Best Internet Providers in Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska, has one of my favorite city nicknames: Star City. It references the little stars you see on a map indicating a state’s capital. As home to Cornhuskers football, the beautiful Sunken Gardens and a stunning collection of museums, Lincoln is a star.
Surely, residents want fast, reliable internet to go along with the city's rich cultural, historical, educational and political life. For most, that means choosing between Allo, Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream.
Allo is CNET’s pick for the best internet provider in Lincoln, thanks to its fiber network, availability and straightforward pricing. It has some healthy competition from Spectrum and Windstream, offering tempting promotional prices and gig speeds. Grab yourself a Runza sandwich, and let’s run through the pros and cons of Lincoln’s internet service providers.
Our methodology
CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Lincoln 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 Lincoln. 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. Other discounts and promotions might also be available for things like signing a term contract or bundling with multiple services.
To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.
Best internet in Lincoln in 2023
Spectrum Internet
Best cable internet in Lincoln, NE
Our take - Spectrum is another big home internet player in Lincoln. The cable provider offers some decent low-cost introductory deals, but be prepared for price hikes down the road. One of its biggest selling points is its reach. If fiber isn't available to you, then chances are good Spectrum has you covered.
Allo
Best internet provider in Lincoln, NE
Our take - Fiber broadband combined with wide coverage makes Allo my top recommendation for home internet in Lincoln. It’s not the cheapest ISP in town, but it offers reasonable rates for fiber service, and there’s no installation fee. Allo also has a good reputation when it comes to customer service.
Kinetic by Windstream
Cheapest fiber internet in Lincoln, NE
Our take - Kinetic by Windstream has two flavors of internet in Lincoln: DSL and fiber. This recommendation is for the fiber service, with budget-friendly introductory rates that make for one of the most affordable fiber providers in the nation.
Lincoln internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allo | Fiber | $73-$102 | 500-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | N/A |
| Nextlink Internet | Fixed wireless | $50-$140 | 25-500Mbps | Varies | None | Varies | N/A |
| Rise Broadband | Fixed wireless | $45-$65 | 25-250Mbps | $10 modem; $7-$25 router (optional) | Varies | None | 6.2 |
| Spectrum | Cable | $50-$90 | 300-940Mbps | Free modem; $5 router | None | None | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | Fixed wireless | $50 | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Kinetic by Windstream | DSL/fiber | $40 | 50-1,000Mbps | $10 (optional) | None | None | 6.7 |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Other available internet providers in Lincoln
Though Allo, Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream are our top three in Lincoln, there are a few other options to consider, especially if you live in a more rural area. Fixed wireless or 5G home internet are alternatives for folks who can’t get fiber or cable or aren’t happy with the options available.
- Nextlink Internet: Nextlink offers a fixed wireless service in Lincoln with no data caps. Prices start at $50 for 25Mbps to $90 for 100Mbps for standard plans. The ISP has enhanced plans in some places, costing $140 for 500Mbps. You can get better pricing by agreeing to a two-year contract rather than going month-to-month. There’s a $250 installation fee, but watch for a free installation deal. The pricing means Nextlink is most likely to be considered by residents who don’t have access to more affordable or faster plans.
- Rise Broadband: Rise is a rural fixed wireless internet specialist with plans starting at $45 per month. Rise offers up to 250Mbps in some areas, but you’ll most likely find speed options between 25-100Mbps around Lincoln. The 100Mbps plan runs $65 per month. There’s a $10 modem rental fee required, so calculate that into your budget. Keep an eye out for a deal that includes unlimited data and free installation. Rise can be a solid option for rural households that don’t have much choice in ISPs and want a more affordable alternative to satellite internet.
- T-Mobile Home Internet: When wired internet options aren’t satisfactory, check into T-Mobile Home Internet. You can get an idea of availability by looking at T-Mobile’s coverage map and looking for the dark-purple areas indicating the ISP’s 5G Ultra Capacity network. There’s pretty solid coverage across Lincoln, but open slots for home internet service may be limited. The price is $50 per month for typical speeds of 72-245Mbps, with no contract or data cap. Equipment is included. Bundling with an eligible phone plan can save $20 off your monthly bill.
- Satellite Internet: Starlink, Viasat or HughesNet all provide satellite internet service, but for a price that’s usually higher than other options. Upfront fees can be hefty, and speeds may be slower than you like. Think of satellite internet as a fallback if you don’t have a more affordable or faster ISP at your location.
Lincoln broadband at a glance
Everyone in Lincoln can access broadband speeds, according to FCC data. To the FCC, that means at least 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload. Fortunately for Lincoln residents, gigabit speeds are widely available through Allo, Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream. There are some good deals, at least when you look at introductory pricing for new customers.
Pricing details on Lincoln home internet service
Low-cost promotional prices from Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream mean you can get online at decent speeds for $40 per month. If you’re looking at Windstream, see if you can access the ISP’s fiber network rather than its DSL network. You’ll also need to figure in a monthly $10 equipment fee or provide your own hardware. Allo’s initial pricing is higher, with a $73-per-month 500Mbps plan, but equipment is included, and the ISP has a strong reputation for customer service.
Cheap internet options in the Lincoln area
Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream lead the price war for Lincoln broadband, with $40-per-month entry-level plans. If you’re looking at Windstream, check if you can get the faster fiber network rather than the outdated DSL. The catch with these ISPs is that your price will increase after your initial promotional period. After that, compare with Allo or be prepared to try to negotiate your way back to a lower fee.
The federal Affordable Connectivity Program is available to qualified low-income households. If you’re struggling to afford internet, then be sure to check into this. It can net you free or cheap internet through a $30 per month subsidy ($75 on tribal lands). Most ISPs participate, and some offer special plans for ACP-qualified customers. Allo, for example, has a special no-cost 100Mbps fiber plan for ACP participants.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Lincoln?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinetic by Windstream DSL | $40 | 100Mbps | $10 (optional) | None |
| Kinetic by Windstream Fiber | $40 | 500Mbps | $10 (optional) | None |
| Spectrum | $40 | 500Mbps | Free modem; $5 router | None |
| Rise Broadband | $45 | 50Mbps | $10 modem; $7-$25 router (optional) | None |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | $50 ($30 with eligible cellphone bundle) | 245Mbps | None | None |
| Allo | $73 | 500Mbps | None | None |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
How fast is broadband in Lincoln?
Thanks to Allo, Kinetic by Windstream and Spectrum, a good chunk of Lincoln’s population can access gigabit internet. A recent Ookla ranking of internet speeds for the 100 most populated cities in the US placed Lincoln in the second spot, with a median download speed of 267Mbps. Only Raleigh, North Carolina, was faster. Ookla highlighted Allo as Lincoln’s fastest provider, with a median download speed of nearly 308Mbps. Lincoln’s strong showing in the city ranking is a testament to the availability of gig speeds across the area.
Fastest internet providers in Lincoln
The gigabit internet dream is alive and well in Lincoln, but when it comes to equally fast upload speeds, look to Allo or Kinetic by Windstream’s fiber offering. Spectrum’s uploads top out at 35Mbps. You won’t find multi-gigabit offerings, but you can read up on the best multi-gig plans available in other parts of the country.
What are the fastest internet plans in Lincoln?
| Provider | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Starting price | Data cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinetic by Windstream | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $70 | None | None |
| Allo | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $102 | None | None |
| Spectrum Internet Gig | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | $60 | None | None |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
What’s the final word on internet providers in Lincoln?
I’m always a champion of fiber internet, so I recommend prioritizing Allo's or Kinetic by Windstream’s fiber plans when shopping for home internet in Lincoln. Spectrum has wide availability and affordable introductory prices but slower uploads. T-Mobile Home Internet is a no-fuss alternative for anyone dissatisfied with the wired options.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Lincoln
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? For starters, we tap into a proprietary database of pricing, availability and speed information 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’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?
Though the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to 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 take into account real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, you can visit our How we test ISPs page.
Internet providers in Lincoln FAQ
Is fiber internet available in Lincoln?
Allo and Kinetic by Windstream offer fiber plans in Lincoln with speed tiers of 500Mbps or 1,000Mbps. Windstream has budget-friendly introductory deals, while Allo covers a lot of ground across the metro area.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Lincoln?
When bundling with an eligible phone plan, T-Mobile phone customers can get home internet for just $30 per month. Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream have $40-per-month deals for new customers, but be sure to account for equipment costs if you rent a modem or router.
Which internet provider in Lincoln offers the fastest plan?
There’s a three-way tie at the 1,000Mbps level between ALLO fiber, Kinetic by Windstream fiber and Spectrum. The two fiber ISPs offer equally fast uploads, while Spectrum uploads top out at 35Mbps.
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