The Internet has become the need of every household today. Whether it is small households with 1-2 members, larger families, or small home-operated businesses, the internet remains in steady use. The world has turned into a global village with the advent of the internet – everything is at your fingertips, merely a click away. As rises the need and want for good high-speed internet connections, so does the number of internet service providers. And with a nation as large as the United States, there are just multiple internet service providers (ISPs) just vying for attention.
Although the market is extremely competitive with so many ISPs around, some stand out in the crowd. Whether it is through affordable pricing, spectacular deals, or features that are to die for. Most ISPs try to break the market competition by offering really low rates on average speed tiers so they immediately grab attention. In this article, we will discuss some of the most affordable internet service providers in the United States, and their pricing. After all, everyone deserves access to good-speed internet at rates that don’t drain your wallet!
- Spectrum
Spectrum is one of the largest internet providers in the US with almost 90% coverage in 40+ States. It has raised the bar with good quality services and hence has quite a fan base for its internet and TV plans. Spectrum gets you very fast speeds, comes with no contracts, and a free modem device. You may also bundle TV and phone with the internet to get Double Play offers (or Triple Play with all three services) that eventually give you better value for your money.
Spectrum Internet features
Spectrum Internet has some great features that help it get subscribers left and right. We have shortly described them as follows;
- A free internet security suite for multiple devices and modem
- No data caps so there is unlimited data allowance for most plans
- You can stay connected while traveling with the thousands of free hotspots present nationwide
- Easy parental controls so you can monitor the content and limit screen time for your young ones
- Absolutely no contracts so you can call it quits at a moment’s notice.
- Contract buyout from your previous provider when you get the Spectrum TV services
Hence, it is quite evident why Spectrum is such a crowd favorite. Their features give you nothing but convenience. People love services that are convenient, give good value and security and above all, have no contract chains to weigh them down. Somehow, Spectrum checks all the boxes at once!
Spectrum pricing for internet plans
Spectrum has several pricing plans ranging from high to low both pricing and speeds wise. You can choose any of the plans, depending upon your use and need. Spectrum is good and transparent with its pricing, which is quite market-competitive. With Spectrum, you always get a little extra than what you pay for and the no contracts policy means you can pull out at any time.
| Spectrum Internet Plan | Max. Download Speed | Pricing |
| Spectrum Internet Standard | 200 Mbps | $49.99/month |
| Spectrum Internet Ultra | 400 Mbps | $69.99/month |
| Spectrum Internet Gig | 1000 Mbps | $109.99/month |
The pricing for all the plans remains constant for the first twelve months so you never have to fret about price hikes.
Spectrum is a proud associate with the FCC for the affordable connectivity program through which it offers low-cost internet to eligible households. Households with low monthly income qualify for this program. Spectrum offers good average speeds of around 30 Mbps to help such households connect to the internet and find ways to elevate the quality of life.
Spectrum Customer Care & Support
Spectrum offers some great customer care services to its subscribers. You can reach their support on their website. If you are a native Spanish speaker and need help, you may contact reach the helpline at the numero de spectrum or the Telefono de spectrum at 1-844-487-2710. The representatives are super accommodating and would be sure to leave you happy and content.
Spectrum is a great service provider that offers both low and high-speed tiers to its clients. If you are looking for affordable options, you can opt for the Standard Plan. If you want faster speeds, you can get something more inclusive like Spectrum Gig plans. Spectrum also offers fiber broadband for business ventures so you can dabble in that too if you are a business owner. With Spectrum, there is something for everyone and we love it!
- EarthLink
EarthLink was established in 1994 as an internet service provider for the United States. It supplies high-speed internet connections for residential as well as business use. EarthLink may have started off as a dial-up internet provider but has come a long way from its humble beginnings. EarthLink now delivers internet to millions of people across the States being both, a DSL and a fiber internet provider.
EarthLink has hands down the widest DSL network in the US and decent speeds to go with it. This internet service is available to around 174 million people in 30 states, a rather big accomplishment indeed. 25 million people in the US also have access to EarthLink Fiber at their disposal, making it one of the best five fiber internet providers in the business. EarthLink likes to work with other brands in the telecom industry and often does so to increase the coverage and extend out its services over a greater area.
Features of EarthLink Internet services
EarthLink internet has some wonderful features that make it an astute choice to get when and where available. These features are as follows;
- There are multiple speed tiers available to choose from
- A 30-day free trial for you to assess the service before signing any contracts
- Data allowance is unlimited and there are no irritating data caps
- You can self-install the connection to save a few extra bucks
- A year-long contract when you sign up saves your monthly subscription from market price hikes
- With the EarthLink cloud storage, you get an automatic backup for all your data online
- The internet modem/router device is available for easy rental. You can also get your own device but only for the DSL plans
EarthLink Internet pricing plans
EarthLink is crystal clear when it comes to pricing, so you do not have to pay any hidden charges or taxes or anything. Everything is thoroughly explained to you when you sign the contract and you can view all the charges and fees. There is a year-long contract so termination fees do apply if you pull out, ranging between $90 to $200.
The best part about EarthLink is that you can find it in multiple speed tiers and varying pricing options. This way you can check which plan best suits your budget and internet needs. No point in getting a high-speed tier when you have very basic internet use. The pricing for the EarthLink fiber plans is described below.
| EarthLink Internet Plan | Max. Download Speeds | Pricing |
| HyperLink 50 | 50 Mbps | $49.95/month* |
| HyperLink 100 | 100 Mbps | $79.95/month* |
| HyperLink 200 | 200 Mbps | $89.95/month* |
| HyperLink 1000 | 1000 Mbps | $99.95/month* |
*Please note that pricing may vary from region to region
EarthLink also has slower speed tiers available mostly through their DSL services like 12 and 18 Mbps. However, the fiber plans with EarthLink give you more value for your money and faster speeds. A big advantage that EarthLink has over other fiber internet providers like Comcast is that it even supplies residential areas and households.
EarthLink does not have TV or phone services to offer so there are no bundles to look forward to. However, EarthLink does offer you good value for your money so getting them is definitely worth a shot!
EarthLink customer services
EarthLink has a well-established customer service that operates 7 days a week between 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM EST. You can contact their representative at 1-844-343-1171 any time during the functional hours. The Live Chat option for their support system is available 24/7. You can also reach the online page for EarthLink customer service.
- Rise Broadband
Rise Broadband has its headquarters in Englewood, Colorado, and is the largest fixed wireless broadband internet provider in the United States. It delivers high-speed Internet services and digital voice or phone services to residential, in addition to commercial customers. Rise Broadband is functional across 16 states, with unmatched services, especially in the suburbs. The parent company for Rise Broadband is known as JAB Wireless and has many other names under its big brand umbrella.
The service type that Rise Broadband operates on is basically a fixed wireless technology. Simply put, it provides an internet connection through a wireless antenna system from one end to the other. A tower closest to your house or residence receives signals and transmits them to your home, and a matching antenna on your roof captures the signals to bring the internet home. It is a flawless technology that helps information flow better. Rise Broadband is one of the first few in the industry to market this technology and hence has loads of experience.
Rise Broadband Internet and features
Since the technology that serves this internet is so unique, Rise Broadband comes with some very distinctive features. Some of these features include:
- It has wide coverage and hence, connectivity especially in rural and suburban areas
- Easy to setup compared to conventional wired technologies like cable and fiber
- The connection can support multiple devices at once so your networking never suffers
- Data allowance is pretty high and you can also opt for unlimited data plans
- DISH TV is a proud partner with Rise Broadband so you can get plenty of TV services
- Tech support for up to 5 devices
- A computer and device protection add-on from Rise keeps all your browsing over a secure network without any fear of cybersecurity threats
Rise Broadband Internet Pricing plans
Rise Broadband is particularly a better option when compared to DSL and Satellite internet because it is much more stable and reliable. The pricing is much more affordable than the other rural internet service providers, and that certainly gives it an edge. The pricing plans for Rise may vary from region to region, however, for the most part, the pricing given below is valid.
| Rise BB Internet Plan | Max. Download Speed | Pricing | Data allowance[WS1] |
| Rise Broadband 25 | 25 Mbps | Up to $46.95/mo. | 250 GB |
| Rise Broadband 25 Unlimited | 25 Mbps | Up to $86.95/mo. | Unlimited |
| Rise Broadband 50 | 50 Mbps | Up to $56.95/mo. | 250 GB |
| Rise Broadband 50 Unlimited | 50 Mbps | Up to $96.95/mo | Unlimited |
Other than these plan charges, Rise Broadband also charges a one-time installation fee of $149, for which new subscribers are often offered discounts; plus a monthly rental of $10.99 for the modem device that is mandatory. Data overage charges apply if you have gone over the limit with $5 for every 10 GB extra you use.
Rise Broadband Customer Services
Rise Broadband takes the welfare of its customers very seriously. The Rise Broadband customer service is functional 24/7 so no query goes unanswered. The live chat option is also available 7 days a week, albeit during certain times. You can reach Rise customer service at 1-844-343-1169. Rise Broadband would not abandon you when you need it most and they want to make sure you understand that.
- Hargray Communications
As the name suggests, Hargray Communications is a telecommunications provider group based in South Carolina. It was founded in 1947 and has extensively spread out through the South Eastern States. It offers everything from the internet to TV, home phones and of course bundling offers for all three. Hargray has market competitive rates and good services which make it stand out in the crowd.
Hargray Internet features
Hargray internet has a few quite dainty features that make it popular among the US population. These features include but are not limited to:
- Choosing multiple Wi-Fi points in your home to increase coverage and signal strength
- Professional installation based on the layout of your house for maximum effect
- Several speed tiers to choose from
- Good internet speeds
- Low latency, ideal for gaming and online streaming in HD
Hargray Internet Pricing plans
As mentioned before Hargray comes in multiple speed tiers and plans so it is convenient to make a decision. You can check your speed, if it serves your needs and whether or not the plans fit in your budget. The pricing plans are quite simple and are discussed below.
| Hargray Internet Plan | Max. Download Speeds | Pricing |
| Internet 200 | 200 Mbps | $55/month* |
| Internet 300 | 300 Mbps | $65/month* |
| Internet 500 | 500 Mbps | $75/month* |
| Internet 1000 | 1000 Mbps | $115/month* |
*For the first 12 months so you don’t have to fret about the price increases
Hargray Customer Service
Hargray customer service operates around the clock, 24/7, and can be reached at any time. You can call them at 1-844-413-8997 or visit the webpage. There is also a live chat option that you can access. Hargray customer service is dedicated to providing the very best to their customers – and you can see it in their work. You can get tips on how to manage your network, fix your router, and increase internet productivity. All, just a phone call away!
Final Word – Who are the most affordable ISPs in the US?
Affordable internet is a very relative term. Just because an internet plan is cheap does not always mean that it is the most affordable option out there. You do have to keep in mind the speeds the ISP is offering you and if there are any data caps and what you can juice out of your internet connection. Many times you will find lower costs plans, for example with Xfinity, but they might not be affordable when you count in the equipment charges, taxes, and all that. So your market surveillance for an affordable ISP should consider all these factors.
The ISPs mentioned in this article do a good job of both providing quality connections within economic limits. EarthLink particularly is striking, with great speeds, zero data caps, and lower pricing even for the fiber plans. Rise Broadband offers the latest tech to rural subscribers but has a massive downside with a limited data allowance. Hargray offers the same plans as EarthLink at even lower prices.
Although we have not mentioned the bundles and deals that come with some providers for internet, TV, and phone, it can certainly be done. And more often than not, it helps you get the maximum out of your subscription giving it more value. The prices for internet plans continue to change and update as the market evolves. It is imperative to keep an eye on the market trends and see who is offering you the best services at the most affordable rates.
[WS1]https://www.risebroadband.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Rise-Broadband-Rate-Card-Pricing-Feb-2021.pdf