Our picks 90001 Edit ZIP code Why we chose these providers Sort by Best no-contract ISP (if you can get it) 1,000 - 8,000 Mbps $70 - $150 per month Check with Google Fiber Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (855) 500-4211 Best for DSL value 10 - 140 Mbps $55 per month Check with CenturyLink Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Best no-contract cable internet 500 - 1,000 Mbps $50 - $80 per month Check with Spectrum Internet Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (877) 508-6169 Best alternative for rural areas 100 - 1,000 Mbps $40 - $70 per month Check with Kinetic Internet Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Best for fiber coverage 300 - 5,000 Mbps $55 - $250 per month Check with AT&T Fiber Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (833) 579-0031 Best for customer satisfaction 300 - 2,000 Mbps $50 - $120 per month Check with Verizon Fios Provider not available in 90001 Edit ZIP code Or call to learn more: (888) 461-3204 Show 1 more
Let's face it -- being tied down to a long-term agreement can mean being stuck paying costly monthly internet bills. Finding a good internet provider with the right plan, competitive pricing, quick speeds and no contract requirements may seem complicated, but we've got you covered. Narrow your search with our top picks for no-contract internet service providers.
What's the best no-contract internet provider overall?
CNET's top pick for the best overall no-contract internet is Google Fiber. With high-speed internet (two plans of 1,000 and 3,000 megabits per second available in all serviceable areas and even faster speeds in select areas), no equipment fees or data caps, it beats all other ISPs in this category. There's a lot to like about Google Fiber. There's only one problem -- it has limited availability nationwide. If you're not in one of the 19 states where it operates, don't worry: You can still get quick internet speeds for a competitive price with AT&T Fiber or any of the other providers we discuss below.
Keep in mind: Not signing a contract doesn't always mean you're getting the best price. Many providers will put a premium on their pay-as-you-go plans, while their contract rates are cheaper. To help keep your costs in perspective, we've noted the cost per Mbps for each no-contract internet provider. It's an excellent way to compare apples to apples when pitting internet plan speeds and prices against each other.
Locating local internet providers
Best no-contract internet service providers
6 Internet providers SORT BY Recommended
Connection Fiber Speed range 1,000 - 8,000 Mbps Price range $70 - $150 per month Google Fiber Best no-contract ISP (if you can get it) Our take - At first glance, Google Fiber plans seem expensive, but they boast an excellent cost per Mbps. There are five options: The cheapest starts at $70 per month, and the most expensive tops out at $150 monthly. You can expect speeds from 1 gigabit (1,000Mbps) to 8 gigabits (8,000Mbps), with the cost per Mbps at a cheap 7 cents and 2 cents, respectively. Supported by a fiber-optic connection, you can expect fully symmetrical speeds and a reliable connection. You're getting a fast connection for your money overall. On top of that, your equipment is included in your monthly price and there's no additional cost for installation, which is a great deal. Read full review Or call to learn more: (855) 500-4211 Check with Google Compare Connection Fiber Speed range 1,000 - 8,000 Mbps Price range $70 - $150 per month Pros and Cons Pros Speeds start at 1Gbps
No equipment fees, data caps or contracts
Continuing fiber expansion Cons No cheap plan options Fiber network still has room to grow The biggest downside here is availability. Google Fiber can only be found in 19 states across the US, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Washington. Key Info Unlimited data
no contracts
equipment included Compare Check with Google Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Cable Speed range 300 - 1,500 Mbps Price range $30 - $70 per month Astound Broadband Best promo pricing Our take - When it comes to cheap promo pricing, Astound comes out on top. It has quite a price range available across its various markets, but an aggressively competitive average cost of 5 cents per Mbps to start. You'll find a 300Mbps plan for $30 monthly throughout most of Astound's footprint. That tough-to-beat price falls closer to the pack after your intro period, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a better price for your initial service period. Comparatively, other cable ISPs like Spectrum offer service starting at $50 per month. Besides the price, your service comes with no data caps or contracts. Read full review Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Check with Astound Compare Connection Cable Speed range 300 - 1,500 Mbps Price range $30 - $70 per month Pros and Cons Pros Low first-year pricing
No data caps
No contracts Cons Availability limited to metro areas
Sharp price increase after the promotional period
Confusing fees Key Info Unlimited data
no contracts Compare Check with Astound Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection DSL Speed range 10 - 140 Mbps Price range $55 per month CenturyLink Best for DSL value Our take - There is no need to worry about cancellation fees on any CenturyLink plan: None of them come with any contractual commitments. The value is pretty strong, too, since the company's DSL plans offer a fixed value rate of $55 a month, which is hard to beat among DSL offerings. However, the speeds you get can vary depending on your address. Your modem/router rental costs $17 extra per month, but CenturyLink allows you to skip it and use your own equipment. Read full review Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Check with CenturyLink Compare Connection DSL Speed range 10 - 140 Mbps Price range $55 per month Pros and Cons Pros Some of the most affordable DSL plans you can find
Unlimited data
No contracts Cons DSL speeds can vary wildly based on address and sometimes fall below FCC's broadband levels
Service interruptions can be a bit too frequent, depending on location Key Info Unlimited data
no contracts Compare Check with CenturyLink Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Cable Speed range 500 - 1,000 Mbps Price range $50 - $80 per month Spectrum Internet Best no-contract cable internet Our take - Straightforward service terms, solid speed offerings and unlimited data are all things that make Spectrum stand out from the rest of the cable ISPs. There are only two plans -- 500Mbps and 1 Gig -- free of contracts and data caps. The average cost per Mbps in the first year for the 500Mbps plan is 10 cents, and it's 7 cents for the 1,000Mbps tier, which is quite good for cable internet. Keep in mind that Spectrum and many cable ISPs are notorious for increasing their prices. However, the second-year jump isn't too steep (for an ISP, anyway), up to 16 cents and 10 cents per Mbps for the 500Mbps and 1,000Mbps plans, respectively. Read full review Or call to learn more: (877) 508-6169 Check with Spectrum Compare Connection Cable Speed range 500 - 1,000 Mbps Price range $50 - $80 per month Pros and Cons Pros Straightforward pricing
No data caps on any plans
No contracts required for internet service
Free access to Spectrum's nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots Cons Competitive rates for cable, but pricier than many fiber providers
Internet service is slightly below the industry average for customer satisfaction Key Info Unlimited data
simple pricing
no contracts
modem included
free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots Compare Check with Spectrum Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Fiber Speed range 100 - 1,000 Mbps Price range $40 - $70 per month Kinetic by Windstream Best alternative for rural areas Our take - If you live in a rural area, it's easy to get tied down by a two-year contract from a satellite ISP (we're looking at you, Hughesnet). But you can ditch the contracts altogether, thanks to Kinetic by Windstream. You can get either DSL (a majority of its footprint) or fiber service (currently about one-fifth of its network) for an average cost of 12 cents per Mbps during the promo period. While most plans offer a price lock of one to three years, watch out for a price jump in the gig plan, which will jump by $30 after three months. Read full review Or call to learn more: (866) 671-3650 Check with Kinetic Compare Connection Fiber Speed range 100 - 1,000 Mbps Price range $40 - $70 per month Pros and Cons Pros Fast speeds for rural areas
No data caps, no speed throttling, no contracts
Fiber expansion in the works Cons Speeds and pricing vary widely by location
No security plan included
Below average customer satisfaction Key Info Unlimited data
no contracts Compare Check with Kinetic Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Fiber Speed range 300 - 5,000 Mbps Price range $55 - $250 per month AT&T Fiber Best for fiber coverage Our take - Available to approximately a third of its footprint, AT&T Fiber plans provide excellent value. Five different plan options (300, 500 and 1,000Mbps, as well as 2 and 5 gigabits) range in price from $55 to $245 per month, with no data caps or contracts. Altogether, AT&T's fiber plans average just over 10 cents per Mbps, which is solid. Even more spectacular are the multi-gigabit plans, which average out to under 7 cents per Mbps. Read full review Or call to learn more: (833) 579-0031 Check with AT&T Compare Connection Fiber Speed range 300 - 5,000 Mbps Price range $55 - $250 per month Pros and Cons Pros No contracts required to receive the lowest available price
No data caps for any fiber plans
Valuable perks and promotional offers Cons Much slower DSL plans are more prevalent than fiber options
Data caps enforced on all non-fiber plans AT&T stopped offering its DSL plans to new customers and current customers. The plan with the least bang for your buck is AT&T Fixed Wireless, which offers maximum download speeds of just 10Mbps for $70 or $60 monthly when bundled with a DirectTV or wireless plan. A better option is the company's newer fixed wireless solution, which includes 5G home internet, AT&T Internet Air, and maximum download speeds of 300Mbps for $60 per month or $47 when bundled with an eligible AT&T wireless plan. None of AT&T's internet-only plans require you to sign a contract for the lowest price. However, you must sign a term agreement to get specific bundle deals. So, make a note of that caveat when weighing your options. Key Info Unlimited data
no contracts
equipment included Compare Check with AT&T Show more details Show more details Compare
Connection Fiber Speed range 300 - 2,000 Mbps Price range $50 - $120 per month Verizon Fios Best for customer satisfaction Our take - Verizon Fios, the company's fiber internet option, doesn't require contracts and its pricing is pretty clear-cut. It offers four different plans: 300, 500, 1 gig and 2 gigs, with an average cost of about 11 cents per Mbps. Additionally, it scores high in customer satisfaction in every ISP survey. It nabbed the top spot for 2023 and 2024 in the J.D. Power survey for the East region. It also did well in the annual American Customer Satisfaction Index report, scoring 76 out of 100 points, above the industry average. Read full review Or call to learn more: (888) 461-3204 Check with Verizon Compare Connection Fiber Speed range 300 - 2,000 Mbps Price range $50 - $120 per month Pros and Cons Pros All Verizon Fios plans are 100% fiber, with symmetrical download and upload speeds
No data caps or allowances on any plans
No term agreements necessary on any plans Cons Low fiber availability for a national company
While Fios and 5G are affordable, LTE and DSL options are pricey Key Info Unlimited data
no contracts
free equipment with gig service Compare Check with Verizon Show more details Show more details Compare
Additional no-contract internet providers to consider
No-contract internet providers compared
Please note that the plans below show each provider's cheapest available tier. The maximum speed is the top advertised speed for those plans, but it might not be available in your area. Overall, the best selection for you — and the most cost-effective plan — might be a different tier that provides a faster speed at a higher price but a better value. To more fully understand this value-based approach, check out CNET's guide to examining the cost per Mbps.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Factors to consider when choosing a no-contract ISP
The cost per Mbps
The most important factor in evaluating any ISP plan is the cost per megabit per second. A cost per Mbps between 10 and 20 cents is pretty good, but the most cost-efficient plans cost around 5 cents per Mbps or lower. It's fantastic to avoid signing a contract (and escape the looming threat of early termination fees plus the freedom of switching providers at any time), but you should still do your homework.
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Internet connection type
In addition, look into the type of internet connection offered by the ISP. Some households -- especially those in underserved or rural areas -- may not have many options. But the general rule is that 5G and satellite home internet are better than DSL, cable internet is better than satellite and 5G internet, but fiber internet trumps them all. As you may have already noticed, the cost per Mbps of fiber internet plans is generally pretty low because fiber speeds outpace the speeds offered by other internet connection types.
How we evaluated the best no-contract providers
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
Are customers happy with their service?
The answer to those questions is often layered and complex, but the providers who come closest to "yes" on all three are the ones we recommend. To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
What's the bottom line on no-contract ISPs?
Sometimes, it feels like you must sign away your firstborn child -- or at least the next two years of your life -- to get the best internet service in your area. It's easy to be swayed by slimmed-down introductory prices, but hefty bill increases and unrelenting extra fees may be lurking behind that first-year cheer.
Thankfully, that's changing. Competition is brewing among internet service providers as we become more dependent on broadband connections. That's one reason why many ISPs have begun dropping their contract requirements. Plus, you may even find internet deals offering to buy you out of your contract to get you to switch. That's good news for anyone looking to effectively explore their home internet options.
No-contract internet service FAQs
What does "no-contract internet" mean? "No-contract internet" — sometimes called month-to-month internet service — refers to broadband service that doesn't require you to sign a long-term agreement with your internet service provider. For example, with some ISPs, you must commit to a two-year contract to get broadband coverage. That's not no-contract internet. True no-contract internet means you should be able to cancel service at any time without penalty (notwithstanding the return of any leased equipment).
Can I get Wi-Fi at home without a contract? We get this question quite often, as many assume they must pay for Wi-Fi separately from their internet service. That's not the case, generally. You often get Wi-Fi when you sign up with an internet provider, as many will provide you with a gateway. That's a combination of a modem (which connects your home to the internet) and a router (which takes that internet signal from the modem and broadcasts it wirelessly to the other devices in your home). Even if your ISP only provides the modem, you can rent a router or use your own. If you can get an internet connection at your address without signing a contract, you should have the option to have Wi-Fi at your home without committing to a contract. Show more
What is the best no-contract internet service provider? It may sound like a cop-out, but the best no-contract internet provider for you is the one that's serviceable at your address. As we've mentioned many times in our ISP reviews, all things being equal, if you can get fiber internet at your location, that's the way to go. It'll give you the best performance of all the internet connection types — you'll get symmetrical download and upload speeds — and will often be the most affordable in terms of cost per megabit per second. Google Fiber, which includes all equipment costs and fees in your monthly rate, is the cheapest, averaging just a little over 4 cents per Mbps. Its availability pales compared to the fiber plans of AT&T, for example. If you live in one of the metro markets where it offers service, Google Fiber is an easy choice, but AT&T Fiber might be everyone else's top option. Show more