The Best Cheap Internet Plans of 2026

For years, the biggest barrier to Starlink wasn’t the monthly bill—it was the $600 "entry fee" for the dish. That barrier is officially gone. Starlink now offers a $50 per month Residential 100Mbps plan that includes a free dish rental.

This plan is a breath of fresh air for rural residents who were previously stuck with legacy satellite providers. While your speeds are capped at 100 Mbps (and deprioritized during peak hours), it is more than enough for HD streaming and video calls. More importantly, it finally makes Starlink a "budget" option that can compete with terrestrial providers.

• Pros: No upfront equipment cost, widely available, low latency for gaming.

• Cons: Speeds are capped at 100 Mbps; availability is limited to areas with excess capacity.

If you’ve ever been denied a plan because of a credit score or been burned by a two-year contract, EarthLink 5G Home Internet is your solution. Replacing older fixed-wireless options like Rise Broadband, EarthLink’s 5G service starts at $59.95 per month and offers a truly modern experience: no credit checks and no contracts.

EarthLink uses 5G cellular networks to beam internet into your home via a simple plug-and-play gateway. With speeds reaching up to 425 Mbps and no data caps, it’s a powerhouse for streaming and working from home without the "red tape" of traditional ISPs.

• Pros: No credit check, no contract, unlimited data, easy self-installation.

• Cons: Requires a $14.95/mo. modem rental and a $39.95 setup fee.

Verizon continues to dominate the 5G space by offering some of the fastest wireless speeds we’ve seen—up to 1,000 Mbps in select areas. If you’re already a Verizon mobile customer, this is a no-brainer. You can get home internet for as low as $35 per month, which is about as cheap as high-speed internet gets in 2026.

Even if you aren’t a mobile subscriber, the $50 flat rate (with Auto Pay) is incredibly competitive. There are no equipment fees, no hidden "hidden" fees, and no annual contracts to worry about.

• Pros: Massive speed potential, excellent bundle discounts, no equipment fees.

• Cons: Top speeds are limited to "Ultra Wideband" coverage areas.

While 5G and satellite are great for the outskirts, Spectrum remains the king of cable value if you live in a serviced area. Their Internet Advantage plan starts at just $30 per month for 100 Mbps.

Spectrum has been aggressively expanding into rural pockets that were previously ignored by cable companies. If you can get it, you’ll enjoy a stable wired connection with no data caps and no contracts—something we rarely saw from cable providers a decade ago.

• Pros: Very low entry price, stable wired connection, no data caps.

• Cons: Price increases significantly after the first year.

When you’re hunting for a deal, don’t just look at the monthly price. Here is what I always tell readers to watch out for:

1. Equipment Fees: A $50 plan isn't $50 if there is a $15/mo. router rental attached. Starlink and Verizon are currently leading the way by eliminating these upfront or monthly hardware costs.

2. The "Second Year" Hike: Providers like Spectrum offer "teaser" rates. Always ask what the price will be after month 12, so you aren't surprised by a $30 jump in your bill.

3. Data Caps: In 2026, there is no reason to pay for a plan with a restrictive data cap. Every provider on this list offers unlimited (or effectively unlimited) data. If a provider tries to sell you a 50GB "Priority" plan, keep walking.