Google Fi cemented its reputation as a fuss-free roaming and easy-as-pie eSIM option for the wandering traveler, but it is no longer the only game in town. If you’re looking for hard-won international features without being limited to Google’s price points or slowed down after using too much data, a few competitors now deliver compelling benefits abroad and strong value at home.
Here are three carriers with travel-friendly features; some have service that can match or even beat Fi for a lot of people. The picks are chosen based on practical benefits — roaming allowances, day-pass credits, multi-line savings and how easy the experience is — so you can opt for the one that matches your travel destinations and frequency of use.
Why Fi Stands Alone and Where It Falls Short
Fi’s value proposition is easy to understand: speedy eSIM activation, coverage in 200-plus countries and high-speed roaming on high-tier plans until you hit a monthly threshold. It runs on T-Mobile in the United States, which still performs well in Opensignal’s U.S. reports for 5G availability and speeds. But Fi’s “unlimited” data starts to slow after a certain point; single-line pricing can feel expensive and support experiences are mixed. Those trade-offs make room for alternatives that mix similar roaming with lower monthly costs or more robust stateside features.
For Verizon Coverage and Bankable Travel Days
Visible, which is owned by Verizon, offers straightforward pricing and strong domestic coverage along with a true unlimited data experience in the United States. Its higher-tier plan adds access to Verizon’s Ultra Wideband 5G as well as monthly credits for international day passes that can be rolled over, up to a limit, once per year. In practice, that would mean saving a few days of roaming for your long-haul trip and using it in Europe or Asia without having to switch SIMs.
Visible’s top tier even includes use in Canada and Mexico, so it’s a great choice for cross-border travelers. If you need more than what’s included with your day-pass credits, additional days are offered at per-day rates that are comparable to Verizon retail. Pricing generally undercuts Fi on one or two lines, and both taxes and fees are usually included (which makes the bill easier to deal with). For those periodic international hops or daily jaunts across town, with your main usage occurring in the U.S. for day-to-day connectivity, Visible’s combination of bankable days (which it takes away by monthly subscription fee deductions) and unlimited stateside data is hard to argue against.
Reality check: If you are traveling overseas for multiple weeks at a time, Fi’s more robust high-speed bucket may be more convenient than day passes. But for the majority of travelers who venture overseas a handful of times annually, Visible’s method offers hefty savings without compromising dependability.
US Mobile for Built-In Global Data on Flexible Networks
US Mobile is an exception in that its highest-tier plan comes with a decent amount of international data baked in — usually something like 20GB. That allowance is sufficient for a month abroad if you rely on Wi-Fi and turn off background data. US Mobile also gives you a choice that Fi doesn’t, and that’s to pick from among several underlying U.S. networks — some Verizon-based options, some T-Mobile-based ones and others fronted by AT&T (here sold as Warp 5G and Dark Star). You can change before you fly to match where you will wander, which is handy as partner coverage varies and that’s often pointed out in reports from Opensignal and GSMA Intelligence.
Prices for the premium tier typically fall in the mid-$30s to mid-$40s per line, with extra perks like smartwatch support and generous domestic hotspot allowances thrown in. The trade-off is that the international setup process can be a little more open-and-tinker than Fi — sometimes requiring toggling networks or APN tweaking once you land. But for those who would rather opt in to an upfront global data bucket than days of passes while on the road, US Mobile makes a compelling middle ground that often clocks in below Fi’s monthly price.
Total by Verizon for Families Who Hop Across Borders
Those with more members to their household will find that keeping everyone connected is more affordable through Total by Verizon (the successor to Total Wireless), especially if they travel frequently. Multi-line discounts bring the price down considerably for higher-tier plans, and the headline option has offered premium streaming perks — useful for midflight downtime. Worldwide, Total incorporates usage in Canada and Mexico on some plans and also offers optional add-ons that allow for data access overseas in nearly three dozen countries, including excellent coverage throughout Latin America.
If your travel plans are limited to the destinations that the add-ons do cover — i.e., do you like trips to Mexico, Colombia, or Peru? — the math typically leans in Total’s favor, especially over four or five lines. Families benefit from the cost-saving footprint of Verizon back home, easy cross-border access and the ability to turn roaming on, broadly, only when required. Compared with Fi, the big difference here is structure: rather than a single worldwide policy, Total uses included North American roaming plus specific international packs.
How to Pick the Right Fit for Your Travel and Budget
Highlight the plan you get based on your travel pattern. If you take brief trips a few times each year, Visible will let you bank the day-pass credits. If you’re spending longer periods abroad, and one tidy allowance would be simpler for you, then there are other options to consider: US Mobile’s integrated international data is a neater solution. Total by Verizon’s multi-line savings do tend to win for families who stick mostly to North America or Latin America.
Before you jump, check the fine print: any high-speed caps or fair-use limits on usage, whether your hotspot will operate while roaming and which networks the phone will connect to in your destinations. Your carrier’s plan disclosures, as well as independent testing by outfits like Opensignal, can help manage your expectations. When you find the right fit, you can keep your number, slash your bill and arrive overseas with data already running.
