Is Google Fi’s Simply Unlimited Plan Useful for Digital Nomads?

I am what you could call an internet aficionado. I like the internet, and I use a lot of it, which is why I like having access to unlimited plans whenever possible. Counting how much data I’ve used in a month is stressful for me, so anything that can help me avoid that is good in my books. 

But I’m also a fan of saving money when I can, which is why Google Fi’s new Simply Unlimited plan caught my eye when it was announced. 

Cheaper Unlimited… But at a Price

So what is Google Fi’s Simply Unlimited? Essentially, it’s a lot of the basic functionality of their normal Unlimited plan (now Unlimited Plus), but at a less expensive price. 

That means you get the same 22GB of data without throttling anywhere in the US, Canada, or Mexico, unlimited calls and texts, and access to Google’s built-in VPN. 

All of that is good (so long as you have a Fi-ready phone), but you end up losing a lot of extras in the $10 that you save. 

Simply Unlimited loses the ability to request a data-only SIM for any tablets you might have, it loses the ability to make a Hot Spot, and it loses the free extra storage that you get with the Unlimited Plus plan. 

Most importantly, Simply Unlimited plans lose all access to Google Fi’s network outside of the US, Canada, and Mexico!

That alone is a good enough reason not to switch, as the ability to access the internet as soon as you touch down in a new country is far and away Google Fi’s best feature. But say that while you’re staying Stateside for a while and want to save some cash. Is it worth switching?

Simply Unlimited for Stateside Nomads

The short answer is no, it’s still not worth it. 

Looking at the cheapest Unlimited plans across the major phone networks, it’s fairly easy to see it isn’t the best option out there. 

Major Cell Plans for 1 line, cheapest unlimited options

Maybe don’t get any of these plans

Essentially, what it comes down to is that it could be worth it, if the only device you need internet for is your phone, and you’re planning on burning through more than 6GB of data on that phone monthly. If you plan on using less than 6GB, Fi’s Flexible plan is a way better deal. If you need lots of data, but on more than one device, their Unlimited Plus plan should be your choice. 

The Simply Unlimited plan simply doesn’t cut it. It falls into a too-small middle zone that doesn’t actually meet real people’s cell phone needs.

Still, if you’re looking for a simple to understand and relatively cheap data plan, Google Fi’s other plans are still an excellent choice!

Sign up through my referral link, and get $20 off your second month’s bill!