How much data do I need per month?

You need at least 600 GB of data per month to comfortably do a range of activities online.

How much data do I use per month?

On average, North American internet users consumed 536 GB of broadband data per month in 2021. That’s an 11% increase from the same time period in 2020.1 Trends show that internet users are consuming more internet data each year compared to the year before.

How much data does Xfinity give you per month?

Xfinity internet plans come with 1.2 TB of data per month. That’s plenty of data for most people.

Does Xfinity Wi-Fi come with unlimited data?

Xfinity Wi-Fi plans do not usually come with unlimited data, but you can add the Unlimited Data Option to your plan for an extra $30 per month. We recommend the Unlimited Data Option if you have gigabit or multigigabit speeds because gigabit plans often consume a lot more data than slower plans.

Why does Xfinity have a data cap?

Internet providers like Xfinity traditionally have data caps to prevent some internet users from overloading the network with too much internet activity. But data caps also give internet providers an excuse to make more money by charging extra fees for data overages and offering unlimited data as an add-on to internet plans.

What is internet data?

Internet data is the digital information and content you consume as you spend time on the internet. Data can be anything from a video stream to a video game file to The New York Times homepage. System upgrades also count as digital data. All of this counts towards your monthly data cap (if you have one).

A data cap is a usage limit enforced by an internet provider, dictating the maximum amount of internet you’re allowed to use per month. Internet providers usually call it a data limit, data usage, usage allowance, or “fair use policy.” Most internet providers offer a data cap of 1 TB per month, but some providers have unlimited data on all or some of their plans. Satellite internet providers have much lower data caps.

Consumer Advocacy Editor

Chili Palmer

Chili Palmer covers home tech services, with a special focus on understanding what families need and how they can stay connected on a budget. She handles internet access and affordability, breaking news, mobile services, and consumer trends. Chili’s work as a writer, reporter, and editor has appeared in publications including Telecompetitor, Utah Business, Idaho Business Review, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, and Switchful.com.

Family using computers at kitchen table.

How Much Internet Data Do You Need?

by Chili Palmer and Peter Holslin | Nov 14, 2025 | Technology

Here’s a rundown of how to budget your data and get more data if you need it. We also give you recommendations for the best internet plans with unlimited data.

Best Internet Deals for November 2025

by Chili Palmer | Nov 14, 2025 | Brand Guides, Featured

We’ve done the sleuthing for you to get the latest on cheap internet, bundles, and more.

What Do You Actually Pay for Cox Internet?

by Chili Palmer | Nov 14, 2025 | Brand Guides, Internet Buying Guides

Find out what to expect on your first Cox internet bill.

Spectrum vs. Frontier: Which Internet Provider Is Best for You?

by Kevin Parrish and Chili Palmer | Nov 13, 2025 | Provider Comparisons (Versus)

If it’s Spectrum vs. Frontier, go with Frontier. Frontier’s fiber internet offers speeds fast enough for any home, and the 50/50 and 500/500 plans are a great value.

What Do You Actually Pay for Xfinity Home Internet?

by Chili Palmer | Nov 10, 2025 | Brand Guides

Learn what to expect from your Xfinity internet bill.

Do You Need Fast Internet to Stream Disney+?

by Chili Palmer | Nov 4, 2025 | Brand Guides, How-To

Find out how much speed and data you need to watch Disney+ and get cheap plan options.

person using credit card to type in numbers on laptop to pay bills

How Much Should I Be Paying for High-Speed Internet?

by Peter Holslin and Chili Palmer | Nov 4, 2025 | FAQ

The available internet packages will vary greatly by location but on average cost about $50.00 per month for about 100 Mbps of speed. The average advertised package for stand-alone internet service in America is around $50 per month during the initial promotional offer and about $60 per month after the promotional period expires.

Verizon Wireless versus T-Mobile Wireless

Verizon Wireless vs. T-Mobile Wireless: Which Provider Is Best for You?

by Chili Palmer | Nov 3, 2025 | Provider Comparisons (Versus)

T-Mobile Wireless is a better choice than Verizon Wireless, but just barely. Get the details.

Breezeline low-income internet feature image

How To Get Low-Income Internet Through Breezeline

by Chili Palmer | Oct 27, 2025 | Brand Guides, FAQ, Low-Income

Breezeline offers two cheap plans for basic internet, but only one requires income qualification.

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet versus Breezeline

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet vs. Breezeline: Which Is Best?

by Peter Holslin and Chili Palmer | Oct 27, 2025 | Provider Comparisons (Versus)

You get bargain deals and cheap prices from T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, while Breezeline delivers faster speeds over a reliable cable connection. Read on to see which of these providers works best for you.

birds eye view perspective of a woman sitting in a chair using a laptop while on the phone and using credit card

Best Cheap Internet Providers and Plans of 2025

by Chili Palmer | Oct 13, 2025 | Brand Guides, Featured

Our comprehensive guide walks you through the best way to get cheap home internet.

Is EarthLink Down?

by Chili Palmer | Oct 13, 2025 | Brand Guides, Equipment Guides, Internet Outage

There may be an outage, or it could be your equipment. Get helpful tips and contact info.