GoKawiilContracts and hidden fees can be a significant point of frustration. Imagine agreeing to a year's worth of terms with an internet service provider without knowing what could happen next month. Maybe a new ISP announces it's coming to your area, you land a new job in a different town or your internet needs change and you decide to switch plans. Breaking the agreement you locked yourself into can be costly and tedious. Even worse are the unexpected fees that show up on your monthly bill.
I dove into 13 ISPs that CNET readers rated highly through our People's Picks survey. All of the ISPs listed below work to mitigate the frustrations that contracts can cause. But some providers make fees trickier to navigate. Whether you're charged one-time fees or choose month-to-month billing, there are some caveats to watch out for. If you don't, you may be surprised and disappointed by what you find hidden in the fine print.
CNET's People's Picks: Internet service providers
What to know about the no-contract ISP frenzy
All 13 People's Picks ISPs have contract-free service plans, which give you more control and flexibility with your internet service.
Contracts have generally become a thing of the past among 5G home internet providers such as T-Mobile and Verizon. As those services have become widely available in a relatively short period of time, competitors have been forced to do away with some of their more irritating features, including contracts and data caps, according to CNET principal writer Joe Supan
However, month-to-month service doesn't mean it's cheaper or that there aren't other service requirements.
A credit check and advanced payment may be required. Before signing up for month-to-month service, most providers, including Spectrum, AT&T and Xfinity, require a credit check to determine whether you qualify or need to pay a deposit. And you'll likely need to pay for your first month upfront to kick-start a pay-as-you-go plan, rather than paying after the fact as you would with a contract.
The cost per Mbps may be higher for month-to-month service. If you're deciding between service plans or providers, it's best to compare prices between no-contract ISPs and those that require a contract. We recommend factoring the cost per Mbps, which is the internet speed compared to the plan price. For example, GFiber has an excellent cost per Mbps and doesn't require a contract. If you prefer the best deal over flexibility, you may opt for a contract for a lower monthly payment. Whereas you may be OK with paying more if you want the freedom to cancel whenever without termination fees.
Many contract-free ISPs still have plenty of fees
... continue reading