Best Cheap Internet Providers for 2024
You'll want to compare more than the price when shopping for cheap internet. Here are the best cheap internet providers and tips for finding the best deal.
Our Experts
What's the best cheap internet provider?
While it doesn't have the outright cheapest starting price of any major internet provider, AT&T Fiber stands out as the best cheap internet provider overall for a variety of other reasons. AT&T Fiber boasts the best fiber internet coverage, high customer satisfaction and a variety of high-value fiber internet plans that include unlimited data, free equipment rental, no contract requirements and no set price increases.
If you're looking for the absolute cheapest rates, check out Astound, Xfinity or other providers known for their low introductory pricing, but keep in mind that equipment fees and steep price increases down the road can lower the value. Additionally, choosing the cheapest plan typically comes with settling for relatively slow speeds. For example, Xfinity's cheapest plan starts at $20 to $30 a month, but comes with max download speeds of 150Mbps. For $10 to $20 more each month, you could get double the speed (or more) from Xfinity or other ISPs in your area.
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.
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 -- a standard industry offering.
Locating local internet providers
Best cheap internet providers
AT&T Fiber
Best cheap internet provider
Our take - More often than not, fiber internet is going to deliver the best value, even if it doesn't have the lowest advertised monthly rate. AT&T Fiber plans are a great example, with symmetrical (or close) download and upload speeds of 300, 500 and 1,000Mbps starting at $55, $65 and $80 a month, respectively.
Astound
Best cheap introductory rates
Our take - Astound's speed tiers, pricing and special offers vary quite a bit from one market to the next, but one thing they all have in common is that they're cheap. 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.
Frontier Fiber
Best cheap fiber internet deal
Our take - Going with a cheap plan can sometimes mean sacrificing speed, but not with Frontier Fiber. Its cheapest plan comes with symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 500Mbps starting at just $45 monthly. Your equipment rental and unlimited data are also included in the price.
Mediacom
Best cheap ISP for rural areas
Our take - Mediacom doesn't boast the same customer reach as larger competing cable providers such as Spectrum or Xfinity, but that can largely be attributed to the internet provider's service areas. 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.
Xfinity
Best cheap cable ISP
Our take - Xfinity speeds and pricing vary by market, but the cheapest plan you'll find from the provider is Xfinity Connect. 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.
Quantum Fiber
Best price lock guarantee
Our take - At $50 or $75 a month for symmetrical speeds up to 500 or 940Mbps, respectively, plus free equipment rental and unlimited data, Quantum Fiber is a top option for low-cost, high-speed internet. Either plan is a decent deal, but what really makes them stand out is the price guarantee.
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Best cheap fixed wireless internet
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.
Cox Communications
Best cheap prepaid internet plan
Our take - Standard Cox internet plans are priced a bit on the high side. In fact, the cheapest internet plan from Cox has one of the highest costs per Mbps of any plan featured on this list.
Starry Internet
Best low-income internet plan
Our take - Many internet providers offer a separate internet plan intended to help those in low-income households access reliable internet service, but Starry Internet makes it easiest to sign up. The only qualification for signing up for Starry Connect, the provider's low-income plan, is living in a building that has been approved to carry the service. There are no credit checks, proof of income or other requirements to sign up.
Spectrum
Best for low fees
Our take - With starting monthly prices at $40 to $50, download speeds up to 300Mbps (or 500Mbps in select areas), unlimited data and no contracts, Spectrum Internet rivals any cheap internet provider. The provider's equipment fees are also lower than many competing cable ISPS.
Top cheap internet plans
| Plan | Starting monthly price | Max download speed | Cost per Mbps | Equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Starry Connect Read full review | $15 | 30Mbps | $0.50 | None |
|
Astound 300 Read full review | $20 | 300Mbps | $0.07 | $10 (optional) |
|
Xfinity Connect More Read full review | $20 | 200Mbps | $0.10 | $15 (optional) |
|
Mediacom Internet 100 Read full review | $35 | 100Mbps | $0.35 | $13 (optional) |
|
Spectrum Internet Read full review | $40 | 300Mbps | $0.13 | Modem free; $7 for router (optional) |
|
Frontier Fiber 500 Read full review | $45 | 500Mbps | $0.10 | None |
| Quantum Fiber 500 | $50 | 500Mbps | $0.09 | None |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 | 50-300Mbps | $0.17-$1.00 | None |
|
Cox Essential 100 Read full review | $50 | 100Mbps | $0.50 | $13 (optional) |
|
AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review | $55 | 300Mbps | $0.18 | None |
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, however, 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 the recently raised 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. 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?
Dial-up is the cheapest internet connection available, with plans starting under $10 a month from providers such as AOL, EarthLink and NetZero. In spite of the low cost, we wouldn't recommend dial-up service. Dial-up speeds are painfully slow and will not support a Wi-Fi connection or nearly any online task more demanding than sending an email.
Another phone-based internet service, DSL is a popular go-to for cheap internet. Providers like AT&T, CenturyLink and Kinetic offer DSL plans ranging from $50 to $55 a month, but these plans typically come with slower, possibly sub-broadband speeds.
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.
What cheap internet options are available to low-income households?
Note: The FCC has temporarily suspended enrollment in the ACP program.
The Affordable Connectivity Program grants qualifying households up to $30 per month ($75 for those on tribal lands) to apply towards home internet service.
In addition to the ACP credit, many providers including AT&T, Cox, Spectrum and Xfinity, offer discounted plans specifically for low-income households. These plans typically cost $30 or less -- making them essentially free when combined with the ACP credit -- and offer speeds around 50 to 100Mbps.
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?
There are a few ways you may be able to get cheaper internet. Common ways to lower your internet bill include using your own equipment, negotiating a lower cost with your provider and switching providers.
View our guide on how to save on your internet bill for more details about how you can lower your monthly internet costs.
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.
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