What’s the Best No Credit Check Internet Provider?
Whether you have less-than-perfect credit or would simply rather avoid an inquiry, you may be wondering which internet service providers (ISPs) offer plans without a credit check. The good news is if you’re looking for the best broadband for bad credit, you have strong options with Verizon Fios, Suddenlink, and Xfinity. The speeds they offer are enough to support a range of customers, including those who stream high-definition (HD) content, online gamers, and people who work from home.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about ISPs that don’t check your credit, what they have to offer in terms of speed and price, unique considerations, and answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about no credit check internet.
The big players
Verizon Fios
Verizon Fios offers fast, consistent fiber-optic service. One of the biggest benefits of Fios for no credit check customers is the number of options they provide. You can choose from three plans: 100Mbps for $39.99/month, 300Mbps for $64.99/month, or 940Mbps for $89.99/month. Each of these speeds allows for streaming HD content and even gaming on multiple devices. It’s important to keep in mind that to qualify for Verizon Fios’ no credit check option, you’ll have to prepay upfront.
Suddenlink
Suddenlink is another of the best broadband no credit check options for users who don’t want their credit report run while signing up for internet service. Similar to Verizon Fios, Suddenlink offers several packages, ranging from 300Mbps to 1000Mbps.
The speeds provided by Suddenlink vary depending on which market you live in but they have three different internet plans: Internet 300, Internet 500 and Internet 1 Gig. While availability of these plans will be based on your address, pricing is typically $44.99/month for 300Mbps, $64.99/month for 500Mbps and $84.99/month for 1000Mbps.*
Xfinity
Xfinity’s no credit check option is based solely on a prepaid system and to circumvent a credit check customers have to pay $45 upfront. Customers also have to purchase and activate a $35 prepaid internet modem. Once you’ve taken these steps, you get internet service for 30 days. At the end of the 30-day period, you simply prepay again to get internet service for the next 30 days.
Xfinity’s offering is different from other ISPs in that users only get a single download speed option: 50Mbps. For most small households, this should provide enough speed for two or three users to stream HD content and perhaps for a gamer or two to play online. However, the 10Mbps upload speed could be an issue for gamers.
Key considerations
While none of these ISPs will check your credit, there are a few considerations that may push you more toward one or another, depending on your current situation.
Speed
For some users, especially those who share their internet service with several different people, speed may be one of the most important factors while choosing an internet plan. The fastest speeds available from the three big players come from Verizon Fios and Suddenlink. With Fios providing speeds as high as 940Mbps and Suddenlink giving you up to 1000Mbps.
If you’re considering Xfinity internet, keep in mind your only option is their 50Mbps plan, which may not be enough bandwidth, especially for households with heavy internet usage.
Price
With both Xfinity and Verizon Fios, you get affordable entry-level prices. Xfinity’s offering, which peaks at 50Mbps, is set at $45/month, which you pay prior to having your service turned on. Verizon Fios’ tier 1 package is priced at $39.99/month, and it gives you 100Mbps. Going up one level to 300Mbps with Fios will cost you $59.99/month.
By comparison, Suddenlink’s plans are slightly more expensive, starting out at $44.99 and going up to $84.99 for their Internet 1 Gig plan.
Extra fees and conditions
With Xfinity, you have to purchase a modem kit, and your only choice is one that comes with a refurbished unit. You also have to install your modem yourself and pay to have the kit shipped.
Even though Verizon Fios also requires you to supply a modem, they do give you the option of using your own. If you don’t have one already, you’ll have to take the cost of purchasing one into account.
Suddenlink discloses that you have to pay steep unreturned equipment fees if you don’t give the equipment back after discontinuing service. For example, you can be charged $100 for a wireless modem or $80 for a wireless router that isn’t returned.
What others are saying
Xfinity
“Xfinity by Comcast has steadily risen in customer satisfaction metrics over the last few years. When you look at its 2021 American Customer Satisfaction Index numbers, Xfinity was up a point from its 2020 score, which itself was up five points from 2019. Its current score is 67 out of a possible 100 points. That puts it above the industry average of 65 and good enough for first place among all cable providers and third place among all ISPs, trailing only Verizon Fios and AT&T.” — CNET
Verizon Fios
“The biggest complaint you’ll hear about Verizon’s Fios fiber-optic network is its availability. While the company touts the 15 million-plus homes and businesses that Fios reaches, coverage is far from uniform. Verizon essentially halted Fios expansion around 2010 before resuming it a few years later, and waiting for service to reach a new neighborhood can be a very slow proposition.” — U.S. News
Suddenlink
“[Suddenlink] boasts low equipment fees and some decent promo perks. You’ll also need to embrace those perks because a price increase will be coming after one year and you’ll also have to deal with a company that’s still struggling with how to better the satisfaction of its customers.” — CNET
No credit check internet FAQs
What information do you have to provide when you sign up with a no credit check ISP?
For many providers, you only have to give relatively basic information. With Verizon Fios, for example, you just have to provide your service address, name, email address, and contact phone number.
Do you have to prepay with all no credit check ISPs?
No. For instance, even though you have to prepay with Xfinity and Verizon Fios, Suddenlink doesn’t require that customers prepay for any of their internet plans.
*Pricing varies by location and availability. Speeds may vary. All prices subject to change; for current pricing and availability visit our internet service page. Prices as of 3/6/22.
Disclosure | Updater articles are based on our own data and research, independent from partner relationships. We are not compensated by partners for information and opinions presented here. Our Editorial Terms of Service can be found here.
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