Fido and Koodo are two of Canada’s most popular mobile phone providers. With millions of satisfied customers, they currently operate as two of the largest flanker brands in the country. “Flanker brand” is a common phrase used to describe mobile carriers that were founded or bought out by larger telecom companies. In case you didn’t know, Fido is owned by Rogers and Koodo is owned by Telus. Since Rogers and Telus are two of the most popular telecom corporations in Canada, what can we expect from their flanker brands? In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Fido vs Koodo debate. If you want to learn everything there is to know about these two providers and their mobile plans, you’ve come to the right place.
Coverage
First up, let’s take a look at each brand’s network coverage. Due to their relationships with two of the best providers in Canada, both Fido and Koodo offer extensive nationwide coverage. Fido uses Rogers network, while Koodo uses Telus’. Although these brands provide some of the widest coverage around, there are some important differences between them.
Alongside Bell, Telus offers the most extensive coverage of any Canadian provider. Their network allegedly reaches 99% of the Canadian population. On the other hand, Rogers’ network is only expected to reach 97% of Canadians. So, Fido customers can better access their mobile network in urban settings, while Koodo customers access it in more rural and remote settings. However, due to Rogers’ advanced network, Fido customers supposedly have access to the best 5G experience out of all Canadian providers. If extensive coverage is more important to you, Koodo might be your winner in this category. On the other hand, if you value a strong 5G performance above anything else, then Fido must be your winner. To learn more about each provider’s availability, feel free to check out our national coverage map.
History
Fido was originally launched as Microcell Solutions back in 1996. They quickly made a name for themselves with their low prices, inclusive plans and friendly customer service. Canada’s larger providers began to take notice, and Rogers ended up acquiring Microcell Solutions in 2004. Rogers re-named Microcell to Fido Solutions, and used them as a valuable midrange provider. Currently, Rogers owns Fido and Chatr. Rogers offers more high-end plans with contracts, Fido has midrange plans with a focus on BYOD solutions, and Chatr is their entry-level provider with the most basic plans. To learn more about the company, feel free to check out our page on Fido Canada.
After Bell and Rogers introduced their own flanker brands, Telus decided to start one of their own. In 2007, Telus formed a partnership with the American provider Amp’d Mobile. Amp’d sold affordable plans towards university and college students, but the partnership failed rather quickly. While Virgin Plus and Fido continued to gain popularity, Telus felt the pressure to introduce a proper flanker brand geared towards younger customers. Finally, Koodo was established in 2008. Although they entered the flanker competition later, Koodo still managed to make a splash. The provider has always targeted younger clients, while Telus is more geared towards adults and families. If you’re still curious about the brand, make sure to read through our page on Koodo Mobile.
Mobile Plans
Fido and Koodo are both known for offering cheaper, more simplistic plans than their “parent” brands. If you’re looking for a more basic or midrange plan, these are two of the best providers for you. Check out our Fido vs Koodo mobile plans below:
Sadly, this is a brief article and we cannot discuss all of Fido and Koodo’s exciting mobile plans. If you want to learn more, you can always check out our page on Fido mobile plans and Koodo mobile plans for more information. Feel free to compare Fido vs Koodo and see which one is better suited for you!
Cell Phone Plans
If you’re looking for a new cell phone alongside your plan, Fido and Koodo have definitely got you covered. On top of offering some of the latest flagship devices, they also sell many flagship phones from previous generations at reduced costs. In addition, both Fido and Koodo customers can purchase Certified Pre-Owned devices to save big. Check out our list of some of the best phones both companies are currently offering:
- iPhone 13, Mini, Pro & Pro Max
- iPhone 12 & pro
- iPhone 11, Pro & Pro Max
- iPhone XR & XS
- iPhone SE
- Samsung Galaxy S22, + & Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G
- Google Pixel 6 & Pixel 6 Pro
Although the Fido vs Koodo debate may seem undecided, one thing’s for certain: These two brands offer more cell phones than their parent brands. Canada’s “big three” only tend to sell the latest flagship phones, while flanker brands like Fido and Koodo sell older models at more affordable rates.
Reviews
Fido has garnered all kinds of online reviews and ratings from customers all over Canada. For the most part, these Fido reviews are very positive. Customers appreciate their affordable prices and variety of plans. Fido manages to use the coverage and infrastructure of Rogers, while providing more accessible and affordable plans to its customers. For this reason, it is regarded as one of the most beloved flanker brands in the country. If you ever want to learn more about how customers feel, check out our page on Fido reviews.
Koodo Mobile has earned a similar amount of praise from its customer base. Again, they manage to use Telus’ state-of-the-art coverage while providing more affordable plans which younger consumers appreciate. Koodo reviews praise the company’s large amount of affordable options and friendly customer service. Once again, if you ever want to see more reviews about Koodo, make sure to read up on our page on Koodo reviews.
Pros and Cons
Unfortunately, we’re reaching the end of our article. At this point, you may still be on the fence in regards to Fido vs Koodo. Thankfully, that’s completely fine, and we’ll try and help you narrow your decision if you’re still torn between these two providers. In this section, we’ll introduce some major pros and cons with each provider, starting with Fido:
Fido Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Provides the best 5G experience | Doesn’t offer data plans as huge as Rogers |
| Customers can buy pre-owned phones at lower prices | Customer service isn’t as efficient as Rogers |
| Offers a wider number of cell phones than Rogers | Not accessible in more remote locations |
Koodo Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Coverage reaches 99% of Canadians | Doesn’t offer data plans as huge as Telus |
| Customers can buy pre-owned phones at lower prices | Customer service isn’t as efficient as Telus |
| Shock Free data ensures you will never pay an overage fee | Plans don’t include long distance calling → needs to be purchased as an add-on |
When comparing these two companies, it’s clear that they share many disadvantages. Meanwhile, their pros distinguish them from one another. So, when you’re looking for a new plan or trying to choose between these two providers, try focusing on the positives instead of the negatives. The disadvantages you’ll end up facing will be (mostly) the same for each provider, so try to make your decision based on what you find attractive.
FAQ
Still have some unanswered questions about Fido vs Koodo? In this section, we’ll try to answer as many frequently asked questions as possible. If you still have any questions about these two companies after our FAQ section, consider leaving a comment, we’ll get back to you with a response as soon as we can.
Who owns Fido and Koodo?
Fido is owned by Rogers and Koodo is owned by Telus.
Do plans from Fido and Koodo require a contract?
Although some Fido plans include contracts, both providers offer several prepaid plans.
Are Fido/Koodo’s plans cheaper than their parent brands?
No. There is some crossover between these brands and their parent companies. In these cases, their plans cost the exact same. However, Fido and Koodo mostly sell lower-end mobile plans at lower prices.
Do Fido or Koodo offer unlimited data plans?
No, not currently. If you want an unlimited data plan, you’ll have to sign up with Rogers or Telus.
Do Fido and Koodo have 5G?
Yes, both providers have access to 5G towers across Canada. However, you’ll need a cell phone capable of wielding 5G technology in order to take advantage of their rapid speeds.
Conclusion
No matter which side of the Fido vs Koodo debate you end up siding with, both are stellar choices for Canadians. As two of the strongest flanker brands in the country, it’s no surprise that they continue to gain customers every day. After completing this article, we hope you have a better idea of which provider is better suited for you. However, choosing the right provider is only the first step in finding your next plan.
With so many plans to choose from for each provider, finding the right one can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Fortunately, we’re here to make it easier than ever.
By clicking this small green button, you’ll be able to access our mobile plan searching tool. Here, you’ll be able to find your next phone plan in a couple of small steps. First, you’ll need to answer some simple questions about your preferences. From there, our website will search the web and present you with a list of the best, most affordable mobile plans that match your taste. Finally, all you need to do is choose one from the list that stands out to you. All you need to do from there is get started and enjoy your new phone plan!
