Or call to learn more: (833) 318-8270
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Or call to learn more: (877) 332-3281
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Xfinity – Best cheap cable ISP
- Prices: $20 – $120 per month
- Speeds: 75 – 2,000Mbps
- Key Info: Data caps on some plans, lots of plan options, solid customer satisfaction numbers
Cox Communications – Best cheap prepaid internet plan
- Prices: $40 – $100 per month
- Speeds: 25 – 2,000Mbps
- Key Info: 1.25TB monthly data allowance, lots of plan options, unique gaming add-on
Spectrum – Best for low fees
- Prices: $50 – $90 per month
- Speeds: 300 – 1,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, simple pricing, no contracts, modem included, free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots
AT&T Fiber isn’t the outright cheapest internet provider, however. Those looking for the absolute cheapest internet rates may want to check out Astound, Xfinity or other providers known for their low introductory pricing. Or, maybe you just want to know you’re getting a good deal on internet service, like what you get with Frontier Fiber’s competitively priced 500Mbps plan.
The cheap ISPs featured below were selected for their competitive pricing along with nationwide availability and budget-friendly perks such as unlimited data or low equipment costs. Keep in mind that provider availability and the plans they offer vary by location.
Cheapest internet providers of 2023
More often than not, fiber internet is going to deliver the best bang for your buck. AT&T Fiber plans are a great example, with symmetrical (or close) download and upload speeds of 300, 500 and 940Mbps starting at $55, $65 and $80 a month, respectively.
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 $25, or up to 600Mbps for just $15 more. Starting prices even go as low as $20 in places like Evansville, IN.
Quantum Fiber has the lowest price of any major ISP, at $30 per month for speeds of up to 200Mbps. Select markets will only get up to 100Mbps for the same price, but it’s a good deal nonetheless.
Sometimes going with a cheap plan comes with sacrificing speed, but not with Frontier Fiber. Its cheapest plan comes with symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 500Mbps starting at just $60 a month ($50 in select areas, and be sure to enroll in autopay). Your equipment rental and unlimited data is also included in the price.
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 $20 a month for speeds up to 100Mbps.
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 75Mbps, 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.
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.
Spectrum has one of the highest-priced internet plans on our list, but the provider makes up for it with fast download speeds — up to 300Mbps or 500Mbps in select areas — and cheap Wi-Fi equipment fees. Spectrum internet service comes with a free modem and the router rental fee is only $5 per month.
Top cheap internet plans
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.
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.
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.
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What is the Affordable Connectivity Program and how long will it last?
