Best Internet Providers in Sacramento, California
Our Experts
Looking for an internet provider can be tricky.
But choosing the right internet option is an important decision. Without some research, you could end up stuck in a lengthy contract, dealing with disappointing performance or even paying too much.
The good news is that many of those negative outcomes are taken off the table in Sacramento. The city has some spectacular fiber connections, though some are available only to a few residents. Fortunately, the best of both worlds, AT&T Fiber, is relatively available and it's fast. Chances are, if you're looking for super-fast internet in Sacramento, you can find a way to get it. And if you're in a tricky spot, there's probably an option for you, too.
Best internet providers in Sacramento
The City of Trees may not be the California city that comes to mind when you think of technology. But it's nestled just a couple of hours away from Silicon Valley, so it's no surprise that Sacramento has plenty of connectivity options -- from fast fiber to traditional cable and even 5G at home.
Note: The prices, speeds and features detailed in the article text may differ from those listed in the product detail cards, which represent providers’ national offerings. Your particular internet service options -- including prices and speeds -- depend on your address and may differ from those detailed here.
AT&T Fiber
Best internet provider in Sacramento, CA
Our take - If your aim is purely for the best quality possible, our pick for the best overall ISP in Sacramento is AT&T Fiber.
AT&T Internet 100
Broadest coverage in Sacramento, CA
Our take - For most, Sacramento has the luxury of a variety of internet providers. But even in the most well-covered city, some are simply searching for what's available. Fortunately, multiple providers cover nearly every home and office in the city, and AT&T's Internet 100 is one of them.
T-Mobile Home Internet
Best fixed wireless internet in Sacramento, CA
Our take - Depending on location and needs, a fixed wireless option may make sense rather than a traditional wired or cable connection. In Sacramento, most have access to T-Mobile Home Internet, a solid option for those seeking a fixed wireless plan.
Xfinity
Best cheap internet in Sacramento, CA
Our take - Sometimes, you just need to be able to connect.
Sacramento internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AT&T Read full review | DSL/fiber | $55-$180 | 10-5,000Mbps | None | 1.5TB for plans below 100Mbps | None | 7.4 |
| DigitalPath | Fixed wireless | $62-$76 | 3-100Mbps | None | Varies | One year | N/A |
|
EarthLink Read full review | DSL | $55 | 12-75Mbps | None | None | None | 6.3 |
| Fidium | Fiber | $35-$75 | 50Mbps-2Gbps | None | None | None | N/A |
|
HughesNet Read full review | Satellite | $50-$150 | 25 Mbps | $15 or $450 one-time fee | Varies | Two years | 5.7 |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $50 | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
|
Viasat Read full review | Satellite | $50-$200 | 12-150Mbps | $13 per month or $299 one-time purchase | None | Two years | 6.1 |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | Fixed Wireless | $25-$70 | 85-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
|
Xfinity Read full review | Cable | $20-$120 | 75-2,000Mbps | $15 | 1.2TB | Varies | 7 |
All available Sacramento residential internet providers
They may not be the fastest, cheapest or most available, but other ISP options exist in Sacramento. If you need an option outside of the top of our list, some satellite and fixed wireless providers are around as well. Here are the other available providers beyond our best picks:
- DigitalPath: An option for those in remote areas or with few other options, DigitalPath offers a variety of connections that depend largely on geography. In rural areas, speeds may be as low as 3Mbps. The provider also requires a contract, which is a bit more pricey than other options.
- EarthLink: With a relatively low-speed DSL connection that costs $55 a month, EarthLink's Sacramento offerings don't fit into many plans. They're also one of our lower-rated providers and aren't available to everyone in the Sacramento area.
- Fidium: Part of the Consolidated Communications "family," Fidium is the new kid on the block. They offer blazing-fast speeds and low costs (that increase after a promotional period) but aren't available everywhere.
- HughesNet: This provider offers a satellite fix for those with very limited options (a rarity in Sacramento). Though their speeds are low, HughesNet specializes in getting internet access to people who may otherwise struggle to find it. For us, their quality is low enough to make them worth skipping.
- Viasat: Another satellite option, Viasat may be the best bet for some who want a satellite option in Sacramento. They're more viable than other satellite options with plans that run from $50 to $200 a month and a decent top speed. However, they do require a two-year contract and an equipment fee.
Sacramento broadband at a glance
Sacramento has several great options for internet, whether you have access to fiber, cable or even fixed wireless providers. With great options like AT&T Fiber, there's little need for most Sacramento residents to explore offerings from smaller companies. But as in many cities, a couple of areas need to seek other options. In those cases, fixed wireless providers such as T-Mobile are likely the best path.
Pricing info on Sacramento home internet service
With an average starting price of just about $49, the internet is available at a relatively affordable rate in Sacramento compared to other cities CNET has covered. Xfinity offers the most budget-friendly option, but six providers offer rates starting under $60 monthly.
Cheap internet options in the Sacramento metro area
With most plans at or around $50 a month, you should be able to find an affordable option for internet in Sacramento. The absolute cheapest internet options in Sacramento will cost you approximately $20 a month, assuming you're OK with Xfinity's slowest options.
Otherwise, multiple providers offer something relatively affordable, so if you're not in the market for the fastest speeds and you don't live in the most rural areas of Sacramento, you should be able to find a good provider that doesn't break your wallet.
And in case you may qualify, you should look into the Affordable Connectivity Program, which may be able to get you your internet for free.
What are the cheapest internet plans in Sacramento?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Xfinity Read full review | $20 | 75Mbps | $15 | One year |
| Fidium | $35 | 50Mbps | None | None |
|
Viasat Read full review | $50 | 12Mbps | $13 a month or $299 one-time payment | Two years |
|
HughesNet Read full review | $50 | 25Mbps | $15 or $450 one-time payment | Two years |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $50 | 245Mbps | None | None |
|
EarthLink Read full review | $55 | 12Mbps | None | None |
|
AT&T Fiber Read full review | $55 | 300Mbps | None | None |
| DigitalPath | $62 | 3Mbps | None | None |
Fastest internet providers in Sacramento
The city's two largest providers are pretty fast, but one small ISP is its fastest. If you want speeds over 200Mbps, you have the option of stalwarts AT&T and Xfinity or the newer option, Fidium, and its 2Gbps speed. Satellite and cheaper options are as low as 3 or 10Mbps, while AT&T Fiber goes all the way to 5,000Mbps.
In Sacramento, just two providers get into the realm of multi-gigabit speed. AT&T Fiber's 5,000Mbps is king, but the relatively unknown Fidium is another option, with a fast 2Gbps speed available to some Sacramento residents. For most, however, AT&T Fiber's 5,000Mbps and Xfinity's 1,200Mbps will be the top options.
What are the fastest internet plans in Sacramento?
| Provider | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Starting price | Data cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AT&T 5 GIG Read full review | 5Gbps | 5Gbps | $180 | None | None |
|
AT&T 2 GIG Read full review | 2Gbps | 2Gbps | $110 | None | None |
| Fidium 2-Gig | 2Gbps | 2Gbps | $75 | None | None |
|
Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read full review | 1.2Gbps | 35Mbps | $80 | 1.2TB | None |
| Fidium 1-Gig | 1Gbps | 1Gbps | $55 | None | None |
|
AT&T Internet 1000 Read full review | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $80 | None | None |
|
Xfinity Gigabit Read full review | 1,000Mbps | 20Mbps | $75 | 1.2TB | None |
What's the final word on internet providers in Sacramento?
Internet speeds in Sacramento come down to one main factor: Is fiber available to you?
If it is, you have some great options. AT&T and Fidium have extremely fast connections that aren't too expensive. And if you can't get either, Xfinity's gigabit plans aren't a bad option. There are also some affordable choices for those who don't care about multi-gig plans and even some options for those living in hard-to-reach areas.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Sacramento
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’re considering every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. To evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service, we look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time 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 answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our How We Test ISPs page.
Internet providers in Sacramento FAQs
Which is the best internet service provider in Sacramento?
If cost is not an obstacle, AT&T provides the best connection in the City of Trees. AT&T Fiber is fast and relatively available. Even without access to the fiber side of AT&T, the company provides a solid connection with good availability.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Sacramento?
The most budget-friendly option in Sacramento comes from Xfinity. The Comcast product offers internet at just $20 a month. That connection will get you 75Mbps speeds.
Is fiber internet available in Sacramento?
Yes, it is. AT&T Fiber is available in large swaths of the city. Its 5,000Mbps connection is the fastest available in Sacramento. That service will run you about $180 a month, with unlimited data and no contracts required.
Can I get free Wi-Fi in Sacramento?
In addition to checking into the Affordable Connectivity Program, there are a variety of public places in Sacramento where you can get free Wi-Fi, including the city's parks system, many downtown coffee shops, train stations and more. When using a public Wi-Fi connection, remember that your data may not be secure, so try to avoid accessing or entering private information on your computer or mobile device when using a public Wi-Fi network.
Home Internet Guides
- Sometimes a provider is available in your Zip code, but not at your exact address
- See what exact plans are available at your home
