting your number and bringing your own phone a breeze.

Pros & Cons

Google Fi Pros:

• Excellent international coverage.
  
  
• Family plan discounts.
  
  
• Perks like Google One.
  

Google Fi Cons:

• More expensive than typical MVNOs.
  
  
• Best perks locked behind higher-tier plans.
  

Mint Mobile Pros:

• Some of the lowest prices in the industry.
  
  
• Simple plan structure.
  
  
• T-Mobile’s strong 5G coverage in cities.
  

Mint Mobile Cons:

• Prepay required for best pricing.
  
  
• No extra perks.
  
  
• Rural coverage weaker.

FAQs

What towers does Mint Mobile use?
Mint runs entirely on T-Mobile’s 5G and LTE network.

Does Google Fi allow Wi-Fi calling?
Yes! Google Fi fully supports Wi-Fi calling. That means if you’re somewhere with spotty cell coverage but a strong Wi-Fi signal, you can still make and receive calls or texts just like normal.

Are there any disadvantages to using Google Fi?
The main downside is price. Fi costs more than most MVNOs.

What network does Google Fi use?
Fi uses T-Mobile in the U.S., plus international roaming in 200+ countries.

Should I switch to Mint Mobile or Google Fi?
If you want the cheapest possible plan, go with Mint. If you want travel-friendly, flexible billing, go with Google Fi.

Can I use my current phone with Google Fi or Mint Mobile?
Most unlocked phones work with both, but check compatibility first (especially if you want 5G access).