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Optimum Internet Plans, Pricing, and Bundles

Optimum has a $500 contract buyout, generous entry-level speeds, no contracts, and no data caps—but low customer satisfaction.

NEW! Get A $200 Visa® Prepaid Card. Terms apply.‡
Customer rating (3.9/5)

Price: Starting at $45/mo.

Internet speed: 300–940 Mbps

Customer satisfaction: 3.87/5

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Package
Best value
Optimum 300
Best for speed
Optimum 1 Gig Internet
Price* Connection type Download speeds up to Upload speeds up to Channels
$45/mo. Cable/Fiber 300 35 Mbps N/A View plan
$75/mo. Cable/Fiber 940 50 Mbps N/A View plan

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

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Is Optimum internet good?

Yeah, Optimum’s cable and fiber-optic internet is good. If you live in the tristate area—Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, and Westchester), think about giving them a whirl.

The company has fast internet speeds (from 300–940 Mbps) at reasonable prices with no contracts, data caps, or early termination fees. Some plans qualify for its Price for Life promotion, which means your payment won’t change as long as you have your plan.

Also, if you’re itching to leave your current provider, Optimum will pay $500 toward freeing you from your contractual shackles. And Optimum won’t trap you with its own contract.

Unfortunately, even with all its redeeming qualities, Optimum scored poorly in our customer satisfaction survey. You might wanna give that a read before signing up for service. But Optimum’s lack of contracts—not to mention that $500 buyout offer—make it a relatively risk-free commitment.

Optimum pros and cons

Pros

  • No contracts
  • No data caps
  • $500 contract buyout
  • Cable and fiber plans w/ speeds up to 940 Mbps
  • Price for life on some plans

Cons

  • Bundling requirement for phone and TV service
  • Limited availability
  • Low customer satisfaction scores

Jump to:

Package
Best value

Optimum 300
Best for speed

Optimum 1 Gig Internet
Price* Connection type Download speeds up to Upload speeds up to Channels
$45/mo. Cable/Fiber 300 35 Mbps N/A View plan
$75/mo. Cable/Fiber 940 50 Mbps N/A View plan

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* for 1 yr. Plus taxes, equip. charges and fees.

Optimum’s base cable plan, Optimum 300, is the best value. It offers high speeds for a low price—300 Mbps will handle a ton of HD streaming and gaming. And you’ll have a tough time finding a better value from another provider.

Power users will want the competitively priced Optimum 1 Gig Internet. This plan comes with up to 940 Mbps download speeds at an affordable price.

Note that if you happen to be in one of Optimum’s fiber areas, like some customers in New Jersey, you’ll have faster upload speeds than those listed above.

Each of Optimum’s fiber plans has upload speeds that match its download speeds. For example, the fiber version of Optimum 300 comes with 300 Mbps download speeds and 300 Mbps upload speeds. That will really improve the quality of your video calls.

Optimum internet plans

Optimum has four standalone internet plans—three cable, one fiber-optic—priced $39.99–$69.99 a month with download speeds from 300–1,000 Mbps.

Optimum internet packages and pricing

Package
Best for value
Optimum 300

Optimum 500
Best for speed

Optimum 1 Gig Internet
Price* Connection type Download speeds up to Upload speeds up to
$45/mo. Cable/Fiber 300 Mbps 35 Mbps View plan
$65/mo. Cable/Fiber 500 Mbps 35 Mbps View plan
$75/mo. Cable/Fiber 940 Mbps 50 Mbps View plan

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* for 1 yr. Plus taxes, equip. charges and fees.

The provider’s base plan, Optimum 300 (300 Mbps), is substantially speedier than other providers’ entry-level plans (those average 10–25 Mbps).

Optimum 500 costs $20 more at $65 per month. You can get double the speeds for only $10 more from Optimum’s fastest plan, Optimum 1 Gig (up to 1,000 Mbps), which costs $75 a month, or $0.07 per megabit.

Since fiber is a faster and more reliable connection with much higher upload speeds, 1 Gig Internet is a solid deal. Only AT&T Fiber’s Internet 1000 ($49.99 a month, 940 Mbps downstream, 880 Mbps upstream), CenturyLink Fiber Internet ($65.00, 940 Mbps both ways) and Windstream’s Tier 1 Kinetic Gig ($59.00, 1,000 Mbps) beat Optimum here.

Optimum bundles

Optimum has double-play (internet-TV and internet-phone) and triple-play (internet-phone-TV) bundles for $50–$155 monthly. The cheapest internet-and-TV bundle is Optimum Core TV + Optimum 300 ($65 a month for 210+ channels and up to 300 Mbps).

In Optimum’s coverage area, that’s a great deal. We recommend it—unless you live in RCN’s New York coverage area. In that case, we recommend RCN’s Signature TV + 500 Mbps bundle. It has 67% faster speeds and an additional 75 channels than Optimum Core TV + Optimum 300—and it’s about the same price ($64.99 per month).

See the tables below for pricing and check out our Optimum TV Review for more information on the company’s TV service.

Optimum internet + TV bundles and pricing

Swipe Left to See All →
PackagePrice*Download speeds up toChannel count
Optimum 300 + Core TV$65/mo.300 Mbps210+View plan
Optimum 300 + Select TV$85/mo.300 Mbps290+View plan
Optimum 300 + Premier TV$105/mo.300 Mbps340+View plan
Optimum 500 + Core TV$85/mo.500 Mbps210+View plan
Optimum 500 + Select TV$105/mo.500 Mbps290+View plan
Optimum 500 + Premier TV$125/mo.500 Mbps340+View plan
Optimum 1 Gig + Core TV$105/mo.940 Mbps210+View plan
Optimum 1 Gig + Select TV$125/mo.940 Mbps290+View plan
Optimum 1 Gig + Premier TV$145/mo.940 Mbps340+View plan

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* for 1 yr. Plus taxes, equip. charges and fees.

Optimum internet + phone bundles and pricing

Package
Optimum 300 + Phone
Optimum 500 + Phone
Optimum 1 Gig + Phone
Price* Download speeds up to Phone plan
$50/mo. 300 Mbps Unlimited calls** View plan
$70/mo. 500 Mbps Unlimited calls** View plan
$90/mo. 940 Mbps Unlimited calls** View plan

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*for 1 yr. Plus taxes, equip. charges and fees.
**Unlimited calls are to US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands only.

Optimum internet + TV + home phone bundles and pricing

Swipe Left to See All →
PackagePrice*Download speeds up toChannel countPhone plan
Optimum 300 + Core TV + Phone$75/mo.300 Mbps210+Unlimited calls**View plan
Optimum 300 + Select TV + Phone$95/mo.300 Mbps290+Unlimited calls**View plan
Optimum 300 + Premier TV + Phone$115/mo.300 Mbps340+Unlimited calls**View plan
Optimum 500 + Core TV + Phone$95/mo.500 Mbps210+Unlimited calls**View plan
Optimum 500 + Select TV + Phone$115/mo.500 Mbps290+Unlimited calls**View plan
Optimum 500 + Premier TV + Phone$135/mo.500 Mbps340+Unlimited calls**View plan
Optimum 1 Gig + Core TV + Phone$115/mo.940 Mbps210+Unlimited calls**View plan
Optimum 1 Gig + Select TV + Phone$135/mo.940 Mbps290+Unlimited calls**View plan
Optimum 1 Gig + Premier TV + Phone$155/mo.940 Mbps340+Unlimited calls**View plan

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* for 1 yr. Plus taxes, equip. charges and fees.
**Unlimited calls are to US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands only.

Optimum internet equipment

Okay—let’s talk toys. What kind of fancy internet boxes or other doodads come with Optimum internet and TV service? Well, Optimum has several devices for rent.

  • Altice Amplify ($15/mo. or $399 to buy): This smart speaker with voice control, Alexa integration, and Devialet audio is a great value at this price—consider buying it outright.
  • Altice Gateway ($10/mo.): Lease Optimum’s modem/router and get in-home Wi-Fi and 24/7 tech support. Or you can use your own Optimum-compatible unit, but forget about in-home Wi-Fi and full-featured tech support from Optimum if you do.
  • Altice One ($20/mo.): This device combines your DVR, receiver, modem, and router into a single unit with an accompanying Bluetooth-enabled, voice-activated remote. Sweet.
  • Altice One Mini ($10/mo., per box): Use one or more Minis with the Altice one for multiroom TV—or use a single Mini as your main machine.

If you’d prefer to skip monthly rental fees and bring your own modem, Optimum doesn’t make it easy. Luckily, you’ve got us! See our favorite alternative equipment in our best Optimum-compatible modems article.

Coming up next: What’s better than toys? Discounts.

Optimum internet deals and promotions

To entice new customers to sign up for Optimum internet packages, the provider offers various deals and promotions. But, unlike most internet service providers, Optimum runs promotions for its current customers too.
New customers

  • When you first visit Optimum’s site, watch for a pop-up deal for $10 off your first month of service when you order online.
  • Some packages and bundles qualify for free installation. Optimum shows you the specific packages during the sign-up process. They’re generally not the base packages.

Current customers

  • Bundle Internet & TV: Get 200 Mbps internet, 220+ channels, SHOWTIME® free for a year, and Cloud DVR Plus for $74.99 a month—and a $100 Amazon gift card.
  • Upgrade your speed now and get Price for Life, where Optimum will lock in your payment for as long as you have your plan.

Regarding the Bundle Internet & TV deal: It might have free SHOWTIME for a year, but Optimum Core TV & Optimum 300 has the same price and channel count with 33% faster internet speed. So choose the Bundle promo if you want free SHOWTIME, but if you’d rather have a speedier connection, go for Core/300.

Optimum cell phone plans and bundles

Are you thinking of switching mobile phone providers? For a limited time, you can add Altice Mobile to your Optimum plan or bundle for $20 a month. The plan includes unlimited data, calls, and texting on Optimum’s 99% nationwide network.

Optimum Wi-Fi hotspots

When you’re away from home, you can stay connected to the internet with Optimum’s Wi-Fi hotspots. These hotspots are available only to Optimum internet customers, and you can recognize them by the network names “AlticeWiFi,” “cableWiFi,” or “optimumwifi.”

Use your Optimum ID, password, and Wi-Fi-ready device (phone, tablet, or laptop) to use any of Optimum’s over 2 million free Wi-Fi hotspots, including hotspots at New Jersey Transit stations.

If a nearby Optimum Wi-Fi hotspot is not working, make sure you have the right network selected in your device’s Wi-Fi settings. If you only get a few bars of service, you may need to move closer to the hotspot to improve your connection.

We’re fans of any time internet service providers make Wi-Fi more accessible for their customers, and Optimum’s Wi-Fi hotspots do just that.

Optimum vs. the competition

Swipe Left to See All →
ProviderPriceDownload speeds up toData capEditorial ratingDetails
Optimum$40.00–$75.00300–940 MbpsNo data caps3.72/5View plans
Verizon Fios$39.99–$79.99200–940 MbpsNo data caps4.30/5View plans
Xfinity$34.99–$299.9550–2,000 Mbps1,200 GB–unlimited3.54/5View plans
Spectrum Internet®$49.99–$109.99**200–1,000 MbpsNo data caps3.36/5View plans
Frontier$32.99–$74.996–940 MbpsNo data caps3.00/5View plans

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*With Auto Pay + taxes & equip. Charges
**for 12 mos.

Optimum’s main competitors are Verizon Fios, Xfinity, Spectrum, and Frontier. To see which internet providers offer service in your area, enter your zip code below. We don’t store or share your information—we just run it through our database to find your options.

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Optimum vs. Verizon Fios

We tend to prefer Verizon Fios over Optimum since Verizon Fios uses a more advanced internet network, offers tons of sign-up perks, and has a long-standing reputation for customer service.

But if you’re hunting for a deal, keep an eye out for Optimum’s flash sales. You can get a new internet plan at a steeply discounted rate.

For our full review of how Optimum and Verizon stack up, check out Verizon Fios vs. Optimum Internet.

View Verizon Fios plans

Optimum vs. Xfinity

Xfinity’s plans don’t offer the same bang-for-your-buck that Optimum’s plans do. Xfinity will charge you more for slower internet speeds and slap you with data overage fines. Plus, you’ll pay $14 per month for Xfinity’s modem/router combo, instead of $10 per month for Optimum’s.

You don’t need all that price gouging. Optimum is the better deal.

View Xfinity plans

Optimum vs. Spectrum

While Spectrum offers great value on TV deals, Optimum generally has better internet prices. This isn’t true 100% of the time, though—Spectrum includes its modem on many plans and charges only $5 more per month for Wi-Fi, compared to Optimum’s $10 equipment charge.

So while Optimum has a stronger reputation for internet reliability, don’t write Spectrum off, especially if you want an internet and TV bundle. For the best deal, be sure to compare Optimum and Spectrum’s bundle prices.

View Spectrum plans

Optimum vs. Frontier

Unlike Optimum’s other competitors, Frontier isn’t offering TV plans for new customers right now. Still, you might consider Frontier if you’re in the market for only internet since Frontier FiberOptic plans come with fast upload speeds.

But be careful. While Frontier historically has a better customer service track record than Optimum, we’ve felt burned by Frontier since its 2020 bankruptcy. Ask your neighbors with Frontier how their service is before you commit yourself.

View Frontier plans

Final take: Is Optimum internet worth it?

Despite Optimum’s poor customer satisfaction scores, we like that it has no contracts (or data caps or early termination fees), Price for Life, and a $500 contract buyout. And don’t forget the generous speeds and low, low price of the Optimum 300 plan.

So if Optimum is available in your area and you’re looking to get away from your current provider—and get a better monthly payment—go for it.

View Optimum plans

Optimum internet FAQ

How much does Optimum internet cost?

Optimum’s standalone internet packages cost $39.99–$69.99 per month. The base package, Optimum 300, is an excellent deal for the speed (up to 300 Mbps for $39.99). If you’re looking for bundles, Optimum has a variety of them costing between $49.99 and $129.99 a month.

What are Optimum internet speeds?

Optimum has cable speeds from 200–1,000 Mbps (download) and 35–40 Mbps (upload). It also has a fiber-optic plan with up to 940 Mbps download with equal (or close to equal) upload speeds (we were unable to confirm an exact number at the time of this writing).

Can I watch Optimum live TV on my computer?

You can watch your Optimum live TV channels with the Optimum App for laptop.

See also:  Optimum Overview | Optimum TV | Optimum Channel lineup | Optimum Bundles | Optimum Customer Service 

Disclaimer:

‡Visa® Reward Card: Offer is not available to individuals who have previously participated in an Optimum Visa Reward Card promotion within the past 12 months. Visa Reward Card will be mailed to customers who maintain promotion and remain in good standing with no past due or returned payments throughout first 90 days after account activation. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Limit 1 per customer. Visa Reward Card cannot be used to pay Optimum monthly bill. Card value expires in 12 mos. Visa Reward Card may be used when making purchases from merchants in the U.S. and District of Columbia everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. No ATM access. Terms and Conditions apply to Reward Cards. See Cardholder Agreement for details. Visa Reward Card is issued by MetaBank®, N.A., Member FDIC pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. This optional offer is not a MetaBank product or service nor does MetaBank endorse this offer. Card is distributed and serviced by InComm Financial Services, Inc., which is licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services.

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