What Is YouTube TV?
YouTube TV is one of the most popular live TV streaming services around, offering over 100 channels for $64.99 per month. Find out if this service is worth it for you.
Where can you find cheap internet?
Internet service is essential, but it can be expensive, especially when your home wants high-speed capabilities. It helps to know where to look, and know how much speed your family really needs. This page summarizes some inexpensive internet options for people looking to slice their monthly internet bill.
Table of Contents
- Great Cheap Internet Plans
- Save Money With Affordable Connectivity Program
- Internet Technology Options
- Hidden Internet Provider Fees
- Cheapest Internet Plans by Provider
- FAQ
Summary
It is crucial for households to have internet in the modern age. However, expensive prices and unexpected charges can make this less feasible for many families. This page summarizes some inexpensive internet options for people looking to cut their bill or find a provider that better suits their needs.
Great cheap internet plans
Any of the following plans can only be available depending on where you live and which providers can serve your address. Some of the great deals we list on this page are therefore only available to certain geographic locations. But all in all, cheap internet can be found anywhere if you know where to look. With National Broadband, high-speed internet can be found at a great price depending on what you need.
Providers and their cheapest internet offers:
- AT&T Up to 300 Mbps in Fiber for $55.00/mo.
- Windstream Up to 100 Mbps for $39.99/mo.
- Optimum Up to 300 Mbps for $40.00/mo.
- CenturyLink Up to 200 Mbps for $50.00/mo.
- Spectrum Up to 300 Mbps for $49.99/mo.
- Frontier Up to 500 Mbps in Fiber for $49.99/mo.
- Viasat Up to 50 Mbps for $69.99/mo.
Save money with Affordable Connectivity Program discounts
Effective March 1, 2022, the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program is being replaced by the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
You could save $30 per month on internet if you qualify for the ACP. Broadband customers on tribal lands will receive $75 per month. Internet access is essential to most households in America for work, school, medical access and more. However, if it’s been difficult to find affordable internet options, the ACP may be an option for you. This program was created to assist families and households in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it provides citizens with a monthly stipend for internet services. You may be eligible if you or anyone in your home is enrolled in one of the following programs:
- SNAP/Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Federal Pell Grant (during current award year)
- Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch/Breakfast Program
- Veteran’s Pension
- Survivor’s Benefit
- Other Federal Assistance Programs
You may also qualify for ACP stipends if your household’s total income is at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. You can also visit our informational page about the ACP to learn more about how you and your household can enjoy affordable internet access when you need it the most.
Internet technology options
Internet options vary on location availability, speeds, and connection. We have listed some common internet options to help you decide which internet option is best for you.
DSL
Cheapest internet option
Your best bet for cheap high-speed internet is going to be DSL to the low cost for technology production and installation. Though DSL is a wire connection like dial-up, it is specially design for broadband transmission which makes it faster than dial-up.
Satellite
Most expensive internet option
Satellite is wireless, making it more available everywhere. Satellite internet has bandwidth comparable to DSL and cable but can often feel slower due to latency. The most expensive plans generally involve satellite service due to the cost of installation and interference with radio waves and delays that come with the technology.
Cable
Most common internet option
Cable internet is a solid, reliable, and typically fast internet option. It’s very widespread and is also easy to bundle with cable TV. If high-speed cable internet is available at your address, it’s most likely a good service!
Fiber
Best overall internet option
Fiber is usually the best technology to aim for, but it is not available everywhere and is also not always the most affordable, especially if you’re looking for a super high-speed plan. Luckily, many providers offer bargains on their lower-tier fiber options.
Hidden fees with each provider
The sneakiest part about “cheap” deals are the hidden fees. Although it can feel a bit underhanded, reducing the monthly cost by breaking it up into other required fees is not against the rules. That’s why we want to be transparent about the fees issued by our providers.
| Provider | Equipment Rental fee | Data Overage Fee | Late Payment Fee | Cancellation Fee | Setup and Installation Fee | Self-Install Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $10/mo. but is included in price | None | Up to $9.25 per transaction | Up to $180 (prorated by $15 per remaining month) | Up to $99 | Free with a $35 activation fee if you order a self-install kit |
| Spectrum | $5/mo. (for in-home Wi-Fi) | None | Up to $8.95 | None | $99 to $49.99 | Self-installation kit and activation are $19.99 |
| Windstream | $9.99/mo. | None | % of bill | None | Up to $35 | Free of charge |
| Optimum | None | None | $10 per bill | None | $99 (standard) or $129 (Premium) | Free of charge |
| CenturyLink | Up to $15/mo. | None, unless your service is located in Yakima, WA; if applicable, up to $50 per month | Depends on service and location; ranges from flat $5 fee to a percentage of your past due bill (or a combination of both) | Up to $200 (for a 24-month contract) or $300 (for a 36-month contract) | Up to $99 | Included with a self-install kit |
| Viasat | $12.99/mo. | No fee, but your speeds will drop | Depends on your account; can be $5 or more | $15 for each remaining month in contract | $99.99 | Not available |
| Frontier | $10/mo. | None | Up to $10 or 1.5% of bill | $9.99 disconnect fee; Up to $400 depending on when you cancel | Up to $85 | Included with a self-install kit |
Cheapest internet plans by provider
When we suggest certain deals, we have a reason or two for recommending it. We base our advice on the prices, of course, but we also consider the quality of the internet technology and the speed. All of these aspects are important, because sometimes cheap doesn’t necessarily mean best quality. You don’t want to find a “bargain” on internet that is so terrible that you are forced to sacrifice your sanity to keep it. Here, we list some cost-effective options for internet along with each plan’s speeds and quality traits.
| Provider | Plan | Max Speed | Price | Contract | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier Fiber | Frontier Fiber 500 | 500 Mbps | $49.99/mo. | None | Great prices for fiber plans |
| Windstream | Kinetic Internet 100 | 100 Mbps | $39.99/mo. | None | Standalone affordable internet |
| Optimum | Optimum 300 Internet | 300 Mbps | $40.00/mo. | None | Affordable and fast cable internet |
| CenturyLink | CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet | 200 Mbps | $50.00/mo. | None | Unlimited data |
| AT&T | AT&T Fiber 300Mbps | 300 Mbps | $55.00/mo. | None | Inexpensive fiber pricing |
| Spectrum | Spectrum Internet | 300 Mbps | $49.99/mo. | None | Contract Buyout, no contracts |
| Cox | Essential 100 | 100 Mbps | $49.99/mo. | 1 year | HD streaming and more |
Frequently asked questions
How can I get free internet at home without paying?
You may be able to use your phone or tablet as a Wi-Fi hotspot in your home without paying for internet, but that generally puts a strain on your mobile plan and is therefore only a temporary solution. A better course of action would be to look into assistance programs or call National Broadband to find the cheapest deals available at your address. Finding internet service that is totally free can be challenging, but you can absolutely find something that's you're comfortable paying.
How much is the cheapest broadband?
Realistically, the cheapest internet prices available from top providers hover between $29.99-$49.99 per month. You should expect between 100-500 Mbps download speeds for these plans.
Who has the cheapest internet?
Providers vary by address, meaning the cheapest internet for you may not be the cheapest available for someone across town. In general, if you find an internet plan that provides between 100-500 Mbps of speed for around $49.99 per month, that's a solid plan.
