AT&T Fiber – Best cheap internet provider
- Prices: $55 – $250 per month
- Speeds: 300 – 5,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts, equipment included
Astound – Cheapest introductory rates
- Prices: $20 – $80 per month
- Speeds: 100 – 1,500Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, low promo prices, no contracts
Frontier Fiber – Best cheap fiber internet deal
- Prices: $50 – $155 per month
- Speeds: 500 – 5,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts, no equipment fee
Mediacom – Best cheap ISP for rural areas
- Prices: $25 – $80 per month
- Speeds: 100 – 1,000Mbps
- Key Info: Up to 6TB monthly data allowance, low introductory rates, no contracts
Xfinity – Best cheap cable ISP
- Prices: $20 – $300 per month
- Speeds: 150 – 6,000Mbps
- Key Info: Lots of plan options, solid customer satisfaction numbers, data caps on some plans
Quantum Fiber – Best price lock guarantee
- Speeds: 200 – 8,000Mbps
- Prices: $30 – $165 per month
- Key Info: Unlimited data on some plans, low price increase
Verizon 5G Home Internet – Best cheap fixed wireless internet
- Prices: $50 – $70 per month
- Speeds: 85 – 1,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts, free equipment, 50% discount for qualifying Verizon mobile customers
Cox Communications – Best cheap prepaid internet plan
- Prices: $50 – $110 per month
- Speeds: 100 – 2,000Mbps
- Key Info: 1.25TB monthly data allowance, lots of plan options, unique gaming add-on
Starry Internet – Best low-income internet plan
- Prices: $30 – $80 per month
- Speeds: 50 – 1,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts, no equipment fees, simple setup
Spectrum – Best for low fees
- Prices: $50 – $80 per month
- Speeds: 300 – 1,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, simple pricing, no contracts, modem included, free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots
What’s the best cheap internet provider?
There’s a difference between a cheap internet provider and one that is just plain cheap. That’s why AT&T Fiber stands out as CNET’s pick for the best cheap internet provider overall. Not because it has the absolute cheapest plans (it doesn’t), but because it has wide availability, simple service terms and high customer satisfaction to go along with its competitive, stable pricing.
If you’re looking for the lowest introductory rates on internet, cable internet from Astound, Mediacom or Xfinity are often good bets with starting prices in the $20 to $35 range.
When choosing a provider or plan for the low sticker price, keep in mind that equipment fees and steep rate increases down the road can lower the value. Additionally, choosing the cheapest plan typically comes with settling for relatively slow speeds.
In my experience covering broadband, I’ve come across many providers and plans. I recommend the cheap ISPs featured below based on their competitive pricing along with nationwide availability and budget-friendly perks such as unlimited data or low equipment costs.
The availability of cheap internet providers and the plans they offer vary by location. All prices referenced include applicable discounts for setting up monthly automatic payments, which is a standard industry offering.
Best cheap internet providers
300 – 5,000 Mbps
$55 – $250 per month
Our take – More often than not, fiber internet is going to be the best value. AT&T Fiber plans are a great example and add further value with free equipment rental, unlimited data and no set price increases.
300 – 5,000 Mbps
$55 – $250 per month
100 – 1,500 Mbps
$20 – $80 per month
Our take – Astound’s plans and pricing vary bit from one market to the next, but one thing they all have in common is that they’re cheap, at least for the first year or two. Customers in New York City or Boston, for example, can get speeds up to 300Mbps starting at $20, or up to 600Mbps for just $15 more.
100 – 1,500 Mbps
$20 – $80 per month
500 – 5,000 Mbps
$50 – $155 per month
Our take – Going with a cheap plan can sometimes mean sacrificing speed, but not with Frontier Fiber. Its 500Mbps plan, which comes with symmetrical upload and download speeds, starts at just $45 monthly. 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 $35 a month for speeds up to 100Mbps.
100 – 1,000 Mbps
$25 – $80 per month
150 – 6,000 Mbps
$20 – $300 per month
Our take – Xfinity Connect starts at $20 to $30 per month, depending on your location, for download speeds up to 150Mbps. It isn’t the best internet deal you’re likely to find, but it is one of the cheaper broadband options available throughout much of the US.
150 – 6,000 Mbps
$20 – $300 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 long shared the same intro pricing at $50 a month, but T-Mobile recently went up by $10, making Verizon the cheaper 5G home internet provider.
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 building that has been approved to carry the service.
Fixed wireless
50 – 1,000 Mbps
$30 – $80 per month
300 – 1,000 Mbps
$50 – $80 per month
Our take – Spectrum includes a free modem with all internet plans while renting a router will only add $7 to your bill. For comparison, Cox, Mediacom, Xfinity and others may charge $13 to $15 or higher per month to rent equipment.
300 – 1,000 Mbps
$50 – $80 per month
Cheap internet providers compared
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What to consider when shopping for cheap internet
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? If not, explore other providers or upgrade to a faster, more expensive plan. 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.
- Contracts and price increases: Getting locked into a contract with your ISP can be costly, especially if the plan price increases before the service agreement is up. 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.
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 $30 to $40 per month. Pricing and available speeds can vary widely by location, so the available cheap internet plans will depend on where you live.
- 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 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 ($40 after 12 months) for symmetrical max speeds of 100Mbps.
What’s the final word on the best cheap internet providers?
The cost of internet varies by provider and location, but we feel most will find AT&T Fiber to be the best bet for cheap internet without sacrificing speed and connection quality. While the ISP doesn’t have the lowest starting price in many areas, customers won’t have to worry about equipment fees inflating the cost or a steep price hike after 12 months of service.
For the absolute cheapest internet service, look to providers such as Astound, Mediacom and Xfinity, 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.
Cheap internet FAQs
What’s the cheapest internet available?
Cable and fiber internet are likely to be your best cheap internet options. While plans can be a bit more expensive than dial-up or DSL service, the speeds and connection quality that you get are well worth the added cost.
Astound and Xfinity offer the lowest introductory rates of any major ISP with service starting at around $20 a month for speeds up to 300 and 150Mbps, respectively.
What cheap internet options are available to low-income households?
Why is my internet bill increasing every year?
Internet providers often advertise introductory pricing, or 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.
How can I save money on my monthly internet bill?
What’s the cheapest internet for seniors?
Seniors with limited income may qualify for a discounted internet plan and assistance from the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Many providers offer a low-cost internet plan, 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.
When combined with the ACP credit ($30 per month for qualifying households to apply towards home internet service) such low-cost internet plans may be available for a net cost of $0 per month.
