Cheap internet service providers

Best cheap internet providers 2020

All internet service providers offer low-priced plans, but the best ones will also include low equipment fees, price guarantees and other savings incentives. When compiling a list of the best cheap internet service providers, consider starting price as well as all the other hidden fees that go into what you really pay every month.

When shopping for cheap internet plans, it’s important to look beyond the sticker price. You’ll also want to consider equipment fees, contract requirements, installation costs and data limits. Now, explore the best cheap internet providers along with their added costs to help you choose the right provider and plan for your home.

As ranked by Reviews.com as of 05/30/20. Reviews.com is owned and operated by an affiliate of Allconnect, Inc. However, Allconnect, Inc. is not involved in or responsible for the production of Reviews.com content, including the rankings cited on this page.

These internet providers offer value in a variety of ways including cheap home internet plan options, affordable cost per Mbps and contract incentives.

Best cheap internet deals under $50/mo.

Plan name	Starting monthly price*	Speeds up to
AT&T Internet 100	$49.99	100 Mbps
AT&T Fiber 1000	$49.99	1,000 Mbps
CenturyLink Internet	$49.00	100 Mbps
Cox Internet Starter 10	$29.99	10 Mbps
Frontier Internet	$27.99	6 Mbps
Frontier FiOS 50/50	$29.99	50 Mbps
Spectrum Internet	$49.99	200 Mbps
Verizon 200 Mbps	$39.99	200 Mbps
Windstream Kinetic 15	$25.00	15 Mbps
Xfinity Performance Starter	$29.99	15 Mbps

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 07/01/20.

For the absolute cheapest internet plans, look to DSL providers such as AT&T, Frontier and Windstream. Cox, a cable provider, also offers a cheap basic internet plan in select areas. Keep in mind that cheap internet rates are often introductory prices for new customers, and are likely to increase after the introductory period is over.

When shopping for cheap internet plans, it’s important to consider all internet providers in your area, from the large, national providers to the smaller, local ones. Here are a few popular regional cheap internet providers that may be available in your area.

Best affordable regional internet providers:

• Buckeye Broadband – Plans starting at $19.99/mo.* Main service areas: northern Ohio and southern Michigan
• MCTV – Plans starting at $46.95/mo.* Main service areas: central Ohio
• Mediacom – Plans starting at $19.99/mo.* Main service areas: Midwest, southern Georgia and Alabama
• Shentel – Plans starting at $19.99/mo.* Main service areas: central Virginia, West Virginia, Western Maryland
• Optimum – Plans starting at $29.99/mo.* Main service areas: greater New York City area

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 06/29/20.

Available internet service providers and your internet plan options, including pricing, will vary based on your address and ZIP code.

Internet provider equipment fees and contracts info

It’s no secret that the monthly price internet provider’s advertise isn’t always what you end up paying. In fact, the FCC estimates that internet bills can be as much as 40% higher than what’s advertised to consumers.

Hidden fees for equipment, installation and more can raise costs significantly, and data caps can also contribute to your monthly bill if you go over. Plus, an internet provider may require you to sign a service agreement and charge early termination fees or raise the price on you while you’re still under contract.

Here’s a look at what you can expect from some of the leading cheap internet providers in terms of added costs and contract requirements.

AT&T – Fast, affordable DSL

• Equipment: Rent AT&T’s Wi-Fi Gateway router for $10/mo.*
• Installation: You have two options for AT&T internet installs. It costs $35 if you choose to do it yourself or $99 if you’d rather have an expert do the installation. You can also divide the cost over your first three payments if you choose.
• Data overage: AT&T gives you some leeway when it comes to going over your monthly data allowance. You won’t get charged until the third time you go over your data allowance, at which point you’ll be charged $10 for each additional 50 GB that you use.
• Contract: No annual contract options available. If you do choose a plan with a one-year contract and leave early, you’ll be charged $15 for every month remaining on the contract, up to $180.
• Price increase: Standard rates apply after the one-year introductory rate expires. Price increases vary by plan.

CenturyLink – Price for Life guarantee

With no contracts, no data overage fees and no price increases, CenturyLink has some of the most customer-friendly pricing in the business. The only charges you can expect to add on to the sticker price are for modem rentals and installation. If you want to cut back on these, consider purchasing your own CenturyLink-compatible modem. You can also choose free self-installation on many plans.

• Equipment: CenturyLink gives you the option to lease, purchase or use your own compatible modem. Fees for leasing a modem can go up to $15/mo.*, but CenturyLink also gives you the option to purchase one for $100. CenturyLink may include a modem at no extra cost with high-tiered plans such as the CenturyLink 1 Gig plan.
• Installation: There is a one-time $99 charge for standard installation, but self-install options are available for free with some plans.
• Data overage: CenturyLink doesn’t charge any fees if you go over your monthly data allowance, which is typically set at 1 TB.
• Contract: None. CenturyLink does not require a contract on any of its plans.
• Price increase: None. CenturyLink offers a “price for life guarantee,” meaning customers can enjoy the same monthly price for as long as they keep their plan.

Cox – Low-cost installation

Cox’s fees are comparable to most other companies, but you’ll likely be able to save some money on the setup, as Cox offers free self-installation on many plans. That said, its price increases after the first year of service can be particularly high — as much as $30/mo. in some cases.

• Equipment: Cox lets you use your own compatible modem for no additional cost, or rent their Panoramic Wi-Fi modem starting at $10.99/mo.* Cox also waives the modem rental fee on some higher-tiered plans.
• Installation: Many Cox internet plans offer free self-installation, but setup fees can go all the way up to $75 on other plans.
• Data overage: All Cox plans come with 1 TB of data. Once you hit that limit, you’ll be charged $10 for every 50 GB you use going forward.
• Contract: Most Cox plans include a one-year service agreement with the exception of the Cox Gigablast plan, which does not require a service agreement. If you don’t want a contract, Cox offers a month-to-month option for an added fee starting at $10/mo.*
• Price increase: Introductory pricing for Cox internet plans expire after one, two or three years, depending on the plan. These increases vary by plan, but are among some of the highest for internet providers with select plans increasing more than $30/mo.*

Frontier – No data caps

Frontier checks just about every box a cheap internet shopper could want. There are no data overage charges, no contracts (and thus no cancellation fees) and Frontier offers a Price for Life guarantee with many of its plans. If you’re looking for the lowest internet bill possible, Frontier comes very close to matching the number that it advertises.

• Equipment: Frontier requires a Wi-Fi router lease starting at $10/mo. Additionally, an Internet Infrastructure Fee of $3.99/mo. may apply.*
• Installation: Frontier waives the installation fee of $75 for customers who sign a two-year contract. If you choose a no-contract plan option, installation fees apply.
• Data overage: Frontier doesn’t have any limits on the amount of data you can use with your home internet plan.
• Contract: There is no contract required for Frontier internet service, but you can opt for a one- or two-year contract in some cases to save money elsewhere. In this case, early termination fees could go all the way up to $400 — assuming you cancelled your service in the second month of a two-year contract.
• Price increase: Frontier offers a Price for Life guarantee on many of its plans. If you choose a plan without this guarantee, your monthly bill will go up to the standard price after the promotional period ends.

Spectrum – Contract buyouts

If you’re unhappy with your current internet service and looking to switch, start your search with Spectrum. It is one of the only residential internet providers that will actually buy out the remainder of your existing contract — all the way up to $500. Spectrum is also one of the only providers to include a modem at no extra charge.

• Equipment: Spectrum includes a modem with their plans and offers a Wi-Fi router lease starting at $5/mo.* Spectrum also gives you the option of using your own router at no extra cost.
• Installation: Self-installation on Spectrum plans costs just $9.99, but you may have to pay a Wi-Fi activation fee for another $9.99. If you prefer professional installation, one-time installation fees start at $49.99 but go all the way up to $199.99 for Spectrum Gig plans.
• Data overage: There are no data caps on Spectrum residential internet plans.
• Contract: None. Spectrum internet does not require a contract. Additionally, Spectrum features a contract buyout offer with up to a $500 value. Customers will need to switch to Spectrum’s Triple Play or limited Double Play plans to qualify.
• Price increase: Standard rates apply after the one-year introductory rate expires. Price increases vary by plan.

Verizon Fios – No-contract fiber plans

Compared to most internet providers, Verizon’s hidden fees are on the low side. Like Spectrum, Verizon will buy out your existing internet contract to the tune of $500. It also doesn’t require a contract on any of its fiber-optic internet plans. That means you can get the fastest speeds without making a big commitment. The only fees that are on the high side are for equipment rental — $15/mo. compared to $10/mo. for most providers.

• Equipment: Verizon lets you choose to rent equipment starting at $15/mo.*, buy equipment for a one-time cost starting at $199.99 or use your own equipment at no additional cost.
• Installation: A one-time standard installation fee of $99 may apply.
• Data overage: There are no data caps on Verizon Fios internet plans.
• Contract: Verizon Fios does not require a contract on some plans. Additionally, Verizon features a contract buyout offer with up to a $500 value. If you do sign a Fios contract, however, you’ll have to pay an early termination fee of $15 for every month remaining if you cancel.
• Price increase: Verizon Fios internet plans come with a one-, two- or three-year price guarantee depending on the plan you choose. After the introductory period, standard rates apply. Price increases vary by plan.

Windstream – Unlimited data

Windstream has some of the all-around cheapest fees of any internet service provider. Setup fees max out at $35 for professional installation, and in many cases, customers won’t have to pay anything at all. Windstream customers also enjoy no limit on their data and month-to-month contracts.

• Equipment: Standard modem rental is required with Windstream plans and starts at $11.99/mo.*
• Installation: The professional installation includes a one-time fee of up to $35. Depending on the plan you choose, Windstream may waive the installation fee. Self-installation may also be available. A $50 Internet Activation Fee may also apply to professional and self-installation.
• Data overage: There are no data caps on Windstream residential internet plans.
• Contract: None. Windstream internet does not require a contract.
• Price increase: Standard rates apply after the one-year introductory rate expires. Price increases vary by plan.

Xfinity – Numerous plan options

Xfinity has a number of plans you can choose from, and they all come with varying costs. In general, though, Xfinity’s fees are on par with the other cheap internet providers on this list. You’ll pay a little more than average for equipment rental and there is a charge if you go over 1 TB of data, but Xfinity’s installation and late payment fees are on the low side.

• Equipment: Rental fees for the xFi Gateway router start at $14/mo.* You have the option of using your own router at no additional cost, but doing so means missing out on the xFi features such as xFi app compatibility and 24/7 tech support.
• Installation: Professional installation comes with a one-time fee starting at $70. Self-installation may be available for a one-time shipping fee of $15.
• Data overage: All Xfinity internet plans come with 1 TB of data. If you go over, you’ll be charged $10 for every additional 50 GB you use.
• Contract: Xfinity requires a one- or two-year service agreement. Early termination will result in a prorated fee.
• Price increase: Introductory rates expire after one year on most Xfinity internet plans. Price increases vary by plan and location but may add $30 or more to your monthly bill.

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 06/29/20.