Best Cheap Internet Providers January 2026

Find Cheap Internet Deals

There are plenty of ways to score great deals from internet providers and save money. While price and availability boil down to where you live, you can still find great discounts on cheap internet. It’s important to be mindful of internet fees, which you can easily prevent by checking your monthly bills. You can also receive discounts through government assistance programs and student discounts.

Key Facts to Know About Cheap Internet Deals

  • Deals are address-based and change often. Pricing, speeds, and promos vary by location and can shift without notice. Enter your ZIP code to see current offers and watch for extra fees.

  • The ACP discount has ended. The federal Affordable Connectivity Program ended on June 1, 2024. Households should instead check Lifeline and provider low-income plans for ongoing savings.

  • Cable, fiber, and 5G home internet often deliver the best price-to-speed value. If you can’t get them, improved satellite plans are reliable and affordable rural internet options.

  • Promos usually have conditions. Expect autopay and paperless billing, term commitments, or bundle requirements for the lowest advertised rate; always confirm the monthly cost for when the promo ends.

  • Students and other groups can save. Many internet providers offer special discounts students in addition to location-based promos. Check eligibility with the provider.

What to Consider When Buying Cheap Internet

Finding cheap internet deals is great, but there’s more to the price than what providers advertise. This goes for all internet plans, but before you buy, look at the following considerations that may affect the total of your monthly bill.

  • Add everything up. Modem or router rentals ($5–$20/mo), one-time install or activation fees, taxes, and regional surcharges. Take note of promotional periods so you’re not surprised when they end.
  • Understand how promotions work. The lowest price usually requires autopay and/or paperless billing and lasts 12–24 months. Ask for the after-promo price and factor in any credits or perks (like gift cards or installation waivers).
  • Consider contract vs. month-to-month. No-contract plans cost a bit more but are flexible; contracts can be cheaper upfront, but early termination fees can wipe out the savings if you switch or move.
  • Judge value, not just price. A quick reference point is price per Mbps: the monthly price divided by the advertised download speed. Make sure the speed fits your internet lifestyle: 4K streaming, online gaming, remote work, and smart devices may require more bandwidth and lower latency.

One last thing to consider: see what internet bundles are available to help you save money on other services like TV and mobile. Sometimes the bundle savings are substantial. Before you buy, confirm promo length, after-promo price, all monthly and one-time fees, data rules, and your equipment fees. Then choose the best price and value option.

Compare Cheap Internet Plans

ProviderStarting PriceMax DownloadMax UploadData CapsFind Plan
AT&T$60.00/mo – $35/mo.1000 Mbps1000 MbpsNoCheck Availability
CenturyLink$50/mo. – $75/mo.940 Mbps940 MbpsNoCheck Availability
Xfinity$30/mo. – $100/mo.2,000 Mbps35 MbpsNoCheck Availability
HughesNet$44.99/mo.100 Mbps3 MbpsNoCheck Availability
Spectrum$30/mo. – $90/mo.1000 Mbps35 MbpsNoCheck Availability
ProviderAT&T
Starting Price$60.00/mo – $35/mo.
Max Download1000 Mbps
Max Upload1000 Mbps
Data CapsNo
Check Availability
ProviderCenturyLink
Starting Price$50/mo. – $75/mo.
Max Download940 Mbps
Max Upload940 Mbps
Data CapsNo
Check Availability
ProviderXfinity
Starting Price$30/mo. – $100/mo.
Max Download2,000 Mbps
Max Upload35 Mbps
Data CapsNo
Check Availability
ProviderHughesNet
Starting Price$44.99/mo.
Max Download100 Mbps
Max Upload3 Mbps
Data CapsNo
Check Availability
ProviderSpectrum
Starting Price$30/mo. – $90/mo.
Max Download1000 Mbps
Max Upload35 Mbps
Data CapsNo
Check Availability

Pricing, speeds, offers, and availability vary by service address and are subject to change at any time. Additional fees, taxes, and terms may apply. As of 12/19/2025.

Best Internet Deals Under $40 Per Month

Check current live offers at or below $40/mo in your area. Prices before taxes/fees; availability varies. 

  • Same-day installations
  • 8+ million free WiFi hotspots
  • Unlimited data available
  • 5G Fixed Wireless Provider
  • Contract buyout up to $200
  • Pause or cancel anytime for free
  • Variety of plans
  • Wide availability
  • Fiber internet speeds

All prices exclude taxes, surcharges, and fees. “Intro” pricing may increase after the promo period. Must check address availability; provider restrictions may apply. As of 12/19/25. 

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Special Discounts & Cheap Deals

Much like holiday savings, there are special seasons in our lives that warrant a little extra help. For seniors, low-income households, students, veterans, and active military personnel, there are numerous opportunities to save money. While qualifications for government-assisted programs and special rates vary by provider and location, all it takes is a simple credit, age, or address verification for eligibility. See below for ways you can save today.

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Cheap Internet for Seniors

There are many internet discounts for senior citizens if you know where to look. Many providers such as Spectrum and AT&T offer cheap internet deals for eligible customers when it counts the most. Spectrum Internet Assist plan for seniors aged 65+ includes speeds up to 50 Mbps for $25/mo. and unlimited data. And, AT&T Access brings speeds up to 100 Mbps to rural and urban communities for $30/mo. and in-home Wi-Fi included.

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Cheap Internet for Low-Income Households

Lifeline is a government program that grants qualifying recipients $9.25/mo. to go towards their monthly internet or phone bill. While this doesn’t get you free internet, it significantly reduces the monthly cost of service. You can learn more about the Lifeline program, and other ways to save, in our internet options for fixed income resource. (The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended on June 1, 2024.)

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Cheap Internet for Students

If you’re a student, you may be enjoying the perks of DoorDash discounts and cheap gym memberships. Student discounts are one of the few things that make kids feel rich in school, and luckily, they also extend to internet services. Some internet providers offer cheap internet for students knowing it’s essential to learning today. The best deal is Cox Communications’s Connect2Compete plan that offers internet with speeds up to 100 Mbps for just $9.95/mo. to low-income households with students.

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Cheap Internet for Veterans & Active Military

Several internet providers, wireless carriers, and nonprofits offer discounted or free internet service to veterans and active military personnel. Providers and nonprofit organizations including Spectrum, Cox, AT&T, T-Mobile, Samsung, and Cell Phones for Soldiers all provide cheap internet for veteran and active military families. View our Guide for Veteran & Active Military Discounts to explore even more ways to save.

Additional Ways to Save

Depending on which provider you go with, you can use any of the tips below to find the cheapest home interent:

1. Use your own internet equipment – Some providers allow you to use your own modem or router, which can save you up to $25/mo.

Potential Savings: $10 – $20 a month

2. Negotiate a service contract– You always have the option to request a contract to potentially lock in a lower rate.

Potential Savings: $5 – $20 a month

3. Bundle services – Bundling internet and TV is by far the easiest way to save if you already need multiple services.

Potential Savings: $10 – $40 a month

4. Watch your data usage – Check your provider’s data tracker regularly to avoid unnecessary overage fees.

Potential Savings: $30 – $100 a month

5. Referral programs – It’s very common for internet providers to incentivize customers to recruit friends and family to sign up and receive rewards.

Potential Savings: Up to $100

Remember: speeds, pricing, and availability all vary based on the provider and your home address.

Looking for cheap internet?

Click the button below to cheap internet in your area.

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Cheap Internet for Small Businesses 

Starter business internet plans add SLAs, priority support, and options like static IP, for only a little more than residential internet. 

Why should I choose a business internet plan?

Business internet plans typically offer higher reliability, SLAs (uptime guarantees), faster support, and business-grade features like static IPs, and better upload speeds that most residential plans don’t provide. Here a more details of what business internet offers:

  • Uptime & SLAs: Targets 99.9 – 99.99% plus service credits.
  • Faster support/repair: Business-priority troubleshooting and 24/7 help.
  • Static IP & IP blocks: For POS, cameras, VPN, and remote access.
  • Business add-ons: LTE failover, security filtering, pro install windows. 

Entry-Level Business Internet Plans 

ProviderFrom Price*Typical Entry SpeedConnection TypePlan Details
Verizon Business (5G/LTE) $39/mo 100 Mbps (5G) / 25 Mbps (LTE) Fixed wireless Price may vary after bill credits and business mobile-line pairing; a compatible router is required; availability varies by coverage area. 
T-Mobile Business Internet (5G) $40/mo Signal-dependent (50–300 Mbps) Fixed wireless 5-year price guarantee when paired with a T-Mobile biz voice line; speeds depend on signal/congestion. 
Spectrum Business $65/mo (promo) 500 Mbps Cable No data caps; market-based pricing; bundles can lower effective rate; term and AutoPay requirements may apply. 

* Price estimates; region and provider vary. Business plans often require a credit review. Equipment and setup costs may be eligible deductions; consult your tax advisor. As of 12/19/2025.

FAQ

Internet Deal FAQs

You should expect to pay about $70 or more per month for reliable, internet service. Keep in mind that doesn’t include added services like TV plans, equipment rental fees, or taxes. Factor in another $10-$15 per month for equipment rental, if needed. Internet prices and plans vary drastically depending on where you live and what connection type you have available near you.  Enter your zip code here to find and compare plans near you. 

If you’re offered a choice, a term agreement can come with a lower introductory price, but it may also include an early termination fee and a scheduled jump to a higher “standard” rate once the promo ends. Broadband labels are meant to show those details clearly (contract length, price changes, fees) before you buy.

Many providers now market deals that don’t require an annual contract (including some longer price-lock offers), so it’s not always cheaper to have a contract. If you move often or want flexibility, month-to-month can be worth it, even if the intro price is slightly higher.

Internet connection is all about speed and coverage. And for the most part, it’s priced relative to how much you can achieve with a certain type.

In many markets, 5G home internet tends to be among the lowest-cost options because pricing is often simple and equipment is frequently included. Cable internet and DSL internet can also be very affordable where there’s strong competition, while satellite is usually the most expensive due to higher monthly prices and equipment costs.

Bottom line: the “cheapest” option is usually the best deal available at your address, not a single technology that wins everywhere.

 

There are many additional ways to save on internet service without downgrading your plan to include slower speeds. Here are a few things that may save you money:

  • Use your own modem and router (when allowed) to avoid monthly rental fees—often around $10–$15/month.

  • Check your broadband label or order summary for when promo pricing ends and what the price changes to—then call before the jump and ask for a new offer.

  • Ask about autopay and paperless bill discounts and unbundle extras you don’t use (Wi-Fi add-ons, extender subscriptions, etc.).

  • If you have multiple providers available, shop competitors; witching is often the fastest path to a lower rate.

Most internet plans include introductory rates that expire after one or two years depending on the promotional period. Unless you have an extended service agreement with your internet provider or they offer a Price for Life guarantee of some sort, you can expect immediate price hikes of $10-$30 or more on your monthly bill.

In addition to promotional periods ending, providers also have to keep up with operating expenses and scaling network infrastructures, which results in annual price increases customers must bear. Be sure to talk this out with your provider upon signing up for new internet service, so a price increase doesn’t blindside you.

Even when the advertised plan price looks reasonable, the total bill can climb because of equipment rentals, company-imposed fees, and add-ons (like “unlimited data” upgrades in capped areas). Consumer Reports found internet-related fees on bills they analyzed typically ranged from $2.49 to $9.95 per month, and noted that some add-ons (like unlimited data) can add substantially more.
That’s one reason the FCC’s broadband label rules focus on clearer disclosure of fees, price changes, and key terms at the point of sale.

The cheapest internet in your area depends on which providers serve your address, but the lowest-priced options are usually 5G home internet (often around $35–$50/mo) or low-income plans (sometimes $10–$30/mo if you qualify). The fastest way to find the cheapest plan near you is to enter your zip code and compare current offers and availability.