Best high speed internet providers
Key takeaways
- Google Fiber is our pick for best overall high-speed internet provider due to its fiber-optic internet technology and multi-gigabit speeds from 1,000 – 8,000 Mbps. AT&T, Xfinity, Verizon, WOW and Frontier also top our best high-speed providers
- Fiber internet provides the fastest and most reliable high-speed internet, but cable is a strong alternative if fiber isn’t available where you live
- To find the best high-speed internet providers, we focused on categories such as affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction
What to look for in high speed internet providers
‘High-speed internet’ can refer to various speeds and is subjective to your own internet needs, but we’ve listed gigabit and multi-gigabit plans below that are best suited for larger households with many simultaneously connected devices and those who participate in high-bandwidth internet activities like gaming, streaming and working from home.
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. Here are a few things to consider when searching for a high-speed internet connection:
- 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
- Fortunately, almost every major fiber or cable internet provider has a gig plan available in most of their service areas
- 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
- High-speed internet can mean something different for everyone — find out the speed you need before looking for a plan
- Gigabit and multi-gigabit plans are best suited for bandwidth-heavy internet activities, like gaming, and many connected devices under one roof
- Not all providers and plans listed below are available in all areas
Fastest internet plans available
The fastest internet plans available offer multi-gigabit speeds, with Ziply Fiber offering the fastest plan at 10,000 Mbps.
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 | 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 | $84.99/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.
**Per month w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Max wired speed 5000/5000. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary. One-time charges apply.
†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.
††Taxes & terms may apply. Verizon mobile plan, Auto Pay & paper-free billing required. Add’l. cost without mobile plan. Subj. to credit approval & may require a deposit. Fios avail. in select areas. Wired speeds advertised. Wireless speeds may vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors. See Verizon.com/yourspeed for more info. **w/ Auto Pay and paper-free billing discount + taxes & equip. charges. © 2024 Verizon. As of 11/19/24.
Advertised vs. actual speeds
An important factor to consider when shopping for a high-speed internet plan is advertised speeds vs. actual speeds. The internet speeds you see on the provider’s website are advertised internet speeds, which are the maximum speeds you can get from that internet plan.
In reality, the actual speeds of your chosen plan will likely be lower, especially if you’re opting for a high-speed plan. This may not be true of all internet providers — in some cases, you may even get faster speeds than what was advertised. Nevertheless, it’s important to keep advertised vs. actual speeds in mind when choosing a plan.
Fast cable internet
Where fiber internet isn’t available, cable internet can reach similar speeds in certain areas.
Xfinity cable speeds reach up to 3,000 Mbps. Cox and WOW! speeds reach up to 2,000 Mbps. Those speeds can power a smart home with four to five heavy internet users and several connected devices.
Why you need a fast internet speed
With most homes having voice assistants, doorbells, TVs, laptops, gaming consoles, cellphones, tablets and other devices connected to the internet, a fast internet speed can be critical.
If you work or learn from home or are an avid gamer, a 500 Mbps plan or higher can prevent you from lagging during a meeting or missing a crucial fight in your game.
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.
Fast internet provider breakdown
Allconnect Rating
4.34 / 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
4.48 / 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
4.60 / 5
Verizon Fios: Best customer satisfaction
Verizon Fios is another great option for fast fiber internet. Its prices are slightly lower — $34.99/mo. with a qualifying mobile plan 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
3.71 / 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
4.15 / 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
4.02 / 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 plans but there are still some high-speed options that are competitive with fiber speeds. You’ll also have to deal with a 1.2 TB 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 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* | $70.00/mo. |
| Kinetic by Windstream | Kinetic Fiber 2 Gig | 2,000 Mbps | $99.99/mo. |
| Optimum | Fiber 5 Gig | 5,000 Mbps | $180.00/mo. |
*Price for Gig speed additional. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem. ©2024 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.
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FAQs on fast internet
What is a good speed for “high-speed” 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 three or more internet users, a fast plan would be anything with 300 Mbps and up, with a fiber connection.
What is a fast internet connection?
“Fast internet” is a subjective phrase since some households need more or less speed than others. What is fast for a family of two may be slow for a family of six.
Nevertheless, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) classifies 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload as the minimum speed required for an internet connection to be considered high-speed broadband. 100 Mbps is likely not enough for most households with multiple internet users, but it can be a good baseline for determining the speed you need.
Who are the fastest providers for download speeds?
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.
How do I speed up my internet connection?
Consider resetting your modem and router. Also, be sure to check for any unwanted devices on your connection that may be hogging your bandwidth.
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
What’s the fastest internet type?
Fiber is the fastest internet connection type because of the light delivery through thin glass tubing. It doesn’t rely on slower cabling and electric or cell towers to deliver speeds. Because of its construction, it supplies symmetrical download and upload speeds, making uploading videos or projects as easy and quick as downloading a file.
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Written by:
Robin LaytonEditor, Broadband Content
Robin Layton is an editor for the broadband marketplace Allconnect. She built her internet industry expertise writing and editing on the site since January 2020, as well as on Allconnect’s sister site MYMOVE.com…
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Edited by:
Anine SusEditor I
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