Is 100 Mbps Internet Fast? Explore All You Can Do With This Speed

Ever over-spent on a meal and regretted it later? Well, it’s always better to check portion sizes before you buy a meal. Similarly, you might be paying for a plan that is more than what you require at home. Not sure? Let us find out!

The average American household has about 2.5 people living and sharing an internet service. Unless you’re employed by Elon Musk to work from home 24/7 on a new SpaceX project that requires extensive online work, a 100 Mbps internet plan is probably all you need.

Let's explore more to understand better if a 100 Mbps internet plan is fast enough for your household needs. Or, just get an overview of what we discovered!

Top 100 Mbps Internet plans

How much is 100 Mbps Speed?

Internet speed is measured in megabits per second. This means how fast data is transferred from one point to another. A 100 Mbps internet speed transmits 100 megabits of data per second and is considered sufficient for a small family with average internet usage.

But here’s the real question. Is 100 Mbps fast enough for you? Read on!

Is 100 Mbps Fast Enough?

Although 100 Mbps internet is fast for small households with basic internet requirements like streaming, browsing, single-player online gaming, and videoconferencing, it may not be the ideal plan for multiple users with intensive internet activity.

Considering the changing digital landscape and a shift in the mode of communication for educational and professional institutions, internet requirements for individuals and families are growing. According to Open Vault Broadband Insights for Q2 2024, users with speeds lower than 400 Mbps decreased by 33% in the last year.

This means that the individual requirement for higher speed and bandwidth is increasing with time and a 100 Mbps internet plan may not be sufficient in the future.

However, worry not. If you use the internet to experiment with new recipes from YouTube, stream Netflix at night, or scroll through social media to keep an eye on the world, you’re safe!

Think your internet speed is not as fast as promised by your provider? Test it now with our speed test tool.

How Much Does a 100 Mbps Internet Plan Cost?

A 100 Mbps internet plan would cost you anywhere between $35 to $50, depending on the connection type of the provider. Fiber plans usually have a higher price than cable internet. However, various factors may affect the price of an internet plan including:

• Availability of providers in your area (Urban/rural)
• Data limits
• Annual contracts
• Low introductory prices
• Internet connection type

If you’re confused about which connection type would work better for you, just scroll down a bit!

100 Mbps Cable Internet vs. 100 Mbps Fiber Internet?

While cable internet is one of the most widely available internet types in the U.S., fiber internet is more in demand for its highly reliable infrastructure, fast speeds, and low ping rates. Here’s a quick comparison of cable vs. fiber:

Equipment Requirements for 100 Mbps Internet plan

A 100 Mbps internet plan does not require any elaborate equipment. You just need a modem to convert your optical signals into electrical signals so your devices can receive and transmit signals. Moreover, to optimize your connection, you may also require a router that boosts signals so you get smooth coverage all across your home. Make sure your router supports Ethernet ports and Wi-Fi 6 technology for best results.

Why is my 100 Mbps Internet plan not working for me?

While a 100 Mbps internet plan is sufficient for a small household with around 2-3 people, you still may not be satisfied with your service.

The speed of your internet plan may be affected if your internet activities are intensive. 2 to 3 people using the Internet simultaneously divide the bandwidth of your Internet plan resulting in slower speeds.

Suppose you are using the internet for extensive activities like multiple video conferences simultaneously, online gaming on multiple devices, or 4K HD streaming, your 100 Mbps plan may not float your boat. In that case, you will need internet access that is a tad bit faster.

Is 100 Mbps not enough for you? Pick a high-speed plan for smooth online activities!

How Much Speed Do I Really Need?

To answer this question correctly here are a couple of questions you need to first address:

How many people use the internet at home?

What are your usual online activities?

Based on the above recommendations, you can decide what internet speed would work best for your home.

Is a 100 Mbps Internet plan the right choice for you?

To wrap it all up, if your internet requirement is limited to streaming, working from home, and gaming with 2 to 3 users at max, a 100 Mbps internet plan would be sufficient for you. However, if you still feel that your internet plan is struggling to meet your growing internet requirement, simply upgrade to a bigger plan, or let us help you choose one!