Best No-Contract Internet Providers of December 2024
Updated October 31, 2024 at 4:01 am
Many internet service providers (ISPs) try to lock customers into year-long or multi-year contracts by offering promotional pricing, free equipment or free installation. These upfront discounts and freebies may be enticing, but you don’t have to make a long-term commitment to an ISP to get great internet service. It’s possible—and sometimes favorable—to get access to the internet without a contract.
In this guide, we break down the best no-contract internet providers by comparing their features, analyzing their pros and cons and highlighting what each service excels in. We also cover the basics of no-contract internet providers and provide guidelines to follow when looking for the one that’s right for you.
Our Methodology Our research is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of personal finance services and products that best suit your needs. To help you in the decision-making process, our expert contributors compare common preferences and potential pain points, such as affordability, accessibility, and credibility.
Our Picks for the Best No-Contract Internet Providers
Best Overall
AT&T Fiber
Best for Simplicity
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
Best for Widespread Cable
Spectrum
Best for High Speeds
Google Fiber
Best Budget-Friendly Fiber
Astound Broadband
5 Best No-Contract Internet Providers of 2024
We chose four main factors to compare across each provider, including their price ranges, speeds on offer, what type of connections they use and whether they offer a money-back guarantee. We also analyzed their unique key features and weighed their pros and cons to distill what makes each provider special so that you can decide whether they’re the right choice for you.
Best Overall
AT&T Fiber
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Why We Chose It
AT&T Fiber is one of the most expansive and flexible internet providers in the country, offering five competitively priced plans with speeds ranging from 300Mbps up to 5Gbps. With every plan, you get AT&T’s Smart Home Manager app for security and parental controls as well as internet access on the go with AT&T’s Wi-Fi hotspot—making it the best all-around, no-contract internet provider on this list.
Pros and Cons
- Monthly price includes equipment rental fees
- Plan for every user
- 2Gbps and 5Gbps plans include mesh extender
- Speeds cap off at 5Gbps
- Mesh extenders cost extra $10/month without upgraded plan
- Professional installation may cost money without promotion
Additional Information
- AT&T All-Fi—which is included in AT&T Fiber—employs Wi-Fi 6 and Tri-Band technology to deliver reliable and strong connections.
- Mesh extender technology can cover up to 5,000 square feet, possibly at an additional cost.
- Smart Home Manager app allows you to manage your network security with AT&T Active Armor and parental controls features.
- Access to AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot is included at no extra charge.
Best for Simplicity
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
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Why We Chose It
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet simplifies the internet shopping experience by offering one plan at one price as well as free two-day shipping for a 5G gateway as soon as you sign up. The 5G gateway is plug and play, so you can have reliable internet service up and running easily in two days—no technician or additional installations necessary.
Pros and Cons
- Simple plan and setup process
- Last month of service is free if they raise the internet price and you choose to leave within 60 days
- 15-day money-back guarantee
- No additional plan options for higher speeds
- Speeds may be too low for power users
- Access to best pricing requires a T-Mobile phone line
Additional Information
- The T-Mobile 5G Home Internet gateway device converts nearby 5G signals into Wi-Fi.
- Bundling certain T-Mobile phone plans with wireless internet includes free perks like Netflix standard with ads and Apple TV+ as well as lower monthly pricing.
- The Home Internet Plus plan includes a mesh Wi-Fi system for an additional $10 per month.
- If you’re already involved in an internet contract with another ISP, T-Mobile will pay up to $750 in contract termination fees for signing up.
Best for Widespread Cable
Spectrum
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Why We Chose It
Spectrum is a straightforward cable internet provider offering three plans at competitive rates and speeds ranging from 500Mbps to 1Gbps. Spectrum’s service network is one of the largest in the U.S., serving over 32 million customers in 41 states, which means most people looking for a reliable and reasonably priced internet service can look to Spectrum.
Pros and Cons
- No data cap
- Widely available across the U.S.
- Affordable pricing
- Spectrum Advanced Wi-Fi required to reach 1Gbps wireless speeds
- Equipment fees ($7 per month) to rent router
- Prices seem to increase every 12 to 24 months
Additional Information
- Low-income household pricing options offer flexibility for all types of budgets.
- Spectrum offers a two-year price guarantee for the Internet Ultra and Internet Gig plans.
- Choose from options to bundle internet, mobile, TV and home phone for additional perks like free access to Disney+, price reductions and free Wi-Fi for 12 months.
- For an additional $7 per month, you can get Spectrum Advanced Wi-Fi which provides Wi-Fi 6 technology—enabling speeds up to 1Gbps—and enhanced protection with Security Shield.
Best for High Speeds
Google Fiber
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Why We Chose It
Google Fiber offers speeds at and above 1Gbps at some of the lowest prices on the market. Symmetrical upload and download speeds result in fast and responsive internet experience that’s ideal for competitive gaming or for streaming clear and lag-free live video.
Pros and Cons
- Free professional installation
- Competitive pricing
- Speeds as high as 8Gbps
- Fiber network still growing
- No inexpensive plan options
- Fiber optic line installation required
Additional Information
- Wirelessly connect more devices to your network at faster speeds with Wi-Fi 6E wireless technology which uses the new 6GHz band with tri-band connectivity.
- Google Fiber offers symmetrical upload and download speeds from 1Gbps to 8Gbps on most plans (5 and 8Gbps plans are only available in select areas).
- Up to two mesh Wi-Fi extenders come with 2Gbps plans and above, extending your Wi-Fi coverage up to about 3,000 square feet.
- Multi-gig Wi-Fi 6E router included with 2Gbps plans and above.
Best Budget-Friendly Fiber
Astound Broadband
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Why We Chose It
Astound Broadband offers a range of plans with speeds from 300Mbps to 1.5Gbps, although these speeds can differ slightly depending on where you are located. What sets Astound apart is the promotional prices that you can lock in for up to two years (with autopay enabled), allowing you to enjoy higher speeds at low prices without ever committing to a contract.
Pros and Cons
- Low starting prices
- No data caps
- 2-year price locks available
- Availability limited to mostly metropolitan areas
- Prices may hike up considerably after promotional period
- Prices may differ depending on location
Additional Information
- This fiber-powered network delivers speeds up to 1.5Gbps and various options for customizing your home network.
- All plans include free modem with standard Wi-Fi.
- Upgrading to the Enhanced/Whole Home Wi-Fi plan includes an eero mesh router with an app for Wi-Fi network management and security and parental controls.
- Power users can upgrade to a Netgear Nighthawk XR1000 gaming router for an additional $12.95 per month.
Vault’s Viewpoint: Compare the Best No-Contract Internet Providers of 2024
| Price Range | Speeds | Connection Type | Money-Back Guarantee | |
| AT&T Fiber | $55.00 – $250.00 per month | 300Mbps – 5Gbps | Fiber | |
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet | $60 per month | 33 – 182Mbps | 5G Wireless | 15-day money-back guarantee |
| Spectrum | $49.99 – $79.99 per month | 300Mbps – 1Gbps | Cable | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Google Fiber | $70 – $150 per month | 1 – 8Gbps | Fiber | |
| Astound Broadband | $20 – $65 per month (depending on the location) | 300Mbps – 1.5Gbps | Fiber | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Learn More About No-Contract Internet Providers
There’s a lot of information to sift through to choose a no-contract internet provider. Here are the most important details you need to know.
What Is a No-Contract Internet Provider?
A no-contract internet provider allows you to begin service without signing paperwork that commits you to ongoing payments for a certain number of months or years (commonly referred to as term agreements). No-contract internet providers do not charge you an early termination fee (ETF) when you decide to end their services.
Many internet providers lure customers into signing up for a 12-month contract with promotional prices, while other ISPs may require a contract if you want to access various discounts or free equipment. Ultimately, it’s almost always in the interest of the internet provider to lock you into a contract because you have to stay and pay them every month, regardless of your satisfaction with the service. If you choose to leave, you’ll have to pay the ETF.
How Do No-Contract Internet Providers Work?
The best part about no-contract internet providers is that they work almost identically to regular internet providers. You’ll sign up for their services and choose an internet plan with corresponding speeds and monthly fees. As long as you make your payments on time, you can enjoy their internet services just like with any other provider. You just don’t need to sign up for any contract committing to months or years as their customer—or pay an ETF if you decide to leave them.
Be aware that no-contract internet providers are under no obligation to keep your monthly rates the same. Some no-contract internet providers will offer price guarantees, ensuring that your price will not rise for a certain time period—usually one to two years—provided that you sign up at a certain promotional time or for a specific plan. Be sure to read the fine print and confirm with the company that their price guarantee isn’t just another way of trying to put you into a contract.
Who Are No-Contract Internet Providers Best For?
No-contract internet providers are best for people who move frequently. If you’re a renter, for example, you may move more frequently than a homeowner. You might move to an area your current internet provider doesn’t cover while you’re in the middle of a contract with them. In this scenario, you would need to pay ETFs on top of what you’d spend on moving and any costs you may face for installing a new internet service.
No-contract internet providers are also best for people who regularly relocate for work and for people who need temporary internet access in a certain location. In these situations, you may stand to save some money upfront if you sign up for an internet contract, but you need to consider whether you’ll be around long enough to reap the long-term savings.
Types of Internet Providers
- Fiber offers the fastest and most reliable connection currently possible, but it usually comes at the highest price. Fiber networks don’t rely on old telecommunications infrastructure to deliver the internet; they are built from scratch and are most commonly in metropolitan areas.
- Cable is one of the most common forms of the internet. It is reliable, fast and usually reasonably priced. Modern cable internet providers may include some fiber optics throughout their core networks while keeping older coax cables installed for cost savings.
- DSL (digital subscriber line) internet is common but outdated compared to other services. DSL internet providers use phone landlines to carry data and deliver internet access. This method is much slower than cable and fiber, and the signal gets weaker the further it gets from the central network. DSL tends to be cheaper than cable and fiber.
- 5G utilizes the latest advances in wireless and cellular network technologies to deliver completely wireless internet to homes through radio waves. 5G networks are still growing, so 5G internet availability is largely limited to densely populated towns and cities.
- 4G LTE providers use cellular network technologies to deliver internet wirelessly to homes, just like 5G providers. While the speeds are less consistent and slower than 5G, 4G LTE is affordable and growing in common usage—especially in rural areas.
- Fixed wireless uses radio signals to send and receive data between an antenna console installed in the customer’s home and the provider’s tower. Fixed wireless providers often service rural areas.
- Satellite providers use satellites in space to beam signals down to Earth, bringing internet to homes and devices wirelessly. Since the signal must literally travel to space and back, satellite speeds end up being slower. If satellite providers make use of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites in the future, satellites could have improved speeds and latency.
How To Choose a No-Contract Internet Provider
Shopping for no-contract internet providers can be overwhelming because there’s so much to consider. To simplify the process, we’ve described the three most important factors you should focus on.
Identify Your Internet-Based Activities
Identifying how you plan to use your internet can narrow your search considerably. If you only use the internet for light tasks—such as browsing and casual content streaming—and you don’t have many devices to connect to your Wi-Fi, you probably don’t need an expensive, high-speed fiber connection. You would get better value from a reliable but cheaper internet solution—such as a cable connection, an entry-level fiber connection or maybe even a DSL connection as a budget-friendly option. Look at plans for speeds between 25-300Mbps.
However, if you regularly engage in tasks like gaming or streaming (especially if you use multiple household devices at once), you would greatly benefit from the faster and more responsive fiber connections (500Mbps+). If you don’t need your connection to be so responsive but still need it to be quick, cable connections are fine. Even some DSL connections may serve as a budget-friendly option. 5G or 4G LTE connections may be useful for remote workers or frequent travelers because of the hotspot access they provide.
Coverage Area
ISPs make it easy for you to discover whether they cover your area, usually through an address search tool on their websites. Once you choose a few providers, visit their websites and input your address into the search tools to find out if you can receive services from them. Sometimes prices for plans change depending on your location, so be sure to scrutinize the pricing once you’ve verified your address rather than just relying on prices from general advertising.
If you’re considering a DSL connection, it might be worth finding out where the central network hubs are located compared to your address. DSL tends to get weaker the further it has to travel from its original source, so look into providers with network centers that are as physically close to your address as possible.
Customer Reviews
Find reputable review websites and forums where you can read customer feedback and engage in the conversations surrounding your prospective no-contract internet providers. Look for complaints and concerns relevant to your location regarding connection reliability, outages and customer service satisfaction.
While you can leave a no-contract internet provider whenever you want, you don’t want to waste your time bouncing off providers with a known track record for bad service.
Other Internet Provider Alternatives
Verizon Fios
Verizon Fios is a 100% fiber, no-contract internet provider that offers a spectrum of speeds at reasonable prices. The 300Mbps plan starts at $49.99 per month, but it may go as low as $24.99 per month if you’re already a Verizon mobile customer and meet other requirements. Speeds can reach 2Gbps for select locations.
Verizon also offers to pay for your ETF if you have paid it in the last four months—meaning that, even if you’ve already left your last provider and paid an ETF, Verizon will credit your account for that amount (up to $500) as long as you sign up with them and have the right documentation for proof of the ETF payment.
Kinetic by Windstream
Kinetic by Windstream specializes in bringing high-speed fiber internet to rural parts of the country. They offer extras such as a free professional home Wi-Fi setup, price guarantees up to two years and no data caps. You can also get their internet security app, Kinetic Secure, free for three months—which includes a virtual private network (VPN), identity monitoring and a password vault.
Kinetic offers three plans with speeds at 300Mbps, 1Gbps and 2Gbps. The 300Mbps plan starts at $39.99 per month with autopay, while the 2Gbps plan costs $99.99 per month with autopay. Promotions can bring the 1Gbps plan down to only $39.99 per month for three months with autopay (and $69.99 per month after that), which is a great deal.
Xfinity Internet
Xfinity is one of the largest ISPs in the U.S. Although they tend to push their yearly contracts by offering steep discounts, you can always opt for no-contract plans. Xfinity employs mostly a hybrid cable/fiber network; however, their highest speed plans use a 100% fiber connection. While Xfinity’s speeds don’t currently reach the highs of Google Fiber’s 5 or 8Gbps, for instance, Xfinity offers a much wider spread of plans in terms of speeds and prices.
Plans can start as low as $9.95 per month for 50Mbps up to 1.2Gbps for $80 per month, with many other options in between.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Get Internet Without a Contract?
Yes. While some internet providers require their customers to commit to contracts, many allow customers to access their services contract-free. Some contract-free internet providers offer their customers price guarantees to encourage loyalty instead of locking them into contracts. Price guarantees work by freezing the value of a plan for a period of time—sometimes up to five years—as long as the customer maintains autopay and doesn’t move. The customer can still leave without fear of incurring ETFs.
What Does No-Contract Internet Mean?
No-contract internet refers to internet plans that do not require a term agreement between the ISP and the purchaser. Usually term agreements last one to two years, and leaving them before they end results in ETFs. Sometimes, the best deals you can get through certain providers are locked behind one or two-year contracts; however, this isn’t always the case.
What Is the Best No-Contract Internet Service Provider?
There is no decisive best no-contract internet provider since every person has unique needs and priorities for how they’ll use their internet. A good guideline to follow is to first research which no-contract internet providers service your area. If multiple service providers are available, look into what speeds they offer and read reviews from customers and reputable websites. Finally, identify which plans have the speeds that can meet your needs for the internet activities you frequently engage in.
Editorial Disclosure: We may receive a commission from affiliate partner links included on our site. However, this does not impact our staffs’ opinions or assessments.
