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 Mbps for /mo.
  • Optimum Up to 300 Mbps for $40.00/mo.
  • CenturyLink Up to 500 Mbps for $50.00/mo.
  • Spectrum Up to 500 Mbps for $50.00/mo.
  • Frontier Up to 500 Mbps in Fiber for $44.99/mo.
  • Viasat Up to 75 Mbps for $119.99/mo.

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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.

Hidden fees
ProviderEquipment Rental fee Data Overage FeeLate Payment FeeCancellation FeeSetup and Installation Fee Self-Install Option
AT&T$10/mo. but is included in priceNoneUp to $9.25 per transactionUp to $180 (prorated by $15 per remaining month)Up to $99Free with a $35 activation fee if you order a self-install kit
Spectrum$5/mo. (for in-home Wi-Fi)NoneUp to $8.95None$99 to $49.99Self-installation kit and activation are $19.99
Windstream$9.99/mo. None% of billNoneUp to $35Free of charge
OptimumNoneNone$10 per billNone$99 (standard) or $129 (Premium)Free of charge
CenturyLinkUp to $15/mo. None, unless your service is located in Yakima, WA; if applicable, up to $50 per monthDepends 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 $99Included with a self-install kit
Viasat$12.99/mo. No fee, but your speeds will dropDepends on your account; can be $5 or more$15 for each remaining month in contract $99.99Not available
Frontier$10/mo. NoneUp to $10 or 1.5% of bill$9.99 disconnect fee; Up to $400 depending on when you cancelUp to $85Included 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.

Cheapest plans
Provider PlanMax SpeedPriceContractBest for
Frontier FiberFrontier Fiber 500500 Mbps $44.99/mo. NoneGreat prices for fiber plans
Windstream Mbps /mo. NoneStandalone affordable internet
OptimumOptimum 300 Internet300 Mbps $40.00/mo. NoneAffordable and fast cable internet
CenturyLinkCenturyLink Fiber Internet - 500 Mbps500 Mbps $50.00/mo. NoneUnlimited data
AT&TAT&T Fiber 300Mbps300 Mbps $55.00/mo. NoneInexpensive fiber pricing
SpectrumSpectrum Internet Premier500 Mbps $50.00/mo. NoneContract Buyout, no contracts
CoxGo Fast100 Mbps$50.00/mo.1 yearHD 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.

What Is AT&T Internet Air? And How to Get It

AT&T Internet Air is a wireless, 5G internet service that can provide reliable speeds with simple, affordable pricing. The service is currently available in limited markets.

Best Internet Plans for Working Remotely

Remote employees – whether at home or on the move – need a reliable, speedy internet connection to stay productive. Some plans are better than others for remote work.

What Is AT&T Wireless Broadband?

AT&T Wireless Broadband is a wireless, business internet solution that can be used as a primary connection, as a reliable backup, or as a mobile hotspot.