Instant Ink offers customers a way to buy ink cartridges and have them delivered at regular intervals, without having to remember when you need more ink or pay for it outright. When Instant Ink launched, HP offered a free plan but later on rescinded that offer and replaced it with the $0.99 plan. It's not free HP ink, but it's a whole lot cheaper than buying your own HP ink cartridges online or from your local store.