The Cheapest Wi-Fi Providers of 2023

Over the last two decades and beyond, the internet has expanded to become a necessary part of our daily lives, whether for work or the home. Remote work has become the norm for many, we have more devices that require Wi-Fi than ever, and most of us find our regular entertainment online, at least in part. Internet service and Wi-Fi are no longer the luxuries they used to be. However, it can be expensive to get service, and it doesn’t look like it's going to get cheaper on the whole anytime soon.

However, not all providers are expensive, and not all internet service plans will cost a household too much, especially if they play their cards right. We’ve found providers that offer some of the cheapest plans in the country, all while providing good service to their customers and maintaining a stable connection.

We’re going to talk about these providers, as well as talk about what you should look for from a Wi-Fi or internet provider in general. While price is important, there are a few things you just can’t compromise on, and will not have to. Here’s everything you need to know about the subject:

[Graphic 1: What to Consider When Choosing a Cheap Wi-Fi Provider]

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cheap Wi-Fi Provider

Every home will have different needs and different requirements when it comes to its Wi-Fi network and internet speed. Some homes will need more bandwidth, while others really just want the cheapest, simplest plan available. There is no one perfect plan or provider. Before anything else, we want you to evaluate your particular circumstances when it comes to internet service.

With that in mind, consider these factors when choosing an affordable Wi-Fi provider:

Availability

Before anything else, you need to know what providers are operating in your area and what plans they are providing. The fact that an ISP is one of the largest in the country doesn’t mean anything if they don’t serve your neighborhood. Unfortunately, many households might only be able to choose from a couple of providers. Therefore, it is vital that you find out what you’re working with before examining other factors and making decisions.

Fortunately, it’s easy to see what providers are available in your area, cheap or not. All you need to do is use this website. Just go to our home page, and you will see our internet finder tool where you can enter your zip code. From there you will get a listing of providers and basic information about them. You’ll want to look further into our information and what each provider offers, but you can also filter results and learn a bit more about the key points and advantages of a provider.

Take notes on your options, and then go back to the other factors to narrow them down from there.

Price

Price is obviously a vital factor when choosing an internet plan, and the factor that likely brought you here. Yet price can sometimes be complicated when it comes to internet service. Some factors with price alone can include:

• Whether there are hidden fees and service charges that will boost your bill to a higher monthly rate than what was advertised.
• Whether or not there is a promotional offer that reduces prices for the first year or a few months. Be wary, as these can be tricky and ISPs might advertise the promotional rate instead of what you’re paying long-term.
• Is there a bundle available with the internet service, and are you interested in it? If you’re also interested in cell phone, landline, or TV service, there might be a bundle that provides a better deal overall that you should look into.
• Costs for additional equipment, which we’ll cover shortly.
• The value you are getting for the service you are getting. Depending on your priorities, you might either prioritize just the lowest cost, or you might want to prioritize value, often measuring in price per Mbps. If you have a larger family, the cheapest plan won’t cut it, as much as you might like it to. You’ll want to find the balance where you’re getting the best option for your dollar. If that costs $10 more per month, it’s often more than worth it.

While this can seem scary, we would also like no note that there absolutely are providers that offer good plans at low prices, usually without any trickery or nonsense added in. Often these plans don’t have extra bells and whistles, but you don’t need things such as included security software or a free trial to Apple Music. You can often find those things elsewhere and for a low price on their own.

Speed

What do people first look at when considering an internet plan? Depending on their needs, they either look at the price or the speed, and both are vital considerations. A certain amount of speed is still necessary to operate online with any efficacy. The exact amount of speed and bandwidth you need will depend on your situation. The FCC sets the broadband standard at 25 Mbps download speed and 3 Mbps upload speed but note that many consider this standard outdated and it won’t be enough for many homes. 

We recommend considering what you do now (including all at once, such as streaming content and downloading files at the same time), checking what is required from additional sources, adding that up, and working from there. And if prices are otherwise equal, you can never have too much internet speed.

There are a few things to look at regarding speed:

Download Speed: The thing everyone looks at and the main number ISPs advertise, download speed is a measurement of how quickly data can travel from an outside source to your device. It affects how fast you can download files, how well streaming video will work, and so many other things. Having enough download speed is a true necessity, and it should be a top priority when picking out a plan.

Upload Speed: On the other side of the equation is upload speed, which is a measurement of how quickly data can be transferred from your device to an outside location. Users typically don’t need as much upload speed as download speed (most people download much more than they upload). However, some is still required, and people working from home will want to make it a higher priority.

Latency: Latency is a measurement of how long it takes a device to send out a request for information and get a response. It is vital for things such as online gaming and video calling. The lower it is, the better. Unfortunately, it won’t be advertised with plans too often, and it is reliant on many factors. Nonetheless, some internet service types have higher latency than others. Satellite and fixed wireless internet tend to have the highest latency, while fiber has the lowest.

Reliability

No matter how cheap it is, a connection you can’t rely on is not a connection that you want to bother with. Having an unreliable connection can be a major stressor and just cause you to get frustrated when you use the internet (which means you’d be frustrated often). Yet ISPs don’t exactly advertise reliability, so how can you tell?

First, you will want to check reviews in your area and look for comments about dropped connections or unreliable service. In general, it helps to know what other people (again, in your area) think about a particular ISP or plan. Additionally, you will want to check out the uptime statistics for the ISP you are considering. While no ISP is perfect and disasters can understandably knock out service, the better the uptime, the more reliable the service.

Finally, note that reliability and consistency are not all-or-nothing concepts. Some ISPs might have periods of slowdown from congestion or other problems. Look out for comments on such problems as well, and note that cable and satellite internet providers are more prone to them.

Contract Term

When signing up for internet service, many ISPs will have users have a contract term for service, usually to prevent people from canceling immediately for a better deal. Terms usually last either 12 or 24 months, though there are exceptions to this. 

Before signing the dotted line (or digitally doing the equivalent), make sure you know what you are getting into. You usually can cancel service, but if you are under a contract term you would likely be subject to a hefty termination fee. If you’re switching providers some ISPs will cover the cost of this fee in order to get your business, but you can’t rely on this.

Look for whether there is a contract term with a service plan, what the exact terms are, and if there are any benefits for you. Note that contract terms are becoming less popular and are mandatory less often than before. If you want to avoid them, there is a good chance you can without giving up too much. If you know you’re going to commit to a provider on the other hand and are confident, then you might be able to score a deal with an agreement.

Data Caps

Are there any limitations on the usage of your internet service? Many plans will have a monthly data cap or data allowance, meaning that you can’t or shouldn’t go over that amount of data usage. What happens if you go over? Depending on the provider, users will experience either extra charges (often by the amount of data used) or experience throttling of their connection. Both are problematic and should be best avoided. If you expect to regularly use more data than an advertised data cap, looking for a different plan is best.

You are most likely to encourage data caps with satellite internet plans and fixed wireless plans. These can be stringent, and you would need to budget your data usage accordingly. Other internet service plans may or may not have data caps, but the lowest they usually are is 1 TB per month. This is more than most households will need, and is realistically not a cause for concern.

Note that many plans will claim they are “unlimited”. While this will technically be true, your connection will be heavily throttled after reaching the data allowance, making it near-useless.

Installation and Equipment Fees

Internet service doesn’t usually just “turn on” once you order it. Equipment is required and installation is often required as well. ISPs often charge for installation, and the equipment is often an extra charge on top of that. There are ISPs that include the equipment as part of the service, but they are the exception rather than the norm.

As for installation, that often can be included with some deals, whether it is agreeing to a contract or ordering online instead of through the phone (online is easier these days, anyhow). Users can often save money through self-installation if it is offered. While it isn’t always an option, know that self-installation is easy in nearly all cases where it is offered, and will not take too long.

Equipment fees when they do exist can vary, and users still have options. Rarely will an ISP force users to use specific gear, with the exception of satellite and fixed wireless internet. Users can also either choose to rent their equipment for a monthly fee or buy it outright for a one-time fee. If you can afford it at the time, the one-time fee usually saves you in the long run. Also, users can utilize their own modem and router often, buying that instead of renting the equipment. Overall, there are plenty of options, but know are you are getting into first when looking at ISPs.

The Cheapest Wi-Fi Providers of 2023

There are many ISPs in operation across the country, even if there might only be a few in operation in your area. This can mean that without additional information, it can be difficult to choose a provider that offers a good plan and high-quality service for a low price. However, we’ve done much of the research for you in this regard. Some providers are simply more specialized for such services than others, and we want you to know about them. Therefore, without further wait, here are our top picks for cheap Wi-Fi providers:

Cheapest Internet Plan: Mediacom

Any internet plan that starts at $19.99 per month is worth considering. Mediacom is generally a cable provider that is known for providing extremely good value to customers and not bothering with the frills that most people will not use. It generally operates in the Midwest and the Gulf Coast, though is active in a few locations in California and Arizona as well.

Mediacom is by most measurements a simpler ISP that is limited but effective in its main goals. Those main goals are to provide excellent promo offers, reasonable service, and good equipment to those who want it. However, those promo offers do run out, so think long-term before deciding to sign up with them. Additionally, some users might find themselves limited with the lowest-tier plan that is so cheap in the first place. Ultimately you do get what you pay for, but Mediacom provides a pretty good deal when you consider that low price.

Why We Like It

• It is one of the cheapest options available, if not the cheapest plan in the United States in the right circumstances.
• Despite being one of the cheapest options available, if not the cheapest plan, it is still capable of reasonable internet speeds. And using cable infrastructure, it isn’t subject to the weaknesses of satellite or DSL internet.
• It operates in some rural areas that otherwise would have extremely limited options.
• They are seeking to build more fiber networks, potentially increasing speed and accessibility for users and potential users.

What to Watch Out for

• There are contract terms, usually lasting 12 months.
• After the first 12 months, prices increase by a set amount. The plans are still affordable and a great deal, but not preposterously cheap like before. With some plans, prices will increase yet again after 24 total months of service. The plans might not be so cheap to you at that point.
• Their Internet 100 plan, which is the cheapest available, has a 200 GB data cap. This may not be enough for more than one person, and one person could easily use this amount of data in a month.
• There is a $13 monthly modem rental fee. Note that this is skippable if you have or buy your own equipment (we recommend this if you have the money).

Second Cheapest: WOW!

WOW! (standing for WideOpenWest) is one of the biggest operators in the country but if you haven’t heard of it before, we understand. It is available in only nine states (mostly the central and southern parts of the United States). Nonetheless, they cover more than 7 million customers. Offering cheaper internet for reasonable prices, WOW! is a bit more expensive than Mediacom, but the end monthly cost after a year or two will be the same or cheaper with WOW!.

WOW! has the advantage of a wider offering of plans ranging from 100 Mbps to 1200 Mbps, though note that not all will be available in all areas. Upload speeds are either 10 Mbps or 50 Mbps, and while that’s not perfect on the lower end, it’s usually enough and decent for cable internet. There are no data caps in many areas, though WOW! has been changing policies recently. We recommend checking carefully about this topic in your area.

WOW! when it is available offers excellent deals on basic yet effective service to customers, and they are more customer-friendly than many other options. It’s hard to go wrong with them if they have the plan you need, and they don’t require the commitment many cheap plans do.

Why We Like It

• Customers have historically been satisfied with WOW!, and while they aren’t perfect in every regard they are well ahead of much of the pack in the ISP market.
• WOW! has some of the cheapest plans on the market for speed, and proves to be an affordable cable internet provider. This is helped by the fact that there are no contracts and therefore no cancellation fees if you find they aren’t the right choice for your household.
• There is a 30-day money-back guarantee on service, so you can try them out first.

What to Watch Out for

• While there were no data caps previously, it appears as though they are being introduced into several markets. And even if they aren’t marked as such, “usage-based plans” are data caps with overage fees in all but name.
• Some areas might have more service interruptions than normal. This can be inconvenient or frustrating for those who need a constant connection.
• Upload speeds might be somewhat slower than other providers. However, it is on par with most other cable internet providers.

Cheapest Fiber ISP: AT&T

Fiber internet is simply the best option for nearly everyone if it is available. And it has a reputation for being an expensive option. Yet this isn’t always the case, and AT&T has some more affordable fiber offerings to prove it. The normal 1 Gbps you might expect from fiber internet plans is $80 a month and stays $80 a month. For those that do not need so much speed, there is an option for people happy with 300 Mbps upload and download speeds (far more than enough for small households) for only $55 a month. You can rarely find a better deal for some form of fiber internet than that. Additionally, there are no data caps on these fiber plans.

Note that AT&T doesn’t just offer fiber internet. When looking for plans, you will want to specifically look for fiber internet and try to avoid DSL internet if possible (usually just under “AT&T Internet”). There is a huge difference in nearly every way between the two, so be careful. The good news is that AT&T is committed to expanding its fiber offerings and fiber infrastructure, so it is quite likely that more areas will have it available soon.

Why We Like It

• It is a rare combination of highly affordable and extremely fast and reliable. If it is available in your area, one of their plans is likely the best one for you, regardless of what other providers are operating in the region.
• AT&T has recently started including their equipment fee in their monthly charge as opposed to charging $10 extra. Given that generally, you have to use their gateway, this is a great improvement.
• People are overall quite satisfied with the service they are getting if they get fiber plans. There are few ISPs in their operating regions that do better.
• Fiber plans do not have a data cap and you can use the internet as much as you’d like.

What to Watch Out for

• If it’s not fiber, then AT&T is probably not their best choice. Their DSL options drop the ball.
• Installation and setup can be a bit more of a hassle than with some providers, but it is still manageable.

Cheapest Equipment Costs: Spectrum

Spectrum (perhaps known as Charter Spectrum to some) is a combination fiber and cable provider that is known for relatively high speeds and a wide area of service (41 states total). They have plans that range from 300 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed for $80 a month (after a $50 per month promo rate) to $120 for 940 Mbps and 35 Mbps upload speed.

This can sound expensive, and to many, it will be. Yet it should be noted that while some providers will include equipment costs inside of their plan’s pricing, those plans are perhaps a little more expensive to make up for it. Looking at what Spectrum has to offer, the pricing and the equipment pricing are very low overall, making it a great option where available.

This combined with the high speeds will mean it is the best value overall for many customers, especially those that might not otherwise have better options or fiber internet in their area. It may also prove a good deal if you get a bundle with them for TV services where offered.

Why We Like It

• They do not have data caps and they do not generally charge extra fees. This combined with the low equipment prices makes it a great deal even with its normal plan pricing. Even better, there are no contracts required to keep people stuck in a plan.
• Compared to other cable providers it is usually a much better option, proving more reliable with faster download speeds on offer.
• Spectrum customers will also have access to a network of free hotspots, making using the internet while on the go a little easier.

What to Watch Out for

• Customer service and customer satisfaction have room for improvement, and there are some customers who feel that they could be getting better from their plan. We recommend taking a closer look at reviews in your area.
• While download speeds are great across all plans for the price, upload speeds are a bit slower. It is acceptable, but those with greater upload speeds than usual should take note.
• Depending on your plan and initial signup, you might see a price bump after your initial promotional period. Remember to look at the long-term price instead of what’s advertised.
• While it is competitively priced for the speeds provided, it still is primarily a cable provider and has the weaknesses that cable internet has.

Most Transparent Pricing: Frontier

Sometimes simplest is best, and Frontier is upfront and honest about its pricing structure and what you will be getting from your internet plan. There are no price increases for one year after you sign up, and no stated increases are planned regardless. Prices can eventually go up, but this is likely to happen with most providers anyway. Otherwise, the rate you see advertised will mostly be what you are paying each month. That can be $55 per month for a 500 Mbps plan or $80 for a 1 Gbps plan. All plans have simultaneous upload and download speeds and are great value for what speed you are getting.

Equipment is included so fees are not a concern, and you can save on equipment you might otherwise pay for. Unlimited data is the norm, which means you don’t need to worry about throttling or overage charges. It’s all quite consumer-friendly, and if Frontier fiber is available in your area we recommend at least checking it out.

Frontier fiber is currently available in 12 states, and they offer the most service in the Great Lakes area and parts of the Northeast. Note also that while Frontier Communications recently filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy, this does not seem to have affected technical service quality and the company has emerged from it being more able to provide fiber service to customers.

Why We Like It

• Rental of the equipment is included in the price of service, meaning one less thing for you to worry about.
• Reasonable prices for the speeds you are getting, combined with the benefits of fiber internet.
• Unlimited data, which pairs nicely with fiber service for anyone making frequent downloads.

What to Watch Out For

• Much like AT&T, Frontier has great offerings when it comes to fiber internet service but it is best to avoid their DSL service. There is little that’s extraordinary about that.
• Across the board, Frontier has low to middling customer service scores. The low prices are worth occasionally dealing with it, but those who want excellent customer service may want to take pause.
• While a contract might not necessarily be required, in order to get certain bonuses a term agreement is required.

Other Ways to Get Cheaper Internet

Simply picking out the cheapest service isn’t the only way to get cheap internet. There are programs, strategies, and options available to you that can lower your price. We might have referenced a few of them before, but here’s some more detail on what you can do to lower your internet expenses:

Bundle Your Services

Bundles are a longstanding practice now for telecommunications companies as a way to get multiple streams of revenue (or a larger one, depending on how you look at it) from customers. Most ISPs will have bundles on offer for some combination of TV, internet, landline, or cell phone services. The more services bundled, the greater the total savings for the customer compared to buying services separately. Just note that a contract is usually required for a bundle, and choices might be slightly more limited (though often fine).

However, if you’ve no intention of using the services in the bundle, then you are still better off not getting the bundle. Even if you pay only $20 extra for TV service, it’s just $20 wasted per month if you don’t really watch TV and would be perfectly happy with streaming content online instead.

Buy Your Own Modem and Router

Equipment fees can add up over time. It often ranges between $10-$15 per month, and the modem, router, or gateway (modem/router combo) might not be the best in the business anyhow. With most types of internet service, you can get a new modem and router instead of using the one provided, returning it to stop paying equipment fees.

In some cases, you can also outright buy equipment from your ISP, which is cheaper in the long run if you’re going to stick with the provider for a time. It can be an investment, but a worthwhile one if you have the money upfront. Try to balance the fact that the ISP’s equipment is likely one of the best options for that provider with the fact that it isn’t the only option. There is an excellent additional modem and router market for a reason.

Reduce Your Speed

Not everyone needs a gigabit internet connection for their household. This is especially the case if the internet isn’t used as often as in most homes or if someone is living alone. By downgrading your internet plan, it is possible to save money, even if you must go to a different provider to do so.

There are absolute reasons to have high internet speed at home. It might be for home business work (that’s likely a tax deduction). There might be many people regularly using the internet at home. For one reason or another, you might download large files regularly, necessitating a fast connection. Make sure you aren’t paying more than you need to because you saw a big number advertised a while ago.

Check on Government Subsidies

Given the recent pandemic and the need for broadband internet across the country to keep things going, allow people to work from home, and have students attend virtual school, the government has taken notice of the need for internet service and has launched subsidies and initiatives to allow for people of all income levels to get at least basic internet access. 

The most notable of these subsidies or programs is the Affordable Connectivity Program. With this program you apply and based on your income or other criteria households can get a discount of up to $30 per month on their internet service. It is easy to enroll in and check on, and then one needs to contact their internet provider to apply the discount (also very easy with most providers). There may also be other options and programs based on your area, so certainly take a look and consider your options.

Minimize Usage of Other Devices

You might think you need as much speed as you’re paying for, but what are you doing online? Sometimes optimizing the usage of the connection you do have is all that’s needed as opposed to paying for a plan you don’t need. Some things you can do include scheduling large downloads and updates for later at night when you’re sleeping, closing background processes not in use, and double-checking bandwidth usage (there are apps and tools for this). It isn’t the perfect solution, but it can save some households money in the right circumstances.

At the same time, make sure that you aren’t wasting your bandwidth on an unoptimized setup. Using a wired connection where possible and making sure that your router is in the correct spot can make your internet work faster, which may reduce your need for a better plan.

The Bottom Line

People have been searching for cheap Wi-Fi and cheap internet service for a long time, and they will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Yet we know that doing so isn’t as simple as it sounds. You need to know your priorities, what you need, and your budget. Yet once you know these things, you can be confident in knowing that there are providers such as those we mentioned that can meet your needs and get you a cheap Wi-Fi plan. And remember that there are options for reducing your bill and making things as low-cost as possible for yourself.

If you’re interested in cheaper internet, please check out the providers listed above. If you want to know if any of them are available as an internet option to you, please use this website to search for them. It’s easy, will take just a few seconds, and it can potentially save you hundreds of dollars each year on internet service. We wish you the best of luck with your search and encourage you to come back to this page as you feel the need.