Best high speed internet providers
What to look for in high speed internet providers
These days, just about every provider claims to have the fastest internet in the world, with terms like “gigabit” and “high speed” thrown around at will. High-speed internet can refer to a variety of internet speed tiers and is subjective to the speed you need, but on this page, we generally list gigabit and multi-gigabit plans.
The high speed internet plans listed below are a good fit for those who have large households with many simultaneously connected devices, those who participate in bandwidth-heavy activities like gaming, working from home or even streaming on many devices at once and those who simply want the fastest internet speeds available.
Fiber internet providers are almost always the fastest option, but if it’s not available in your area, cable internet can also reach gig and multi-gig speeds in some cases. DSL and satellite internet rarely reach speeds that could be considered “high speed,” but fixed wireless 5G service is quickly becoming another option for fast internet.
Fortunately, just about every major fiber optic or cable internet provider has a gig plan available in most of their service areas. Not all providers and plans listed below are available in all areas.
Fastest internet plans available
Below are some of the fastest internet plans from top national ISPs. While these providers are available in certain areas across the U.S., some regional providers with fast plans may not be included.
| Provider | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Monthly price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber | 8,000 Mbps | 8,000 Mbps | $150.00/mo. |
| AT&T Fiber Internet | 4,700 Mbps | 4,700 Mbps*† | $245.00/mo.*† |
| Verizon Fios | 2,300 Mbps | 1,500 Mbps | $109.99/mo. |
| Frontier Fiber | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | $154.99/mo.** |
| WOW! Internet | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | $185.00/mo. |
| Xfinity | 6,000 Mbps | 6,000 Mbps | $299.95/mo. |
| Ziply Fiber | 10,000 Mbps | 10,000 Mbps | $300.00/mo. |
*Internet speed claims based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. Single device wired speed max 4.7 Gbps. For more information, go to www.att.com/speed101. 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. †Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds & based on wired connection to gateway. 1GIG speeds require the latest router & recommended setup. Actual customer speeds may vary and are not guaranteed. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101. As of 07/12/24.
**Per month w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Max wired speed 5000/5000. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary. One-time charges apply.
How we evaluated high speed internet providers
To find the best high speed internet providers, we focused on four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction.
We gave the most weight to performance, which includes both download and upload speeds. Download speeds are what matter for most internet activities — streaming, browsing social media, downloading files — but upload speeds are also essential for things like Zoom meetings and online gaming.
Each category also contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to impact the provider’s overall score. For each sub-factor, we score all providers on a continuous scale of 1 to 5, relative to the industry as a whole. Because the average download speed in America is currently 180 Mbps, for example, we assigned all plans with download speeds between 100 and 299 Mbps a score between 3 and 4. Xfinity’s 200 Mbps plan received a 3.50 score for download speed, while Spectrum’s 400 Mbps plan got a 4.16.
We only considered standardized data points in our scoring system. More abstract data like consistency of service and brand reputation is still part of our analysis, but we opted to let our writers address them in the context of each review.
High speed internet breakdown
Allconnect Rating
4.50 / 5
Google Fiber: Best overall
Google Fiber is one of the newer internet providers on the block, but it’s already one of the best around. It has four plans available — 1, 2, 5 and 8 Gbps. Each of Google Fiber’s plans offers symmetrical upload and download speeds. The plans do not have a data cap or contract and equipment is included. Google Fiber is not yet widely available across the U.S., but is working to expand its service to new cities.
Google Fiber Customer Reviews:
Allconnect Rating
4.47 / 5
AT&T Fiber: Fastest speeds
If you can get AT&T Fiber in your area, it offers the best high-speed internet plans of any nationwide provider. Plans start at just $55/mo. for 300 Mbps of upload and download speeds — plenty for all but the most connected households. And if you need more bandwidth, AT&T Fiber offers multi-gigabit speed tiers of 2,000 and 5,000 Mbps.
AT&T Customer Reviews:
*Plus, taxes. Autopay & Paperless Bill req’d. †Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds & based on wired connection to gateway. 1GIG speeds require the latest router & recommended setup. Actual customer speeds may vary and are not guaranteed. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.
Allconnect Rating
4.43 / 5
Verizon Fios: Best customer satisfaction
Verizon Fios is another great option for fast fiber internet. Its prices are slightly lower — $49.99/mo. for 300 Mbps compared to AT&T’s $55/mo. for 300 Mbps. If you need more speed, Verizon also has a 1,000 and 2,000 Mbps plan available in select locations. You can also usually take advantage of new customer promotions with Verizon, and you won’t have to sign an annual contract.
Verizon Customer Reviews:
Allconnect Rating
4.16 / 5
Frontier Fiber: Best for gamers
Frontier offers both fiber and DSL internet service. Its fiber service provides superb speeds for a reasonable price. Households with numerous bandwidth-draining devices like game consoles will appreciate the added fast speed of the Gig plan. We like the 500 Mbps plan the best and you won’t have to worry about data caps or equipment fees. Frontier also offers multi-gigabit internet plans with speed tiers of 2 Gbps and 5 Gbps. If you can only get Frontier’s DSL service (called Frontier® Internet) in your area, you’re probably better off searching out a cable provider.
Frontier Customer Reviews:
Allconnect Rating
3.94 / 5
WOW: Cheapest plans
If you want high-speed internet at the lowest price around, it’s hard to beat WOW! Internet. Fiber plans start at just $30.00/mo. for 100 Mbps, which is one of the most affordable rates in the country. Prices increase by $10 to $20 in the second year, but even with that factored in, WOW! is still cheaper than most other providers. If you need more bandwidth, you can go all the way up to 5,000 Mbps of download speed, which is typically the max offered by internet providers. WOW! doesn’t require a contract and also offers a customizable Wi-Fi service.
WideOpenWest (WOW) Customer Reviews:
Allconnect Rating
3.63 / 5
Xfinity: Best for heavy users
If you’re looking for the fastest internet speeds, Xfinity goes up to 6,000 Mbps in some areas. For most households, Xfinity’s 300 Mbps plan is an affordable choice. Because it’s a cable provider, Xfinity’s upload speeds aren’t as fast as fiber optic plans but there are still some high-speed options that are competitive with fiber speeds. You’ll also have to deal with a 1.2TB data cap with Xfinity plans. Keep in mind that Xfinity’s pricing varies by region, so you could end up paying more based on where you live.
Xfinity Customer Reviews:
Other internet providers with high speed options
We listed many of the top high-speed providers by availability above, but it’s possible that other high-speed providers are available at your address. When shopping for high-speed internet, take the time to compare plans from national and local providers available near you.
In some cases, regional providers can be the faster internet option. For example, EPB, a local Chattanooga, TN, fiber optic provider, has a 10 Gbps plan for around the same price as Xfinity’s 2 Gbps plan.
Below are well-known internet providers who may also be available in your area. They offer fast gigabit plans, but they can be pricey. You can save money by buying a plan with speeds that suit your needs, rather than picking the fastest option.
| Provider | High speed plan | Speed | Price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Go Beyond Fast | 2,000 Mbps | $150.00/mo. |
| Centurylink | Fiber Gigabit | Up to 940 Mbps | $75.00/mo. |
| Spectrum | Internet Gig | 1,000 Mbps* | $79.99/mo. |
| Kinetic by Windstream | Kinetic Fiber 2 Gig | 2,000 Mbps | $99.99/mo. |
| Optimum | Fiber 5 Gig | 5,000 Mbps | $180.00/mo. |
*Speed based on wired connection. Available Internet speeds may vary by address. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit spectrum.net/modem.
Tips to speed up your internet connection
For times when your speeds are consistently much slower than your plan’s advertised speeds, consider resetting your modem and router. Also, be sure to check for any unwanted devices on your connection that may be hogging your bandwidth. Wireless internet is also inherently slower than wired, or Ethernet, connections, so don’t be alarmed if your wireless speeds are 50% or less than your plan’s advertised speeds.
Here are some more troubleshooting steps you can take to help boost your Wi-Fi signal:
- Take a speed test to find out what you’re currently getting.
- Update the security settings on your router to cut off bandwidth leeches.
- Optimize your router’s settings.
- Purchase a new wireless router every five years.
- Angle one Wi-Fi antenna up and one to the side.
- Move your wireless router to an elevated, clear spot.
- Add a Wi-Fi extender.
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FAQs on fast internet
Internet plans with advertised speeds of at least 100 Mbps are typically good enough for streaming and gaming over a Wi-Fi connection. But, if you have a smart home with 3 or more internet users, a fast plan would be anything with 300 Mbps and up, with a fiber connection.
China introduced 1.2 terabits per second in internet speed.
The FCC updated the threshold for an internet connection to be considered broadband to 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload.
The fastest internet speed in the U.S. is 10,000 Mbps by companies like Ziply Fiber. Xfinity offers a 6,000 Mbps plan and Google Fiber offers an 8,000 Mbps plan, but Xfinity is more widely available for the average U.S. consumer.
Speedtest.net reported in March 2023, that at 234.80 Mbps, Spectrum is the fastest, with Xfinity close behind at 232.85. The fastest mobile connection is by T-Mobile at 165.22 Mbps.
Whether you are switching ISPs, moving or just browsing, enter your address to see which providers are available to you.
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Written by:
Joe SupanPrincipal Writer, Broadband Content
Joe is a senior writer for CNET covering home technology and broadband. Prior to joining CNET, Joe led MYMOVE’s moving coverage and reported on broadband policy, the digital divide, and privacy issues for the br…
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Edited by:
Robin LaytonEditor, Broadband Content
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