How to Get Cheap Internet Service

There’s a lot more to consider than just your rent or mortgage payment when you’re budgeting for your monthly housing costs. You’ll also need to consider your internet service costs. The cost of internet can vary pretty widely depending on where you live. If you just moved, you might find yourself going back to the drawing board to find affordable internet. To help you do just that, we’ve put together a short explainer on how to get cheap internet service. We are sharing a list of low-cost providers and helpful tips to save you money.

The average cost of internet service

The average American household spends $65 a month on internet, with the price going up or down based on the type of service you get (DSL, cable, fiber, or satellite) and usage, data speeds, data caps, and other add-on fees. To ensure that you get the best deal possible, it’s always a good idea to do your research and look at all of your available options. This is true even if you’re able to keep your provider after a move. Even with the same service provider, you may end up paying more just by being in a different location.

Who Offers Cheap Internet Service?

Opting for cheap internet service is a great way to keep your monthly expenses in check. With that in mind, here are eleven cheap internet service providers that offer reliable service and plans that start at under $50.

AT&T

CenturyLink

Comcast Xfinity

Cox

Frontier

Optimum

RCN

Spectrum

Suddenlink

Verizon Fios

Wave Broadband

Fees That Can Drive Up Your Cost

Whether you go with cheap internet service or a pricier option, there’s more to factor into your monthly cost than just the starting price of your plan. Here are some of the hidden fees that could result in you spending more than expected each month.

• • Installation fees. This is generally a one-time fee, so you won’t have to worry about paying this month after month. The installation fee generally hovers around $100, but some providers offer the option for self-installation with a steep discount—and some may even wave the fee entirely.
  • Equipment fees. If you don’t want to purchase a router and/or modem, you’ll need to rent it for about $10 to $15 a month ($120 to $180 a year).
  • Data cap fees. Some cheap internet service plans include a data cap, which refers to the maximum amount of data you can use each month. You’ll be charged a fee in set units if you go over this cap—think something like $10 per 50 GB. Fortunately, many providers have gotten rid of data caps to stay competitive in the market.

  The bottom line: when you’re comparing your options, make sure to look beyond the starting plan price.

  Tips for Keeping Your Internet Costs Down

  Aside from choosing cheap internet service from the get-go, there are other things that you can do to keep your costs down.

  Don’t pay for more speed than you need.

  Low price plans generally include about 100 Mbps to 300 Mbps of speed—and for most people, that’s more than enough, including for things like downloading large files, playing multiplayer online games, and using video chatting services like Zoom and Skype. Use a bandwidth calculator to determine your speed needs.

  Keep an eye out for hidden fees.

  A $29.99 a month plan isn’t such a great deal if it’s accompanied with a low data cap and high monthly equipment costs. When you’re researching cheap internet service, be sure to look at the big picture and not just the basic price of the plan.

  Just say “no” to data caps.

  Speaking of data caps, try to find a plan without them if you can. While they used to be standard, most internet providers are now leaving off this expensive add-on, which can greatly increase your monthly cost while reducing your internet’s speed and utility.

  Buy a modem and router instead of renting them.

  It’s often more cost-effective to pay a one-time upfront fee to purchase a modem and router than to pay a smaller fee to rent them month after month. A modem costs about $50 to $100 to buy, while a router costs about $20 to $60 (though you could spend $100+ if you want a fancy one).

  Bundle your plan.

  Often, you can save money on internet costs simply by bundling internet with other essential utilities like TV and phone. See if it makes sense to build an all-in-one package that meets all of your needs.

  Look for discounts and promotions.

  There are a wide variety of cheap internet service providers out there, and they often offer special deals to help sway your decision in their favor. Keep an eye out for promotions that can sweeten the deal and keep your costs down, though do check the fine print to ensure your price won’t skyrocket once the promotion period is up.

  With a little bit of due diligence, you should be able to find a cheap internet service that aligns with your monthly budget and data usage.