Cheapest internet plans: Top affordable providers for high-speed connectivity

In today’s digital age, access to reliable and affordable internet is not just a luxury but a necessity. Selecting the right internet service provider (ISP) profoundly impacts your daily online activities and work efficiency. But finding the cheapest internet plan that meets your needs and budget can be daunting with the many options available.

We’ve meticulously curated a list of the best cheap internet plans, considering costs, speed, reliability and availability. Our recommendations cater to various budgets and usage requirements, ensuring that you find the most suitable option for your needs.

Why we picked Mediacom?

Mediacom provides one of the most affordable high-speed internet plans in the United States, starting at $19.99 for 100 Mbps. These plans are ideal for small households with one or two internet users and a few devices, as this speed offers sufficient performance for budget-friendly internet access.

Who should use Mediacom

If you live alone or with one other person and don’t require high internet speeds for online gaming or sharing large files, Mediacom’s cheapest plan will be enough to browse the internet, stream videos, participate in virtual meetings and work or learn remotely. If you have a family of four, you might need to upgrade to 200 Mbps, which costs $39.99 a month. However, if you have six college roommates who are all streaming and gaming simultaneously, you may want a 500 Mbps plan instead.

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Why we picked Xfinity

Comcast’s Xfinity is the country’s largest cable internet service provider. Xfinity primarily utilizes hybrid fiber-coaxial cable connections — more widely available than pure fiber internet connections — to subscribers’ homes, resulting in much faster speeds than DSL, satellite and fixed wireless networks.

Who should use Xfinity

Xfinity is the best choice if you prioritize faster internet speeds and prefer cable internet. In rural areas, cable internet is the most reliable option, and Xfinity has the widest cable coverage nationwide.

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Why we picked Verizon Fios

Verizon Fios delivers 100% fiber-optic service, provides high-speed internet, earns top customer satisfaction ratings and comes without contracts or data caps. All necessary equipment is included in the monthly price, eliminating extra rental fees. However, its availability is limited to the Northeast states.

Who should use Verizon Fios

If you live in one of the seven Northeastern states where Fios is available, this ISP offers unbeatable value with its fast internet speeds and competitive pricing. Fiber optic technology provides the fastest internet connection, making Fios ideal for individuals who require seamless streaming of 4K videos, downloading large files, engaging in high-quality video conference calls or online gaming.

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Why we picked Ziply Fiber

Ziply Fiber recently became the fastest ISP in the country, offering a lightning speed of 50 gigabits across its four-state network in the Pacific Northwest. Of course, 50-gigabit speed is excessive for an average household. Ziply Fiber’s standout option for most consumers is its one-gigabit plan, priced at $60 per month ($80 after 12 months). This rate is lower than that of most fiber or cable providers for similar speeds and offers greater value than Ziply’s 100/100 or 300/300 plans.

Who should use Ziply Fiber

If you live in Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington, Ziply’s Fiber Gig plan is hard to beat for the buck. It would be more than enough for a family of up to 12 people, where everyone simultaneously streams 4k content to each device. If you need lightning-fast speeds, you can’t go wrong with Ziply’s multi-gig plans for regional businesses.

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Why we picked WideOpenWest

WOW is a cable and fiber-optic internet provider serving six midwestern and southern states. It stands out for offering one of the lowest monthly internet prices in the country, starting at just $19.99 per month for speeds of up to 100 Mbps. What sets WOW apart is its capability to provide higher upload speeds compared to most cable internet providers.

For example, its Internet 500 plan delivers upload speeds of up to 50 Mbps, far surpassing competitors like Xfinity, which offers upload speeds of only 10 to 15 Mbps for similar plans. While other ISPs have cheaper bundling deals for internet and TV services, WOW is an excellent option for those seeking internet-only plans.

Who should use WideOpenWest

If you live in Florida, Michigan, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia or Alabama, WOW internet may be the optimal choice for your address, as it provides affordable high-speed plans. While WOW is expanding its fiber network, we suggest comparing those plans if your location already has a fiber connection. Unlike other ISPs, WOW maintains a standard rate that doesn’t significantly increase after the introductory period, remaining at just $39.99 monthly for the cheapest plan.

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Our picks at a glance

What didn’t make the cut

Here are some reputable providers that didn’t make this list.

What to look for in a cheap internet plan

Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a cheap internet plan.

Price

Many internet connection types exist in urban areas, including fiber, cable, DSL, wireless or satellite options. Prices typically range from $50 to $100 monthly after promotional periods. Fiber offers high value and speed, often connecting entire neighborhoods at once. However, satellite or 4G/5G options are slower and may be the only choice in rural areas with limited infrastructure.

Speed

The cheapest internet plans typically offer slower speeds, reaching up to 100 Mbps in most cases or up to 300 Mbps with slightly higher-priced plans. More expensive options often include unlimited data caps and 1 Gbps or higher speeds. Satellite and cellular plans are better suited for rural areas, with satellite speeds spanning from 25 to 250 Mbps. Cellular home internet speeds vary depending on the plan and cell service quality, with 5G speeds ranging from 25 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps and 4G LTE speeds from 5 Mbps to 50 Mbps.

Commitment

When selecting an internet plan, prioritize options without annual contracts or data caps to avoid early termination fees or coverage charges. Providers like Ziply Fiber and Verizon Fios offer plans without contracts or data caps, ensuring flexibility.

Hidden fees

To avoid extra fees hidden in some internet plans, carefully read the terms and conditions before signing up. For instance, Verizon Fios includes all equipment costs in the monthly price, so you won’t have to pay extra for renting equipment. Also, if you order your plan online, Verizon will waive the $99 fee for installation, saving you money.

How to find the best deal on cheap internet

We recommend thoroughly reviewing provider contracts to identify the cheapest internet plans that meet your needs. Look for hidden fees by carefully examining clauses related to additional charges, such as equipment rental fees or installation costs. If you’re eligible, save by bundling your internet with other services or applying for an affordable internet service program.

What is the average speed for cheap internet

Unsurprisingly, the cheapest internet plans provide slower speeds, reaching up to 100 Mbps in most cases or up to 300 Mbps with slightly higher-priced plans. To find the fastest affordable connection, compare providers in your area, explore promotions, bundle deals and read independent reviews or customer feedback.

Is it cheaper to bundle my internet with other services?

Bundling your internet service with TV/streaming or phone services can save you $10 to $20 monthly.

Assistance programs for affordable internet

In 2016, the United Nations recognized internet access as a fundamental human right. Several options exist for affordable internet services, including the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), the Lifeline federal program and various discount and assistance programs.

Government subsidies (ACP)

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris introduced the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This initiative offers eligible households a $30 monthly discount on internet bills and up to $100 towards purchasing a device. The administration has collaborated with 20 major ISPs to offer high-speed internet plans to ACP-eligible families. Unfortunately, starting Feb. 7, 2024, new enrollments in the ACP have been paused, pending further funding from Congress.

Lifeline is another government program that has been offered since 1985. It provides a discount of up to $9.25 per month for eligible low-income consumers for either phone or internet service, but not both. Available in every state, Lifeline is offered by ISPs such as Verizon, Frontier, AT&T and Comcast.

If you live on Tribal lands, you can receive a discount of up to $34.25 per month and a discount of up to $100 for first-time connection charges. To find a qualifying provider nearby, enter your ZIP code or city and state.

Discounts and assistance programs

Some ISPs may also offer affordable assistance programs to low-income households. Here are some of these plans.

More tips to save on internet

Methodology

To determine the rankings for internet providers, the CNN Underscored Home editorial team analyzed 22 companies, with each company’s star rating determined by a variety of metrics and subcategories, including:

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)