Finding reliable internet on a budget is a struggle if you don’t know where to go. In 2025, there are many affordable internet providers in the U.S. offering plans delivering good speeds, coverage, and features that would fit everyone’s needs.
First things first, when it comes to getting cheaper internet access, you must know what speeds you really need. To determine your actual needs, we have given a table below.
| Activity / Usage Type | Recommended Speed (per user/device) | Notes |
| Basic browsing & email | 5 Mbps | Enough for checking email, light browsing, and social media. But it will be very slow. |
| Music streaming | 5 Mbps | Works fine on almost all plans, but higher speeds (10Mbps) help with clear HD audio. |
| SD video streaming (480p) | 5-20 Mbps | Works okay on budget plans. |
| HD video streaming (1080p) | 5-10 Mbps | Needed for Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube in HD. May buffer at times. |
| 4K video streaming (UHD) | 15-25 Mbps | Required for Netflix, Disney+, etc. in 4K. |
| Light work and Video calls (Zoom/Meet) | 5-10 Mbps | Per user. But a higher upload is needed for smooth calls/video calls. |
| Online gaming | 20-40 Mbps | Low latency matters more than speed. |
| Cloud gaming (Xbox Cloud, GeForce Now) | 25-50 Mbps | Requires high-speed & low latency. |
| Large file downloads + working from home | 100 Mbps+ | Faster speeds cut wait times. It depends on work and the types of downloads. For example, the creator tool will require more. |
| Work from home (multiple devices) | 50-200 Mbps | For video calls, VPN, and multitasking. |
| Smart home (IoT devices) | 25-100 Mbps total | Devices are used little individually, but add up. Higher speeds for other added online activities. |
| Household with 3–5 people (gaming, streaming, 4K video streaming, and huge downloads, home office) | 300-500 Mbps | Ensures multiple streams and devices run smoothly. |
| Heavy usage household (5-10 people, with 4K streaming, gaming, remote work) | 1 Gbps | For families with high simultaneous demand. |
Whether you’re got some streaming, working from home, or just want to save money while staying connected, we’ve got some quality but cheap internet service providers (ISPs) in the U.S. worth consideration.
Read on ahead for the 7 best cheap internet providers list and key details.
7 Best Cheap Internet Providers in The U.S. 2025
We have compiled a list, starting from the lowest priced to the highest priced, among the cheapest provider plans, but from reputable names.
| Provider Brands | Plans Starting |
| Mediacom | $19.99/mo. |
| Frontier | $29.99/mo. |
| Spectrum | $30.00/mo. |
| WOW! | $30.00/mo. |
| Verizon Fios | $34.00/mo. |
| T-Mobile | $35.00/mo. |
| Xfinity | $40.00/mo. |
*All prices are subject to change
1. Mediacom –Cheapest Overall Plan
Mediacom is a cable provider and is available in 22 states. Its plans start from a price range of $19.99/mo. for 250 Mbps. It has other plans that go from 500 Mbps to 2000 Mbps, and prices for those start above $40, thus not feasible as an affordable plan.
2. Frontier –Cheapest Fiber Plan
Frontier has some of the cheapest fiber-based plans across the Midwest, Northeast, South, West, and some other places like California, West Virginia, Minnesota, and Texas. Maybe it will expand in the future.
For now, the lowest-priced plan from them is $29.99/mo. for a 200 Mbps. There is a less than $40 plan for 500 Mbps, too. There are no contracts or data caps, but price hikes may happen after 12 months.
3. Spectrum –Lowest Equipment Costs
Spectrum is a cable provider with services in the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West, i.e., a wide availability. The equipment is free with a 1000 Mbps plan, but the lowest plan, Spectrum Internet Advantage, costs $30.00/mo. for 100 Mbps, and prices increase after 12 or 36 months.
4. WOW! –A Value Offer
WOW offers great value for its cheaper plan, which has both fiber and cable. It cheapest plan starts for $30.00/mo. for 100 Mbps. But if you can extend your budget to $50.00/mo. will get you 500 Mbps of fiber speeds. However, there is limited availability (Alabama and Georgia, the South and Midwest, including Michigan).
5. Verizon Fios –Best Perks
Verizon is a fiber and DSL service provider and is available in the Northeast states, California, and Washington. It has fiber plans from 300 to 2300 Mbps and starts from $34, so you will likely find an affordable connection to keep on long term. It offers perks to customers such as free equipment, gift cards, and other such benefits.
6. T-Mobile 5G –Simple Home Internet Pricing & No Contracts
T-Mobile is a widely used and available 5G home internet provider, with coverage across the country. The prices start at $35.00/mo. with speeds up to 415 Mbps, and some taxes and fees go with it. They have perks for the new customers, such as prepaid cards. They also have no monthly equipment fee or annual contracts.
7. Xfinity –Best In Cheap & Widely Available
Xfinity is one of the largest providers of cable internet in the country and is available in 40 states. Xfinity’s cheapest plan starts at $40.00/mo. for 300 Mbps and includes equipment. The prices are subject to rise after the deal period closes, which is 12 months to 5 years.
Furthermore, you can read on for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that offer even cheaper internet in some cases to individuals or families that can’t afford the bottom-line internet prices, let alone the average internet price of internet in the U.S.
Assistance Programs for Cheaper Internet Access
Many providers in the U.S. are responsibly trying to give access to people who have budget constraints and those who can’t afford a great connection or one at all.
For example, the working single mothers, students living in dorms and managing expenses, people who want to work from home, or those who have small businesses online but low incomes.
For such customers, there are assistance programs by multiple brands. So, we’ve also listed some of such names that provide affordable connections, for a more connected nation.
Cox – Connect2Compete
Home internet is an important need in today’s time for the education of young kids. Cox, with its Connect2Complete, opens a world of opportunities for families with K-12 students and provides them with affordable and reliable internet at home.
- Plans start at $9.95/mo. (subject to change) and have speeds up to 100 Mbps of download speeds.
Xfinity – Internet Essentials
Xfinity provides an affordable internet connection, but for households that qualify (household income below the federal poverty levels, those participating in the federal assistance programs). The program does not require a credit check, installation, or contracts.
- Plans start with $14.95/mo. for 75 Mbps and 29.95/mo. for up to 100 Mbps
Mediacom – Xtream Connect
For this, you need to have at least one child who is a K-12 student at home and one child on the free or reduced school lunch program through the National School Lunch program. Then you can apply for Mediacom’s Xtream Connect. But you must not have an outstanding bill or unreturned equipment.
- Plans start from $9.95/mo. with up to 25 Mbps with no contracts, installation, or equipment fees. There is a no-cost modem lease for it.
Wrapping Up
Overall, internet availability varies across the country as not all internet types or providers are available in all locations. You must see your options by location and your needs. In some cases, you might have to extend your budget a little.
In case you couldn’t find a plan to go with the above, we’ve listed some affordable plans below the average internet price ($65 according to an article by Forbes) here:
| Provider | Plan | Download Speed | Starting Prices |
| Ziply Fiber | Fiber 200/200 | Up to 200 Mbps | Less than $50/mo. |
| Fidium Fiber | Fidium Essential 100 Mbps | Up to 100 Mbps | Less than $40/mo. |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet | Verizon 5G Home | 85 – 300 Mbps | Less than $40/mo. |