ISP Price Comparison: Cost Per Mbps by Provider 2026
By SpeedTestHQ Research · Updated April 27, 2026
How much are you really paying per Mbps? This report compares entry, mid-tier, and top-tier plan pricing across major US ISPs, with notes on contracts and data caps. Updated 2026-04-27.
Plan pricing comparison
| ISP | Entry Plan | Mid Tier | Top Tier | Contract | Data Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber | $55/mo 300 Mbps | $65/mo 500 Mbps | $250/mo 5000 Mbps | None | None |
| Verizon Fios | $50/mo 300 Mbps | $70/mo 500 Mbps | $120/mo 2300 Mbps | None | None |
| Google Fiber | $70/mo 1000 Mbps | $100/mo 2000 Mbps | $150/mo 8000 Mbps | None | None |
| Frontier Fiber | $50/mo 500 Mbps | $70/mo 1000 Mbps | $155/mo 5000 Mbps | None | None |
| CenturyLink | $50/mo 940 Mbps | $50/mo 940 Mbps | $50/mo 940 Mbps | None | None |
| Spectrum | $30/mo 300 Mbps | $60/mo 500 Mbps | $90/mo 1000 Mbps | None | None |
| Xfinity | $20/mo 75 Mbps | $55/mo 400 Mbps | $90/mo 1200 Mbps | None | 1.2 TB/mo |
| Cox | $50/mo 100 Mbps | $80/mo 500 Mbps | $130/mo 2000 Mbps | None | 1.25 TB/mo |
| Optimum | $55/mo 300 Mbps | $80/mo 500 Mbps | $180/mo 5000 Mbps | None | None |
| T-Mobile Home | $50/mo 50 Mbps | $50/mo 50 Mbps | $50/mo 50 Mbps | None | None (deprioritized) |
| Starlink | $120/mo 50 Mbps | $120/mo 200 Mbps | $120/mo 200 Mbps | None | None (1 TB deprioritized) |
| HughesNet | $50/mo 15 Mbps | $75/mo 50 Mbps | $100/mo 100 Mbps | 24 mo | Data caps apply |
Key findings
- Spectrum offers the lowest entry price: At $30/month for 300 Mbps, Spectrum's entry plan is the best dollar-per-Mbps deal for new subscribers — though promotional pricing typically expires after 12 months.
- Fiber is better value at mid and high tiers: AT&T Fiber's $65/month 500 Mbps plan delivers symmetric upload (500 Mbps up vs cable's 20–50 Mbps). At the gigabit tier, fiber plans consistently outperform cable on upload speed for the same or lower price.
- Data caps add hidden cost: Xfinity's 1.2 TB and Cox's 1.25 TB monthly caps can trigger $10–35/month in overage fees for heavy users. Fiber ISPs (AT&T, Verizon Fios, Google Fiber) typically offer unlimited data with no overage charges.
- Starlink costs more per Mbps than most wired options: At $120/month for 50–200 Mbps, Starlink is expensive relative to cable and fiber — but it is the best available option for millions of rural households with no cable or fiber access.
How to find the best deal in your area
Availability determines your real options — not all ISPs serve every address. Check each ISP's website with your exact address. Look for promotional pricing that expires after 12–24 months and compare the post-promotional rate, not just the advertised one. Bundling phone or TV rarely saves money in 2026; standalone internet is almost always better value.
Methodology
Plan prices reflect standard residential rates as of April 2026, excluding promotional offers that require annual contracts or bundles. Speed values represent plan advertised speeds. Actual delivered speeds may be 80–95% of advertised on wired Ethernet. Run a speed test to verify your current plan is delivering what you pay for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ISP offers the best value for the price?
It depends on your tier. For entry-level plans, Spectrum at $30/month for 300 Mbps is the strongest dollar-per-Mbps deal. At the mid tier, Frontier Fiber's $70/month for 1000 Mbps symmetric offers exceptional value. At the high end, Google Fiber's $70/month entry plan starts at a full gigabit — the highest baseline speed of any major ISP at that price point.
Do any ISPs still have data caps?
Yes. Xfinity enforces a 1.2 TB monthly cap with potential overage fees, and Cox caps at 1.25 TB per month. HughesNet has data caps on all plan tiers. By contrast, all major fiber ISPs — AT&T Fiber, Verizon Fios, Google Fiber, and Frontier Fiber — offer unlimited data with no overage charges. T-Mobile Home Internet has no hard cap but deprioritizes traffic after a threshold.
Why is Starlink so much more expensive than cable or fiber?
Starlink charges $120/month for 50–200 Mbps because the service involves expensive satellite infrastructure and hardware. For the 18 million US households without cable or fiber access, that premium is the cost of getting any broadband at all. Starlink is not competitive on price against wired options but it is often the only viable option in its target markets.
Should I sign a contract to get a lower price?
Most major ISPs listed here — including AT&T, Verizon Fios, Spectrum, and Frontier — no longer require annual contracts. HughesNet is the notable exception with a 24-month contract requirement. Avoid locking in for speed tiers or prices you have not verified via a speed test, since promotional rates typically expire after 12 months regardless of contract status.