How to Get Free (or Cheap) Internet
It is nearly impossible to get by today without an internet connection. Adults and kids use it daily for work and school. Almost every business you go into has some way of communicating online. Grocery stores have digital coupons, doctor’s offices set appointments and keep personal records in the cloud, communities use it to publicize events, and families keep in touch through email and shared calendars.
But if you are on a fixed income, or money is tight, a high monthly bill for the internet might be out of the budget. Here are several ways to get free (or cheap) internet.
Affordable Connectivity Program
Update: The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended on June 1, 2024 after running out of funding from Congress. New applications and enrollments closed on February 7, 2024. April 2024 was the last month households received the full ACP benefit, and some providers chose to pass along a smaller, partial credit in May during the program’s wind‑down (up to $14 for non‑Tribal, $35 for Tribal, and up to $47 for the one‑time connected device subsidy). The ACP discount is no longer available today. For official status notes, see the FCC’s ACP page and USAC’s ACP overview.
What can you do instead? Start with Lifeline (see next section), which still offers a monthly discount for qualifying households (with a larger benefit on Tribal lands). Then check your local internet service providers for their own low‑income or "affordable" plans—many offer budget packages that can bring your bill down substantially. If the plan you’re considering has lower speeds, use our internet speed quiz and read our guide to understanding internet speed and bandwidth to make sure it will meet your household’s needs.
If you previously used ACP, call your provider and ask how your bill changed after the program ended. Ask whether they can move you to their low‑income plan or price‑match a competitor. You can still combine a provider’s low‑income plan with Lifeline to reduce your monthly cost even more.
Lifeline
Lifeline is another government program that offers $9.25 per month off either internet or phone service. If you live on tribal lands, you can receive up to $34.25 per month. Find out if you qualify by visiting https://www.lifelinesupport.org/do-i-qualify/. The qualifications are similar to ACP, with a lower income threshold, which is 135% of the federal poverty level.
You also qualify if you or anyone in your household participates in SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, or any tribal assistance programs.
If someone lives in your house but does not share money or expenses, they can each qualify for a discount under Lifeline even if you share the same internet connection. Stack these discounts and save even more!
Internet Providers
Many internet providers offer their own low-income initiative. Find out what providers serve your area and call their customer service line. Don’t limit yourself to just the big players like Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon; check with smaller, regional providers as well. They may have lower or competitive rates and offer discounts to expand their customer base. See what internet providers are at your address, and ask your neighbors who they use to find out what works the best.
Some fixed wireless internet providers also offer mobile bundles or discounts for existing customers. Often the more services you get from a company, the better rate they may offer. For example, if you pay $20 for cell service and $20 for internet, they might sell both in a package for $30 – instant savings. Depending on who you call, you might also be able to bundle your cable TV.
Before signing a contract, ask them if that’s the best they offer. If you’ve done your homework, they may offer a price match or have unadvertised coupons that can lower your rate further.
Senior Discounts
If you are a senior and qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may also qualify for a senior discount. Call an internet provider and ask for rates. The most popular choices are AT&T, Spectrum, CenturyLink, Cox, and Infinity, but also check other providers. They may have a program that is not widely advertised.
Other Discounts
If you are a college student or have kids at home participating in the National School Lunch Program, SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or Public Housing, tell your provider, as they may have additional discounts.
Public Networks
Head to your local library, where you can use free Wi-Fi and computers. If you use their computers, your time may be limited depending on how many patrons are waiting. You can find a quiet corner during library hours if you bring your own device. The librarian is also a wealth of information about other internet options in the area and free resources such as classes on how to use popular programs and internet navigating basics.
Coffee shops, fast food restaurants, the gym, hotels and other places you might visit will often provide a Wi-Fi password to let you access free internet while you are at their location. The one thing to remember is that these are open networks, meaning there is a better chance your device could be hacked or your information stolen. Ensure you have a robust security program, like Norton or McAfee, installed on your computer. You can explore options for the best free internet security software that offer strong protection without extra cost. Avoid passing sensitive information, like banking information and social security numbers, across the network while connected.
Hotspots
Use your cell phone as a mobile hotspot. You won’t need a separate internet connection if you have a good data plan. Find the button in your phone settings and turn it on. Then connect to your computer through the password found in your phone. The great thing about this is that you can access the internet anywhere you have cell service. However, mobile hotspots have their limitations. They are generally only meant to be used for light internet activities like checking email and web surfing. If you want to stream your favorite show, you might find the hotspot has a hard time keeping up. It will also eat up your data allowances quickly so might not be a great option if you don’t have an unlimited data plan.
Things to think about
Check the internet speed for the discount package. You can use our internet speed quiz to see if your provider’s performance meets your household’s needs. Often, providers offer cheaper packages but with reduced speeds and/or limited minutes at a higher speed. If you rely on the internet for Zoom meetings or schoolwork, you might experience frustration. You could use the slower speeds at home and head off to a free hotspot for your meeting.
And as a reminder, you can often use more than one discount. If you are a senior veteran on a low income, ask for the senior discount, the ACP credit, the Lifeline credit, and any veteran discount. Adding these will reduce your bill or even provide FREE internet!