Internet service providers usually offer promotional deals to give you a low introductory price, but after that offer ends, you may pay more than before. The bait-and-switch approach results in an unexpected increase in the bill, with more fees and fewer discounts. 

CNET readers shared similar sentiments in CNET’s People’s Picks for internet service providers, a community awards program that gave readers a chance to tell us about their ISP’s reliability, pricing, speed and overall satisfaction. One takeaway is clear — promotional offers, equipment fees and plan changes are leading to surprise bill changes. And our readers’ ratings reflect their feelings. 

I combed through our CNET readers’ ISPs to understand their pricing scores. Then I searched for ongoing internet deals and discounts so you don’t have to. One way you may be able to cut down your monthly internet bill is to switch your payment method. Here’s a list of providers that offer that discount, along with what to know before you sign up. 

Astound Broadband 

Overall satisfaction: 4.33
Pricing: 3.5

Astound Broadband is known for its competitive price plans, but also its fee hikes. CNET readers give Astound an average pricing score of 3.5 out of 5 due to its bill increases, mainly from promotional periods ending. 

Astound Broadband is a contract-free ISP, and plans start at $45 a month for 1,000 Mbps. You’ll get a free modem and free professional installation. However, you may be able to reduce your internet service costs by switching your payment method. If you have Astound Broadband, you may qualify for a $10-a-month discount by signing up for AutoPay with a bank account (ACH) and paperless billing. 

AT&T 

Overall satisfaction: 4.73
Pricing: 3.81

AT&T offers DSL, Internet Air and Fiber. You don’t need a contract to get the lowest plan price, but CNET readers say beware of equipment fee hikes and higher prices when offers end. Your monthly bill will depend on your connectivity type and plan. It’s also worth noting that AT&T charges for professional installation and data caps where applicable. AT&T includes equipment rental costs in your bill, but you may be able to lower your monthly cost by using your own equipment and signing up for AT&T’s AutoPay.

Customers with AT&T internet receive a $10-a-month discount if AutoPay is linked to ACH or to the AT&T Points Plus Card from Citi. You’ll receive a $5-a-month discount if your debit card is linked. 

Breezeline

Overall satisfaction: 3.67
Pricing: 2.6

CNET readers give Breezeline the lowest pricing scores compared to other ISPs due to hidden equipment fees and expired promotional offers. Breezeline is known for its low introductory pricing for the first two years, but prices go up after that. For example, the basic Core plan starts at $25 a month. That’s low compared to other ISPs, but it goes up to $49 after the two-year offer ends. It’s also worth noting that you’ll get free equipment for the first year, but it’s $18 after that.

One way to save money on your Breezeline internet bill is through its AutoPay discount. Breezeline offers a $10-a-month discount on your internet or TV service when you sign up for AutoPay using your bank account or an eCheck. You’ll also need to opt into Breezline’s paperless billing initiative, EcoSave. 

Comcast Xfinity

Overall satisfaction: 3.7
Pricing: 3.01

CNET readers give Xfinity an average rating of 3.01 for its pricing due to promotional periods ending and equipment price increases that lead to unexpectedly higher bills. Xfinity has a variety of plans, but, like CNET readers say, the bill hikes can be surprising. For instance, the Connect More plan has the lowest speeds and starts at $40, but it’s $80 after the first year.

If you have Xfinity Internet and sign up for automatic payments and paperless billing with a bank account, you’ll get a $10 discount on your monthly bill. Your discount won’t take effect until 45 days after signing up and may take up to two billing statements to appear. 

CNET’s People’s Picks is community-driven and helps us spread the word about the tech and services you love. Take our ongoing TV survey to tell us what you love about yours. 

Electric Power Board

Overall satisfaction: 5
Pricing: 4.5

Electric Power Board scores a flawless 5 out of 5 for overall satisfaction and rates it highly for speed, reliability and customer satisfaction. It scores slightly lower (4.5) for its pricing. Most CNET readers give EPB high marks for pricing, with a few exceptions due to upgrades that cost more. 

EPB’s internet service starts at $58 a month. If you sign up for paperless billing, you’ll get a one-time $10 credit on your EPB fiber optic bill. If you sign up for paperless billing for your energy bill, you’ll qualify for a separate one-time $10 credit toward your bill, totaling $20. 

Frontier Communications 

Overall satisfaction: 4.62
Pricing: 3.83

Frontier scores highly for CNET readers, but the ISP loses pricing points due to bill hikes from promotional periods ending and equipment fees. Keep in mind that renting a router is included in the cost and unlimited data is available. 

Plans start at $30 a month, and you can get $10 off your Frontier Internet bill each month when you set up and use Auto Pay. You may also be able to lower that cost by buying your own router for Frontier’s service. 

Quantum 

Overall satisfaction: 4.44
Pricing: 4.26

Quantum Fiber was acquired by AT&T earlier this year, but CNET readers still rate it separately. Readers rarely experience connection drops and overall satisfaction is high. There are no data caps, contracts or overage fees. 

However, the ISP loses pricing points due to the end of a promotional period or plan changes. Some readers also rate Quantum’s pricing lower because its lowest price is still considered high. However, if you have Quantum, paying and enrolling in AutoPay with a bank account will result in a $5 a month discount. 

T-Mobile Home Internet (5G and Fiber) 

Overall satisfaction: 4.5
Pricing: 4.24 for 5G and 3.79 for Fiber

Both of T-Mobile’s Home Internet options fall short of a flawless rating. CNET readers give its 5G plan an average 4.24 and its fiber plan an average 3.79. T-Mobile earns this for similar reasons as other ISPs: equipment fee hikes, promotional offers ending and plan changes. 

T-Mobile has two internet options — 5G and fiber optic. Plans for 5G internet start at $35 a month, while fiber plans start at $55 a month. Promotional offers could push those price plans higher. However, enrolling in AutoPay for T-Mobile Home Internet could qualify you for a $10 discount per line when you use your debit card or bank account. You can get a monthly discount of up to $40, which will apply to the next bill cycle after you enroll. 

Verizon Fios 

Overall satisfaction: 4.19
Pricing: 3.5

Verizon is known as a go-to fiber internet choice that doesn’t require term agreements or data caps. Equipment is included in your price; professional installation may be required, depending on your connectivity type. For example, Fios requires a professional setup and costs a one-time $99 fee. 

CNET readers give Verizon an average rating of 3.5 for pricing due to bill increases, though discounts are available. If you have an eligible Verizon Fios Home Internet and/or Fios TV plans may qualify for a monthly Auto Pay discount. You must sign up for paperless billing and pay using your bank account or Verizon Visa Card. 

You’ll qualify for a $10-per-month discount with a Verizon Fios internet or Fios TV plan. Or you’ll get a $ 20-a-month discount if you have both. 

Ziply 

Overall satisfaction: 4.75
Pricing: 4.5

The lowest Ziply plan starts at $20 a month for Ziply Internet, but jumps to $60 per month after the promotional offer ends. The monthly price depends on your location. That could explain why CNET readers give Ziply an average of 3.5 pricing score. Readers say their bills changed due to plan changes and the end of special offers. 

There are a few ways you can cut down on your Internet bill. Ziply charges an optional $15 equipment fee, but doesn’t have data caps. New customers may also qualify for free installation. You can enroll in Ziply’s autopay and save $10 a month on your bill. Ziply recommends using a debit card or ACH for the $10 monthly discount. However, if you sign up for autopay with a credit card, you’ll get a $5 discount per month. You can sign up in the Ziply Fiber app or online.