Cheapest Internet and Wi-Fi Providers

We dug through fine print, hidden fees, promo prices, and speeds to find the cheapest internet providers: T-Mobile Home Internet, AT&T internet, and Comcast Xfinity.

Best Prices for Most
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starting from
$50
/mo
Download Speed Range
72–245 Mbps
Data Cap
Unlimited
Best Promo Prices
Xfinity
Xfinity Internet
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Starting from
$19.99
/mo
Download Speeds
75-2000 Mbps
Data Cap
1200 Mbps
Check Availability
filled red circle with the letter i cut out of the middle
Best Customer Service
ATT
AT&T Fiber
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.25
Starting from
$55
/mo
Download Speeds
300-5000 Mbps
Data Cap
Unlimited
Check Availability
filled red circle with the letter i cut out of the middle
Best for Switching Providers
Spectrum
Spectrum Internet®
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starting from
$19.99
/mo
Download Speeds
30-1000 Mbps
Data Cap
Unlimited
Best Price for High Speeds
Optimum
Optimum Internet
3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5
Starting from
$30
/mo
Download Speeds
300-940 Mbps
Data Cap
Unlimited
Catherine McNally
Mar 08, 2024
Icon Time To Read12 min read

We may earn money when you click our links.

We chose T-Mobile Home Internet, Xfinity, AT&T, Spectrum, and Optimum Internet as our top cheap internet providers.

And while your internet costs depend largely on where you live, these internet service providers (ISPs) all offer at least one cheap internet plan around or under $50 a month.

To find these cheap Wi-Fi plans, we dug through pricing data, fees, and fine print. We also made sure these plans offered at least enough speed and data for you to, you know, actually use your internet connection rather than wait for everything to load.

We also considered how service areas are limited, which is why you won’t see Astound Broadband, powered by RCN or Grande in our top five for cheap internet and cable providers.

Quick guide to cheapest internet providers:

Top 5 cheap internet plans: promo prices and equipment fees
Provider and plan
Promotional price
Equipment rental fee
Download speeds
Details
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet$60/mo.*$10.00/mo.72-245 Mbps
AT&T Internet 300$55/mo.$15.00/mo. 300 Mbps
Spectrum Internet® $49.99/mo. for 12 mos.$5.00/mo. Up to 300 Mbps
Optimum 300 Mbps Internet$30/mo.^$10.00/mo. Up to 300 Mbps
Xfinity Connect$19.99/mo.°$14.00/mo. Up to 75 Mbps
* w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms.
Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. Ltd. avail/areas. Call or go to www.fiber.att.com to see if you qualify.
For 12 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.
^ For 1 yr. w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes w/Unlimited Mobile plan. ($40/mo. without Unlimited Mobile plan.) Terms apply. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.
° For 12 months with 1-year term contract. Taxes and equpiment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Prices may vary by location.
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T-Mobile Home Internet: Best prices for most

T-Mobile offers some of the lowest starting prices out there, if not the lowest. And those low prices also come with fiber internet speeds and reliability, which makes T-Mobile a great value choice of home internet provider for just about anybody.

As opposed to AT&T Fiber, T-Mobile doesn't make you sign any contracts, pay any activation fees, or go through any credit checks to get the service. Setup is also incredibly easy, you just plug in the provided router, download the app, and you're up and running.

Price after 12 months
$50 a month
Download speed
72-245 Mbps
Upload speed
15-31 Mbps
Data cap
Unlimited
Estimated first year cost (+taxes)
$600 for the first 12 months

To top it off, your T-Mobile internet comes with unlimited data. So you won’t need to worry about paying for overages or for extra data.

The only extra expense you'll need to worry about is the one-time $99 payment for the 5G gateway router. After that, your internet payment stays flat.

T-Mobile Home Internet availability

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet covers most of the country, which is why it's one of our top recommended ISPs among the best for rural providers

Just to be safe, enter your ZIP code below to make sure that you can get T-Mobile 5G Home Internet in your neck of the woods:

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Look for T-Mobile Home Internet service in your area.

Xfinity: Best promotional prices

Xfinity is known for low promotional prices, and the speeds you get are decent too. On top of that, Xfinity regularly offers deals. For example, until May 1, Xfinity customers all regions of the US can get Xfinity's 75Mbps Connect plan with 150MBps download speeds. That's double the speed for the same price, locked in for one year with no contract required. You can also often find deals that could net you a Visa rewards card or a streaming service subscription on top of an already low starting cost for internet. 

Comcast also upgraded its slowest internet plan last year, bumping the download speed up from 25 Mbps to 50 Mbps. That’s a better starting speed: 50 Mbps should allow you to stream, game, and work from home if you’re not sharing the internet with lots of devices or other people.

Cheapest Xfinity internet plan: Connect
FeatureConnect
Promotional price$19.99/mo.°
Price for months 13–24$34.99/mo.
Price for months 24+$50.00/mo.
Equipment fee$14.00/mo.
Installation feeFree
Early termination fee (ETF)Up to $110
Download speedUp to 75 Mbps
Upload speed10 Mbps
Starting price per Mbps$0.60
Data cap1200 Mbps
Estimated first year cost (+ taxes)$527.88
Learn more
° For 12 months with 1-year term contract. Taxes and equpiment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Prices may vary by location.

One thing to keep in mind with Xfinity is that the prices and plan names change depending on where you live. So our recommended cheap internet plan, the Connect plan, may go by a different name and price in your area. But generally, Xfinity’s 50 Mbps plan is affordable and offers good value.

Xfinity's Connect More plan is on sale for users in the Western US, offering 200Mbps download speeds for $25 a month for two years plus free Wi-Fi equipment if you order before March 21, 2024.

You should also keep in mind that all Xfinity internet plans come with a 1.2 TB data cap. While most of us won’t come close to using this much data in a month, you may want to look elsewhere if you run a home business or freelance as a creative professional.

Xfinity has options to add data, but they’ll cost you $10–$30 extra per month. And more data won't fix those slow upload speeds of 3 Mbps. At that upstream speed, your FaceTime or Zoom calls will probably stutter and lag.

Xfinity Bundles
Deals

Xfinity's 3 for 1 Bundle gives you internet and streaming for $30/mo. with an Xfinity Mobile plan. This is a great deal for those who don't like contracts or price hikes.

And users who switch to Xfinity's Fast Internet plan get a free Unlimited Intro line for two years.

Best ways to save money with Xfinity

  • Look for online deals: Xfinity usually offers deals on its internet service and almost always has a deal ready for teachers and students
  • Renegotiate your price before your contract is up: Set up a reminder on your phone to call a week or two before your 12- or 24-month contract is up. Then call Xfinity and ask if there are any deals you’re eligible for. We’ve had Xfinity reps surprise us with deals on upgraded speeds and bundles in the past.
  • Bring your own equipment: Xfinity’s xFi modem-and-router combo is fairly pricey to rent. It’ll cost you $168 over the course of a year, which is about how much a decent modem-router combo costs anyway. So buy your own and save some money over the long term.

Xfinity availability

Xfinity internet is available in 40 states stretching from California to Maryland. You’ll most likely find it in states like Washington, Delaware, Massachusetts, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

Other cheap Xfinity internet plans

Prices and plan names may vary depending on where you live, but we’ve found that these Comcast Xfinity plans tend to have great value.

Cheap Xfinity internet plans
Plan
Price
Download speed
Details
Connect$19.99/mo.°Up to 75 Mbps
Connect More$30/mo.**Up to 200 Mbps
Fast$50/mo.††Up to 400 Mbps
° For 12 months with 1-year term contract. Taxes and equpiment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Prices may vary by location.
** For 24 months. No term contract. Taxes not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Prices may vary by location.
†† For 24 months. No term contract. Taxes not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Not available in all areas. Prices may vary by location.
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Easily compare Comcast Xfinity internet prices in your area.

AT&T: Best customer service

AT&T has affordable fiber speeds and a high customer rating from the ACSI

With AT&T internet you'll find a mix of fiber and fiber plus plans with the same starting price of $55 a month. You’ll also find (despite its contracts and fees) that AT&T has highly rated customer service with a high score several years running from the American Consumer Satisfaction Index.

If you're interested in adding TV to your internet, AT&T offers the option to add a DIRECTV package with your AT&T service (although there’s no discount; AT&T is just a vehicle through which you can get DIRECTV, another testament to its customer service). And good news for any TV-lovers interested in bundling: You'll get three free months of  STARZ, Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, MGM+, and Cinemax.

Cheapest AT&T plans
Plan
Price
Download speed
Connection type
Details
AT&T Internet Air$55/mo.‡‡225 MbpsWireless
AT&T Internet 300$55/mo.300 MbpsFiber
‡‡ AutoPay and paperless billing required. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. . Service subj. to Internet Terms of Service at att.com/internet-terms. Offers may be modified, or discontinued, at any time without notice. Other conditions may apply to all offers.
Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. Ltd. avail/areas. Call or go to www.fiber.att.com to see if you qualify.

If you live where AT&T Fiber is available, we recommend its 300 Mbps plan. At the same price as AT&T's Internet Air DSL plan, AT&T's 300 Mbps Fiber plan has over three times as much download speed. You'll also get unlimited data and impressive upload speeds.

Best ways to save money with AT&T

  • Bundle your services: Add DIRECTV to your AT&T Fiber and enjoy three free months of premium channels like Paramount+ with SHOWTIME®, Max, and STARZ, all while saving money and simplifying your TV and internet bill.
  • Ask for DIY installation: That $99 installation fee can really drag your first bill down. If you wanna save over $60, ask for AT&T's DIY option, which only requires a $35 activation fee. 

AT&T availability

If you live in a large city or suburb, AT&T's fiber internet plans are definitely worth checking out. 

You'll find AT&T internet service in 21 different states, mostly around the midwest.

A map of the US showing the 21 states where AT&T internet is available.

Check to see if you qualify for AT&T Fiber with AT&T's fiber coverage map.

Other cheap AT&T internet plans

AT&T's cheapest plans can get you 140–300 Mbps download speed before plan prices increase.  

Cheap AT&T internet plans
Plan
Price
Download speed
Data cap
Details
AT&T Internet Air$55/mo.‡‡225 MbpsUnlimited
AT&T Internet 300$55/mo.300 MbpsUnlimited
AT&T Internet 500$65/mo.500 MbpsUnlimited
AT&T Internet 1 Gig$80/mo.^^1000 MbpsUnlimited
‡‡ AutoPay and paperless billing required. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. . Service subj. to Internet Terms of Service at att.com/internet-terms. Offers may be modified, or discontinued, at any time without notice. Other conditions may apply to all offers.
Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. Ltd. avail/areas. Call or go to www.fiber.att.com to see if you qualify.
^^ Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. Ltd. availability/areas.
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Find out what AT&T internet speeds are available near you.

Spectrum: Best for buying out your old contract

Spectrum’s prices start high, but so do its gigabit speeds. And with no contracts, unlimited data, and one of the lowest equipment fees we’ve seen, Spectrum’s cheapest Internet plan offers a good value compared to other home internet providers.

In fact, if you just need a Spectrum modem, it comes included with your plan. There’s no extra cost per month to rent it. Now that is a customer-friendly approach to equipment if we’ve ever seen one.

But the real star of the show is Spectrum’s Contract Buyout program. If you’re stuck in a contract with your current ISP and want to swap, Spectrum will pay up to $500 to buy out that contract if you swap to its service.

Cheapest Spectrum plan: Spectrum Internet® 300 Mbps
FeatureSpectrum Internet® 300 Mbps details
Promotional price$49.99/mo. for 12 mos.
Price for months 13–24$74.99/mo.
Equipment fee$5.00/mo. (modem-router combo)
Contract buyout amountUp to $500.00*
Download speedUp to 300 Mbps
Upload speedUp to 10 Mbps
Starting price per Mbps$0.16
Data capUnlimited
Learn more
For 12 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.

*To qualify for the Contract Buyout Program, a customer must order and install a qualifying Triple Play or limited Double Play promotion; offers not available in all areas. Offer available to qualifying customers only who have no outstanding obligations to Charter. Payment amount will be determined by the Early Termination Fee on the final bill from the previous provider, not to exceed $500. For Contract Buyout qualifications, go to Spectrum.com/buyout.
**Wireless speeds may vary.

Best ways to save money with Spectrum

  • Use the Contract Buyout: You could save up to $500 in ETFs by switching to Spectrum and signing up for its buyout program.*
  • Use your own router: Spectrum includes a modem with your plan at no cost, so why not bring your own router to save $60 each year?
  • Ask about free installation: Spectrum charges a $19.99 installation fee. Either way, it never hurts to ask if the sales rep can sweeten the deal with free installation.

*​​To qualify for the Contract Buyout Program, a customer must order and install a qualifying Triple Play or limited Double Play promotion; offers not available in all areas. Offer available to qualifying customers only who have no outstanding obligations to Charter. Payment amount will be determined by the Early Termination Fee on the final bill from the previous provider, not to exceed $500. For Contract Buyout qualifications, go to Spectrum.com/buyout.

Spectrum availability

You’ll find Spectrum Internet® in 42 different states. It’s mainly focused in the Northeast along with Wisconsin, Ohio, and North Carolina.

Other cheap Spectrum plans

As we mentioned, the Spectrum Internet® plan is the cheapest internet plan Spectrum offers. But if you absolutely need more download speed, the 500Mbps* plan might still be a good deal for you.

Cheap Spectrum Internet® plans
Plan
Price
Download speed
Details
Spectrum Internet® $49.99/mo. for 12 mos.Up to 300 Mbps
Spectrum Internet Ultra$69.99/mo. for 24 mo500 Mbps
For 12 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.

For residents of New York, North Carolina, and Ohio, Spectrum offers regional plans with lower monthly prices for higher download speeds.

Spectrum Internet® regional plans
Plan
Region
Price
Download speed
Details
Spectrum Internet UltraNorth Carolina$49.99/mo. for 24 mo.°°Up to 500 Mbps
Spectrum Internet GigNorth Carolina$59.99/mo. for 24 mo.Up to 1000 Mbps
Spectrum Internet UltraNew York$59.99/mo. for 24 mo.Up to 500 Mbps
Spectrum Internet® GigNew York$69.99/mo. for 24 mo.Up to 1000 Mbps
Spectrum Internet UltraOhio$59.99/mo. for 24 mo.Up to 500 Mbps
Spectrum Internet GigOhio$69.99/mo. for 24 mo.Up to 1000 Mbps
°° For 12 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum Internet® Gig promotion price is $89.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra.
For 12 months when bundled. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.

Spectrum Internet® and cable TV bundles

If you love Spectrum's no-contract philosophy, we have good news. You can bundle Spectrum's cable TV plans with its Internet services. This means you can sign up for cheap internet and cable in one easy monthly payment without being tied to a contract. 

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Find Spectrum Internet® plans in your area.

Optimum: Best price for high speeds

Optimum promotional internet prices

Optimum isn't as widely available as a 5G home internet provider like T-Mobile, but if you're lucky enough to live in an area with coverage, Optimum makes for a great deal.

You can save up to $100 a month on Optimum Internet for the rest of December when you add an Unlimited Mobile plan. Check it out below:

Plan
Price
Download speed
Connection type
Details
300 Mbps Internet$30/mo.***Up to 300 MbpsCable
500 Mbps Internet$45/mo.†††Up to 500 MbpsCable
1 Gig Internet$55/mo.‡‡‡Up to 940 MbpsCable
500 Mbps Fiber Internet$30/mo.†††Up to 500 MbpsFiber
1 Gig Fiber Internet$45/mo.‡‡‡Up to 940 MbpsFiber
2 Gig Fiber Internet$55/mo.^^^Up to 2000 MbpsFiber
5 Gig Fiber Internet$80/mo.°°°Up to 5000 MbpsFiber
8 Gig Fiber Internet$265/mo.****Up to 8000 MbpsFiber
*** For 1 yr. w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/Unlimited Mobile plan. ($40/mo. without Unlimited Mobile plan.) Terms apply. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.
††† For 1 yr. w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/Unlimited Mobile plan. ($60/mo. without Unlimited Mobile plan.) Terms apply. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.
‡‡‡ For 1 yr. w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/Unlimited Mobile plan. ($80/mo. without Unlimited Mobile plan.) Terms apply. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.
^^^ For 1 yr. w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/Unlimited Mobile plan. ($120/mo. without Unlimited Mobile plan.) Terms apply. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.
°°° For 1 yr. w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/Unlimited Mobile plan. ($180/mo. without Unlimited Mobile plan.) Terms apply. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.
**** w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/Mobile plan. ($280/mo. without Mobile plan.) Terms apply. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.
Cheapest Optimum plan: 300 Mbps Internet

The cheapest Optimum plan gives you 300 Mbps internet speeds for just $30/month, or even less when you add a mobile plan. Compared to most other home internet providers, Optimum offers a serious bargain. The only reason Optimum isn't higher on this list is due to its fairly limited availability. If Optimum was available around the country, it would be an easy recommendation for anybody.

Optimum also includes equipment with your base payment. Instead of tacking on an additional $10-$15 every month, you get a router essentially for free.

The main thing you need to watch out for with Optimum is the poor customer service

Best ways to save money with Optimum

  • Take advantage of the 300 Mbps plan: You should have plenty of internet to go around with the basic 300 Mbps plan. Keep your costs low and still get solid internet speeds.
  • Get the free router: Optimum includes its Gateway router with your internet plan, but you can pay an extra couple bucks for some other equipment you really don't need. Just stick with the provided router.
  • Free installation: Optimum's installation will cost you at least $99, which is fairly pricey for internet installation. But now, for a limited time, Optimum is offering free installation on its internet service when you order online. 
  • Add a mobile plan: If you're in the market for mobile services, bundling with Optimum Internet can save you up to $100 on your internet plan.

*w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill, plus Mobile taxes. Terms apply. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may
vary. Not available in all areas.

Optimum availability

Optimum only covers the northeastern United States, specifically New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. We're all jealous of those of you who happen to live in this area and can enjoy such cheap internet. 

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Find Optimum internet plans in your area.

WOW! Internet: Best family plan

If you’re looking for the cheapest WOW! Internet plan, look no further than Fiber 100. Even at its standard rate, it rings in under $40 a month and comes with a decent data cap of 1.5 TB.

This speed works great for a small family who enjoy streaming and gaming together. And if one of you works from home, 100 Mbps download speeds should keep your connected devices running smoothly even through those Zoom calls.

Cheapest WOW! Internet plan: Internet 100
FeatureFiber 100
Price for months 13–24$30/mo.††††
Equipment fee$14.00 (Free for 3 mos.)
Installation feeFree ($59.00 for pro install)
Early termination fee (ETF)None
Starting price per Mbps$0.20
Estimated first year cost (+ taxes)$407.88
Learn more
†††† With AutoPay & paperless billing. Equipment, taxes, data allowance, and other fees extra. Other restrictions apply to usage-based plans.

WOW! also regularly offers deals, such as discounted promotional prices for your first year of service or a free modem rental for your first few months. That can make your first year cost even lower.

And hey, the price for Internet 100 right now is one of those deals. 

Best ways to save money with WOW!

  • Wait for a deal: We’ve seen deals on WOW! internet for up to $20 a month off your plan, along with deals for free installation and free modem rental. So waiting for a deal before you switch to WOW! could save you a couple hundred dollars or more.
  • Use your own router: Bring your own router and you could save up to $168 each year. Guess what? That’s about how much a high-quality router costs on Amazon too.
  • Make sure you get enough data: WOW!’s internet plans feature data caps, and while that’s quite a bit of data, you still want to be aware and monitor your data use. No one likes a surprise overage fee, right?

WOW! availability

WOW! internet is available in various metro areas of 9 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Other cheap WOW! internet plans

Pretty much all of WOW!’s internet plans come at affordable prices, especially if you sign up during one of the ISP’s promotions. Just keep an eye on that standard pricing to make sure it won’t bust your budget after your first year is done.

Cheap WOW! internet plans
Plan
Price
Download speed
Details
Fiber 100$30/mo.††††Up to 100 Mbps
Fiber 500$50/mo.††††Up to 500 Mbps
Fiber 1 Gig$80/mo.††††Up to 1000 Mbps
†††† With AutoPay & paperless billing. Equipment, taxes, data allowance, and other fees extra. Other restrictions apply to usage-based plans.
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Find out if WOW! offers internet in your area.

How to find the cheapest internet plan

If you’re searching for a cheap Wi-Fi plan, you might be tempted to focus on price only. But there are a few more things you should consider including internet speed, additional fees, price hikes, and contracts.

7 things to consider when shopping for cheap internet

  1. Promotional prices: Most ISPs start you out with a low price, but you’ll typically see a price bump after 12 to 24 months.
  2. Autopay and paperless billing: Almost every advertised price you see for internet assumes that you’ll sign up for autopay and paperless billing. Make a note to yourself to not skip this step—we’ve had friends lose out on discounted prices because they forgot to change their billing settings.
  3. Internet speed: An affordable internet plan isn’t worth it if you can’t actually use the internet. Look for speeds of at least 50 Mbps—or check out our internet speed guide for recommendations.
  4. Data caps: A data cap can quickly become a money sink if you continuously use more than you’re given. Most ISPs charge a pretty penny for extra data, so be sure that your cheap internet plan comes with enough data to keep you going for a month.
  5. Equipment fees: Will you rent equipment? If so, factor in the monthly rental fee. But remember: You’ll end up saving money if you bring your own equipment instead.
  6. Installation fees: Don’t forget about installation—these fees range anywhere from $50 to $100. But some ISPs now offer self-installation kits at no extra cost, so you could save some cash there.
  7. Contracts and early termination fees: If your cheap internet plan comes with a contract, beware of a potentially hefty early termination fee (ETF). If you cancel your contract early, you could pay up to $500.

Want to learn more about finding truly cheap internet?

Our resident internet expert, Juan, shares some tips for finding cheap internet—along with traps to watch out for. Plus we've got some related reads to help you too.

Play Video

Recap: Best cheap Internet plans and providers

  • T-Mobile Home Internet: $50/mo., 200+ Mbps download speeds, unlimited data, no contract or equipment rental fees
  • Xfinity Connect: $19.99/mo., 75 Mbps download speeds, 1.25 TB data cap
  • AT&T Internet: $55.00/mo.**, up to 300 Mbps download speeds, up to unlimited data
  • Spectrum Internet®: $49.99/mo. for 12 mos., up to 300 Mbps* download speeds (wireless speeds may vary) or, for those in North Carolina, $39.99/mo. for 12 mos., up to 500 Mbps* download speeds (wireless speeds may vary), unlimited data, cheap internet, and cable bundle options
  • Optimum 300 Mbps Internet: $30.00/mo.§, 300 Mbps download speeds, unlimited data
  • WOW! Fiber 100: $30.00/mo.††, 100 Mbps download speeds, 1.5 TB data cap

Methodology

Finding cheap internet doesn’t always mean going for the lowest price. To round up our top picks that won’t bust your budget, we considered the following:

  • Promo Pricing and Post-Promotional Period: Our analysis took into account the promotional pricing offered by different internet service providers (ISPs) and also considered the price customers would pay after the promotional period ends. This helps us properly assess the long-term affordability of the service.
  • Extra Fees: In addition to the base price, various ISPs charge additional fees such as installation fees, equipment or device rental fees, and other miscellaneous charges. These extra fees can significantly impact the overall cost of the internet service. For example, due to sky-high installation fees, we don’t recommend Spectrum’s Gig plan. (Not to mention it has a very high monthly price for the speed you get).
  • Red Flags in the Fine Print: The fine print of ISP contracts often contains important details that may affect the overall cost and experience. By carefully reviewing the fine print, potential red flags were identified, such as hidden charges, unfavorable terms, or unexpected fees. Red flags in the fine print is why you’ll find Optimum lower on the list, for example. We took a look at a list of its fees and were startled by the sheer number of extra charges you might rack up, plus we were appalled at the fact that every Optimum customer now pays a “network enhancement fee.”
  • Coverage and Data Speeds: Apart from pricing and fees, we also take into account the coverage and data speeds offered by different internet service providers. The availability of a reliable and consistent internet connection is essential, especially for those who heavily rely on the internet for work, streaming, gaming, or other bandwidth-intensive activities. Evaluating the coverage area and the advertised data speeds helps ensure that the chosen internet service provider can meet the user's connectivity needs without compromising on performance. We look at everything from basic, slow plans to the upcoming 10G internet.

FAQ

Still have questions about how to get cheap internet? We can help.

Several home internet providers offer low-cost plans for around $10 a month, including the following:

  • AT&T Access
  • Comcast Xfinity Internet Essentials
  • Cox Connect2Compete
  • Internet First (Astound Broadband, powered by Grande, RCN, and Wave)
  • XTREAM powered by Mediacom Connect2Compete

You can find out more about who qualifies for these low-cost internet plans and how to get them in our internet assistance guide.

Yes, you can buy a cellular Wi-Fi card at Walmart. The retailer currently offers various wireless plans that include Wi-Fi data from Straight Talk Wireless, Total Wireless, Verizon Wireless, Cricket, Ultra Mobile, TracFone, and Net10 Wireless.

*Wireless speeds may vary.

Catherine McNally
Written by
Catherine McNally
Catherine has a degree in journalism and an MBA, and has spent the last 10+ years writing everything from Okinawa travel guides to stories on Medium. She’s been online since AOL CDs were a thing and is an unapologetic PC gamer. She believes the internet is a necessity, not a luxury, and writes reviews and guides to help everyone stay connected. You can also find her on Twitter: @CMReviewsIt.

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a football player makes a tackle
Quick Guide: Pro Sports Channels and TV Packages
Find TV packages that carry your favorite sports channels: NFL Network, NBA TV, MLB Network,...
YouTube TV Price Hike
YouTube TV Price Hike
YouTube TV raised its price $15. How will the price hike affect you? Is YouTube's...