# Google Fi 26 Hacker News commenters recommended Google Fi and 20 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 9 of 13 months; owners who said how long report a median of 9 years (3 owners). **Verdict:** Recommended for cheap, seamless roaming in many countries, a per-GB bill that suits light users, and simple transactional service. Critics point to unannounced service cutoffs and weak customer support. ## Why people recommend it - Cheap, seamless international roaming (5 comments): "If you travel internationally, they're really cheap relative to everyone else who will charge you absolutely ridiculous roaming fees." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47458554)) "Google Fi is great, especially the fact that they work mostly seamlessly for the same price in like every country" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49453196)) "MVNO roaming is bloody fantastic - I always had reception." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46624379)) - Pay-per-GB billing keeps bills low (3 comments): "my bill rarely goes over $30/month, only when travelling" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47171940)) "overall I don't miss Verizon and pay drastically less" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47456888)) "The per-GB charging is smart for light users too." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47171986)) - Reliable service with no problems (3 comments): "I've used Google Fi for gosh, 8-9+ years (honestly don't remember, but a good long while) and I've had ZERO problems with anything relating to using it as my cell provider." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48790101)) "I've yet to encounter a circumstance where anything I've used has even seemed aware of the fact that I'm using it" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48790406)) "I've never had a single problem with Google Fi." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48789082)) - Good spam protection and simple setup (2 comments): "One of the most underrated features of being on Google Fi with a Pixel, you don't get any of those apps like Amazon and NFL you are unable to install." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47172116)) "which has been life changing for me with regards to spam" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50253440)) ## What people warn about - Service cut off without warning (3 comments): "We've exceeded that by months on multiple occasions and fully expected them to cut us off after reading similar dire warnings but they never have." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47380609)) "cut off your service without warning, advanced notice, or spelling out anywhere when you sign up" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47373838)) "Much too expensive and if you use it too much abroad, they cut you off." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48789686)) - Poor coverage outside metro areas (3 comments): "you may find yourself riding the back of the bus and there is no independent way to check what service you are actually getting" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49453266)) "the service was bad outside of Metro areas and didn't trust them to not arbitrarily shut down" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47375680)) "I got downgraded to Google Fi's 2G in a well-traveled part of Virginia" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47485220)) - Connectivity drops needing restart (2 comments): "Every several weeks the mobile connectivity stops working and nothing short of a restart will get it working again." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47937308)) "couldn't get connected to Google Fi to work, even with a SIM card" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47051654)) ## Alternatives hackers recommend - [US Mobile](https://hackerapproved.com/p/us-mobile.md): 31 recommend - [Cape mobile cell service](https://hackerapproved.com/p/cape.md): 19 recommend - [Airalo eSIM](https://hackerapproved.com/p/airalo.md): 16 recommend - [Mint Mobile](https://hackerapproved.com/p/mint-mobile.md): 15 recommend - [Tello mobile plan](https://hackerapproved.com/p/tello.md): 10 recommend ## Where to get it - [Visit the official site](https://fi.google.com/about) ## Cite as Hacker Approved, "Google Fi", https://hackerapproved.com/p/google-fi/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).