Google Fiber: Why It’s Our Top Pick for Speed, Reliability, Fair Price (Review)
Our Google Fiber review will help you decide if their 1+ gig internet is worth the hype. Compare plans and fees, and get real customer feedback.
Compare Google Fiber internet to the competition
Prices starting at
$70.00/mo.
Max download speeds up to
8,000 Mbps
Service Type
Fiber
Prices starting at
$24.99/mo.
Max download speeds up to
1200 Mbps
Service Type
Fiber
Pricing, speed and availability not guaranteed. Subject to change.
Google Fiber internet plans and prices: many great options to choose from
| Plan | Price | Download speeds up to | Upload speeds up to | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Gig | $70.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | |
| Core 1 Gig† | $70.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | |
| 2 Gig | $100.00/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | |
| Home 3 Gig† | $100.00/mo. | 3,000 Mbps | 3,000 Mbps | |
| 5 Gig* | $125.00/mo. | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | |
| 8 Gig* | $150.00/mo. | 8,000 Mbps | 8,000 Mbps | |
| Edge 8 Gig† | $150.00/mo. | 8,000 Mbps | 8,000 Mbps |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Available in select markets only. Plus taxes and fees. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.
†Available only in certain areas.
Google Fiber uses fiber-optic lines that transmit data through hair-thin glass fibers instead of the traditional copper wires of cable and DSL (telephone line) internet. As with all fiber internet providers, this results in speeds up to 100 times faster than what cable and DSL connections can hit, as well as fewer instances of neighborhood slowdowns during peak usage hours.
Another perk of fiber internet is that upload speed is equal to download speed—if you have a 1 Gig plan, you get 1 Gig both ways. This is nice to have if you’re trading big files for work.
Google is continuing to roll out its 5 Gig and 8 Gig internet plans, but they’re not yet available in every Google Fiber city.
Google Fiber has excelled compared to previous internet providers my household has used. It has never gone down and the internet speed is always consistent.
Google Fiber reliability: All fast, all the time
Fiber offers the best internet performance available, and Google Fiber is right up there.
We consider multiple data sources to determine an internet provider’s service reliability, including speed test data from our partners at HighSpeedInternet.com, CableTV.com’s annual Internet Customer Satisfaction Survey, and speaking with Google Fiber customers.
Google Fiber’s latency—how long it takes for data to physically reach your computer—is slightly higher than other fiber internet providers like Ziply and Quantum Fiber, as most of our top fiber providers had times under 15 milliseconds. This won’t be a huge issue for most households, but if you’re a competitive gamer or frequently taking Zoom calls, you might run into occasional buffering issues.
That said, Google Fiber’s internet performance scores were among the best in this year’s survey, as more than 80% of customers were highly satisfied with Google Fiber’s speeds and reliability. It’s fast and it works consistently, which is all Google Fiber customers are looking for in their internet service.
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| Average latency | 23.9 milliseconds |
| Internet speed approval rating | 85% positive |
| Internet reliability approval rating | 83% positive |
Google Fiber specs and features: free gear, no data caps
Google Fiber might be a specialty internet provider, but it covers many of the same bases as standard providers. Here’s what to know about Google Fiber’s features:
Free Wi-Fi equipment
With Google Fiber 1 Gig, you’ll have the option to use your own Wi-Fi router or get Google Wifi, which is Google’s mesh Wi-Fi 6E system. Mesh Wi-Fi systems use a series of access points to deliver a consistent Wi-Fi signal across your home and they’re best suited for larger multi-story homes. Plans with 2 Gig and above speeds also come with two mesh Wi-Fi extenders—1 Gig includes one free extender.
There’s also a Fiber Jack, which is an ONT (optical network terminal) that converts the into-home fiber-optic signal to gigabit Ethernet that then runs into the Network Box. An ONT isn’t technically a modem, but it serves the same purpose as one. Both are factored into the Google Fiber bill and come at no extra cost, and installation (either professional or self-install) is free.
Google Fiber offers the built-in perks of free installation, no extra equipment charges, and no contracts. But, monthly taxes will apply in some areas. For example, in Utah, GFiber adds an additional $1.40 sales tax to its 1 Gig plan.
Unlimited data
Google Fiber includes unlimited data with each of its plans, so you can stream, download, and upload content with no worries about overage fees.
Google Fiber phone and internet bundles
For an extra $10 a month, Google Fiber Phone service can be added to Google Fiber internet. It’s a standard VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) digital connection, though you’d have to provide your own landline telephone—yes, those are still a thing.
What do real customers think of Google Fiber?
For CableTV.com’s annual Internet Customer Satisfaction Survey, we asked thousands of actual customers about their internet service providers.
Google Fiber is CableTV.com’s top pick for internet service, and it also scores big with real customers with an 83% overall satisfaction score that ranks first among cable and fiber ISPs. In comments, most of our surveyees praised Google Fiber’s speed and reliability, which I agree with: I’ve been using Google Fiber at home in Salt Lake City for three years now, and I’ve never experienced any lags or outages.
Because I trust Google, and my experience with Google Fiber was wonderful, comfortable, and completely convinced of it, even when I compare it with other companies, it is the best.
Google Fiber internet FAQ
Where is Google Fiber available?
Google Fiber is fully available in more than 43 major U.S. cities across 19 states, and it’s mostly in urban areas. This list includes the following cities:
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Denver, CO
- Des Moines, IA
- Huntsville, AL
- Kansas City, KS
- Kansas City, MO
- Lakewood, CO
- Mesa, AZ
- Miami, FL
- Nashville, TN
- Oakland, CA
- Orange County, CA
- Provo, UT
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Seattle, WA
- The Triangle, NC
- West Des Moines, IA
Can you use your own Wi-Fi router with Google Fiber?
Google Fiber’s 2, 5, and 8 Gig plans come with a router. But you can use your own third-party Wi-Fi router with Google Fiber, as long as it’s able to handle 1,000 Mbps of incoming speed from the ONT Ethernet converter.
CableTV.com has some wireless routers recommendations (including Google Wifi), all of which meet the speed requirements of Google Fiber.
Is Google Fiber still a thing?
Yes, Google Fiber is still kicking! Google Fiber can power your home or office with fiber-optic internet service. Here are four of the Google Fiber plans available:
- Fiber 1 Gig: Download/upload speeds up to 1,000 Mbps, no data caps, equipment included ($70/mo.)
- Fiber 2 Gig: Download/upload speeds up to 2,000 Mbps, no data caps, equipment included ($100/mo.)
- Fiber 5 Gig: Download/upload speeds up to 5,000 Mbps, no data caps, equipment included ($125/mo.)
- Fiber 8 Gig: Download/upload speeds up to 8,000 Mbps, no data caps, equipment included ($150/mo.)
In some areas, you’ll see that Google Fiber’s 1 Gig plan is called Core 1 Gig and the 8 Gig plan is called Edge 8 Gig—those same areas also offer a Home 3 Gig plan for $100/mo., the same price as the 2 Gig plan in other areas.
Is Google Fiber faster than cable internet?
Google Fiber, and other fiber-optic internet providers, offer up to 8 Gbps download and equal upload speeds that aren’t impacted by the number of simultaneous users. In contrast, cable internet can reach download speeds as high as 1,000 Mbps (1Gbps), but its upload speeds are typically half or less than that. Also, cable internet speed is heavily affected by everyone else in your neighborhood using it at the same time.
What is Google Fiber Webpass?
Google Fiber Webpass is a wireless offshoot of Google Fiber’s wired internet service, mainly for high-occupancy office and apartment buildings. It’s a point-to-point wireless network that operates via an antenna, functioning similarly to T-Mobile 5G Home Internet or AT&T Internet Air with speed maxing out at 1 Gbps. Google Fiber Webpass is currently available in these U.S. cities:
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Kansas City, MO
- Nashville, TN
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
Google Fiber’s Webpass plans run from 100–1,000 Mbps, and cost between $50.00–$63.00/mo. ($600–$756/yr.).
