Best Internet Providers in Detroit, Michigan
Our Experts
Detroit will forever be etched into American history as an automobile hub. But it also lays claims to fame in music (hello, Motown), sports (go, Lions) and even food (cheesy, rectangular pizza). The city’s legacy may be assured, but it’s still finding its footing when it comes to the latest and best broadband options. Detroit currently sits in 99th place on Speedtest.net’s ranking of city speeds for the 100 most populous US cities.
Detroit might not have the speediest internet in the country, but Xfinity, our choice for the best ISP in the Motor City, brings its gigabit speeds to just about every corner of town. People who live in the right places may also get fast fiber from AT&T Fiber or Snip Internet (for certain apartments). Get your motor running, and let’s explore the best internet providers in Detroit.
Best internet providers in the Motor City
There is only one major player among ISPs in Detroit: Xfinity. No one else can top its combination of coverage and speeds across all parts of the city. It faces competition in some areas from AT&T Fiber, which offers fast upload speeds to go with fast downloads. Some residents may want to test an alternative from a fixed wireless provider like Verizon 5G Home Internet.
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.
Xfinity
Best internet provider in Detroit, MI
Our take - Xfinity takes top honors in our recommended ISP list because it's available just about everywhere in Detroit. A variety of plans and price points means you're likely to find a deal that fits well into your budget, at least until the price hike arrives down the line.
AT&T Fiber
Best fiber internet in Detroit, MI
Our take - AT&T Fiber gets a nod as a rare fiber internet option for some parts of Detroit. With plans up to 5,000Mbps, it kicks some serious butt in the speed department but suffers from a lack of availability in many areas of town. If you’re in a downtown Detroit apartment, check if Snip Internet services your building instead.
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Best fixed wireless internet in Detroit, MI
Our take - Both Verizon 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile Home Internet have open slots available in Detroit, but you’ll need to run your address to see if you qualify. Verizon just edged out T-Mobile on our best list thanks to speeds up to 300Mbps in the Motor City. Here’s what you need to know about 5G home internet.
Des Moines 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-$180 | 300-5,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
|
AT&T Internet Read full review | DSL | $55 | 768Kbps-100Mbps | None | 1.5TB (no data cap for 100Mbps plan) | None | 7.4 |
| Snip Internet | Fiber | $70 | 1,000Mbps | None | None | None | N/A |
|
Spectrum Read full review | Cable | $50-$90 | 300-940Mbps | Free modem; $5 router | None | None | 7.2 |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $50 | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $50-$70 | 85-300Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
|
WOW Read full review | Cable | $20-$95 | 100-1,200Mbps | Varies | Varies | None | 7.2 |
|
Xfinity Read full review | Cable | $30-$100 | 75-1,200Mbps | Varies | 1.2 TB | Varies | 7 |
All available Detroit residential internet providers
ISP availability across the Detroit metro area is very situational. While Xfinity has the broadest coverage in Detroit proper, you’ll find Spectrum or WOW cable services in some communities around the city. Snip Internet is a good fiber option for certain apartment buildings in Detroit. On the fixed wireless side, T-Mobile Home Internet is an alternative to Verizon 5G Home Internet, and it’s an especially good deal for T-Mobile phone customers.
- AT&T Internet: AT&T Internet is different from AT&T Fiber. This old-school DSL service isn’t known for good speeds. Depending on location, you may be able to pull down 100Mbps, or you may get internet that’s at a painful crawl. The cost is $55 per month with no contract, but it’s not your best option unless no other ISPs service your home.
- Snip Internet: Snip provides fiber to apartment buildings around Detroit, concentrating in the downtown area. Snip positions itself as a fast, hip alternative to other ISPs. There are no contracts, no data caps and no installation fees, and equipment is included. The $70-a-month plan gets you speeds up to 1,000Mbps. If you live in an apartment serviced by Snip, you’ll find lots to like about the no-fuss plan and reasonable pricing.
- Spectrum: Charter’s Spectrum cable service can be found in northwestern parts of the metro area, including Livonia and Farmington Hills. Call Spectrum for details on all the plans available for your address. A popular option is a 500Mbps plan for $50 monthly with no data cap or contract. A modem is included. If that’s not fast enough, look for the $70-a-month 1,000Mbps plan. Be aware that prices will jump after the first two years.
- WOW: “WOW” stands for WideOpenWest, a cable provider serving six states. Coverage is focused on the wider metro area around Detroit, particularly to the north and west. In some areas, plans range from 100Mbps up to 1,200Mbps, but you may find a sweet spot with a promotional deal like the Internet 1 Gig plan for $50 a month for the first two years. There’s an option to add Wi-Fi for $10 a month. Look for a promotional gift card offer. You may luck out and find a deal where WOW covers your modem rental, but you can provide your own modem for most plans. Data caps vary from 1.5TB or 3TB on most plans, though the Internet 1.2 Gig plan is unlimited.
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Verizon competitor T-Mobile Home Internet is the other option for fixed wireless in Detroit. There’s one plan with typical speeds from 72-245Mbps for $50 a month. Add an eligible phone plan, and your home internet will be just $30 monthly. Slots may be limited, so you must run your address to see if the service is available at your home.
- Satellite internet: Rural residents often look to satellite internet from Starlink, Viasat or HughesNet as a lifeline. City dwellers in Detroit, however, will find cable, fiber or fixed wireless makes more sense. One exception is Starlink’s travel plan. It’s not cheap, but it can keep avid RVers and digital nomads connected and working on the go.
Detroit broadband at a glance
No matter where you live in Detroit, there's a good chance Xfinity services your address. In some parts of the metro area, you may also have AT&T Fiber, WOW, Spectrum or Snip to choose from. T-Mobile and Verizon may have open slots if you’d like to test out fixed wireless as an alternative. If it’s down to Xfinity or AT&T’s outdated DSL service, then Xfinity is your friend. Once you know who services your home, you can compare prices and speeds to find the best plan for your needs.
Pricing details on Detroit home internet service
The average starting price for home internet in the Detroit area works out to just under $48 a month. Promotional deals from Xfinity or WOW can dip below that, or you can score a deal by bundling an eligible phone plan with home internet from Verizon or T-Mobile. The intro price level for fiber is $55 for 300Mbps from AT&T Fiber.
Cheap internet options in the Detroit metro area
The cheapest internet plan you can get will depend on which ISPs connect to your home. If that’s Xfinity (and it likely is), you can get online with a $30-a-month, 75Mbps plan. But that might not be your best deal in the long term since the promo price is only good for a year. Look for special offers at Xfinity’s faster speed levels and do the math. WOW is plenty competitive with its $20, 12-month promo at the 100Mbps level, so give that a look if WOW runs to your address.
Regarding bang for the buck, AT&T’s 300Mbps fiber plan for $55 gives you reasonable download speeds and equally fast upload speeds. Snip Internet is a good deal for eligible apartment dwellers at $70 for 1,000Mbps.
Low-income households may qualify for free or cheap internet through the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. Eligible residents can get at least $30 off the monthly bill, aiming to put the internet within reach for everyone.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Detroit?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
WOW Read full review | $20 | 100Mbps | $14 modem (optional) | None |
|
Xfinity Connect Read full review | $30 | 75Mbps | $15 (optional) | None |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 (50% off with eligible mobile plan) | 300Mbps | None | None |
|
Spectrum Read full review | $50 | 300Mbps | Free modem; $5 router | None |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($30 with eligible mobile plan) | 182Mbps | None | None |
|
AT&T Fiber Read full review | $55 | 300Mbps | None | None |
|
AT&T Home Internet Read full review | $55 | 100Mbps | None | None |
| Snip Internet | $70 | 1,000Mbps | None | None |
Fastest internet providers in Detroit
Ookla’s Speedtest data shows Detroit with a median fixed internet download speed of about 106Mbps, which we already know isn’t the fastest around. But there’s still speed to be found if you’re in the right location. AT&T Fiber delivers multigigabit plans, while other ISPs have options for service at or around the 1,000Mbps level.
AT&T Fiber’s 5,000Mbps plan is untouchable when it comes to residential internet speeds in Detroit. The challenges with this are spotty availability across the metro area and the hefty price of $180 a month. AT&T’s 2,000Mbps plan is still fast but runs a more affordable $110 monthly. If you’re shopping around for gigabit service, there are more options, with WOW, Spectrum, Snip and Xfinity all offering plans at that level. Here’s what you need to know about multi-gigabit internet plans.
What are the fastest internet plans in Detroit?
| Provider | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Starting price | Data cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AT&T Fiber 5000 Read full review | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | $180 | None | None |
|
AT&T Fiber 2000 Read full review | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | $110 | None | None |
|
WOW Read full review | 1,200Mbps | 50Mbps | $95 | None | None |
|
Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read full review | 1,200Mbps | 35Mbps | $80 | 1.2TB | Varies |
|
WOW Read full review | 1,000Mbps | 50Mbps | $50 | 3TB | None |
|
Xfinity Gigabit Read full review | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | $75 | 1.2TB | Varies |
|
AT&T Fiber 1000 Read full review | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $80 | None | None |
| Snip Internet | 1,000Mbps | 1,0000Mbps | $70 | None | None |
|
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review | 940Mbps | 35Mbps | $90 | None | None |
What’s the final word on internet providers in Detroit?
Not everyone in Detroit will be able to pull down multi-gigabit speeds, but locations covered by AT&T Fiber can access that luxury. Thanks to its equally fast upload and download speeds (a trait that remote workers and avid gamers will love), fiber trumps other internet connection types. But limited fiber availability doesn’t mean you’ll be left surfing in the dark ages. Xfinity’s wide coverage area delivers gigabit download speeds. Residents in the wider metro area can also look for gigabit plans from WOW or Spectrum.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Detroit
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 Detroit FAQs
Is fiber internet available in Detroit?
It might feel like fiber is a matter of luck in Detroit. AT&T Fiber is available but has patchwork coverage across the metro area. Some homes can get AT&T’s fastest 5,000Mbps plan for $180 a month. Apartment dwellers may be in luck with Snip Internet, an ISP specializing in fiber to multi-unit dwellings. Snip’s simple plan is $70 a month for 1,000Mbps. That’s a good deal for fiber.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Detroit?
Looking at the wider metro area, people in WOW’s service zones can check into the $20-a-month, 100Mbps plan. The catch is that price is only good for 12 months. After that, it bumps up to $40 a month. You can rent a modem for an additional $14 monthly or use your own. Bargain hunters should also check into fixed wireless from T-Mobile or Verizon. Bundle with an eligible phone plan and you’ll get a steep discount on your home internet, bringing it as low as $30 a month with T-Mobile or $25 a month with Verizon.
Is Xfinity or AT&T better in Detroit?
This question isn't as simple as it looks on the surface because AT&T has two different offerings in Detroit: fiber and DSL. If your decision comes down to Xfinity versus AT&T's outdated DSL service, prioritize Xfinity. You'll get more satisfying speeds for your money even though you might have to navigate complicated plan details involving contracts and promotional pricing. If AT&T Fiber is in contention, that's the smart way to go. The plans are straightforward, and the speeds are fast, both up and down. Read CNET's comparison of Xfinity and AT&T home internet.
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