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We all want to get online instantly. That’s just part of why finding a new internet plan for your home and mobile devices can be such a frustrating experience. Not to mention comparing all the different benefits, variables, costs, and reading the fine print to find one that’s affordable and a good fit for your situation can be incredibly stressful.
The good news? Whether you’re moving to a new space, or you’re just trying to save some dough, the best internet plans out there not only get you a speedy connection, but plenty of perks, too. The not-so-good news? Well, there’s a lot to choose from, and it can quickly get overwhelming. We took a look at a variety of options, narrowing down our list to the best internet plans to try right now based on your specific needs below. From Verizon to AT&T and beyond, here are our picks to help get you on the right path to finding your perfect plan.
At A Glance: The Best Internet Plans for 2024
- Best Overall:AT&T Home Internet
- Best Pricing:T-Mobile Home Internet
- Best Plans:Comcast Xfinity
- Best Value:Verizon 5G Home
- Best Custom Plans:Cox Communications
- Best Fiber Internet:Kinetic by Windstream
- Best for Rural Areas:Rise Broadband
- Best Satellite Internet: Starlink Wireless Internet
In This Article
What Are the Best Internet Plans for 2024?
What to Know About Picking An Internet Plan
How We Chose the Best Internet Plans for 2024
What Are the Best Internet Plans for 2024?
Even if a plan looks like the perfect one for you, don’t sign up just yet — be sure to first check if it’s available in your area. ISPs often test the waters with new plans in certain markets before going nationwide, and some still have spotty coverage in rural areas. Here are the best internet plans to consider.
BEST OVERALL
AT&T Home Internet
If you’re looking to get satellite TV service as well as wireless, AT&T’s plans combines the best of both worlds, delivering some of the fastest internet speeds we’ve experienced thanks to its recently expanded network. You’ll get fixed wireless internet with typical download speeds of 10mbps and upload speeds of 1Mbps, 350GB per month of data usage, plus 160 channels of DirecTV. We also love their new Internet Air, which gets you enhanced coverage and speedier home internet over AT&T’s 5G wireless network (one of the most reliable 5G networks we’ve tested). The standout feature of AT&T’s internet service though, is their plans which give you unlimited data without locking you into an annual contract. This flexibility is sweetens the deal even further with the option to bundle internet with TV and cellular services, so you get a whole-home solution. In our experience, their DIY setup is also incredibly user-friendly, although you still get the option for professional installation if you prefer it.
BEST PRICING
T-Mobile Home Internet
We switched to T-Mobile internet years ago and haven’t looked back. With its simple setup, reliable speeds and easy connectivity, it’s home internet made simple. They have probably the most transparent plan of them all, with a flat $50 monthly rate and no fees for equipment, cancellation, installation, or going over 50GB. Compare that alone to some other companies’ plans, and the savings already start to add up. Service doesn’t skimp either — connection speeds are around 33-245mbps (though users say they’ve hit as high as 550), while upload speeds seemed to cap out around 23mbps. This also includes a gateway that’s WiFi 6 compatible, however, gamers should be aware of potential lag and latency with this one. Bonus: T-Mobile is offering a limited-time promotion that gets you Netflix Standard with ads or a Blink smart security package for free with certain plans.
BEST VALUE
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Verizon recently expanded its 5G Ultra Wideband in various spots nationwide, giving you speedy and reliable 5G access, unlimited with no data caps or extra fees, and a locked-in rate for two or three years — depending on which one you choose through their new myHome program, where you only pay for what you need (Fios Home Internet, 5G Home Internet or LTE Home Internet). Download speeds can hit up to 1 Gbps on the fastest option, and uploads up to 50mbps on the standard plan. A WiFi6 router is included — plug it in, wait for the right light to flash, and that’s it. Plus, if it gives you any trouble, there’s 30 days of included customer service help that’ll make sure to get you up and running (and your internet will be even cheaper if you combine a new cell phone plan). There are also plenty of extra perks if you want them, like Netflix & Max for $10/month, Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for $10/month, or free NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube with select plans.
BEST PLANS
Comcast Xfinity
The best thing about Comcast is that there are a ton of different plan options available — that’s the benefit of being the country’s biggest ISP, after all. However be aware that there are contracts, data caps, and price increases over time after the first year of service. The company launched its Xfinity division back in 2010, and for general internet usage, its Comcast Fast Xfinity plan gets the job done with a max download speed of 300mbps and 10mbps upload. That includes no data caps, starting at just $50 a month for the first year with no long-term contract. The rates and terms vary by region though, so check yours to see what they are before going for it.
BEST CUSTOM PLANS
Cox Communications
When it comes to flexibility there’s no one doing it like Cox — along with a wide range of plan options, you can customize and tailor each one further to fit your needs (including a prepaid internet option and various discount plans for students). Along with a gateway modem and Wi-Fi router, you’ll also receive free upgrades every three years, but you also have the option to use your own compatible router, which is practically unheard of in the industry. Connection speeds range from 100 Mbps—2 Gbps, and while one downside is the limited regional availability, their variety of budget-friendly plans and monthly discounts for Cox Mobile subscribers make them a solid option for wallet-conscious customers.
BEST FIBER INTERNET
Kinetic by Windstream
One of the most reliable fiber internet connections we’ve seen yet, Kinetic is dedicated to making sure your Wi-Fi works in every nook and cranny of your home, wherever you need it. Along with some of the fastest DSL speeds of any rural ISP starting from 300 Mbps up to 2 Gigs, their certified technicians will do a free evaluation of your home and install all necessary equipment to connect and optimize your Wi-Fi network — eliminating any dead spots. You can also bundle your fiber internet with a huge variety of other options, including TV, voice, and home security, with unlimited data plans available as well. One eye-catching factor is that they have no annual contracts and no data caps either. Bottom line? It’s fiber speeds with everything you need to stay connected, all at a reasonable price.
BEST FOR RURAL AREAS
Rise Broadband Internet
Similar to satellite internet, Rise Broadband offers fixed wireless service, which requires no direct wires to the home — and that’s why this plan is best for those who live off the grid, in an RV, or in a rural spot with no option for fiber. The plan starts at $45 per month, which is less than a satellite like Starlink might cost, with significantly higher data allowances to boot. They offer speeds of 25 Mbps per second up to 250 Mbps in select areas with reliably fast connections as long as you’ve got a clear line of sight to a nearby wireless tower. Compared to satellite plans, you’ll get latency low enough for online gaming, unlimited data options, and overall better value in the long term. While coverage is limited and weather disruptions to service are always a concern, depending on where you’re located, Rise Broadband could clear the competition in terms of speed and value.
BEST SATELLITE INTERNET
Starlink Wireless Internet
You may have heard about Starlink being deployed to areas of the world with no wiring infrastructure, with a mission to bring internet to all. The plan starts at $90 per month, about double what a wired-up plan might cost in a populated area, plus a one-time fee for the hardware (including a satellite receiver) that gets shipped to you. But once you’re set up, it’s blastoff. SpaceX’s low orbiting satellites provide pretty decent speeds (25 to 220Mbps) with low latency, provided you’ve got a clear view of the sky.
What to Know About Picking An Internet Plan
From the speed to the amount of data offered, here’s what to know when looking for your next internet plan.
Home Network: Take a look at what equipment you’ve got in your home setup before choosing a plan. Do you already have a modem/router? Will you need to rent one monthly from the ISP? What type of network do you have? Most likely, your router (and accompanying devices) are running on a 2.4Ghz network, but newer 5Ghz networks are becoming increasingly common, as they’re significantly faster with less annoying interference from things like Bluetooth and your microwave. It’s helpful if your new modem/router can support both, and some can even broadcast both types of networks at once.
Data: This is the biggest thing to watch out for – if you run out of data, nothing else matters, and you’ll see your bill going up while speed goes down. Many plans will tell you they have unlimited data, but dig deep into the rules to see if there’s actually limits in place. If you go for a plan with limited or slowed-down data after a certain point, some modems and routers can provide a priority hierarchy to whatever activities you’ve got going on. For example, streaming an HD movie so it remains smooth and uninterrupted, even during a file transfer. This can be a nice option especially if you’re always multitasking online, or have multiple people constantly connected and gumming up your download traffic. Still, though, we highly recommend truly unlimited data if possible.
Wi-Fi Speed: Speed can depend on a ton of different factors – not just your plan, but your modem, your area, the number of people on your network, even the time of day. Faster is always better, obviously, but that being said, you may not need the most breakneck speed available for your online habits, and can save some cash by figuring out what that is. Generally 100-300mbps should be fine for normal internet use, and the heavy streamers and gamers with multiple people on the network can get above 1000mbps (even during hours of peak usage with the right plan). There’s also the download/upload channel ratio to consider too. Head on over to Speedtest.net to see what you’re getting now, so you’ve got a reference point to compare it to when searching for a new plan.
Security: As always, with any information-sharing tech, this is an important one. Most plans, along with your modem/router, should have the ability to offer access to guests while keeping your network completely separated. Parental control is often available if you’ve got kids and need to restrict what they can access, and a firewall is another great option for added security.
How We Chose the Best Internet Plans for 2024
At RS Recommends, we take care in choosing the products and services we present to our readers. While we review descriptions to showcase modern selections with utility, we also rely on promising customer feedback or first-hand experience with the services and brands ourselves. For this article we evaluated 24 national internet providers that offer a variety of connection types including fixed wireless, 5G home internet, fiber, DSL, cable, and satellite services. Then we evaluated them based on connection speeds, pricing, regional availability, customer reviews and more to narrow down our final selection.
