Is it better to buy your own WiFi Router instead of using your ISP router?

Yes, buying your own wifi router is usually the better choice over using the one your ISP provides. 

Most Indian ISPs, including Jio Fiber, Airtel Xstream, and ACT, bundle a basic router free with the connection, but that router is built to a price point, not to your specific home.

ISP bundled routers typically run dual band Wi-Fi 5 or entry Wi-Fi 6 hardware, with fewer antennas and weaker processors than routers sold in the same price range on the open market. 

They cover a smaller area, struggle with more than 15 to 20 connected devices, and often lock away settings like custom DNS, port forwarding, or advanced parental controls behind the ISP's own app.

Buying your own router removes these limits. 

You choose the exact Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 class that matches your home size and device count, get full access to the router's settings instead of a simplified ISP interface, and can set up features like guest networks or IoT isolation that bundled routers rarely expose.

There is also a practical benefit when switching ISPs. 

A bundled router is tied to that ISP, and switching means returning it or leaving it unused. A router you own stays with you regardless of which ISP you're on, since ISP compatibility depends on WAN settings like PPPoE, not the router's origin.

The case for sticking with the bundled router is simple convenience: no setup, no extra cost upfront, and one less thing to configure.

 For a small apartment with two or three devices, this is often good enough. But for anyone with more than a handful of connected devices, or a home larger than a single room, buying a router built for the space pays off quickly in coverage and stability.