Best Internet Providers in Elk Grove, California
Our Experts
What is the best internet provider in Elk Grove?
Thanks to its wide coverage and multiple speed tiers, Comcast's Xfinity is CNET's top pick for internet service providers in Elk Grove, California. Xfinity tends to score above-average rankings in customer satisfaction surveys and the cable internet provider offers cheaper introductory prices than its competitors. We recommend checking out Fidium Fiber or DigitalPath for home broadband in areas where Xfinity's network is unavailable.
Looking to pay as little as possible for broadband internet? Xfinity will be your best bet, offering a $20-per-month plan with up to 150 megabits per second download speed. Fidium Fiber isn't far behind, though, offering 100Mbps for only $25 monthly in the first year. Elsewhere, Verizon and T-Mobile may offer lower rates for eligible mobile customers.
The fastest internet speeds in Elk Grove are a tie between Xfinity and Fidium Fiber, offering up to 2,000Mbps. However, Xfinity is no match for Fidium Fiber's symmetrical download and upload speeds. The only downside is that Fidium Fiber may not have as wide coverage as cable.
Our methodology
CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Elk Grove across several categories. Our evaluation includes referencing a proprietary database built over years of reviewing internet services. We validate that against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. We also do a close read of providers' terms and conditions and, when needed, will call ISPs to verify the details.
Despite our efforts to find the most recent and accurate information, our process has some limitations you should know about. Pricing and speed data are variable: certain addresses may qualify for different service tiers, and monthly costs may vary, even within a city. The best way to identify your particular options is to plug your address into a provider's website.
Also, the prices, speed and other information listed above and in the provider cards below may differ from what we found in our research. The cards display the full range of a provider's pricing and speed across the US, according to our database of plan information provided directly by ISPs. At the same time, the text is specific to what's available in Elk Grove. The prices referenced within this article's text come from our research and include applicable discounts for setting up automatic payments each month -- a standard industry offering. Discounts and promotions might also be available for signing a term contract or bundling multiple services.
To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.
Best internet in Elk Grove, California
Xfinity
Best internet provider in Elk Grove, CA
Our take - As one of CNET's best cable providers for 2024, Comcast's Xfinity is available almost everywhere in Elk Grove, serving 98% of households, per the latest data from the FCC. Not only does Xfinity offer seven plans to choose from, but it also offers the cheapest internet in the area.
DigitalPath
Best fixed wireless internet in Elk Grove, CA
Our take - Over 98% of Elk Grove households are serviceable for this local fixed wireless provider, according to FCC data. Plans and prices vary based on where you're located in the area, luckily, this ISP offers different plans suitable for residents living in metro or rural areas.
Fidium Fiber
Best fiber internet provider in Elk Grove, CA
Our take - Largely owned by Consolidated Communications, a leading broadband provider most known for its DSL services, Fidium Fiber takes the cake for the fastest internet plan in the area. This ISP offers fiber-optic services to approximately 58% of Elk Grove households, per the latest data from the FCC. Fiber connectivity also offers one benefit that other connection types can't: symmetrical speeds.
Elk Grove internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DigitalPath | Fixed wireless | $70-$130 | 50-200Mbps | None | 500GB-Unlimited | 1-year | N/A |
| Fidium Fiber | Fiber | $25-$75 ($45-$100 after 12 months) | 100-2,000Mbps | $10 gateway rental (optional) | None | None | N/A |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $60-$70 ($40-$50 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 50-300Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
|
Xfinity Read full review | Cable | $20-$120 | 150-2,000Mbps | $15-$25 included in some plans | 1.2TB on some plans | 1-year on some plans | 7 |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in Elk Grove
- Frontier Communications: Frontier’s fiber-optic coverage is only accessible to about 14% of Elk Grove households, per the latest data from the FCC. If your address is serviceable for Frontier Fiber, don't hesitate to sign up. But if its DSL connection is the only thing you can get your hands on, I would recommend looking elsewhere. Frontier’s fiber tiers offer multigigabit plans of up to 5Gbps in some areas. Plans also come with a Wi-Fi router at no extra cost, and there are no contracts or data caps.
- unWired Broadband: This rural internet providerexpanded its fixed wireless coverage to Sacramento County and the city of Galt in 2022. However, per the latest data from the FCC, the most coverage you’ll find is beyond the city’s borders in Stockton, which is south of Sacramento. Standard service starts at $60 monthly for download speeds of 10Mbps to 30Mbps in some areas. Unlimited data is included on some plans, however, speeds and pricing will vary depending on your exact location. Check if your address is serviceable with unWired Broadband.
- Softcom Internet Communications: This rural internet provider is a faster alternative than unWired Broadband. This ISP offers fiber-optic connections reaching speeds of up to 400Mbps for select addresses. Coverage can be found across the city and extends all the way to neighboring cities such as Galt and Lodi. However, residents on the outskirts of the city may face limited coverage and slower service. Plans range from $100 to $200 monthly, which is not cheap, but on the bright side, customers can avoid additional fees since Softcom does not charge for equipment or for exceeding the monthly data cap.
- Satellite Internet: We usually recommend satellite internet as a final option. However, if fiber or cable is not available at your address, satellite providers like Hughesnet, Viasat and Starlink might be for you. Just be aware of the slower speeds and the steep prices. Starlink and Viasat customers don't have to worry about being tied down by a two-year contract, as is the case with Hughesnet. Starlink is potentially the fastest of the three, but for standard service, you’re looking at $120 a month (not to mention the steep $599 upfront fee) just to get started.
Cheap internet options in Elk Grove
The average starting monthly price for service in Elk Grove is about $43. The cheapest internet plan is Xfinity's $20-a-month plan for 150Mbps in download speed. After a year, expect the monthly rate to triple to $67. Another great option is Fidium Fiber's $25-a-month plan for 100Mbps; although similar to Xfinity, watch out for a steep price increase after 12 months. To avoid the price hike, a fixed wireless connection from Verizon 5G Home Internet might be for you. Verizon offers a $50-a-month plan for 100Mbps and features lower rates for eligible mobile customers.
What's the cheapest internet plan in Elk Grove?
| Provider | Starting monthly price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Xfinity Connect Read full review | $20 | 150Mbps | $15 gateway rental (optional) |
| Fidium Essential | $25 ($45 after 12 months) | 100Mbps | $10 gateway rental (optional) |
|
Xfinity Connect More Read full review | $30 | 300Mbps | $15 gateway rental (optional) |
| Fidium Advanced | $45 ($65 after 12 months) | 300Mbps | $10 gateway rental (optional) |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($35 with eligible mobile plan) | 100Mbps | None |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $60 ($40 with eligible mobile plan) | 245Mbps | None |
| DigitalPath Metro 100 | $70 | 100Mbps | None |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Elk Grove
The best internet deals and top promotions in Elk Grove depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Elk Grove internet providers, such as Xfinity and Fidium Fiber, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, however, such as Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Photo by MattGush/Getty Images
How fast is Elk Grove broadband?
In the most recent Ookla speed test data, Elk Grove came in with a fixed median download speed of 256Mbps. The nearby city of Stockton fell short of that, coming in at just 248Mbps. However, other nearby cities like Sacramento (265Mbps) and Roseville (268Mbps) performed much better.
Fastest internet plans in Elk Grove
| Provider | Starting monthly price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidium Futuristic | $75 ($100 after 12 months) | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
|
Xfinity Gigabit X2 Read full review | $120 | 2,000Mbps | 200Mbps | 1.2TB | Cable |
|
Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read full review | $70 | 1,200Mbps | 35Mbps | 1.2TB if using own equipment; none if renting with Xfinity | Cable |
| Fidium Supreme | $55 ($85 after 12 months) | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
|
Xfinity Gigabit Read full review | $65 | 1,000Mbps | 20Mbps | 1.2TB if using own equipment; none if renting with Xfinity | Cable |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines -- and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics -- browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Elk Grove
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
What's the final word on Elk Grove?
Elk Grove has different broadband options available, however, it will all come down to what's available at your address. Xfinity offers the widest coverage in the area, but if cable is not an option, Fidium Fiber should get you the fast speeds you're looking for. However, I wouldn't stop there, as plenty of fixed wireless providers also offer internet throughout the city.
Internet providers in Elk Grove FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Elk Grove?
Xfinity is Elk Grove's best internet provider, offering cheap introductory prices, fast speeds and wide availability, serving 98% of households. However, Fidium Fiber is another solid option for home broadband and should be considered if your address is serviceable.
Is fiber internet available in Elk Grove?
According to the latest data from the FCC, approximately 58% of Elk Grove residents will be able to access fiber internet. Fidium Fiber is the main provider in the area, but Frontier Fiber is also available.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Elk Grove?
Xfinity Connect is the cheapest service available in Elk Grove, which costs $20 per month for speeds up to 150Mbps. However, watch out for a price jump after the promo period ends in the second year. Fidium Fiber is the next best thing, offering a $25-a-month plan for speeds of 100Mbps.
Which internet provider in Elk Grove offers the fastest plan?
Xfinity and Fidium Fiber are in a tie regarding the fastest internet plans in the area, offering 2,000Mbps plans, costing $120 and $75 per month, respectively. Unlike Xfinity, Fidium Fiber features symmetrical download and upload speeds.
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