Best Cheap Internet Providers and Plans 2023
Get the lowest price possible for fast and reliable Wi-Fi
Aug 18, 2023 | Share 
Brand Guides
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Cheap fiber plans
- Prices: $49.99– $94.99/mo.
- Speeds: 300–2,300Mbps
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Best introductory prices
- Prices: $30.00–$80.00/mo.
- Speeds: 75–1,200Mbps
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Widely-available DSL
- Prices: $55.00/mo.
- Speeds: Up to 100Mbps
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Deals on deals on deals
- Prices: $20.00–$70.00/mo.
- Speeds: 100–1,200Mbps
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Cost-saving perks
- Prices: $50.00/mo., $30.00/mo. with Go5G Plus or Magenta MAX phone plan
- Speeds: 72–245Mbps
The best cheap internet plan gives you a reasonably fast speed along with extra perks like unlimited data and discounts on modem rental and installation. The cheapest Wi-Fi plans cost as little as $20 per month, while plans with better service (and fewer hidden fees) cost around $50 per month.
See our guide below to find the best cheap internet plans from internet service providers (ISPs) in your area. We also have tips on how to save money on internet—and how to get internet for free.
Top 7 cheap internet plans
| Best for | Plan | Price | Speed | Internet type | Order online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap fiber internet | Verizon Fios Internet 300/300 | $49.99/mo.* | 300Mbps | Fiber | |
| Cheap cable internet | Xfinity Connect More† | $35.00/mo. | 200Mbps | Cable | View Plans |
| Cheap DSL internet | CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet 140Mbps | $55.00/mo. | Up to 140Mbps | DSL | |
| Lots of deals | Astound Broadband 300 Mbps Internet | $20.00/mo.-$35.00§ | 300Mbps | Cable | |
| Low sign-up prices | Mediacom Prime Internet 100║ | $24.99/mo. | 100Mbps | Cable | View Plans |
| Flat-rate packages | T-Mobile 5G Home Internet | $50.00/mo. | 72–245Mbps | Fixed wireless/5G | View Plans |
| Affordable 5G internet | Verizon 5G Home Internet | $60/mo. (for non-subscribers, w/ autopay)* | Up to 300Mbps | 5G |
Read disclaimers.
Want cheap or free internet?
Run a search with your zip code below to see which internet providers have service in your area and how much their packages cost.
How to get cheap internet
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 like unlimited data, monthly discounts, and no-contract offers.
We put together this list of ways to shave down your bill. Every dollar counts!
- Look for a provider that offers internet deals for under $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.
- Apply for government subsidies like the Affordable Connectivity Program, which could potentially get you internet service at no cost at all. Potential savings: up to $360 per year.
- Buy your own equipment like a modem and router to avoid paying a rental fee from your provider. (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 restaurant or coffee shop to avoid paying a monthly bill altogether. Potential savings: $50–90/mo.
Best cheap internet plans for under $100 per month
| Plan | Price | Speed | Internet type | Sign up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Superfast | $70.00/mo.‡ | 800Mbps | Cable | View Plan |
| CenturyLink Fiber Gigabit Internet | $75.00/mo.§ | 940Mbps | Fiber | |
| Verizon Internet 1 Gig | $89.00/mo. # | Up to 940Mbps | Fiber | |
| Cox Internet Ultimate 500 | $79.99/mo.║ | 500Mbps | Cable | View Plan |
| AT&T Internet 500 | $65.00/mo.* | 500Mbps | Fiber | |
| AT&T Internet 1000 | $80.00/mo.† | 1,000Mbps | Fiber | |
| Spectrum Internet® 500 Mbps | $69.99/mo. for 12 mos.††† | Up to 500Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | Cable | View Plan |
| Google Fiber 1 Gig | $70.00/mo.** | 1,000Mbps | Fiber | |
| Mediacom Prime Internet 1 GIG | $54.99/mo.†† | 1,000Mbps | Cable | View Plan |
| EarthLink 200 Mbps Internet | $89.95/mo.‡‡ | 200Mbps | Fiber | View Plan |
Read disclaimers.
You can find a lot of great internet deals for under $100 per month.
Get a fiber internet plan if you can, such as AT&T Internet 1000 or CenturyLink’s Fiber Internet package. These get the best performance and the fastest speeds, including up to gigabit upload speeds. You can’t get that on any other internet type and it works great for livestreams, Zoom meetings, and uploading to social media.
A lot of cable internet providers also offer plenty of plans under $100 per month. Xfinity’s Extreme Pro Plus and Spectrum’s Internet Ultra are great examples of mid-tier internet packages that deliver big on internet speed while costing less than a gigabit package.
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 slowdowns.
Use our “How Much Speed Do I Need?” tool to find out what speed will be just right for you.
Best cheap internet for under $50 per month
| Plan | Price | Speed | Internet type | Sign up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox Internet Essential 100 | $49.99/mo.* | 100Mbps | Cable | View Plan |
| Verizon Internet 300/300 | $49.99/mo.# | 300Mbps | Fiber | |
| Xfinity Connect More | $35.00/mo.† | 200Mbps | Cable | View Plan |
| Astound Broadband 600 Mbps Internet | $40.00–$50.00/mo.** | 600Mbps | Cable, fiber | |
| Frontier Fiber Internet 500 | $39.99/mo. w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill†† | 500Mbps | Fiber | View Plan |
| Spectrum Internet® 300 Mbps | $49.99/mo. for 12 mos.# | Up to 300Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | Cable | View Plan |
| Mediacom Prime Internet 300 | $44.99/mo.§§ | 300Mbps | Cable | View Plan |
Read disclaimers.
As demand for fast internet has increased in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown, some fiber internet providers have been racing to offer better deals at lower prices. So you should definitely take advantage if you can get a plan like Optimum’s Fiber Internet 100 in your area, because that means you’ll get superb speeds and internet performance at a totally reasonable rate.
You can get some good cable plans for under $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.
Not sure if fiber internet is available in your area? Run a search with your zip code below.
Best cheap internet plans for under $25 per month
| Plan | Price | Speed | Internet type | Sign up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astound Broadband 100 Mbps Internet | $25.00/mo.‡ | 100Mbps | Cable | |
| Mediacom Prime Internet 100 | $24.99/mo.† | 100Mbps | Cable | View Plan |
| Xfinity Connect | $19.99–20.00/mo.§ | 75Mbps | Cable | View Plan |
Read 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 25Mbps to 50Mbps is still 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 Texas, Chicago, or in the Northeast—data caps still apply on the west coast. (Prices vary depending on service area.)
Verizon—Best cheap fiber plan
$49.99/mo.*
Starting price
- Download speed: 300 Mbps
- Internet type: Fiber
*w/ Auto Pay. Available in select areas.
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 second for price.
Not sure if Verizon’s fiber internet is available where you live? Punch in your zip code to find out:
Xfinity—Best cheap cable internet
$35.00/mo. (depending on service area)
Starting price
- Download speed: 200 Mbps
- Internet type: Cable
*No term contract. Taxes not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount.
This is the best bet for decent, all-purpose, cheap internet. It’s also a great option for college students, as Xfinity often runs gift-card promos for college kids who sign up.
Xfinity has a massive network nationwide and delivers cable internet at a wide variety of speeds and price points.
Xfinity has some other, decently priced plans with much faster speeds if you want an upgrade, and you can order an Xfinity Flex as an option for streaming.
CenturyLink—Best cheap DSL
$55.00/mo.*
- Download speed: Up to 140 Mbps
- 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, making it slower and less reliable. 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.
Just make sure you can get fast enough speeds. Anything under 25Mbps may be too slow and is probably not worth your money. But if you can get 25Mbps or faster, you’ll have serviceable speeds to browse, download, and stream in HD on a couple of Wi-Fi devices.
Astound Broadband—Best cheap deals
$20.00-$35.00/mo.*
Starting price
- Download speed: 300 Mbps
- Internet type: Cable
*Regional price differences may apply. No contract required. 24 Month Internet Pricing. Equipment priced separately. Includes $5 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Observed speeds may vary. Excludes surcharges and fees. New residential customers only.
**12 Month Internet Pricing. No contract required. Equipment priced separately. Includes $5 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Observed speeds may vary. 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 hooks it up with regular promotions and coupons, giving you installation at no extra cost. And there are multiple modem rental options to choose from, ranging from fairly cheap to slightly less cheap.
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
$24.99/mo.*
Starting price
- Download speed: 100 Mbps
- Internet type: Cable
*for 12 months. Plus activation, installation and monthly modem rental fees.
Mediacom—which has a network centering around the Midwest—offers some nice introductory prices on its plans. We recommend Prime Internet 100, which will give you plenty of speed for you and your roommates or family. When the 12-month promotion period is up, that $24.99 goes up to a monthly rate of $29.99, which still ain’t too shabby.
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet—Best cheap flat-rate package
$50/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.
T-Mobile used to strictly operate in the realm of cell phone plans, but with the rollout of its 5G network comes this 5G fixed wireless internet service. It uses a specially designed router to pick up radio waves from outdoor 5G transmitters and convert them into internet signals to your home. Customers seem to responding well, considering that T-Mobile got stellar reviews in our annual customer satisfaction survey.
Given it’s only a couple years old, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet has limited availability. Speeds also can be a little spotty because it’s a wireless connection. But your internet should work fine if you have strong cell service in your area.
The best thing about this plan is there are no data caps, equipment rentals, or annual contract requirements. 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 when you sign up for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet.
Verizon 5G Home Internet—Best cheap 5G internet
$25/mo.* or $50/mo.†
- Download speed: Up to 300 Mbps
- Internet type: 5G
*w/ Auto Pay and select 5G mobile plans. Available in select areas.
†for non–Verizon mobile subscribers w/ Auto Pay. Available in select areas.
Verizon 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 well worth a try.
This service relies on cellular transmitters to give you a signal from the street, and those signals can be impacted by things like geographic landmarks and weather events. The speeds aren’t quite as consistent as what you get from fiber or cable, but they’re solid so long as you have good cell service in your home.
This service is also great because it 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
Below is a detailed rundown of all the important things to watch out for if you’re looking to get cheap broadband internet:
Fixed rates and no extra fees
You won’t need to worry about hidden charges or unexpected price hikes if you sign up for a plan that gives you a straight deal right off the bat.
Google Fiber and EarthLink give you a straight deal in this regard. Each provider lumps costs for equipment, installation, and other fees into your total monthly bill, rather than adding them on bit by bit. 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
Many 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. That’s the best option you can get, since you can cancel anytime and won’t have to worry about ETFs (fees so infamous that there’s an acronym for them).
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 to look into—especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. 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 singing up, scope out the provider’s website or ask a customer service rep if there are any blessed bargains to be had. You may end up with something like a $100 VISA 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 if you love streaming movies in 4K or share your internet connection with a lot of people.
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 which internet providers have 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?
The best cheap internet package is Verizon’s Fios Internet 300 Mbps plan, which costs $49.99 per month.
The second-best cheap internet package is Xfinity’s Connect package, which is $30 per month for 75Mbps.
How much does it cost for an internet-only plan?
An internet-only plan costs $20 to $100 per month. Cheap plans cost around $50 per month—though some providers in your area may have offers for less.
Punch in your zip code to see if you can get a good price where you live:
Can I get free internet at home?
You can get free internet at home if you qualify for low-income federal assistance or have a family with qualifying students (K–12 or college). Read our guide to free internet to see what’s out there and how to sign up.
Disclaimers
Top 7 cheap internet plans (return to top)
Data as of 03/24/23. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*w/ Auto Pay. Available in select areas.
†No term contract. Taxes not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount.
‡Speed may not be available in your area. Rate excludes taxes; activation fee applies.
§Speed may not be available in your area. Regional price differences may apply. No contract required. 24 Month Internet Pricing. Equipment priced separately. Includes $5 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Observed speeds may vary. Excludes surcharges and fees. New residential customers only.
║For the first 12 months. Plus, activation, installation and monthly modem rental fees.
Best cheap internet plans for under $100 per month (return to top)
Data as of 2/15/23. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*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 100 Mbps).
††Plus taxes. Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. 1GIG speeds avail. to new customers with the latest router (“BGW320”) and recommended setup. For 5 GIG speed, single device wired speed maximum 4.7 Gbps. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factors and are not guaranteed. For more information, go to www.att.com/speed101.
‡For the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement. Taxes and equipment not included. Regional price differences may apply
§Speed may not be available in your area. Maximum download/upload speed of up to 940 Mbps via a wired connection. Paperless billing required. Taxes and fees apply. Offer details. Offer includes professional installation at customer’s eligible location.
#Available in select areas only. Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Fios plan prices include taxes & fees.
║for 12 months with 1-yr. term agreement
**Terms and Conditions: Plus taxes and fees. Service not available in all areas. If you live in an apartment or condo, Google Fiber’s ability to construct and provide Fiber is subject to the continued agreement between Google Fiber and the property owner. 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
††For the first 12 months. Plus, activation, installation and monthly modem rental fees.
‡‡with a 12 month contract.
†††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.
Best cheap internet for under $50 per month (return to top)
*for 12 months with 1-yr. term agreement
#w/ Auto Pay. Available in select areas.
†No term contract. Taxes not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount.
‡w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes, fees & charges.
**Regional price differences may apply. No contract required. 24 Month Internet Pricing. Equipment priced separately. Includes $5 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Observed speeds may vary. Excludes surcharges and fees. New residential customers only.
††per month for 12 mos. One-year agreement, early termination fee, and one-time charge apply. Max speeds are wired. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary.
§For the first 12 months. Plus, activation, installation and monthly modem rental fees.
# 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.
Best cheap internet plans for under $25 per month (return to top)
†For the first 12 months. Plus, activation, installation and monthly modem rental fees.
‡Regional price differences may apply. No contract required. 24 Month Internet Pricing. Equipment priced separately. Includes $5 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Observed speeds may vary. Excludes surcharges and fees. New residential customers only.
§For the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Regional price differences may apply.
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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