Prepaid internet providers for 2024
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Best for multiple plan options
Prices from
$55.00
per month
Speeds up to
5,000
Mbps
Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install charge may apply.
Best for multiple plan options
Prices from
$19.99
per month
Speeds up to
2,000
Mbps
Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install charge may apply.
Best for long-term price guarantee
Prices from
$50.00
per month
Speeds up to
2,000
Mbps
Why trust our broadband experts
Allconnect’s team of broadband experts regularly reviews the top internet service providers in the U.S., scrutinizing each company under a rigorous scoring system to help our readers make informed internet purchases. We keep our data points accurate and up to date based on thorough research and partnership communications. Our content is not directed by partners. Visit our full methodology page and advertising disclosure to learn more.
Prepaid internet services can benefit students, seniors and anyone who values flexibility in their internet plans. Read on to discover the best prepaid home internet service providers (ISPs) and plans, compare the pros and cons of each and learn how to find cheap internet with month-to-month internet plans near you.
Best prepaid home internet providers
- Best for multiple plan options: AT&T Prepaid
- Best for long-term price guarantee: Cox StraightUp Internet
- Best for basic internet use: Shentel Prepaid Internet Service
- Best for unlimited prepaid internet for home: Straight Talk Home Internet
- Best for short-term internet access: Xfinity Prepaid
Compare top prepaid internet plans
These cable providers and 5G home internet plans all offer prepaid service (also called pay as you go internet).
Provider | Cost per month* | Speeds up to | Data limit | |
---|---|---|---|---|
$25–$90 | 140 Mbps | 15–100 GB | ||
$50 | 100 Mbps | 1.25 TB | ||
$45 | 25 Mbps | 1 TB | Call to order: (877) 701-6907 | |
$45 | 100 Mbps | Unlimited | Call to order: (877) 701-6907 | |
$15–$45 | 50 Mbps | 1 TB |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary. As of 1/18/24.
Methodology
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.
Prepaid internet provider reviews
Prepaid internet plans have two things in common: no contracts and no credit checks. However, other details, such as cost, data caps, additional fees and availability can vary. Discover the pros and cons of the best pay-as-you-go internet plans.
AT&T Prepaid – Multiple plan options
AT&T Prepaid offers four plan options, while most other prepaid providers offer just one plan. You can get 15, 20, 50 or 100 GB of data starting at $25/mo. AT&T Prepaid internet has 5G speeds, ranging from 40–140 Mbps depending on your location. One drawback of AT&T Prepaid is that all plans have data limits, and you need a hotspot device to start service. AT&T’s 5G hotspot devices can cost between $210 to over $460, making this requirement a costly upfront investment.
Read the full AT&T review.
Cox StraightUp Internet – Long-term price guarantee
Cox StraightUp Internet guarantees the price will stay at $50/mo. for three years as long as you pay your bill each month. Cox prepaid plans also include equipment, self-install and local Wi-Fi hotspot access at no extra cost. Signing up for service can be done online or in person at most Boost Mobile stores. Cox prepaid plans have a 1.25 TB data limit, which is enough for most people but something to be aware of.
Read the full Cox review.
Shentel Prepaid Internet Service – Best for basic use
Shentel’s prepaid plan is simple and straightforward. Thirty days of service costs $45, including all equipment (router, ethernet cable, power cord). However, Shentel has a very limited service area. It is available primarily in Virginia, with additional coverage in West Virginia, Maryland and Kentucky.
Straight Talk Home Internet – Unlimited data plans
Straight Talk Home Internet is available at Walmart in-store or online for $45/mo. This Wi-Fi internet service runs on Verizon cell networks and is the only prepaid service on this list that offers unlimited internet access. One shortcoming of Straight Talk plans is that speeds vary greatly by location. 5G and LTE areas can get up to 100 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds.
Xfinity Prepaid – Short-term internet
Xfinity is the only pay as you go internet service that offers terms of less than 30 days. Xfinity offers seven-day prepaid internet plans for $15 if you need super-short-term internet access. The 30-day prepaid plan is $45 per month. Xfinity Prepaid internet comes with a free gateway, a combination modem and Wi-Fi router. However, prepaid plans have a 1 TB data limit, and you cannot get Xfinity Prepaid if you currently have Xfinity postpaid internet service at your address.
Read the full Xfinity review.
How to find the right prepaid internet plan
Get the best internet deals for prepaid internet service in your area with these easy steps.
- Consider what a good internet speed is for the online activities you will be doing. At least 25 Mbps is sufficient for browsing or emailing. If you plan to stream, game, work from home (WFH) or connect more than five devices, you should consider speeds of around 100 Mbps.
- Determine which pay-as-you-go internet services are available near you. AT&T Prepaid, Cox StraightUp Internet and Xfinity Prepaid are a few options for prepaid Wi-Fi for home with large coverage areas.
- Pay $50–$100 for any startup costs and the first month of service upfront. Unlike postpaid internet plans, prepaid internet services do not require a credit check or a contract, so you will not need to pay a deposit.
- Be prepared for a short waiting period before using your prepaid home internet. Prepaid providers typically use cable or fixed wireless connections to bring the internet signal to your home. For example, new Xfinity Prepaid customers must wait 48 hours before the service is activated to allow time for a technician to connect the service.
- Set up your internet by connecting your modem and router according to the instructions. If necessary, find out what to do if your Wi-Fi is not working or how to fix slow internet. Then, enjoy your new home internet service.
Who should purchase prepaid internet?
Month-to-month internet plans may not be the best fit for everyone. Prepaid speeds can be slower than traditional postpaid internet plans and may include data caps. Additional offers and extra perks, such as streaming services, access to local hotspots or bundling discounts, are often not offered on prepaid plans.
However, prepaid internet has several advantages if you need high-speed internet on a budget. With prepaid internet, you have greater control of your monthly expenses because you pay your bill ahead of time. You won’t find any surprises in your bill because you’ll know what you are paying before service starts. Additionally, if internet doesn’t fit your budget one month, you can skip that month and resume service when ready.
Prepaid internet is also a good option for people who want to bypass a credit check and deposit, either due to a low credit score or because they are working to improve their credit score.
Weigh the pros and cons and consider your internet needs to determine if prepaid internet is your best option.
Prepaid internet FAQs
Does prepaid internet require a contract?
No, prepaid home internet does not have a contract. You can pay for your internet month-by-month for as long as you want, skip months or end your service at any time without penalty or an ETF.
Do I need to use my own equipment with prepaid internet services?
No. Most prepaid internet services will provide compatible equipment when you pay for your first month of service.
How do you qualify for prepaid internet?
You do not need to qualify for prepaid internet because no credit check is required to get service. Contact the prepaid ISP near you and pay for your first month to begin services.
What prepaid internet is the best?
The best prepaid internet provider for you depends on your budget, location and speed requirements. AT&T offers the most variety of plan options, Straight Talk has unlimited data and Xfinity is the best option for short-term internet needs. Enter your address to find out which providers are available in your area.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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