Best Internet Providers in Denver, Colorado

Quantum Fiber Best fiber internet in Denver, CO
Prices from $30 - $165 per Month
Speeds from 200 - 8,000 Mbps
... Or call to learn more:
Xfinity Broadest coverage in Denver, CO
Speeds from 150 - 6,000 Mbps
Prices from $20 - $300 per Month
... Or call to learn more:
Starry Internet Best fixed wireless internet in Denver, CO
Speeds from 50 - 1,000 Mbps
Prices from $30 - $80 per Month
... Or call to learn more:

Article updated on February 28, 2024 at 6:00 AM PST

Our Experts

Written by 
Trey Paul
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
Trey Paul Senior Editor
Trey Paul is a CNET senior editor covering broadband. His 20+ years of experience as a writer and editor include time at CNET's sister site, Allconnect, and working with clients like Yahoo!, Google, The New York Times and Choice Hotels. An avid movie fan, Trey's career also includes being a film and TV critic while pursuing a degree in New York.
Expertise Home internet and broadband, including plans, providers, internet speeds and connection types. Movies and film studies. Credentials
  • Master's degree in Cinema Studies from NYU and interviews with Conan O'Brien, Stan Lee and some of his biggest Star Trek childhood idols
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What is the best internet provider in Denver?

Quantum Fiber is the best internet service provider for most households in Denver because it offers symmetrical download and upload speeds, which other providers in the area don't. If Quantum Fiber isn't available at your address, or CenturyLink DSL service is the only option (the same company owns Quantum Fiber and CenturyLink), Xfinity and Starry Internet are solid broadband alternatives.

If you're searching for the lowest monthly cost on Denver internet, Xfinity's Connect plan offers 75Mbps for $20 monthly. Xfinity also takes the prize for the fastest internet plan in the city: 2,000 megabits per second for $120 per month. If you want fiber connectivity instead of cable -- especially for the symmetrical speeds -- Ting and Quantum Fiber offer plans with gigabit download and upload speeds.

Our methodology

CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Denver 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 Denver. 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. Discounts and promotions might also be available for signing a term contract or bundling multiple services.

To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.

Best internet in Denver, Colorado

3 Internet providers
SORT BY
Product image
Connection
Fiber
Speed range
200 - 8,000 Mbps
Price range
$30 - $165 per month

Quantum Fiber

Best fiber internet in Denver, CO

Our take - Formerly known as CenturyLink's fiber service, Quantum Fiber is one of the few fiber providers in the greater Denver area. Per the Federal Communication Commission's most recent figures, CenturyLink DSL service still makes up more than half of its coverage map, but if you can get Quantum Fiber, don't hesitate.

Read full review
... Or call to learn more:
Check with Quantum
Connection
Fiber
Speed range
200 - 8,000 Mbps
Price range
$30 - $165 per month
Show more details
Product image
Connection
Cable
Speed range
150 - 6,000 Mbps
Price range
$20 - $300 per month

Xfinity

Broadest coverage in Denver, CO

Our take - While Quantum Fiber's offerings are confined to two flavors (500Mbps and 1 gig), Comcast's cable internet service, Xfinity, gives customers a wider range of options, including seven different plans.

Read full review
... Or call to learn more:
Check with Xfinity
Connection
Cable
Speed range
150 - 6,000 Mbps
Price range
$20 - $300 per month
Show more details
Product image
Connection
Fixed wireless
Speed range
50 - 1,000 Mbps
Price range
$30 - $80 per month

Starry Internet

Best fixed wireless internet in Denver, CO

Our take - Starry garnered some buzz and headlines in 2022. Starry became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in March of that year. Shortly after, it was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential Companies of 2022. Starry also ended the year on the outs with the NYSE.

Read full review
... Or call to learn more:
Check with Starry
Connection
Fixed wireless
Speed range
50 - 1,000 Mbps
Price range
$30 - $80 per month
Show more details

Denver internet providers compared

ProviderInternet technologyMonthly price rangeSpeed rangeMonthly equipment costsData capContractCNET review score
CenturyLink
Read full review
DSL$5510-100Mbps$15 modemNoneNone6.7
Hughesnet
Read full review
Satellite$50-$80 ($75-$110 after 12 months)50-100Mbps$15-$20 or $300-$450 one-time purchaseVaries2 years6
Quantum Fiber Fiber$50-$165500-8,000Mbps (varies by location)NoneNoneNone6.7
Rise Broadband
Read full review
Fixed wireless$5525-50Mbps$12250GB on some plansNone6.2
Starry
Read full review
Fixed wireless$40-$75 200-1,000Mbps (varies by location)NoneNoneNone7
T-Mobile Home Internet
Read full review
Fixed wireless$60 ($40 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers)72-245MbpsNoneNoneNone7.4
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Read full review
Fixed wireless$50-$70 ($35-$45 with qualifying 5G mobile plans)80-1,000Mbps (varies by location)NoneNoneNone7.2
Viasat
Read full review
Satellite $50-$200 ($70-$300 after 3 months)25-150Mbps$10 or $300 one-time purchaseVaries2 years6.1
Xfinity
Read full review
Cable$20-$12075-2,000Mbps (varies by location)$15 (optional)1.2TB Varies7
Show more (4 items)

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Other available internet providers in Denver

  • Google Fiber Webpass: This fixed wireless solution from Google Fiber is similar to Starry Internet, but it's not widely available in Denver. It's focused on apartment buildings and offers a high-speed service that's one plan only: symmetrical gigabit speeds for $70 a month (or $63 a month with a yearly plan). Like its Google Fiber offering, Webpass features free installation and requires no contracts and equipment fees. Not as widely available in the Mile High City as Starry Internet, Webpass can be found at select addresses in the Highland, River North Art District and West Colfax areas.
  • Rise Broadband: Although you can find some availability within city limits for this fixed wireless provider, it's a likelier solution for the more suburban and rural areas of the Denver metro area, including Evergreen to the west and Parker to the south. You can expect to see speeds as high as 50Mbps and some unlimited data options too, so Rise Broadband is a viable option in rural areas where satellite may be the main competition.
  • Satellite internet: No matter where you live in the US, satellite internet is an option. Is it your best option? Probably not, especially if you live within Denver city limits. There are going to be cheaper and faster plans available. If you're in the more rural outskirts of the Mile High City (I'm thinking Highlands Ranch, Roxborough Park, Sedalia and the like), you might seriously consider this mode as a way of being connected. Hughesnet and Viasat, which both require two-year contract commitments, are your two most likely choices. Starlink, which features unlimited data and doesn't require a contract, might be an attractive alternative. It still requires a hefty upfront cost of nearly $600. 
  • T-Mobile Home Internet: T-Mobile's fixed wireless solution uses the carrier's 4G LTE and 5G networks to provide cellular internet coverage for your home. The mobile carrier has been aggressively pushing its $60-per-month service, including such perks as gift cards and a $20 discount for eligible Magenta Max customers. It's appealingly straightforward -- no contracts, equipment or setup fees and no data caps. While T-Mobile Home Internet is available throughout the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metro area, you must check your address on the T-Mobile site to determine if you're eligible for home internet service. 
  • Ting Internet: This fiber internet provider is local to the south Denver suburb of Centennial. It caters to those looking for superfast and reliable internet service, featuring a symmetrical 1,000Mbps plan for $90 a month. Wi-Fi can add $11 or $18 to your monthly bill, depending on the level of service you choose, or you can use your own router and skip the fee altogether.
  • Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon's 5G fixed wireless home internet product has a higher average download speed (300Mbps) than T-Mobile Home Internet and subscribes to a similar "everything's included in one price" approach -- installation, equipment and fees for $50 a month. For $20 more per month, customers can access speeds up to 1,000Mbps. On top of that, eligible Verizon Wireless customers can get a sizable monthly discount to boot.

Cheap internet options in Denver

The cheapest internet plan you can find in Denver is Xfinity's Connect plan, which features 75Mbps download speeds for $20 per month. Granted, that price jumps to $50 after your promo period, but at that point, you can consider other options (or negotiate with your provider) before committing to that plan at the higher price. 

What's the cheapest internet plan in Denver?

ProviderStarting priceMax download speedMonthly equipment fee
Xfinity Connect
Read full review
$2075Mbps$15 (optional)
Quantum Fiber 500 $50500MbpsNone
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Read full review
$50 ($35 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans)300Mbps (varies by location)None
Viasat
Read full review
$50 ($70 after 3 months)25Mbps$10 or $300 one-time purchase
Hughesnet
Read full review
$50 ($75 after 12 months)50Mbps$15 or $300 one-time purchase
Rise Broadband
Read full review
$5525Mbps$12
T-Mobile Home Internet
Read full review
$60 ($40 with eligible phone plans)245MbpsNone
Show more (2 items)

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Denver

The best internet deals and top promotions in Denver depend on the discounts available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers. 

Denver internet providers, such as Xfinity and Rise Broadband, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others -- including CenturyLink, Quantum Fiber and Starry Internet -- run the same standard pricing year-round. 

For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

Denver skyline with the Rocky Mountains deep in the background
Getty Images

How fast is Denver broadband?

Regarding internet speeds, "Cow Town" is almost too appropriate. Denver didn't fare well on its median download internet speeds compared with other top US cities. It ranked 96th on Ookla's recent speed test data with a median download speed of 136Mbps. That same speed test data showed Xfinity as Denver's fastest provider, with a median download speed of approximately 239Mbps in the area. 

Only one provider offers a multi-gigabit plan within the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metro area -- Xfinity's Gigabit X2, which offers speeds up to 2,000Mbps for $120 a month. That should soon change as Quantum Fiber (CenturyLink) is bringing multi-gig plans to the Denver area. Until then, let's say that Denver's not exactly Chattanooga fast regarding internet speed.

Fastest internet plans in Denver

ProviderStarting monthly priceMax download speedMax upload speedData capConnection type
Quantum Fiber 8 Gig $1658,000Mbps (varies by location)8,000MbpsNoneFiber
Xfinity Gigabit X2
Read full review
$1202,000Mbps200Mbps1.2TBCable
Xfinity Gigabit Extra
Read full review
$801,200Mbps200Mbps1.2TBCable
Ting Internet $901,000Mbps1,000MbpsNoneFiber
Starry Gigabit
Read full review
$751,000Mbps50MbpsNoneFixed wireless
Quantum Fiber 1 Gig $75940Mbps940MbpsNoneFiber
Xfinity Gigabit
Read full review
$751,000Mbps35Mbps1.2TBCable
Show more (2 items)

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Internet providers in popular cities near Denver

See all results for internet providers in Colorado.

What's a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

  • 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
  • 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
  • 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming. 
  • 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming. 
  • 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Denver

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. 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. 

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 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. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although 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 consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

What's the final word on internet providers in Denver?

While you can certainly find ways to connect in Denver, there aren't the same number of options available here as you might find in some other big cities across the country. Xfinity's cable internet -- and the seven different plans it offers -- will probably be your top option, but if your address is serviceable for Quantum Fiber, make that your first choice. 

Internet providers in Denver FAQs

How much does cheap internet service cost in Denver?

Denver's average starting price for internet service is approximately $50 a month. The cheapest internet plan in Denver is Xfinity's Connect plan, which provides 75Mbps for $20 per month. Quantum Fiber's gigabit plan ($75 a month) offers solid affordability at just under 8 cents per Mbps if you consider value. While other providers might have cheaper plans, none in the Denver metro area offers a better value. 

Show more

Which provider has the best internet service in Denver?

We say it all the time, but it's true -- the best internet service depends on what's available at your address. When considering the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metro area, you might lean towards Xfinity since it's the most widely available and offers the greatest variety of plan options. For residents who are serviceable for Quantum Fiber (particularly its affordable gigabit plan), that provider will likely win your vote as "Denver's best."

Show more

Are there fiber internet providers in Denver?

Yes. Quantum Fiber provides the area's majority of fiber coverage, although somewhat confusingly, as some in the area might be used to seeing the CenturyLink brand, which belongs to the same company. Muddying the waters even further, CenturyLink service in the Denver metro area is no longer fiber -- it's the much slower and less reliable DSL. Xfinity's Gigabit Pro plan is a 100% fiber option but has very limited availability. Although Google Fiber has a presence in the city, it's not the company's fiber-optic service but a fixed-wireless option called Google Fiber Webpass. Finally, Ting Internet has a fiber internet offering, but it's unavailable within city limits, only in Centennial, just south of the city. 

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Enter your address to view what's available near you
Why do we ask for your address?
We ask for your address to help pinpoint which providers and plans are available in your area.
Prefer to speak with an expert live? Call (833) 875-4492 for availability in your area.