Best Cheap Internet Plans

Cheapest Internet Plans Ranked

Best Value: Price Per Mbps Analysis

The cheapest plan is not always the best value. Looking at price per Mbps reveals which plans deliver the most bandwidth for your dollar:

Spectrum and Verizon Fios offer the best value per Mbps, especially when you factor in Verizon's symmetrical upload speeds and no data caps.

Low-Income Internet Programs

Several providers offer discounted internet for qualifying low-income households. These programs typically require participation in government assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or free/reduced school lunch programs.

Xfinity Internet Essentials ($9.95/month): 50 Mbps download with no data cap. Available to households participating in government assistance programs. Includes a free modem and the option to purchase a low-cost laptop ($149.99). This is the cheapest broadband plan from a major provider.

AT&T Access ($30/month): Plans starting at $30/month for qualifying households in AT&T's service area, including fiber speeds where available. Participants in SNAP, SSI, or Head Start qualify. No data caps on fiber plans.

Spectrum Internet Assist ($17.99/month): 30 Mbps for qualifying seniors (65+) and households receiving SSI, NSLP, or similar programs. No data cap, no contract. Not actively advertised but available by calling Spectrum directly.

Hidden Costs to Watch For

Advertised prices often exclude costs that inflate your actual monthly bill:

• Equipment rental: $10-15/month for modem and/or router. Buy your own to eliminate this recurring cost. See our home network guide for equipment recommendations.
• Taxes and fees: Add $3-8/month in most areas. These are unavoidable but rarely included in advertised prices.
• Price increases: Promotional rates expire after 12-24 months. Your bill may jump $15-30/month when the promotion ends. See our negotiation guide for strategies to keep prices low.
• Data cap overages: Xfinity charges $10/50 GB over 1.2 TB, adding up to $100/month. Providers without caps (Spectrum, Verizon, T-Mobile) eliminate this risk entirely.
• Installation fees: $35-100 for professional installation. Choose self-install options when available to avoid this fee.

Budget Internet for Different Needs

Basic browsing and email: Any plan 25+ Mbps works. Xfinity's $35/month for 75 Mbps or Internet Essentials at $9.95/month for qualifying households.

Streaming household: Need 100+ Mbps. T-Mobile 5G at $50/month with unlimited data is the best budget streaming option.

Work from home: Need 50+ Mbps with adequate upload. AT&T Fiber at $55/month offers the best symmetrical speeds at an affordable price.

Students: See our dedicated student internet guide for campus and off-campus options.

Find the cheapest internet plan at your address:

1-888-788-6413

Regional Budget Options Worth Considering

Beyond the national providers, several regional ISPs offer exceptional value in their service areas. These providers often fly under the radar but deliver outstanding price-to-performance ratios that major carriers struggle to match.

Google Fiber ($70/month for 1 Gbps): While slightly above the $60 threshold, Google Fiber offers the best per-Mbps value of any provider at 7 cents per Mbps. Available in select markets including Kansas City, Austin, Nashville, Charlotte, and expanding into new metro areas. No data caps, no contracts, and equipment is included free. If Google Fiber is available at your address, it is almost always the best value choice regardless of budget tier.

Astound Broadband ($25-45/month): Operating in parts of California, Illinois, Texas, and the Northeast, Astound offers plans starting at 200 Mbps for $25/month in many markets. Their network uses modern DOCSIS 3.1 infrastructure with no data caps on most plans. Equipment rental adds $12/month, so bringing your own modem is strongly recommended. Check availability in your area at our Astound page.

Ziply Fiber ($25/month for 300 Mbps): Available in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, Ziply offers one of the cheapest fiber plans in the country. Their 300/300 Mbps plan at $25/month includes symmetrical speeds with no data cap and no contract. This is the single best value available to any consumer in their coverage area. Explore Ziply Fiber plans for details.

How to Calculate Your True Internet Budget

Before choosing a cheap internet plan, calculate your actual total cost of internet access to avoid surprises on your first bill. Many consumers focus solely on the advertised monthly rate without accounting for the full picture.

Step 1 - Equipment costs: Most cable providers charge $10-15/month for modem rental and $5-10/month for router rental. Over a year, that is $180-300 in equipment fees alone. Purchasing a compatible DOCSIS 3.1 modem ($60-80) and a Wi-Fi 6 router ($50-80) pays for itself within 6-8 months. T-Mobile and Verizon 5G include equipment at no additional cost, making their advertised price more honest.

Step 2 - Taxes and surcharges: Cable and DSL providers pass through various regulatory fees that add $3-8/month to your bill. These include FCC fees, franchise fees, and state/local taxes. Fiber and 5G providers generally include these in the advertised price. Always ask for the total out-the-door monthly cost before committing.

Step 3 - Data overage risk: If you choose a plan with a data cap (like Xfinity's 1.2 TB), monitor your usage carefully. A household that streams 4K content for 3-4 hours daily across multiple TVs can approach 1 TB monthly. Overage charges of $10 per 50 GB can add $30-50 to your bill in heavy-use months. Our data caps guide explains how to monitor and manage your usage effectively.

Step 4 - Annual cost comparison: Calculate the 12-month total cost including all fees, equipment, and potential overages. A $35/month plan with $14 equipment rental and $5 fees actually costs $648/year. Meanwhile, a $50/month plan with no additional fees costs $600/year and delivers significantly better service. The cheapest advertised price is not always the cheapest actual cost.

Government Assistance Programs for Internet Access

Several programs beyond provider-specific discounts can help reduce your internet costs. While the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended in June 2024, other options remain available.

Lifeline Program: The FCC's Lifeline program provides a $9.25/month discount on internet service for qualifying low-income households. Eligibility is based on income (at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines) or participation in programs like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or Federal Public Housing Assistance. You can apply through your state's Lifeline administrator or directly through participating providers.

State and local programs: Many states and municipalities have launched their own broadband assistance programs. New York's ConnectALL, California's Internet For All, and similar initiatives provide additional discounts that can stack with provider programs. Check your state's broadband office website for current offerings.

Provider-specific programs: Beyond the plans listed above, Cox has its Connect2Compete program ($9.95/month), Mediacom offers Connect to Compete ($9.95/month), and WOW! offers Low-Cost Internet ($14.99/month). These income-qualified programs provide functional internet access for households on the tightest budgets. Call 1-888-788-6413 to check which programs are available at your address.