Best Cheap Internet: Affordable Internet for Seniors

October 17, 2022 amie-clark

Author: Amie Clark | October 17, 2022

Share: copied!

The Senior List is compensated when you click on the provider links listed on this page. This compensation does not impact our ratings or reviews. Click here to learn more about our editorial review process and click here to learn more about how we are compensated.

Xfinity Internet - Best Internet Overall

Overall Rating:

4.6 / 5

Formerly known as Comcast, Xfinity provides a range of affordable options for internet service. Plans are available in 40 states, and there are no-contract options for those who do not want a long-term commitment.

View Plans What We Like ↓

AT&T Internet - Best Bundled Savings

Overall Rating:

4.4 / 5

Offering fast, reliable internet access, AT&T provides coverage in areas across 21 states, with excellent customer service and an array of bundling options. For those looking to purchase additional services such as cable television, AT&T is a solid option.

View Plans

Call for best price:
855-959-3973

What We Like ↓

Spectrum Internet - Lowest Startup Costs

Overall Rating:

4.3 / 5

Spectrum is a good option for those looking to get out of a contract with another internet service provider. Spectrum will buy out another company’s contract for up to $500, and will never ask you to sign a contract. They also provide customers with a free modem for wired access to the internet.

View Plans

Call for best price:
844-902-2794

What We Like ↓

Overall Rating:

4.2 / 5

View Packages

Call for best price:
844-930-2931

What We Like ↓

Overall Rating:

3.5 / 5

What We Like ↓

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.

Best Cheap Internet for Seniors 2023

Xfinity : Best Internet Overall
AT&T : Best Bundled Savings
Spectrum Internet® : Lowest Startup Costs
CenturyLink Internet : Guaranteed Pricing
Optimum : Lowest Costs

How We Chose the Best Cheap Internet for Seniors

When choosing the best affordable internet for seniors, we rated each provider on the following criteria:

Costs: One of the most important aspects of signing up for a service like the internet — especially when on a fixed income — is cost. This includes the monthly billed rate as well as additional costs such as activation and equipment fees.
Coverage: Not all internet service providers operate in every city or state. When looking at the best options, we tried to find those that offer coverage in the widest range possible.
Contracts: Some companies require users to sign a contract in order to purchase internet service. For this list, we sought out internet providers that make it easy to cancel or change your service agreement.
Speed: Internet service is often offered at different speeds. The higher (or better) the speed, the more expensive the service is (usually). For this list, we looked for providers that offered speeds of at least 100 Mbps, which is enough to stream video and accomplish most internet tasks.
Customer service: As with any service that charges monthly fees, the ability for a customer to quickly and easily connect with a human being is important. All of the providers on this list provided customer service that was both knowledgeable and friendly.

Cheapest Internet Providers for Seniors

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
Extras	Free Getting Started kit Free shipping Access to Xfinity’s Wi-Fi hotspots	Smart Home Manager app Access to AT&T’s Wi-Fi hotspots	Free internet modem Contract buyout up to $500	Price for Life guarantee	Free professional installation Contract buyout up to $100

1. Xfinity - Best Overall Internet

4.6 / 5

View Plans

What We Like Most:

Coverage available across most of the United States
Range of options in speed and price
No-contract options
Access to Xfinity’s wireless hotspots

Overview

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.

Pros

Coverage available across most of the United States
Range of options in speed and price
No-contract options
Access to Xfinity’s wireless hotspots
Bundled internet and cable plans

Cons

Promotional pricing may increase after first year

2. AT&T - Best Bundled Savings

4.4 / 5

View Plans

Call for best price:
855-959-3973

What We Like Most:

Good coverage across much of the United States
High-speed fiber internet available in some areas
Reliable customer service
Access to AT&T’s wireless hotspots

Overview

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 Senior Internet.

Pros

Good coverage across much of the United States
High-speed fiber internet available in some areas
Reliable customer service
Access to AT&T’s wireless hotspots
Bundled internet, phone, and cable options

Cons

Installation and equipment fees

3. Spectrum Internet® - Spectrum Internet- Lowest Startup Costs

4.3 / 5

View Plans

Call for best price:
844-902-2794

What We Like Most:

No contracts
Contract buyout offer
Free internet modem
Affordable pricing

Overview

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.

Pros

No contracts
Contract buyout offer
Free modem
Affordable pricing
No data caps

Cons

Activation and installation fees

4. CenturyLink Internet - Guaranteed Pricing

4.2 / 5

View Packages

Call for best price:
844-930-2931

What We Like Most:

No risk of price hikes
DIY and professional installation
Bundled savings
Simplified packages

Overview

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.

Pros

No risk of price hikes
DIY and professional installation
Bundled savings
Simplified packages

Cons

$65 per month for 940 Mbps speeds

5. Optimum - Lowest Costs

3.5 / 5

What We Like Most:

Affordable pricing
Fast download speeds
30-day money-back guarantee
Free installation

Overview

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.

Written By

Amie Clark

Amie has been writing about senior care products and services for the last decade. She is particularly passionate about new technologies that help improve the quality of life for seniors and their families. Seeing her parents and grandparents age made Amie ask herself, “Would this be good enough for my loved ones?” In her spare time, Amie enjoys outdoor adventures and spontaneous road trips. Learn more about Amie here