Twigby vs. Google Fi: Which carrier is better?

Twigby and Google Fi  are popular prepaid carriers that offer great deals. 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 

Coverage & Reception

Twigby is on the Verizon network, while Google Fi is on the T-Mobile network. 

Twigby and Google Fi 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. Twigby is an MVNO of Verizon, and Google Fi is an MVNO of T-Mobile. 

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. 

Plan Options

Google Fi offers premium data, and Twigby offers several limited plans. 

Like most plans you’ll see on the market, both carriers offer unlimited talk and texting options with any plan you choose. Twigby offers several limited data plans along with an unlimited plan and a plan without data. Google Fi offers premium data, which does not slow down no matter the amount of network traffic. Twigby deprioritizes data, which means your connection may slow down during times of high traffic, such as a concert or a crowded parking lot. 

Twigby Plans

Twigby plans give you a discount for the first three months of service. 

Twigby offers 5 plans, ranging from plans with no data included to unlimited data. All plans offer unlimited talk and text, and all data plans offer hotspot access. All plans allow up to 50 lines on an account. All Twigby plans are on QCI tier 9. 

If you purchase your phone from Twigby, your device will be sold to you unlocked after activation. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

No Data Plan

This plan does not have data access. 

With this plan, you do not have access to any data. This means you must have a WiFi connection in order to browse the internet, send emails, stream videos, and play games. According to Twigby, you also need to have WiFi access to use iMessage on iPhones. You also do not have access to group messaging on basic or Android phones. 

You do not have hotspot access on this plan either. 

The plan costs $10 per month, and $5 for the first 3 months. 

2GB Plan 

This plan gives you 2GB per month before slowing down. 

This plan gives you 2GB per month, which slows to 2G speeds after the cap. This slower speed allows you to send texts and emails or browse the internet, but playing games and streaming video. The plan also allows for mobile hotspot access with the 2GB included in the plan. This access stops at the 2GB cap.

The plan costs $15 per month. At this rate, you get 2GB at $7.50 per GB. This plan costs $5 per month for the first 3 months. 

5GB Plan 

This plan gives you 5GB per month if you use their service. 

This plan gives you 5GB of data to use per month, which then slows to 2G speeds after you reach the cap. 

The plan costs $20 per month. At this rate, you get 5GB at $4 per GB. The plan alos gives you the first 3 months of service at $10 per month. 

8GB Plan 

This plan gives you 8GB monthly. 

This plan gives you 8GB per month of service, which slows to 2G speeds after this cap. You also get access to mobile hotspot data, which stops at 8GB. 

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The plan costs $26 per month. At this rate, you get 8GB at $3.25 per GB. The plan also gives you service at $16 per month for the first 3 months. 

Unlimited Plan 

This plan gives you 20GB before slowing speeds. 

This plan gives you 20GB of data before slowing down to 2G speeds. You also get 20GB of mobile hotspot data access, which stops at the cap. 

The plan costs $35 per month. At this rate, you get 20GB at $1.75 per GB. You get service at $25 per month for the first 3 months. 

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. 

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If you purchase your phone from Google Fi, your device will already be unlocked. The plans they offer renew monthly, and taxes and fees are not included with the advertised price. 

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.  

Features

Google Fi offers more features than Twigby.

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. The most features are offered with Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan. Twigby offers unlimited international talk and 720p streaming with all plans. 

Domestic Roaming Data

Google Fi offers domestic roaming data on their plans. Twigby does not offer this feature. 

Mexico & Canada Connection

Twigby plans allow unlimited talk in Mexico and Canada, but not text or data. 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. 

International Connection

Twigby allows unlimited talk in up to 80 countries, but not text or data. 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. 

Video Streaming Quality

All Twigby data plans stream at 720p High Definition resolution. Their No Data plan requires WiFi to stream video. Google Fi offers 4k Ultra High Definition streaming for their Flexible plan and 480p Standard Definition streaming for their unlimited data plans.

Streaming Services

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

Cloud Storage

Twigby does not offer this feature. Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan offers 100GB of Google One. 

Device Financing

If you buy a phone from either carrier, the carrier allows you to pay for your device in installments over time. Twigby only allows device financing with Paypal.

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 also offer spam protection included. Twigby does not offer this feature. 

Free Trial

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

Customer Service 

Twigby and Google Fi do not have physical stores, leaving all of their customer service to online support. 

Twigby and Google Fi is a digital-only carrier, meaning they only offer customer support online. They offer chat support from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST Mon. through Fri. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST Sat. through Sun. You can also email Twigby Customer Support at twigby.support@twigby.com. Google Fi offers 24/7 customer support over chat and over the phone at 1-844-TALK-2-FI. 

The Verdict

The better carrier completely depends on what you’re looking for.  

Google Fi and Twigby have very few similarities. As such, the better carrier depends on what you need from a plan. If you don’t use much data at all, you’ll find a better deal with Twigby’s plans. If you use a lot of data, Google Fi is the better choice. 

However, Twigby’s limited plans are a much better deal than Google Fi’s Flexible plan, as the price per GB is much cheaper. 

We’d recommend checking your data usage before committing to a plan.

Want to compare other carriers?

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