GoKawiilEdgar Cervantes / Android Authority
It’s been about a month since we learned that Helium would be changing hands. At the time, we were told nothing would change immediately beyond Helium’s existing announcements about shuttering its free tier.
So far, Noble has been true to its word, and Helium Mobile plans still work mostly the same as they have before. That said, the announcement hinted this wouldn’t always be the case and that some changes might eventually occur.
For those who are less certain about whether they want to stick with Helium Mobile and Noble Mobile in the long term? You’ll find there are plenty of alternatives, including the five recommendations below. Let’s get this out of the way, though: None of these plans will be able to replace some of Helium’s niche features, like its decentralized Helium network or its free reward perks. Of course, many people found these features less useful anyhow, but it’s still worth the warning.
For those with Helium Mobile, are you staying put or leaving? 1 votes Staying, at least for now 0 % I've already left! 0 % I plan to leave just haven't yet 0 % Other (Let us know in the comments) 100 %
Google Fi
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
While Google Fi doesn’t offer a comparable plan to Helium Mobile’s $15/month Air plan, it’s actually a great replacement for Helium Infinity. Not only do both run on T-Mobile’s network, but Google Fi actually has one up on it, as it is the only prepaid carrier with high-priority data on the network.
For just $5 more than you’d pay through Helium, you’ll get a single line of Unlimited Essentials. Pricing drops to $23 a line for those with four or more lines, which is certainly less than Helium’s $30 monthly asking price. Now, it is worth noting that this plan includes only 30GB of high-speed data, compared to the 36GB offered by Helium’s “Unlimited Infinity” plan. If you need more, Unlimited Standard is a pretty big jump at $50 a month, but those with four or more lines can get it for as little as $25 per line.
With Unlimited Standard, you get not only 50GB of high-speed data but also a separate 25GB data pool for hotspot use. There’s even international data in Canada and Mexico, along with full connectivity for select smartwatches. You won’t get Helium’s unique extras, but Google makes up for it with faster speeds, international access, and even greater perks for those interested in Unlimited Premium.
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