Why choose Optimum internet?
At Allconnect, we work to present quality information with editorial integrity. While this page may contain offers from our partners, our opinions are our own. Here’s how we make money.
Optimum high-speed internet is great if you like flexibility, fast speeds and steady pricing with your internet plans. Optimum Wi-Fi plans have a combination of customer-friendly features that most other internet providers don’t have.
What we like
No contracts – With Optimum, you’re never stuck in a long-term agreement or responsible for early termination fees.
Unlimited data – If your household loves to stream and game, Optimum internet plans have the freedom you need.
Price for life plans -Why pay more when you can pay the same price, year after year? With Optimum’s Price for Life, you won’t have increasing monthly internet costs.
Happy customers – Optimum ranked third in customer satisfaction for 2020’s American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).
Things to consider
Optimum introductory pricing – The intro price is only available to new customers or former customers who have not had service in at least 30 days, and whose account was left in good standing.
Fees, taxes and surcharges – These can change at any time, which means your monthly cost could go up if those charges increase.
Modem lease – Leasing a modem adds $10/mo. charge to the price of your Optimum plan.
Optimum internet plan details
Optimum internet prices and plans will vary by location. We’ve listed some popular Optimum plans below, but the best way to get accurate plan information for your address is to call and speak with our internet experts.
Optimum internet plans and pricing
| Package | Starting price* | Maximum download speeds | Maximum upload speeds |
| Optimum 300 | $40/mo. | 300 Mbps | 35 Mbps |
| Optimum 500 | $60/mo. | 500 Mbps | 35 Mbps |
| Optimum 1 Gig | $65/mo. | 940 Mbps | 50 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 01/04/21
If you’re shopping for internet service in the greater NYC area, it’s likely that Optimum internet will be an option. In New York, you’ll find Optimum internet service in The Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Poughkeepsie and Yonkers, among other NY cities.
Optimum is available to over 12 million people. Coverage also extends to western Connecticut, eastern New Jersey and parts of rural Pennsylvania.
Additional new customer benefits
Before signing up for Optimum internet, make sure you know all the special deals you can access.
- Free installation — Sign-up for Optimum online to be eligible for free standard installation. This special offer could save you up to $99.
- Contract buyout — Stuck in a contract with another provider? Optimum will reimburse you $100 toward early termination fees for switching.
- Autopay & paperless bill discount — Enroll in autopay and paperless billing to receive a $5/mo. discount. (The starting price listed above incorporates this discount).
- Price for life —Select the 1 GB internet plan to automatically qualify for Price for Life, which means your monthly fee will never increase.
Shop Optimum plans near you
Choose the best Optimum plan for you
We recommend the Optimum 300 for most households, as it should be plenty fast enough to support multiple devices for streaming and gaming. If you’re considering an Optimum internet plan for your home, there are three high-speed internet options to choose from. Of course, prices and plans will depend on which Optimum promotions are available in your area.
Optimum 300
Best for a multi-device household that likes to stream or game in HD. Can register up to 15 devices.
![Mother and daughter using a cell phone]()
Optimum 500
Best for streaming or gaming in 4K on multiple devices. Can register up to 20 devices. Price guaranteed for two years.
![]()
Optimum Gig
Best for households who want the very best in speed and are using at least 10 devices, including smart home devices such as speakers and security cameras. Can register up to 25 devices. This plan includes the Price for Life promotion so you never have to worry about increasing costs.
![]()
Shop Optimum plans
Optimum delivers high-speed internet, TV and home phone with customizable plans.
Optimum internet equipment and fees
Modem and router
Monthly Optimum prices quoted above do not include the modem. You have the option of either buying a router and modem or renting one from Optimum. If you rent your modem from Optimum, it comes with a free Wi-Fi router.
Equipment rental: $10/mo.
Optimum’s equipment rental fee includes a modem/router Altice Gateway device, plus Optimum Wi-Fi service. A Wi-Fi extender may also be included with the rental cost. One of the main bonuses to renting your modem and router through Optimum is that you have access to tech support 24/7.
[Optional] Altice One: $20/mo.
If you have Optimum TV as well, you can opt for the Altice One, a device that acts as your modem, router and Optimum TV box all-in-one.
Installation
Standard installation: $99
Standard installation includes:
- Coaxial cable installation
- One of your devices set-up wirelessly
- A maximum of two outlets set-up
Premium installation: $149
Premium installation includes:
- Either your Smart TV, gaming systems, computers or alarm system hard-wired
- All of your devices set-up wirelessly
- Three of your outlets’ set-up (an additional $25 is charged per outlet set-up)
Expert tip: Order online for free installation
To receive free standard installation and save $99, all you have to do is order online. However, if you need Premium Installation, you will still have to pay the $149 fee.
Compare Optimum internet to other providers
Optimum may not be the only option for internet in your area. In the four states that Optimum provides coverage – New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut – there are eight other primary providers available.
Expert tip: Cheapest isn’t always the best
As you can see from the table below, two providers, RCN and Windstream, have plans that start out cheaper than Optimum prices. However, the cheapest plans with those providers will only get you 10 Mbps and 15 Mbps respectively, versus the 300 Mbps you get for paying at most $25 more each month ($45/mo. in total) That could mean the difference between streaming and gaming on multiple devices in HD in your home or only being able to game and stream on one or two devices simultaneously.
Take a look at how Optimum Wi-Fi plans compare to other cable, DSL and fiber optic internet providers that may be available at your address.
Optimum vs. other internet providers
| Optimum | Armstrong |
| Starting price at | |
| $45.00/mo.* | $34.95/mo.* |
| Internet Speeds | |
| 300 Mbps – 1,000 Mbps | 12 Mbps – 500 Mbps |
| Data cap | |
| No data cap | 200 GB – 2 TB |
| Contract | |
| 1-year agreement | No contract agreement |
- Provider
- Optimum
- Starting price at
- $45.00/mo.*
- $34.95/mo.*
- Internet Speeds
- 300 Mbps – 1,000 Mbps
- 12 Mbps – 500 Mbps
- Data cap
- No data cap
- 200 GB – 2 TB
- Contract
- 1-year agreement
- No contract agreement
*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 01/04/21.
Optimum 1 Gig plan vs. other providers
Optimum’s 1 Gig is a great deal considering you can get 1 GB internet at a locked-in price of $65/mo*. To put that in perspective, take a look at what similar speed plans with competing providers cost:
- Verizon up to 940 Mbps: $79.99/mo.*
- Cox up to 1,000 Mbps: $99/mo.*
- Spectrum up to 940 Mbps: $109.99/mo.*
*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 01/04/21.
Which provider offers the cheapest 1 Gig internet plan?
Along with CenturyLink, Optimum has the cheapest starting price for gigabit plans, starting at $65/mo.*, where available.
Optimum internet FAQs
Can you get Optimum internet only?
Yes. Optimum offers multiple internet-only plans with speeds up to 940 Mbps in select areas.
Is Optimum internet good?
Yes. Optimum internet provides unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi internet with no data caps. Plus, Optimum ranks very well in customer satisfaction.
Can I use my own modem with Optimum internet?
Yes. If you choose to buy your own modem in order to save on costs, make sure that it is compatible with Optimum’s service and download speeds. You don’t want your modem to be the reason why your internet is slow. Also, be aware that you will not receive the same customer service you would receive if you rented your modem from Optimum.
Does Optimum have internet for low-income households?
Altice’s internet for low-income customers is called Altice Advantage Internet. Qualifying customers can get internet with speeds up to 30 Mbps, a free smart router, a free modem, discounted installation and more. Check eligibility.
We value your feedback
Was this page helpful?
We value your feedback
We’re glad! Tell us what helped most on this page.
We value your feedback
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your insight helps, and we’ll do our best to improve your experience.
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… Read more
Edited by:
Robin LaytonEditor, Broadband & Wireless Content
Related pages
What to read next
Read more- Featured
![What’s the Altice One and how can I get one?]()
What’s the Altice One and how can I get one? Taylor Gadsden — 2 min read - Featured
![Internet speed classifications: What’s fast, what’s slow and what’s a good internet speed?]()
Internet speed classifications: What’s fast, what’s slow and what’s a good internet speed? David Anders — 6 min read - Featured
![Why you can’t connect to Wi-Fi at home and what to do about it]()
Why you can’t connect to Wi-Fi at home and what to do about it Nicole George — 7 min read
Latest
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Is there actually a choice when selecting your internet provider?Ari Howard — 7 min read
Monday, March 1, 2021
What to know about aerostat internet — Could it be the new frontier for rural internet?Taylor Gadsden — 2 min read
Sunday, February 28, 2021
How to speed up your internet: 9 tips to get the most out of your connectionJoe Supan — 5 min read
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for internet news and promos
By subscribing, you agree to receive Allconnect newsletter and promotional emails. Your privacy is important to us.