Optimum Internet: Plans, Prices, and Reviews

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Optimum key features
  • Price: $40 - $280/mo. (price increases in year two)
  • Speed: 300 - 8,000 Mbps
  • Contract: None
  • Data caps: None
While looking for internet providers in your area, you may have come across Optimum internet plans. The internet provider is a subsidiary of New York City-based Altice USA, Inc. Altice serves more than 4.9 million customers in 21 states, providing cable television, internet, and telephone services.

What we like

  • Range of plans for every budget
  • Equipment included
  • Bundle discounts for mobile customers

What we don't like

  • Hefty price increases in year two
  • Limited service area
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Optimum internet plans and prices

If you’re interested in an internet-only plan, know that Optimum internet price varies depending on the speed level you choose. Your upload speed will also depend on whether you have access to Optimum's fiber internet, which provides symmetrical download and upload speeds.
| Plan | Prices starting at* | Download speed | | ----------------------- | ------------------------ | ------------------ | | Optimum 300 | $40/mo. | 300 Mbps | | Optimum 500 | $50/mo. | 500 Mbps | | Optimum 1 Gig | $60/mo. | 940 Mbps | | Optimum Fiber 300 | $40/mo. | 300 Mbps | | Optimum Fiber 500 | $60/mo. | 500 Mbps | | Optimum Fiber 1 Gig | $80/mo. | 940 Mbps | | Optimum Fiber 2 Gig | $100/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | | Optimum Fiber 5 Gig | $180/mo. | 5,000 Mbps | | Optimum Fiber 8 Gig | $280/mo. | 8,000 Mbps |
*Plans and pricing as of 12/19/25.

Other Optimum internet features

While Optimum’s availability is limited, those who can get service have access to a variety of useful and convenient features, including:
  • Hotspots: Optimum customers, both new and existing, can access the internet from more than 1.5 million hotspots. These Wi-Fi access points are located at restaurants, cafes, hotels, train stations, parks, and other locations.
  • Internet protection: Optimum provides free tools to help secure your network. Customers have access to free internet protection software from McAfee.
  • Smart router: Optimum provides a free smart router when you sign up for an internet plan. With the Smart Router, it’s possible to keep your network secure and update your router settings from any location.

Price increases

Optimum doesn't say exactly how much your price will increase in the second year, just that "Pricing, offers, and terms subject to change and discontinuance w/o notice." That said, price increases with Optimum have been known to be significant. Because Optimum doesn't require a contract, you can still cancel anytime.

Optimum internet speed

According to the FCC's latest data report, Optimum provides slightly more than their advertised download speeds and slightly less than advertised upload speeds. They also noted that Optimum's speeds were "very consistent" — even during peak internet hours. Optimum also fell in the middle of the pack in Ookla's speed test data, with 191 Mbps download speeds and 30 Mbps upload speeds on average.

Optimum reviews

Optimum Internet is generally well-rated by third-party consumer review sites, but — like many other companies in the cable/TV/internet industry — it’s prone to low aggregate ratings from user-submitted reviews. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, Optimum’s internet service scores 63/100, which on the low side among all providers. Optimum has an average 3.4/5 review from users of ConsumerAffairs.org. Negative reviews highlight billing issues and installation problems, while positive reviews praise the speed, affordability, and installation process.

How does Optimum compare?

Optimum stacks up pretty well against other internet providers — but only while the promotional pricing lasts. After that, you're likely to pay far more than you would with competitors.
| Provider | Starting price* | Download speed | | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------ | | Optimum | $40.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | | Verizon Fios | $34.99/mo.** with mobile plan | 300 Mbps | | Cox | $55.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | | Mediacom | $50.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | | T-Mobile | $30.00/mo.*** w/ Autopay and voice line. Plus taxes & fees | 133 – 498 Mbps | | Xfinity | $40.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | | Spectrum | $30.00/mo.† | 100 Mbps | | AT&T Fiber | $45.00/mo.†† | 300 Mbps | | CenturyLink Fiber | $50.00/mo.††† | 500 Mbps |
*Prices as of 12/19/25.
**Price guarantee for 3-5 years, depending on the internet plan, for new and existing myHome customers. Auto Pay & paper-free billing required. Mobile + Home Discount: $15/mo savings on Verizon Home Internet plans when combined with any Verizon postpaid mobile phone plan (excludes business and data-only plans). Enrollment req’d for Fios Home Internet plans. $99 setup and other terms apply. Subj. to credit approval & may require a deposit. Fios avail. in select areas. Wired speeds advertised. Wireless speeds may vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors. See Verizon.com/yourspeed for more info. © 2025 Verizon.
***Price with $15/monthly bill credit. Delivered via 5G cellular network; speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks, including data prioritization. Not available in all areas. Limited time. Subject to change. 
†Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET ADVANTAGE: Offer based on eligibility requirements. Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved. 
††Price after $10/mo AutoPay & Paperless bill discount. (Starts w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge applies in NV, OH, TX. One time install fee may apply. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.
†††Limited availability. Service and rate in select locations only. Paperless billing required. Taxes and fees apply. Rate excludes CTL Fee not to exceed $1.50/mo./line.

Our take

Depending on where you live, Optimum offers some excellent internet packages at affordable prices, but you may get hit with some steep price hikes after your promotional period ends. That said, the speeds on even Optimum's cheapest plans should be plenty for most households.

**Getting ready to move?**

Here are a few extra resources to make your move easier: Ashlee Tilford contributed to this post.