Google Fiber Review: Our Top Pick for Fast Plans, Reliable Connection, and Fair Pricing

Google Fiber internet plans and prices: 4 to choose from

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.

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 has just started to roll out its 5 Gig and 8 Gig internet plans, but they’re not yet available in every Google Fiber city.

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 a few seconds higher than that of some other fiber internet providers, but so is its customer satisfaction with speed and reliability. It’s fast and it works consistently, which is all Google Fiber customers are looking for in their internet service.

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 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. The 2 Gig plan also comes with a Wi-Fi 6 router and mesh Wi-Fi 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.

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 critical pick for internet service, and it also scores big with real customers, ranking just behind Quantum Fiber and Starlink for overall satisfaction in our survey.

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.

Google Fiber internet FAQ