How much is fiber internet?
You work hard for your money, so it’s important to ensure you’re getting a good value. Fiber is, in general, one of the best values in internet—you tend to get more speed for your dollar with fiber than with even the best cable providers (and certainly more than with DSL or satellite).
What you get for your money with fiber
Fiber plans can start as low as $50 per month and run as high as $180 per month. As with any other type of internet, the download speed you get for that money varies from one provider to another—some are a much better value than others.
Here’s a look at the most affordable and most expensive plans offered by three of the biggest fiber providers: AT&T, Google Fiber, and Verizon Fios.
| Provider | Low price | Low speed | High price | High speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $55/mo. | 100 Mbps | $180/mo. | 5,000 Mbps |
| Google Fiber | $70/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | $100/mo. | 2,000 Mbps |
| Verizon Fios | $49.99/mo. | 300 Mbps | $89.99/mo. | 940 Mbps |
There are some outliers, like AT&T’s low-end plan, but for the most part, fiber plans fall in the $50–$100-per-month range and offer speeds of around 300 Mbps–1,000 Mbps. Compared to cable, fiber providers tend to be more expensive on the low end but offer much better value once you get up around gig speeds.
Providers that give the best speeds for your money
Google Fiber is probably the best overall value for your money. Few other major fiber providers offer as good a price as Google on gigabit-speed internet, and even fewer can match it on the 2 Gbps plan. Google also makes the whole experience painless, with simple billing and free installation.
Google Fiber is followed closely by AT&T and Verizon Fios, both of which are more likely to be available to you than Google. In all cases, though, you get fast speeds for a reasonable price, which is exactly what we want to see from a fiber provider.
That said, almost no home needs speeds faster than a gigabit, and providers we talked to tend to agree.
Ways to save money on fiber internet
If your internet bill is too pricey, don’t worry—you have a few options.
1. Go with a slower plan
First, we’d recommend getting a bearing on how much speed you need—it’s possible you’re paying for more internet than you’ll use and can save money there. Some activities need less than you might think—if you only go online to check email or have only one user, a slower, more affordable plan might be perfect for you.
2. Switch to a more affordable provider
If you find that you do need the speed you’re paying for but your provider is too expensive, consider switching to one that better suits your budget. This is highly area-dependent—most areas will have only one good fiber option. If this is you, one of the best cable internet providers we reviewed may be a viable alternative. If you are fortunate enough to have multiple choices for fiber, shop around!
3. Bundle internet with other services (like TV)
If you subscribe to any combination of internet, TV, and phone and you aren’t bundling, you’re likely leaving money on the table. While there may be exceptions, it’s almost always a good idea to bundle your services from the same provider.
4. Bring your own equipment
Another way to potentially save money is to use your own router. Depending on how much you’re paying per month for equipment rentals, you could save up to $15 per month off your bill. Even a nice router will often pay for itself in six months to a year. Just keep in mind that most major fiber providers offer free equipment—make sure you check with your provider before buying anything.
Any one of these can help shave your bill down to a more manageable amount. You can also combine a few of them for a big result—for example, switching to a cheaper provider and a cheaper plan.
Learn more about negotiating with your provider and get additional ideas about how to save on internet.
Get fast internet at a great price with fiber
Whether you’re looking for the best bang for your buck in internet or just want the fastest speeds internet plan, fiber is where it’s at. Check out our roundup of the best fiber internet providers to find a package near you today.
Dave Schafer is a freelance writer with a passion for making technical concepts easy for anyone to understand. He’s been covering the world of gadgets, tech, and the internet for over 8 years, with a particular focus on TV and internet service providers. When he’s not writing, Dave can be found playing guitar or camping with his family and golden retriever, Rosie.
Bri Field has a background in academia, research writing, and brand marketing. She has edited scientific publications, conference papers, digital content, and technical communications. As Assigning Editor, she enjoys ensuring all content is accurate, clear, and helpful. In her free time, you can find her in the kitchen trying a new recipe, out on a hike, or working through her massive TBR list.