Find the Best Internet Providers in Your Area
Which internet providers offer service near you? We’re here to help. Here's a look at the top internet service providers available in your area and how to find them.
- Prices: $50 per month
- Speeds: 72 - 245Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, equipment included, no contracts, no additional fees
- Prices: $55 - $190 per month
- Speeds: 10 - 5,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no built-in price hikes
- Prices: $20 - $120 per month
- Speeds: 75 - 2,000Mbps
- Key Info: Data caps on some plans, lots of plan options, solid customer satisfaction numbers
- Prices: $30 - $90 per month
- Speeds: 300 - 1,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, simple pricing, no contracts, modem included, free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots
- Prices: $55 per month
- Speeds: 10 - 100Mbps
- Key Info: 1TB monthly data allowance, no contracts
- Prices: $50 - $120 per month
- Speeds: 300 - 2,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts, free equipment with gig service
- Prices: $55 per month
- Speeds: 10 - 140Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts
- Prices: $50 per month
- Speeds: Varies
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts, no equipment fee
- Prices: $40 - $100 per month
- Speeds: 25 - 2,000Mbps
- Key Info: 1.25TB monthly data allowance, lots of plan options, unique gaming add-on
- Prices: $40 - $80 per month
- Speeds: 300 - 940Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts
- Prices: $45 - $65 per month
- Speeds: 25 - 50Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data on some plans, low price increase
- Prices: $40 - $70 per month
- Speeds: 100 - 1,000Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, no contracts
- Prices: $20 - $80 per month
- Speeds: 100 - 1,500Mbps
- Key Info: Unlimited data, low promo prices, no contracts
- Prices: $25 - $80 per month
- Speeds: 100 - 1,000Mbps
- Key Info: Up to 6TB monthly data allowance, low introductory rates, no contracts
What's the best internet provider in your area?
Choosing the best internet provider for your home involves comparing connection types, speeds, pricing and more. But first, you'll need to narrow down the ISPs that are actually available at your address.
CNET uses the most recent data from the Federal Communications Commission to determine availability of internet providers across the US. Xfinity is the largest wired provider and is available to more than a third of US households, though T-Mobile has the greatest home internet coverage area of any nonsatellite provider. AT&T holds the title of largest fiber internet provider, though Verizon Fios, Quantum Fiber and others help bring fiber service to approximately 38% of US residences.
Where you live will be the determining factor when it comes to which providers are available, the technologies they use and the speeds you can get. It's possible you'll have access to fiber, cable, 5G, DSL or other internet options from a variety of providers. However, it's more likely that you'll have just two or three practical choices when it comes to home internet service.
The ISP search tool below uses proprietary in-house technology to find internet providers near you and the plans they offer. It asks for a ZIP code to ensure we're providing the most accurate results of internet providers in your area, and that's it. Our money is made from advertising and partnerships with the providers, not your data.
Internet provider availability overview
ISP availability is always changing, which is why the FCC updates provider data twice per year (see CNET's breakdown of the FCC data by Ry Crist). It's this data that we use to determine available internet providers in your area and the technologies they use.
In general, large cities like Seattle or Chicago are where you’ll find the greatest fiber availability and fastest speeds, though cable internet can deliver gig download speeds and is available to roughly 83% of households. Rural areas are often and unfortunately limited to slower options like DSL or satellite. 5G home internet, particularly from T-Mobile, is a growing alternative to broadband service in rural areas.
Top internet providers by availability
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Available in 49 states, 70% nationwide coverage.
- EarthLink: Available in 36 states, 63% nationwide coverage.
- Xfinity: Available in 39 states, 34% nationwide coverage.
- Spectrum: Available in 41 states, 28% nationwide coverage.
- AT&T: Available in 21 states, 25% nationwide coverage.
- Verizon Fios: Available in nine states, 15% nationwide coverage.
- CenturyLink: Available in 36 states, 13% nationwide coverage.
- Frontier: Available in 25 states, 8% nationwide coverage.
- Cox: Available in 18 states, 7% nationwide coverage.
- Optimum: Available in 21 states, 6% nationwide coverage.
- Rise Broadband: Available in 16 states, 6% nationwide coverage.
- Windstream: Available in 18 states, 3% nationwide coverage.
- Astound: Available in 14 states, 3% nationwide coverage.
- Mediacom: Available in 22 states, 2% nationwide coverage.
There's a good chance one or more of the providers listed above are available in your area. You'll find detailed information about each provider's availability and network below.
T-Mobile Home Internet
Best 5G home internet coverage
Our take - 5G wireless service is great for our phones, but T-Mobile is proving the technology is capable of serving as a primary home internet connection as well. Since launching its 5G network just a few years ago, T-Mobile has quickly expanded its home internet service to cover many US households across every state excluding Alaska.
EarthLink
Combined coverage areas make high availability
Our take - Aside from satellite internet providers HughesNet and Viasat, which are available throughout the US, EarthLink has the greatest availability of any ISP. Roughly 200 million people are serviceable for EarthLink thanks to the provider's unique approach to delivering service. Instead of running fiber, coaxial or DSL lines to homes, EarthLink uses the networks of other major providers, such as AT&T, CenturyLink and Frontier, to offer internet service. As a result, EarthLink essentially boasts the availability of multiple providers combined, shown in the map above.
Xfinity
Best cable internet availability
Our take - Xfinity is the largest cable internet provider in the US, extending broadband service to more than a third of all households. Xfinity may be available in your area if you live in the mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest or along the West Coast, but random pockets of serviceability can be found in much of the South as well as parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
Spectrum
Second-largest cable ISP with high availability in the East
Our take - Spectrum is the second-largest cable provider in the US behind Xfinity, covering nearly a third of the population across 41 states. Though the two providers cover nearly 70% of US households combined, there is little to no overlap in serviceability as Spectrum mainly operates in areas where Xfinity does not.
AT&T
Best fiber and DSL coverage throughout the South, Midwest and California
Our take - AT&T internet may be available near you if you live in or are moving to the South or Midwest, as well as parts of California, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Nevada.
Verizon Fios
Excellent coverage in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Our take - Verizon Fios covers much of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. Though service is only available in nine states, Verizon still covers an impressive number of US households, thanks largely to the provider's extensive fiber coverage in cities such as Baltimore, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Verizon also offers fixed wireless service in select rural areas across the US, but the provider's primary service areas are reserved to the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.
CenturyLink
Coverage in more states than any DSL or fiber provider
Our take - CenturyLink is available in 36 states but only to around 13% of the US households, implying that the provider largely operates in rural or suburban areas. There are some major cities, such as Denver, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City and Seattle; otherwise, look for CenturyLink to be available just outside the city.
Frontier Communications
In 25 states, with fiber coverage to 15 of them
Our take - Frontier Communications lost a chunk of its network after selling fiber and DSL lines in the Pacific Northwest to Ziply Fiber in 2020, but the provider is still one of the largest fiber and DSL providers, covering around a tenth of US residents across 25 states. Frontier serviceability is greatest in the Midwest, but there's also a good chance Frontier is available in your area if you live in California, Connecticut, upstate New York or West Virginia.
Cox Communications
Cable internet coverage in Las Vegas, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Phoenix and San Diego
Our take - Cox Communications is the third largest cable provider in the US, but overall availability is far lower than Xfinity and Spectrum, covering less than 7% of residents across 18 states. Cox is most likely to be available in your area if you live in Las Vegas, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, San Diego or anywhere in the state of Rhode Island.
Optimum
Cable internet covering the greater NYC area and parts of the South
Our take - Altice covers around 6% of US residents through its Optimum brand. Coverage spans the greater New York City area and various parts of states across the US, including Arkansas, Arizona, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas.
Rise Broadband
Largest fixed wireless provider bringing service to rural areas of 16 states
Our take - Rise Broadband is the nation's largest fixed wireless provider, available to around 6% of the US population throughout parts of 16 states. Fixed wireless internet doesn't require a cable or phone line to your home, making it ideal for rural internet service. Consequently, rural areas are where you're most likely to find Rise Broadband, especially those in the central US or rural parts of Idaho, Nevada and Texas.
Kinetic by Windstream
Rural and suburban coverage throughout the Midwest, South and Southwest
Our take - Another champion of rural areas, Windstream's internet service, Kinetic, is available in 18 states but only about 3% of the US households. Kinetic internet may be available in your area if you live in a rural or suburban area in the South or Midwest, but Kinetic coverage does reach as far west as New Mexico. Iowa, Georgia, Kentucky and Texas have the greatest Kinetic serviceability, but you may also find Kinetic internet near you in parts of Arkansas, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania, among other states.
Astound
Cable internet coverage in select major markets
Our take - You may have known Astound by another name (RCN, Grande Communications, Wave Broadband), but the provider is well established in some major markets, including Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
Mediacom
Service areas are random throughout the Midwest and South
Our take - Mediacom covers random areas throughout much of the Midwest, but you'll find service in parts of the South along the Gulf Coast and in southern Georgia, as well as parts of eastern North Carolina and along the southern Delaware/Maryland border. All in all, Mediacom is available to just over 2% of US residents with coverage spanning 22 states.
Explore internet providers by city
What internet providers serve your city? We provide an in-depth look at the best internet providers in cities across the US from New York to San Francisco. Click any of the links below to learn more about available internet options in the area.
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Austin, Texas
- Brooklyn, New York
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Chicago, Illinois
- Houston, Texas
- Los Angeles, California
- New York City, New York
- San Diego, California
- San Francisco, California
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Nashville, Tennessee
We didn't forget about local internet providers
A dozen or so internet providers make up the majority of internet serviceability, but there are literally thousands of smaller ISPs that operate in hyperlocal markets. Providers such as Armstrong, Ziply Fiber and WideOpenWest, among many, many others, do a great job of serving their local communities, but there are simply too many to list here.
If you didn't see a provider you know to be available in your area in the search tool towards the top of the page, don't worry. We're working to get them in there to give you a full, accurate picture of the best internet providers in your area.
Broadband and high-speed internet availability
According to the FCC, 99.99% of US residents have access to a broadband internet connection, which it defines as one that can provide download speeds up to 25 megabits per second and upload speeds of 3Mbps.
The lived experience of the broadband divide suggests those FCC numbers are high, and satellite internet may be the reason why. When you remove satellite technology from the list, broadband availability drops to 89%, with less than a third of US residents having three or more ISPs in their area. As you go up in speed from 25 to 100, 250 and 1,000Mbps, it's evident that high-speed options can be limited.
Internet availability by technology
The available internet tech type can make a big difference in available speeds and performance. Fiber internet is the preferred option, as it comes with the best upload and download speed potential, not to mention superior reliability, but availability is still relatively low. Unless you live in or near a large city, it's unlikely you'll find fiber internet near you.
Cable internet is another popular choice for high-speed internet in many areas, boasting much higher availability than fiber internet but without the fast upload speeds or same reliability. DSL and fixed wireless internet are excellent rural internet options, but can't compare to the speeds or reliability of fiber or cable connections.
For a further breakdown on the various types of internet, check out our guide to internet connection types.
Internet connection type availability
| Connection type | National availability | 25Mbps or higher coverage | 100Mbps or higher coverage | 250Mbps or higher coverage | 1,000Mbps or higher coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable | 89% | 89% | 88% | 85% | 3% |
| DSL | 58% | 23% | 5% | 0% | 0% |
| Fiber | 36% | 36% | 36% | 36% | 25% |
| Fixed wireless | 93% | 63% | 24% | 4% | 1% |
How to choose the best internet in your area
Finding the best internet provider in your area starts with discovering what’s available. Again, the search tool further up the page will give you an idea of what providers serve your area, the speeds they offer and how much it costs.
Once you’ve narrowed down the available internet providers in your area, take a look at the plans and service terms. Look for a plan that offers the speeds you need for the lowest price, but also be mindful of potential data caps and overage fees, contract requirements, equipment rental fees and other factors that can affect your service and what you pay each month.
For more tips on how to choose the right internet provider and plan, see our guide to selecting the best home internet service.
How we selected the top ISPs in your area
CNET takes into account everything the average customer should know when determining the best internet service providers. Connection type, speeds, pricing, service terms, customer satisfaction and other attributes are always important, but broadband availability is the primary consideration when focusing on the ISPs that may be in your area.
We source the most recent FCC data to determine provider availability and the technologies they use. It’s not perfect, but it does help us to identify the top internet providers in terms of availability and where to find them.
Check out our page on how we review internet providers for more information.
Locating local internet providers
Internet in my area FAQs
Why aren't there more internet options near me?
The costs of expanding to and operating in a new area, especially one that is already serviced by a competing ISP, is the main factor that prevents providers from offering service in more areas. As a result, it's common for households to have availability to just one provider of a particular service type.
For example, though cable internet is available to 89% of households, only 7% have access to more than one cable internet provider. Multiple provider options are even more limited with fiber-optic service. Though roughly 43% of households are eligible for fiber internet, less than 3% have more than one option.
Will new internet providers come to my area?
It's difficult to say if the largest cable and fiber providers will continue expanding into new service areas, but smaller providers -- and those with potentially industry-disrupting technologies -- could lead the broadband expansion efforts in coming years.
5G home internet, from providers including T-Mobile and Verizon, is off to a promising start, delivering high-speed broadband to underserved areas and creating much-needed competition in others. Satellite internet from SpaceX's Starlink is also set to improve broadband options in rural and suburban areas in coming years, as is Amazon's Project Kuiper.
That's exciting news for rural areas, but what about more options in metro areas, where residents typically have the choice between a cable or fiber provider? Providers like Starry Internet, which uses a fixed wireless network, already offer affordable, high-speed alternatives to the traditional established providers.
So in short, I wouldn't look to the big providers and established technologies to bring new internet options to your area anytime soon. The exception there could be fiber internet, which has almost doubled its availability in the last five years. However, fiber availability has only increased by one or two percent per year since 2018, indicating that fiber expansion is slowing.
Why is the internet in my area so slow?
There are a number of factors that can contribute to slow internet speeds, but if the internet in your area -- not just your home -- is slow, it's likely due to the technology. Satellite and DSL internet, common internet options in rural areas, are slower than most other connection types, typically maxing out at 25 to 100Mbps.
If you have cable or fiber internet service and your connection is consistently slow, it could be the result of using Wi-Fi, which can significantly reduce your actual, tested speeds compared to the speeds the provider is sending to your home. Resetting your router, or upgrading to a new router, could improve your Wi-Fi speeds. You may also want to consider upgrading your plan to a faster speed, if available.
What are the best internet deals or discounts for new customers?
New customers will often get the lowest introductory pricing, but other perks including gift cards and free installation may also be available. Verizon Fios has arguably the best bonus offers of any provider, though new customers can often score a gift card with AT&T, Frontier Fiber, WideOpenWest and other providers.
For a look at the most recent offers from top ISPs, check out our rundown of the best internet deals.
How do I set up my new internet service and how long does it take?
Most internet providers offer professional installation at no extra charge. Your installation expert will handle setting up your equipment and running any needed cables. Installation times can vary, but a routine installation should take an hour or two. When initial or extensive wiring is required, installation can take up to four hours or even longer to complete.
Select providers offer self installation, allowing you to set up your equipment on your time and at your convenience. Installation instructions should be included with your equipment, but the process is typically little more than plugging in your router. Self installation may take 30 minutes or less to complete. Call your provider’s technical support line for assistance if needed.
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