Google Fi vs Total Wireless:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Total Wireless had more branded searches than Google Fi among prepaid phone carriers in the United States. Total Wireless had about 550,000 branded searches, while Google Fi had 246,000. Total Wireless made up 7.2% of all prepaid phone carrier searches we track, and Google Fi accounted for 3.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about prepaid phone carriers, Total Wireless appeared in one of the five answers and Google Fi in none.
Who do people search for more?
Total Wireless, about 2 searches for every 1 for Google Fi
Who does AI mention more?
Total Wireless, mentioned in 1 of 5 answers, Google Fi in 0
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Top prepaid phone carriers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Total Wireless was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Google Fi did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Mint Mobile5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Visible5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
US Mobile3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
T-Mobile Prepaid3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Straight Talk1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Cricket Wireless1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Total Wireless1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Tello1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Boost Mobile0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Google Fi0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about prepaid phone carriers
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which prepaid phone carrier should I switch to in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best prepaid phone carriers in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the cheapest good phone plan in the US for one person?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“prepaid phone plans”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best prepaid phone plans”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.
Is Google Fi or Total Wireless more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Google Fi and Total Wireless by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 12 prepaid phone carriers we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Total Wireless, Google Fi. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Boost Mobile | Metro by T-Mobile | Straight Talk | Cricket Wireless | Consumer Cellular | Mint Mobile | Total Wireless | US Mobile | Google Fi | T-Mobile Prepaid | Tello | Visible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 24.4% | 16.3% | 16.3% | 13.3% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 6% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 1.2% | 0.66% | 0.29% |
| Nov 2025 | 25.2% | 13.7% | 16.9% | 13.7% | 6.2% | 9.3% | 6.2% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 1% | 0.68% | 0.31% |
| Dec 2025 | 25.2% | 13.7% | 16.8% | 13.7% | 6.2% | 9.2% | 7.6% | 2.8% | 2.8% | 1% | 0.68% | 0.37% |
| Jan 2026 | 23.2% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 12.7% | 7% | 10.4% | 7% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 1.1% | 0.77% | 0.51% |
| Feb 2026 | 24% | 16% | 16% | 13.1% | 7.2% | 8.8% | 7.2% | 2.2% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 0.8% | 0.65% |
| Mar 2026 | 26.9% | 14.6% | 14.6% | 12% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 6.6% | 2.4% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 0.89% | 1.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 23.7% | 15.8% | 15.8% | 12.9% | 7.1% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 0.78% | 1.4% |
| May 2026 | 23.5% | 15.7% | 15.7% | 12.8% | 7.1% | 8.6% | 7.1% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 0.95% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 22.6% | 18.5% | 15.1% | 12.3% | 6.8% | 8.3% | 6.8% | 3% | 3% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 21.7% | 17.8% | 14.5% | 11.9% | 8% | 9.8% | 6.5% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 21.4% | 17.6% | 14.3% | 11.7% | 7.9% | 9.6% | 6.4% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 0.87% |
| Sep 2026 | 19.6% | 16% | 16% | 13.1% | 8.8% | 8.8% | 7.2% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 0.97% | 0.97% |
How has the Google Fi and Total Wireless comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Total Wireless was ahead of Google Fi in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Fi’s share of searches among prepaid phone carriers in the United States moved from 2.7% to 3.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 246K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Total Wireless’ share of searches among prepaid phone carriers in the United States moved from 6% to 7.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 550K.
How did search popularity change for United States prepaid phone carriers in September 2026?
1 change

In September 2026, Total Wireless gained share of searches among prepaid phone carriers in the United States, from 6.4% to 7.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Google Fi’s and Total Wireless’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Google Fi
1 branded search term
- google fi
Total Wireless
1 branded search term
- total wireless
Other head-to-heads among prepaid phone carriers

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Boost Mobile vs Consumer Cellular: compare popularity
Metro by T-Mobile vs Straight Talk: compare popularity
Metro by T-Mobile vs Cricket Wireless: compare popularity

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