Most Halifax homes choose between Eastlink (cable) and Bell (fibre), and local independent Purple Cow starts lower than both. Bell’s fibre is the better deal of the big two if your address qualifies, and Eastlink is the fallback that almost every address can get. Both sell on 12-month promo prices, so the number to compare is what you pay over two years, not the headline.
What’s different about Halifax
Most city guides on this site cover markets with several independent providers reselling a big carrier’s network. Halifax has fewer. Eastlink, a regional company, is the cable incumbent. Bell sells fibre here under the Bell Aliant name, with its own plan list and prices that differ from Ontario’s. Cheap national resellers like oxio are not part of the picture. The main independent is Purple Cow, a Nova Scotia company.
We don’t yet track Nova Scotia plans in our comparison table, so this guide lists prices verified on October 13, 2026 rather than a live table.
Eastlink: cable, available almost everywhere
Eastlink lists two plans for Halifax:
| Plan | Speed (down / up) | Promo price | Regular price | Promo length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet 350 | 350 / 10 Mbps | $85/mo | $115/mo | 12 months |
| Gig Internet | 940 / 15 Mbps | $90/mo | $120/mo | 12 months |
Both prices include a $5/mo pre-authorized payment (PAP) discount, so expect to pay $5 more without it. Both plans have unlimited usage and include whole-home eero Wi-Fi. Eastlink says plans and speeds vary by location and asks for an address check. It also advertises a lower install fee for self-install. We have not verified the fee amount.
- Good for: anyone Bell fibre doesn’t reach, and anyone bundling Eastlink mobile or TV.
- Bad for: staying past month 12. The price jumps $30/mo on both plans. Over two years, Internet 350 costs $2,400 and Gig Internet $2,520, using the PAP-discounted prices.
- Watch the upload speed. Eastlink describes Gig Internet as “powered by fibre”, but the upload speed is 15 Mbps, against 940 Mbps on Bell’s comparable plan. That matters for video calls, cloud backups and gaming.
- Not verified: Eastlink’s contract and cancellation terms. Confirm them before ordering.
Bell: fibre, if your address qualifies
Bell’s Atlantic lineup lists two fibre plans, both with unlimited usage and a Wi-Fi 6E Giga Hub included:
| Plan | Speed (down / up) | Promo price | Regular price | Promo length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fibe 500 | 500 / 500 Mbps | $85/mo | $110/mo | 12 months |
| Gigabit Fibe 1.5 | 1.5 Gbps / 940 Mbps | $90/mo | $115/mo | 12 months |
The promo is a $25/mo credit for the first year. Bell says $0 installation is available, and it also notes that prices may increase during your subscription, so the regular price is not locked in.
Over two years, Fibe 500 comes to $2,340 against $2,400 for Eastlink’s Internet 350. The saving is small. The real difference is speed: 500 Mbps in both directions instead of 350 down and 10 up.
- Good for: almost anyone it reaches, and especially upload-heavy households.
- Bad for: anyone who dislikes promo cliffs. The price rises $25/mo after the first year.
- Check the technology at your address. Bell fibre does not reach every street. If Bell offers you something slower than the plans above, don’t pay fibre prices for it.
Purple Cow: the local independent
Purple Cow sells fibre internet from $60/mo across Nova Scotia. What sets it apart is the pricing model:
- No promo cliff. The monthly price stays the same after the first year.
- No contract. Service is month to month, with a refund of your first month if you’re not happy.
- Unlimited data and Wi-Fi gear included, with no equipment rental. There is a one-time $55 shipping and provisioning charge.
Over two years at $60/mo, that is $1,495 including the one-time charge, against $2,340 for Bell’s Fibe 500.
The catch is speed. Purple Cow does not publish the speed you get for $60, because plans and speeds depend on your address. It is also building its own network with speeds up to 8 Gbps in both directions, which so far reaches the Fairview and Fairmount neighbourhoods. Run its address check to see the speed and price at your place before comparing it with Bell or Eastlink.
Other names worth an address check
We have not verified current Halifax prices or availability for these, so treat them as a shortlist, not a recommendation.
- VMedia and TekSavvy: national resellers that may serve some Halifax addresses. Check their Nova Scotia pages for current pricing.
- Starlink: satellite, relevant mainly outside the city.
How to pay less in Halifax
- Get an address check from all three. Bell, Eastlink and Purple Cow each price by address, and a real quote from one is your negotiating position with the others.
- Compare month 13, not month 1. Bell and Eastlink both raise the price after 12 months. Add up 24 months before you choose.
- Diarize the price jump. Call before the promo ends and ask for the current offer, or switch.
- Bundle only if you’d buy it anyway. Eastlink advertises a bundle of Gig Internet plus unlimited mobile. It isn’t worth buying cell service you don’t need. Our Nova Scotia phone plan guide covers the mobile side.
- Ask about the fees. Bell and Eastlink don’t show install and equipment fees in full. Confirm them before you sign.
FAQ
Is Eastlink or Bell better in Halifax? Bell, mainly on upload speed, if fibre reaches your address. The two-year cost is close. Eastlink is the more widely available option.
Who is cheapest in Halifax? Purple Cow has the lowest starting price at $60/mo, and it doesn’t rise after a promo period. The speed you get for that price depends on your address.
Is Bell Aliant still a thing? Yes. Bell sells in Atlantic Canada under the Bell Aliant name, and its plans and prices there differ from Bell’s Ontario lineup.
Can I get gigabit internet in Halifax? Yes, from both big providers. Eastlink sells Gig Internet at $90/mo for the first 12 months, then $120. Bell sells Gigabit Fibe 1.5 at $90/mo for the first year, then $115.
Do prices differ across Nova Scotia? Possibly. All three providers price by address check. Don’t assume the Halifax prices apply in Cape Breton or rural areas.
CompareZone currently runs no affiliate links, and no provider pays for placement. See our editorial policy. Prices change without notice, so confirm with the provider before you order.
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