Best Cheap Internet Providers and Plans of 2024
Get a low price for fast and reliable internet
Nov 5, 2024 | Share 
Brand Guides, Featured
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Cheap fiber plans
- Prices starting at: $49.99* w/ Auto Pay
- Speeds: Up to 300Mbps
-
Best introductory prices
- Prices starting at: $20.00/mo.†
- Speeds: Up to 150Mbps
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Best cheap 5G home internet
- Prices starting at: $50.00/mo.‡
- Speeds: Up to 245Mbps
Everyone deserves access to high-speed internet, but it shouldn’t cost a fortune. Most families in the U.S. can find plans with good-enough speeds for about $50 per month. Some plans, though, are available for as little as $20 per month.
Any plan you’re considering should come with decent bandwidth, sufficient monthly data, and good Wi-Fi capability. But there’s more to it: your options depend entirely on where you live, and prices often change after initial promos end. In this guide, we’ll help you find the cheapest plans in your area for now, and for the long-term.
Top 7 cheap internet plans
| Plan | Price | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios 300 Mbps | $49.99/mo.# w/ Auto Pay | 300Mbps |
| Xfinity Connect More | $30.00–35.00/mo.† | 200Mbps |
| CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet 140Mbps | $55.00/mo.‡ | Up to 140Mbps |
| Astound Broadband 300 Mbps Internet | $20.00/mo.§ | 300Mbps |
| Mediacom Internet 250 | $19.99/mo.║ | 250Mbps |
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Unlimited | $50.00/mo.# | 72–245Mbps |
| Verizon 5G Home | $60.00/mo** w/ Auto Pay | Up to 300Mbps |
Data as of 10/4/2024. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See disclaimers.
# Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon’s terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet.
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How to save money on internet every month
You can get cheap internet by looking at all the fine print in a provider’s internet contract, aiming for the best-priced plan based on your needs, and then leveraging extra perks such as unlimited data, monthly discounts, and no-contract offers.
We put together the following list of ways to shave down your bill. Every dollar counts!
- Look for a provider that offers internet deals for less than $50 a month. Potential savings: $200–$600 per year.
- Get an internet plan with no annual contract and no data caps. Then you don’t have to pay early termination fees or overage fees. Potential savings: $10–120 per year.
- Look for internet deals like rewards cards and waivers on extra fees. Potential savings: $50–$100.
- Buy your own Wi-Fi equipment (modem + router or gateway) to avoid paying a monthly fee. (Just make sure you’re using equipment that’s compatible with your provider.) Potential savings: $120–$180 per year.
- Downgrade your plan to a slower internet speed. There’s no point in paying for bandwidth you don’t use. Use our “How Much Internet Speed Do I Need?” tool to see what works best. Potential savings: $200–$600 per year.
- Use a public Wi-Fi hotspot at a library or public park to avoid paying a monthly bill altogether. Potential savings: $50–90/mo.
Want cheap internet?
Run a search with your zip code below to see internet prices in your area.
Best cheap internet plans for less than $100 per month
| Sign up | Price | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Plus | $70.00/mo.* | 72–245Mbps |
| Xfinity Superfast | $60–$70.00/mo.† | 800Mbps |
| Quantum Fiber 1 Gig Price for Life | Check for pricing | 940Mbps |
| Verizon Fios 1 Gig | $89.99/mo.‡ w/ Auto Pay | Up to 940Mbps |
| Cox Go Even Faster | $90.00/mo.§ | 500Mbps |
| AT&T Internet 500 | $65.00/mo.# | 500Mbps |
| AT&T Internet 1 Gig | $80.00/mo.| | 1,000Mbps |
| Internet Premier w/ Spectrum Advanced | $60/mo.** for 12 mos. | Up to 500Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) |
| Google Fiber 1 Gig | $70.00/mo.†† | 1,000Mbps |
| Mediacom 1 Gig Unlimited | $64.99/mo.‡‡ | 1,000Mbps |
| EarthLink Fiber 500 | $79.95/mo.§§ | 500Mbps |
Data as of 11/05/2024. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See disclaimers.
If you need a little more speed, it’s possible to find plans that can support dozens of connected devices for less than $100 per month.
A fiber internet plan will give you consistent performance and very fast speeds (including upload speeds up to 1Gbps). It works well for livestreams, Zoom meetings, and uploading to social media.
Most cable internet providers also offer plenty of speed for less than$100 per month. Xfinity’s Superfast plans and Spectrum’s Internet Premier plan are great examples.
Pro tip:
You can save money on your internet bill by downgrading to a lower speed tier. Still, you don’t want your internet speed to be too slow, because then you’ll have to deal with endless buffering and long waits for downloads.
Use our “How Much Speed Do I Need?” tool for a personalized recommendation.
Best cheap internet for less than $50 per month
| Sign up | Price | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Cox Go Fast | $50.00/mo.* | 100Mbps |
| Verizon Fios 300 Mbps | $49.99/mo.† w/ Auto Pay | 300Mbps |
| Xfinity Connect More | $30–$35.00/mo.‡ | 200Mbps |
| Astound Broadband 600 Mbps Internet | $40.00–$45.00/mo.§ | 600Mbps |
| Frontier Fiber 200 | $29.99/mo. w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill# | 200Mbps |
| Spectrum Internet Advantage | $30/mo.| for qualifying households | Up to 100Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) |
| Mediacom Internet 500 | $49.99/mo.** | 500Mbps |
Data as of 10/18/2024. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See disclaimers.
Fiber internet is available to more and more households every day, and providers have been racing to offer better deals at lower prices. If you can get one of these plans in you’re area, we recommend it! You’ll get superb speeds and internet performance at a very reasonable rate, and there’s a good chance Wi-Fi equipment will be included.
You can get decent cable internet plans for less than $50 a month, too. You won’t have the speedy upload speeds of fiber, but you’ll still get extremely fast download speeds from Xfinity’s Connect More or Astound Broadband’s 600 Mbps Internet plan, for example. The plans and prices available to you will depend on where you live.
Is fiber internet available?
Run a search with your zip code below.
Best cheap internet plans for less than $25 per month
| Sign up | Price | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Astound Broadband 300 Mbps Internet | $20.00/mo.* | 300Mbps |
| Xfinity Connect | $20.00/mo.† | 150Mbps |
Data as of 9/16/2024. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See disclaimers.
These plans are all great if you live alone or with just one or two other people. They don’t give you particularly fast speeds—but 150Mbps is enough to let you play online games and stream movies in HD on one or two devices with minimal buffering and slowdowns.
We love Astound Broadband’s plans because you don’t need to sign a year-long contract, so you can quit any time without paying early termination fees. Plus, you get unlimited data if you sign up for service in Chicago or in the Northeast—data caps still apply in Texas. (Prices vary depending on where you live.)
Verizon—Best cheap fiber plan
$49.99/mo.* w/ Auto Pay
Starting price
- Download speed: 300Mbps
- Internet type: Fiber
With a starting price of just $49.99 per month, Verizon’s base-level fiber internet plan gives you excellent speeds for a mid-sized household—enough to let you stream in 4K and play online games on several devices. You also get equally fast upload speeds, making this plan perfect for working from home and all the Zoom meetings, uploading, download, and social media procrastination that entails.
Verizon Fios plans come with unlimited data and don’t require a contract to sign up. The provider also got some of the best ratings in our annual customer satisfaction survey, coming in third for price.
Can you get Verizon's fiber internet?
Punch in your zip code to find out:
Xfinity—Best cheap cable internet
$30.00–35.00/mo.†
Starting price
- Download speed: 200Mbps
- Internet type: Cable
†For 12 months. No term contract. Taxes and equipment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Prices may vary by location.
View Xfinity PlansXfinity is your best bet for decent, cheap internet if you can get it. It’s standard monthly prices are some of the least expensive out there. If you fall below certain income thresholds, your price could be as low as $9.95 per month. There are deals for short-term internet, too!
With the new NOW Wifi Pass, you can sign into any Xfinity hotspot for 30 days for just $10. Almost all home internet connections from Xfinity act as public hotspots, so it should be easy to connect anywhere in the network.
CenturyLink—Best cheap DSL
$55.00/mo.‡
- Download speed: Up to 140Mbps
- Internet type: DSL
‡Speed may not be available in your area. Paperless billing or prepay required. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Get the fastest internet speed available at your location (max speed is up to 140 Mbps).
DSL isn’t fancy-schmancy like cable or fiber-optic internet—it runs over our landline phone cables, and that means it’s a lot slower than cable or fiber plans. But it’s hard to beat DSL’s wide availability, and we like this plan because it gives you a decent monthly rate with no data caps.
With DSL, it’s important to note that your speeds will be slower the farther you are from your provider’s neighborhood hub. If you’re the last house on a country road, for example, your actual speeds could be far slower than the “up to” speed listed on your plan. If that’s the case for you, faster speeds could be available from 5G internet providers like T-Mobile or satellite providers like Starlink.
Astound Broadband—Best cheap deals
$20.00/mo.§
Starting price
- Download speed: 300Mbps
- Internet type: Cable
§24 Month Internet Pricing. No contract required. Equipment priced separately. Includes $10 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Excludes surcharges and fees. New residential customers only.
Astound Broadband’s largest cable internet service area is in the Northeast, serving New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, a few Pennsylvania counties, and Washington, D.C. Astound also provides cable internet in Chicago, Texas, and along the west coast. It has some fiber in Texas, too.
If you live in Chicago or any of its service areas in the Northeast, you can get a sweet deal for an unfussy internet plan.
With 300Mbps speeds, this plan is solid if you live alone or with a couple roommates. Astound Broadband often adds installation at no extra cost. Prices rise steeply in year two of service, though, so set yourself a reminder to shop for internet service again in about 11 months.
Pro tip:
If you’ve never met a discount you didn’t like, you’ll love our best internet deals guide. It’s updated every month so you can get the scoop on the latest bargains.
Mediacom—Best cheap sign-up prices
$19.99/mo.║
Starting price
- Download speed: 250Mbps
- Internet type: Cable
║For 1 year with $10 autopay & paperless billing enrollment. Activation, installation, modem rental, taxes and fees apply.
View Mediacom PlansMediacom—which has a network centering around the Midwest—offers some nice introductory prices on its plans. We recommend Internet 250, which will give you plenty of speed for you and your roommates or family. When the 12-month promotion period is up, that $19.99 goes up to a monthly rate of $39.99, which still ain’t too shabby.
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet—Best cheap flat-rate package
$50.00–$70/mo.#
- Download speed: 72–245Mbps
- Internet type: Fixed wireless/5G
#w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms. Delivered via 5G cellular network; speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks, including data prioritization.
View PlansYou might think of just cell phones when you think of T-Mobile, but the provider is quickly becoming a major home internet provider as well. It offers 5G fixed wireless internet service to nearly 60 percent of addresses in the US. T-Mobile got stellar reviews in our annual customer satisfaction survey, so we think it’s worth a shot if you can’t get fast speeds for lower prices elsewhere.
T-Mobile still prioritizes it’s mobile phone customers over home internet customers, so speeds also can be a little spotty at busy times of day.
The best thing about this plan is there are no data caps or annual contract requirements, and your Wi-Fi gear is included in the price. Also, if you sign up for two or more lines of the T-Mobile Magenta MAX phone plan, you get $20 off the monthly fee for home internet.
Verizon 5G Home Internet—Best cheap 5G internet
$35.00/mo.* or $60.00/mo.† w/ Auto Pay
- Download speed: Up to 300 Mbps
- Internet type: 5G
*w/ select 5G mobile plans. Available in select areas.
† Available in select areas.
View Verizon 5G Home Internet PlansVerizon 5G Home Internet is a cool new service that uses 5G wireless networks to deliver your internet connection. It’s fast, easy to set up, and worth a try.
This service relies on the provider’s network of cellular transmitters. The speeds aren’t quite as consistent as what you get from fiber or cable (and they’re deprioritized compared to mobile traffic), but they’re a lot better than many DSL or satellite connections.
This service also comes with a ton of extra perks—including unlimited data, no extra charges for equipment and installation, and no annual contract requirements.
What to look for when you want cheap internet
Cheap internet is about more than just the monthly connection price. You also need Wi-Fi gear, enough data every month, and more. Read on for a detailed rundown:
Fixed rates and no extra fees
Price hikes and extra fees used to be the norm for internet providers, but it’s getting a lot easier these days to find flat-rate plans. Google Fiber was a pioneer in offering straight-up deals, and it’s still a good option if you can get it. Other fiber internet providers like Verizon, AT&T, and Quantum Fiber have followed its example.
The price may look higher up front when you’re shopping around, but you’ll save money in the long run.
Month-to-month plans and no-contract policies
Other internet plans require an annual or even two-year commitment, leaving you on the hook for a potentially hefty early termination fee (ETF) if you have to cancel or switch providers before your contract is up.
Thankfully, it’s more common these days for internet providers to get rid of these annual commitments and let you sign up on a no-contract, month-to-month basis.
Pro tip: Get a no-contract plan if you can
Some providers give you the option to choose between a no-contract plan or an annual contract plan—and they’ll pressure you to sign up for the annual contract by charging more for the no-contract plan.
In that case, we still recommend signing up for the no-contract option, especially if you think you might move soon. It will give you more freedom and flexibility.
Government subsidies and low-income internet programs
A handful of internet providers offer low-cost internet plans designed for qualifying low-income customers and families with students.
If you’re already signed up for government programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), this is an excellent option. Read our guide to government internet programs to see what’s out there and how to apply.
Gift cards and coupons
There are always discounts and coupons to enjoy when you’re signing up for an internet plan. (We know because we keep track of the best internet deals!) Before signing up, scope out the provider’s website or ask a customer service rep if there are any bargains to be had. You may end up with something like a $100 gift card, a waiver on installation costs, or a free, trial-length subscription to a streaming service.
Unlimited data
Going over your data cap can lead to costly overage charges, so an unlimited data option is your best bet.
Spectrum, EarthLink, CenturyLink, and other providers offer unlimited data on all their plans, giving you the freedom to stream and download all you want. Others tend to offer generous data allotments. Read our guide on data caps to get the full rundown.
Looking for an easy way to test and track your internet speed?
Take our internet speed test or download our free speed test app to test your speed from anywhere.
Download our free, easy-to-use speed test app for quick and reliable results.
Cheap internet plans FAQ
What’s the best cheap internet package?
How much does it cost for an internet-only plan?
Can I get free internet at home?
What is the cheapest way to get internet in your home?
Disclaimers
*Verizon
Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon’s terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet.
†Xfinity Connect
For 12 months with 1-year term contract. Taxes and equipment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Prices may vary by location.
‡T-Mobile
w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms.
Top 7 cheap internet plans
*Verizon Fiber 300
Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon’s terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet.
†Xfinity Connect
w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms.
‡T-Mobile
w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms.
§Centurylink
Speed may not be available in your area. Paperless billing or prepay required. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Get the fastest internet speed available at your location (max speed is up to 140 Mbps).
#Astound
No contract required. 24 Month Internet Pricing. Equipment priced separately. Includes $10 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Experienced speeds may vary. Excludes surcharges and fees. New residential customers only.
|Mediacom
For 1 year with $10 autopay & paperless billing enrollment. Activation, installation, modem rental, taxes and fees apply.
** Verizon 5G/LTE
Price per month without auto pay & mobile plans.
Best cheap internet plans for less than $100 per month
*T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms.
†Xfinity Superfast
For 24 months. No term contract. Taxes and equipment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Prices may vary by location.
‡Verizon Fios 1 Gig
Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon’s terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet.
§Cox Go Faster
Available in select markets only. No annual contract or cancellation fees.
#AT&T Internet 500
Above pricing is after $10/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount with a debit card or bank account; if using a credit card, then price is $5/mo more. Pricing includes Equipment Fee. Up to $99 install fee may apply, plus tax where applicable.
|AT&T Internet 1 Gig
Above pricing is after $10/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount with a debit card or bank account; if using a credit card, then price is $5/mo more. Pricing includes Equipment Fee. Up to $99 install fee may apply, plus tax where applicable.
**Spectrum Internet Premier w/ Spectrum Advanced
-
Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.
††Google Fiber 1 Gig
Plus taxes and fees. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.
‡‡Mediacom 1 Gig Unlimited
Limited time offer; subject to change or end without notice. Offer is available to new residential accounts in all Lumos markets where fiber is available only.
§§EarthLink Fiber 500
with a 12 month contract. Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas. DSL and Fiber Plans require a 12 month contract and may have a cancellation fee to be determined upon cancellation
Best cheap internet plans for less than $50 per month
*Cox Go Fast
Available in select markets only. No annual contract or cancellation fees.
†Verizon Fios 300 Mbps
Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon’s terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet.
‡Xfinity Connect More
For 12 months with 1-year term contract. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Taxes and equipment not included. Prices may vary by location.
§Astound Broadband 600 Mbps Internet
24 Month Internet Pricing. No contract required. Equipment priced separately. Includes $10 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Excludes surcharges and fees. New residential customers only.
#Frontier Fiber 200
w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Max wired speed 200/200 Mbps. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary. One-time charges apply.
|Spectrum Internet Advantage
-
Offer based on eligibility requirements. Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.
**Mediacom Internet 500
For 1 year with $10 autopay & paperless billing enrollment. Activation, installation, modem rental, taxes and fees apply.
Best cheap internet plans for less than $25 per month
*Astound Broadband 300 Mbps Internet
No contract required. 24 Month Internet Pricing. Equipment priced separately. Includes $10 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Experienced speeds may vary. Excludes surcharges and fees. New residential customers only.
†Xfinity Connect For 12 months with 1-year term contract.
Taxes and equipment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Prices may vary by location.
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Author - Peter Holslin
Peter Holslin has more than a decade of experience working as a writer and freelance journalist. He graduated with a BA in liberal arts and journalism from New York City’s The New School University in 2008 and went on to contribute to publications like Rolling Stone, VICE, BuzzFeed, and countless others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on covering 5G, nerding out about frequency bands and virtual RAN, and producing reviews on emerging services like 5G home internet. He also writes about internet providers and packages, hotspots, VPNs, and Wi-Fi troubleshooting.
Editor - Cara Haynes
Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.
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