VS.

With the massive number of prepaid MVNOs and carrier options, it’s sometimes hard to keep track of it all and even harder to compare and decide which company is the right one for you. So, every once in a while we’re going to go through and do a Face-off of two popular companies, comparing plans and services to help you better decide. Today, we’ll look at Walmart Family Mobile, who operates on T-Mobile’s network, and Google’s Project Fi, that operates on Wi-Fi and then T-Mobile, Sprint, and U.S. Cellular’s network. Here’s how they compare:

Plan Prices – Price range? What is included?

Walmart Family Mobile – Plans range from $24.88 – $49.88

Walmart Family Mobile’s plans start at $24.88 for basic talk and text, and work up to $49.88 including 10 GB of high speed data. The only real variance in the plans is amount of data.

Project Fi – Plans start at $20

Project Fi plans start at $20 and will get you basic talk and text, as well as Wi-Fi hotspots. To add data, it’s a simple $10 per GB all the way up. Additional lines can be added at a $5 discount, for $15/month.

Unlimited Talk/Text – Is it offered? What is the lowest price?

Walmart Family Mobile – Yes, the initial $24.88 plan includes unlimited talk and text.

Project Fi – Yes, $20 gets you unlimited talk, text, and international text.

Data Ranges – What is the most and least data available?

Walmart Family Mobile – Data kicks in on the $29.88 plan with 1 GB of high speed data. The Plus plan, at $49.88, includes 10 GB of high speed data.

Project Fi – You can get as much or as little data as you want for $10 a GB all the way up. So, 1 GB is $10 and 10 GB is $100— plus the $20 you are spending for talk and text.

Pay-As-You-Go Rates – What are the pay-as-you-go per minute rates?

Walmart Family Mobile – N/A, no pay as you go options.

Project Fi – There are no pay as you go options, but if you do not use your data Project Fi will reimburse you at the same rate you pay. For example, if you had 3 GB of data ($30 for data, $50 for the plan) and only used 2.2 GB, you would be credited $8 on your next bill. Alternatively, overages are the same way— if you exceeeded your data allotment by 800 MB, you would be charged an additional $8.

International Calling – What options are available? What does it cost?

Walmart Family Mobile – No international features are included. Roaming is available in a few countries, and you can view the details here.

Project Fi – Unlimited international texting is included on each plan. Additionally, the company offers high speed data in more than 135 countries. You can few all of the international features in detail here.

Activation Fees – How much do they cost?

Walmart Family Mobile – There are no activation fees, but SIM card starter kits go for $19.88.

Project Fi – No activation fees, and SIM cards are available for free!

BYOD – Can you activate your own device?

Walmart Family Mobile – Yes! Most unlocked GSM devices can be activated here.

Project Fi – No, Project Fi does not allow BYOD. The only devices supported through Project Fi currently are Pixels, the Nexus 6P, and the Nexus 5X.

Network/Coverage – What network does it use?

Walmart Family Mobile – T-Mobile | Coverage Map

Project Fi – Wi-Fi first, Sprint, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular | Coverage Map

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