The best internet service providers
We combed through the fine print to help you compare the speed, pricing and customer service from the internet providers in your area.
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Best internet providers of 2021
At Allconnect, we work to present quality information with editorial integrity. While this page may contain offers from our partners, our opinions are our own. Here’s how we make money.
Many Americans don’t have a whole lot of choice in their internet — around 1 in 4 can only access broadband through one provider — so most of us just go with whichever provider is in our area. But if you’re lucky enough to have options, we’ve analyzed all the nationwide players, comparing speeds, customer service ratings and pricing to discover which deserve the title of best internet providers.
Top 8 recommended internet providers of 2021
- AT&T – Best fiber optic speeds
- CenturyLink – Most affordable plans
- Cox – Best TV and internet bundles
- Frontier – Best for no hidden fees
- HughesNet – Best satellite provider
- Spectrum – Fast speeds and low fees
- Verizon Fios – Best provider overall
- Xfinity – Best cable internet provider
AT&T
Best fiber optic speeds
AT&T Fiber has the fastest average speeds of any provider. But if you can only get AT&T’s DSL service, speeds will be much slower.
Learn moreDownload speeds
Monthly price range*
Technology
Contract
Data cap
CenturyLink
Most affordable plans
Almost all of CenturyLink’s plans cost just $49/mo.*, and you won’t have to worry about your bill going up unexpectedly.
Learn moreDownload speeds
Monthly price range*
Technology
Contract
Data cap
Cox
Best TV and internet bundles
Cox makes bundling internet and TV rewarding by extending deep discounts, up to $50/mo. or more, off the total price.
Learn moreDownload speeds
Monthly price range*
Technology
Contract
Data cap
Frontier FiberOptic
Best for no hidden fees
No contracts, no hidden fees and internet equipment included means less surprises on your bill.
Learn moreDownload speeds
Monthly price range*
Technology
Contract
Data cap
HughesNet
Best satellite internet provider
HughesNet fills the broadband gap in many areas where cable, DSL and fiber-optic internet providers do not reach.
Learn moreDownload speeds
Monthly price range*
Technology
Contract
Data cap
Spectrum
Fast speeds and low fees
Spectrum internet plans start at a generous 200 Mbps, and your router rental fee is just $5/mo. extra.
Learn moreDownload speeds
Monthly price range*
Technology
Contract
Data cap
Verizon Fios
Best provider overall
Verizon’s fiber optic service offers the best combination of speed and price, and unlike most providers, the price doesn’t increase after the first year.
Learn moreDownload speeds
Monthly price range*
Technology
Contract
Data cap
Xfinity
Best cable internet provider
If you can’t get fiber internet in your area, Xfinity is the next best option. Its cable service can reach speeds of 2,000 Mbps and you’ll get a year of Peacock Premium for free.
Learn moreDownload speeds
Monthly price range*
Technology
Contract
Data cap
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of 07/09/21.
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Internet shopping tips from our experts
How much should I pay for internet? What’s a good internet speed? After 20+ years of helping people find the best internet service for their homes, we’ve become experts at answering internet questions like these and ones you may not know you had.
Internet 101 ![]()
Don’t know a bit from a byte? We cut through the jargon to help you understand what kind of plan you actually need. Learn the internet terms you’ve always wondered about, what’s considered a good speed and the difference between upload and download speeds.
Find your speed ![]()
Speed is one of the most important considerations when choosing an internet service. Discover what speeds you need and take our speed test to see what you’re currently getting.
Avoid overpaying ![]()
Finding affordable internet goes beyond comparing plan pricing. Look for hidden fees, price increases and data caps and cancelling service to get an idea of the true cost of internet. Also, be mindful of ways you can save, like switching providers or buying your own modem and router.
Optimize your service ![]()
Make the most of your internet connection. We’ll show you how to prevent internet security threats, troubleshoot common problems and connect your TV to Wi-Fi.
Compare the best service providers for home internet
Comparing providers head-to-head is one of the best ways to avoid overpaying for internet service or signing up for a plan that doesn’t fit your needs. Not all providers will be available in your area, but you can use this list to see how the largest ones compare to what’s available near you.
| Provider | Monthly price range* | Download speed range |
| AT&T | $35.00-$60.00 | 10-940 Mbps |
| CenturyLink | $49.00-$65.00 | 1-940 Mbps |
| Cox | $29.99-$99.99 | 10-940 Mbps |
| Frontier FiberOptic | $49.99-$79.99 | 50-940 Mbps |
| HughesNet | $39.99-$139.99 | 25 Mbps |
| Mediacom | $19.99-$69.99 | 60-1,000 Mbps |
| Optimum | $35.00-$55.00 | 300-940 Mbps |
| RCN | $19.99-$59.99 | 10-1,000 Mbps |
| Spectrum | $49.99-$109.99 | 200-940 Mbps |
| Starry Internet | $50.00 | 100-200 Mbps |
| Suddenlink | $30.00-$70.00 | 200-940 Mbps |
| Verizon Fios | $39.99-$79.99 | 200-940 Mbps |
| Viasat | $69.99-$149.99 | 12-30 Mbps |
| Kinetic by Windstream | $37.00-$67.00 | 15-1,000 Mbps |
| WOW! | $29.99-$64.99 | 100-1,000 Mbps |
| Xfinity | $25.00-$299.99 | 25-2,000 Mbps |
| Ziply Fiber | $40.00-$60.00 | 100-1,000 Mbps |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of 07/09/21.
For a more in-depth view, compare our most popular providers
How to choose the best home internet service
Chances are, you don’t have a ton of providers to choose from when picking internet service. But even if you’re picking from a small pool, there are still a ton of questions you have to answer to make the best decision. Here’s what you should consider:
- Decide how much speed you need. The average household in the U.S. gets around 200 Mbps of download speed, but many people can get by with less.
- See what’s available in your area. If fiber optic internet is available in your area, it will almost always give you the fastest, most reliable speeds for the best value. If you can’t get fiber, your next best option is cable internet, but DSL may be a better choice if you’re looking for the cheapest plans. Lastly, satellite is a common go-to internet service in rural areas where fiber and cable are not available. Residents of rural areas may want to consider fixed wireless providers since they often have lower latency and higher data allowances than satellite providers.
- Read the fine print. Almost all providers charge extra fees for equipment rental and installation, but many also raise prices after the first year. It’s also worth comparing data caps and contracts between providers.
- Consider buying your own equipment. Most providers charge $10-15/mo. for equipment, but you can almost always use your own to avoid that fee. Buying your own modem and router typically costs around $100.
- Look at promotions for new customers. You can often find perks like rewards cards or free streaming subscriptions when you activate service. Factor in the dollar value for these extras before you make your final decision.
Internet technology types
Not all internet connections are the same. Each internet type and provider presents specific advantages and potential disadvantages.
Cable
Cable providers![]()
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Available to 89% of U.S. households and can offer gigabit speeds.
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Low upload speeds and slowed speeds during peak usage times can be an issue.
DSL
DSL providers![]()
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DSL availability spans 89% of the U.S. and is known for relatively cheap plans.
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Available speeds max out at around 100 Mbps with DSL service.
Fiber
Fiber providers![]()
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With fast and reliable download and upload speeds, fiber is a popular internet choice.
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Fiber is unfortunately one of the least available internet types, covering only 40% of the U.S.
Satellite
Satellite providers![]()
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Available throughout all 50 states, satellite internet is ideal for rural areas.
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Plans are likely to come with low data allowances and high latency.
Fixed wireless
Wireless providers![]()
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Fixed wireless is also ideal for rural areas and does not have the high latency of satellite internet.
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Low speeds and data caps are downsides of fixed wireless internet.
5G
5G providers![]()
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Fast speeds and high availability make 5G Home Internet comparable to cable and fiber.
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5G Home Internet isn’t compatible with all devices, and walls or other barriers can block signals.
Internet provider FAQs
Is Allconnect an internet provider? ![]()
No. We don’t provide internet service ourselves, but we connect you with the providers that are available in your area.
Why should I get home internet service? ![]()
Some people can get by using only their cellphone plan for internet, but most of us require a stronger home internet connection. These plans have speeds up to 1,000 Mbps, so you can connect dozens of devices around your home without worrying about buffering or glitchy video calls. If you’re going to be working or learning from home, streaming HD video or gaming online, a home internet connection is essential. But if all you’re doing is checking email and scrolling social media on one device at a time, you can probably get by with your cellphone’s data plan.
Why are advertised speeds sometimes different from actual speeds? ![]()
The speed you’re advertised on your internet plan refers to the maximum speeds you can expect, so you’ll often experience slower speeds in practice. This might be fixable through things like better router placement or playing with the settings, but oftentimes it’s out of your control.
Your home internet speeds are at the mercy of what the provider and technology is capable of delivering. This is most common with DSL and satellite internet providers (specifically Viasat), but may be the case with some cable internet providers as well. Allconnect’s internal data found that around 15% of internet users aren’t getting the speeds they’re paying for.
Written by:
Joe SupanSenior Writer, Broadband Content
Joe oversees all things broadband for Allconnect. His work has been referenced by Yahoo!, Lifehacker and more. He has utilized thousands of data points to build a library of metrics to help users navigate these … Read more 
Edited by:
Robin LaytonEditor, Broadband Content
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Related pages
- Best internet deals
- Cable internet
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- Internet connection types
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