Unfortunately, as of June 1st, 2024, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) — which provided discounts on internet service for eligible households — has ended due to a lack of additional funding from Congress.
While this closure has affected many who relied on the program for affordable internet access, several options are still available to help you stay connected without breaking the bank.
Below, we explore the best alternatives, including ultra-low-cost service providers, free public Wi-Fi hotspots, and additional programs that can help you secure internet access.
The article is broken down into four sections:
- Free or cheap internet from discount service providers: A handful of companies operate in the ultra-low-cost internet service industry. While not as well-funded as the ACP, various state and local programs provide additional discounts. This section will explain how to find and take advantage of these options.
- Get a limited free plan from Juno (aka NetZero): Get 10 free hours of dial-up internet per month if you have a landline phone. Though slow by today’s standards, it’s a no-cost option for basic connectivity, requiring a computer with a dial-up modem or an adapter.
- Free public WiFi hotspots: Learn about apps that can help you quickly find and connect to nearby WiFi networks — even those that require a password.
- Free internet FAQs: Answers to some of the most common questions about free internet access.
#1. Finding Free or Cheap Internet With Discount Internet Service Providers
Everyone On is a non-profit organization that maintains a comprehensive database of government funding — whether federal, state or local — to help people access affordable internet services.
In addition, many larger internet service providers offer discount programs. Some examples include AT&T Access, Cox Connect2Complete, Spectrum Internet Assist, and Xfinity Internet Essentials.
With Everyone On, you can find the lowest-cost options by comparing assistance programs and offers from internet service providers in your area.
How it works is you answer a few screening questions about your financial and living situation, as shown in the screenshot below:
Based on your responses, EveryoneOn will recommend your area’s most suitable offers and assistance programs:
Because Everyone On is a non-profit, it has no financial incentive to prioritize one offer over another. Its sole focus is on helping you find the most effective and affordable solution for your situation.
#2. Get a Limited Free Plan from Juno (aka NetZero)
With Juno and NetZero (which are the same company under different names), you can get up to 10 hours of free dial-up internet per month for no cost.
This means you’ll need an actual landline phone to access the service, as well as a computer with a dial up modem port. Since most modern computers lack this port, you’ll also have to purchase an adapter (such as this one).
Dial-up internet does offer a stable connection, but you may be surprised by just how slow the speed is — especially if you’re young enough to have never used dial-up before!
For example, it would take about 1 minute to download an average-length song, compared to a few seconds on a broadband connection.
Free Public WiFi Hotspots
There are many places outside your home where you can access free internet. Here are a few of the best options.
#3. Use the Facebook App
Facebook offers a service called Facebook WiFi that allows you to connect to a business’s WiFi hotspots for free, as long as you have a compatible mobile device. You can learn more about Facebook WiFi here, but this is how it works in a nutshell:
- Open your phone’s network settings and connect to the business’s WiFi hotspot.
- Open the Facebook App, or open Facebook.com in a mobile browser. If you’re connected to the business’s WiFi hotspot, you’ll see a pop-up screen prompting you to take one or more actions. For example, you may need to check in to the location, “like” the business’s Facebook page, or accept their terms of service.
You can also use Facebook WiFi to find nearby hotspots, based on your current location:
- Open the Facebook App.
- Open the main menu by tapping the hamburger menu (the three horizontal lines).
- Scroll down to “Find WiFi” and tap it. Note that on iOS, this is listed under Explore while on Android, you have to click Apps and then See All to locate it.
- Tap “Enable Find WiFi” and grant the app permission to use your location data (if prompted).
#4. Instabridge
Instabridge is a free app for iOS and Android that crowdsources WiFi passwords. The service was originally launched as a way for users to easily share their home network credentials with their friends and family, but today the app has lists of Wi-Fi networks in most major cities — from private networks added by people who want to share their bandwidth with the community to businesses wanting to make it easier for their customers to get online.
What makes Instabridge a great tool is its database of up-to-date log-on information. The number of unprotected wireless networks is dwindling as a result of rising security concerns, which means that you almost always need a password to get connected. Instabridge is a worldwide repository of those passwords.
When Instabridge users connect to a secured network, they have the option to share the network password with the rest of the community. From that point on, all other app users can simply connect to the network as usual — Instabridge will automatically enter the necessary credentials.
#5. WiFi Map
Like Instabridge, WiFi Map is a crowdsourced WiFi password app. It has a free version and a paid “pro” version, which comes with extra features like a wider map radius and an ad-free interface.
WiFi Map also offers an optional add-on product called “eSIM,” which is a data-only SIM card that gives you internet access when you’re out of WiFi range.
You do not need to purchase an eSIM plan, or upgrade to the pro version, to use the app’s main features.
#6. National Chain Stores
Many national stores and restaurants offer free WiFi. There are too many chains that offer free internet access to list them all here, but some of the most popular include McDonald’s, Starbucks and Panera Bread.
Note that while Starbucks used to give WiFi access to paying customers only, the chain changed its policy and now welcomes non-paying customers into its cafes.
#7. Public Libraries
Public libraries generally offer one or more ways to get on the internet for free, including both WiFi access and computers with wired internet connections. In most cases, you do not have to be a library member to use these services, though specific policies vary.
Here’s a tool that will help you find your local library.
#8. Xfinity Hotspots
This is an option only for Comcast Xfinity customers, but it’s a good one. There are millions of Xfinity hotspots all over the country, and many people don’t realize that access to these hotspots comes bundled with your home internet or TV package.
#9. Municipal Wireless Networks
Some cities and towns offer residents a municipal wireless network, which is essentially a free (or very cheap) public WiFi network that covers an entire area — like a downtown neighborhood. While there are only a handful of these networks in operation today, the number of them is growing quickly. So if you’re looking for a free internet option, it makes sense to check if your city or town offers one.
#10. Use Your Smartphone as a Hotspot
Another option is to sign up for an unlimited data plan with a mobile phone and then use your device’s hotspot at home.
The downside to this option is that it can be fairly slow, which means it may not be good for much more than checking your email and browsing the web. However, this is not always the case; if your signal is good enough to watch movies or play games on your phone, the same should be true for your computer.
Before signing up, make sure to check with your phone carrier to see if your mobile data plan truly is unlimited (and includes hotspot connectivity). Some unlimited mobile data plans have restrictions — such as slower data speeds after a certain amount of usage — so you have to do your homework to ensure you’re getting what you need.
Also, some of these types of plans include a “fair use” policy that prohibits connecting your device to a computer to gain full internet access.
FAQs About Getting Free Internet
Using free wireless networks (whether they’re open or password protected) increases your risk of data theft. Anything you transmit over such a network — including personal information like credit card numbers, photographs or other potentially sensitive materials — can theoretically be intercepted by hackers.
That’s why it’s important to use only encrypted websites (those that start with https:// instead of http://). This makes it much harder for people to capture your personal information.
Additionally, you may want to consider a service like Privacy.com, which allows you to create virtual credit cards that can be assigned spending limits and/or locked to a specific merchant. That way, if a hacker does manage to snatch your data, they won’t be able to do much damage.
The term “VPN” stands for “virtual private network,” and describes a technology that helps you mask your identity when browsing the internet. Using a VPN app is a good idea if you regularly access the internet via public WiFi networks, as it offers a layer of protection against hackers. However, the VPN app itself does not provide internet access.
Lifeline is a federally-funded program that lowers the cost of phone or internet service for low-income households. If you qualify, you may be able to reduce your bill by up to $9.25 per month. Some states provide a greater amount of benefits, including free access for senior citizens. You can learn more about the program and its eligibility requirements here.
Free Internet Service: Final Thoughts
These options may not always provide high-speed access, and usually the amount of free data you can utilize every month is limited. But if you aren’t someone who works from home and who needs a super-reliable broadband connection, they can provide a fairly quick and easy way to trim your internet bill and cut back on your monthly expenses.
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