Best No-Contract Internet Providers Of 2021
Are you tired of your current internet provider? Maybe it's time to switch. With all the new technologies, we are constantly updating our homes and offices with faster speeds, better security, and more convenience. While that may be true for some things in life, it isn't always the case when it comes to internet providers. The average home or office can receive 10-20Mbps download speeds which is fine for most people but not ideal if you're a gamer or streamer who likes high-quality video content. However, there are many no-contract internet providers out there that offer much higher download speeds than what you currently have at an affordable price. If you're looking for a fast connection without breaking the bank this will help find a solution!
Best no-contract internet plans
Specs and features comparison
| Plan |
price |
Max Download Speed |
Data Cap |
| Optimum | $35.00-$75.00/Mo. |
100-940 Mbps |
Unlimited |
| RCN |
$22.00-$59.99/Mo. |
50-940 Mbps |
Unlimited |
| AT&T |
$35.00-$60.00/Mo. |
10-940 Mbps |
1 TB |
| CenturyLink | $50.00-$65.00/Mo. |
15-940 Mbps |
Unlimited |
List of Top no-contract internet providers of 2021
Best value for cable internet: Optimum
Optimum breaks away from the pack by offering unique no-contract internet services. While other providers have hidden fees and data limits, Optimum offers up to $500 in cash to switch over. Not only are they giving you money for your commitment to them, but also their download speeds will allow you to stream all of your favorite movies or videos without any problems.
Pros
- Contract buyout up to $500
- Affordable price that won’t go up
- Reputation for reliable online gaming
Cons
- Limited availability
- Prices that vary by area
Best for fiber internet: AT&T Fiber
AT&T is one of the biggest ISPs to adopt no-contract pricing. We’re always fans of simpler monthly bills. AT&T also finished third out of 10 ISPs on our annual customer satisfaction survey; so you won't have to worry about serious customer service problems. If you're in an area with AT&T Fiber coverage, then take a look at their fiber internet plan. With upload speeds up to 940 Mbps and download speeds as high as 900 Mbps for only $60/month (plus tax), it's hard not to find something that can beat this deal anywhere else nationwide.
Pros
- Excellent internet plan prices
- Fiber internet support
Cons
- Inconsistent DSL network speeds
- Limited fiber availability
Best for lifetime pricing: CenturyLink
CenturyLink offers a plan that can be renewed annually at any time, so you never have to worry about paying more than you should. Not only does CenturyLink offer affordable rates and great customer service, but it also provides access to high-speed internet with no data caps or overages. With all of these benefits, it's easy to see why CenturyLink is one of the best providers on the market.
Pros
- Simple flat-rate pricing
- Excellent fiber internet plans
Cons
- Unpredictable DSL availability
- Lackluster customer service
What to look for in no-contract internet providers
Download speeds
Ever since the FCC set 25 megabytes per second as broadband internet's standard, we've been spoiled by high download speeds. If you have a lot of smart home devices or people using your wi-fi network, even that may not be enough and this is where mesh networks come into play.
Upload speeds
Upload speed refers to how much information you can upload every second. The higher the number, the faster you can share your pictures and videos with people all over the world via an internet connection.
In order for a service provider (internet service provider) to be considered as providing broadband internet access, they must offer 3 Mbps download speeds at the minimum; this is called 1Mbps sustained upstream bandwidth in jargon speak. If uploading large placeholder files such as video footage, then it's best that an ISP has an advertised downstream speed of 5-10 Mbps more than what their standard rate gets them. So there will always be enough room online, not only for data transfer but also for packet acknowledgment requests from devices connected through Wi-Fi connections too.
Data cap
The average US household uses about 350 GB of data per month, which is more than enough for most households. If you’re a gamer or streamer always looking to be online then staying under 500 GB might prove challenging!
A lot of people don't realize that their ISP has an allowance on how much information they can upload and download every month, known as the "data cap." A common misconception about these limits is that going over them will incur fines from your provider. The truth is that it'll only lead to slower internet speeds at times.
Prepaid internet plans
Providers including Xfinity and Cox have launched prepaid internet plans along with their standard contract internet plans.
Prepaid is great for those who want to save money on their monthly bill, but only need access to the basics like web browsing or checking emails. We recommend this plan if that sounds like a good fit for what you’re looking for in an internet provider. Remember to keep in mind that these low-speed connections are not suitable as streaming media options since they can't handle the high-quality video without buffering at times which may frustrate some users out there.
Our final take
Life can be unpredictable, and that’s why it is important to have a flexible internet service provider. When you're shopping for no-contract providers, look at the ones with competitive download speeds of 100 Mbps or more; these are some excellent options: Optimum provides an all-inclusive plan with up to 150Mbps speed (and prices guaranteed until 2021), and CenturyLink also has plans available in most cities, and lastly, AT&T offers high speeds without requiring contracts!
Best internet service providers' availability varies by location, but finding the best providers near you is easy with Ctvforme. We’ve done the research to help you compare pricing, speeds, features, and more from 50+ of the State’s best internet providers, all in one place. You’ll find our US location map and tips for finding the right provider.
No-contract internet FAQ
What is the lowest monthly rate for no-contract internet and home phone service?
No-contract internet is usually more expensive than other types of service, but it doesn't have to be. Make sure you're getting the cheapest internet service available.
How much does no-contract internet cost?
The average cost for a month’s worth of these internet packages is $39 per month which makes it affordable for even the most budget-conscious customers.
What is the best no-contract internet?
Optimum’s high speeds, low prices, unlimited data, and lifetime pricing make it the best no-contract internet.
How can I get no-contract internet?
To sign up for a low-cost no-contract plan, make sure that you do your research and read reviews. There is a lot of information out there about companies offering these plans and their offerings in order to help customers make an informed decision when it comes time to purchase one.