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July 9, 2021
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There are many reasons that people of all ages rely on the internet today. Whether it is to communicate with family and friends, pay bills, or easily find information, having access to the web is important for most adults. However, internet service can be expensive, especially for those on a fixed income.
Luckily, we’ve tested several of the most popular internet providers and come up with our favorite budget-friendly internet companies.
FYI: In addition to these rankings of the most affordable internet, we’ve also compiled the best internet provider for seniors and senior discounts for internet.
When choosing the best affordable internet for seniors, we rated each provider on the following criteria:
| Provider | Xfinity | AT&T | Spectrum | CenturyLink | Optimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $39.99 per month, no contract | $45 per month, no contract | $49.99 per month, no contract | $49 per month, no contract | $35 per month, no contract |
| Speeds | Up to 100 Mbps | Up to 100 Mbps | Up to 200 Mbps | Up to 100 Mbps | Up to 300 Mbps |
| Ideal for | Downloading music and photos; streaming videos for up to 5 devices | Downloading music and photos; streaming videos for up to 5 devices | Downloading music and photos; streaming videos for up to 5 devices; online gaming | Downloading music and photos; streaming videos for up to 5 devices | Downloading music and photos; streaming videos for an entire household; online gaming |
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Offering coverage across much of the United States, Xfinity provides reliable access to the web with a range of plans to fit any budget. They offer month-to-month, no-contract options and often run regional promotions that allow new users to purchase high-speed internet service at a much lower price than what is offered by some of the other big-name internet service providers. This can be especially helpful to seniors who may not want to spend a large sum of money on the internet, but still want to enjoy activities, such as video streaming and downloading.
Price: Xfinity’s plans start at $39.99 per month. For some plans, when you enroll in automatic online payments, you’ll receive a $10 per month discount off this $39.99. This price includes internet speeds up to 100 Mbps. If you do not have a compatible internet router, you can rent one from Xfinity for $14 per month.
Pro Tip: To learn more about Xfinity’s offerings, check out my guide: Xfinity Internet for Seniors.
AT&T is the largest telecommunications company in the world. Dating back to the invention of the telephone, AT&T began as a subsidiary of the Bell Telephone Company and has provided communication services for over 100 years. Today, AT&T offers a range of internet, telephone, and cable television plans. Internet plan availability varies by area, and in some areas, AT&T offers a fiber option that provides speeds up to 300 Mbps for only $35 per month. For those outside these areas, reliable internet service (speeds up to 100 Mbps) starts at $45 per month, which is comparable to many other major service providers and includes the reliability of the AT&T brand.
Price: In most service areas, AT&T’s plans start at $45 per month for internet speeds up to 100 Mbps, with $10 per month equipment fee. However, those who live in select cities may be able to sign up for the faster AT&T Fiber internet, which costs $35 per month for internet speeds up to 300 Mbps.
FYI: To learn more about this provider, take a look at my guide: AT&T Internet for Seniors.
Customers in the Spectrum service area can sign up for plans at prices comparable to those of other major providers. Unlike most other companies, Spectrum does not charge a monthly fee for the use of its wired internet modem; however, customers who would like Wi-Fi must either purchase their own compatible wireless router or lease one from Spectrum for an additional monthly fee. All of Spectrum’s plans are no contract; they will even buy out new customers’ contracts with other companies (up to $500). Their setup and activation fees also tend to be less expensive than those of other companies.
Price: Spectrum’s plans start at $49.99 per month for internet speeds up to 200 Mbps. Unlike most other service providers, Spectrum lets you use one of its modems for free (but does not include Wi-Fi service), so there is no monthly fee for that equipment.
Pro Tip: Curious about how to get your internet contract bought out by Spectrum? Check out my guide: Spectrum Internet for Seniors.
Unlike many other service providers, CenturyLink offers a Price For Life guarantee, meaning that the cost of internet access will not increase after the first year of service. They also allow customers to purchase a modem outright instead of being forced to lease one for an additional monthly cost. Price-wise, CenturyLink is a good option for those that are using the internet for things like online shopping or connecting with friends and family on social media. While CenturyLink advertises internet speeds up to 100 Mbps, the actual speeds vary greatly depending on the service area, and their high-speed options are not available everywhere.
Price: CenturyLink’s plans start at $49 per month for internet speeds up to 100 Mbps, with an additional $9.99 monthly fee to rent the internet modem. However, CenturyLink also sells this modem for $99.99.
FYI: To learn more about CenturyLink’s offerings, read my guide: CenturyLink Internet for Seniors.
Optimum is an internet service provided through Altice USA. Headquartered in Long Island, New York, Optimum provides reliable high-speed internet service to residents of four states in the Northeast region. For those within this service area, Optimum is an affordable choice, offering high download and streaming speeds for a lower monthly cost than those of other comparable companies. Optimum offers new customers free installation and up to $100 to buy out their current internet contract. There is also a 30-day, money-back guarantee for peace of mind.
Price: Optimum’s plans start at $35 per month for internet speeds up to 300 Mbps. Leasing a modem through Optimum costs another $10 per month.
