Google Fi vs Google Voice: Difference and Comparison

Google Fi, earlier called Project Fi, is a telecommunication service provided by Google that provides calls, SMS, and versatile broadband utilizing cell organizations and Wi-Fi. Google Voice is a telephone utility service that is provided on a U.S. telephone number to Google Account clients.

With the help of Google Voice, one can make calls and send messages.

Key Takeaways

1. Google Fi is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) offering cellular plans, while Google Voice is a voice-over-IP (VoIP) service for calling, texting, and voicemail.
2. Google Fi provides international roaming, automatic network switching, and data usage management, whereas Google Voice focuses on managing multiple devices and numbers under one account.
3. Google Fi requires a compatible smartphone and paid subscription, while Google Voice works with any device with internet access and is available for free.

Google Fi vs Google Voice

Google Fi is a mobile virtual network operator that provides cellular coverage to its users through partnerships with various mobile network operators. Google Voice is a telecommunications service that provides you with a phone number you can use to make and receive calls, and send texts.

Google Fi, previously called Project Fi, is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) broadcast communications service by Google that gives calls, SMS, and portable broadband utilizing cell organizations and Wi-Fi. It offers wireless communication services across various devices and networks.

It also offers a wide range of services provided by Google online.

Google Voice is a telephone utility service that mainly provides call forwarding and voice mail services to US contact numbers only. It permits clients to have a single number and forward it to different telephones.

It was launched by Google in 2009. It is accessible for web, android, and iOS frameworks.

It utilizes the contacts across the Gmail of the client.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Google Fi	Google Voice
Definition	Google Fi is Google’s mobile virtual network operator and wireless service provider for easy communication across networks.	Google Voice is a  telephone service that provides call forwarding and voicemail services.
Cost	More expensive	Less Expensive
Primary Use	Mainly used for Voice, SMS, and portable hotspots	Mainly used for making Voice calls
Services	Using a SIM card	Using web-based
Plans	Offers unlimited plans with flexible pricing	It works on the per minutes rate basis.

What is Google Fi?

Known as Project Fi, when it was launched in 2015, Google provided the service either through cellular data or wifi hotspot. The customer should have a SIM Card through which he/she can avail of the benefits of Fi.

Likewise, with other versatile cellular services, Google Fi depends on one more cellular companies network to provide the services to the customers.

Google Fi avails the services from two or three cellular networks, which are T- Mobile and US Cellular.

Google acknowledges that the network gets connected automatically to the strongest network signal nearby. While moving, it connects to the nearby strongest network to provide the service to the customers.

The normal cellular carrier which fails to provide the services in every part, Google Fi, is one step ahead of these cellular companies.

The Fi services get connected automatically to the strongest network. If there is no network, it uses the nearest Wifi- hotspot signal to provide the services to the customers.

For Fi-affirmed gadgets, Google says its cell services figures out which transporter has the quickest network where you end up being and connects you to that one.

There are a few clear benefits to Google Fi, from the direct charging to the month-to-month credits for unused data. Charge Protection makes Google’s services significantly more beneficial for heavy data usage users.

What is Google Voice?

Google Voice is a telephone utility service that provides call forwarding and voicemail-based to US residents, which means you can only use the service for US numbers. It can also be used internationally for which the user is charged.

Google Voice is an IP communication application that permits users to link their voice mail and landline to a single Google Voice phone number.

Google Voice calls made on cell phones use the cell phone carrier network, while calls received or made over the internet uses a data network or a Wifi connection.

Google Voice feature also provides the user to send or receive messages from Google Voice number. To use the Google Voice features, one has to log in to the site, and it has both the option to dial the number and connect to a number.

As Google voice mainly uses the data connection or wifi connection to make calls or receive calls, it is ay much cheaper than Google Fi. Over here, the user is charged for the calls made through the cellular network.

One can forward Google voice calls to only US numbers. Google charges the amount for making an international call or receiving the calls from internationally.

Main Differences Between Google Fi and Google Voice

1. Google Fi is mainly used for making calls, sending or receiving texts, while Google Voice is used for sending or receiving voice mails.
2. Google Fi plan prices are much higher as compared to the Google Voice plans
3. Google Fi offers unlimited plans for their customers, while Google Voice customers are charged for the calls which are made through the cellular networks.
4. Google Fi services are provided through SIM cards, while Google Voice services are provided through the internet. Customers have the option to connect the Voice number with the landline no.
5. Google Fi supports the 5G spectrum. Google Voice services are mainly through VoLTE or LTE networks.

References

1. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ887127

Last Updated : 25 February, 2024