CNET’s pick for the best internet service provider in Pittsburgh is Verizon Fios. The fiber provider earned the top spot thanks to its fast speeds and widespread coverage in the area. If you’re outside the coverage area of Verizon Fios or looking for a cheaper option, consider Xfinity and T-Mobile Home Internet. Xfinity offers the cheapest internet in Pittsburgh, starting at $40 per month.
When reviewing internet service providers, CNET considers speed, pricing, customer service and value. We check availability at local addresses, review service terms and confirm details with ISPs when needed to offer you the complete picture. You can learn more about our testing process on our methodology page. Plans and speeds can vary by location, so we recommend entering your address on the provider’s website to see your options.
Top internet providers in Pittsburgh
There are three main options when it comes to internet in Pittsburgh: Verizon Fios, Xfinity or T-Mobile Home Internet. The only other ISPs available in the city are Verizon 5G Home Internet (not very widely available) and satellite providers (not very good).
Pittsburgh internet providers compared
Provider Internet technologyMonthly price rangeSpeed rangeMonthly equipment costsData capContractCNET review score Xfinity
Read full review Cable$40-$100400-2,100Mbps$15 (optional)NoneOptional7 T-Mobile Home Internet
Read full review Fixed wireless$50-$70 ($35-$55 with eligible mobile plans)87-415MbpsNoneNoneNone7.4 Verizon Fios
Read full review Fiber$50-$90300-1,000MbpsNoneNoneNone7.6 Verizon 5G Home Internet
Read full review Fixed wireless$50-$70 ($35-$55 with eligible phone plan)50-1,000MbpsNoneNoneNone7.2
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Other available Pittsburgh residential internet providers
There aren’t a lot of other options for internet in Pittsburgh aside from the three providers highlighted above. Here are all the other ISPs that operate in the city:
- Satellite internet: No matter where you live in the country, satellite internet is always an option — it’s just not a very good one. HughesNet and Viasat have slow speeds, stingy data caps and high costs, but they’re available everywhere in Pittsburgh. Starlink will get you faster speeds and lower latency, but it’s even more expensive: You’ll have to shell out $149 for equipment, and plans start at $120 per month.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Like T-Mobile Home Internet, Verizon utilizes its vast 5G network to offer wireless internet plans. It isn’t very widely available in Pittsburgh, but it’s worth a look if you’re hitting dead ends elsewhere.
Pricing info on Pittsburgh home internet service
Pittsburgh has five internet plans starting at $50 or less, which is on par with nearby Cleveland, Columbus and Philadelphia. Xfinity’s $30 per month plan is one of the cheapest you’ll find anywhere in the country, but it’s only temporary — the price jumps to $93 after a year. T-Mobile’s and Verizon’s introductory plans aren’t quite as affordable at $50 a month, but the price is locked in with both for at least two years.
Cheap internet options in Pittsburgh
Provider Starting priceMax download speedMonthly equipment feeContract Xfinity Connect More
Read full review $40 ($83 after one year)400Mbps$15 (optional)None Xfinity Fast
Read full review $45 ($98 after one year)600Mbps$15 (optional)None T-Mobile Home Internet
Read full review $50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans)318MbpsNoneNone Verizon 5G Home Internet
Read full review $50 ($35 with eligible phone plan)300MbpsNoneNone Verizon Fios
Read full review $50300MbpsNoneNone
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data
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How fast is Pittsburgh broadband?
Three gig-speed plans are available in Pittsburgh, which is comparable to other cities of its size. According to Ookla speed test data, Pittsburgh ranks 73rd out of the 100 most populated cities in the US in terms of average internet speed. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) Residents receive 215Mbps download and 52Mbps upload speeds on average, compared with 253/39Mbps for the country as a whole. Verizon Fios is the fastest provider in the city, with average download speeds of 234Mbps.
Fastest internet plans in Pittsburgh
Provider Max download speedMax upload speedStarting priceData capContract Xfinity Gigabit X2
Read full review 2,100Mbps300Mbps$90 ($116 after one year)NoneOptional Xfinity Gigabit
Read full review 1,300Mbps300Mbps$50 ($108 after two years)NoneOptional Verizon Fios 1 Gig
Read full review 940Mbps880Mbps$90NoneNone
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data
What’s the final word on internet providers in Pittsburgh?
No matter where you live in Pittsburgh, you should have access to a few good internet providers. Verizon Fios is the best of the bunch. It gives you symmetrical upload and download speeds, doesn’t charge extra for equipment, and you won’t have to worry about your price increasing after one year. Xfinity provides fast download speeds, but upload speeds are extremely low, and the price increases dramatically after one to three years on all plans. T-Mobile is an affordable backup option, but homes with more than a few people might need more bandwidth.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Pittsburgh
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike with the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites 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’re considering every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. To evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service, we look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet providers in Pittsburgh FAQ
What is the best internet service provider in Pittsburgh?
Verizon Fios is the best internet provider in Pittsburgh. It gets you symmetrical speeds up to 2,000Mbps and unlimited data, and equipment is included in the price. Xfinity is available almost everywhere in the city, but its low upload speeds and price increases make it less appealing. T-Mobile Home Internet is another good backup, with download speeds up to 415Mbps and no data caps.
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Is fiber internet available in Pittsburgh?
Yes, fiber internet is available in Pittsburgh. Verizon Fios offers three fiber internet plans in the city with speeds up to 1,000Mbps and unlimited data.
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Who is the cheapest internet provider in Pittsburgh?
Xfinity is the cheapest internet provider in Pittsburgh, with starting prices of $40 per month for 400/100Mbps speeds. That said, the price for that plan increases to $83 per month after one year. Verizon Fios and T-Mobile both offer starting monthly prices of $50, but with additional discounts for eligible mobile customers.
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Which internet provider in Pittsburgh offers the fastest plan?
Xfinity offers the fastest plan in Pittsburgh, topping out at 2,100Mbps. However, Verizon Fios has faster upload speeds as a fiber provider with its 2,000Mbps plan.
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