The first thing you need to consider when comparing two similarly priced plans is the payment structure. Some plans require you to pay a year in advance, while others will let you pay on a monthly basis. This can be the biggest difference in regards to startup cost. Plan A may cost $7 per month; however, you may be required to pay one year in advance, which would make the startup cost about $84 (plus applicable fees).
On the other hand, Plan B may cost $15 per month, but without annual payments. In this example, even though Plan B costs twice as much per month, it would be possible to get started for a fraction of the cost without the obligation of a yearly contract.
It is important to note that the more you pay in advance, the lower your monthly rate will be. In other words, you may be able to get Plan A for $3/month instead of $7/month if you pay for it for three years in advance. The type of plan you purchase should depend entirely upon your preferences and your budget. If you are operating on a strict budget and you need to save money now, then you may want to consider a plan that does not require yearly payments. However, if you have a more liberal budget and you need to save money in the long term, then you may want to consider a plan with lower monthly payments under an annual contract.