The average U.S. adult spends around $65/month on internet, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend that much. Many customers sign up for relatively expensive internet plans, not knowing there are cheaper options available. In fact, there are a broad range of cheap internet providers that offer plans between $19/month and $50/month. While we will provide you with a comprehensive list of cheap internet service providers, keep in mind that cable and DSL internet plans are typically going to be the most affordable options, no matter where you live.
The best cheap internet providers include:
Let’s Talk Tip: You’ll find that many internet service providers (ISPs) offer cheap introductory rates for their plans but these rates often only apply for a year or two. After the initial intro period is up, prices may increase significantly. If at all possible, you’ll want to consider switching providers so you can get an introductory rate elsewhere.
Compare Cheap ISPs
| Carrier | Starting Price | Intro Rate | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wave | $19.95/month | 1 year | None |
| Frontier | $20/month | 2 years | 2 years |
| Windstream | $26/month | 1 year | None |
| Suddenlink | $34.99/month | 1 year | None |
| Cox | $29.99/month | 1 year | 1 year (except prepaid) |
| RCN | $29.99/month | 1 year | None |
| Spectrum | $49.99/month | 1 year | None |
| AT&T Internet | $49.99/month | 1 year | 1 year |
| Comcast Xfinity | $34.99/month | 1 year | 1 year |
| CenturyLink | $45/month | Forever | None |
1. Wave
We have Wave sitting number one on our cheap internet provider list because its most affordable plan costs under $20/month. And it’s no slacker either—you get 50Mbps speeds and 400GB of data. And if you have a need for speed, you can get lightning fast internet speeds for under $40/month. These Wave cable internet plans are contract-free, granting you nice flexibility, and you’ll receive your introductory low price for one year. For now, Wave internet is only available in parts of three states—California, Oregon, and Washington.
Wave Internet Plans
2. Frontier
Frontier is a widely-available cheap internet service provider, offering internet service in 29 states. Frontier’s DSL plans are extremely affordable, with many plans ranging from $20/month to $50/month—the one downside to the cheaper Frontier plans is that the speeds may be as slow as 6Mbps. Frontier plans require 2-year contracts, and your cheap prices won’t be increased until after that 2-year period.
Frontier Internet Plans
3. Windstream
Windstream offers a wide variety of cheap internet plans, starting at just $26/month. Not only does this ISP offer a nice selection of plans under $50/month, all plans include unlimited data. All Windstream plans are either DSL, VDSL (a faster version of DSL), or fiber, and you can cancel anytime if you want to switch providers (no contracts). Note: Windstream’s plan prices increase after one year of service.
Windstream internet plans are currently available in 18 states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Texas
Windstream Internet Plans
4. Suddenlink
Suddenlink is a cheap internet provider offering several low-cost cable plans between $35/month and $45/month, and one fiber internet plan at just $55/month. As with Frontier, a few of Suddenlink’s plans have slower speeds than the average person may want, but there are still a few solid options with speeds 50Mbps and above. Suddenlink plans are no-contract and you’ll be locked into your introductory price for one year.
Suddenlink internet plans are available in:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- West Virginia
Suddenlink Internet Plans
5. Cox
Cox’s affordable cable internet plans range from $30/month to $60/month. Most plans require a 1-year contract, but there is a prepaid internet option if you don’t want to commit to a contract. You get your introductory rate for one year and then it increases. Cox is currently available in 19 states:
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
Cox Internet Plans
6. RCN
RCN is an excellent cheap internet provider serving mostly urban areas in the Northeast, including Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. RCN’s cable plans start as low as $30/month, with plenty of options up to $60/month, and all plans include unlimited data so you can stream and game to your heart’s content. Your introductory rate will last one year, after which the plan price increases.
RCN Internet Plans
7. Spectrum
Spectrum offers several high-speed internet plans for $50/month—and you don’t have to worry about data caps with Spectrum internet plans. This cheap internet provider also offers a contract buy-out for up to $500 if you’re stuck in a contract with a different ISP and want to switch. Spectrum won’t lock you into a contract once they buy out your old contract either—you’ll be able to cancel your account whenever you like. Also, Spectrum is widely-available, providing service in 41 states.
Charter Spectrum Internet Plans
8. AT&T Internet
AT&T isn’t just a major player in the cell phone game, it’s also the second biggest DSL broadband provider in the country. AT&T offers affordable internet plans, starting at $50/month. Your contract will be for one year, after which your plan price will go up. AT&T internet is currently available in 21 states.
AT&T Internet Plans
9. Comcast Xfinity
Comcast Xfinity is one of the most widely available cheap internet providers on this list, with service in 40 states. Xfinity cable internet plans start as low as $35/month—some plans are no-contract while others require a 1-year contract.
Xfinity Internet Plans
10. CenturyLink
And last but not least, CenturyLink is one of the best cheap internet providers, with DSL plans as affordable as $45/month. One of the main things that sets CenturyLink apart from so many other ISPs is that your price is set for life—your cost won’t increase after a set period of time. If you aren’t happy with your CenturyLink service, no sweat—there are also no-contract internet plans to choose from. CenturyLink is available in 36 states.
CenturyLink Internet Plans
Cheapest Internet Connection Types
You’ve probably noticed a common theme on this cheap internet list—all of the plans are either cable or DSL. That’s not a coincidence. DSL and cable tend to be the two cheapest internet connection types, no matter which provider you choose to go with. Conversely, fiber internet is probably going to be the most expensive (albeit, the fastest), followed by satellite.
