Best No-Contract Internet Providers for 2024
Say goodbye to early termination fees and hello to commitment-free internet. CNET details the best no-contract broadband options that don't lock you down.
Our Experts
- Master's degree in Cinema Studies from NYU and interviews with Conan O'Brien, Stan Lee and some of his biggest Star Trek childhood idols
- Prices: $70 - $100 per month
- Speeds: 1,000 - 2,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts, equipment included
- Prices: $20 - $80 per month
- Speeds: 100 - 1,500Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, low promo prices, no contracts
- Prices: $55 per month
- Speeds: 10 - 140Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts
- Prices: $50 - $80 per month
- Speeds: 300 - 1,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, simple pricing, no contracts, modem included, free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots
- Prices: $40 - $70 per month
- Speeds: 100 - 1,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts
- Prices: $55 - $250 per month
- Speeds: 300 - 5,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts, equipment included
- Prices: $50 - $120 per month
- Speeds: 300 - 2,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts, free equipment with gig service
If you’re in the market for a new internet service provider and prefer one that won’t ask you to sign on the dotted line, we’ve got you covered.
What's the best no-contract internet provider overall?
CNET's pick for the best overall no-contract internet is Google Fiber. With consistent speeds (two plans of 1,000 and 2,000 megabits per second available in all serviceable areas and even faster speeds in select areas) and no equipment fees, it blows the competition out of the water. That particular ISP has limited availability across the country. If you're not in one of the 19 states in which Google Fiber operates, don't worry: You'll still be in great shape if you can access AT&T Fiber or any of the other providers we list below.
One bit of business first: Just because you don't have to sign a term agreement doesn't always mean you're getting the best price. Some providers will put a premium on their pay-as-you-go plans while their contract rates will be much cheaper. To help keep your costs in perspective, we noted the cost per Mbps for each listed no-contract internet provider. It's an excellent way to compare apples to apples.
Locating local internet providers
Best no-contract internet service providers of 2024
Google Fiber
Best overall ISP (if you can get it)
Our take - At first glance, Google Fiber plans seem expensive. There are five options: the cheapest at $70 per month and the most expensive at $150 monthly. These plans offer speeds from 1 gigabit (1,000Mbps) to 8 gigabits (8,000Mbps), so the actual cost per Mbps is 7 and 2 cents, respectively, which is excellent. You're getting a fast connection for your money. On top of that, your equipment is included in your monthly price, which is a great deal.
Astound Broadband
Best promo pricing
Our take - This cable internet provider boasts some of the best pricing out of the gates. It has quite a range of pricing across its various markets -- including Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York City, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle and others. Still, it has an aggressively competitive average cost of 8 cents per Mbps for the promo price. In many markets, you'll find a 300Mbps plan for $25 per month. That's excellent. That tough-to-beat price for cable internet falls closer to the pack after your introductory period, as the average cost jumps to 57 cents per Mbps. You'll be hard-pressed to find a better price for your initial years of service.
CenturyLink
Best for DSL value
Our take - There is no need to worry about cancellation fees on any CenturyLink plans -- none of them come with any contractual commitments whatsoever. The value is pretty strong with CenturyLink, too -- the company's DSL plan rings in at a value of $1 per Mbps, which is hard to beat among DSL offerings.
Spectrum Internet
Best no-contract cable internet
Our take - Spectrum is as straightforward as you can get when looking at cable internet providers. There are three plans: 300Mbps, 500Mbps and 1 Gig, and all are free of contracts and data caps. Across all three, the average cost per Mbps in the first year is 14 cents, which is quite good for cable internet. Perhaps more impressive, the second-year jump isn't too steep (for an ISP, anyway), up to an average of 19 cents per Mbps.
Kinetic by Windstream
Best alternative for rural areas
Our take - In many suburban and rural areas where it often competes with satellite providers (most of which require a two-year contract), Kinetic by Windstream sets itself apart by ditching term agreements altogether. You can get either DSL (a majority of its footprint) or fiber service (currently about one-fifth of its network) for an average cost of 50 cents per Mbps during the first year and 56 cents per Mbps afterward.
AT&T
Best for fiber coverage
Our take - Available to approximately a third of its footprint, AT&T fiber plans provide excellent value. There are five different plan options (300, 500 and 940Mbps, as well as 2 and 5 gigabits) ranging in price from $55 to $225 per month, with no data cap. Altogether, AT&T's fiber plans average just over 10 cents per Mbps, which is solid, but even more spectacular are the multi-gigabit plans, which average out to under 7 cents per Mbps, which is excellent.
Verizon Fios
Best for customer satisfaction
Our take - Verizon Fios, the company's fiber-optic internet option, doesn't require contracts for its home internet plans. Additionally, it scores high customer satisfaction marks in every ISP survey. It nabbed the top spot in a recent broadband survey and always does well in the annual American Customer Satisfaction Index report, scoring 75 out of 100 points, seven points above the industry average. Verizon Fios did equally well in the 2023 J.D. Power ISP study by grabbing the highest score in the East region for the 10th consecutive year.
Additional no-contract internet providers to consider
- Cox Communications: There's flexibility here, but it comes at a cost. Cox doesn't require you to sign a contract to receive internet service, but it does encourage customers to sign a one-year agreement, which takes $10 off the monthly bill. If you agree to the contract, you'll pay an average of 53 cents per Mbps, while those who pass on the term agreement must pay an average of 67 cents per Mbps. Cox also offers StraightUp Prepaid Internet, which provides the simplicity of one plan (100Mbps download) with all equipment, installation and taxes included in the price. For that streamlined approach, you'll pay 50 cents per Mbps, which is better than the average of all other plans Cox offers but doesn't give you any options for faster download speeds.
- Frontier Communications: You won't have to worry about binding contracts if you can access Frontier Internet (DSL) or Frontier Fiber. In addition to that, equipment fees are included in the monthly price, too. Customers of Frontier Fiber will see an average cost of 7 cents per Mbps for first-year pricing, while DSL customers can expect to pay $2.17 per Mbps.
- Mediacom: Though you'll need to contend with data caps, Mediacom's Xtream internet selections do not require you to sign a long-term contract. Across all four plans, you can expect to pay an average of 28 cents per Mbps during your first year; after that, the average cost per Mbps jumps to 43 cents. It should be noted that its fastest plans (Internet 300, 600 and the Gig plan) have an additional scheduled increase after 24 months.
- Metronet: This Midwest fiber-optic internet provider serves 16 states across the country. No term contracts are required for any plans, nor are there additional equipment fees. The promo prices are decent, especially for its gigabit plan, which is a nifty 6 cents per Mbps. The average cost per Mbps of its regular rates is 22 cents, which is fair, but nothing special.
- Optimum: All Optimum plans feature no data caps, no contracts and some of the best promo pricing for cable internet. Your first-year pricing will feature an average cost per Mbps of just under 12 cents, one of the most affordable rates we've seen for that internet connection type. After 12 months, the average cost per Mbps jumps to 46 cents, which is middle-of-the-road.
- Rise Broadband: This fixed wireless internet provider features a service with download speeds from 25Mbps to 1,000Mbps. While most of the plans include unlimited data, the two cheaper options either come with a 250GB data cap or require an additional $10 for unlimited data. The average cost per Mbps in the first year is $1.40, increasing to $1.70 afterward.
- Sparklight: This ISP is a bit unusual among cable internet providers in that it doesn't play the game of trying to entice you with a promo price that then jumps up after 12 months. Instead, what you pay now -- an average cost per Mbps of 19 cents -- is essentially what you'll be paying later. It does discount its Freedom Connect 600Mbps plan for the first three months of service. Also, Sparklight enforces data caps, so there's the potential for additional fees if you exceed your monthly limits.
- Starlink: Elon Musk's budding internet service is unique among satellite internet providers because it doesn't require a contract. Also, the average cost per Mbps of its standard plan (100Mbps) is just over $1, which is excellent for that connection type. The premium plan, which offers 250Mbps, knocks the average cost per Mbps down to 54 cents. That's pretty impressive for an internet technology known to fall on the pricier side. Starlink still requires a bit of a commitment: you must make a one-time equipment purchase of $599 (or a sizable $2,500 if you're purchasing the premium plan). That's a sizable chunk of change that most cable and fiber internet customers get to avoid. This could be a digital lifeline for rural regions of the country that don't have access to those connections.
- Starry Internet: This fixed wireless provider offers a solution similar to 5G home internet, using millimeter-wave technology. It features no contracts, and the price includes equipment, installation costs and unlimited data. The average cost per Mbps for Starry Internet is a reasonable 25 cents.
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Similar to Starry, T-Mobile Home Internet features everything under one price, with no contracts required. All equipment, installation fees and taxes are included at $60 a month (or $40 per month for eligible mobile customers). The cost per Mbps is difficult to pin down since speeds will vary by address. T-Mobile claims most customers will average between 72 to 245Mbps download speeds. When CNET tested T-Mobile Home Internet, we hit a maximum of 132Mbps, and we've also received anecdotal evidence of customers hitting speeds of up to 300Mbps in some areas. Meanwhile, per T-Mobile, it's possible some could potentially max out at 72Mbps. In other words, your mileage may vary -- but if your address has a strong connection to a nearby cell tower, T-Mobile could be well worth a shot.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon 5G Home Internet (its 5G fixed wireless internet service) is also squishy because its download speeds, ranging from 50 to 1,000Mbps, aren't guaranteed. Assuming the average of 300Mbps, the average cost per Mbps would be 17 cents. Verizon 5G Home Internet is an all-in price that includes taxes, fees and equipment.
- WOW: WideOpenWest, which prefers to go by WOW, aims to wow its customers by requiring no contracts and very competitive starting rates. This cable internet provider offers five different plan options, with a highly competitive average cost of just over 12 cents per Mbps for its promo price and 21 cents after the first year of service.
- Xfinity: Unfortunately, Xfinity requires customers to sign a contract to get its lowest price on internet service. Sometimes, and for some plans, it even calls for a two-year commitment. Xfinity does offer a Prepaid Internet option that requires no contract and gives you 30 days of internet service for $45. No deposit is required, and no fees, but you must make a one-time modem purchase of $35. The maximum download speed offered is 50Mbps, meaning this service has an average cost of 90 cents per Mbps, much higher than the 25 to 39 cents per Mbps other Xfinity customers will pay.
- Ziply Fiber: This company began offering service in 2020 after acquiring Frontier Communications networks in four Northwest states. It aims to simplify the purchasing process by skipping credit checks, data caps and term agreements. It features DSL and fiber plans, with the average cost per Mbps at 25 cents for the promo period and 40 cents after the first year.
Factors to consider when choosing a no-contract ISP
You'll want to look at the cost per megabit per second of the provider's plans to better understand whether you're getting a good deal. While it's fantastic to avoid having to sign a contract (and escape the looming threat of early termination fees), you still want to do your homework and make sure you're not paying a premium for the freedom of not having a term agreement.
Also, look into the type of internet connection offered by the ISP. While some households -- especially those in underserved or rural areas -- may not have many options, the general rule is that satellite internet is better than DSL, cable internet is better than satellite and fiber internet trumps them all. 5G home internet, which has made significant strides, is also becoming a legitimate option for many nationwide.
How we evaluated the best no-contract providers
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
No-contract internet providers recap
Sometimes, it feels like you must sign away your firstborn child -- or at least the next two years of your life -- to get internet service in your area. It's easy to be swayed by slimmed-down introductory prices, but lurking behind that first-year cheer can be a hefty bill increase and unrelenting extra fees if you dare change your mind or (shudder!) have to move.
Thankfully, that's changing. Competition is brewing among internet service providers as we become more dependent on broadband connections. That's one reason why some ISPs have dropped their contract requirements. You may even find internet deals offering to buy you out of your contract to get you to switch. That's good news for anyone looking to effectively explore their home internet options.
No-contract internet service FAQs
Can I get Wi-Fi at home without a contract?
We get this question quite often, as many assume they must pay for Wi-Fi separately from their internet service. That's not the case, generally. You often get Wi-Fi when you sign up with an internet provider, as many will provide you with a gateway. That's a combination of a modem (which connects your home to the internet) and a router (which takes that internet signal from the modem and broadcasts it wirelessly to the other devices in your home). Even if your ISP only provides the modem, you can rent a router or use your own. If you can get an internet connection at your address without signing a contract, you should have options to have Wi-Fi at your home without committing to a contract.
What is the best no-contract internet service provider?
It may sound like a cop-out, but the best no-contract internet provider for you is the one that's serviceable at your address. As we've mentioned many times in our ISP reviews, all things being equal, if you can get fiber internet at your location, that's the way to go. It'll give you the best performance of all the internet connection types -- you'll get symmetrical download and upload speeds -- and will often be the most affordable in terms of cost per megabit per second. Google Fiber, which includes all equipment costs and fees in your monthly rate, is the cheapest, averaging just over 4 cents per Mbps. Its availability pales compared to the fiber plans of AT&T, for example. If you live in one of the metro markets where it offers service, Google Fiber is an easy choice, but AT&T Fiber might be everyone else's top option.
Can I get internet without paying upfront?
Unfortunately, none of the major internet providers offer buy-now-pay-later plans. If eligible, you could get your broadband service paid for by the Affordable Connectivity Program. The ACP aims to help low-income households afford the internet connectivity all homes now need, providing a $30 monthly discount (and up to $75 for households on tribal lands) off an internet plan. If you qualify, you could indeed get internet without paying upfront. Note: The ACP no longer accepts new applicants and may run out of funds by May 2024.
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