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Best Internet Providers for Seniors in 2023
The best internet providers for seniors offer affordable service, simple contracts, and ample customer support.
The Senior List is compensated when you click on the provider links listed on this page. This compensation does not impact our ratings or reviews.
2
Easiest Internet Setup
Overall Rating
4.9/5
Call for best price:
855-716-2009
3
Best Bundled Internet Options
Overall Rating
4.4/5
Call for best price:
855-959-3973
These days, internet access is as essential as a phone line; however, not all providers are created equal. The best internet providers for seniors combine reliably fast speeds with affordable monthly prices.
Below, you’ll find a variety of providers that offer low-cost internet with the speeds needed to browse the web and stream videos.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a phone with internet, check out our rundown of the best senior cell phone plans.
Best Internet Providers for Seniors
- Xfinity : Most Affordable Package
- T-Mobile Home Internet : Easiest Internet Setup
- AT&T : Best Bundled Internet Options
- Spectrum Internet® : Best No-Contract Internet
- CenturyLink Internet : Fastest Speeds
- Cox Internet : Best Range of Internet Plans
How We Choose The Best Providers For Seniors
When choosing the best internet for seniors, we looked for the following criteria:
- No long-term contracts: Many internet providers require you to lock into one- or two-year contracts, which can make it difficult — not to mention costly — to change providers. We looked for internet providers with no-contract options.
- Affordable packages: Prices are usually based on internet speeds. Some companies have a variety of options, while others have just one price for all speeds. We look for companies that break down their pricing based on speeds. Older adults don’t always need the fastest, most expensive internet, and they’ll be able to do what they need with a more basic option.
- Bundles: Bundles are a great way for older adults who need internet, phone, and television to save a few bucks. Bundles tend to cost more than internet by itself, but you end up saving money when you put all three services together.
- Customer support: Digital literacy doesn’t always come naturally to older adults, so they can find themselves with a lot of questions. A company with high-quality 24-hour customer service ranks high on my list so you can get the answers you need at any time.
- Speeds: The faster the internet speed, the better — especially when multiple devices are sharing your network. I look for providers that offer speeds of at least 100 Mbps. Most older adults don’t necessarily need speeds that fast, but it’s a good option for people who have family visit.
- Installation: I look for providers that offer both do-it-yourself and professional installation. Professional installation usually costs extra, but it’s easier for most seniors. Not everyone wants to pay more for installation, though, so we look for providers with DIY installation too.
Senior Internet Plans Compared
| Plan | Price | Speed | Contract requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Xfinity Performance Starter+ |
$24.95 per month |
25 Mbps |
1 year required |
|
T-Mobile Internet |
$50 per month
|
50 Mbps
|
None
|
|
AT&T Basic
|
$49.99 per month |
100 Mbps
|
None
|
These are the least expensive plans offered by the three companies, but they aren’t the only plans or internet service providers available. There are a handful of companies, plans, and features beneficial to older adults. Here’s a highlight of what we like about each of our favorite internet providers.
Top Internet Providers for Seniors in 2023
1. Xfinity - Most Affordable Package
What We Like Most:
Coverage available
across most of the United States
Range of options in
speed and price
No-contract options
Access to Xfinity’s
wireless hotspots
Overview
Xfinity’s cost is $24.95 per month with a one-year commitment for Xfinity Performance Starter+.
Xfinity internet for seniors offers the most pricing variety, with its cheapest package costing just $19.99 per month and most expensive costing $299.95. The pricing increases as speeds increase. Faster speeds are more expensive, but necessary if you have multiple people using the same network. For older adults who may not have many people living with them, the less expensive internet plans will usually suffice.
Our favorite Xfinity plan is the Performance Starter+. Starting at $24.99 per month, it provides speeds of up to 25 Mbps. That certainly is not as fast as other plans on this list, but it will be enough for browsing the web, streaming audio, and streaming video on one device.
Xfinity has options for either do-it-yourself installation or professional installation. Each DIY starter kit comes with everything you need to set up your devices and activate your modem. If you think you’ll have questions or you just don’t want the responsibility, you can have an Xfinity technician come to your home and install everything for you. It takes between two and four hours, and costs an additional $89.99.
Pros
Coverage available across most of
the United States
Range of options in speed and price
No-contract options
Access to Xfinity’s wireless
hotspots
Bundled internet and cable plans
Cons
Promotional pricing may increase
after first year
2. T-Mobile Home Internet - Easiest Internet Setup
What We Like Most:
High internet speeds
No fees for activation or
setup
No data caps
Quick and simple
installation
Overview
T-Mobile’s cost is $50 per month.
Widely known for the T-Mobile 55+ cell phone plans, the company also offers affordable internet. Similar to its cellular options, we love T-Mobile’s simplicity and affordability.
T-Mobile doesn’t offer an internet plan specifically for seniors — it offers only one plan total — but its internet plan impressed us with its simplicity. For starters, T-Mobile internet was super easy to set up. We simply plugged in the modem and walked through a setup prompt, and we quickly had high-speed internet.
Whereas other companies charge extra fees for modem rentals, activation, and installation, T-Mobile does not. The $50 you pay monthly covers equipment, and the fee is guaranteed to never go up.
A relative newcomer to home internet, T-Mobile does not yet service the entire country, so you’ll want to check their website to see if they offer service in your area.
To learn more about this internet provider, check out our rundown of T-Mobile internet for seniors.
To learn more about Ergo, check out our Eargo hearing aids review. Additionally, be sure to check out our rundown of Eargo hearing aids costs.
Pros
High internet speeds
No fees for activation or setup
No data caps
Quick and simple installation
Cons
Only one plan option
Call to order T-Mobile Home Internet: 855-716-2009
3. AT&T - Best Bundled Internet Options
What We Like Most:
Good coverage across
much of the United States
High-speed fiber
internet available in some areas
Reliable customer
service
Access to AT&T’s
wireless hotspots
Overview
The Core is priced at a reasonable $299.98, lower than most of its other FDA-registered competitors. The Core’s batteries typically last five days, and all MDHearingAid purchases come with a carrying case and a year’s supply of batteries. The hearing aids come with a 45-day risk-free trial and are covered by a 90-day warranty. After this, you’ll have to pay for repairs, unless you sign up for one of their protection plans, which start at $9.99 per month.
Email and phone support are available before and after purchase, and MDHearing has a team of dedicated insurance experts who can review your existing health coverage, determine any potential benefits, and even file an insurance claim for you.
To learn more about this company and its devices, check out our MDHearing review.
Pros
Good coverage across much of the
United States
High-speed fiber internet available in
some areas
Reliable customer service
Access to AT&T’s wireless hotspots
Bundled internet, phone, and cable
options
Cons
Installation and equipment fees
Call to order AT&T: 855-959-3973
4. Spectrum Internet® - Best No-Contract Internet
What We Like Most:
No contracts
Contract buyout offer
Free internet modem
Affordable pricing
Overview
Spectrum’s cost is $49.99 per month for speeds of up to 300 Mbps.
Spectrum internet for seniors is a solid option for older adults who want to steer clear of long-term contracts. Because the company offers internet packages with no contracts, you don’t have to worry about remembering to cancel the service ahead of time.
An additional benefit is Spectrum’s contract buyout option, which allows you to change your service provider without paying the entire contract or other hidden cancellation fees. Spectrum will cover up to $500 of an existing contract, a nice option if you want to switch service providers without waiting until your existing contract expires.
Spectrum offers only one internet package, so your choice will be very easy. Unlike companies that have different prices for different speeds, Spectrum’s one service price simplifies the purchasing process. Additionally, Spectrum internet subscribers get access to affordable cellular service. To learn more, read our guide to Spectrum cell phones for seniors.
Pros
No contracts
Contract buyout offer
Free modem
Affordable pricing
No data caps
Cons
Activation and installation fees
Call to order Spectrum Internet®: 844-902-2794
5. CenturyLink Internet - Fastest Speeds
4.2/5
Call for best price:
844-930-2931
What We Like Most:
No risk of price hikes
DIY and professional
installation
Bundled savings
Simplified packages
Overview
CenturyLink’s cost is $65 per month for 940 Mbps speeds.
CenturyLink’s price-for-life program makes it another great option for older adults. By locking in a price, you can budget for your internet costs without worrying about unexpected price hikes.
I also like CenturyLink’s installation options. The company has both a do-it-yourself installation option and professional installation. Professional installation is an additional cost, but it may be a good option if you need more assistance with setup.
If you are looking for internet and phone service, CenturyLink offers a bundle that includes both. The bundle is a better bang for your buck since you get the highest internet speeds and phone service for $85 — just $20 more than CenturyLink’s fastest internet package. For older adults who need a landline, this is a way to save a little money in the long run.
To learn more about this provider, read our guide to CenturyLink internet for seniors.
Pros
No risk of price hikes
DIY and professional installation
Bundled savings
Wide Range of Devices
Cons
$65 per month for 940 Mbps speeds
Call to order CenturyLink Internet: 844-930-2931
6. Cox Internet - Best Range of Internet Plans
What We Like Most:
Highly affordable plans
Nationwide service
Stellar customer
support
Free cyber security
Overview
Cox’s cost is $50 per month for 25 Mbps speeds.
Cox provides older adults with a wide range of internet options — from basic plans to plans with all the bells and whistles. Cox Internet Starter 10 is the company’s most affordable plan at $29.99, and it’s best for sending emails and surfing the web. The package also comes with McAfee internet security, which is great for older adults who are susceptible to cybercrime.
Cox is also known for its reliable service, something we all need from our internet provider. As the largest cable internet service provider in the U.S., you can almost guarantee Cox Internet will work when you need it. The company also offers 24-hour technical support, so you’ll always have someone to contact if you have an outage or other problem.
To learn more about this provider, check out our guide to Cox internet for seniors.
Pros
Highly affordable plans
Nationwide service
Stellar customer support
Free cyber security
Cons
Only available in 18 states
Call to order Cox Internet: 844-493-0581
Why Do Seniors Need The Internet?
Below are just a few reasons older adults need to know about internet providers.
- Medical alert systems: Many older adults invest in medical alert systems. Not all systems require the internet, but some more advanced features — such as those offered by Medical Guardian’s Active Guardian package — need Wi-Fi to function. A landline is required for many medical alert systems to work, and many internet service providers, including AT&T and Xfinity, offer phone and internet bundles. By purchasing a bundle, you are likely to save money in the long run.
- Communication: Having the internet is one way to give loved ones and caretakers peace of mind. Not only does the internet allow for older adults to email and video chat with family members, but it also enables family members to check in remotely. For example, many security cameras run on Wi-Fi and offer apps to see what’s happening on the cameras.
- Entertainment: The internet allows for additional forms of entertainment, such as streaming, online shopping, digital reading, and gaming. Older adults who are unable to leave their homes could easily find an online game they can play with other people.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for a provider that offers plans with no contracts, one that has affordable pricing, or one that has high speeds, the companies on our list have all your needs covered. Older adults need an internet provider that allows them to connect with the outside world, and these providers do just that.
An internet connection should make your life easier rather than complicate it. Whether you need it to keep in touch with loved ones, stay on top of the news, or play some online games, signing on to the web can simplify things. What’s more, with any of the providers mentioned above, you can rest assured you’ll get your money’s worth.
To learn more about our favorite internet and cellular providers, check out our helpful guides:
The Unexpected Effects of Hearing Loss
Bottom Line
If you haven’t figured it out by now, hearing aids are not cheap. Even the most affordable options will run you a pretty penny. This makes it all the more important to do your research and take the time to find a hearing aid that suits your needs.
A quality hearing aid will do more than just restore your hearing. It will allow you to reconnect with the world around you. Between people and the sound of the birds in your neighborhood, the world is rife with beautiful noises. Only through rediscovering them can you live life to its fullest.
To learn more about our favorite hearing aids, check out our thoroughly researched guides and reviews:
Written By
Ryan Molloy
Ryan has years of experience researching and testing products that help people successfully age in place. After years of working for various publications such as Boston Magazine and The Believer, he has found his home at The Senior List, writing about all things related to caregiving and senior healthcare.