Best Internet Providers in Atlanta, Georgia

You won't have many options for home internet in Atlanta, but the good news is that the few ISPs serving the area are top-notch. AT&T Fiber is our pick for best internet provider overall in Atlanta, but Xfinity and Google Fiber are solid choices as well. In fact, all three ISPs are included in our list of best internet providers and each received CNET review scores of 7 out of 10 or higher.

If you want more internet options in Atlanta, wireless is the way to go. T-Mobile, Verizon and Yomura Air all send internet signals throughout much of the area, but the overall value of each service will depend on the speeds available at your specific address.

Best internet providers in Atlanta

The best Atlanta internet provider for your home depends on what you're looking for and what's available in your area. I'm partial to the fast, symmetrical speeds and reliable connection of Fiber internet providers, like what you get with AT&T and Google Fiber. That said, the cheap internet pricing that often comes with cable internet providers like Xfinity is tempting, especially considering the added savings that comes with bundle internet and TV. With all that in mind, let's get right to my picks for the best ISPs in Atlanta and what makes them stand out.

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.

7.4
SCORE

AT&T Fiber

Best internet provider in Atlanta

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Nine times out of 10, I'd choose a 100% fiber-optic connection over any other type of internet. AT&T is the largest fiber internet provider in Atlanta, so automatic bonus points there. 

  • Speed 7 / 10
  • Value 7.5 / 10
  • Customer Care 7.5 / 10
. . . Or call to order: Call to Learn More
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7.2
SCORE

Verizon 5G Home Internet

Best 5G home internet in Atlanta

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When streaming came along, many of us cut the traditional TV cord and never looked back. Wireless services, like that of Verizon 5G Home Internet, are showing it's possible to do that with your internet connection as well.

  • Speed 7 / 10
  • Value 7.5 / 10
  • Customer Care 7 / 10
. . . Or call to order: Call to Learn More
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7.5
SCORE

Google Fiber

Best gigabit internet in Atlanta

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There's arguably no better choice for gigabit internet in Atlanta than Google Fiber. Though AT&T and Xfinity also offer gig plans, Google Fiber's pricing and service terms make it the go-to for gig speeds in Atlanta.

  • Speed 8 / 10
  • Value 7.5 / 10
  • Customer Care 7 / 10
. . . Or call to order: Call to Learn More
Check with Google
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7
SCORE

Xfinity

Best cheap internet in Atlanta

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Wherever you are in Atlanta, Xfinity will be your best bet for a cheap, basic connection. Xfinity's cheapest plan starts at just $30 per month, but be prepared for less than impressive max download speeds of 75Mbps. Faster speed tiers are available, up to 1.2Gbps.

  • Speed 7.5 / 10
  • Value 6.5 / 10
  • Customer Care 7 / 10
. . . Or call to order: Call to Learn More
Check with Xfinity
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All Atlanta residential internet providers

Our four picks for the best ISPs in Atlanta aren't the only ones that may be available at your address. Others, such as Yamura Air or T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, may also be an option. Here's a quick comparison of your possible internet options in Atlanta. 

Top Atlanta ISPs by availability

ProviderPrice rangeSpeed range (mbps)Equipment costCNET review score
AT&T $55-$1805-75 (DSL), 300-5,000 (fiber)None7.4
Google Fiber $70-$1001,000-2,000None7.4
T-Mobile Home Internet $50 72-245None7.4
Verizon 5G Home Internet $50-$7085-1,000None7.2
Xfinity $30-$8075-1,200 $15 7
Yomura Air $49-$299100-1,000VariesN/A
Show more (1 item)

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Here are more details on other, less available or less recommended options that may also be available at your address.

T-Mobile
5G home internet service from T-Mobile is available throughout about half of Atlanta, but no one neighborhood has exceptionally better coverage than another. Service starts at $50 per month for speeds ranging from 72-245Mbps. Equipment and unlimited data is included and no contracts are required.

Ultra Home Internet
Ultra Home Internet uses T-Mobile's network to deliver 5G home internet, so service will have the same Atlanta coverage and speeds as T-Mobile. It's priced a bit higher at $55 per month with auto pay, so you might as well go with T-Mobile.

EarthLink
Like Ultra Home Internet, EarthLink piggybacks off of other networks to deliver service. In the case of Atlanta, EarthLink makes use of AT&T's fiber and DSL networks. Pricing is a bit higher than AT&T and there are no significant advantages to choosing EarthLink over AT&T.

Yomura Air
A fixed wireless provider, Yomura Air claims to offer service to nearly 100,000 premises around Atlanta. Service starts at $49 per month for speeds up to 100Mbps, which isn't bad, but faster plans get pricey all the way up to $299 per month for gig service.

Satellite internet
HughesNet and Viasat are available throughout the US, including all over Atlanta, but given the other available internet options, you'll want to stay away from the high pricing, high latency and low speeds that come with satellite internet.

Internet pricing in Atlanta

Unless you go with Xfinity, expect starting prices for internet in Atlanta to be at or above $50 per month. While more low-priced internet options would be ideal, the cost of internet in Atlanta is not bad considering the speeds that you get. Google Fiber's entry plan, for example, starts at $70 per month but comes with speeds up to 1,000Mbps. That's a cost per Mbps of 7 cents, which is lower than you'll find with plans from many providers.

If you're looking for cheap internet, I'd recommend Xfinity, at least for the first 12 months before prices increase by $20 or more. For more stable and relatively low internet pricing, consider Verizon 5G or AT&T Fiber, both of which offer speeds of up to 300Mbps starting at $50 and $55 per month, respectively, with no set price increase after 12 months.

Cheap internet plans in Atlanta

PlanStarting monthly priceMax download speeds (Mbps)Equipment fee
Xfinity Connect $3075$14 (skippable)
Yomura Air 100Mbps $49 100Varies
Verizon 5G Home $50 5-30085-300None
T-Mobile 5G $50 72-245None
EarthLink 12Mbps $50 12$9
AT&T Fiber 300 $55 300None
Show more (1 item)

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Low-income internet options in Atlanta

The Affordable Connectivity Program grants qualifying households $30 per month to be used for home internet service. Here's how to apply for the ACP.

Those who qualify for ACP assistance could end up getting internet for free from AT&T or Xfinity. Both providers offer an internet plan intended for low income households starting at $30 per month that, when combined with the ACP grant, comes to a net cost of $0. There are no additional equipment costs or deposits required with either plan, and both providers offer speeds up to 100Mbps. Follow the links below to learn more.

What's the fastest internet in Atlanta?

Thanks to AT&T and Google Fiber, Atlanta residents have access to some of the fastest max internet speeds nationwide. Google Fiber has offered gig and 2-gig service in the Atlanta area for a while now, and AT&T raised the bar with 2Gbps and 5Gbps plans available in select areas in addition to its single gig service. Xfinity also has an impressive Gigabit Extra plan that comes with max download speeds of 1,200Mbps. 

Fastest internet plans in Atlanta

PlanMax download speeds (Mbps)Starting monthly priceData cap
AT&T Fiber 5000 5,000$180 None
Google Fiber 2 Gig 2,000$100 None
Xfinity Gigabit Extra 1,200$80 None
Yomura Air 1,000$299 None
Verizon 5G Home Plus 300-1,000$50 None

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Atlanta ISP data caps, contracts and added fees 

Faster internet speeds allow you to do more with your internet connection, like stream TV in 4K on multiple devices, but they can also rack up the amount of data you consume each month. That won't be a problem for many in Atlanta as all major ISPs other than Xfinity come with no data cap.

If you do have Xfinity, keep an eye on your monthly data usage and aim to keep it below 1.2TB. Exceeding the cap could result in overage fees of $10 per 50GB block you go over, up to $100. The good news is that 1.2TB is a lot of data, and the average household won't come close to using half that much data in a month.

Xfinity is the only major Atlanta provider with a data cap, and it's also the only one that may require you to sign a contract. While not all Xfinity plans come with a contract in all areas, those in Atlanta may have to agree to a one- or two-year contract in order to get the lowest pricing.

You'll also have higher equipment fees (potentially) with Xfinity than with other providers. Xfinity's gateway router rental fee is $15 per month, but customers do have the option to use their own compatible equipment and skip the fee. AT&T, Google Fiber, Verizon 5G and T-Mobile 5G include the router rental in the price, so there are no added equipment fees.

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 the time of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions: 

  1. Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds? 
  2. Do customers get decent value for what they're paying? 
  3. 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. Within those recommendations, we also look for the cheapest and fastest ISPs from that region. To explore our process in more depth, see our explainer of how we test ISPs.

Internet providers in Atlanta FAQs

Does Atlanta have fiber internet?

Is Xfinity or AT&T internet better?

Is Cox available in Atlanta?

Updated on Aug. 23, 2023

david-anders
Written by  David Anders
CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review the products and services we cover. If you buy through our links, we may get paid. Reviews ethics statement
david-anders
David Anders Senior Writer
David Anders is a senior writer for CNET covering broadband providers, smart home devices and security products. Prior to joining CNET, David built his industry expertise writing for the broadband marketplace Allconnect. In his 5 plus years covering broadband, David's work has been referenced by a variety of sources including ArcGIS, DIRECTV and more. David is from and currently resides in the Charlotte area with his wife, son and two cats.
Expertise Broadband providers, Home internet, Security Cameras
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