We are almost blind without an active internet connection nowadays, isn’t it? Internet is necessary for practically every field, from jobs to college studies. And we have to pay hefty money to get a broadband connection to our homes. But do you know how to get Wi-Fi at home for free?
From accessing the internet connection laid by your local government to access the free Wi-Fi at local plazas, there are several ways available by which you can get free internet access. But not every method is secured.
So, our team of experts delved deep into this industry to find out the best ways to get a free internet connection right at your home. But, before we reveal those, let’s understand if free internet is really worth it or not!
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Is Free Internet Access Worth it?
If you are looking for a single-word answer, yes, free internet access is definitely worth it, especially if you are from a low or medium-income family.
And if you can save some money on your internet bill, you can surely make good use of that money. Besides, if you can get a free internet connection, you can even get paid to surf the web these days.
A typical high-speed broadband connection in the United States can cost you around $50 to $60 per month. So, you can save between $600 to $750 a year just by accessing a free internet connection. And if you are low-earning folks, you can definitely use that money for other utilities.
10 Ways To Get Wi-Fi At Home For Free
From using a public Wi-Fi network laid by your local municipality to using the free Wi-Fi points at Starbucks, there are many ways to get free internet connections.
And if you don’t know how to get Wi-Fi at home for free, you must try the following methods first!
1. Use Public Wi-Fi
Not many people know that there are several public Wi-Fi access points in all the metro cities and several of the other urban settlements.
You can find these free internet access zones in metro stations, parks, bus stoppages, coffee shops, and even in business plazas.
You don’t need to pay any subscription fee to access those free Wi-Fi points. However, a few spots are password protected, and you need to obtain the password from the proper authorities to join the network. Besides, you must also use a VPN, as public Wi-Fi points can be malicious.
2. Use Municipal Wireless Network
If you live in a municipal area and don’t know how to get free Wi-Fi at home without internet, you should definitely search for the nearby free internet access points set up by your local municipality.
Besides, several of the city networks in the United States offer free internet access. If you belong to a low-income group, you can even get a free municipal wireless network connection right at your home, as it is a part of the development program.
However, most of these municipal wireless connections have time restrictions and can be a bit slow.
3. Buy A Portable Cellular Router
Buying and installing a portable cellular router is the best way to get free Wi-Fi at home. A portable dongle can be your smartest solution to get seamless internet connectivity right at your home.
And you can get unlimited internet usage plans at cheaper rates with these dongles. You can also buy a sim-supported dongle in which you can insert your mobile sim card to use the internet connectivity.
And it can be an ideal solution if you travel a lot, as this is a portable connection. However, the price of the wireless dongle can be between $40 to $90.
4. Get A USB Cellular Modem
If a wireless dongle is too pricey for you, you can try to get a USB cellular modem, as it will be a cheaper option than the wireless ones.
You just need to buy a cellular modem and insert your data-only sim cards in that to use the internet. You can also make your own Wi-Fi hotspot with these dongles.
While using a single USB modem, you can make your laptop a hotspot. And with that, you can connect to almost any device, such as Alexa or Google Assistant. These modems are also quite portable to carry in your laptop backpack.
5. Find Hidden Wi-Fi Networks
Each network comes with unique Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs) that also act as the network name of the connection. But you can also hide the SSID of your own network to make it invisible to others.
And if you do it, no one can find or connect to your Wi-Fi network. However, there are several such Wi-Fi analyzer apps that exist, such as NetSpot, that can scan and find any hidden Wi-Fi network in your area.
And these apps can find both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, even if they are hidden from the public.
6. Use Your ISP’s Wi-Fi
Several ISPs (Internet Service Providers) now offer free Wi-Fi hotspots to attract potential customers.
Although they mostly offer it for new customers, you can even get it for a small fee if you are an existing user. And if you don’t know how to get Wi-Fi at home for free, you must check with your ISP first.
If you live in the United States, you can get these free Wi-Fi access points from ISPs like AT&T, Optimum, Spectrum, Cox, and Comcast. Besides, several of the local internet operators also offer these free access points to their customers.
7. Visit Libraries
Gone are days when we used to visit libraries just to collect books. In the era of digitization, most libraries have gone online as they are also trying to make their database of books.
And most of these digital books can now be accessed from your home if you have a membership. However, libraries are now also equipped with free Wi-Fi access points to help the members gather more knowledge from the internet.
So, if you are looking for free internet access points, you must visit your nearby library. However, most of these connections come with time restrictions.
8. Get Free Wi-Fi At Public Plazas
Most metro cities all over the world have huge public plazas. And most city councils have already installed Wi-Fi connections for free public access, mainly to attract more customers to the plazas.
So, you can visit almost any big plaza in your locality to access the free Wi-Fi hotspot. However, most of these free Wi-Fi access points are slower than typical fiber optic broadband connections.
Besides, a massive number of people also connect to these Wi-Fi points at the same time. So, it can be a little problematic if you are looking for speed and reliability.
9. Visit McDonald’s & Starbucks
When I first searched for free internet service near me, I got to know that most fast-food chains have free internet access points.
These chains mainly offer free internet access to attract more customers to their shops. So, you must start your quest at the local Starbucks and McDonald’s.
However, you may need to buy something, such as a latte or a burger, to get the password for the free Wi-Fi hotspot. Besides, most of these connections also have time restrictions. On a different note, these coffee shops now also offer jobs that don’t drug test their employees.
10. Ask Your Neighbors
A friend in need is a friend indeed! And you can consider your neighbor your true friend if they are ready to share their internet connection with you. Jokes apart!
You can definitely ask your neighbors to know if they can activate a guest network for you from their Wi-Fi router. You can also share the broadband rent with your neighbor to ensure they are not facing any financial losses.
However, not everyone is comfortable sharing their home networks as it may create security loopholes in their home networks. But yes, there is no harm in asking!
18 Best Websites And Apps To Get Wi-Fi At Home For Free
Although there are many platforms exist that can offer free internet, not every platform is legit and trustworthy.
So, we have filtered 18 such platforms for you that are absolutely reliable. And if you don’t know how to get Wi-Fi at home for free, you can surely use any one of these websites or apps.
11. Everyoneon.org
Initiated by the Federal Government in partnership with the telecommunication department, Everyoneon.org is a government program to facilitate low-income families with internet connectivity.
By becoming a member of this new program, you can get free internet access. You can only participate in this program if at least any one member of your family comes under federal aid.
You can easily submit an application for enrollment through your government ID. And you can get a fast internet connection for as low as $10/month without any installation fee and commitment fee.
12. Lifeline Federal Program
Lifeline is another program initiated by the Federal government to facilitate senior citizens with free internet connection.
If you belong to the low-income group, or if you are a SNAP or Medicaid user, you are eligible to become a member of this program. However, you won’t get a direct connection from the government.
Instead, you’ll get a fixed stipend from the government that you can use for either your phone or internet bill. It is truly an excellent initiative for the elders as they can easily get paid to search the web while using this free internet connection.
13. WIFImapper App
WIFImapper is a unique app that can pinpoint all the free internet access points around your home. And if you don’t know how to get free Wi-Fi at home with a router, you must try this amazing app.
This app is now available for both Android and iOS users. First, you need to download and install this app on your device.
You can then search through any location to know about all the available free internet access points. This app also displays the hotspot type and exact location of those free access points.
14. WifiMap
If you are looking for a Wi-Fi map on your locality, you must check out this brilliant app called WifiMap.
Available in both Google Play Store and Apple App Store, this app can accurately pinpoint all the Wi-Fi access points in a particular area. You also don’t need to pay for this app as it runs on crowdsourcing.
Currently, there are more than 100 million free internet access points listed on this app. And you can filter those points through your location. This app also shows you passwords for the Wi-Fi access points that are secured with password protection.
15. All Free ISP
Do you want to know how to get Wi-Fi at home for free? Then you must know about all the free internet access services operating in your area.
And to get that list, there is no better website than All Free ISP. With just a click of the button, it will show you all the free internet access points in your locality.
You can sort out the result with your province name or pin code. This platform also lets the user rate the free ISP services near them. So, you can easily judge the connection with its current ratings.
Read: 35 Best Free Sites Like Netflix To Watch.
16. Avast Wi-Fi Finders
Avast is a long-time player in the cybersecurity market, as they are known for their robust antivirus software.
But now, this company has also launched a tool called Avast Wi-Fi Finders that will help you to identify all the free internet access points in your area. With just a single tap, you can get all the details.
It is a lightweight app that you need to download on your smart device first. And then, you can filter the access points through your state name, locality, and even pin code. It is a completely free program where you don’t even need to create a profile.
17. WiFi Password
Most free access points are equipped with password protection. And it is quite challenging to know about that password in many places.
WiFi Password is a unique app that not only just shows the nearby access points but also shows the passwords for each one of them.
Besides public access points, this app also has a massive database of encrypted Wi-Fi access points that you can also use. You can now download it for free from Google Play Store, and you also don’t need to create an account to use this app.
18. Wiman
Many people don’t know how to get Wi-Fi at home for free. But you can now easily get it by accessing any of the free internet points.
Wiman is the largest database of public and private hotspots from which you can get free internet access. Besides, this app also has a built-in Wi-Fi connection manager.
It is probably the only app available right now that shows the signal strength and bandwidth of each of the free access points near you. You can also earn reward points by challenging your friends to find free Wi-Fi access points in your locality.
19. Wi-Fi Free Spot
If you are looking for free Wi-Fi hotspot in your area, you must start your quest with this brilliant platform called Wi-Fi Free Spot.
This platform not only has a list of free internet access points, but it also has a great database of businesses and organizations that also offer free internet.
Besides, you can even get the login credentials for the password-protected Wi-Fi access points. And the best part of this platform is that it is completely free to use, and you don’t need to create a profile beforehand to use it.
20. WiFi Analyzer
WiFi Analyzer is not a typical app for finding free internet access points.
Instead, it is among the very few platforms where you can check the full parameters of the access points, such as reliability, bandwidth, network strength, the total number of users present, and a lot more.
You can check the live statistics of all your nearby free internet access points to know where you can get the best speed. This lightweight app is free to install, and you can filter all the access points through your pin code or area name.
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21. WiFi Magic
WiFi Magic can be your answer if you don’t know how to get Wi-Fi at home for free this year. It is a unique app that has a massive database of public and password-protected internet access points.
And you can get the complete map of available networks in your area with just a tap. This app classifies all the internet access points with three color codes.
You’ll see a green dot on all the Wi-Fi points without a password, a yellow dot if it needs you to signup before you can connect, and a red dot if the access point is password protected.
22. FreedomPop
FreedomPop is a wireless Internet and mobile service provider primarily operating in the United States. You can get a wireless router from this company to get free internet connectivity in your home.
However, you need to pay a security deposit to get the router installed. After setting up this portable router, you can opt for a free data plan where you’ll get 500 MBs of data each month without any additional cost.
However, you need to pay for the additional data you use after the free data limit, although that cost is relatively cheaper than the market rate.
23. NetZero
Known for providing reliable internet service since 1988, NetZero is one of the pioneer telecommunication services in the United States.
Besides the usual mobile data plans, this company is currently also offering NetZero DSL Broadband service for people looking for high bandwidth and speed. However, you can get a connection from this company and can use up to 10 hours of internet each month for free.
But you need to pay for the additional cost after that free data limit. You also don’t need to buy any router from this company, as it needs you just to download software to get started.
24. Juno
For more than two decades, Juno has been providing free dial-up email services to the citizens of the United States.
And if you want free Wi-Fi near me without a password, you can opt for their service and get a free dial-up connection. You need just a modem to access its internet service.
Right now, you can access 10 hours of internet each month without paying any charge, although you need to pay for the bill above the free data limit. However, there is no installation cost or commitment fee involved in getting this connection in your home.
25. InstaBridge
InstaBridge is a free-of-cost Internet app that is primarily designed for smartphone users to equip them with free internet connections.
It not only just shows all the nearby free internet access points, but it also shows the password and login credentials for the protected networks.
This app was primarily launched to help share your home network with your friends. So, it now has a massive database for the private Wi-Fi access points as well. And the best part of this app is that you don’t need to pay anything to use it.
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26. Swift
Swift is the best platform to try if you don’t know how to get Wi-Fi at home for free. Right now, it has a massive database of more than 20 million free public Wi-Fi spots and private networks.
Besides, it attracts more than 10 million users each month. You can now also use this platform to learn about all the free internet access points in your area.
One of the best things about this platform is that it will also give you a precautionary warning every time you try to connect with any malicious access points.
27. WeFi
WeFi is a free-to-use Windows utility tool that helps you to connect to free internet access points in your area. It currently has a huge database of both public and private access points.
And you can find the nearest free access points just with a click of a button. Besides the approved one, you can also find non-WeFi-approved hot spots in your area through this tool, although they are not safe to use.
Moreover, there are several WeFi businesses that also exist on the map where you can get free internet connectivity in a corporate area.
28. Osmino Wi-Fi
Osmino is an app primarily dedicated to showing the internet speed and graphs of your traffic. It quickly tests your speed by hopping through various trusted servers.
But now, you can even find all your nearby free Wi-Fi hotspot points through this brilliant tool. It is now freely available to download on both Android and iOS devices.
Besides, you don’t even need to pay any money to use this service. However, this application will record the data of your internet traffic, which can be uncomfortable for a few people.
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How To Get Free Internet From Mobile Hotspot (Both Android And iOS)?
You may not know, but you can now use your mobile data service to create free Wi-Fi access points in your home.
And if you have a smartphone that comes with mobile tethering features, you don’t even need to worry about how to get Wi-Fi at home for free, as you can make your own.
If you are an android user, follow the below-mentioned steps to activate the mobile tethering service to create a free Wi-Fi access point.
- Step 1: Tap on the “Settings” app (gear icon) on your home screen to launch it.
- Step 2: Now, navigate to the “Wireless and Network” connection and tap on the “More” button.
- Step 3: Click on the “Tethering” or “Portable Hotspot” option depending on your smartphone model.
- Step 4: Click on the “Set up Wi-Fi hotspot” button to start the procedure.
- Step 5: Type the Network SSID and password and save the settings.
- Step 6: Now, enable the portable hotspot option and connect it through the ID and password you have already set.
The steps are a bit different if you are an iOS user. So, if you have an apple device, follow the steps mentioned below to create a Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Step 1: Tap on the “Settings” app (gear icon) located on your home screen.
- Step 2: Once you get the full list, tap on the “Personal Hotspot” option.
- Step 3: On the new page, tap on the “Wi-Fi password” option to set up a new password.
- Step 4: Now, tap on the slider beside the “Allow Others To Join” option to enable the hotspot.
- Step 5: Now, connect any device to the hotspot using the password.
You must strictly use your mobile hotspot for personal use, as it is not recommended to share with anyone. If you are sharing the hotspot with others, it may create a security loophole in your system.
Conclusion
You can save quite a significant amount of money if you have free internet access. However, you must take care of the security measures before connecting with a public Wi-Fi network.
It is even better to use a VPN while doing so. And if you have free internet access, there are several money-making hobbies that you can perform with that connection to make money.
So, these are all the platforms to try if you don’t know how to get Wi-Fi at home for free. But, if you think we have missed any website or app, or if you know about any other ways to get free internet access, feel free to drop your suggestions and feedback in the comment box below.
FAQs
How can I get a free Wi-Fi hotspot from any device?
Yes, you can now create a free Wi-Fi hotspot from your mobile device, let it be an Android one or an iOS one.
For Android, you can enable the hotspot from the “Tethering” option found in the settings menu. And for iOS, you can create one by enabling the “Allow Others To Join” option in the mobile hotspot menu.
Is free internet possible?
Yes, free internet access is definitely possible, especially if you live in metro cities or in a municipal area.
Besides, there are several government programs that exist for the low- and medium-income groups under which you can get a free internet connection. Moreover, you can get free internet access in public places and plazas.
How can I get free Internet at home without paying anything?
The best way is to use the municipal connection or any free connection that comes under the development program of the city councils.
Besides, you can check with your ISP to know if they can offer Wi-Fi access points. Moreover, you can also find free access points near you by using apps like NetZero, InstaBridge, Freedom Pop, and more.
What are the best apps to get free Wi-Fi?
InstaBridge, Freedom Pop, and Wibrate are the best apps to get free Wi-Fi access.
And if you are looking for an app that can tell you about the nearby free access points, you can use several apps, such as XFINITY WiFi, Swift WiFi, WiFi Finder, Zoomy Free WiFi, Osmino Wi-Fi, and many more.
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Hello there, I’m Siva Pakkurthi, an MBA Finance post-graduate and a Remote Career & Personal Finance blogger for 5+ years. Over the years, my work has been featured on US News, Entrepreneur, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates, EverQuote, Legal Zoom, The Simple Dollar, Databox, Business.com, Business News Daily, Venngage, Score.org, and more. My primary mission is to help our readers maximize their earning potential with legitimate online business ideas, side hustles, and passive income ideas we publish on Dreamshala. Currently, more than 100,000 readers from all around the world visit this blog every month and learn new ways to improve their finances.