Best Internet Providers With No Data Caps in December 2024
Don't let a data cap get in the way of your internet usage. These are the top internet providers that offer services without a cap.
Our Experts
Our picks
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Between streaming, gaming, working from home, uploading videos to social media and everything else you use the internet for, it's possible to burn through a chunk of data each month. In fact, the average household uses nearly 600GB of data, according to the latest data from Open Vault.
That's not a big deal if you have an internet provider that offers unlimited data, but if you're stuck with an internet provider that enforces a monthly cap on your data, you'll want to keep a close eye on your usage to avoid overage fees or throttled speeds.
Instead of monitoring your monthly data use to avoid penalty, I would recommend using an internet provider with unlimited data. Here are the top ISPs to offer truly unlimited data with no monthly caps.
Locating local internet providers
Best internet providers with no data caps
Astound Broadband
Plans starting at $20
Our take - Speeds, pricing and special offers from Astound are a bit all over the place from one market to the next, but unlimited data is one perk available in all service areas. Along with unlimited data, Astound stands out for its low introductory pricing, with plans at as little as $20 per month for speeds up to 300Mbps. Pricing is good for two years in most locations, but beware of price increases once the introductory rate expires.
AT&T Fiber
Plans starting at $55
Our take - AT&T is our pick for the best fiber internet provider overall thanks to its high availability, competitive pricing, fast speeds and unlimited data. All AT&T Fiber plans come with no data cap, which means you can stream, game and browse social media without fear of incurring overage fees.
CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber
Plans starting at $50
Our take - Lumen Technologies brands CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber are vastly different internet services. CenturyLink offers DSL internet service with max speeds of 100Mbps at $55 monthly while Quantum Fiber offers a fiber-optic internet starting at $50 a month for 200Mbps download and upload speeds. One attribute the two services have in common, however, is unlimited data. Regardless of which provider is available in your area, your internet plan will come without a data cap to fret over.
Frontier
Plans starting at $30
Our take - Unlike AT&T, Frontier offers unlimited data with both its DSL and fiber-optic internet services. Equipment costs are also included in the monthly cost and no contracts are required, making Frontier one of the more straightforward providers when it comes to pricing. Unlimited data adds to the value of any internet plan, but some Frontier plans are a better value than others. Frontier's DSL service starts at $65 per month but max speeds vary widely by location.
Kinetic by Windstream
Plans starting at $25
Our take - Kinetic is another service that comes with unlimited data regardless of whether it's DSL or fiber optic. Speeds and pricing can and do vary by location with Kinetic, but unlimited data is one standard customers across all markets can enjoy. Kinetic's DSL service is one of the lowest-priced plans we've seen, starting at $25 monthly for speeds up to 100Mbps, though the exact speed you'll see varies by address. Its entry-level fiber internet tier starts at $50 a month for 300Mbps. There's also a 1-gig tier for $80 monthly ($50 for three months as a promo rate) and a 2-gig tier for $100 monthly. Equipment rental costs are an extra $11 monthly. Kinetic service areas largely span rural and suburban areas, making the provider a great option for unlimited internet in rural areas.
Optimum
Plans starting at $40
Our take - Optimum includes unlimited data with all plans. Along with that advantage, Optimum plans are priced lower than most considering the speeds you get. For example, you can get 1,000Mbps for just $50 monthly ($65 monthly after one year, which is still on par with competitors) and an introductory tier of 300Mbps for $40. Optimum also offers 2-gig, 5-gig and 8-gig tiers for $75, $100 and $280 a month, respectively. Largely a cable internet provider, Optimum also offers fiber-optic service in select areas. More than 2.8 million Optimum-serviceable homes are eligible for fiber service at no extra cost.
Quantum Fiber
Quantum Fiber offers an impressive range of speeds and prices, starting at 200Mbps and topping out at 8,000Mbps. Since Quantum Fiber is 100% fiber, you get symmetrical download and upload speeds. There are no equipment fees (at least initially), data caps or contracts.
Spectrum
Plans starting at $50
Our take - All Spectrum internet plans come with fast speeds, no contracts and, you guessed it, unlimited data. That, plus an equipment fee of $10 per month if you choose to rent a router puts Spectrum right up there with Frontier when it comes to straightforward pricing. Spectrum offers just two internet plans: $50 monthly for 500Mbps or $70 monthly for 1,000Mbps.
Starlink
Plans starting at $120
Our take - Restricting data caps were a common pain point with satellite internet, but Starlink is remedying many of satellite internet's drawbacks, including limited data. Unlimited data is included with each Starlink plan, but select tiers include an allotment of priority data that grants "network precedence over standard and mobile data, meaning users will experience faster and more consistent download and upload speeds." Once the priority data pool is exhausted, users fall to the standard, yet still unlimited, data tier.
Starry Internet
Plans starting at $30
Our take - In my review of Starry Internet, I was impressed by the provider's ability to offer affordable, high-speed service over a fixed wireless network. The provider's flagship plan offers up to 200Mbps starting at $40 per month, but gig service is available in select areas starting at $85 per month. Regardless of the Starry plan you choose, it's going to come with unlimited data, as well as no contract requirements or additional equipment fees. Considering the speeds, pricing and extra perks like unlimited data and free equipment, Starry is worth checking out if you happen to live in a city where service is available.
T-Mobile Home Internet
Service starting at $50
Our take - 5G may be the future of home internet, at least in underserved areas where cable and fiber internet is either unavailable or too expensive. Enter T-Mobile. The provider is available to more than 30 million homes, a third of which are in rural or suburban areas. T-Mobile's 5G home internet customers will only have one speed option — 72Mbps to 245Mbps — which starts at $50 monthly and comes with unlimited data, no contracts and no additional equipment fees. For $20 extra a month, you can upgrade to T-Mobile Home Internet Plus and get a mesh Wi-Fi Access Point for better connectivity.
Verizon Fios
Plans starting at $50
Our take - Verizon Fios ranks right up there with AT&T Fiber when it comes to speeds, pricing and customer satisfaction. Another thing going for the provider: unlimited data. Each Verizon Fios plan — 300Mbps starting at $50 per month, 500Mbps starting at $70 per month and gig service starting at $90 per month — comes with unlimited data.
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Plans starting at $50
Our take - Verizon's 5G home internet service offers two plans: $50 per month for speeds ranging from 50 to 300Mbps or $70 for anywhere between 85 and 1,000Mbps. The actual speeds you can get will depend on your location, but either way, unlimited data is included with both plans. Service also comes with free equipment and no contract requirements. Perhaps best of all, qualifying Verizon mobile customers can get an additional discount of $15 or $25 off 5G home internet service.
WideOpenWest
Plans starting at $30
Our take - WideOpenWest (WOW) plans start at just $30 per month for speeds up to 300Mbps, but other plans include 600Mbps, 1,000Mbps and 1,200Mbps service. All plans come with unlimited data. WOW is one of the lesser-known, lesser-available providers compared to big providers like Cox, Mediacom, Spectrum and Xfinity, but the provider is making a name for itself with highly competitive pricing and favorable service terms, like unlimited data.
Ziply Fiber
Plans starting at $20
Our take - Ziply Fiber offers six fiber plans including an impressive 50Gbps tier. DSL service is also available in select areas starting at a steep $75 per month, but speeds vary based on location. Customers can enjoy unlimited data with either service.
Best unlimited data internet providers compared
Please note that the plans below show each provider's cheapest available tier. The max speed is the top advertised speed for that given plan, 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.
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Cost per Mbps | Equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astound Broadband 300 Read full review | $20 | 300Mbps | 7 cents | None |
| AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review | $55 | 300Mbps | 18 cents | None |
| CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Read full review | $55 | 140Mbps | 39 cents | $15 (optional) |
| Frontier Fiber 200 Read full review | $30 | 200Mbps | 15 cents | None |
| Kinetic Fiber 300 | $50 | 300Mbps | 17 cents | $11 (optional) |
| Optimum 300 Read full review | $40 | 300Mbps | 13 cents | None |
| Quantum Fiber 200 | $50 | 200Mbps | 25 cents | None |
| Spectrum Internet Read full review | $50 | 500Mbps | 10 cents | $10 router (optional) |
| Starlink Standard Read full review | $120 | 150Mbps | 80 cents | $349 one-time purchase |
| Starry Internet 100 Read full review | $30 | 100Mbps | 30 cents | None |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Unlimited Read full review | $50 | 245Mbps | 20 cents | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 | 300Mbps | 17 cents | None |
| Verizon Fios 300 Read full review | $50 | 300Mbps | 17 cents | None |
| WOW Internet 300 Read full review | $30 | 300Mbps | 10 cents | None |
| Ziply Fiber 100/100 | $20 | 100Mbps | 20 cents | $12 (optional) |
Honorable mentions with (sort of) unlimited data
These internet providers are not truly unlimited but either offer unlimited data options or won't penalize you too harshly for going over your limit. While no data cap is ideal, these providers are a close second if you can't get the providers listed above.
Hughesnet: Hughesnet has "no hard data caps." What does that mean, exactly? Hughesnet plans now come with speeds of 50 to 100Mbps and a "priority data" limit of 100 to 200GB per month. If and once you exceed that limit, Hughesnet may lower your speeds for the remainder of your billing cycle to free bandwidth for folks who haven't yet gone over theirs. There's no overage fee, though, and you can add more data throughout the month if the slowed speeds are a nuisance.
Rise Broadband: Rise Broadband is a fixed wireless provider popular in many rural areas due to its ability to deliver internet service without the need for a dedicated phone, cable or fiber wire. It's also a popular choice for unlimited internet but if you want decent speeds, it won't come cheap.
Sparklight: Sparklight plans boast competitive pricing without contracts, but all Sparklight plans have a soft data cap of 5TB. That's a ton of data (the average household uses significantly less than 1TB each month), but if you do manage to go over, Sparklight may reduce your speeds for the remainder of the billing cycle but will not charge any overage fees.
Xfinity: Many of Xfinity's plans have data caps, and this cable provider is the largest internet provider not to include unlimited data with all its plans. But that's not to say unlimited data isn't available with some Xfinity plans and service areas. Service terms and prices can vary widely by location with Xfinity, so select plans in some markets may very well come with unlimited data.
Pros and cons of internet plans with no data caps
For the most part, the pros of choosing an unlimited internet provider far outweighs the cons, but there may be some instances where accepting a data cap makes sense.
Pros
- No overage fees or other penalties for exceeding your limit
- No having to monitor your data usage throughout the month
- Unlimited data is ideal for multiple devices or those who use large amounts of data for working from home or learning online
Cons
- Monthly pricing may be higher
- It may not be worth the upgrade
Some providers charge a premium for unlimited data, which could add $10 or more to your monthly bill. Others may only offer unlimited data with select service types or plans and, while the unlimited data may be enticing, it's possible that upgrading to a pricier plan could have you paying for more than you need.
Those instances are fairly uncommon, which means internet plans with no data cap are typically the better value. When considering internet providers, I'd always check out the ones with unlimited data first.
Internet providers with no data caps FAQs
What uses the most internet data?
Streaming video, especially if it's in HD or 4K. According to Netflix, streaming in standard definition can consume 1GB per hour, HD can eat up 3GB per hour and 4K can use as much as 7GB per hour. Let's say you binge all 485 minutes of Squid Game in HD this month; that'll add up to around 24GB of data.
Why do internet providers have data caps?
There's only so much bandwidth available, so providers may have to enforce data caps to keep everyone happy and connected. This is especially true with satellite internet technology, which has limited bandwidth. Consequently, you'll find the lowest monthly data allowances, by far, with satellite internet service. In the case of DSL and cable internet providers, which often come with a data cap of around 1TB, if any, the providers largely just want to discourage excessive usage. If they were planning to make extra money in the form of overage fees, they'd lower the data cap from 1TB, which is typically far more than the average household will use.
Is 1TB a lot of data?
If you have a 1TB data cap, the good news is that's probably going to be more than enough for your needs. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the average household used somewhere around 200GB to 300GB per month on roughly 10 connected devices, according to a recent Statista study. Even as the pandemic prompted millions of people to work, learn and seek their entertainment from home, average monthly data usage spiked in March of 2020 to around 400GB, which is well below 1TB.
How can I use less internet data?
There are a number of ways to reduce your internet data use, including streaming in standard definition as opposed to HD, downloading music or TV shows instead of streaming them repeatedly and disconnecting unused devices from your Wi-Fi network.
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