Methodology & Editorial
How We Compare Internet Plans
Last updated: July 2026
ShopLikeSam exists to help people make a confident internet service decision without spending hours researching ISP fine print. This page explains exactly how we research, compare, and present plans — and what limits apply to every comparison we publish.
About ShopLikeSam
ShopLikeSam is an independent internet comparison site based in the United States. We cover home internet providers and cell phone plans. Our goal is simple: give visitors an accurate, easy-to-understand comparison of what’s available so they can make a decision in minutes rather than hours.
We are not an ISP and we are not owned by any ISP. Our revenue comes from affiliate commissions — if you sign up for a plan through one of our links or by calling our phone number, the provider pays us a referral fee. This means our financial interest is aligned with yours: we only earn if we send you to a provider, and providers don’t pay us to rank them higher. We cover all major providers regardless of affiliate relationship.
Disclosure: ShopLikeSam earns affiliate commissions from some providers listed on this site. This compensation does not influence our rankings, ratings, or editorial content. We list providers based on quality, value, and availability — not commission rate.
What We Stand For
🔍 Verified Pricing
Every plan price we publish is verified against the provider’s current website and FCC Broadband Facts labels. We note when a price is promotional vs. standard rate and include post-promotion pricing where available.
📋 FCC-Sourced Data
Coverage maps, speed data, and availability statistics are sourced from the FCC National Broadband Map (2025). We note where provider-reported data differs from FCC data.
⚠ Transparent Downsides
Every provider page includes a “What We Don’t Like” section. We call out data caps, price increases, early termination fees, and slow upload speeds even for providers we recommend.
🔄 Regular Updates
Provider pages are reviewed and updated as plan pricing changes. Each page includes a “Last updated” date. We do not publish outdated pricing as current without verification.
📍 Address-Level Accuracy
ISP availability varies block by block. Every comparison page links to an address checker because a plan that’s available two streets away may not be available at your exact address.
👥 Third-Party Ratings
Customer satisfaction ratings on provider pages are drawn from J.D. Power studies and ACSI surveys — not internal ratings. We cite the source and year for every satisfaction score we publish.
How We Research Providers
1. Plan Data Collection
For each provider, we collect plan data from three sources: (1) the provider’s official website, (2) FCC Broadband Facts labels where available, and (3) direct customer service contact where online information is incomplete. We document every plan’s advertised speed, monthly price (introductory and standard), contract terms, early termination fee, equipment rental fee, data cap, and included features.
2. Speed Verification
Advertised speeds (maximum download/upload) are taken from FCC Broadband Facts labels as required by FCC Broadband Label rules effective January 2025. Typical speeds are drawn from Ookla Speedtest Intelligence Q1 2026 data, which aggregates millions of real user speed tests. We flag where advertised maximum speed differs significantly from typical median speed.
3. Coverage Mapping
State and city coverage data comes from the FCC National Broadband Map (nband.fcc.gov), updated quarterly with provider-submitted availability data. Provider-reported state counts are cross-referenced against FCC fabric data. We note when a provider claims availability in a state but FCC data shows limited actual coverage.
4. Customer Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction scores on each provider page come from published third-party studies: J.D. Power Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study (2025 data), and American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Telecommunications Report. We do not solicit or publish our own user reviews — third-party studies provide more statistically reliable data than self-reported site reviews.
5. Pricing Accuracy
All prices are verified monthly against provider websites. When a price changes, we update the page and refresh the “Last updated” date. Promotional prices are clearly labeled and we include the standard rate (post-promotion price) wherever providers disclose it. Equipment fees, taxes, and activation charges are called out separately from the advertised monthly rate.
How Rankings Work
Provider rankings on comparison pages are based on the following weighted factors, evaluated specifically for the page’s topic (e.g., rural internet rankings weight coverage differently than urban fiber rankings).
| Factor | What We Measure | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-speed value | Mbps delivered per dollar (typical speeds, not maximum) | High |
| Total cost of ownership | 12-month all-in cost: plan + equipment + taxes — post-promo rate used, not intro rate | High |
| Contract flexibility | No contract, month-to-month, ETF amount | Medium |
| Reliability | Uptime data from Downdetector trends; J.D. Power reliability sub-scores | Medium |
| Customer satisfaction | J.D. Power and ACSI scores | Medium |
| Availability | Geographic reach at the page’s scope (national, regional, rural, etc.) | Varies by page |
| Data caps | Unlimited vs. capped; overage costs | Medium |
| Upload speed | Critical for remote workers and video callers; fiber scores higher than cable | Low–Medium |
Affiliate commission rates do not influence rankings. We’ve turned down requests to move providers up or feature them more prominently in exchange for higher commission rates. Providers are ranked by value to the consumer, not value to ShopLikeSam.
What We Can’t Tell You
Our comparisons have real limitations you should understand before relying on them.
We Don’t Know Your Exact Address
Provider availability varies street by street, sometimes block by block — especially for fiber and 5G fixed wireless. A provider shown as available in your city may not serve your specific building. Always verify availability at your exact address using the provider’s official availability checker before making any decisions.
Prices Change
ISPs change plan pricing, promotional offers, and terms frequently — sometimes daily. Prices on this site are verified against provider websites at the date shown on each page. By the time you read a page, pricing may have changed. Always confirm current pricing at the provider’s website before signing up.
Speed Varies in Practice
Advertised speeds are theoretical maximums. Real-world speeds depend on: how many devices are connected, the age of your router, network congestion in your neighborhood (especially cable plans during peak hours), and the quality of the infrastructure serving your building. We use Ookla median speeds as a more realistic reference than ISP-advertised maximums.
We Don’t Have Account Access
We cannot verify your specific promotional eligibility, credit check requirements, or special retention offers that may only be available when you call. ISPs sometimes offer better rates to new customers, to customers who call in, or to customers in specific markets. Our published prices are what’s available publicly — not the full range of what you might be able to negotiate.
Best practice: Use our comparisons to identify the 2–3 best providers for your situation, then call them directly (or use the phone number on this page) to confirm current pricing, promotions, and availability at your address before signing up.
Questions or Corrections
If you find a pricing error, outdated information, or factual inaccuracy on any page, please contact us at shoplikesam@gmail.com. We take accuracy seriously and will review and correct verified errors within 48 hours.
If you’re comparing providers and want help finding the best option for your address, call (978) 723-5746. We can walk through available providers, current promotions, and help you avoid the common pitfalls that lead to bill shock after 12 months.
FCC National Broadband Map, nband.fcc.gov (2025). Ookla Speedtest Intelligence, Q1 2026. J.D. Power 2025 Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study. American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Telecommunications Report 2025. FCC Broadband Facts Label database (ISP-submitted data, effective January 2025). All ISP plan pricing verified from official provider websites, July 2026.