Cheap Internet in Des Moines, Iowa - Most Affordable Plans (February 2026)
Cheapest internet in Des Moines: Windstream Kinetic Internet at $27/mo for 50 Mbps (DSL/Fiber). Call 1-855-463-4357 to sign up today. Des Moines is a sizable community in Iowa where living costs are roughly in line with national averages, and the average internet bill here is approximately $77/mo. Scroll down for a full comparison of every affordable plan available in your area.
In Des Moines, Iowa, 13 internet providers compete for your business, and that competition drives down prices. Saving on internet does not require settling for slow speeds, especially with fiber and 5G options in the area. Promotional rates start as low as $27/mo, and many plans require no annual contract. For a city of 214,133 residents, the options are strong.
Cheapest Internet Plans in Des Moines, IA
This comparison shows the entry-level plan from every provider in your area. Plans are ranked by their current promotional rate.
| Provider | Plan | Speed | Promo Price | Regular Price | Type | Contract | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windstream | Kinetic Internet | 50 Mbps | $27/mo* | $50/mo | DSL/Fiber | No | View Plans | 1-855-463-4357 |
| CenturyLink | Simply Unlimited | 100 Mbps | $30/mo* | $50/mo | Fiber/DSL | No | View Plans | 1-855-512-4817 |
| Mediacom | Access Internet 100 | 100 Mbps | $30/mo* | $60/mo | Cable | No | View Plans | 1-855-634-3222 |
| Metronet | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | $30/mo* | $50/mo | Fiber | No | View Plans |
| Rise Broadband | 25 Mbps | 25 Mbps | $30/mo* | $45/mo | Fixed Wireless | No | View Plans | 1-877-910-6207 |
| AT&T Internet | Internet 100 | 100 Mbps | $35/mo* | $55/mo | Fiber/DSL | No | View Plans | 1-855-850-5977 |
| Verizon Fios | Fios 300 | 300 Mbps | $40/mo* | $50/mo | Fiber | No | View Plans | 1-855-387-1456 |
| Verizon 5G Home | 5G Home | 85-300 Mbps | $45/mo* | $60/mo | 5G | No | View Plans |
| T-Mobile | 5G Home Internet | 72-245 Mbps | $50/mo* | $50/mo | 5G | No | View Plans | 1-844-275-9311 |
| HughesNet | Select | 50 Mbps | $50/mo* | $65/mo | Satellite | No | View Plans | 1-855-543-5405 |
| Google Fiber | 1 Gig | 1 Gbps | $70/mo* | $70/mo | Fiber | No | View Plans | 1-866-777-7550 |
| Viasat | Unleashed 100 | 100 Mbps | $70/mo* | $100/mo | Satellite | 24 mo | View Plans | 1-855-463-9333 |
| Starlink | Residential | 50-200 Mbps | $120/mo* | $120/mo | Satellite | No | View Plans |
*Promotional prices for new customers. Taxes and fees may apply. Prices as of February 2026.
Windstream Cheap Internet Plans in Des Moines
DSL from Windstream covers roughly 6% of Des Moines and offers straightforward, no-frills internet at competitive rates.
- Kinetic Internet: 50 Mbps for $27/mo (regular $50/mo) -- DSL/Fiber, No contract
- Kinetic Internet Plus: 200 Mbps for $37/mo (regular $57/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
Ready to sign up? Call Windstream at 1-855-463-4357 for the latest deals in Des Moines.
See full Windstream plan details and pricing →
Affordable CenturyLink Plans for Des Moines Residents
If your budget is tight and you need reliable basic internet, CenturyLink's DSL service covers about 81% of Des Moines at very competitive rates.
- Simply Unlimited: 100 Mbps for $30/mo (regular $50/mo) -- Fiber/DSL, No contract
- Fiber Gigabit: 940 Mbps for $65/mo (regular $65/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
Contact CenturyLink at 1-855-512-4817 to see which plans are available at your Des Moines address.
Check CenturyLink availability in Des Moines →
Mediacom in Des Moines: Low-Cost Plan Options
Approximately 84% of Des Moines can access Mediacom's cable internet, which delivers strong download speeds suitable for streaming and remote work.
- Access Internet 100: 100 Mbps for $30/mo (regular $60/mo) -- Cable, No contract
- Xtream Internet 300: 300 Mbps for $40/mo (regular $80/mo) -- Cable, No contract
Reach Mediacom at 1-855-634-3222 to learn about promotions and availability in Des Moines.
View all Mediacom deals for Des Moines →
Des Moines Metronet Plans Starting at $30/mo
Metronet has expanded its fiber footprint to cover about 41% of Des Moines, providing some of the fastest and most reliable internet in the area.
- 100 Mbps: 100 Mbps for $30/mo (regular $50/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
- 200 Mbps: 200 Mbps for $40/mo (regular $60/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
Compare all Metronet plans in Des Moines →
Rise Broadband - Affordable Options in Des Moines, IA
About 17% of Des Moines falls within Rise Broadband's fiber service area, where customers enjoy upload speeds that match their downloads -- a major advantage for video calls and cloud backups.
- 25 Mbps: 25 Mbps for $30/mo (regular $45/mo) -- Fixed Wireless, No contract
- 50 Mbps: 50 Mbps for $40/mo (regular $55/mo) -- Fixed Wireless, No contract
Ready to sign up? Call Rise Broadband at 1-877-910-6207 for the latest deals in Des Moines.
See full Rise Broadband plan details and pricing →
Budget-Friendly AT&T Internet Plans in Des Moines
AT&T Internet provides fixed wireless broadband to approximately 57% of Des Moines, offering a cost-effective solution for areas with limited wired infrastructure.
- Internet 100: 100 Mbps for $35/mo (regular $55/mo) -- Fiber/DSL, No contract
- Internet 300: 300 Mbps for $45/mo (regular $65/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
Contact AT&T Internet at 1-855-850-5977 to see which plans are available at your Des Moines address.
Check AT&T Internet availability in Des Moines →
Verizon Fios Internet Deals in Des Moines
If you are in Verizon Fios's fiber coverage zone (about 33% of Des Moines), you can expect symmetrical speeds and minimal downtime compared to cable connections.
- Fios 300: 300 Mbps for $40/mo (regular $50/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
- Fios 500: 500 Mbps for $60/mo (regular $70/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
Reach Verizon Fios at 1-855-387-1456 to learn about promotions and availability in Des Moines.
View all Verizon Fios deals for Des Moines →
Save with Verizon 5G Home in Des Moines
Verizon 5G Home provides 5G wireless broadband to approximately 33% of Des Moines, making it a viable no-contract option for budget-minded households.
- 5G Home: 85-300 Mbps for $45/mo (regular $60/mo) -- 5G, No contract
- 5G Home Plus: 300-1000 Mbps for $65/mo (regular $80/mo) -- 5G, No contract
T-Mobile - Low-Price Plans for Des Moines
5G coverage from T-Mobile spans 71% of Des Moines, providing an increasingly popular wireless broadband option for households seeking simple, affordable connectivity.
- 5G Home Internet: 72-245 Mbps for $50/mo (regular $50/mo) -- 5G, No contract
Ready to sign up? Call T-Mobile at 1-844-275-9311 for the latest deals in Des Moines.
HughesNet Plans Under $65/mo in Des Moines
With 100% coverage in Des Moines, HughesNet satellite is universally available but best suited for households that cannot access cable, fiber, or fixed wireless service.
- Select: 50 Mbps for $50/mo (regular $65/mo) -- Satellite, No contract
- Elite: 100 Mbps for $65/mo (regular $85/mo) -- Satellite, No contract
Contact HughesNet at 1-855-543-5405 to see which plans are available at your Des Moines address.
Google Fiber Budget Tiers in Des Moines, IA
For the 16% of Des Moines with access to Google Fiber fiber, the value proposition is strong: fast symmetrical speeds, no data caps, and competitive introductory pricing.
- 1 Gig: 1 Gbps for $70/mo (regular $70/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
- 2 Gig: 2 Gbps for $100/mo (regular $100/mo) -- Fiber, No contract
Reach Google Fiber at 1-866-777-7550 to learn about promotions and availability in Des Moines.
Viasat - Budget Plans in Des Moines
Viasat's satellite coverage spans 100% of Des Moines, providing broadband as a fallback for addresses beyond the reach of local cable and fiber networks.
- Unleashed 100: 100 Mbps for $70/mo (regular $100/mo) -- Satellite, 24 mo contract
- Unleashed 150: 150 Mbps for $100/mo (regular $130/mo) -- Satellite, 24 mo contract
Call 1-855-463-9333 to check Viasat availability and current promotions in Des Moines.
Starlink Cheap Internet Plans in Des Moines
Starlink provides satellite internet with 100% coverage across Des Moines, serving as a backup option for households outside the reach of wired or wireless networks.
- Residential: 50-200 Mbps for $120/mo (regular $120/mo) -- Satellite, No contract
Internet Costs in Des Moines: Local Market Overview
The internet market in Des Moines reflects broader trends in the Midwest, where providers are expanding aggressively.
The cost of living in Des Moines sits at 103 on the national index (100 = average). Local households earn a median income of approximately $53,000 and spend around $77/mo on internet. Competition among providers helps keep internet costs manageable relative to other expenses.
Des Moines benefits from 13 competing internet providers, which keeps the market favorable for consumers. Wired connections (fiber and cable) deliver the best combination of speed, reliability, and price. Current promotional offers from Windstream and CenturyLink make sub-$40 monthly internet a reality for many households.
Affordable Internet Assistance Programs in Des Moines
If you are on a limited income, these assistance programs can dramatically lower your monthly internet bill in Des Moines. Qualifying households may pay as little as $9.95 per month.
- FCC Lifeline Program: Provides up to $9.25/mo discount on internet or phone service for households at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Iowa residents can apply through the National Verifier.
- Mediacom Connect2Compete: 25 Mbps for $9.95/mo for eligible households with school-age children. Call 1-855-634-3222 to check eligibility.
- AT&T Access: Plans starting at $30/mo for households participating in SNAP or with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Call 1-855-850-5977 for eligibility info.
- State and Local Assistance: Check with Iowa state agencies and Des Moines community organizations for additional digital inclusion programs and subsidized internet access initiatives.
How to Lower Your Internet Bill in Des Moines
Lowering your internet bill often comes down to knowing when and how to take action. Here are five proven ways to save.
Switch during promotional seasons
Providers often run their deepest discounts in January, back-to-school season (August-September), and Black Friday. Timing your switch can lock in a lower rate.
Audit your actual speed needs
Run a speed test during peak hours. If you are consistently using less than half your plan speed, you could downgrade to a cheaper tier without any noticeable performance difference.
Look into fixed wireless alternatives
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home offer flat-rate pricing with no data caps, often at $25-$50/mo. If 5G coverage is available at your address, this can be a significant savings over cable.
Check if you qualify for low-income programs
Government programs like the Lifeline Program and provider-specific options such as Spectrum Internet Assist or Xfinity Internet Essentials offer discounted service to qualifying households.
Downgrade your speed tier
If you live alone or have a small household, you may not need the fastest plan available. A 100-200 Mbps connection handles streaming, video calls, and gaming for most users.
Your Questions About Low-Cost Internet in Des Moines, Answered
Which internet provider has the lowest price in Des Moines?
Currently, the lowest-priced internet plan in Des Moines is from Windstream: their Kinetic Internet plan at $27/mo for 50 Mbps. CenturyLink follows close behind at $30/mo for 100 Mbps.
Which providers have plans under $30 in Des Moines?
Yes, Windstream offers promotional rates under $30/mo for new customers in Des Moines. Low-income programs such as the FCC Lifeline Program can reduce your bill by up to $9.25/mo, and provider-specific discount programs are available to qualifying households.
Which provider offers the best deal overall in Des Moines, IA?
For the best speed-per-dollar value in Des Moines, look at providers offering fiber or cable service. Windstream offers 50 Mbps for $27/mo, while CenturyLink provides 100 Mbps for $30/mo. For most households, fiber offers the strongest price-to-performance ratio over a 24-month period.
Which Des Moines ISPs let you go month-to-month?
Absolutely. Windstream and CenturyLink both offer month-to-month plans in Des Moines with no early termination fees. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is another no-contract option. The only providers that may require contracts are satellite services like HughesNet and Viasat.
How much should I expect to pay for internet in Des Moines?
Households in Des Moines pay around $77/mo on average for internet, which is near the U.S. average of $75/mo. Shopping around during promotional periods or qualifying for discount programs can reduce this considerably.
Which Des Moines provider has the fastest affordable plan?
Among budget-friendly plans under $50/mo in Des Moines, fiber providers typically offer the fastest speeds. Plans like Windstream Kinetic Internet (50 Mbps) and CenturyLink Simply Unlimited (100 Mbps) deliver strong performance at introductory prices.
Related Resources
For more information about internet service in Des Moines and Iowa, check out these pages.
- Internet Providers in Des Moines, IA
- Windstream Plans and Pricing
- CenturyLink Plans and Pricing
- Mediacom Plans and Pricing
- Metronet Plans and Pricing
- Internet Providers in Iowa
Disclosure: InternetProviders.ai may receive compensation through affiliate links on this page. This does not influence our ratings or recommendations, which are based on independent research. All prices reflect current offerings as of February 2026 and may vary by location within Des Moines. Verify final pricing at checkout.