Best Internet Providers in Appleton, Wisconsin
Our Experts
What is the best internet provider in Appleton?
TDS Telecom is the best internet service provider overall for most households in Appleton because of its fast fiber speeds and low introductory prices. However, TDS service isn't available everywhere in Appleton, so Spectrum or AT&T Fiber are also solid picks, depending on what’s available in your area.
If you're hunting for the lowest prices or fastest speeds, we've also got those top options. The cheapest internet in Appleton is Spectrum's 300-megabits-per-second cable connection for $40 monthly. Another solid option is TDS Telecom's 300Mbps fiber plan starting at $50 a month. That price is good for two years. Appleton's fastest internet speed is the 8,000Mbps fiber plan from TDS for $295 a month. TDS has plenty of other speed tiers, offering 600Mbps and 1,000Mbps.
Our methodology
CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Appleton 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 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 Appleton. 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 Appleton, Wisconsin
Spectrum
Best cable internet provider in Appleton, WI
Our take - Wide availability and a gig at top speed make Spectrum a strong competitor in Appleton, especially if fiber doesn’t reach your home.
TDS Telecom
Best internet provider in Appleton, WI
Our take - With fast uploads and downloads, a top speed of 8,000Mbps at select addresses and good coverage, TDS Telecom sweeps into the top spot for best ISP in Appleton. You’ll find affordable introductory pricing but be prepared for prices to increase once your promo period is over.
AT&T Fiber
Best fiber internet in Appleton, WI
Our take - AT&T Fiber’s straightforward plans, reasonable rates and 5,000Mbps top speed make it a smart choice for fiber internet. However, scattered availability across Appleton means many residents won’t have this ISP as an option.
T-Mobile Home Internet
Best fixed wireless internet in Appleton, WI
Our take - T-Mobile has strong 5G coverage across Appleton and simple plan terms. Consider it an alternative to Spectrum if you’re unhappy with the cable service and can’t get a fiber connection at home. Compare this with Verizon 5G Home Internet.
Appleton internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AT&T Fiber Read full review | Fiber | $55-$225 | 300-5,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
|
AT&T Internet Air Read full review | Fixed wireless | $55 | 75-225Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
|
Spectrum Read full review | Cable | $40-$60 | 300-1,000Mbps | Modem free; $7 router (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
| TDS Telecom | Fiber | $50-$295 | 300-8,000Mbps | $12 (optional) | None | None | N/A |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $60 ($40 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 for eligible Verizon 5G mobile customers) | 50-300Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in Appleton
- AT&T Internet:AT&T no longer offers DSL services, but don't fret: AT&T Internet Air is a fixed wireless connection offering up to 225Mbps at $55 monthly. Plans are simple: no data restrictions and no contracts. If cable and fiber are not available at your address, then this might be worth a look.
- Bertram Internet: Fixed wireless internet may be an option for homes in rural areas around Appleton. Bertram specializes in rural connections where fiber, cable or DSL don't reach. Prices start at $60 a month. For specifics on available plans and speeds for your address, you'll need to contact Bertram. Customers can choose either a no-contract or a one to two-year term agreement, depending on their chosen plan. Here's how fixed wireless compares to other internet connection types.
- Satellite internet: If you're in a remote spot and have exhausted other internet options, check into satellite from Starlink, Viasat or Hughesnet. Pricing can be high, and you may not be able to get great speeds, but it's worth looking into when cable, fiber, DSL or fixed wireless don't work out at your home.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband coverage across Appleton is strong north of the Fox River but slightly patchier to the south. As an ISP, Verizon delivers up to a gig speed in some cities in the country, but you'll hit 300Mbps as the limit in Appleton. There are two plans to choose from: 5G Home with a max of 100Mbps downloads for $50 a month or 5G Home Plus with a max of 300Mbps downloads for $70 a month. Bundle with an eligible phone plan to lower those home internet prices to $35 or $45 a month. There are no data caps, contracts or equipment fees.
Cheap internet options in Appleton
Spectrum makes a splash with its affordable $40-a-month 300Mbps cable plan. Pricing is good for 12 months. The current standard price for that plan is $85 a month. TDS Telecom is the next closest competitor with a $50-a-month 300Mbps fiber plan. Provide your own router to avoid the optional $12-a-month equipment rental. The two ISPs have Appleton well covered, so you'll have access to cheaper plans than many providers' typical $50 to $55 starting points.
What's the cheapest internet plan in Appleton?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Spectrum Read full review | $40 | 300Mbps | Free modem; $7 router (optional) |
| TDS Telecom | $50 | 300Mbps | $12 (optional) |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 100Mbps | None |
|
AT&T Fiber Read full review | $55 | 300Mbps | None |
|
AT&T Internet Air Read full review | $55 | 75Mbps | None |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $60 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | None |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Appleton
The best internet deals and top promotions in Appleton depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Appleton internet providers, such as Spectrum, T-Mobile Home Internet and TDS Telecom, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, others, including AT&T Fiber, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How fast is Appleton broadband?
With fast fiber options and the widespread availability of Spectrum’s gig plan, Appleton tends to fare well in speed tests. A recent Oookla report shows the city pulling down a 285Mbps fixed median download speed. That’s slightly slower than the 306Mbps of nearby Green Bay. Titletown has a similar selection of ISPs. Your home’s speed test performance may vary depending on your ISP, the plan you’ve chosen, your Wi-Fi equipment and whether network congestion comes into play. Overall, Appleton residents can access fast, sometimes super-fast, internet all across town.
Fastest internet plans in Appleton
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TDS Telecom 8 Gig | $295 | 8,000Mbps | 8,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
|
AT&T Fiber 5 Gig Read full review | $225 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| TDS Telecom 5 Gig | $225 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
|
AT&T Fiber 2 Gig Read full review | $125 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| TDS Telecom 2 Gig | $165 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
|
AT&T Fiber 1 Gig Read full review | $80 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| TDS Telecom 1 Gig | $70 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
|
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review | $60 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | None | 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, and streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should give one person sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two people to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more people to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Appleton
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it's impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. So what's our approach? We tap into a proprietary pricing, availability and speed information database that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data 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 answer to those questions is 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 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 internet providers in Appleton?
Fiber is the pinnacle of home internet in Appleton. That means either TDS Telecom or, in some scattered areas, AT&T Fiber. If you work with big files, are a hard-core gamer or have a lot of internet users in your household, check into the multi-gig fiber plans. If budget is a concern, Spectrum's 300Mbps plan is a good deal for the first 12 months. If cable or fiber doesn’t reach your home, you’ll be looking at fixed wireless options. T-Mobile or Verizon can be a functional alternative that’s more attractive when you bundle it with a phone plan for added savings.
Internet providers in Appleton FAQs
What is the cheapest internet provider in Appleton?
Spectrum outdoes the competition in Appleton with its $40-a-month 300Mbps cable plan. That sweet deal is good for 12 months, after which your monthly price will more than double. Another solid choice is TDS Telecom's price-for-life plan, which will cost you $50 a month for 300Mbps.
Which internet provider in Appleton offers the fastest plan?
It’s fiber for the win once again. TDS Telecom offers a symmetrical 8,000Mbps plan, though it’s not cheap. Those 8 gigs will cost you $295 a month.
Is fiber internet available in Appleton?
TDS Telecom has the widest fiber reach in Appleton, but AT&T Fiber is also an option in some parts of town. TDS speeds top out at 8,000Mbps while AT&T reaches up to 5,000Mbps.
What internet provider has the best coverage in Appleton?
Spectrum has the widest reach, covering over 90% of Appleton homes, according to the latest FCC data. TDS Telecom has the best fiber coverage (56%) in the area. But the network types vary among them. Spectrum’s reach is via cable, while the TDS stats include coverage from US Cellular. Finally, AT&T’s numbers include its modern fiber network and less-desirable DSL network that is no longer being offered.
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