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Internet is a total must have! Am I right? If you’re on a budget, it can be tough to find real ways to save cash on the necessary, let along the unnecessary, which many folks may say internet is. For the money-conscious, you might have cut your cable or lowered your grocery budget, but what about the internet? How to get free internet? Keep reading to find out!
Today, Internet access means finding work faster, keeping in touch with family and friends, getting your education, finding access to important resources, shopping, and much more. Internet is everything. But, access to the Internet can be pricey. So, we’ve roundup up a list of 12 ways to get free Internet.
This list includes free Internet options that don’t require you to guess your neighbor’s Wi-Fi password (haha..people really do this thought). Most of these options may not give you a ton of data but you will be able to access the Internet, access websites, check your email and social media accounts.
Free Internet Resources
FreedomPop
FreedomPop requires you to get a Wi-Fi hotspot. You can purchase it for under $20.
Then, you automatically get 200MB of free Internet monthly, which is an awesome option for web and email access.
FreedomPop also offers paid plans up to around $34/month for 4GB per month.
They also have a free trial of 2GB for the first month with the option to upgrade or downgrade. Your FreedomPop device works with Wi-Fi enabled mobile phone, smart TV, tablet, or computer.
Click here to learn more about free Internet through Freedom Pop.
Juno
Free Internet with Juno.
Juno is back! It’s still here, the free Internet service that works a little different from others here on our list. It’s dial-up service.
You get to access 10 hours of free Internet per month, which is great for those who only check email, browse the web only occasionally, or only check their social media every now and then. They have an unlimited Internet plan with the first month free then $15.95/month for their paid dial-up service.
What do you get?
- Email with Spam/Virus Protection
- Free Live DSL Support
- 30-Day Money Back Guarantee**
- Wireless Modem ($62 value)
Municipal Wireless Network
NetZero
- Mobile broadband
- Email address
- Internet access
- Premium packages
- Security/PC tools
- Entertainment/education
The dial-up service is free up to 10 hours/month.
Several plans are available, with the most expensive package running around $90/month.
Learn more about the system requirements and details on this page.
EveryoneOn.org
They offer low-cost, income-based Internet service to those who need it, through services like:
- Access from AT&T
- Internet Essentials
- Cox
- Frontier
- Google Fiber
- And, more
If you happen to NOT qualify for the free program, they offer reduced plans at an affordable price of $10/month.
They also offer programs for low price tablets and laptops for families and people.
Public Library
Free internet through your public library. Yes! A lot of public libraries offer free public Wi-Fi.
This is great for students and folks that need free Internet on occasion.
Head to the library, then find the library’s Wi-Fi on your list of networks, connect, and you’re ready to go!
The library will provide you a password, if required to sign on.
Other places for free Wi-Fi:
These places are good if you’re in a pinch and they offer free Internet all the time, usually.
- Starbucks
- Barnes and Nobles
- McDonald’s
Understand that free Internet may not offer the same security as paid Internet plans so you want to avoid sensitive information over the network, like banking.
Your Cell Phone Provider
Do you have a cell phone plan?
Most cell phone plans come with Internet data.
Consider using that data as your primary form of Internet.
There are options for tether and hotspot on a lot of cell phones. Take advantage so you can use free Internet at home, for streaming, surfing the web, and more.
This is a little trick that many folks have not thought of.
It’s like getting 2-for-1 Internet
How to Maximize Your Free Internet
The Internet options above offer free Internet, with limitations, usually. To maximize your use, best you can, take advantage of these tips:
- Combine free dial-up with free Wi-Fi
- Reduce the data plan
- Applying a subsidy
- Combine multiple options
Free Dial-Up + Free Wi-Fi
This would be a combination of NetZero and FreedomPop, for example, combining your free 10 hours per month with the amount of MB available through the Wi-Fi plan. The two together are a great combo to help you maximize your Internet access.
Reducing Your Data Plan
Save money by reducing your data plan on your phone and supplementing with your home network, or vice versa. This is a good way to toggle between the two Internet options to help you save money and still get Internet access.
Applying a Subsidy
Do some research in your area to see if you qualify for an Internet subsidy. You can find subsidies through local, regional, and nationwide Internet providers, along with through local governments. Make an inquiry and see what’s available.
Combining Multiple Options
Think about combining 2 or more of the options above, like free dial-up, free wi-fi, and reducing your data plan, as an example. This can be a complex setup but it can be worth it, if you’re saving money and/or getting 100% free Internet.
Almost Free Alternatives
No free internet with these options unfortunately but that is totally ok.
If you just aren’t getting what you need with the free Internet options available, you can consider a low-cost alternative, like these below:
AT&T Access
Connect with family and friends easier than ever with this is low-cost wireline home Internet service to qualifying households:
- With at least one resident who participates in the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and
- With an address in AT&T’s 21-state service area, at which we offer wireline home Internet service, and
- Without outstanding debt for AT&T fixed Internet service within the last six months or outstanding debt incurred under this program.
- If you are a California resident and at least one member of your household receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits you also may qualify based on the same requirements that apply to SNAP participants.
Service availability may differ according to where you live. These are the options available:
- 10 megabits per second, for $10 per month**
- 5 megabits per second, for $10 per month
- 3 megabits per second, for $5 per month
- 1.5 megabits per second, for $5 per month
- 768 kilobits per second, for $5 per month
Learn more about the AT&T Access program.
Comcast Internet Essentials
Affordable high-speed Internet brought to your home.
For $9.95/month, get:
- In-home Wi-Fi
- No contract
- No credit check
- No installation fee
- 15Mbps
If you qualify for public assistance programs like National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, then you may be eligible.
Plus, low-cost Wi-Fi hotspots and low-cost computer under $150.
Learn more about Comcast Internet Essentials here.
Connect2Compete
Connect2Compete by Cox Communications offers low-cost Internet to families with K-12 students who receive government assistance for just $9.95/month.
Learn more about the options and how to get started.
Google Fiber
Google Fiber is super fast gigabit Internet.
- Limitless entertainment
- Fast uploads and fast downloads
- Powerful wireless Internet
- Straightforward pricing
- Cancel anytime
Available in cities like Atlanta, Chicago, San Antonio, Austin, San Diego, San Francisco, Kansas City, Miami, Charlotte, and other cities.
Learn more about Google Fiber.
Spectrum Internet Assist
This is low income Internet assistance for families, by Spectrum.
- Reliable, high-speed 30 Mbps Internet with no data caps
- Internet modem included
- No contracts required
- Add in-home WiFi for $5 more per month
In order to qualify, you should be a recipient of one of the following programs:
- The National School Lunch Program
- The Community Eligibility Provision
- Supplemental Security Income
Read more about Spectrum Internet Assist here.
Free Internet-Final Word
There you have it.
I bet you didn’t know that you can actually get free Internet.
Want some other options for free or low cost services to save you money?
Save Money Ideas to Boost Your Budget
Who couldn’t save some money, right? Grow your savings account or retirement fund, enjoy a more fruitful lifestyle every month and just enjoy more peace of mind from having more money. Less worry, less stress.
These are 22 ways to help you save money.
And, you’ll be doing simple things like adopting the use of some helpful apps to save money, help track your spending habits, and more.
There are also hacks for things like:
- Finding cheap gas prices
- Getting cash back for everyday purchases
- Taking up a side hustle
- Starting a side business
- Starting a blog
- And, more!
Read about these 22 save money ideas right here.
10 Ways to Save Money on Groceries
If you are looking for killer money-saving grocery shopping hacks, you will want to dive into this post. Learn my top hacks for saving the MOST money on grocery shopping.
This is especially useful and helpful if you hate grocery shopping, haha. Like me!
I have despised shopping for groceries since I was a child.
These hacks help me save money (which I love) and save time (even more important) so I can spend the least amount of time possible dragging my tired body through the grocery store.
You’ll learn things like:
- Top money saving apps to use
- Ways to lower your grocery bill naturally
- Tactics to improve time spent in store
- Plus, more!
Read about my 10 favorite ways to save money on groceries.
8 Things I Stopped Buying to Save Money
So, I actually stopped buying these things to save money and I saved HUNDREDS!
You will get so excited reading this one.
Truly..these are some easy practices you can adopt and make some small lifestyle changes that you budget will thank you for.
Imagine saving hundreds every month, and saving thousands per year.
Score!
Learn more about what I stopped by, why I stopped buying, and how much it has saved me.
Read more about my 8 things I stopped buying to save money.
15 Money-Saving Cable TV Alternatives to Try
Ok, so this one of is an ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!
Because, I’m such a TV girl.
I love movies, film and TV shows.
I never thought I would give up cable but I actually did it!
I cut the cable a few years ago and it has saved me so much money, WITHOUT having to sacrifice my favorite shoes and movies.
Learn all about my money-saving adventures in trying multiple money-saving cable TV alternatives and saving loads of money.
To compare, I was spending around $200/month on cable alone.
Highway robbery is you ask me.
Yep, so from $200/month to around $40/month with MULTIPLE cable TV alternatives, just because I’m a TV snob.
If you got one service, you can get your bill to literally around 6 bucks a month.
Not joking.
I tried companies like Hulu, Netflix, Sling, and others.
Read all about these 15 cable TV alternatives to save you money.
Okie dokie. This wraps up this post on free internet options to help you save money.
What do you think?
Did you ever think that saving money on Internet could happen?
Check out all these budget pleasing options in our roundup and don’t be a stranger! Comment down below to let me know what you think.
Have you tried one of these free internet providers? What was your experience?
Don’t forget to bookmark this post, as we will continue to expand on this, as more free internet options come available.
