How to Lower Your Internet Bill

Before you can reduce your internet bill, you need to arm yourself with knowledge. Try our internet zip checker to learn how much services cost where you live.

Are you overpaying for your internet? Underpaying? Paying about the same as everyone else?

Lowering your internet service bill is easier if you’re overpaying or paying the same as others. If you’re underpaying, it’s more difficult.

Once you’ve made price comparisons, check and see how fast your internet is.

If your download speed exceeds 400Mbps, you probably have much quicker internet than you need. That 400ish range is the sweet spot for a typical household. It covers streaming, gaming, working, learning, and smart home and home security devices.

You can easily save a few dollars by dropping your speed down to what you need.

Another simple way to reduce your internet price is to look for promotions and deals.

AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet are especially generous when it comes to offering internet deals. Take a look at our Best Internet Deals guide for the full rundown of the latest offers.

Most internet service providers offer deals when you sign up, so you probably need to switch providers if you want to take advantage of a good promo. But that’s not as big a deal as it used to be. Many internet providers don’t require annual contracts like they used to, making it easy to switch services since you don’t have to pay an early termination fee. You can even change back once your promo pricing runs out.

Monthly equipment rental fees can bring up your internet service price. You can get rid of that extra cost by simply buying your own internet modem and router.

Sure, buying your own equipment costs more up front. But over time, you’re likely to save money. For instance, renting a router from AT&T costs $10 a month. If you go instead for  , you break even in under a year.

Not every modem or router works with every internet provider, so make sure whatever you buy is compatible with your service.

Bundling your internet with a cellular plan from the same provider is an excellent way to save money.

A surprising number of internet providers also offer phone plans through their own company brands. You can bundle services through AT&T, Optimum, Spectrum, T-Mobile, and Verizon, to name a few.

If slashing your internet budget is more of a need than a want, consider signing up for a government program that allows struggling households to get low-cost internet access for work, learning, and play.

The Lifeline Support program is a federally funded monthly subsidy that supports families who qualify for low-income benefits to stay connected online. This program provides $9.25 off your monthly internet bill if you are eligible, or up to $34.25 per month if you live on Tribal lands and qualify for the program.

You can learn more by reading How To Get Low-Cost Internet Assistance.

Since 2021, 22 million households in the United States have benefitted from monthly discounts ranging from $30 to $75 through the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). However, the ACP is now out of funding, and since the beginning of May, recipients have only received partial benefits. Not all is lost, though. There are legislative efforts that may save the program, and you can find plenty of other options for getting low-cost internet.

If your monthly bill looks too high, call up customer service and see if you can convince them to adjust it. And yes, you should call, not email. Charming and wheedling work best in real time. (That’s why door-to-door salespeople and telemarketers still exist.) 

This particular step isn’t for everyone. If it sounds like something that would make you drop dead of anxiety, don’t worry—there are other ways to save. But if you’re the kind of person who loves a challenge or enjoys bartering, have at it.

Finally, if all else fails, you may simply want to switch to a cheaper internet provider.

5G internet is a lower-cost option than your typical cable internet setup. And these wireless 5G services use phone networks, so they’re available nearly everywhere.

You could also consider fiber internet. While a fiber connection may initially cost more than cable, once you calculate the cost of cable equipment rental and price hikes, fiber prices tend to be lower in the long run.

Whichever way you go, lowering your monthly bill for good can take a weight off your shoulders.

See all the available options for affordable, fast internet by using our tool below. Once you type in your zip code and hit “Search Providers”, you'll get a list of all the top internet providers in your area.