Resources

Everything you need to choose well

Tools, plain-English guides, and the questions worth asking before you sign up for anything.

Check your address

See which providers actually reach your street, and what they charge there.

Enter your ZIP →

Compare providers

All 5 providers we work with, side by side.

Compare plans →

Speed guide

How much speed a household actually needs, and why upload matters more than you think.

Read the guide →

Before you sign anything

The four questions that decide whether a deal is actually a deal.

What happens to the price after the promo ends?

This is the big one. A 12-month promotional rate usually steps up to the standard rate afterwards, and the jump can be $20–$40 a month. Ask what the rate becomes in month 13 before you compare two offers, because the cheaper headline is often the more expensive year.

Is equipment included, or rented?

A modem or gateway rental is typically $10–$15 a month, which is $120–$180 a year that never appears in the advertised price. Some providers include it, some waive it for a period, and some let you use your own hardware.

What is the real upload speed?

Cable plans advertise a large download number and a much smaller upload one — 500 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up is common. Fiber usually matches the two. If anyone in the house works from home, uploads large files, or streams, that difference matters more than the headline speed.

Is there a contract, and what does leaving cost?

Some of the best rates require a one or two year agreement with an early termination fee. That can be fine if you are settled — and expensive if you might move. Always ask what it costs to leave in month six.