An independent look at every Fido plan, what you actually get, where Fido falls short, and how it honestly compares against Koodo, Virgin Plus, and Freedom Mobile.
Editorial note. Fido is a Rogers subsidiary. That means you get Rogers' network at a lower price, but you also get a carrier that has raised prices twice in a short window in early 2026 and whose value advantage over budget carriers like Freedom Mobile and Public Mobile is narrower than it used to be. This guide gives you the full picture, not just the pitch.
Fido has been around since 1996 when it launched as an independent carrier and became the first in North America to offer GPRS service. Rogers acquired Fido in 2004 for about $1.4 billion, and since then it has operated as Rogers' primary mid-tier flanker brand, sitting between premium Rogers and budget options like Chatr.
The appeal is straightforward: you get Rogers' national 4G LTE network, which covers 97% of Canadians, without paying full Rogers prices. You also get a few perks that Rogers itself does not offer, including five free hours of unlimited data per month and data overage protection that pauses your connection instead of charging you for going over.
That said, the value story is more complicated in 2026 than it was even a year ago. Fido raised its plan prices twice in quick succession in April 2026, first moving the entry 20 GB plan from $35 to $39, then again to $40. The carrier now matches Koodo dollar-for-dollar across all three main plans. Meanwhile, Freedom Mobile and Public Mobile are offering considerably more data at the same or lower price points. If you are purely chasing data-per-dollar, Fido is not the winner in 2026. If you need a national network that works everywhere in Canada, Fido still earns its place.
PlanGenius tracks plans from every major and budget carrier across Canada.
All prices below reflect BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) rates with autopay. Financing a new device through the Fido Payment Program adds a device payment on top of the monthly plan cost. Taxes extra. Plan availability may vary by province.
| Plan | Data | Talk & Text | 5G | Hotspot | Roaming | Regular Price | BYOD Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 MB Basic | 250 MB | 100 mins | — | — | — | $19 | $19/mo | Emergencies only, minimal use |
| Talk & Text Only | None | Unlimited | — | — | — | $35 | $30/mo | Basic phone with Wi-Fi only |
| 2 GB Plan | 2 GB | Unlimited | — | — | — | $37.50 | $37.50/mo | Light data, mostly on Wi-Fi |
| 3 GB Basic | 3 GB | Unlimited | — | — | — | $39 | $39/mo | Very light data users |
| 20 GB Plan New Price | 20 GB | Unlimited | ✓ 5G | ✓ | — | $45Was $35 | $40/mo | Solo users, moderate data needs |
| 60 GB Plan Best Value | 60 GB | Unlimited | ✓ 5G | ✓ | — | $50Was $40 | $45/mo | Most users — best data-per-dollar at Fido |
| 60 GB CAN-US-MEX Travel | 60 GB | Unlimited | ✓ 5G | ✓ | US & Mexico included | $55Was $49 | $50/mo | Frequent US/Mexico travellers |
Prices reflect BYOD with autopay discount. Regular prices (without autopay) are $5 higher on the 20 GB, 60 GB, and 60 GB CAN-US-MEX plans. 5G access available on select plans in Rogers 5G coverage areas. CAN-US-MEX plan includes unlimited calls to 27 countries. Quebec pricing may differ slightly. Taxes extra.
Here is an honest breakdown of each plan tier, what it is good for, and where it does not make sense.
Fido's entry plans exist for very specific use cases. The 250 MB plan at $19 is essentially an emergency or secondary SIM. The Talk & Text only plan at $30 suits someone who wants a calling number but relies on Wi-Fi for everything else. The 2 GB and 3 GB plans are the weakest value in the lineup: at $37.50–$39, you are close to the 20 GB plan price but getting a fraction of the data. Most people should skip directly to the 20 GB tier.
These three plans are where most Fido customers land. All include 5G access in Rogers 5G coverage areas, unlimited talk and text, mobile hotspot, and data overage protection. The jump from $40 to $45 is the most efficient move in Fido's lineup: you triple your data (from 20 GB to 60 GB) for just $5 more per month.
Two quick questions and we will point you to the right plan.
Here is where Fido actually stands against its direct rivals in June 2026. We compared the main data tiers like-for-like so you can see exactly what each carrier charges for equivalent plans. This is the comparison Fido's own marketing does not show you.
| Feature | Fido | Koodo | Virgin Plus | Freedom Mobile | Public Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data | 20 GB | 20 GB | 20 GB | 25 GB | 35 GB |
| Monthly Price (BYOD) | $40 | $40 | $39 | $35 | $35 |
| 5G Access | Limited | Yes | Yes | Yes (in coverage) | No |
| Hotspot | Included | Included | Included | Included | Add-on |
| National Coverage | 97% | 99% | 99% | Urban ON/AB/BC only | 99% |
| Overage Protection | Data pauses (no charge) | Shock-Free Data | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Feature | Fido | Koodo | Virgin Plus | Freedom Mobile | Public Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data | 60 GB | 60 GB | 60 GB | 75 GB | 100 GB |
| Monthly Price (BYOD) | $45 | $45 | $44 | $40 | $40 |
| CAN-US-MEX Available | $50/mo | $50/mo | $49/mo | $40/mo (included) | $40/mo |
| Extra Perks | 5 free data hrs/mo | Shock-Free Data | Member benefits | None | None |
| National Coverage | 97% | 99% | 99% | Urban only (roaming elsewhere) | 99% |
The takeaway: Fido and Koodo are now priced identically on their main plans. Virgin Plus is marginally cheaper by $1. Freedom Mobile and Public Mobile offer significantly more data for meaningfully less money, but Freedom Mobile's own network only covers major urban centres, and Public Mobile does not include hotspot in base plans. If you need reliable nationwide coverage and can accept paying a $5–$10 premium over budget carriers, Fido and Koodo are your choices. Your network preference (Rogers vs Telus) is what separates them.
These are the things that matter based on actual plan comparisons and user experience reporting, not Fido's marketing.
Fido's Rogers network works reliably across Canada, including routes and communities where Freedom Mobile and Fizz drop to roaming.
No contract, free activation, and simple BYOD setup make switching relatively painless if you already own an unlocked phone.
The CAN-US-MEX plan at $50 is a clean, no-hassle option if you cross the border regularly without paying daily roaming fees.
Fido's 60 GB at $45 is accessible for students who want reliable coverage on campus and across provinces without a contract.
If you live or work in an area where Rogers coverage is clearly stronger than Telus, Fido beats Koodo and Virgin Plus on a network basis.
Hotspot is included on all main plans. If your laptop needs occasional tethering, Fido handles that without an add-on fee.
If your top priority is data volume per dollar and you live in a major city like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, or Edmonton, Freedom Mobile's $40/75 GB CAN-US-MEX plan or Public Mobile's $40/100 GB plan will save you money. You accept coverage trade-offs outside of urban cores, but for most daily city commuters and stay-at-homers, those trade-offs are invisible in practice.
If you specifically need the best 5G experience available, Rogers directly or TELUS/Koodo may serve you better since Fido's 5G access remains more limited than parent Rogers on equivalent plan tiers.
Beyond the plan basics, Fido has a couple of features worth highlighting because they are genuinely useful and not available at every carrier.
Every postpaid Fido customer gets five one-hour windows of unlimited data each month, activated through the Fido app on demand. You choose when to use each hour. This is useful for video calls, downloading large files, or streaming during periods when you would otherwise hit your cap. The hours do not roll over and must be used within the billing month. It is not a substitute for having more data, but it is a real safety net that costs nothing extra.
When you hit your monthly data cap, Fido simply pauses data access rather than charging you per gigabyte. You can manually purchase a data top-up if you need to keep going, but nothing happens automatically that adds charges. This is a customer-friendly policy that removes the anxiety of running over. Carriers like Rogers charge significant per-gigabyte overage fees, so Fido's approach here is meaningfully better for budget-conscious users.
When you travel outside Rogers' primary network footprint, postpaid Fido customers automatically connect to partner networks at no extra charge within standard plan limits. Your phone shows "Fido-EXT" rather than "Fido" when on extended coverage. This is intended for occasional travel use, not primary connectivity, but it gives you a meaningful safety net when driving through less-covered stretches of Canada.
Fido supports Wi-Fi Calling on most modern smartphones at no additional cost. When cellular signal is weak, your calls and texts automatically route over Wi-Fi. This is particularly useful in basements, older buildings with thick walls, or rural properties where cell signal is inconsistent. It is a feature that Rogers charges no premium for on Fido plans, and it makes a real difference in daily use.
Fido runs exclusively on Rogers' 4G LTE infrastructure, which covers approximately 97% of the Canadian population. The Rogers network has been recognized by Umlaut as Canada's most reliable wireless network for multiple consecutive years, though "reliable" here means network availability and consistency, not raw speed in every location.
In practical terms, Fido coverage is excellent in every major Canadian city, provincial capital, and along major highway and travel corridors. Coverage in northern and remote areas is more limited, though Extended Coverage on partner networks provides some reach beyond the Rogers footprint. Users in Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut should not expect consistent service.
5G on Fido is available in select areas as Rogers continues building out its 5G network, but Fido's 5G access is more restricted than on Rogers directly. If you specifically need 5G for demanding applications, verify actual 5G availability in your area before choosing Fido over a carrier with broader 5G coverage like TELUS or Rogers itself.
A note on coverage comparison with Koodo and Virgin Plus: Both TELUS (Koodo) and Bell (Virgin Plus) claim 99% population coverage versus Rogers' 97%. In most urban and suburban situations this difference is invisible. In specific remote rural communities or along certain highway stretches, it can matter. If coverage in a specific location is critical for you, test it with a trial SIM before committing.
PlanGenius compares Fido, Koodo, Virgin Plus, Freedom Mobile, Rogers, and every other Canadian carrier in one place. No sign-up required.
Compare Cell Phone Plans →As of June 2026, Fido's main BYOD postpaid plans are: $40/month for 20 GB with 5G and hotspot, $45/month for 60 GB with 5G and hotspot, and $50/month for 60 GB with Canada-US-Mexico roaming and unlimited calls to 27 countries. All prices require BYOD and autopay. Regular prices are $5 higher on each plan. Entry-level plans start at $19/month for 250 MB.
It depends on what matters to you. For data-per-dollar, Fido is not the winner in 2026. Freedom Mobile offers 75 GB for $40 with CAN-US-MEX included, and Public Mobile offers 100 GB for $40, both undercutting Fido significantly. However, Freedom Mobile's coverage is limited to urban Ontario, Alberta, and BC, with roaming elsewhere. Fido and Koodo are now priced identically. Virgin Plus is $1 cheaper on equivalent plans. The main reason to choose Fido over budget carriers is the Rogers network reach.
No contract is required on BYOD postpaid plans. If you finance a device through the Fido Payment Program, that financing runs for 24 months, but you can choose to pay it off early. The plan itself remains month-to-month throughout.
No. Fido's data overage protection pauses your connection when you hit your monthly cap instead of charging you per gigabyte. You will not receive an unexpected bill for going over. You can purchase a manual top-up if you need more data, but nothing happens automatically that adds charges to your account.
Every Fido postpaid customer gets five one-hour blocks of unlimited data each month. You activate each hour through the Fido app when you need it. It does not roll over month to month. It is a useful buffer for streaming sessions, video calls, or downloads when you are close to your monthly cap.
No. Fido discontinued its prepaid service in early 2025 and directed prepaid customers to Chatr, Rogers' budget prepaid brand. Fido now only offers postpaid plans.
Yes, and you should if you want the lower BYOD pricing. Your device must be unlocked and compatible with Rogers network bands. Most Canadian devices purchased outright or with completed financing are already unlocked. Fido has a device compatibility tool on its website to verify before you activate.
Fido Roam lets you use your existing plan's talk, text, and data in international destinations for a flat daily fee, which varies by country. For the US and Mexico specifically, the 60 GB Canada-US-Mexico plan at $50/month includes roaming without any daily add-on charge. If you travel frequently to the US or Mexico, the CAN-US-MEX plan is considerably cheaper than daily Fido Roam charges.
Fido uses Rogers' 4G LTE network, covering approximately 97% of Canadians. Koodo (TELUS) and Virgin Plus (Bell) claim 99% coverage. The 2% difference is mostly visible in rural and remote communities. In any major Canadian city or along primary highway routes, the difference is generally undetectable in daily use. Rogers has been recognized as Canada's most reliable wireless network by independent testing firm Umlaut for multiple consecutive years.
For most people, the 60 GB plan at $45/month (BYOD, autopay) is the right choice. It is only $5 more than the 20 GB plan but gives you three times the data. Add the CAN-US-MEX option at $50 if you travel to the US or Mexico at least a couple of times a year.
Independent guides to help you find the right plan across every Canadian carrier.
