Did you just move into your first apartment and find yourself wishing for a magic wand to instantly pick the ideal internet plan for you?

simple steps in this blog

Well, I can’t promise magic, but I sure can help you find the right internet plan in just 10 minutes.

Yes, take that sigh of relief and follow the simple steps in this blog.

What Makes an Ideal Internet Plan?

Before we start the step-by-step process, let’s look at the key elements that make an internet plan ideal:

What Makes an Ideal Internet Plan

How to Find Your Perfect Internet Plan in 10 Minutes?

The steps below will help you quickly find your dream internet plan:

1. Determine your Online Needs

Figuring out your internet needs will hardly take 2 minutes. Simply ask yourself the following questions:

Determine your Online Needs

So, for example, if you are a single user who simply uses the internet for general browsing, sending and receiving emails, and downloading small files, then you might need a plan with speeds between 10-25 Mbps.

On the other hand, if your household has 2-3 internet users who frequently stream high-definition videos, play multiplayer online games, conduct Zoom meetings, or work from home, then an internet plan with 100-300 Mbps would be ideal.

Hence, it all comes down to the number of users and the intensity of your household’s internet usage. Are you still unsure about your speed requirements?

Our Internet Speed Guide will help you figure out your ideal speed range.

2. Check the Internet Plan Availability in Your Area

Now that you know your speed requirements, start looking for suitable internet plans that match your needs.

But first, simply enter your zip code into our free search tool to see which internet providers are available where you live. This step will only take a minute.

Once you hit the ‘Find’ button, you’ll see a list of all the providers available near you.

3. Compare the Connection Type and Pricing

Make a list of the available internet providers and begin comparing their plans and pricing. Visit their official websites and explore each one in detail:

  • Carefully analyze the connection type the plan is offering. If you’re on a very tight budget, then consider a DSL connection as it is cheaper, but if you want lightning-fast, reliable internet, then opt for a fiber internet plan.
  • Be cautious of plans with disclaimers stating that the price will increase after 6 or 12 months. This usually indicates that the internet provider is offering promotional pricing, which could impact your long-term budget.
  • Especially look for plans that let you bundle Internet with TV or home phone services, so you can enjoy the best of all worlds with added convenience and potential savings.

Since you already know your online needs and speed requirements, this process should only take 5-6 minutes.

4. Look Out for any Additional Charges

By now, you must’ve shortlisted the internet providers based on your budget, connection type, and speed needs. Now it’s time to finalize the internet plan of your choice, and it should only take two minutes since the hard part has already been done.

Before hitting that subscribe button, see if the internet plan:

  • includes a self-installation option or charges a fee for professional installation. Some providers offer both options.
  • provides modem and router rental options. Some internet providers deduct a monthly fee if you choose to rent your internet equipment. You can also purchase your own if you want to avoid extra costs.
  • offers unlimited data or no data caps. This helps you avoid data overage charges, especially if you’re an avid internet user who wants to use the internet without any limits.
  • has a no-contract policy, allowing you to avoid the hassle of paying early termination fees if you choose to cancel your service before the term ends.

And so, after completing these four steps, you will finally be able to claim your trophy (read: your ideal internet plan) and sign up for it. Once you’ve finalized the plan, you can also contact the provider’s customer service team to inquire about any additional features that you should know about.

Bonus Tip: Use Our Custom Plan Builder Tool to Find Your Perfect Plan

If you still feel confused or overwhelmed after going through all the pointers, try using our Custom Plan Builder. It suggests an internet plan based on your budget, online activities, and speed requirements.

Let’s understand how this tool works with the help of an example:

Larry is a remote worker who shares his apartment with two other heavy internet users. He comes across our Custom Plan Builder tool, and here’s what he does:

1. He lands on the Plan Builder’s homepage, where he’s asked to select a speed range that fits well with his online needs. He chooses the ‘250-500 Mbps’ range, as shown in the screenshot below:

He lands on the Plan Builder

2. He then presses the ‘Next’ button and is prompted to select his estimated budget. He picks the ‘$50-$80’ range.

prompted to select his estimated budget

3. Next, he’s asked to choose the online activities that people in his household engage in. He chooses the following:

choose the online activities

4. Now, he’s given the option to choose whether he wants unlimited data. He selects ‘Yes.’

option to choose whether he wants unlimited data

5. He is then taken to the page asking if he would like to bundle his internet with other services. He opts for ‘Yes.’

bundle his internet with other services

6. Finally, he’s asked to enter his zip code into the free search tool on the page.

asked to enter his zip code

As soon as he hits the ‘Find’ button, Larry is shown 3-4 internet plans that match his selected preferences. In Larry’s case, he’s shown the internet plans offered by Xfinity, AT&T, and Hughesnet:

internet plans offered

In the end, it all comes down to your unique preferences. So, before heading out to look for an internet plan, take a few minutes to identify your needs. This will save you a lot of time. After that, you can either follow the steps that we’ve mentioned or simply use our Custom Plan Builder to find your ideal internet plan match in just 10 minutes. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal internet speed at home?

The ideal internet speed depends on the number of users in your house and their online activities. So, for example, if you live alone and usually just send emails or browse the web, a speed of 10-25 Mbps would be reasonable. However, if there are 2-3 users who actively engage in online gaming, video conferencing, and HD streaming, then a speed of 50-100 Mbps would be ideal.

How should I compare the internet plans in my area?

When comparing internet plans near you, consider the following factors:

  • Price
  • Speed
  • Data caps
  • Contract terms
  • Promotional deals
  • Additional charges

Why should I choose a plan that comes with unlimited data?

An unlimited data plan allows you to carry out all your online activities smoothly without worrying about data overage charges.