On average, people pay about $50 per month for their internet service. That price will even continue to rise as time goes on. This is why people are finding new methods to access WiFi.
If you are somebody that needs internet but is unable to access it due to financial issues, you aren’t out of luck, and you don’t need to go into debt to be able to access it. There are a plethora of resources that you can use to be able to have a broadband connection on your devices. While some may require that you go out of your way to access it, it’s still worth it.
Even if you’re thinking, “Well, $50 a month isn’t that much,” and you have more than enough for pay for a connection, what’s the harm in helping yourself save?
You can still aim to get free internet or a connection for less money. It may seem like a hassle for just a bit of money, but it’s more than you think. As the months pass, that money from the Wi-Fi will pile up. That’s money that you could potentially use for something else.
11 Best Ways To Get Free Internet
1. Use Free Wi-Fi in Public Places
If you’re not able to get free or reduced-price Wi-Fi at home, you can always go somewhere public that does offer free internet services. It can be inconvenient to have to relocate when you want to get some work done or simply browse the web. However, it’s worth it to be able to use the internet.
If you live in a large city, you’ll likely have plenty of options to go to in regards to public places with free Wi-Fi. In fact, even if you live in a smaller, more rural area, you should be able to access locations that offer free Wi-Fi to customers.
Coffee Shops
Coffee shops in your area are great options in regards to being able to hop on your device and work and or browse the web for free.
They’re perfect because the seats there are often comfortable and there are usually outlets for if you need to charge your device. Cafes are also just an all-around great environment to study or chill out in.
Sometimes, however, you will need to purchase something to be able to use their connection. Some coffee shops, such as Starbucks, don’t require that you purchase anything. Ask if you’re unsure.
Restaurants
There’s a high chance that most, if not all, of the locations you eat at offer free internet to their customers. This includes fast food places. For example, McDonald’s has outlets and special seating for people who are working on browsing the web.
If you live in a small area, it may be a bit more difficult for you to locate restaurants with free Wi-Fi, but you should still be able to find some nonetheless. Keep in mind that not all restaurants have free internet advertised so you may need to check or ask.
Library
Libraries are known for having a calm, quiet environment. This makes it a great place to study or work. Therefore, this is one of the superior options for getting free Wi-Fi.
The majority of libraries will allow you to use their internet whether you’ve registered for a card or not, which is great and convenient. You likely won’t even need to bring your own device as the library often has its own computers.
However, some locations will restrict the amount of time that you can be on computers. Therefore, you may need to bring your own device.
Bookstore
Just like the library, bookstores also have an extremely relaxing atmosphere that makes them perfect for studying or doing whatever else online.
Many bookstores have free internet.
Museum
Museums are a great way to look at beautiful artwork. At the same time, they’re a great option for connecting to Wi-Fi for free. Therefore, if you happen to visit one, you’ll be able to connect.
Many museums even having seating areas that you can use with your device.
It may be free to enter the museum, but some offer an admission charge.
Hotel
Hotel lobbies are equipped with comfortable areas with seating. This area is meant for anybody that wants to socialize with others, wait while their room is being prepared, or simply just get out of their hotel room for a bit.
These lobbies generally come with a free connection for guests and visitors. This is great for when you quickly wanna hop on or want to browse or work while traveling.
Hotel rooms will also likely have Wi-Fi. You’ll likely need to have rented out a room to use this Wi-Fi, as they usually ask for your last name and room number.
2. FreedomPop
FreedomPop offers free internet service to people with mobile devices and computers. Certain offers also provide cheaper internet service.
To participate in the free internet offer, you’ll need to sign up for it on their website.
The way it works is that you’ll get sent an internet hotspot device for free. You don’t need to purchase anything; it comes with the charger and the manual.
In the first month, you’ll receive 10GB of free data. After your first month, you’ll get 500MB of free data. If you want additional data, you’ll have to purchase it. 500MB isn’t very much data at all, but it could serve as a great way to get a bit of extra data if you don’t use it very often.
The catch is that you do have to pay a deposit. This is to make sure that the device gets returned once you no longer need the service. If you’re done with it within a year and return the device, then you’ll be fully refunded. Other than that, you don’t have to pay for it.
3. NetZero & Juno
NetZero and Juno are two internet service providers. Through their programs, you’re able to get 10 hours of internet service every month for free. This is a perfect option for people who don’t always need internet.
The service is unique as it’s dial-up internet instead of broadband. However, this means that you won’t be able to use it for certain things such as gaming, watching videos, or anything else that requires very speedy internet.
Another catch for getting free internet is that you’ll need to watch ads. They’ll appear in your browsers. But, for being a member of the service, you may also be able to receive discounts on products and services from NetZero.
4. InstaBridge
InstaBridge is an app that allows you to get free internet by providing you with passwords for Wi-Fi and hotspots. It will tell you where the closest locations with free Wi-Fi are. You’ll also be told how long it’ll take you to get there.
The app will also find which spots will work as a connection and which ones won’t. It’ll only have you connect to the ones that are functional. You can also add your own Wi-Fi from your home and share it with your friends. The purpose of this is to avoid having to find your password any time a guest asks.
5. WifiMap
A great option for looking for hotspots while you travel is downloading WiFi Map, an app. It’s available on both iOS and Android.
Through the app, you can use your current location to find out what hotspots are currently available in your area. You may even be able to use it to find hotspots in the area in which you’re living.
6. Wifi Free Spot
WiFi Free Spot is an excellent way to find businesses and other locations in your region that provide free WiFi. This is very important, as you usually won’t know if a company does this, as they often don’t advertise it.
What you need to do is: First, go to their website. Then, click your state or country, and find your city. If you’re within proximity of one of the local businesses that provide a free WiFi spot, you can possibly use their public WiFi in your household.
7. Connect to Compete
Connect to Compete is a program that provides internet access to families in unfortunate situations without them having to pay. The program is run by the FCC.
It’s aimed at both homes and schools, as in today’s society, the internet is a huge part of education. Teachers often need websites to show lessons and provide materials to their students.
You can enter by going to the program’s website. You’ll have to provide your zip code and press ‘Find Offers.’ This will allow you to find if there are any opportunities that are available for people in your area.
Whether you’ll be able to get the free internet in your household is dependent on various factors, including location, maximum budget, and your income. Generally, the lower your income is or if you’re already under government assistance, the more likely you are to qualify. There are also programs that are free for students at certain schools or within certain school districts.
Even if you, unfortunately, don’t qualify, you may still be able to get the price of internet reduced. There are some reduced-price plans that various internet service providers sponsor on the same website. There are requirements for these as well, but they’re much easier to qualify for.
8. Municipal Wireless Network
Internationally, there are areas that serve as providers of free WiFim called municipal wireless networks. These are networks that run through the city, connecting linking connections from various businesses and government offices throughout the city.
This system is a vital step to providing everybody with some internet, especially disadvantaged families and schools that are unable to access it otherwise due to financial challenges.
For the most part, highly developed cities with high populations have this system, but the idea is spreading to more and more cities, so it will progressively improve.
Sadly, some cities have restrictions. For example, you may only be able to use it for a couple of hours daily. Or, you may only be able to use the free internet outside and potentially only at parks.
There are many current municipal wireless networks around the world. Therefore, you should make an effort to check if your area is one of the cities with this amazing system.
9. All Free ISP
All Free ISP helps people get free or cheap internet service in their region. To receive the benefits, you’ll have to go to the website and enter your state or area code. You’ll be provided with a list of cheap and free internet service providers in your area.
The free internet providers are completely free, meaning there is no price for setup or additional fees. Instead, the companies get money from the ads that you’ll see before you connect to the internet. Therefore, the only catch is that you’ll have to look at ads.
As a plus, each provider will even come with a rating based on a variety of factors such as customer satisfaction, price, performance, customer service, etc.
So, while the site itself isn’t a service provider, it directs you to providers that will get you free or reduced-price internet no matter where you are in the United States.
10. Ask Your Neighbors
An excellent option is asking your neighbors to share their Wi-Fi. However, this relies on the idea that you are friendly with your neighbor. Otherwise, they’ll likely be unwilling to share.
Rather than just asking them to share for free, you can also offer to trade for services, such as mowing their laws, washing their windows, etc. If even that’s denied, you can potentially try offering to pay them a bit.
By making an agreement, it won’t be as one-sided.
11. Use Your Phone As a Hotspot
The majority of smartphones today have the option of tethering or using a “hotspot.” A cellular hotspot works by transforming your cell phone into a device that can provide internet to other devices.
When you turn on the hotspot feature, any devices that are within range of your phone can connect using a password that you set in the device settings.
This is a great idea, especially if you have a lot or unlimited mobile data every month because using your hotspot uses your data. But, if you do have relatively limited data, keep in the limit in mind to avoid overcharge.
How To Get Free Internet Legally FAQ’s
Can You Get Free Internet Legally?
Yes, all the methods of getting free internet that were listed are 100% legal. That’s why many of them come with regulations, such as needing to be somebody in the lower tax bracket.
You just need to find what works for your current situation and understand that, even if you can’t get internet free, you can still get the price significantly reduced.
Is It Worth It To Use Free Internet?
It’s definitely worth it to aim for free internet. If you are somebody that isn’t able to afford to spend money on internet service every month, it’s an excellent idea to look to various providers of free internet.
Even if $50 a month isn’t a lot to you if you make a decent salry, the costs pile up over the course of some months. If you’re able to save even a bit of that money if not all, it will definitely make a difference.
How Much Can You Save On Your Internet Bill?
If you’re spending $50 a month on the internet, you can save about $600 in a year. This is money that you could be using for other things, such as essentials, savings, or just as extra cash for yourself.
At first glance, $50 doesn’t seem like a big deal, but why continuously lose that amount of money if you could possibly save?
Get Free Internet Conclusion
Hopefully, by now, you’ve seen something in the list that fits your situation, and you think can work for you. Keep in mind the main factors that weigh into eligibility, but also understand that low income isn’t the only qualifier.
This system of getting free internet is spreading everywhere, as it is becoming more and more understood how much we need the internet in our daily life. Therefore, you’ll soon have more municipal wireless methods and companies and businesses with free Wi-Fi.
