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Best cheap internet provider
T-Mobile’s fast speeds, loaded with benefits
Cheap starting rates, but high fees
Best cheap fiber internet provider
Best cheap fiber internet plan
What’s the best cheap internet provider?
Internet doesn’t come cheap. After you factor in equipment rental costs, the average monthly cost of internet is around $78 — a steep price for households trying to stick to a budget. If you’re looking for cheaper internet plans, we’ve got you covered with an extensive list of the cheapest, most cost-efficient plans offered by ISPs nationwide.
Xfinity is the best cheap internet provider thanks to its incredibly low starting price of $20 to $35 per month (depending on your location) for speeds of 150Mbps. Astound Broadband matches that price and for faster speeds, too. However, Astound does not offer the same wide coverage as Xfinity. According to the latest data from the Federal Communications Commission, Xfinity provides services for over 34% of households in the country, while Astound’s coverage is only 2%. In other words, your address is more likely to be serviceable with Xfinity rather than Astound, but if you can get Astound at your address, go for it.
You should keep in mind that the low promo pricing you see can increase after a year or so, and equipment fees and steep rate increases down the road can also increase your bill. That low pricing from Xfinity won’t last forever, for example. Your price can jump to as high as $72 a month after a year. Although Astound’s prices won’t increase that much right away, you’ll likely see an $8 to $20 increase on your bill after a year.
Needless to say, your service with cheap ISPs might start at a competitive price, but after the promo period expires, you’ll have to pay higher prices. If you don’t want to deal with promo pricing, you can find more stable pricing from providers such as AT&T Fiber, T-Mobile Home Internet and Quantum Fiber, which start with higher rates but promise stable pricing.
The availability of cheap internet providers and their plans vary by location. Additionally, in some cases, choosing the cheapest plan may mean settling for relatively slow speeds. There’s a lot to consider when shopping for a competitive internet plan; this guide attempts to answer all your questions on how to make the most of your dollar when shopping for home internet.
All prices referenced below include applicable discounts for setting up monthly automatic payments, a standard industry offering.
Best cheap internet providers
150 – 2,000 Mbps
$19 – $95 per month
Our take – Xfinity Connect starts at $20 to $35 per month, depending on your location, for download speeds up to 150Mbps. It isn’t the best internet deal you’ll find, but it is one of the cheaper broadband options available throughout much of the US.
150 – 2,000 Mbps
$19 – $95 per month
100 – 1,500 Mbps
$20 – $80 per month
Our take – Astound and Xfinity share similar pricing. Both cable providers are notorious for hiking prices after a year. The only reason why Astound is our second choice is due to its limited availability.
100 – 1,500 Mbps
$20 – $80 per month
300 – 5,000 Mbps
$55 – $250 per month
Our take – CNET recommends fiber out of any other internet connection type since it’ll offer you the best value. AT&T Fiber’s prices start at $55 per month for 300Mbps, which isn’t particularly cheap at first glance, but the good news is that it boasts excellent value due to its free equipment rental, unlimited data and no set price increases.
300 – 5,000 Mbps
$55 – $250 per month
500 – 5,000 Mbps
$50 – $155 per month
Our take – With Frontier, you get the right price and speed. Its 200Mbps plan costs just $30 a month for symmetrical upload and download speeds. Plus, for a limited time, you can upgrade to 500Mbps for just $30 monthly, too. Your equipment rental and unlimited data are also included in the price.
500 – 5,000 Mbps
$50 – $155 per month
100 – 1,000 Mbps
$25 – $80 per month
Our take – Residents of rural areas throughout the Midwest and South, as well as parts of Arizona and California, can rely on Mediacom for cheap broadband service starting at around $50 a month for speeds up to 300Mbps. That noted, prices increase to $65 monthly after the first year. The plan comes with unlimited data and doesn’t require a contract.
100 – 1,000 Mbps
$25 – $80 per month
200 – 8,000 Mbps
$30 – $165 per month
Our take – Quantum Fiber is currently offering a price lock that guarantees the same monthly rate for as long as you keep your plan. That doesn’t mean the all-in costs will never go up — taxes and fees are always subject to change — but your internet rate will not increase.
200 – 8,000 Mbps
$30 – $165 per month
Fixed wireless
85 – 1,000 Mbps
$50 – $70 per month
Our take – Verizon 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile Home Internet may share the same intro pricing at $50 per month, but Verizon offers a better bundle discount. Service includes free equipment, unlimited data and no contracts, plus a $15 to $25 discount for qualifying Verizon mobile customers who add home internet. Even better, you get to keep your price for up to five years with Verizon.
Fixed wireless
85 – 1,000 Mbps
$50 – $70 per month
Mostly cable, some fiber
100 – 2,000 Mbps
$50 – $110 per month
Our take – Standard Cox internet plans are priced a bit on the high side. The cheapest internet plan from Cox has one of the highest costs per Mbps of any plan featured on this list.
Mostly cable, some fiber
100 – 2,000 Mbps
$50 – $110 per month
Fixed wireless
50 – 1,000 Mbps
$30 – $80 per month
Our take – Starry Connect starts at $15 a month for symmetrical speeds up to 30Mbps. There are no equipment fees, data caps, credit checks or contracts. The only qualification for signing up is living in a public and affordable housing building that has been approved to carry the service.
Fixed wireless
50 – 1,000 Mbps
$30 – $80 per month
500 – 1,000 Mbps
$50 – $80 per month
Our take – Spectrum is one of the major cable internet providers in the country. But what are its prices? Promo pricing ranges from $50 to $70 a month, plus a free modem is included with the gigabit plan (a $10 value). You can also save money if you bundle with a TV service or two mobile lines. For comparison, Cox, Mediacom, Xfinity and others may charge $13 to $15 or higher per month to rent equipment.
500 – 1,000 Mbps
$50 – $80 per month
Cheap internet providers compared
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Cost per Mbps | Equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediacom Xtream Connect Read full review |
$15 | 100Mbps | 15 cents | $15 (optional) |
| Xfinity Internet Essentials Read full review |
$15 | 75Mbps | 20 cents | None |
| Starry Connect Read full review |
$15 | 30Mbps | 50 cents | None |
| Ziply Fiber 100 | $20 | 100Mbps | 2 cents | $15 (optional) |
| Astound Broadband 300 Read full review |
$20 | 300Mbps | 7 cents | None |
| Xfinity Connect Read full review |
$20 | 150Mbps | 13 cents | $15 (optional) |
| Kinetic Fiber 100 | $25 | 300Mbps | 25 cents | $11 (optional) |
| Brightspeed Fiber 200 | $29 | 200Mbps | 14 cents | None |
| Frontier Fiber 500 Read full review |
$30 | 500Mbps | 6 cents | None |
| WOW Internet 300 Read full review |
$30 | 300Mbps | 10 cents | None |
| Frontier Fiber 200 Read full review |
$30 | 200Mbps | 15 cents | None |
| Cox Connect Assist | $30 | 100Mbps | 30 cents | $15 (optional) |
| Metronet 100 Read full review |
$35 | 150Mbps | 23 cents | None |
| Armstrong Zoom Express Read full review |
$35 | 25Mbps | $1.40 | $11 (optional) |
| Optimum Fiber 300 Read full review |
$40 | 300Mbps | 13 cents | None |
| Kinetic Fiber 300 | $40 | 300Mbps | 13 cents | $11 (optional) |
| Sparklight Connect 100 Read full review |
$40 | 100Mbps | 40 cents | $15 (optional) |
| GoNetspeed 500 | $45 | 500Mbps | 9 cents | None |
| Metronet 500 Read full review |
$45 | 500Mbps | 9 cents | None |
| Quantum Fiber 200 | $45 | 200Mbps | 22 cents | None |
| Spectrum Internet Read full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | 10 cents | $10 router (optional) |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Unlimited Read full review |
$50 | 318Mbps | 15 cents | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 | 300Mbps | 17 cents | None |
| Verizon Fios 300 Read full review |
$50 | 300Mbps | 17 cents | None |
| Cox Go Faster | $50 | 250Mbps | 20 cents | $15 (optional) |
| Mediacom Xtream Internet 300 Read full review |
$50 | 300Mbps | 17 cents | $15 (optional) |
| Hughesnet Select Read full review |
$50 | 50Mbps | $1 | $15 monthly or $300 one-time purchase |
| AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review |
$55 | 300Mbps | 18 cents | None |
| CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Read full review |
$55 | 100Mbps | 55 cents | $15 (optional) |
| Rise Broadband 50 Read full review |
$55 | 50Mbps | $1.10 | $10 modem; $15 router (optional) |
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Consider speeds, additional costs and contracts
There’s more to the cost of internet than just the advertised price. Here are some other factors you’ll want to consider before signing up for the absolute cheapest plan.
- Speeds: Will the lowest-priced plan deliver the speeds that you need? It’s possible that the cheapest plan won’t meet your internet needs, so it might be worth exploring other providers or upgrading to a faster, more expensive plan. For example, while Astound’s 300Mbps plan costs a reasonable $20 a month, Xfinity’s Connect plan features 150Mbps for the same price (not including the $15 equipment rental). If you have higher-than-average internet usage habits and a plan like Astound’s isn’t available to you, you may find that opting for a slightly more expensive plan could significantly boost your internet speeds and make for a better overall experience.
- Added costs: Taxes are to be expected with any internet service, but added costs for equipment rental, data overages, installation and more will vary by provider. Make sure you’re accounting for those extra prices and reading the fine print thoroughly to check for hidden fees.
- Contracts and price increases: Locking yourself into a contract with your ISP can be costly, especially if the plan price increases before the service agreement expires. Canceling before the contract expires can also result in early termination fees. Additionally, many providers increase the price after 12 months of service, with or without a contract. If you plan on keeping your service past the 12-month mark, be aware of what the monthly costs may be down the road.
Most ISPs provide these details through broadband labels. Check out our guide on how you can navigate broadband labels.
How we evaluated the cheapest internet providers
CNET’s process for reviewing and recommending internet providers involves extensive research of everything one would need to make an informed decision regarding the best ISP for their needs.
We start by referencing the Federal Communications Commission to determine a provider’s national coverage and specific regions of operation, as well as the technology they use to deliver service. We then gather and verify pricing and speed information along with what are often lesser-known or “fine print” considerations, such as data caps, contract requirements and equipment fees.
We also take into account customer satisfaction reports from the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, when available, and the frequency of outages and complaints filed on sites like downdetector.com and the Better Business Bureau.
I relied on these considerations and others, including average cost per Mbps and scheduled price increases after one year, when compiling our list of the best cheap internet providers.
See our guide to how CNET reviews internet service providers for more information about our review process.
Cheap internet honorable mentions
These national providers also have broadband service starting at or below $50 a month but did not make our list of the best cheap ISPs due to high cost per megabit per second, inconsistent pricing or limited service areas.
- Kinetic by Windstream: A solid choice for home internet in rural areas, Kinetic by Windstream has broadband plans with unlimited data starting at $35 per month for download speeds of 300Mbps. Pricing and available speeds can vary widely by location, so the available cheap internet plans will depend on where you live.
- Metronet: Metronet is a smaller ISP with a footprint in the Midwest and Southwest. For a smaller internet provider, it offers competitive rates. The lowest tier starts at $35 monthly for 150Mbps of speed. If that’s not enough speed, you can upgrade to 500Mbps for $45 monthly. Neither plan comes with a data cap, requires a contract and comes with free equipment rentals.
- Verizon Fios: The cheapest Verizon Fios plan, with speeds up to 300Mbps starting at $50 per month, offers plenty of value. The midtier plan (up to 500Mbps starting at $70 per month) and gig service (starting at $90 per month) aren’t bad deals, either, but you may be able to find faster speeds for the same amount of money from other providers.
- Ziply Fiber: Regional provider Ziply Fiber has some of the fastest speeds you’ll find from any ISP, not to mention the lowest introductory pricing. The cheapest plan starts at $20 per month for symmetrical max speeds of 100Mbps.
What’s the final word on the best cheap internet providers?
For the absolute cheapest internet service, look to cable providers such as Xfinity, Astound and Frontier. But keep in mind the low pricing may come with a looming price increase, added equipment rental fees, contracts and data caps, depending on the provider and where you live.
Other providers, such as AT&T Fiber, Spectrum and Quantum Fiber, may not have the absolute lowest pricing, but they still add value in other ways. Price guarantees, bundle discounts and other customer-friendly attributes make such providers worthy of consideration for cheap internet.
Cheap internet FAQs
What’s the cheapest internet available?
Cable and fiber internet are likely to be your best cheap internet options. Plans can be a bit more expensive than dial-up or DSL service, but the speeds and connection quality that you get are well worth the added cost.
While there are a few internet providers that offer a low introductory rate of $20 a month, such as Xfinity, Astound and Ziply Fiber, CNET recommends going with Xfinity. Its plans features cheap monthly rates, at least in the first year or so, and for a decent speed of 150Mbps. If you want faster internet, you can upgrade to 300Mbps for an additional $5 monthly. Finally, Xfinity boasts a wider coverage than Astound and Ziply Fiber.
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What cheap internet options are available to low-income households?
Why is my internet bill increasing every year?
Internet providers often advertise introductory pricing, a lower rate of service available to new customers for a limited time, often one to two years. After the introductory pricing ends, the monthly service rate may increase by as much as $30 or more, depending on the provider and offer you choose.
Most providers also have a “price lock” or price guarantee for a limited time, even if there is no special discounted rate. After the price guarantee period ends, providers are free to raise your rates at any time, for any reason. Price hikes may be necessary to support ongoing network maintenance and expansion or offset rising operation costs.
If your internet bill continues to go up, year after year, consider calling your ISP to see if you can negotiate a better price. Otherwise, you may want to explore other internet options in your area to find a better rate.
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How can I save money on my monthly internet bill?
What’s the cheapest internet for seniors?
Many providers offer internet deals for seniors and low-income households. Such plans typically with speeds ranging from 30 to 100Mbps for around $30 or less per month. AT&T, Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity and others have their own discounted internet plans designed to help keep those in low-income households — including seniors — connected.
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