In this article:
- Best internet service providers
- Honorable mentions
- Other providers we've reviewed
- Internet provider FAQs
It can be stressful when your internet isn't working. A fast, reliable broadband connection is essential, especially with more people working remotely than ever. That's why knowing the best internet service provider in your area is so important. Download and upload speeds, plan pricing and customer satisfaction are a few of the most important factors you need to consider as well.
Finding the right ISP can be easier said than done, though -- especially if you live in a rural part of the country with limited options for getting online. That's why we've taken the time to evaluate all of the top internet providers in the US, from household names like Comcast Xfinity and Verizon to smaller yet significant players like WideOpenWest and Ziply Fiber. We aim to sift through the sales pitches, speed claims and fine print to put each provider into context and provide you with all the information you need to choose the plan that makes the most sense for your home.
To date, we've reviewed over 20 ISPs, and you can expect us to continue covering the category. For now, here are the top providers we'd recommend first.
Best internet service providers
Price range
$55 - $180 per month
Speed range
300 - 5,000Mbps
Highlights
Unlimited data, no contracts, equipment included
Special offers
$100 to $150 gift card if you sign up online
One of the metrics we like to use to compare value between ISPs is the average cost per megabit per second of download speed. A lower cost per Mbps is a good, rough indicator of value -- and with AT&T's fiber internet plans, the average cost per Mbps is just 10 cents, including your equipment rental.
For comparison, you can expect the average fiber internet plan from Verizon to cost you 12 cents per Mbps, while a fiber plan from CenturyLink will cost you 16 cents per Mbps. Meanwhile, most cable internet plans from names like Spectrum and Comcast Xfinity will typically cost you at least 25 cents per Mbps, if not more. Another point worth mentioning: In 2022, AT&T began offering multi-gig plans with concurrent upload and download speeds of 2 and 5 gigabits per second.
That is to say that AT&T's fiber plans are a terrific value -- especially since none of them come with any contracts or data caps. On top of that, AT&T is highly ranked for customer satisfaction by the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power. The telecom giant's DSL and fixed wireless plans are much less impressive, but if AT&T fiber is available at your address, consider yourself lucky because there isn't much reason to consider anything else.
AT&T Home Internet
Price range
$50 - $90 per month
Speed range
300 - 940Mbps
Highlights
Simple pricing, unlimited data, no contracts, modem included, free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots
Special offers
Bundle discounts, free Peacock Premium for up to 12 months
With most fiber providers, you'll find a better bang for your buck, but a cable connection is the next best thing if fiber isn't an option. And, among all the providers offering cable internet service in the country, Spectrum is the one I'd be happiest to see available at my address.
Spectrum isn't the biggest name in cable internet -- that'd be Comcast Xfinity -- but it still offers service to more than 100 million Americans, thanks to Charter's acquisition of Time Warner's internet infrastructure in 2016. And, unlike Comcast (or Cox, its other main cable rival), Spectrum doesn't enforce a data cap and won't tie you down to a long-term contract, either.
On top of all that, Spectrum's prices and terms are straightforward, easy to understand and easy to live with -- and the average Spectrum plan comes with a lower cost-per-Mbps than either Comcast or Cox. It isn't quite the best value in the cable category (keep reading), but Spectrum is still your top option for cable internet at home when you drill down into the details.
Spectrum Internet
Price range
$25 - $65 per month
Speed range
25 - 50Mbps
Connection
Fixed wireless
Highlights
Unlimited data on some plans, low price increase
Pickings can be frustratingly slim when shopping for an internet plan in a rural area because most of the best internet infrastructure in the country is centralized in population-dense cities and the suburban neighborhoods surrounding them. If you live outside a region like that, your home probably isn't wired for fiber or cable. Instead, you'll have to make do with slower, less reliable and more expensive technologies, and you'll likely have fewer options to choose from, too.
You'll need to take the good with the bad with just about any rural ISP, but there's more good than bad with Rise Broadband, our top pick for getting online when faster cable and fiber plans aren't an option. A fixed wireless provider covering much of the country's middle, Rise Broadband will beam an internet signal directly to an antenna mounted outside your home, providing download speeds of up to 50Mbps. That's twice as fast as what you'll get with a satellite internet plan from HughesNet and faster than many DSL plans, which often struggle to surpass double-digit download speeds.
Rise's 250GB data cap is also significantly higher than you'll get with most rural internet plans, and plans with unlimited data will only cost you an extra $10 or $20 per month, depending on whether you've signed up for speeds of 25 or 50Mbps.
Price range
$50 - $120 per month
Speed range
300 - 2,000Mbps
Connection
Fiber
Highlights
Unlimited data, no contracts, free equipment with gig service
Verizon lands atop the American Customer Satisfaction Index's rankings of internet providers year after year, and it's been one of the strongest finishers with J.D. Power for multiple years running, too.
What do people like about Verizon? For starters, while the company's DSL service isn't special, most customers across the company's eight-state coverage map in the northeast have access to Verizon Fios fiber service capable of gigabit speeds and uploads that are just as fast as the downloads. Verizon plans don't come with contracts or data caps, either, and your price won't automatically go up after a year the way it will with most other providers.
What's more, Verizon made headlines in 2022 by expanding the availability of its 5G Home Internet service to approximately 900 cities. That's a promising development for consumers, given the glaring need for better internet options nationwide.
Verizon Fios
WideOpenWest -- or WOW -- is a relatively small provider that offers services in nine states. Still, it earns the exclamation point it likes to stick at the end of its branding by offering cable internet plans at some of the best prices you'll find anywhere in the US. That includes an entry-level 100Mbps plan that starts at $20 per month ($40 a month after the first year) and a high-speed gigabit plan that starts at $65 monthly. Even after the price of that plan jumps to $75 per month in year 2, that's still a cost per Mbps of just 8 cents, which is unheard of in the cable category.
In addition, WOW doesn't enforce contracts with any of its plans, and it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee when you sign up, letting you cancel without penalty if it isn't the right fit. All told, it's about as strong as ISP sales pitches get -- I just wish the footprint was a bit bigger and there weren't data limits on some plans.
WOW! Internet
Honorable mentions
Price range
$49 - $65 per month
Speed range
200 - 940Mbps
Connection
Fiber
Highlights
Unlimited data, no contracts, equipment included with gigabit tier
CenturyLink offers DSL internet plans across 16 states, but roughly half of the coverage map also has access to CenturyLink's fiber plans, branded as Quantum Fiber. That "Quantum" bit is meaningless, but the plans themselves are a great deal -- $50 per month for matching upload and download speeds of 200Mbps (about 25 cents per Mbps), or $65 per month for a gigabit plan with matching speeds of 940Mbps (about 7 cents per Mbps, which is an even better value than you'll get with AT&T for its gigabit plan). There are no data caps or contracts with those plans, and those prices don't arbitrarily go up after a year, either.
Meanwhile, CenturyLink's DSL speeds are much slower and can vary greatly from address to address, but with a flat rate of $50 per month, the pricing is pretty fair by DSL standards. Better still, the DSL plans come with a Price for Life guarantee, which locks that rate in for as long as you stay a customer. If nothing faster is available at your address, a plan like that might be worth considering -- but if CenturyLink offers fiber service in your area, signing up is a lot closer to a no-brainer.
CenturyLink
Price range
$20 - $300 per month
Speed range
75 - 6,000Mbps
Highlights
Lots of plan options, solid customer satisfaction numbers
Special offers
Bundle discounts, free streaming content
Comcast is the biggest name in cable, and the company offers its Xfinity internet service to over 100 million people in the US -- more than a third of the country. Subscribers will find a great variety of plans and packages to choose from, including plans with download speeds of up to 1,200Mbps that are available across the majority of the sprawling coverage map (or, if they're lucky, plans with multi-gig speeds of up to 6Gbps that are available at a small percentage of addresses). In addition, Comcast Xfinity consistently earns above-average customer satisfaction scores too.
That said, being the biggest doesn't mean it's the best. Cable internet plans from Spectrum and Optimum come at a slightly better value than most Comcast plans, and neither enforces a data cap. Comcast does, capping your monthly data usage at 1.2TB, with penalties levied if you exceed it in a given month. If you can live with that, there's a lot to like about Xfinity home internet -- but it's more of an honorable mention than an outright best pick.
Xfinity Internet
Price range
$70 - $100 per month
Speed range
1,000 - 2,000Mbps
Connection
Fiber
Highlights
Unlimited data, no contracts, equipment included
It's been over a decade since Google first announced that it would bring fiber internet service to select regions across the country -- and it's been a bumpy ride ever since. After initially rolling out across 11 metro areas, Google struggled to build out the service beyond that and paused its efforts outright in 2016, leaving disappointment across dozens of cities where the company had teased prospects for future fiber expansions.
Google hasn't given up, though. The company is currently working on expanding fiber access in select cities and recently rolled out plans that support speeds of up to 2 gigabits per second for $100 per month, available in Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Huntsville, Kansas City, Nashville, Orange County, Provo, Raleigh/Durham, Salt Lake City, San Antonio and West Des Moines. If you live in any of those cities, and Google Fiber is available at your address, give it a look because that's one of the best deals you'll find for such a blazing-fast connection.
Gigabit Fiber Optic Internet
Satellite internet is typically slow, laggy and temperamental in inclement weather, so I'd explore other options if you've got them. But that's the thing -- too many of us don't have other options, and satellite internet from established names like Viasat and HughesNet is available just about everywhere.
If it comes down to those two, I'd start with Viasat. Why? Neither offers strong value for what you're getting, but HughesNet caps the max download speed of all plans at 25Mbps, which is the barest definition of broadband. With Viasat, satellite speeds of up to 100Mbps are available in some regions, and speeds are set to improve in 2023 with Viasat's newest satellite hardware launch. Viasat also offers data caps that are slightly higher than what you'll get with HughesNet.
All of that said, there are aspects of Viasat's service that would probably be more at home on the worst list than a best list like this. For starters, your monthly bill will shoot up after just 3 months -- and with some plans, the increase is a whopping $50. You'll also need to agree to a two-year contract, with potentially steep penalties, if you decide to cancel early. As I said, make sure to shop around for other, better options in your area -- but if there aren't any (and if you can stomach the sky-high prices), Viasat is a workable choice for getting online in remote parts of the country.
Viasat
Ziply is a relative newcomer to the fiber scene after acquiring fiber-optic infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest from Frontier. The service launched in 2020 amidst the pandemic, offering relatively affordable fiber plans to customers across parts of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
Plans are limited for now, with a notable lack of middle-ground options between the 200 and 1,000Mbps speed tiers. Still, Ziply offers strong value and reasonable terms and doesn't enforce data caps, contracts or credit checks for any of its plans. It also recently began offering multi-gig speeds of 2 and 5 gigabits per second, albeit limited to just 170,000 households across the footprint at launch in 2022.
Ziply also includes whole-home Wi-Fi with up to three extenders in its $10 modem rental fee, which is a nice deal for anyone interested in trying out the benefits of a mesh network. We'll keep an eye on the company as it grows, but we like what we're seeing so far.
Ziply Fiber
Other providers we've reviewed
The broadband beat keeps our team busy, but we'll continue evaluating internet providers and updating this post as new options emerge. For now, here's a rundown of every other provider we've covered, with a link back to our full review and a quick summary of our thoughts.
Armstrong Internet: Based in Butler, Pennsylvania, Armstrong is a regional cable internet provider servicing customers in six states. Prices are a touch higher than you'll see from larger cable providers, and some plans come with data caps, but speeds are reasonably fast and your equipment comes included, which helps ease the sting from your bill. It's worth a look at addresses where faster fiber connections aren't available yet.
Astound Broadband: The rebranded cable service (known as Grande, RCN or Wave, depending on where you live) doesn't enforce contracts or data caps, but the painfully steep increases in your monthly rate after year one make it tough to recommend outright. Customers in some regions could see their monthly bill go up by more than $100 after the first 12 months.
Cox: Cox offers gigabit cable download speeds across its entire coverage map, and while it also enforces a data cap, its policies around that cap are friendlier to consumers than you might expect. Still, the prices skew higher than other cable providers like Xfinity and Spectrum, and we're not crazy about the fact Cox gateways double as public-facing hotspots that strangers can connect through unless you opt out.
Earthlink: One of the oldest names on this list, Earthlink leverages the DSL and fiber optic infrastructure of other providers in order to offer internet plans nationwide. Prices are higher than average, though, but give the company credit for transparent terms, and for eschewing data caps and throttling altogether.
Frontier: One of the nation's largest providers, Frontier offers home internet service via both fiber and DSL. With no excessive fees or data caps, it's a decent pick for rural internet, particularly if fiber is available at your address. That said, the company's past non-transparency with pricing and speeds has earned it a spotty track record with customer satisfaction, so keep an eye on your bill after year one.
HughesNet: Like its main satellite internet rival Viasat, HughesNet is available just about anywhere, and speeds are more consistent across its coverage map, too. Still, with high equipment costs and downloads that don't get any faster than 25Mbps, it's more of a last-resort option than anything else.
Mediacom: Mediacom's cable internet service offers gigabit download speeds across the near-entirety of its coverage map, but most plans will see price increases after both the first and second year of service, which is a tough pill to swallow. On top of that, the data caps are particularly tight, and there's no limit to the number of overage charges you can rack up each month.
Metronet: The country's largest, independently owned fiber-optic internet provider, Indiana-based Metronet recently merged with Texas-based Vexus Fiber, a move that expands the company's footprint across 15 states. Its commitment to maintaining a 100% fiber-optic network and the lack of contracts, data caps or equipment fees make it a provider worth paying attention to and potentially signing up for, but pricing is middle-of-the-road compared with other fiber providers.
Nomad Internet: Launched in 2017, Nomad leases 4G LTE airwaves from larger carriers to provide connectivity for rural areas and for people on the go, including business travelers and RV enthusiasts. The lack of contracts or cancellation fees is an appealing part of the sales pitch in spite of some high upfront costs, but your speeds will vary greatly, as those larger carriers will always reserve the right to serve their own customers first.
Optimum: This brand is very familiar to New York customers and now that it includes markets formerly under the Suddenlink brand, it's got a significant national footprint. Optimum offers fast speeds, low introductory pricing and no data caps or contracts whatsoever. It's an option worth considering, but be aware that most plans feature upload speeds that are lower than they should be, and that the company's customer satisfaction scores have been trending in the wrong direction in recent years.
Sparklight: With a hybrid network that mixes fiber and cable infrastructure, Sparklight offers customers in select parts of 21 states reasonably fast speeds on transparent terms, and the company deserves credit for extending faster connections to parts of the country where DSL and satellite might be the only other options. Tight data caps are a disappointment, though, especially on the lower-priced plans, where your monthly rate will also go up after just three months.
Starry Internet: Similar to 5G providers, Starry uses millimeter wave technology for its fixed wireless home internet service. There's a lot to like about the company's commitment to consumer-friendly terms, with no contracts, data caps or arbitrary price hikes, and speeds of up to 1Gbps are available in select parts of the still-growing coverage map. We'll continue monitoring the company's progress throughout 2022.
Starlink: Billionaire Elon Musk's effort to disrupt the satellite internet category, Starlink is an offshoot of SpaceX, and it's actively leveraging SpaceX launch capabilities to deploy an ever-growing constellation of satellites in low-earth orbit. Lower satellites mean a faster connection with less latency, and that's what Starlink offers, but the service still isn't available to as many addresses and regions as Hughesnet or Viasat, and the cost of buying in is steep, even by satellite standards.
T-Mobile Home Internet: The mobile carrier began rolling out home internet service via 5G and LTE in early 2021. Now, it's available to more than 40 million households across the country. With a flat monthly rate of $50, download speeds varying from 33 to 182Mbps, and no contracts, data caps or preset price increases, it's one of the more intriguing options in home internet right now, especially as 5G connectivity continues to improve.
Verizon 5G Home Internet: While Verizon's 5G fixed wireless isn't available to quite as many households as T-Mobile's home internet product, it does boast faster download speeds, ranging from 85 to 1,000Mbps. You'll find similar, customer-friendly terms, including no data caps, no contract requirements and straightforward, all-in pricing.
Windstream: Kinetic, Windstream's home internet service, offers relatively fast speeds in rural parts of the country, and prices are typically pretty reasonable, too. It's worth a look across many parts of its coverage map, but be aware that pricing will vary from region to region, making it difficult to recommend outright.
Best internet providers FAQs
What's the cheapest way to get internet?
That depends. We know, not helpful, but stay with us.
One of the cheapest ways to get internet service is through the government's Affordable Connectivity Program. It's a long-term subsidy to help qualifying households receive $30 per month ($75 for those on Tribal lands) towards internet service. There are also other permanent programs available for low-income families, as well as for seniors and students.
Lastly, you can try negotiating with your current internet provider to secure a lower rate on your broadband service. Or you can keep your eyes open for broadband deals or other internet promotions each month.
Who's the fastest internet provider?
The good news is it's now common to find gigabit plans offered by almost all major ISPs. But, as we often say, the fastest internet service for you will depend on your location and specific address. Of the major providers, Xfinity often extends the fastest plans available for residential homes, with 1,200Mbps as its gigabit offering (versus the typical 940Mbps most providers offer), and it also boasts a 6,000Mbps "Gigabit Pro" plan, but that's not as widely available and requires a site survey to ensure serviceability.
In January 2022, Ziply Fiber announced that it's rolling out 2- and 5-gig plans to approximately 170,000 homes in the Northwest. Not to be outdone, a week later, AT&T unveiled its new multi-gig tiers, which are now available in over 70 cities across the country. Also, in 2022, a Chattanooga, Tennessee, provider announced it was offering a 25Gbps plan. Suffice it to say that this speed race between providers is only just beginning.
What internet speed do I need?
The Federal Communications Commission defines "broadband speed" as a minimum of 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload speed. But that definition is out of date. As mentioned above, most providers now offer a gigabit plan, but most households won't need that much speed. According to a recent report from OpenVault, the average American household uses approximately 348Mbps download speeds (though nearly 70% of households get less than 200Mbps) and 23Mbps upload. Does that mean you'll need that much? Not necessarily. The internet speed you need will depend on how many people use the internet in your home and for what activities you need.
Should I self-install my internet or have a professional do it?
Most internet providers offer a self-installation option, where they'll mail you your home internet equipment after you sign up for service, and you'll set it up yourself on your own time. In most cases, the process is pretty straightforward, with clear instructions on how to plug everything in correctly. In some cases, opting for self-installation can save you money, too.
All of that makes self-installation a great option for homes that don't require much labor to get a network up and running -- for instance, if you're setting up a cable internet modem and your home already has the necessary coaxial wiring running through your walls. Check with your provider when you sign up to see if it's an option for you, how much work it would entail, and how much money you could save off of the cost of letting the pros handle it.