Free or Cheap Internet in 2026: What Replaced the ACP?

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was discontinued in June, 2024 due to a lack of funding from the government. The ACP was a federal program that aimed at providing internet discounts of up to $30/mo. to eligible homes. While the program ended 2 years ago, there are still ways to get discounted internet in the US.

This blog explores:

• The Lifeline Program – An Alternative to ACP
• Cheap Internet Plans by Top ISPs
• Free Internet Options in 2026
• Pros and Cons of Low-Income Internet Plans

The Lifeline Program – An Alternative to ACP

The best alternative to the ACP now is the Lifeline program, which is another federal initiative that provides a $9.25/mo. discount on internet bills to eligible households. While this discount may not apply to all ISP (Internet Service Provider) plans, providers participating in the Lifeline program will apply the discount once you are approved as an eligible user.

Lifeline Program Eligibility Criteria

You can meet the Lifeline Program’s eligibility criteria if your total household income is 135% or less than the 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Moreover, you will also fall under the eligibility for the Lifeline Program if you’re successfully enrolled in one of the following government assistance programs:

• Medicaid
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

You can read more about how to qualify on Lifeline Program’s official website.

Affordable Internet Plans by the Top ISPs

Many internet service providers also have assistance programs under which they offer discounted internet plans to eligible households. Each provider may have different discounts and eligibility criteria to qualify. Let’s explore some of the top providers offering low-income programs:

Xfinity Internet Essentials

Xfinity Internet Essentials is a low-income plan for new customers only who qualify based on their household income or successful enrollment in another government assistance program. There are two plans: Xfinity Internet Essentials with speeds of up to 75 Mbps and Internet Essentials Plus with speeds of up to 100 Mbps, with a starting price of $14.95/mo.

Before you apply, make sure to check which plan is available at your address and whether you meet their eligibility criteria, which includes enrollment in one of the following programs:

• National School Lunch Program
• Medicaid
• SNAP
• Housing assistance
• See full list on Xfinity Internet Essentials page

Spectrum Internet Assist

Available to qualified households, Spectrum Internet Assist offers speeds of up to 50 Mbps for $25/mo. The plan includes:

• Unlimited Mobile line included for 1 year
• Modem and WiFi for in-home connectivity
• Security Suite for a safe online experience
• Unlimited data
• No contracts

The eligibility criteria for this assistance program are similar to Xfinity Internet Essentials; you just have to produce documentation of enrollment in any one of the government assistance programs.

Cox ConnectAssist Program

Cox offers two low-income internet plans including:

• ConnectAssist - 100 Mbps internet at $30/mo. to qualified homes
• Connect2Compete - 100 Mbps internet at $9.95/mo. to qualifying homes with a K-12 student

Both plans are available in Cox serviceable areas and include a WiFi modem and unlimited data. The eligibility criteria are similar to other ISP low-income plans, where you must be enrolled in another government assistance program and be located in one of Cox’s serviceable areas.

Optimum Advantage Internet

Optimum offers affordable internet plans to qualifying households with select plans that include free installation and WiFi equipment. There are three plans you can choose from:

• 100 Mbps for $15/mo. plus taxes and fees
• 300 Mbps for $30/mo. w/ elig. $10 Auto Pay & Paperless Bill discount plus taxes and fees
• 500 Mbps for $40/mo. w/ elig. $10 Auto Pay & Paperless Bill discount plus taxes and fees

The 300 and 500 Mbps plans have a 5-year price guarantee and are ideal for larger families.

Free Internet Options in 2026

While it does sound unbelievable, you can get free internet in 2026. Firstly, many ISPs have millions of free WiFi hotspots around the country which provide access to the internet on the go; however, you need to be their customer to access them, so not entirely free, right?

But if you want genuinely free internet, here are a couple of options:

Public WiFi

You can access free of cost internet at multiple public locations, including libraries, community hotspots, and more. However, beware that these connections can be vulnerable, so make sure you have a solid VPN or internet security tool to help you browse safely.

T-Mobile Project 10Million

T-Mobile launched Project 10Million in 2020, intending to provide internet to students completely free of cost, which includes:

• 200 GB of data per year for 5 years
• One free hotspot per house

All you need to do is fill out a form, attach supporting documents of eligibility, and sign the service agreement to receive a device that will connect you online.

Pros and Cons of Low-Income Internet Plans

Here are some of the pros and cons of having a low-income internet plan, in case you’re confused:

How to Find Cheap Internet in 2026?

Finding a cheap internet plan is easier than ever with a wide range of internet finder tools available online. All you need to do is enter you zip code in a provider finder tool and check which ISPs are available at your address. Once you have a list of available options, you can check if they offer low-income plans or if they participate in the Lifeline Program.

If you’re struggling to find an affordable internet plan for your home, let us help you out!