Prepaid internet is hard to find — few providers offer it — but if you’re on a tight budget, it can be a great option to get online. The best prepaid home internet goes beyond cheap standard internet plans, offering the flexibility of only paying for internet when you really need it or want it.
With prepaid internet, you can lower your internet costs without worrying about contracts, agreements or credit checks. Learn about our picks for the best prepaid home internet providers with this guide.
Our picks
Comcast Xfinity NOW: Best for unlimited prepaid internet
T-Mobile Prepaid Internet: Best for cheap prepaid internet
CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Prepaid: Best for fast prepaid internet
Cox Communications StraightUp Prepaid: Best for prepaid customer support
Comcast Xfinity NOW: Best for unlimited prepaid internet
Star rating: 4.8 out of 5.0
Price range: $30 to $45 per month
Connection type: Cable
Monthly data cap: 1.2 TB
Why we picked Comcast Xfinity NOW
Launched in April 2024, Comcast’s Xfinity NOW is the newest player in prepaid internet. Xfinity NOW uses its extensive cable internet network to provide two prepaid service plans priced by internet speed rather than data cap.
It may sound counterintuitive, but even though Xfinity NOW is not unlimited, the price makes it the best prepaid internet plan for unlimited data because the data cap is much higher than competitors. Xfinity NOW even allows weekly payments rather than monthly, offering even more flexibility.
Who should use Comcast Xfinity NOW
Xfinity NOW is a good choice for people who want traditional home internet at a very affordable price. While T-Mobile’s prepaid plans leverage cellular networks for wireless service you can access anywhere, Xfinity NOW includes a modem you must install in your home. That may offer more reliable (albeit slightly slower) service but allow you to connect as many devices as you want in your home without additional fees. It’s the traditional idea of home internet in a prepaid package.
Pros and cons of Comcast Xfinity NOW
Pros
- “Unlimited” data on all plans
- Equipment included
- No contracts
Cons
- More expensive than some other prepaid plans
- Requires self-installation
- Slower than top 5G speeds
T-Mobile Prepaid Internet: Best for cheap prepaid internet
Star rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
Price range: $10 to $50 per month
Connection type: 5G and 4G LTE
Monthly data cap: 2GB to 50GB
Why we picked T-Mobile Prepaid
T-Mobile’s Prepaid internet leverages the nation’s largest 5G network, giving you a fast wireless connection nationwide. One caveat: T-Mobile leverages its wireless networks, so this is not the type of internet you hook up to a modem.
Five plans are available, starting at a very affordable $10 per month for 2 GB of 5G data and up to 50 GB. You can’t purchase more data if you use up your monthly allotment, but upgrading to a higher plan for the next month is easy.
Who should use T-Mobile Prepaid
T-Mobile’s 5G network can reach download speeds of up to 418 Mbps and upload speeds of 31 Mbps, making it the best choice for gamers or professionals who need fast internet speeds at a low price. Just remember that the more you use it, the faster you’ll run out of data.
Pros and cons of T-Mobile Prepaid
Pros
- Largest 5G network
- Plans start at just $10/month
- No contracts
Cons
- Top plan offers only 50 GB of data
- $25 charge per device connected
- You can’t purchase additional data during the month
CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Prepaid: Best for fast prepaid internet
Star rating: 3.8 out of 5.0
Price: $55 per month
Connection type: Cable
Monthly data cap: None
Why we picked CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Prepaid Internet
CenturyLink’s prepaid internet plan is just its standard cable Simply Unlimited Internet plan. It allows you to sign up without a credit check and set up prepaid billing.
Unlike other ISPs’ prepaid plans, you get the same service as other unlimited cable customers. With speeds up to 100 Mbps where available, it’s fast internet on a pay-as-you-go plan with no activation fees or credit checks.
Who should use CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Prepaid Internet
If CenturyLink is available in your area, it offers fast prepaid internet that you can turn on or off as needed or pay ahead for the time you’ll need it. That makes it great for digital nomads and students who only need a fast internet connection for a limited time before relocating. (Especially if you have poor credit.)
Pros and cons of CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Prepaid Internet
Pros
- One plan, one flat rate per month
- No data cap or contracts
- No credit check or activation fee
Cons
- Recommend you pay for a modem lease
- Only available in 16 states
- Not all customers qualify
Cox Communications StraightUp Prepaid: Best for prepaid customer support
Star rating: 3.6 out of 5.0
Price: $50 per month
Connection type: Cable
Monthly data cap: 1.25 TB
Why we picked Cox Communications StraightUp Prepaid Internet
Cox Communications’ value pitch for its prepaid internet service is right in the name. Cox prides its service on being a single, flat-rate plan that requires no credit checks, no contracts and no hidden fees.
For $50 per month, you get 100Mbps download speeds with a 1.25 TB monthly data cap that’s high enough that most internet users will never exceed it. Plus, it includes access to 4 million hotspots nationwide and a dedicated customer support team, giving you greater flexibility.
Who should use Cox Communications StraightUp Prepaid Internet
If your credit could be better or you’re overwhelmed by all the offers and fees included with some ISPs, Cox’s StraightUp Prepaid Internet may be for you. If you don’t need internet service for one month, you can save the $50 and pay again the next month that you need internet. It’s a flexible, fast internet that you can turn off or on.
Pros and cons of Cox Communications StraightUp Prepaid Internet
Pros
- One plan, one flat rate per month
- Modem included
- Supports up to seven devices
Cons
- Expensive
- Only available in 19 states
- Slower than top 5G speeds
Our picks at a glance
|
Our rating (out of 5 stars)
|
State availability
|
Equipment cost
|
Connection type
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comcast Xfinity NOW | 4.8 |
35 states |
Included |
Cable |
| T-Mobile Prepaid | 4.0 |
50 states |
$25/device connection fee |
4G LTE and 5G |
| CenturyLink Simply Unlimited | 3.8 |
16 states |
$15/month |
Cable |
| Cox StraightUp | 3.6 |
19 states |
Included |
Cable |
What didn’t make the cut
- AT&T Prepaid Internet: Although AT&T phased out its prepaid home internet plan in 2022, the company still offers several prepaid data plans for smartphones and tablets. These data-only plans give you access to AT&T’s extensive 4G LTE and 5G network, depending on your location, for specific tablets or mobile hotspots that you enroll in the plan. Plans start at $25 per month for unlimited data plus a 10 GB hotspot. AT&T’s prepaid data plans are some of the most flexible on the market and access to 5G makes it one of the fastest, too. That said, AT&T openly admits that download speeds are throttled after reaching 16 GB, 30 GB, and 50 GB on each of its respective plans. You must also purchase a SIM card for each device you plan to connect.
- Verizon 5G Prepaid Internet: In 2024, Verizon announced prepaid data plans for smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, mobile hotspots and routers powered by its nationwide 4G LTE and 5G networks. With a range of plans available for different devices, starting at $10 per month for unlimited smartwatch data and up to $100 per month for 150GB of data for tablets, mobile hotspots, and routers, there really is a prepaid plan for just about anyone. However, not all plans include 5G Ultra Wideband coverage, and you’ll have to pay (sometimes significant) fees to add more devices. While it’s one of the most available and flexible prepaid providers, Verizon doesn’t deliver on value.
How does prepaid home internet work?
Prepaid internet works differently depending on which provider you choose. All prepaid internet plans operate on the principles of simplicity and flexibility. You won’t have to sign a contract or make deposits, and you can choose to pay for internet service only in months when you need it.
That said, wireless and wired plans function differently. Wired plans from Xfinity NOW and Cox StraightUp function just like traditional plans, setting up your home Wi-Fi with a modem/router and allowing you to prepay for service or turn it off when you’d like. In contrast, T-Mobile charges a one-time $25 fee for each device you connect to its network.
How to choose the best prepaid home internet plan
There are only a few prepaid home internet plans on the market, so finding the right one for you is easier than comparing all the other plans. Still, there are a few significant considerations.
Availability
pro tip
- Remember, your mobile phone plan likely includes data, so you may not need an additional wireless prepaid plan. Wireless prepaid plans make more sense if you’re on a budget, data-capped mobile plan but still need more data to support a tablet or other internet-connected smart device.
Of course, the first consideration is availability. Depending on your location, you may not have access to all of the best prepaid home internet plans. T-Mobile’s 5G network is the country’s largest, and Xfinity NOW offers the largest cable internet prepaid plan.
Connection type
Prepaid internet is available as a wireless connection for specific devices or through a wired modem at home. T-Mobile offers the flexibility of wireless internet that you can access wherever there’s cell service on your prepaid devices. Xfinity NOW and Cox StraightUp work more like traditional internet, giving you Wi-Fi at home that can support multiple devices simultaneously.
Connected devices
Wired internet is more stable and convenient for families needing home Wi-Fi. Wireless is helpful for individuals who travel a lot and use the internet primarily on a single device.
T-Mobile charges a $25 activation fee for each device on its prepaid plan, making it less desirable for families or people who frequently use multiple devices. CenturyLink doesn’t require you to spend $15 per month to lease a modem, but it does recommend that you do so to get the best service.
A wired plan from Comcast Xfinity or Cox will make more sense if you want home Wi-Fi that can support all of your household’s connected devices.
Type of internet use
How do you use the internet? Despite the data caps, T-Mobile’s 5G internet can reach higher speeds than Xfinity NOW or Cox’s prepaid plans. The wireless plan may better suit your needs if you use the internet for resource-heavy activities like gaming or video calling. However, if you just browse, shop and check your email, the wired plans offer more than enough speed.
Prepaid internet for students, travelers and off-grid living
Prepaid internet isn’t right for everybody. Generally, it’s a good solution for low-income individuals who don’t need regular internet access. However, there are more specific use cases for some individuals.
- Students: Prepaid internet allows students to turn the internet on when they need to do schoolwork and off when they’re on break. It offers a cheaper, simpler solution for students on a budget who don’t need extensive bandwidth or high-speed home internet.
- Frequent travelers: If you spend a lot of time away from home or public Wi-Fi, having a tablet or mobile hotspot connected to a prepaid internet plan is an excellent way to have budget-friendly internet access. Wireless prepaid internet through a hotspot or tablet is more secure than connecting to public Wi-Fi and gives you an affordable way to get online throughout the United States.
- Off-the-grid living: Prepaid internet plans don’t require a set contract, permanent address or regular bill, making them a flexible solution for digital nomads or private individuals. Living truly off the grid is difficult in the internet age, but a prepaid internet plan on a mobile hotspot is a good way to stay reachable without a long-term obligation.
Making prepaid internet work on a low-income
The best prepaid home internet plans are affordable, flexible solutions for those who may not have the resources to pay for high-speed internet service. You’re not on the hook for an annual contract’s worth of payments, and you can always adjust your plan based on your data needs and budget for the month. If you don’t need the internet for one month, you can simply turn off your coverage.
