The 5 Best No Contract and Prepaid Internet Plans
Get reliable internet with no strings attached.
Best overall
- $70.00/mo.*
- Fiber
- Speeds up to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps)
Best budget plan
- $39.99/mo.†
- Fiber
- Speeds up to 300 Mbps
Best fiber availability
- $80.00/mo.‡
- Fiber
- Speeds up to 940 Mbps#
Best unlimited data
- $69.99/mo.§
- Cable
- Speeds up to 500 Mbps
Best availability
- $45.00/mo.‖
- Cable
- Speeds up to 50 Mbps
Data effective 7/13/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* Terms and Conditions: Plus taxes and fees. Service not available in all areas. If you live in an apartment or condo, Google Fiber’s ability to construct and provide Fiber is subject to the continued agreement between Google Fiber and the property owner. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.
† w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes,fees & charges.
‡ Plus taxes. Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies.
§ for 12 mos. Wireless speeds may vary. Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.
‖ Requires a $35 modem purchase
# Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. 1GIG speeds avail. to new customers with the latest router (“BGW320”) and recommended setup. For 5 GIG speed, single device wired speed maximum 4.7 Gbps. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factors and are not guaranteed. For more information, go to www.att.com/speed101.
Our pick: Which no-contract internet is best?
Google Fiber is by far the best no-contract internet out there. It comes with free professional installation and free equipment, so there are no upfront costs and no hidden fees. It also boasts one of the fastest and most reliable connections you can get for the price. If Google Fiber is available in your area, we highly recommend it.
The 7 best no-contract internet plans
- Best overall: Google Fiber 1 Gig
- Best budget plan: AT&T Fiber Internet 300
- Best fiber availability: AT&T Internet 1000
- Best unlimited data:Spectrum Internet® Ultra
- Best availability: Xfinity Prepaid Internet
- Best starter plan: Cox StraightUp Internet
- Best DSL plan: CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet
Best no-contract internet plans
| Best for | Plan | Price | Type | Download Speed | Get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Google Fiber 1 Gig | $70.00/mo.* | Fiber | 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) | |
| Best budget plan | Optimum Fiber Internet 300 | $39.99/mo.† | Fiber | 300 Mbps | |
| Best fiber availability | AT&T Internet 1000 | $80.00/mo.‡ | Fiber | 940 Mbps†† | |
| Best unlimited data | Spectrum Internet® Ultra | $69.99/mo. for 12 mos.§ | Cable | Up to 500 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | |
| Best availability | Xfinity Prepaid Internet | $45.00/mo.‖ | Cable | 50 Mbps | |
| Best starter plan | Cox StraightUp Internet | $50.00/mo.# | Cable | 25 Mbps | |
| Best DSL plan | CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet 100 Mbps | $50.00/mo.** | DSL | 100 Mbps |
* Terms and Conditions: Plus taxes and fees. Service not available in all areas. If you live in an apartment or condo, Google Fiber’s ability to construct and provide Fiber is subject to the continued agreement between Google Fiber and the property owner. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.
† w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes,fees & charges.
‡ Plus taxes. Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies.
§ Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.
‖ Requires a $35 modem purchase
# No term agreement. Same price for 3 yrs.
** Speed may not be available in your area. Paperless billing or prepay required. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Get the fastest internet speed available at your location (max speed is up to 100 Mbps).
†† Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. 1GIG speeds avail. to new customers with the latest router (“BGW320”) and recommended setup. For 5 GIG speed, single device wired speed maximum 4.7 Gbps. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factors and are not guaranteed. For more information, go to www.att.com/speed101.
What should you look for in a no-contract internet plan?
Here are a few important factors to make sure of when choosing a no-contract internet plan.
What you want from a no-contract internet plan:
- An internet speed that’s fast enough to meet your needs
- A monthly bill that fits your budget
- Minimal hidden costs or fees—or none at all
- A reliable connection type like cable or fiber
The most important thing in choosing a no-contract internet plan is selecting one that matches your internet speed needs. Avoiding long-term contracts can make your life easier, but not if it makes everyday tasks like work or school harder. No-contract internet plans can vary substantially in price and speed, so make sure that the one you choose fits your lifestyle.
For example, Google Fiber is 50 times faster than Xfinity Prepaid Internet, while costing you only an additional $25 per month. While that may seem like a great deal for a lot more speed, all that extra speed isn’t going to make a very big difference if you can already do what you need on a slower connection. Your extra $25 per month ($300 a year) will be wasted.
Another important feature in a no-contract plan is transparent billing. You should pay a flat rate every month, with no hidden price hikes or cancellation fees. You might have an equipment fee if you rent your modem from your service provider, but that’s about it.
It’s also important to pay attention to the type of connection you sign up for. Fiber networks are fast, reliable, and rarely require maintenance. Cable and DSL can both fall short of their advertised speeds in certain situations (like high-traffic periods on a cable connection), and both require more maintenance, which can cause internet outages.
Pros:
Pros:- Low monthly price
- Fiber connection
Cons:
Cons:- Slower-than-average speeds for fiber
- Limited availability
- Installation fees
Pros:
- Wide availability
- Fast speeds
Cons:
- Higher monthly cost
Pros:
- Unlimited data
- Free modem or gateway
Cons:
- Price hikes after 12 mos.
- Monthly WiFi charge
Pros:
- Wide availability
- Good monthly price
Cons:
- Slow speeds
Pros:
- Low initial cost
- 3 year price guarantee
Cons:
- Slow speeds
Pros:
- Decent download speeds
- Reasonable prices
Cons:
- Slow upload speeds
- Older infrastructure
- High installation costs
Our verdict: Get Google Fiber if it’s available
Google Fiber hits all the most important points for a good no-contract internet plan. It’s got a simple, contract-free monthly bill, a reliable fiber network, and incredibly fast speeds. The only downside is that it’s available in only a handful of cities in the US.
If Google Fiber isn’t an option for you, look at other fiber providers, like AT&T or Optimum. While Optimum’s Fiber Internet 300 plan is the most affordable option, other providers like AT&T also offer faster fiber plans more comparable to Google Fiber speeds.
Whichever plan you choose, just make sure to consider the upfront costs in your calculations so you don’t end up making a big investment for a plan you’re not intending to keep.
No-contract internet FAQ
What is a short-term internet contract?
The shortest term for which you can purchase internet is usually one month, since the billing cycle for internet service generally operates on a monthly basis. Since you have to make only a single payment to get one month’s worth of internet, these plans are generally referred to as no-contract, pay-as-you-go, or monthly internet plans.
If a full month still sounds like a long time, some mobile Wi-Fi hotspots offer service on a per-day basis. You can also make use of public Wi-Fi hotspots if there’s one close to your home.
How much does no-contract internet service cost?
No-contract plans are fairly close in price to comparable plans that require year-long contracts. ISPs that offer plans both with and without contracts generally offer a discount to customers who sign up for a contract, making their no-contract plans slightly more expensive. There are, however, many ISPs that have abandoned contracts altogether and these plans are sometimes cheaper than similar plans from other ISPs that require long-term contracts.
What is the best no-contract internet service?
Google Fiber is the best no-contract internet service you can get, based on our research. There are no hidden fees or unexpected price hikes. The service is also superfast and reliable. The only downside is that Google Fiber is available in only a few cities, so if you don’t live in one of them, you’ll have to choose another provider.
Google Fiber has begun expanding its network once again, so although its reach is still very limited, some people will soon have Google Fiber available in their cities.
What no-contract internet plans are available in rural areas?
It’s hard to find no-contract internet plans in rural areas, particularly areas that have only satellite internet available. Satellite internet almost always requires a two-year contract, as well as the installation of expensive equipment.
One potential alternative to satellite internet is using mobile hotspots. Often you can set up a mobile hotspot using your cell phone. You can also purchase a dedicated mobile hotspot, independent of your phone plan. This requires both buying the device and paying for the data, so it’s a much bigger investment than simply setting up a hotspot on your phone.
How do I get out of my internet contract?
Getting out of your internet contract typically requires you to pay an early termination fee (ETF) that’s dependent on how many months remain in your contract. These fees can be very high, which is why you should never enter into an internet contract lightly.
There is one way to get out of a contract without taking a financial hit. Some internet providers will pay your early termination fee (or, more often, reimburse you) if you switch to one of their plans. Of course, this means getting into another contract. But if you have to switch anyway, this can be a nice perk when choosing your new internet provider.