Short-term internet: 1–3 months, no contract
For a summer place, a move between leases or a few months anywhere. What it actually costs once you count the equipment.
If Xfinity's network reaches you, NOW Internet is the cheapest short-term option by far: $30 a month, nothing upfront, about $90 for three months. Elsewhere, T-Mobile 5G Home is about $185 for three months including a $35 connection charge, and it runs a credit check. Prepaid 5G from Metro or Straight Talk costs $175–205 because you buy the router. Starlink only makes sense short-term where the kit is rented.
What 1, 2 and 3 months cost
Short stays are where upfront costs matter most. A $70 router is a rounding error over two years and a big share of the bill over two months. Totals below include the one-time equipment or connection charge, before taxes where they apply.
Metro also needs an active Metro phone line, and T-Mobile runs a credit check. NOW, Straight Talk and Metro do not.
Best options by situation
- You're in an Xfinity area: NOW Internet. No upfront cost, no credit check, $30 a month all-in, and you mail the gateway back when you leave.
- Anywhere with good 5G: T-Mobile 5G Home: the gateway is included and the only upfront cost is a $35 connection charge, and there is a 15-day money-back guarantee. New lines currently get a month free as a bill credit, plus $100 back. For no credit check, Straight Talk or Metro.
- You already have a prepaid phone plan: Total Wireless Home Internet is $35 a month with a Total Wireless phone plan, and Mint Home MINTernet is $40–45 a month. Both are partner links.
- Rural, no cable or 5G: Starlink, ideally where the $0 rental is offered. The 30-day refund helps if it doesn't work at the spot. For travel, Starlink Mini on a Roam plan can be paused between trips.
- One person, light use: a phone hotspot. Visible (partner link) starts at $25 a month on Verizon's network.
Links marked as partner links may earn ShopHighSpeed a commission, at no cost to you.
Moving between places or traveling: a portable 5G hotspot with prepaid data, such as the GlocalMe MeowGo G50 Max, goes with you and has no contract. Data costs more per gigabyte than home internet, so it suits light use or short stays.
Before you sign up
- Check your exact address, not just the city. 5G home plans are sold address by address.
- Ask how cancelling works. Prepaid plans simply stop when you stop paying; postpaid plans like T-Mobile need a call or a few taps in the app.
- Keep the box. Returned gateways usually have to be sent back within a set number of days, or you are charged for them.
- Set a reminder for the trial end date if you are relying on one.
For longer stays, see the full list of the cheapest no-contract internet, the best prepaid internet and internet with no credit check.
Related guides
- NOW Internet, Metro by T-Mobile, Straight Talk, T-Mobile and Starlink plan pages and Broadband Facts labels, checked Oct 9, 2026
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
Questions
What is the cheapest internet for 3 months?
NOW Internet: about $90 for three months of 100 Mbps, with no upfront cost, where Xfinity's network reaches. Outside that area, T-Mobile 5G Home is about $185 including its $35 connection charge (credit check required), and prepaid Metro or Straight Talk cost roughly $175–205 including the one-time router.
Can I get internet for just one month?
Yes. NOW Internet, Straight Talk, Metro and T-Mobile 5G Home all bill month to month with no contract. NOW has no upfront cost, so one month is $30.
Do I have to return the equipment?
NOW and T-Mobile lend you the gateway, so you return it when you cancel. Straight Talk and Metro sell you the router, so you keep it.
Is a phone hotspot enough instead?
For one person doing email, browsing and some video, often yes. For a household, streaming or work calls all day, a home internet plan is more reliable and usually cheaper per gigabyte.