High-Speed Internet Deals and Discounts

There’s nothing quite like spending all your money on a move, only to realize that you then have to spend even more to set up internet service in your new place. Thankfully, there are numerous ways to find internet deals, promotions, and specials that will get you connected to Wi-Fi while taking the weight off your wallet.

• Promotional gift cards
• Family and low-income subsidies
• Bundle packages
• Free installation
• Streaming deals
• Other ways to save

Before shopping for Wi-Fi deals, see what type of service you can get in your area. Providers, prices, and speeds vary by region, so use HighSpeedInternet.com’s zip check tool to get a complete listing of what’s available. From there, you can figure out the best internet deals in your area.

Major internet providers like AT&T and Xfinity seem to have a never-ending supply of prepaid rewards cards ready to hand out to new customers at no cost as a bonus when they sign up for internet service. The cards work as prepaid credit cards and give you $100 to $150 and help offset the cost of expenses for installation and modem rental, which comes as part of your bill.

These offers are usually available for just a short time—but don’t worry, because another gift card offer could soon pop up in its place.

Everyone needs internet—it’s like running water or electricity at this point. National internet providers recognize the nationwide demand for Wi-Fi, and they have programs in place to help families with schoolkids and qualifying low-income households access internet service at a vastly reduced price.¹

The plans listed below—as reported in HighSpeedInternet.com’s guide to subsidized internet—are for qualifying customers who meet the eligibility requirements of government assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the National Free Lunch Program (NFLP).

Bundling your internet service with cable TV, a landline phone, or a mobile phone line is an excellent way to get a lower price on your Wi-Fi. Cable internet companies and DSL/fiber internet providers both have offers on qualifying bundle bargains.

Professional internet installation can cost a pretty penny—usually $50 to $100. But some internet providers are willing to waive installation costs to encourage you to sign up as a new customer. When you’re shopping ’round, see if the internet provider can hook you up with free installation through an internet promotion or Wi-Fi deal. This is something that’s always a good idea to ask your sales rep about.

Streaming services have been proliferating with each passing year,² and some broadband providers are eager to catch up by giving you a subscription to a streaming service at no extra cost when you sign up for certain plans. This is a great internet special if you’re already subscribed to several platforms and want to save money by getting one for free.

Aside from seeking out internet offers and deals, there are other ways to save. Here’s a list of some tips to get the best home internet broadband deal possible.

As you’re shopping around for internet service, make a note of the different pricings and packages available from internet providers in your area. When you find a plan you like, get on the phone with customer service to discuss options for promotions, specials, and price-matching. Be firm but polite and feel free to try again later if you can’t rustle up something nice.

Don’t feel pressured to get the fastest internet on Earth—depending on your needs, you can usually pay less and still get solid performance. Use HighSpeedInternet.com’s How Much Speed Do I Need? Tool to get an idea of how much speed you’ll need on your plan based on the size of your household and types of activities you normally do online.

Some internet providers set a limit to the amount of data you can use per month. But since the spread of the new coronavirus, a lot of providers have been offering more data to help customers as an outgrowth of the Federal Communications Commission’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge.³

Ultimately, the best data deal is unlimited data—Spectrum, RCN, Frontier, and some other providers don’t impose any data caps and won’t charge you if you go over. Other providers like AT&T and Xfinity do have data caps, but they’re generous in size so you likely won’t need to worry unless you’re an internet superuser who downloads enormous files regularly and loves to stream video in 4K.

The modem and router keep your internet connection steady and allow you to access a Wi-Fi signal on multiple mobile devices. You can rent this hardware from your internet provider, or you can save some money long-term by buying your own. So long as your modem is approved to work with your internet provider, you’ll be good as gravy.

Getting your own equipment also lets you be more selective—for example, if you need a long-range router for a big house or a router with efficient performance for streaming.

Xfinity and Mediacom both offer the cheapest internet plans, giving you download speeds of 25–60 Mbps for around $20 a month (plus the cost for installation, equipment, taxes, and other fees).

If you have a family with K–12 or college students or if you qualify for government assistance, you can also seek out low-cost subsidized internet programs from providers like Xfinity, Spectrum, Optimum, Suddenlink, or Mediacom. Get more details in the family and low-income subsidies section farther up on this page.

AT&T delivers the best deal for home internet with its Internet 1000 plan. It costs $49.99 per month for the first 12 months and gives you up to 940 Mbps speeds on a fiber network—an unbeatable bargain if there ever was one.

AT&T may not be available in your area, but there are still other deals to be had. Run a search with your zip code to find out what you can get:

Learn more about the best internet deals:

• Best Internet Deals (Updated Monthly)
• 11 Classy Ways to Save Money on Your Internet Bill
• How to Get Free Internet
• Are There Programs Available to Help Make Internet Service More Affordable?
• How to Find Wi-Fi Hotspots

1. HighSpeedInternet.com, “Are There Programs Available to Help Make Internet Service More Affordable?,” July 2, 2020. Accessed Aug. 31, 2020

2. CNET, “Every US Streaming Service, Ranked,” May 13, 2020. Accessed Sept. 1, 2020

3. Federal Communications Commission, “Keep Americans Connected Pledge,” July 8, 2020. Accessed Sept. 1, 2020.