There's nothing quite like Google Fi Wireless when it comes to service and coverage with excellent network support for Android phones including a network of Wi-Fi hotspots. 

Fi's International features are also second to none, but in recent years, quite a few carriers have caught up and could be a better fit when you're at home. 

Now that they've been formally taken under T-Mobile's wing, Mint Mobile tops the list with outstanding 5G coverage and affordable data plans that you can purchase in  3, 6, and 12-month increments of time. 

Best overall

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Most wireless service providers require you to pay your bill month-to-month, but Mint Mobile takes a different approach by charging you upfront for 3, 6, or 12 months of service at a time. It's a unique concept and one that requires a bigger check from the get-go but could result in some significant savings over time.

Mint Mobile's data plans come with unlimited talk and text, and depending on the one you pick, you've got your choice of 5GB, 15GB, or 20GB of 5G/4G LTE data. If you decide you need additional LTE speeds during a month, you can get an extra 1GB for $10 or 3GB for $20. Mobile hotspot data is also included. Check your existing phone bill to get an idea of how much data you use.

If you need a bit more, Mint Mobile's Unlimited plan comes with 40GB of high-speed data as well as 10GB of hotspot data. Video streams are limited to SD quality like most unlimited plans. The unlimited plan is also discounted more for the longer term you get. If you regularly use more than 20GB of data in a month, this plan might be the perfect fit.

Mint Mobile is powered by T-Mobile's LTE and 5G network, and as such, you can bring over virtually any unlocked GSM phone. Mint Mobile is a great way to test out the largest 5G network in the country.

Best for simplicity

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Visible is, without a doubt, the simplest mobile carrier in the country. This prepaid carrier makes things easy as can be from picking your plan to setting up your phone, There are two unlimited plans on Visible: Visible and Visible Plus. We tested the base Visible plan in our Visible Wireless review and found the speeds to be generally very strong. Still, the base plan can struggle in really dense areas with a lot of users on the towers. Luckily for these folks, Visible Plus comes with 50GB of premium data to keep your speeds high. 

Both Visible plans have completely unlimited data on Verizon's LTE and 5G networks, though, Visible Plus should average out to be the faster plan. While many people won't need this extra speed, it's nice that it's an option. Both plans also come with unlimited hotspot data at 5Mbps. 

If you're looking for international support, Visible is much more limited than Google Fi but Visible Plus does come with roaming in Mexico and Canada so those sticking to North America should be covered for the most part.

Best for customization

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US Mobile has three main plans to be aware of including two with unlimited data and a custom plan for lighter users. The custom plan can be configured with up to 15GB of data but if you need that much, it's probably a better idea to go with an unlimited plan instead. You also get to choose from a Verizon or T-Mobile SIM as we saw in our US Mobile Review, though you get more data on the Verizon network.

The cheaper unlimited plan, Unlimited Basic, is most similar to Google Fi's Simply Unlimited plan with some key advantages. Unlimited Basic, for example, has unlimited data with 40GB of premium data compared to Fi's 35GB of high-speed data. You even get 5GB of high-speed hotspot data on this plan. It starts at $35 per month for one line but if you bring four lines, that comes down to just $20 per line.

If you need more data or travel internationally, Unlimited Premium starts to make sense. This plan comes with 100GB of premium data and 50GB of hotspot data domestically. It's also eligible for multi-line savings and if you bring three or more lines, you get to choose a subscription perk from services like Netflix, Spotify, Playstation Plus, and many more.  This plan comes in at $45 per month for one line and as low as $30 per line with four lines.

If you're traveling out of the country, you get a free 10GB eSIM with the Unlimited Premium plan per month. The eSIM can be purchased separately on Unlimited Basic for those that only travel internationally a couple of times a year.

Best for families

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Metro by T-Mobile is owned by T-Mobile and has consequently become one of the best options for prepaid plans on T-Mobile's network. Metro offers great compatibility for phones compatible with T-Mobile and even has some great family savings with discounts on up to five lines. In fact, if you add three lines to the top unlimited plan, you can get the fourth free.

At its cheapest, you can sign up for a plan with unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of 4G LTE data for just $30 each month. This is a great pick for those that qualify for the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. At its most expensive, Metro by T-Mobile costs $60/month for unlimited talk, text, LTE data, 15GB of hotspot use, 100GB of Google One storage, and even a free Amazon Prime membership.

Taxes and fees are included with Metro's pricing. And since it runs on T-Mobile's network, you can bring just about any GSM unlocked phone to it and have everything work just fine.

Best international perks

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AT&T's prepaid brand, Cricket Wireless, doesn't tick every box for Google Fi wannabes, but it comes close to a few. For example, it offers excellent nationwide coverage thanks to being powered by AT&T's network. And as a result, it should be compatible with almost every unlocked phone sold in the U.S. today. If you used Cricket before, you may remember speed caps on certain plans. Luckily, Cricket removed these speed caps in late 2021 and has even upgraded its top unlimited plan to premium unlimited data.

Cricket also has simple and flexible plans that offer unlimited U.S. talk, text, and data, plus the ability to roam in Canada and Mexico on two of the higher-tier (but at $55 and $60, still affordable) plans. Those plans also include free texting to 37 other countries, including the likes of Australia, China, India, Japan, and more. The top plan also comes with access to AT&T's nationwide 5G network.

One significant advantage of Cricket is that taxes and fees are included with its plans. In other words, if you sign up for the $60/month plan, you'll pay exactly $60 and not a penny more.

Best on a budget

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Tello is a carrier you might not have heard of before, but that's something you should change. It's quickly becoming one of the most interesting players in the mobile space, and as an alternative to Google Fi, there's a lot to like. Tello also has a promotion for 50% off your service for the first month.

The best thing about Tello is its Build Your Own Plan tool. Tello includes free unlimited texting for everyone and then allows you to choose how much data and minutes you want every month. The options aren't as fine-tuned as Ting, but the value offered here is undeniably great.

If you don't use your phone much, you could get 2GB of data and 300 minutes for just $12/month. Whether you need just a few minutes or would rather stick to unlimited, you can easily build the right plan starting at just $5 per month. If you want to go all-out with "unlimited" data (LTE speeds capped at 25GB) and minutes, you'll spend just $39/month. All plans include free calling to Canada, Mexico, China, and Romania, not to mention Tello's international rates for other countries are quite competitive.

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Bottom line

The reality is that nothing in the U.S. is quite like Google Fi. Google's carrier experiment might be a little more expensive than many of these other options but for those that can benefit from its international roaming or excellent network switching feature, it could be worth it.  Many of the best Android phones will work with Fi's combined network and 5G however some less popular models (and iPhones) will fall back to the T-Mobile network. In many ways, and for many people, it's the ideal network provider.

Mint Mobile ticks many of the same boxes with 5G coverage on T-Mobile's network, a free mobile hotspot, and great customer service. Plans start at just $15 per month (with a minimum of three months), plus there are typically plenty of great Mint Mobile deals that can help you save some extra cash on a new smartphone.