Which internet service providers offer a 30-day, money-back guarantee?

Lisa Iscrupe

Dec 3, 2020 — 6 min read

Want to switch providers but worried about buyer’s remorse? Take a look at the deals from these 12 internet companies.

Switching internet service providers (ISPs) can be scary. Even when dissatisfied with their current provider, many customers stick with the same internet service for years for fear of the unknown. But what if you could change providers without regret? Many ISPs offer a way to do just that! 

We’ll show you the ISPs that do (and don’t) offer money-back guarantees and cover the requirements of those offers. 

ISPs with a 30-day, money-back guarantee

Take an at-a-glance look to see which of these top national internet providers offers a money-back guarantee. Then, keep reading to get the details on each providers’ policies.


What are the money-back guarantees for internet service providers?

When looking at money-back guarantees, some providers offer these policies more liberally than others. Some providers have a laundry-list of fine print to adhere to, while other ISPs keep their terms relatively simple. 

Click on the link below to go directly to the internet provider you are interested in. 


Does AT&T have a 30-day, money-back guarantee? 

No. However, AT&T has a 14-day, money-back guarantee, so you have to decide and act quickly if you want to return your AT&T service. You can cancel your service within this 14-day time period for any reason, so you don’t need to provide AT&T with a specific issue in order to take advantage of this guarantee.  

According to AT&T’s cancellation policy, the customer is “responsible for all fees and charges incurred through cancellation and must return any leased equipment.” Keep a close eye on that 14-day cutoff — any applicable early termination fees (ETFs) will be applied if you cancel after that date. 

No. CenturyLink does not have any type of money-back guarantee. However, CenturyLink also does not have any contracts. This means you can potentially cancel your CenturyLink services at any time without incurring any early termination fees. You will still pay for services used and any equipment rental fees. 

Does Cox have a 30-day, money-back guarantee?

Yes. “You may cancel within 30 days of the start of your agreement to avoid an early termination fee (ETF) by calling Cox Customer Care at the number located on your bill,” according to Cox’s terms and conditions. The Cox 30-day, money-back guarantee includes any single-, double- or triple-play, including packages that are bundled with Cox Homelife. 

Does Frontier have a 30-day, money-back guarantee?

No. Frontier does not have a money-back guarantee. However, most Frontier internet plans do not have a contract. If you are in a bundle or promotion with a term agreement, ETFs will apply. Make sure to check your bill to be sure that you are not in a contract before modifying your Frontier service.  

Is there a difference between a no-contract plan and a 30-day, money-back guarantee?

Yes. 30-day, money-back guarantees may offer reimbursement for fees such as activation, installation and equipment rentals. A no-contract plan will only keep you from having to pay an ETF. Some internet providers, such as Optimum and Spectrum, have both — no contract and a money-back guarantee.


Does HughesNet have a 30-day, money-back guarantee?

No. HughesNet does not have any money-back guarantee once your service is installed. However, “if you cancel your order before installation, you will be refunded the amount that was collected at time of order.” 

(Note: HughesNet used to offer a 30-day refund for service charges, but as of their most recent update of their terms and conditions, they do not). 

Does Mediacom have a 30-day, money-back guarantee?

Yes. Mediacom actually has a 90-day, money-back guarantee, making it the only provider on this list that extends their guarantee beyond 30 days. According to the Mediacom 90-day Satisfaction Guarantee, the refund will cover monthly charges, but will not cover “one-time installation and activation fees, transactional TV purchases (Pay-Per-View or OnDemand) transactional phone purchases (per-minute domestic and/or international long-distance, directory assistance, and operator assistance charges) and any data usage overage fees.”

Does Optimum have a 30-day, money back guarantee?

Yes. Optimum’s 30-day, money-back guarantee requires that you contact Optimum customer service within 30 days of your first day of service. The money refunded is only the monthly service fee, not installation, equipment rental or other fees. In addition, Optimum internet does not have a contract, so you can modify or end your service at any time without ETFs.

Does Spectrum have a 30-day, money-back guarantee?

Yes. Spectrum is another provider that offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee in addition to no contracts on any of their plans. The money-back guarantee applies to all Spectrum internet, TV and home voice services, but not to Spectrum’s mobile plans. 

Spectrum’s refund includes the cost of the monthly service fee, wire maintenance fees, standard installation and equipment fees, but will not cover taxes, surcharges, non-standard installation costs and add-on TV purchases (such as Pay-Per-View). 

If you continue to subscribe to other Spectrum services (for example, you cancel the internet within 30 days, but continue with Spectrum TV service), then your refund will be applied as a bill credit to your account. Similarly, if you have a back-balance with Spectrum, the refund will first be applied to the money owed.

Tips for getting your money-back guarantee

  • Read all fine print. Some internet providers have more requirements than others when it comes to getting your money back. 
  • Make sure you return all equipment in the allotted time. Get and save receipts or tracking numbers if mailing back any equipment. 
  • Keep a record of dates you ended service and returned equipment.
  • Contact customer service to see how long your refund will take and how you will be receiving the refund. Many providers will return your funds in about four to six weeks. Plus, you want to make sure you are watching for a check in the mail (if that is the company’s return method) so that you don’t accidentally dispose of any refunds with your junk mail.

Does Verizon Fios have a 30-day, money-back guarantee?

Sometimes. Verizon plans are generally no contract, which makes discontinuing service at any time pretty simple. However, the Verizon Online Terms of Service state “If we provide a money back guarantee (“MBG”) for your Service, it will begin on your Service Ready Date. During this MBG period you may cancel your Service and receive a full refund of all monthly, one-time and equipment charges paid to Verizon (provided you return all Equipment in good working condition).”

Verizon also specifies that any money-back guarantees will not apply to current customers who modify or renew their current plans.   

Does WOW! have a 30-day, money back guarantee?

Yes. WOW! cable has a money-back guarantee, but their policy comes with a few more stipulations than other providers on this list, such as:

  • The money-back guarantee is available only to first-time subscribers.
  • Refund of the first regular monthly payment made by the customer for the WOW! service (excluding taxes and other fees, equipment charges, optional service charges, WOW! OnDemand, Pay-Per-View and long-distance and other usage-based charges). 

And, according to WOW! Terms and Conditions, to be eligible for the money-back guarantee, customers must: 

  • “Timely pay for all services, taxes and fees, comply with applicable service agreement(s) and have returned all equipment.”
  • The refund will not apply if you start service again within 180 days of disconnection. 

Does Xfinity have a 30-day, money-back guarantee?

Yes. Xfinity is one of the few companies that actively promotes their money-back guarantee (instead of hiding it in the fine print). Xfinity’s 30-day guarantee covers the one-month service charge plus standard installation costs and applies to all internet, TV, home security and home phone products. However, Xfinity Mobile service and devices have just a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Want to learn more about hidden fees? 

Check out The Complete Guide To Internet Fees By Provider to see what you could be spending (or saving) by switching today. 

Lisa Iscrupe

Written by:

Lisa Iscrupe

Writer, Broadband & Data Content

Lisa uses years of experience in sales and customer service for internet-TV providers to inform her writing on broadband. Her work has been referenced by CNN and other national sources. In Lisa’s Words: Ever… Read more

Robin Layton

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

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