Reviews.com Staff

Last updated on Jun 08, 2021

Reviews Report

• AT&T and Verizon are Reviews.com’s best cheap internet providers, both earning 4.2 out of 5. 
• The cheapest internet provider is Comcast, starting at $19.99 a month for 50 Mbps.
• Top cheap internet providers offer reliable service, an affordable monthly price, and serviceable connection speeds

If the last year has taught us anything, it’s just how valuable an internet connection is. No matter how essential an internet connection is, though, no one wants to break the bank just to get online. We’ve taken a close look at the internet providers across the country to find the best options for cheap, fast internet. We let price take priority, but we aren’t interested in cheap internet that doesn’t provide good service — high speed and reliability are also crucial. We looked at data caps, connection type, and other factors to review the best cheap internet providers of 2021

We reviewed the top cheap internet providers in the country based on coverage, price, speed, and customer service. From the results, we identified the seven best internet providers to help you find the fastest speed for the lowest price.

The 7 Best Cheap Internet Service Providers

• AT&T Internet: Best Cheap Internet Overall
• Comcast XFINITY: Best Cheap Internet for High Speeds
• Verizon Fios: Best Cheap Internet for No Commitment
• Frontier Communications: Best Cheap Internet for Unlimited Data
• CenturyLink: Best Cheap Internet for Reliable Pricing
• Charter Spectrum: Best Cheap Internet for Switching
• Cox Communications Internet: Cheapest Start-Up Costs

Compare the Best Cheap Internet Providers

Information accurate as of May 2021
*J.D. Power’s 2020 Residential Internet Service Provider satisfaction study. Based on a 1,000-point scale.

Cheap Internet Providers, Reviewed

Cheap Internet: What You Need to Know

How do I find cheap internet near me?

• Bundle cable and internet: If you are planning to get cable as well as internet, you can get cable and internet by bundling with one provider. Most internet providers that offer both cable and internet services have special bundles that can help save money every month. Search for “cheap internet bundles near me” to find providers in your area that offer bundles.
• Bring your own router/equipment: Most internet service providers either require you to purchase a modem and router directly from them or add a monthly rental cost to use their equipment. You can save money by using your own.
• Switch providers: The trick of most internet service providers is that the price offered at sign-up is not the price after a year. Often, that initial price is considered a promotional deal, with an increase built-in. You can save by bouncing around providers and scoring that initial price or by finding providers that will pay off termination fees if you switch.
• Factor in fees: Also take into account additional fees, like paying to rent equipment, overage charges, and post-promotion monthly price increases. The advertised price you see for home internet typically only covers the internet service itself. Most providers tack on extra fees and expenses that can quickly turn a cheap home internet plan into one that is quite pricey.
• Consider your location and what you need: The unfortunate fact is that many parts of the country, especially rural locations, may only have one cheap internet provider available. Without competition, your best bet may be to settle for lower data speeds. If you can make that sacrifice, you can save some money.
• Decide how much speed you need: The internet plans we reviewed offer speeds ranging from 25 to 1,000 Mbps. If you live alone and don’t use the internet for much more than email and social media, something on the lower end should be more than sufficient. On the other hand, large families and those who enjoy activities like video streaming and online gaming should consider a much faster plan. Use our internet speed guide to choose the right type of connection for your home.

Cheap internet for low-income households 

Low-income households can often feel at a loss when it comes to getting fast, cheap internet provider service, but there are programs available that can help make this essential service affordable. The Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline program offers qualifying households a $9.25 per month stipend for internet service. If your household income is 135% or less than the federal poverty line, or if you receive other benefits like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), Veterans Pension, and Survivors Benefit, or Tribal Programs benefits, you likely also qualify for cheap internet in your area through Lifeline.

Cheapest Internet Connections, Explained

Figuring out the cheapest internet provider means also finding the cheapest internet connection available in your region.

For example, satellite internet (including new satellite ISP provider Starlink) is often more expensive and less reliable but reaches rural areas. On the other hand, DSL is a common option and offers a solid balance of performance and affordability. Fiber offers the best download speeds and most reliable service but is pricier and only available in some regions.

Cheap Internet FAQ

Find Cheap Internet Near You

• Best Internet in Detroit
• Best Internet in San Francisco
• Best Internet in Fort Worth
• Best Internet in Columbus
• Best Internet in Phoenix
• Best Internet in Indianapolis
• Best Internet in Houston
• Best Internet in Dallas
• Best Internet in San Jose
• Best Internet in Chicago
• Best Internet in Jacksonville
• Best Internet in San Diego
• Best Internet in El Paso
• Best Internet in Las Vegas
• Best Internet in Los Angeles
• Best Internet in Charlotte
• Best Internet in Nashville
• Best Internet in Kansas
• Best Internet in Seattle
• Best Internet in San Antonio
• Best Internet in Portland
• Best Internet in Memphis
• Best Internet in Boston
• Best Internet in New York
• Best Internet in Austin
• Best Internet in Louisville

Methodology 

We evaluated internet service providers based on customer satisfaction, data caps, download speed, plans, and customer support to determine Reviews.com scores and create our best internet service provider reviews. To compare internet service providers with other brands across the board, we calculate each Reviews.com score based on the following:

• Customer Satisfaction: Reviews.com used J.D. Power’s 2020 Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study to calculate an average rating of internet providers across all applicable regions.
• Top Download Speeds: We awarded higher scores to internet providers with higher download speeds.
• Number of Plans: Internet providers with more plan options to choose from scored higher in our methodology.
• Data Caps: No one wants to be left without internet for the rest of the month, so we awarded internet providers with higher scores if they had high or no data caps. 
• Customer Support: We reviewed and compared the number of channels that customers could reach each provider’s customer support representatives. The more channels of contact available, the higher the score.

About the Authors

Reviews.com Staff

The Reviews.com staff is dedicated to providing you with all the deep-dive details. Our writers, researchers, and editors came together from Charlotte, Seattle, San Juan, Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, and Chicago to put this review together.

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