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Best internet provider for customer care
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Searching for an internet provider is often a painstaking, teeth-grinding process. I’ve been working the broadband beat for over six years and know the task can be daunting if you don’t know where to start. But we’ve done the work for you by gathering our top broadband picks based on pricing, speeds, service terms and internet connection types. Here’s everything you need to know to find the best internet provider for your home.
What’s the best internet provider overall?
Verizon Fios and AT&T Fiber are two providers that stand out as the best internet service providers overall.Those in the Northeast will have a tough time finding a better ISP than Verizon Fios, while many in the South and Midwest will find AT&T Fiber the best option. As we often say in our ISP reviews, fiber internet almost always trumps other internet connection types. Don’t hesitate to sign up if you can get fiber broadband at your address for a reasonable price.
AT&T Fiber and Verizon Fios are two of our top ISPs.
There are times when cable internet, like that of Xfinity, Spectrum and Cox, is the best option. Cable is often a solid choice for cheap internet, which could be important because a recent CNET survey showed that 63% of adults paid more for internet service last year than they did the year prior. Cable can also be a fine option if you’re interested in bundling internet and TV, or internet and mobile. Cable internet boasts the highest availability of any non-satellite connection type, often making it the best option if there are no fiber providers in your area. Let’s look at which internet providers made CNET’s cut.
CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service providers 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 closely read providers’ terms and conditions and, when needed, 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 plan charts display the offerings most common to most areas. 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 providers in the US
Speed range
300 – 5,000 Mbps
Price range
$55 – $250 per month
Our take – It’s not the cheapest internet provider, but in terms of overall value, AT&T Fiber is one of the best. Considering cost-per-Mbps, which is a way of comparing apples to apples, AT&T Fiber is one of the top values out there. Free equipment rental, unlimited data and no set price increases add to the provider’s overall appeal.
Or call to learn more:
(833) 579-0031
Speed range
300 – 5,000 Mbps
Price range
$55 – $250 per month
AT&T Fiber plans and prices
PlanStarting monthly priceMax speedsMonthly equipment feeData capContract AT&T Fiber 300
Read full review $55300Mbps download and uploadNoneNoneNone AT&T Fiber 500
Read full review $65500Mbps download and uploadNoneNoneNone AT&T Fiber 1000
Read full review $801Gbps download and uploadNoneNoneNone AT&T Fiber 2000
Read full review $1452Gbps download and uploadNoneNoneNone AT&T Fiber 5000
Read full review $2455Gbps download and uploadNoneNoneNone
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet plans and prices
Plan Monthly priceMax speedsFees and service details T-Mobile Rely InternetRead full review $50 ($35 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max customers)87-318Mbps download, 14-56Mbps uploadNo equipment fees, data caps or contracts. Taxes and fees included in price. T-Mobile Amplified Internet
Read full review $60 ($45 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max customers)133-415Mbps download, 12-55Mbps uploadNo equipment fees, data caps or contracts. Taxes and fees included in price. T-Mobile All-In Internet
Read full review $70 ($55 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max customers)133-415Mbps download, 12-55Mbps uploadNo equipment fees, data caps or contracts. Taxes and fees included in price.
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Speed range
500 – 1,000 Mbps
Price range
$50 – $80 per month
Our take – Fiber offers the most bang for your buck, but a cable connection is the next best thing if fiber isn’t an option. Spectrum is the provider offering cable internet service in the country that I’d be happiest to see available at my address.
Or call to learn more:
(877) 508-6169
Speed range
500 – 1,000 Mbps
Price range
$50 – $80 per month
Spectrum plans and prices
PlanStarting monthly priceMax speedsMonthly equipment feeData capContract Spectrum 500 Internet
Read full review $50500Mbps download, 20Mbps uploadModem free; $10 for router (optional)NoneNone Spectrum Gig Internet
Read full review $701,000Mbps download, 35Mbps uploadModem and router freeNoneNone
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Speed range
300 – 2,000 Mbps
Price range
$50 – $120 per month
Our take – Verizon lands near the top of 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.
Or call to learn more:
(888) 461-3204
Speed range
300 – 2,000 Mbps
Price range
$50 – $120 per month
Verizon Fios plans and prices
PlanMax speedsStarting monthly priceMonthly equipment feeData capContract Fios 300 300Mbps download, 300Mbps upload$50NoneNoneNone Fios 500 500Mbps download, 500Mbps upload$75NoneNoneNone Fios 1 Gig 940Mbps download, 880Mbps upload$90NoneNoneNone Fios 2 Gig 2,300Mbps download, 1,500Mbps upload$110NoneNoneNone
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Speed range
100 – 1,200 Mbps
Price range
$20 – $95 per month
Our take – WideOpenWest is a relatively small provider that offers services in six states. 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 300Mbps plan that starts at $30 per month, reaching all the way up to a high-speed 1,200Mbps plan at $95 monthly. That’s a stellar cost per Mbps of just 8 cents, which is unheard of in the cable category. In some areas, for an extra $5 a month, WOW offers price-lock to your chosen plan to protect against sudden price increases.
Or call to learn more:
(866) 671-3650
Speed range
100 – 1,200 Mbps
Price range
$20 – $95 per month
WOW Internet plans and prices
PlanStarting monthly priceMax speedsMonthly equipment feeData CapContract WOW Internet 300
Read full review $30300Mbps download, 20 Mbps uploadNoneNoneNone WOW Internet 600
Read full review $45600Mbps download, 50 Mbps uploadNoneNoneNone WOW Internet 1 Gig
Read full review $601,000Mbps download, 50 Mbps uploadNoneNoneNone WOW Internet 1.2 Gigs
Read full review $951,200Mbps download, 50 Mbps uploadNoneNoneNone
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
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Honorable mentions
Speed range
200 – 8,000 Mbps
Price range
$45 – $165 per month
Our take – CenturyLink offers DSL internet plans across 16 states, but roughly half of the coverage map also has access to its sibling company’s fiber plans, branded as Quantum Fiber. Overall, the plans offer decent cost per Mbps, with the entry-level plan starting at $50 monthly for matching upload and download speeds of 500Mbps (10 cents per Mbps), all the way up to $165 a month for 8 gigabits with matching speeds of 8,000Mbps. There are no data caps or contracts with those plans, and, best of all, the ISP offers a price-for-life guarantee, pledging to never raise your rate for as long as you keep your plan.
Or call to learn more:
(866) 671-3650
Speed range
200 – 8,000 Mbps
Price range
$45 – $165 per month
Quantum Fiber plans and prices
PlanStarting monthly priceMax speedsMonthly equipment feeData capContract Quantum Fiber 500 $50500Mbps download, 500Mbps uploadNoneNoneNoneQuantum Fiber 940 $75940Mbps download, 940Mbps uploadNoneNoneNoneQuantum Fiber 2 Gig $952,000Mbps download, 1,000Mbps uploadNoneNoneNoneQuantum Fiber 3 Gig $1003,000Mbps download, 3,000Mbps uploadNoneNoneNoneQuantum Fiber 8 Gig $1658,000Mbps download, 3,000Mbps uploadNoneNoneNone
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Connection
Fixed wireless
Price range
$45 – $65 per month
Our take – 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.
Or call to learn more:
(866) 671-3650
Connection
Fixed wireless
Price range
$45 – $65 per month
Rise Broadband plans and prices
PlanStarting monthly priceMax speedsMonthly equipment feeData capContract Rise Broadband 50
Read full review $5550Mbps download, 5Mbps upload$10 modem; $15 router (optional)NoneNone, but required for some promotions Rise Broadband 100Mbps
Read full review $75100Mbps download, 15Mbps upload$10 modem; $15 router (optional)NoneNone, but required for some promotions Rise Broadband Fiber 300
Read full review $60300Mbps download, 300Mbps upload$5 router (optional)NoneNone, but required for some promotions Rise Broadband Fiber 500
Read full review $80500Mbps download, 500Mbps upload$5 router (optional)NoneNone, but required for some promotions Rise Broadband Fiber 1000
Read full review $851Gbps download and upload$5 router (optional)NoneNone, but required for some promotions
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Speed range
150 – 2,000 Mbps
Price range
$19 – $95 per month
Our take – 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 download speeds of up to 2,000Mbps, that are available across the majority of the sprawling coverage map. In addition, Xfinity consistently earns above-average customer satisfaction scores too.
Or call to learn more:
(877) 587-0411
Speed range
150 – 2,000 Mbps
Price range
$19 – $95 per month
Xfinity plans and prices (one-year term)
PlanMonthly priceMax speedsFees and service details Connect More $40 ($83 after 12 months)400Mbps download, 150Mbps uploadEquipment and unlimited data free for 1 year; $15 gateway rental after 12 monthsFast $45 ($98 after 12 months)600Mbps download, 150Mbps uploadEquipment and unlimited data free for 1 year; $15 gateway rental after 12 monthsGigabit $50 ($108 after 12 months)1,100Mbps download, 300Mbps uploadEquipment and unlimited data free for 1 year; $15 gateway rental after 12 monthsGigabit Extra $70 ($113 after 12 months)1,300Mbps download, 300Mbps uploadEquipment and unlimited data free for 1 year; $15 gateway rental after 12 monthsGigabit X2 $90 ($116 after 12 months)2,000Mbps download, 300Mbps uploadEquipment and unlimited data free for 1 year; $15 gateway rental after 12 monthsGigabit Pro (fiber) $30010,000Mbps download, 10,000Mbps upload$20 gateway rental (required), unlimited data, 2-year contract
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Speed range
1,000 – 8,000 Mbps
Price range
$70 – $150 per month
Our take – 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 an interesting ride ever since. After initially rolling out across 11 metro areas, Google struggled to build the service beyond that. It paused its efforts in 2016, leaving disappointment across dozens of cities where the company had teased prospects for future fiber expansions.
Or call to learn more:
(855) 500-4211
Speed range
1,000 – 8,000 Mbps
Price range
$70 – $150 per month
Google Fiber plans and prices
PlanStarting monthly priceMax speedsMonthly equipment feeData capContract Google Fiber 1 Gig
Read full review $701Gbps download and uploadNoneNoneNone Google Fiber 2 Gig
Read full review $1002Gbps download, 1Gbps uploadNoneNoneNone Google Fiber 5 Gig
Read full review $1255Gbps download and uploadNoneNoneNone Google Fiber 8 Gig
Read full review $1508Gbps download and uploadNoneNoneNone Google Webpass
Read full review $70 ($63 with a yearly plan)1Gbps download and uploadNoneNoneNone
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Speed range
12 – 150 Mbps
Price range
$70 – $300 per month
Our take – Satellite internet is typically slow, laggy and temperamental in inclement weather, so I’d explore other options if you’ve got them. That’s the issue; too many of us don’t have other options, and satellite internet from established names like Viasat and Hughesnet are available just about everywhere.
Or call to learn more:
(866) 671-3650
Speed range
12 – 150 Mbps
Price range
$70 – $300 per month
Viasat plans and prices
PlanStarting monthly priceMax speedsMonthly equipment feeData capContract Viasat Unleashed
Read full review $100-$150Up to 150Mbps, 3Mbps upload$15 or $250 one-time purchaseNone (850GB soft cap)None
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Speed range
100 – 50,000 Mbps
Price range
$20 – $900 per month
Our take – Ziply Fiber is a relative newcomer to the fiber scene after acquiring fiber-optic infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest from Frontier. The service launched in 2020 amid the pandemic, offering relatively affordable fiber plans to customers across parts of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
Or call to learn more:
(866) 671-3650
Speed range
100 – 50,000 Mbps
Price range
$20 – $900 per month
Ziply Fiber plans and prices
PlanStarting monthly priceMax speedsMonthly equipment feeData capContract Ziply Internet (DSL) $751-115Mbps download, 7Mbps upload$15 router (optional)NoneNoneZiply Fiber 100/100 $10 ($20 after three months)100Mbps download and upload$15 router (optional)NoneNoneZiply Fiber 300/300 $30300Mbps download and upload$15 router (optional)NoneNoneZiply Fiber Gig $501Gbps download and upload$15 router (optional)NoneNoneZiply Fiber 2 Gig $602Gbps download and upload$15 router (optional)NoneNoneZiply Fiber 5 Gig $805Gbps download and upload$15 router (optional)NoneNoneZiply Fiber 10 Gig $30010Gbps download and upload$15 router (optional)NoneNoneZiply Fiber 50 Gig $90050Gbps download and uploadNoneNoneNone
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Broadband providers compared
The broadband beat keeps our team busy, but we’ll continue evaluating internet providers and updating this post as new options emerge. Please note that the plans below show each provider’s cheapest available tier. The maximum speed is the top advertised speed for that given plan, but it might not be available in your area. Overall, the best selection for you — and the most cost-effective plan — might be a different tier that provides a faster speed at a higher price but a better value. To more fully understand this value-based approach, check out CNET’s guide to examining the cost per Mbps.
PlanStarting priceMax download speedCost per MbpsEquipment fee Altafiber Fioptics 100 $35100Mbps35 centsNone Armstrong Zoom Express
Read full review $3525Mbps$1.40$11 (optional) Astound Broadband 300
Read full review $20300Mbps7 centsNone AT&T Fiber 300
Read full review $55300Mbps18 centsNone AT&T Internet Air
Read full review $60 ($47 with an eligible AT&T wireless plan) 225Mbps27 centsNoneBrightspeed Fiber 200 $39200Mbps19 centsNone CenturyLink Simply Unlimited
Read full review $55100Mbps55 cents$15 (optional)Cox Go Faster Internet $50250Mbps50 cents$15 (optional) Earthlink Fiber 100
Read full review $40100Mbps40 cents$10-$15 Frontier Fiber 200
Read full review $30200Mbps15 centsNoneGoNetspeed 500 $40500Mbps8 cents$10 (optional) Google Fiber 1 Gig
Read full review $701,000Mbps7 centsNone Hughesnet Select
Read full review $5050Mbps$1$15 monthly or $300 one-time purchaseKinetic Fiber 300 $50300Mbps16 cents$11 (optional) Mediacom Xtream Internet 250
Read full review $20250Mbps8 cents$14 (optional) Metronet 150
Read full review $35150Mbps23 centsNone Nomad Unlimited
Read full review $100100Mbps$1None Optimum 300
Read full review $40300Mbps13 centsNonePoint Broadband Performance Plus $59300Mbps13 cents$14 (optional, free in select locations)Quantum Fiber 500 $50500Mbps10 centsNone Rise Broadband 50
Read full review $5550Mbps$1.10$10 modem; $15-25 router (optional) Sparklight Connect 100
Read full review $40100Mbps40 cents$15 Spectrum Internet
Read full review $50500Mbps10 centsModem free; $10 for router (optional) Starlink Standard
Read full review $120150Mbps$1.20$349 one-time purchase Starry Internet 200
Read full review $40200Mbps20 centsNone T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Unlimited
Read full review $50245Mbps20 centsNone Verizon 5G Home Internet
Read full review $50300Mbps17 centsNone Verizon Fios 300
Read full review $50300Mbps17 centsNone Viasat Unleashed
Read full review $100150Mbps66 cents$15 or $250 one-time purchase WOW Internet 300
Read full review $30300Mbps10 centsNone Xfinity Connect More
Read full review $40400Mbps10 centsNoneZiply Fiber 100/100 $10 in the first three months, $20 after100Mbps20 cents$15 (optional)
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to choose the best internet service provider for your home
Finding the right ISP for your household isn’t easy. This is especially true if you live in a rural or underserved portion of the US. We recommend carefully considering your household’s activities so you can better determine the download and upload speeds necessary to meet your needs. With that knowledge, you can better tackle plan pricing that will fit your budget and broadband demands.
For more comprehensive tips on finding the top internet plan for your household, check out CNET’s 10 tips to help you get the most out of your internet service.
Download and upload speeds
For most of us, our internet use mainly focuses on our download speeds. Your download speed determines how easily you can stream the latest hit Netflix show or how fast you can load your favorite Amazon shopping page. The slower your download speeds, the longer it takes to do tasks on the internet. For example, Netflix suggests 15Mbps or higher to watch programming in ultra HD (to take full advantage of that 4K TV you bought).
As for uploads, most of us couldn’t care less about our upload speeds before the pandemic. Once we started excessively video chatting with friends and family, taking Zoom calls with business colleagues and sending files and homework to our bosses and teachers, we discovered its importance too.
Considering what types of activities dominate your household will affect what level of download speed you’ll need. Do you work remotely from home? Are you living in a household full of kids with their own devices? Have you recently downsized and are an empty nester? Take stock of how many devices are in your home and what kind of internet users you have. You can refer to our internet speed guide for a quick explainer on determining what speeds you may need.
Plan pricing
At first glance, you might think it’s easy to spot good plan pricing. The cheaper the monthly fee, the better the price, right? Maybe. Because internet providers are not the most transparent (a Consumer Reports broadband study noted that customers found internet bills to be “extremely confusing”), one low monthly rate might not equal the next.
Keep an eye out for promo rates that expire quickly. Most enticing, low starting prices won’t last, and you may pay more for low speeds in the long term. Also, look for hidden fees and/or pricing traps that may add to your monthly expenses. For example, some providers don’t include equipment rentals in their monthly rates. That could add another $5 to $15 to your monthly bill.
Lastly, one good way to determine value is by examining the cost per Mbps. You might find a 75Mbps plan for $20 monthly from one provider and a 250Mbps plan for $30 monthly from another. Before you sign up for that $20 plan, consider that the cost per Mbps is just under 27 cents. The 250Mbps plan, on the other hand, chimes in at 12 cents per Mbps, so it’s a better value — more than 50% cheaper per Mbps — and you get more than three times the download speed.
Customer satisfaction
Just as you might search the internet for recommendations on a good local restaurant, it can be helpful to research customers’ experiences with an ISP before you sign up. CNET has found it helpful to lean on the annual ISP surveys from the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, but many resources are available. Learning about constant network interruptions, a negligent help desk or frequent billing mistakes can be valuable info for choosing (or avoiding) certain providers.
Internet connection types
There are six major types of internet available: fiber, cable, 5G, fixed wireless, DSL and satellite. Each of these internet technologies provides different quirks and benefits. Our CNET experts share their experiences with each internet connection type to better illustrate some differences.
Fiber
Fiber internet is the gold standard if you can get it. It’s often called “future-proof,” meaning that it offers some of the fastest plans available and features symmetrical download and upload speeds. It’s more reliable than cable and is less prone to outages or network congestion. AT&T, Google and Verizon are among the major players that offer fiber-optic internet, but unfortunately, fiber internet is one of the least available internet connection types in the country. To learn whether this connection is right for your household, read our explainer on fiber internet.
Cable
Cable internet supplies your internet connection through the same cables (often a hybrid fiber and copper line) that providers use for TV services. It’s more reliable than satellite internet and offers faster download speeds. Often, cable internet is bundled with TV to get consumers to buy higher-priced packages to get a deal on internet service. Companies like Cox, Spectrum and Xfinity offer cable internet for competitive prices.
5G home internet/Fixed wireless
5G home internet and fixed wireless go hand-in-hand: 5G home internet services are fixed wireless internet services. Not all fixed wireless services are 5G home internet offerings. Fixed wireless service means the connection between your provider and home is not wired. That fixed wireless connection can come via cellular networks or satellite. Fixed wireless networks tend to be slower and more laggy than wired connections. You’re also subject to network congestion and speed throttling during peak usage hours. The promise of 5G home internet from companies like Starry, T-Mobile and Verizon is speeds that match up favorably to cable connections. Is it there yet? Not quite, but my CNET colleague is optimistic about 5G home internet’s potential.
DSL
DSL, or digital subscriber line, uses telephone lines to provide internet connectivity to users. Companies like AT&T, CenturyLink and Frontier offer DSL internet. The good news is those copper lines are prevalent across the country. The not-so-good news is that download speeds fall short of what cable internet can offer. In some cases, your speeds might even be slower than satellite internet.
Satellite
Satellite internet is the one broadband connection type currently available to people in the rural areas of all 50 states. As a solid alternative for those without access to DSL, cable or fiber internet, satellite internet links a modem in your home to a satellite in space, sending the internet back to Earth. Typically, satellite internet features slower speeds — though Starlink has certainly disrupted expectations for satellite internet and raised the bar way up. Note that, like 5G home internet and other fixed wireless offerings, satellite internet is subject to network congestion and speed throttling.
How CNET chose the best internet providers
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 pricing, availability and speed database 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?
The answers to those questions are often layered and complex, but the providers that 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. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on the best internet providers?
Finding the right ISP is easier said than done, especially if you live in a rural part of the country with limited options for getting online. Fiber internet is almost always the best internet connection type, but we recognize that many Americans don’t currently have access to fiber internet.
Some providers we listed might not be the perfect fit for your situation. Often, the best provider is simply the one available at your address. We recommend carefully considering your household’s activities so you can better determine your broadband demands.
Best internet providers FAQ
What’s the cheapest way to get internet?
What’s the fastest internet provider?
The good news is that gigabit plans are now common and offered by almost all major ISPs. As we often say, the fastest internet service for you will depend on your location and specific address. Xfinity and Optimum often extend the fastest plans available for residential homes, with a 10,000Mbps and an 8,000Mbps plan, respectively. Those aren’t as widely available and may require a site survey to ensure serviceability.
In 2022, a Chattanooga, Tennessee, provider announced it was offering a 25Gbps plan. Although that’s impressive, Ziply Fiber subsequently released a 50-gigabit plan. That’s ridiculously fast and pretty cool, though you probably don’t need that much speed in your household. To avoid paying for speeds you don’t need, read our guide on how much speed your household needs.
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What is the most powerful internet company?
If fast is what you’re looking for, Ziply Fiber has two of the fastest internet plans of any major ISP, with advertised symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 10,000Mbps and 50,000Mbps. If you’re more interested in customer care and value, Verizon offers the best sign-up bonuses among high-speed internet providers.
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What provider has the best Wi-Fi coverage?
Since internet providers tend to operate in specific areas, the provider with the best Wi-Fi coverage will depend on where you live. Currently, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is available in 49 states and has 65% nationwide coverage.
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What internet speed do I 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 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 compared to letting the pros handle it.
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Tier 1 internet providers have direct access to the network, letting them offer services directly to customers without relying on other providers. A few Tier 1 ISPs include AT&T, Verizon and CenturyLink, which all have extensive networks and complete control of their network and routing.
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How many ISPs are there in the US?
Approximately 2,000 ISPs operate in the US, including national, regional and local providers. Some offer nationwide coverage, but others cater to specific areas or communities.
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Which internet service providers offer bundles?
If you’re considering home internet and TV service, bundling can save you time and money. Companies like AT&T, Cox Communications and Frontier offer internet and television packages, but you can read more at CNET’s list of the best internet and TV bundles and or internet and mobile bundles. Other providers like Astound, Spectrum, T-Mobile and Verizon may offer to bundle your internet with a mobile plan.
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