Google Fiber Internet Review 2024: Plans, Price, & More

I want to find the best internet plan. That led me to write about Google’s fiber optic internet service. To help us determine whether it’s worth getting.

You’ll find the following points throughout this guide:

• Pros & cons
• Internet packages & features
• Additional costs
• Business internet plans
• Home phone plans
• Where it’s available
• Deals & promotions
• How it compares to the competition

Let’s get the ball rolling.

Google Fiber Pros & Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of Google Fiber.

Pros:

• Free 1.0 terabytes of Google Drive storage
• No data caps, contracts, and installation fees
• Free router
• No price hikes

Cons:

• Unequal internet speeds for 2 Gig plan
• Too much speed for most households
• No contract buyout program

Google Fiber Plans

Let’s compare Google Fiber’s residential internet plans:

Tier	Starting Price *	Max. Speed (DL & UL) †	Best For
1 Gig	$70/mo.	1,000 Mbps	Livestreaming
2 Gig	$100/mo.	2,000/1,000 Mbps	Home media server management

Important details:

• 30-day money-back guarantee
• No contracts
• No data caps
• No installation fees
• Hardware included:
  • 1 Gig: Google Wi-Fi router
  • 2 Gig: 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 Router & Tri-band Mesh Extender
• Free 1.0 terabyte of cloud storage with Google Drive

I’ll talk about perks and speeds throughout the following sections. Let’s see whether they justify getting Google Fiber.

1. Free Google Drive Storage

Google offers 1,000 GB (1.0 TB) of free cloud storage from Google Drive. The storage is a godsend for anyone who uses Google Drive and wants to back up their files.

I find this beneficial as a remote worker. Because it gives me a way to securely store files without keeping them on an external hard drive. That could burst into flames during a house fire.

2. Google Fiber Data Cap

Google Fiber doesn’t enforce hard data caps on any of their home or business internet plans.

3. Google Fiber Speed & Latency

Google’s 1 Gig plan delivers 1,000 Mbps download and upload speeds. That’s enough to accommodate any online task without issues. Many may see 1.0 Gbps as overkill.

If you have a home with 5 people who stream 4K UHD video simultaneously, that’s using 125 Mbps of bandwidth.

It’s also fantastic for remote workers and livestreamers. Imagine livestreaming, running a million browser tabs, and whatever else you do during streams with equal download and upload speeds.

Before I move on to remote workers, let’s talk latency (ping). Their average latency is 17 milliseconds, with a 0.01% packet loss [1]. I couldn’t find specific numbers on Google Fiber’s website. But Google Fiber Webpass, which uses the Google Fiber Infrastructure. Meaning, it should have similar numbers.

Latency will vary by household, though.

Many consider 20–50 ms “great” ping for online gaming [2]. And the lower you get, the less likely you’ll lag. The same goes for online video conferences.

This takes me back to remote workers.

You probably won’t want lag when calling clients. Otherwise, the high download and upload speeds will shave your time crunch since it’ll take less time to send or receive files.

2 Gig’s 2,000 Mbps download speeds are viable for homes that manage home servers. But the 1,000 Mbps upload speeds don’t make it as appealing. Hence, I recommend using almost any other fiber provider that offers 2.0 Gbps.

Because they usually offer symmetric 2.0 gigabit plans.

4. Google Webpass

Google Fiber Webpass is a service that delivers wireless internet to buildings like apartments and offices. Google will provide wireless internet to rooftop antennas on these high-occupancy buildings.

It’s a way for customers in all states with Google Fiber to access fast internet speeds at an affordable rate. You’ll need to pay $62.50 a month—while on a 1-year contract. Or $70 a month for month-to-month plans.

But the network speeds are a gamble:

Webpass works best for apartments that don’t have optical network terminals (ONT). I’ll cover what they are in the next section.

Google Fiber Hidden Fees & Equipment

Here are Google Fiber’s additional fees [3]:

Equipment	Fee
Equipment fee	Free
Installation	Free
Equipment replacement fee	$50–$300

You also won’t need to deal with cancellation or data overage surcharge. Since Google doesn’t enforce data caps or contracts.

Hurray.

Usually, fiber providers install optical network terminals (ONT) and use those instead of modems. They act as fiber optic modems. Google calls their ONT the Fiber Jack. And it’s much smaller than a typical ONT.

Here’s a video that shows what one looks like and where you’d find it:

<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/E6j4zyx9kLU” title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” allowfullscreen></iframe>

A technician will install this in your home when you receive Google Fiber.

Google Business Fiber Internet Plans, Pricing, & Features

Small businesses have access to the following business products with Google Fiber [4]:

Tier	Starting Price *	Max. Speed (DL & UL) †	Best For
Business 1 Gig	$100/mo.	1,000 Mbps	Most businesses
Business 2 Gig	$200/mo.	2,000/1,000 Mbps	Constant file transfers

Important details:

• Includes 1 free static IP address
• Includes 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 router

Their 1 Gig plan says you’ll have a 99.9% reliable connection. And their 2 Gig plan promises a 99.9% Service Level Guarantee. The latter guarantees a 25% refund for your bill if your uptime falls below the 99.9% threshold.

Most online tasks like email checking, web browsing, and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) don’t require static IP addresses. However, those who maintain their own web servers will need a static IP. That way, it’s easier for your network to find your devices.

An additional static IP will cost $20 a month [5 PDF link]. 5 will cost $30 a month. Use my claims on their static IP prices as a reference. I don’t know when they last updated the link above.

Business customers could also get a business phone system through Google’s partner, Dialpad. You’ll get 25% off their plan when bundling it with your business internet plan.

And here are the Dialpad plans:

Tier	Price (If Paid Annually)	Price (If Paid Monthly)
Standard	$15/mo.	$25/mo.
Pro	$23/mo.	$35/mo.

These prices don’t already include the 25% discount.

Dialpad includes some decent features like unlimited calling and Google Workspace integrations. Otherwise, you’ll need to compare it to other business voice plans and see whether Dialpad is worth getting.

Google Fiber Home Phone Plans & Features

Google Fiber Phone is a voice over IP (VoIP) service that’s $10 a month and includes the following features:

• Call waiting
• Block caller ID
• Caller ID
• International calling
• Voicemail

It works best for anyone who wants a phone that’ll provide more reliability if you need to call 911. For instance, home phone coverage could make up for horrendous cellular coverage. Or it may provide 911 operators with a more accurate address than your cell phone would send.

Customers could use an existing Google Voice number or a new number.

You’ll also need to pay Google Voice international rates. Since Google Fiber uses it for calling. Rates will vary from $0.01–$7.25 per minute. Then you may have to deal with an additional value-added tax (VAT) on top of your calling credit charge.

Where is Google Fiber Available?

Here’s where Google Fiber is available:

Atlanta, GA	Austin, TX	Charlotte, NC	Chicago, IL
Denver, CO	Des Moines, IA	Huntsville, AL	Kansas City, KS/MO
Lakewood, CO	Mesa, AZ	Miami, FL	Nashville, TN
Oakland, CA	Omaha, NE	Orange County, CA	Provo, UT
Salt Lake Valley, UT	San Antonio, TX	San Diego, CA	San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA

Google Fiber Deals

Google home fiber doesn’t offer discounts for existing customers, seniors, veterans, or other groups.

However:

You could save money with the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). It’s a $30-a-month subsidy the government provides to certain households. The credit would allow you to get 1,000 Mbps fiber optic internet for $30 monthly.

Ones that participate in at least one of these programs:

• Women, Infants, Children (WIC)
• School Breakfast Program (SBP)
• Head Start
• Medicaid
• Food Stamps (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• VA Survivors or Veteran’s Pension
• Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Tribal TANF
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
• Federal Pell Grant
• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance

New and existing Google Fiber customers will need to verify whether they participate in these programs by visiting nv.fcc.gov/lifeline. And if the government approves of your participation in this program, fill out a subsidy form.

Google should add the credit to your plan within 48 hours.

How to Contact Google Fiber Customer Service

Here’s how to reach Google Fiber’s customer support:

• Sales:
  • Residential: 866-777-7550
  • Business: 855-418-8326
• Live chat: fiber.Google.com/chat
• Customer service:
  • Residential: 833-942-0105
  • Business: 877-372-9790
• Twitter: @Googlefiberhelp
• Construction questions: 877-454-6959
• TTY: 833-999-2889
• Facebook: facebook.com/GoogleFiber

Their customer service is available 24/7.

Google Fiber vs. the Competition

Let’s pit Google Fiber against some of their competitors:

Provider	Starting Price Range *	Speeds Offered (Download) †	Internet Type	Best For
Google Fiber	$70–$100/mo.	1.0–2.0 Gbps	Fiber	Livestreaming
Spectrum	$49–$89/mo.	300–600 Mbps	Cable	4K video streaming
Xfinity	$19–$299/mo.	10–6,000 Mbps	Cable & fiber	Highest speeds offered
AT&T Fiber	$55–$180/mo.	300–5,000 Mbps	Fiber	Home server management
Cox	$49.99–$79.99/mo.	100–1,000 Mbps (DL)5.0–35 Mbps (UL)	Cable	720p video streaming

Google Fiber internet compared to other home internet providers.

Before continuing, I have a couple of things to cover.

Always choose fiber internet over cable. You’ll have lower latency, no speed throttling, and more reliable internet. I pitted the 2 connection types against each other.

Don’t connect the word “fiber” to “expensive.” Google Fiber’s 1 Gig plan charges much less than what cable providers would charge once their new customer pricing expires.

Google’s biggest downside for their fiber product lies in availability. I’d usually post where each provider offers overlapping coverage, but it’s difficult since Google restricts its product availability to different cities.

If you’re in a city with Google Fiber, pick it over any provider.

Google Fiber vs. Spectrum

Choose Google Fiber because:

• No price hikes
• Much higher upload speeds

Choose Spectrum because:

• More availability
• More affordable 300 Mbps plan

Pick Spectrum if you need speeds lower than 1,000 Mbps. For a year. Afterward, Spectrum’s 300 Mbps plan will increase to $74.99 a month, which makes Google Fiber cost much less.

Spectrum doesn’t have contracts. You wouldn’t deal with a painful and expensive plan cancellation.

Google Fiber vs. Xfinity

Here’s why Google Fiber is superior:

• No regional pricing
• No contracts or data caps

Choose Xfinity because:

• More speed tier options
• Can bundle with cable TV

Google Fiber’s a much better choice in every field. It offers higher speeds, costs less, and has no contracts or data caps. Otherwise, Xfinity’s viable if you want cable TV or live in an area without Google Fiber.

The lower-tier Xfinity plans cost $60 and up after a year (for 75 Mbps). In some areas. Google Fiber gives you 1,000 Mbps for $70 a month. Even if you never use all the speeds, you’re much better off getting Google.

Let’s address the cable TV elephant in the room.

Consider switching to a live streaming service like YouTube TV or DirecTV Stream. You’ll get the most popular channels without paying broadcasting TV fees. And it just requires an internet connection.

Google Fiber’s plans could accommodate streaming 4K quality on multiple devices.

Google Fiber vs. AT&T Fiber

Google Fiber’s a better choice because:

• Costs less

Choose AT&T Fiber because:

• More speed tiers
• More availability

Google Fiber’s 1 Gig plan provides the same internet speeds for $20 less a month. If you must choose between AT&T Fiber’s speed tiers lower than 1.0 Gbps, Google Fiber charges $0.07 per megabit. Compared to AT&T’s $0.13 per megabit for their Internet 500 plan.

You’re paying less per megabit with Google.

Google Fiber vs. Cox

I like Google Fiber more because:

• No data cap
• No price hikes
• Contract-free

Choose Cox because:

• More availability
• More speed tier options

Google Fiber offers much more affordable internet plans compared to Cox. Except the Essential 100 plan. That’ll give you 100 Mbps speeds for $49.99 a month.

Choose Google Fiber if you need speeds higher than 100 Mbps. Why would you stay in a one-sided relationship with Cox? Imagine not having to monitor your data usage and having no contracts.

FAQs

Check out these FAQs surrounding Google Fiber. Find information I didn’t cover earlier.

Wrapping Up

Google Fiber offers a stellar 1.0 Gbps internet plan at an affordable rate. But not in many cities. Whether you’re a livestreamer, a remote worker, or a home that downloads files frequently, Google’s internet service will serve as a better option compared to most ISPs.

Don’t pull out your bank card, yet. Shop around. Compare it to other providers we’ve reviewed.

Footnotes:

* The pricing you see doesn’t include any taxes or additional fees. These will vary based on your ZIP code.

† A million factors influence internet speed. For instance, using Ethernet connectivity over Wi-Fi will result in faster speeds. You likely won’t see the speeds shown.