We all use the internet daily, from browsing, texting, calling, and sending files. Since the internets’ debut, the emphasis has always been on providing fast and reliable connections. Google Fi and Xfinity Mobile are among the primary carrier services in the US. In today’s article, we will be pitting the two carriers against each other by analyzing their key differences, and hopefully, by the end, we will be able to declare a winner. So which one of Google Fi vs. Xfinity Mobile is the best internet provider? Please stick with us and find out.
Google Fi vs. Xfinity Mobile: Side-By-Side Comparison
| Google Fi | Xfinity Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Services Provided | Phone Calls, Text, Wi-Fi, Cellular Networks, Broadband | Mobile Data |
| Founder | Dave Watson, Dana Strong, and Matthew Strauss | |
| Network Operators Used | T Mobile, Sprint, US Cellular | Verizon Network |
| Availability | Online on almost all Android devices | Available to Xfinity Internet Users and iPhone Devices |
| Plans Available | Unlimited Plans, Pay-as-you-go Plans | Unlimited Plans, Pay-as-you-go Plans |
| Launch Date | April 22, 2015 | April 2017 |
©Lori Butcher/Shutterstock.com
What is Google Fi?
Google Fi is an MVNO telecommunications service offering telephone calls, SMS, Wi-Fi, broadband internet, and cellular networks to wireless cellphone users. The service started out as Project Fi before it was fully developed and presented to the public on March 7th, 2016. Although the first public presentation was in 2016, the service came to life on April 22, 2015.
Unfortunately, Google Fi is only available in the United States. However, it still offers roaming in 200+ countries worldwide, and countries neighboring the US (Canada and Mexico) can access it, although their signals will be lower. There are several Google Fi plans, and users can choose between unlimited and pay-as-you-go options. You also get a group plan that charges a fee for each user. Regarding compatibility, Google Fi works on most Android phones.
Google Fi will automatically transition between networks depending on the speed and strength of the available signals. Additionally, Google Fi uses a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that offers encryption when you connect to Wi-Fi hotspots and other accessible networks automatically. The VPN also automatically moves phone conversations and cellular networks if need be.
What is Xfinity Mobile?
Xfinity Mobile is a post-pay service available to Xfinity Internet users. The service is available in the US and uses the US network company, Verizon, to offer its users fast and reliable internet connectivity. The company’s founders are Mathew Strauss, Dana Strong, and Dave Watson, and they officially launched the company in April 2017.
Regarding payment plans, you get two different plans for unlimited and pay-as-you-go users. The carrier works with iPhones, but if you are an Android user, you might encounter problems since most android devices do not support Xfinity Mobile. Most locations have 5G coverage making the carrier an impeccable choice if you enjoy lightning-fast connections.
Google Fi vs. Xfinity Mobile: What’s The Difference?
Google Fi and Xfinity Mobile are excellent carrier options in the US. Let us take a look at how they differ from each other.
Services
Google Fi and Xfinity Mobile offer different services to their users. If you choose Google Fi, you can access several services, including SMS, telephone calls, Wi-Fi, cellular networks, and broadband. If you decide to use Xfinity mobile, you only get mobile data services. There are several plan options from which you can choose. You can either go with the pay-as-you-go or unlimited data option.
Network Operators
We can also differentiate the two carriers depending on the network operators they work with. Xfinity Mobile uses Verizon Network for its coverage. The network is 5G enabled, guaranteeing you lightning-fast internet speeds. However, these speeds may reduce when in congested areas, but as soon as the congestion clears, you will be back to a fast internet connection.
Google Fi, on the other hand, uses several networks to provide its service. At first, the carrier used to work with T mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular. Later, T Mobile merged with Sprint. As we speak, Google Fi uses T Mobile and US Cellular. However, rumors exist that the carrier will soon drop US Cellular and remain with T Mobile as the primary carrier.
Thanks to T Mobile, Google Fi is 5G enabled, guaranteeing users ultra-fast speeds for both streaming and everyday internet use. However, you must ensure your phone works well with T Mobile’s 5G network before choosing Google Fi. This doesn’t mean that Google Fi is incompatible with most devices, as the carrier works with most android phones. Unfortunately, iPhone users with older phones like the iPhone 5, 5S, and 5C are not able to use Google Fi.
Founders and Launch Date
As much as the founders and launch dates of Google Fi and Xfinity Mobile will not necessarily help us crown a winner, they are still worth a mention. Google Fi was founded by Google, with the official launch being on April 22, 2015. Google Fi was then availed to the public on March 7, 2016. On the other hand, Xfinity Mobile’s founders are Dana Strong, Dave Watson, and Matthew Strauss. The carrier’s official launch took place in April 2017.
Availability
A good carrier service should be readily available to its users. So regarding availability, which between Google Fi and Xfinity Mobile will emerge victorious? If your device is compatible, Google Fi wins this availability test since the service is available to everyone. All you need to do is sign up for the carrier online, and you can use its services.
With Xfinity Mobile, the carrier is only available to Xfinity internet users. However, if you have maintained Xfinity Internet service for a while, you get Xfinity Mobile for free. With Google Fi, there are no such offers.
Plans Available
Both Google Fi and Xfinity mobile have different plans. With Google Fi, you have two unlimited plans and a pay-as-you-go plan. The Simply Unlimited Plan is $20, whereas the Unlimited Plus is $40. The pay-as-you-go option, Flexible, will cost you $17, with every 1GB going for $10. All these plans are to be paid every month.
Xfinity Mobile also comes with both unlimited and pay-as-you-go plans. There are three different unlimited plans, and they all come at different costs. The Unlimited Intro costs $45/mo for a single-line account, with two lines costing $30/mo. Unlimited Plus costs $55/mo for a single-line account and $40/mo for two lines. Finally, the Unlimited Premium costs $65/mo for a single-line account and $50/mo for two lines.
Xfinity Mobile also has a pay-as-you-go plan dubbed By the Gig. With this plan, you must choose the minimum amount of data that will be shared. You can always readily adjust this minimum amount at any time. A 1GB plan costs $15/mo, whereas a 3GB plan costs $30/mo. Finally, a 10GB Plan costs $60 a month.
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Google Fi vs. Xfinity Mobile: 5 Must-Know Facts
Google Fi and Xfinity mobile are powerful carriers. Here are some distinguishing features and must-know facts about the two:
- Google Fi offers several services, from texts, phone calls, Wi-Fi, cellular networks, and broadband, all available on your mobile phone upon subscription. Xfinity Mobile offers only mobile data services.
- Xfinity Mobile uses Verizon Network, which provides the fast 5G network that the carrier offers. Google Fi, on the other hand, uses T Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular to provide its coverage. The carrier is also 5G enabled.
- Google Fi is available to anyone with a compatible device. Most of the compatible devices are Androids, and all that is needed of you is to sign up. Xfinity Mobile is only available to Xfinity internet users. iPhone users can also use the carrier on their devices.
- Both Google Fi and Xfinity Mobile have Unlimited and Pay-as-you-go plans. However, the pay-as-you-go plans offered by Xfinity Mobile are cheaper and more efficient.
- Google founded Google Fi, and the official launch occurred on April 22, 2015. Xfinity Mobile was officially launched in April 2017, and its founders are Dave Watson, Dana Strong, and Matthew Strauss.
Google Fi vs. Xfinity Mobile: Which One Is The Best? Which Should You Use?
After going through the differences between Google Fi vs Xfinity Mobile, we must crown a winner. Both carriers have fast connection speeds and will get the job done easily. Their great functionality makes it difficult to choose a winner, but Google Fi packs up more in features and will thus take the win.
Google Fi offers many services, from texting, phone calls, Wi-Fi, broadband, and cellular networks on your wireless cell phone. The flexibility also extends to the devices it is compatible with, as you can use Google Fi on most Android phones. Finally, you can now pay for only what you will use thanks to the pay-as-you-go option, and with the roaming feature, you can still access the service internationally.
The above features make Google Fi the best carrier, but Xfinity Mobile is still catching up as it still beats it in some areas. Its plans are well-priced, and the pay-as-you-go option is cheaper than Google Fi’s. Xfinity Mobile also has ultra-fast connection speeds, making the carrier a worthy alternative. Xfinity Mobile loses the top spot because of the availability and compatibility issue, and the carrier doesn’t offer as much as Google Fi does.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©J.K2507/Shutterstock.com.
