Connectivity Without Breaking the Bank
Reliable and fast internet access is a necessity in our lives now, with our day-to-day work, career and social activities dependent on online connectivity. This, unfortunately, usually means a hefty monthly charge—more than half the US households pay between $60 and $90 per month for their internet.
However, with some flexibility, plenty of excellent internet plans won’t break the bank and will meet most of your needs. To get you an idea of some affordable plans, we’ve compiled a list of internet providers and reviewed their estimated cost and speed. Companies like AT&T and Spectrum stand out when it comes to the lowest internet plans, but be sure to check out the plans, too, as each has its own benefits.
Before we move on to the comparison, remember that most internet providers offer cheap introductory rates that only last for the duration of the introductory period. Besides this, plans and their rates vary according to area—you’d be paying a different rate in New York than in Montana.
The 4 Best Budget Internet Providers You Need to Know
Xfinity by Comcast – Editor’s Choice
Xfinity is one of the largest internet providers in the country, operating in over 40 US states. Besides offering some of the cheapest internet packages, Xfinity does not skimp on broadband speed and does not require any contract.
Xfinity's introductory prices start at $19.99 per month for the first year and have a maximum download speed of 75 Mbps. If you prioritize internet speed, they offer another excellent plan—up to 200 Mbps starting at just $25/mo. Some of the other plans on our list may offer cheaper pricing than Xfinity, but it’s unlikely they offer a data allowance of 1.2TB/month like these do.
Pros
- You can use your own compatible equipment and save $14/month or more on fees.
- Free Xfinity Flex device.
- Discounted pricing with a term agreement.
- Download speed of up to 300 Mbps on a $55 package with no contract required.
Cons
- Xfinity’s equipment fee is comparatively higher than most internet providers.
- The cheapest package is an introductory rate for a limited time.
WOW! – Best Value
When it comes to value, WOW! cannot be beat—offering both internet and cable plans, with the starting price for cable plans at $30.00/month for 300 Mbps. This plan not only includes all necessary equipment but also covers the installation. Besides that, their cheap plans include unlimited data without any contract.
The company gives you the option to sign up for autopay and paperless billing, which will save you time and money. Even with all this, if you’re not satisfied for any reason, WOW! offers a 30-day money-back guarantee when you sign up.
Pros
- Some of the most competitive pricing available for a cable ISP.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- For an extra $5/mo., you can have your internet package locked at its current price.
- No contracts or cancellation fees.
Cons
- Only available in nine states in the Midwest and South.
- Some reviewers have complained about slow upload speed.
AT&T Fiber – Best Fiber Internet Provider
AT&T has been operating as a communication company for over 137 years, making it one of the country's leading and most trusted internet providers. You can get some of the cheapest plans in the market and different bundling options. They have a basic internet plan starting at $55 per month with a 300 Mbps download speed—this may be a higher price than most competitors, but they also offer a higher download speed than most.
Combined with a large fiber network and at a 10-cent average cost per Mbps, including your equipment rental, AT&T stands out from the rest. If not happy with the plan, you can cancel at any time without any termination fees.
Pros
- Equipment is included in the plan price.
- Get the lowest price without any contract.
- Fiber or DSL connection, depending on the location.
Cons
- Data caps are applied on all non-fiber plans.
- Reviewers have complained about slow download speed.
- Price guarantee of only 12 months.
Kinetic by Windstream – Best DSL Provider
Our pick for the best DSL provider has to go to Kinetic—offering a 200Mbps plan for just $39.99/month (for the first 12 months). This plan by Windstream is not only cheap but also includes an autopay discount of $10 per month. This plan has no data cap or contracts, which is excellent for gamers, streamers and those with multiple devices.
For those looking for a more incredible download speed, Kinetic offers another plan of 1,000 Mbps for $69.99. The company also provides the option to bundle with phone service or DISH TV.
Pros
- Fast, low-cost fiber internet service—offers speeds up to 8,000 Mbps in certain areas.
- No bundling requirements.
- Good customer reviews.
Cons
- Limited availability in many states.
How to Choose the Best Budget Internet Provider
Not all affordable internet plans are created equal—when deciding on any package, consider the following features;
- Data allowance.
- Download speed.
- Monthly rate.
- Connection type.
Let’s go over these features. When it comes to connection types, you can choose from five options: fiber, DSL, cable, mobile and satellite. Cable and data usually are the cheapest plans, while fiber is the most expensive.
Your data speed will depend on your requirements but try to get a plan that offers at least 25 Mbps.
Data allowance is how much internet you are given per month, with a data cap in place. If you go over the data cap, you will be charged. If you don’t want a package solely for streaming or watching movies/videos, going for a cheap but unlimited internet plan would be your best bet.
Now that you know what to look out for in an internet package and we’ve provided you a list of some of the best internet providers, it should be easy to choose a budget internet plan that meets all your needs!
Are you looking at purchasing a dash camera for your truck? Here are some options to consider.