Best Cheap Internet Providers for February 2025
Astound is the best cheap internet provider due to its incredibly low starting price of $20 per month for speeds of 300 megabits per second. That plan also includes free Wi-Fi equipment rental and unlimited data -- money-saving perks you may not get with other cheap internet providers.
That low pricing doesn't last forever, though, and Astound's price increases are high for some plans. The 300Mbps plan will increase to $30 after one year, which isn't bad, but Astound reserves the right to continue adding yearly price increases. You'll find more stable pricing from providers such as AT&T Fiber, T-Mobile Home Internet and Quantum Fiber.
When choosing a provider for the low promo price, keep in mind that equipment fees and steep rate increases down the road can lower the value. Additionally, choosing the cheapest plan may come with settling for relatively slow speeds.
The availability of cheap internet providers and the plans they offer vary by location. All prices referenced below include applicable discounts for setting up monthly automatic payments, which is a standard industry offering.
Best cheap internet providers10 Internet providers
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Cost per Mbps | Equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ziply Fiber 100 | $10 ($20 after three months) | 100Mbps | 10 cents | $15 (optional) |
| Mediacom Xtream Connect Read full review | $15 | 100Mbps | 15 cents | $14 (optional) |
| Xfinity Internet Essentials Read full review | $15 | 75Mbps | 20 cents | None |
| Starry Connect Read full review | $15 | 30Mbps | 50 cents | None |
| Astound Broadband 300 Read full review | $20 | 300Mbps | 7 cents | $15 (optional) |
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There's more to the cost of internet than just the advertised price. Here are some other factors you'll want to consider before signing up for the absolute cheapest plan.
- Speeds: Will the lowest-priced plan deliver the speeds that you need? If not, explore other providers or upgrade to a faster, more expensive plan. For example, while Astound's 300Mbps plan costs a reasonable $20 monthly, Xfinity's Connect plan only features 150Mbps for the same price (not including the $15 equipment rental). If you have higher-than-average internet usage habits and a plan like Astound's isn't available to you, you may find that opting for a slightly more expensive plan could significantly boost your internet speeds and make for a better overall experience.
- Added costs: Taxes are to be expected with any internet service, but added costs for equipment rental, data overages, installation and more will vary by provider.
- Contracts and price increases: Getting locked into a contract with your ISP can be costly, especially if the plan price increases before the service agreement is up. Canceling before the contract expires can also result in early termination fees. Additionally, many providers increase the price after 12 months of service with or without a contract. If you plan on keeping your service past the 12-month mark, be aware of what the monthly costs may be down the road.
CNET's process for reviewing and recommending internet providers involves extensive research of everything one would need to make an informed decision regarding the best ISP for their needs.
We start by referencing the Federal Communications Commission to determine a provider's national coverage and specific regions of operation, as well as the technology they use to deliver service. We then gather and verify pricing and speed information along with what are often lesser-known or "fine print" considerations, such as data caps, contract requirements and equipment fees.
We also take into account customer satisfaction reports from the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, when available, and the frequency of outages and complaints filed on sites like downdetector.com and the Better Business Bureau.
I relied on these considerations and others, including average cost per Mbps and scheduled price increases after one year, when compiling our list of the best cheap internet providers.
See our guide to how CNET reviews internet service providers for more information about our review process.
Cheap internet honorable mentionsThese national providers also have broadband service starting at or below $50 a month but did not make our list of the best cheap ISPs due to high cost per megabit per second, inconsistent pricing or limited service areas.
- Kinetic by Windstream: A solid choice for home internet in rural areas, Kinetic by Windstream has broadband plans with unlimited data starting at $50 per month. Pricing and available speeds can vary widely by location, so the available cheap internet plans will depend on where you live.
- Verizon Fios: The cheapest Verizon Fios plan, with speeds up to 300Mbps starting at $50 per month, offers plenty of value. The midtier plan (up to 500Mbps starting at $70 per month) and gig service (starting at $90 per month) aren't bad deals, either, but you may be able to find faster speeds for the money from other providers.
- Ziply Fiber: Regional provider Ziply Fiber has some of the fastest speeds you'll find from any ISP, not to mention the lowest introductory pricing. The cheapest plan starts at $10 per month ($20 after three months) for symmetrical max speeds of 100Mbps.
For the absolute cheapest internet service, look to providers such as Astound, Mediacom and Xfinity, but keep in mind the low pricing may come with a looming price increase, added equipment rental fees, contracts and data caps, depending on the provider and where you live.
Other providers, such as AT&T Fiber, Spectrum and Quantum Fiber, may not have the absolute lowest pricing, but they still add value in other ways. Price guarantees, bundle discounts and other customer-friendly attributes make such providers worthy of consideration for cheap internet.
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