Best Internet Providers for Seniors

This review is for the many seniors who might be overpaying for sub-par internet service. The service providers we’ve outlined in this article offer great deals for anyone looking for low-cost internet (since there are no current senior discounts). If that's you or describes someone close to you (maybe even someone in your care), these recommendations should be right up your alley.  

• Best for seniors who want the best value: Seniors who want the most bang for their buck should check out Xfinity Internet. The company offers high-speed cable internet at unbeatable prices. You can even get free internet service if you qualify for ACP.
• Best for seniors who want no-contract internet: Seniors who don’t want to be tied down by a long-term contract should check out Spectrum. It’s an affordable cable internet provider that’s good for seniors who want more flexibility.
• Best for seniors who are also veterans: AT&T gives a sizable discount to all active military and veteran customers. It also offers some of the fastest and most reliable internet around.

And since we're talking about it, don't stop with the perfect internet plan. There are many cell phone companies out there that offer great deals and optimized plans for senior customers.  So whether you're looking for home or mobile internet as a senior, we've got you covered.

We looked at dozens of internet service providers for this roundup of the best internet plans and deals for seniors. Our database includes hundreds of plans from almost every internet provider and in every location in the US. We narrowed down our list of the best based on the following features:

• Price
• Variety of plans
• Download and upload speed
• Discounts for seniors
• Customer satisfaction
• Nationwide availability

We made our recommendations for internet providers with specifically senior customers in mind. Long gone are the days when being older meant being less tech-savvy. Seniors these days can be as online as Gen Z and our recommendations reflect that.

Here are some key factors we had in mind when recommending internet services for seniors:

• Older Americans often use the internet to stay in touch with friends and family, to manage their finances, to pay their bills, and order food and groceries, all without having to leave home. The Internet has become an essential service for seniors, so we looked for internet plans from trusted providers.
• As more seniors look to age in place, reliable internet is necessary to power the smart home technology that can help folks maintain great independence later in life. That could include a smartphone, a streaming box, a smart doorbell, or home security. That's why we looked for internet plans supporting multiple devices while maintaining quality.
• Seniors also tend to be more budget-conscious than those who might still have many prime earning years ahead of them. We looked for plans that offer great value, and we also offer some information about assistance programs to reduce or even eliminate the cost of internet for seniors.

No one wants to pay full price for internet service. And if you’re a senior, you likely won’t have to (thanks to the AARP). There are several ways to get a discount or sign up for a government program that can knock a chunk off your internet bill or make it free altogether.

The most important government program for seniors to know about is called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

Since 2021, 22 million households in the United States have benefitted from monthly discounts ranging from $30 to $75 through the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). However, the ACP is now out of funding, and since the beginning of May, recipients have only received partial benefits. Not all is lost, though. There are legislative efforts that may save the program, and you can find plenty of other options for getting low-cost internet in the rest of this piece.

Following the expiration of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), two bills have been introduced to save the program. The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act seeks to provide $7 billion into the program's funds if passed, potentially providing a lifeline for low-income households.

The Promoting Affordable Connectivity Act, introduced on May 1 by Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, proposes integrating the ACP into the Universal Service Fund (USF) for consistent funding. This second bill presents a more permanent solution than the Extension Act—it’s designed to finance the ACP without increasing costs for consumers, making broadband and edge service providers responsible for funding instead.

Many who have been following the ACP closely are optimistic about Fetterman’s new bill. “There is plenty of precedent for making it part of the Universal Service Fund because that’s how the Lifeline Program is funded,” says Peter Christiansen, a staff writer at HighSpeedInternet.com who has been following the developments closely.

The final vote on the Extension Act is still pending, but in the meantime, you can share your support for the bill with your Congressional representative. As for Fetterman’s new Promoting Affordable Connectivity Act, we’re eager to see how it will be received by the Senate.

There may be other government programs that can help you with your internet bill, like the ReConnect Program. Even if you don’t qualify for government assistance, some internet service providers have senior discounts for those over 65 years of age. Be sure to ask your provider before you sign up.

And if you already qualify for the Lifeline Program (a program that offers internet payment help), you should be eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program, too.

Comcast’s Xfinity is one of our favorite internet service providers for many reasons. It is available all over the country, offers super-fast speeds, and has really great prices and bundling options. It’s the perfect internet service provider for seniors, especially those who qualify for ACP.

But if you don't happen to qualify for ACP, Xfinity has a couple of internet plans under $50. 

Xfinity is a cable internet provider, meaning it can provide very high speeds of over 1 Gbps. Most of the company’s plans have an unlimited data cap, so you don’t have to worry about streaming too many episodes of your favorite show.

Cable internet, like Xfinity’s service, doesn’t have the same upload speeds as fiber internet providers, like Verizon Fios or AT&T, but most users won’t notice a major difference. Xfinity’s performance should be fine for all but the most avid gamers or those uploading huge files.

Xfinity has four plans to choose from, but we’re going to focus on the cheapest one here because it’s a great option for seniors who want free internet.

The Internet Essentials plan from Xfinity gives you up to 50 Mbps download speed and an unlimited data cap. With this plan, you can easily stream movies, browse the web, and do video conferencing. The plan costs just $10 a month, but if you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (and if the program is still running), it will be completely free.

One other perk that Xfinity offers is bundling. If you’re interested in getting home security, cable TV, or a mobile phone, you can get some great deals by going with Xfinity for multiple services.

Spectrum is a great cable internet service provider that services many areas in the US. Its plans are relatively affordable and, best of all, they are contract-free.

And Spectrum offers a $25 internet plan if you are a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) member. 

Like Xfinity, it also offers those who qualify for ACP $30 off of their internet bill every month. Here’s everything you need to know. That means you could get the 100 Mbps plan for free! Or if you need 300 Mbps of speed, you'd only have to pay $10. 

Spectrum, like Xfinity, offers a cable internet service. That means it has really fast download speeds that are great for streaming your favorite shows, Zooming into a meeting, or just hanging out and surfing the web.

Spectrum also has unlimited data caps on every single plan. That’s a relief for those who have big families or use a lot of internet bandwidth. You won’t end up losing your service just when you need it most.

Spectrum’s prices trend higher than Xfinity and other companies, like CenturyLink. But it’s still worth it for many senior customers.

First of all, you don’t have to commit to a 12-month contract upfront, and you won’t be pressured to stay on your plan when you don’t need it anymore. With Spectrum, all plans are automatically contract-free.

Secondly, many Spectrum customers who are seniors will likely qualify for the government-sponsored Affordable Connectivity Program. This program offers up to $30 a month off your plan price.

AT&T internet is definitely one of the best providers on the market right now, offering super-fast fiber-optic service and great bundle packages with DIRECTV.

AT&T is a good option for seniors who want the best possible performance for their internet. It also offers a free internet plan if you qualify for ACP through its AT&T Access Program or a $15 discount for senior veterans.

When it comes to overall speed and performance, AT&T’s fiber-optic internet network is unrivaled. You will get fast and reliable download speeds with symmetrical upload speeds. This makes it ideal for gaming, video conferencing, and other high-bandwidth tasks.

AT&T has a 5,000 Mbps plan available in some areas for those who want warp-speed-level internet! That’s enough internet speed to run dozens of devices streaming HD video simultaneously. It’s plenty to keep everyone happy, even when you have all the relatives around during the holidays. 

As you can see, AT&T isn't the cheapest internet provider on this list. To get on the company’s cheapest fiber plan, you’ll have to spend $55 a month. But if you’re a veteran, you could spend a lot less.

AT&T gives all active-duty US military members and US military veterans a $15 monthly discount. That applies to any of the company’s internet plans. With this discount, you can get a super-fast fiber internet plan for as low as $40 a month, which is a great deal.

Another way to save with AT&T is to bundle up your internet, satellite TV, and/or cell phone bill into one discounted plan.

Optimum Internet has one of the best dollar to Mbps ratio, but we're sad that it's available only in the select cities of 21 states. If you live in the area Optimum services, grab it because it's one of the cheapest internet service providers. 

Optimum is a nice option for seniors who qualify for ACP and for those who "new residential Internet customers who do not have Optimum Internet services or have disconnected Internet service for a period of 60 days and meet eligibility criteria." Find out if you're eligible. 

Fiber internet is the best internet type one can get. So if Optimum's fiber plan is available in your area, we guarantee you'll enjoy its fast download and upload speeds. Fiber is perfect for seniors who stream Cowboys games or upload large files as the upload speeds decrease lag and upload time. 

If Optimum's cable internet is the only plans available to you, you'll be happy to know that it's the second-best type behind fiber. You can still enjoy Bosch on Amazon Prime Video and playing games on your phone if you receive the 50 Mbps plan. If you order the 300 Mbps plan, you'll have enough speed for three people. 

Optimum offers the cheapest 300Mbps plan at $40 per month. AT&T Internet charges $55, Spectrum Internet costs $50 for only 12 months, and while Xfinity doesn't have a 300Mbps plan, it charges $30 for 200 Mbps. 

You don't have to worry about a contract with Optimum like Spectrum, but we named Spectrum the best no-contract option because it's more widely available across the US.