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How to Choose an Internet Service Provider

The most important factors to consider when choosing an internet service provider (ISP) are availability, speed, price, and internet connection type.

We’ve got all the tips and tricks for finding the best internet providers and plans below to help you get fast, reliable internet at a fair price.

Find available internet providers

The first step in choosing an internet service provider is figuring out which ones offer service in your area. You can get a quick answer by using our zip code tool below.

Type in your zip code to see a list of internet providers in your area.

Most cities and towns in the United States have just a handful of internet providers operating in the area—and what’s available determines the internet speeds and prices you can get.

Best internet service providers

ProviderDownload speedsPricesInternet connection typeOrder online
300–2,300Mbps$49.99–$119.99/mo.†#Fiber, 5G
T-Mobile 72-245Mbps$60.00/mo.5G
Spectrum 300–1,000Mbps (wireless speeds may vary)$49.99–$89.99/mo. for 12 mos.Cable
25–5,000Mbps$55.00–$250.00/mo.**Fiber, DSL, Fixed wireless
Xfinity 50–6,000Mbps$30.00–$299.95/mo.§Cable

Not sure what to choose? If any of the above providers are in your area, you can’t go wrong. They have the highest rankings in our annual customer satisfaction survey, beating out stiff competition in categories including speed, pricing, and customer service.

What are the most important factors in choosing an internet provider?

Now that you know what’s available in your area, internet connection type, speeds, and price are the most important factors to consider when choosing an ISP.

Speed is crucial because you want to make sure you have enough bandwidth to support all your favorite internet activities and other users on your Wi-Fi. However, make sure you’re not overpaying for speed you don’t need. Most people are content with 100 Mbps download speeds.

Pro tip:

Download our internet speed test app to figure out what kind of speed you’re getting on your current internet connection. Is it fast enough, or do you need an upgrade?

Pro tip:

Use our internet speed test to figure out what kind of speed you’re getting on your current internet connection. Is it fast enough, or do you need an upgrade?

Price varies from provider to provider and depending on your area. On top of your monthly bill, pay attention to extra fees for things like installation, data overages, equipment rental, or canceling your service. Also make sure to take advantage of internet deals and promotions, which range from free streaming services to VISA gift cards.

Connection type is the kind of internet you have, which determines crucial factors like how fast your Wi-Fi is and whether you can get symmetrical upload and download speeds. Fiber internet is the best connection type to get, but cable internet is good too, and 5G home internet is well worth it for affordability if it’s available in your area.

How to choose an ISP in a rural area

Satellite internet is the easiest type of internet to get in a rural area, but it’s not always the best option. Satellite internet plans cost a lot of money and typically come with strict limits on data and speeds. If possible, seek out a DSL, fixed wireless, or 4G LTE provider instead. Those generally give you faster download speeds, more data, and more bang for your buck.

Best rural internet service providers

ProviderSpeedsPricesOrder online
Verizon LTE Home Internet25–50Mbps$25.00–$50.00/mo.*
Rise Broadband25–50Mbps$35.00–$65.00/mo.
Starlink50–250Mbps$110.00/mo.
HughesNet15-50Mbps$49.99–$149.99/mo.§
Viasat50–150Mbps$99.99/mo.

Other things to keep in mind when choosing an ISP

Get unlimited data if possible

On top of internet speed, you also need to pay attention to how much data you get on your plan. Internet providers typically give you 1 TB of internet data per month, which is more than enough for most people. But some plans give you less data—especially tantalizingly cheap cable and satellite internet plans.

Going over your cap leads to overage charges or slowed download speeds. If you spend a lot of time doing data-heavy things like streaming 4K movies or attending Zoom meetings, you should avoid caps altogether by picking an internet provider that offers unlimited data. Another, less desirable option is paying extra for unlimited data as an add-on to your current plan.

Pro tip:

Look at our comprehensive list of which providers have data caps and which don’t to see if you can get unlimited data in your area.

Beware of hidden fees and annual contracts

The monthly fee on an internet plan is rarely the only cost you have to pay—in many cases, internet providers also tack on extra costs for installation and monthly equipment rentals. Some (especially cable providers) also have annual price hikes on their plans and early termination fees if you cancel before your contract is up.

The best way to avoid these hidden charges is picking an internet provider that doesn’t monkey around with them to begin with. Earthlink , Google Fiber, Verizon 5G Home Internet , and T-Mobile Home Internet all offer internet plans at fixed rates with no hidden surprises.

Look for deals, promotions, and promo prices

Many internet providers offer regular promotions and deals to sweeten the pot when new customers sign up—so you want to take advantage of any deals when they’re available. Take a look at the latest deals offered from internet providers in your area—and when you go to sign up, ask customer service if there’s any way they can hook you up.

Some providers also offer promotional pricing on their plans, which we aren’t as fond of because promo prices can be misleading. At first, the price for your plan looks great, but after a year of service you’re hit with steep price hikes seemingly out of nowhere.

FAQ about how to choose an ISP

What are the three main factors to consider when choosing an internet service provider?

Availability, speed, and price are the three main factors to consider when choosing your ISP. Speed gives you the necessary support for all your online activities, and the price has to be affordable for what you get. The providers available in your area also play a big role in determining the quality of your Wi-Fi.

What’s better: fiber internet or cable internet?

Fiber internet is better than cable internet because it’s faster and just as affordable. It also gives you symmetrical speeds, which aren’t available on cable internet. That said, cable is still a great option for most people since it’s widely available and has many fast plans at decent prices.

Author -

Peter Holslin has more than a decade of experience working as a writer and freelance journalist. He graduated with a BA in liberal arts and journalism from New York City’s The New School University in 2008 and went on to contribute to publications like Rolling Stone, VICE, BuzzFeed, and countless others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on covering 5G, nerding out about frequency bands and virtual RAN, and producing reviews on emerging services like 5G home internet. He also writes about internet providers and packages, hotspots, VPNs, and Wi-Fi troubleshooting.

Editor - Rebecca Lee Armstrong

Rebecca Lee Armstrong has more than six years of experience writing about tech and the internet, with a specialty in hands-on testing. She started writing tech product and service reviews while finishing her BFA in creative writing at the University of Evansville and has found her niche writing about home networking, routers, and internet access at HighSpeedInternet.com. Her work has also been featured on Top Ten Reviews, MacSources, Windows Central, Android Central, Best Company, TechnoFAQ, and iMore.

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