Top 5 no-contract internet providers
Which contract-free internet service is best?
- AT&T – Best value
- Google Fiber – Best for Gig speeds
- Spectrum – Best availability and contract buyout
- Verizon Fios – Best overall
- Starry Internet – Best for renters
How to choose a no-contract internet plan
When choosing no-contract internet, there are a few things you should consider such as price, speed and availability.
Price
No-contract internet is simply internet without a service agreement, and many top ISPs offer it. Pricing doesn’t differ much from contract internet unless you are opting for a prepaid internet plan, which is generally cheaper.
Windstream and Xfinity offer some of the cheapest no-contract plans. Windstream’s cheapest fiber plan is $39.99/mo. for 500 Mbps, with no contract required. Xfinity also offers plans starting at around $25.00/mo., depending on where you live, with no service agreements in some regions.
When it comes to hidden fees, it varies by provider. Many advertise no hidden fees and no contracts, meaning you can avoid equipment or installation fees, but be sure to read the fine print before you sign up.
Speed and reliability
For many, speed and reliability go hand in hand. When shopping for no-contract internet, you’ll want a plan that is not only fast enough to handle all of your devices and activities but reliable enough so you won’t have to worry about your connection dropping or inconsistent performance.
Consider the speed you need for the amount of devices you have and the types of internet activities you’ll be doing every day. A large household of four or five internet users with multiple devices connected at once will need much more internet speed than a single internet user with one or two devices. Internet activities like gaming, streaming or working from home also require more speed than general internet browsing.
No contract vs. prepaid internet
Prepaid internet, or pay as you go internet service, is an internet option with no contracts that allows you to pay for your internet service in advance, so you’re only paying for what you need. It is a popular choice among students, seniors, travelers, or others who only need Wi-Fi sporadically since you’re only paying for your next window of service. Xfinity, Cox and AT&T offer some great prepaid plan options.
While prepaid internet is a no-contract internet service, not all no-contract internet providers are prepaid. AT&T Fiber and Verizon Fios, for example, offer fiber internet service with no contracts, but you’re still billed regularly on a monthly basis for your service.
Compare all available no-contract internet providers
Service term agreements are common when signing up for home services such as internet and TV, but you don’t always have to commit to one.
Depending on the available internet providers in your area, you could have internet options from providers that allow you to pay as you go instead of signing a long-term contract. Opting for an internet provider that doesn’t require a contract could make it easier to cancel or transfer service to a new address without being hit with early termination fees.
| Provider | Starting price range* | Max download speed range** |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $55.00 – $245.00/mo. | 10 – 4,700 Mbps |
| CenturyLink | $50.00 – $75.00/mo. | 100 – 940 Mbps |
| Frontier Fiber | $29.99 – $154.99/mo. | 200 – 5,000 Mbps |
| Google Fiber | $70.00 – $150/mo. | 1,000 – 8,000 Mbps |
| Astound | $25.00 – $60.00/mo. | 100 – 1,200 Mbps |
| Sparklight | $50.00 – $110.00/mo. | 200 – 1,000 Mbps |
| Spectrum | $49.99 – $89.99/mo. | 300 – 1,000 Mbps |
| Starry Internet | $30.00 – $75.00/mo. | 100 – 1,000 Mbps |
| T-Mobile 5G | $40/mo. | Up to 245 Mbps |
| Verizon Fios | $34.99 – $84.99/mo.† | 300 – 2,000 Mbps |
| Windstream | $39.99 – $299.99/mo. | 100 – 8,000 Mbps |
| Xfinity | $24.99 – $299.95/mo. | 50 – 6,000 Mbps |
| Ziply Fiber | $10 – $300/mo. | 100 – 10,000 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. **wireless speeds may vary. †*Taxes & terms may apply. Verizon mobile plan, Auto Pay & paper-free billing required. Add’l. cost without mobile plan. Subj. to credit approval & may require a deposit. Fios avail. in select areas. Wired speeds advertised. Wireless speeds may vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors. See Verizon.com/yourspeed for more info. **w/ Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount + taxes & equip. charges. © 2024 Verizon. Last updated 07/29/24.
Expert tip: Prepaid internet cards are not recommended for home internet
You may come across prepaid internet cards at your local retailer or gas station, but these cards are intended more for mobile data than home internet use. Prepaid internet cards require you to already have some sort of service connection, such as mobile service or a Wi-Fi hotspot device, but are not typically compatible with standard home internet connections.
Top pay as you go internet plans
Our recommendations for contract-free internet service include a mix of prepaid services and traditional internet services that simply require no contract. Keep in mind that not all providers or their contract-free plans will be available in all areas. Check out some providers that offer no contract, prepaid and month to month internet.
| Provider | Best for | Price* | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios | Best overall | $39.99-79.99/mo. | 100-940 Mbps |
| Xfinity Prepaid Internet | Cheapest prepaid internet | $15.00 – $45.00/mo. | 50 Mbps |
| Cox StraightUp Internet | Another cheap option | $50.00/mo. | 100 Mbps |
| AT&T Prepaid | Best availability | $25.00-$90.00/mo. | Varies |
*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. **Wireless speeds may vary. Last updated 06/25/24.
No-contract internet providers in your area
Enter your address to find no-contract internet providers where you live.
Our methodology
We compared all the major internet providers that offer a no-contract option. We considered pricing, speeds, data caps, equipment fees and availability in order to come up with the top 5 best contract-free internet options. We did not choose all the fastest options or are the cheapest options for our list, but instead chose five internet plans that offer distinct benefits in order to ensure all customer’s needs are met.
Our take on contract-free internet services
Contract-free internet services are convenient, but a contract shouldn’t necessarily be a deal breaker when choosing an internet service. Consider the internet providers and plans available in your area and find those with the speeds and pricing you’re looking for, then compare contract details. You’ll likely find many of the top providers, including AT&T, Spectrum and Verizon Fios are contract-free anyway.
If a contract is a concern, perhaps because you plan to move before the term agreement expires, there are great prepaid options from Cox, Verizon Fios and Xfinity. You might also be able to find regional providers such as Starry Internet that essentially offer month-to-month service for a decent price.
FAQs about no-contract internet
What is the best no-contract internet plan?
AT&T, Verizon Fios, Windstream, Frontier and Google Fiber are some of the best fiber internet providers that offer no-contract plan options. Fiber internet is the best internet available, so check if one of these providers is available near you and choose from speeds ranging from 100 – 8,000 Mbps.
What is prepaid internet?
Prepaid internet lets you pay for service either month-to-month or by “refilling” your service for a set number of days. Prepaid service typically comes with slower speeds or higher initial costs than traditional internet service, but allows customers to avoid contracts, credit checks or deposits.The top prepaid internet providers are Cox, AT&T and Xfinity.
What is pay as you go internet?
Pay as you go internet is the same as prepaid internet, as it allows you to pay in advance for the service you need and “refill” it as necessary.
Can I get out of my current internet contract?
Most providers allow you to cancel service, but if still under contract, you may be required to pay an early termination fee (ETF). The ETF may be a flat fee or variable depending on how many months are left on your contract. As long as you pay the ETF, cancelling your internet service agreement early should have no impact on your credit, but failure to pay the fee could hurt your credit if the internet provider turns your account over to a collection agency.
Why do some providers require contracts?
Most internet providers require a contract to guarantee they will recoup the cost of supplying internet to your address. For example, satellite internet providers HughesNet and Viasat both require a two-year contract. Considering the costs of equipment and installation (which is typically waived for new customers) these providers need more of a guarantee the customer will keep the service long enough for them to recoup their cost of supplying service.
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Written by:
David AndersSenior Writer, Broadband Content
David joined the Allconnect team in 2017, specializing in broadband and TV content. His work has been referenced by a variety of sources, including ArcGIS, DIRECTV and more. As a Senior Writer, David is motivate…
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Edited by:
Robin LaytonEditor, Broadband Content
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