What's the cheapest internet provider in San Mateo?

Xfinity offers the cheapest internet plan in San Mateo with plans starting at $40.00/mo. for 400 Mbps. Hughesnet also offers cheap plans starting at $49.99/mo. for 50 Mbps. At $0.04 per Mbps the Gigabit X2 plan from Xfinity gives you the most value for your dollar.

What's the fastest internet provider in San Mateo?

The fastest internet provider in San Mateo is AT&T. It has Fiber internet plans with speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. Xfinity also has fast Cable plans up to 2,000 Mbps.

Should I buy my own equipment?

In most cases, your initial cost of buying a modem and router pays for itself within a year. Rental equipment fees from internet providers are usually around $10/mo. and you can buy combination modem/routers (gateways) for under $100. If you want to avoid a monthly fee from your ISP, buying your router is the way to go. If you need support for your equipment, rent it from your ISP and you’ll have access to technical support. See our full guide on whether you should rent or buy internet equipment .

How do I set up internet?

Once you have compared and chosen an internet provider , you often have the choice to install your internet yourself or have the ISP send a tech to your address. If you install it yourself, the ISP will provide you with a step-by-step guide to connect their equipment to yours and set up your Wi-Fi access. If you choose professional installation, all you’ll have to do is schedule an appointment with your ISP and they’ll take care of everything.

What internet technology type should I look for?

When choosing an internet service provider, it’s important to consider technology types. Fiber internet is the fastest and most reliable internet technology type since it provides symmetrical download and upload speeds, but it’s not the most widely available type of internet. We recommend fiber if it’s available at your address, but if not, you have other options. Cable internet is a common internet type and the best alternative to fiber internet. It offers fast, reliable speeds and is more widely available than fiber. Satellite internet is a great choice if you live in a rural area and other internet technologies aren’t an option. 5G internet , or fixed wireless internet , is another internet technology type to consider. 5G home internet isn’t always as fast as cable or fiber plans, but some providers like T-Mobile are expanding rapidly to offer 5G home internet service to most of the country and can reach speeds up to 245 Mbps.

Internet providers in San Mateo, California

5 providers

Sort by:

Xfinity Internet

4,176 customer reviews

Plans starting at
$40

/mo
for 12 mos.

Speeds up to
2000 mbps
Connection type
Cable
Available in San Mateo
100%

Call to learn more

Call to learn more: (844) 451-2720

Check plans with Xfinity Check plans with Xfinity

Speeds up to
2000 mbps
Connection type
Cable
Customer rating

(4,176)

Available in San Mateo
100%

Call to learn more:

(844) 451-2720

Check plans with Xfinity
Provider details

Connection type

Cable

Upload speeds

35 Mbps

Data caps

Varies by region

Installation options

Free self-installation, Professional-installation fee of $40.00

Technical support

Available 24/7
Xfinity is a high-speed internet provider spanning more than a third of U.S. households with internet plans based on speed and affordability.

What we like

Have peace of mind with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

No contract plans available.
Pricing breakdown

Plan cost: A price breakdown isn't readily available.

Equipment fees: xFi Gateway Modem & Router for $15/mo.

Xfinity's terms & conditions

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. New residential customers only. Paperless Billing and Automatic Payments with bank account required, otherwise monthly service charge automatically increases by $10 (or $5 if enrolling with credit or debit card information). Discount will appear on statement within 45 days of enrollment. Equipment, installation, taxes and fees, and other applicable charges extra, and subject to change during and after the promo or term agreement. After promo or term agreement, or if any service is cancelled or downgraded, regular rates apply. Service limited to a single outlet. May not be combined with other offers. Internet: Actual speeds vary and are not guaranteed. For factors affecting speed visit www.xfinity.com/networkmanagement. All devices must be returned when service ends. 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee applies to one month’s recurring service and standard installation charges up to $500. ©2023 Comcast. All rights reserved.
AT&T Internet

3,832 customer reviews

Plans starting at
$55

/mo*
for 12 mos.

Speeds up to
5000 mbps
Connection type
Fiber
Available in San Mateo
80%

Call to learn more

Call to learn more: (844) 451-2720

Check plans with AT&T Check plans with AT&T

Speeds up to
5000 mbps
Connection type
Fiber
Customer rating

(3,832)

Available in San Mateo
80%

**Price after $10/mo discount with eligible Autopay & Paperless bill (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. Limited availability. May not be available in your area. Call or go to fiber.att.com to see if you qualify. Updated as of 6/4/25. †Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.

**Price after $10/mo discount with eligible Autopay & Paperless bill (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. Limited availability. May not be available in your area. Call or go to fiber.att.com to see if you qualify. Updated as of 6/4/25. †Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.

Call to learn more:

(844) 451-2720

Check plans with AT&T
Provider details

Connection type

Fiber

Upload speeds

5000 Mbps

Data caps

None

Installation options

Self, Professional

Technical support

Available 24/7
AT&T is a household name in the high-speed internet, TV and phone provider world, committed to connected service in much of the South, Midwest and the West Coast.

What we like

Overall Customer Satisfaction with number one ranking in the South and West and 2nd in North Central

Fiber

Fiber technology and advanced smart Wi-Fi® technology for a strong connection

Flexible service agreements
Pricing breakdown

Plan cost: A price breakdown isn't readily available.

Equipment fees: None

AT&T's terms & conditions

Limited availability. May not be available in your area. Call or go to att.com/getfiber to see if you qualify.

Price after $10/mo discount (starts within 2 bills) w/ paperless billing & Autopay if enrolled w a debut card or bank account. Discount reduced to $5/mo if enrolled w/ credit card. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies

Subj. to change and may be discontinued at any time. Price for Internet 1000 for new residential customers & is after $10/mo discount (starts within 2 bills) w/ paperless billing & Autopay if enrolled w a debut card or bank account. Discount reduced to $5/mo if enrolled w/ credit card. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. Must maintain autopay/paperless bill and valid email address to continue discount. Pricing subject to change. Subj. to Internet Terms of Service at Terms of Service - Legal Policy Center - AT&T.

†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.

Discount off the monthly rate when account is active & enrolled in both. Pay full plan cost until discount starts w/in 2 bill cycles. Must maintain autopay/paperless bill and valid email address to continue discount. Taxes & Fees: Up to $99 installation fee may apply, plus tax where applicable. Monthly cost recovery charge which are not government-required apply in TX, OH and NV. Taxes also apply. For one time AT&T transactional fees, see Results for fees - AT&T Search for details. Pricing subject to change. Subj. to Internet Terms of Service at Terms of Service - Legal Policy Center - AT&T.

Offers may not be combined with other promotional offers on the same services and may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice. Other conditions apply to all offers.

©2023 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo, and all other AT&T marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. Subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. provide products and services under the AT&T brand. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Verizon 5G Internet

452 customer reviews

Plans starting at
$50

/mo*
for 12 mos.

Speeds up to
1000 mbps
Connection type
Wireless
Available in San Mateo
73%

Call to learn more

Call to learn more: (844) 451-2720

Check plans with Verizon Check plans with Verizon

Speeds up to
1000 mbps
Connection type
Wireless
Customer rating

(452)

Available in San Mateo
73%

*with a mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband. With Auto Pay + Paperless billing.

*with a mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband. With Auto Pay + Paperless billing.

Call to learn more:

(844) 451-2720

Check plans with Verizon
Provider details

Connection type

Wireless

Data caps

None

Installation options

Self, Professional

Technical support

Available 24/7
5G Home Internet is the first 5G wireless network built to connect your home with ultra-fast internet that's ready for what comes next. With 5G Home Internet, there are no long-term contracts or additional equipment or installation fees and all taxes and fees are included. 5G Home Internet availability is limited in select cities.

What we like

Verizon 5G Home Internet

Ultra-fast Wi-Fi

5G Internet Gateway included

No annual contracts, no hidden fees
Pricing breakdown

Plan cost: A price breakdown isn't readily available.

Verizon 5G's terms & conditions

(1) May require the purchase of additional Wi-Fi Extenders. (2) Actual speeds may vary. with Auto Pay & postpaid mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband. Plan prices include taxes and fees. For full terms and conditions see: https://www.verizon.com/support/verizon-5g-home-legal/
Verizon 4G Internet

Plans starting at
$50

/mo
for 12 mos.

Speeds up to
50 mbps
Connection type
Wireless
Available in San Mateo
73%

Call to learn more

Call to learn more: (844) 451-2720

Check plans with Verizon Check plans with Verizon

Speeds up to
50 mbps
Connection type
Wireless
Available in San Mateo
73%

Call to learn more:

(844) 451-2720

Check plans with Verizon
Provider details

Connection type

Wireless

Data caps

None

Installation options

Self, Professional

Technical support

Available 24/7
Verizon is a high-speed internet, TV and phone provider available in nine states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region offering 4G LTE coverage.

What we like

Enjoy speeds up to 5 times faste rthan required for HD video streaming

Unlimited data with no data caps

2-year price guarantee

Contract/early termination fees buyout
Pricing breakdown

Plan cost: A price breakdown isn't readily available.

Verizon 4G's terms & conditions

Not available in all areas. Plus taxes & fees. With Auto Pay. Subject to VZW Agmts & credit approval. Auto Pay and paper-free billing req'd. Add'l equipment charges apply.
Hughesnet Internet

310 customer reviews

Plans starting at
$49

99/mo*
for 12 mos.

Speeds up to
100 mbps
Connection type
Satellite
Available in San Mateo
100%

Call to learn more

Call to learn more: (844) 451-2720

Check plans with Hughesnet Check plans with Hughesnet

Speeds up to
100 mbps
Connection type
Satellite
Customer rating

(310)

Available in San Mateo
100%

***Monthly Fee reflects the applied $5 savings for ACHⓘ enrollment. Enroll before the 2nd billing cycle for continued savings. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra.

***Monthly Fee reflects the applied $5 savings for ACHⓘ enrollment. Enroll before the 2nd billing cycle for continued savings. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra.

Call to learn more:

(844) 451-2720

Check plans with Hughesnet
Provider details

Connection type

Satellite

Upload speeds

5 Mbps

Data caps

None

Installation options

Professional

Technical support

Available 24/7
HughesNet is a satellite internet provider offering nationwide availability and up to 200 GB data plans.

What we like

Widespread availability with the flexibility to change your plan anytime

Satellite

SmartTechnologies™ service enhancement for smart web data usage

15-100 GB of plan data with no overages and additional data during off-peak hours (2am-8am)

24-month service agreement with no mid-contract price changes
Pricing breakdown

Plan cost: A price breakdown isn't readily available.

Equipment fees: Available for rental or purchase (rental est. $14.99/mo.)

Hughesnet's terms & conditions

Each Hughesnet service plan is designed to deliver the download/upload speeds assigned to that specific plan, however, speeds and uninterrupted use are not guaranteed and may vary based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to the number of concurrent network users. Your Hughesnet experience will vary based on your proximity to the Wi-Fi source. Save $30 per month for 12 months on Fusion plans or $25 per month for 12 months on non-Fusion plans. After 12 months, plans revert to the standard monthly fee. Offer availability varies based on geographical area. New subscribers only. Limited-time offer. Other terms may apply. Free standard professional installation applies to new Lease subscribers only. Not valid with Purchase option. Limited-time offer. Standard Data may be slower than other traffic during high-traffic periods. Minimum term required. Monthly service and early termination fees apply. Visit legal.hughesnet.com for details. Hughesnet and Hughesnet Fusion are registered trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC, an EchoStar company. JUPITER is a trademark of Hughes Network Systems, LLC, an EchoStar company.

1-5 of 5 providers shown

Table of contents

Speed Guide
Best ISP
Cheapest
Fastest
Coverage
Compare Services
FAQs

What's the right internet speed for your home?

Households within San Mateo are, on average, getting download speeds of 250 Mbps and upload speeds of 113 Mbps. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assigns internet requirements into light, moderate and high-use categories.

Our online speed guide can help you decide which internet speed is best for your household.

Light

Internet use

1 to 2

Email, browsing, basic video, one streaming device at a time.

Broadband guidelines:

1 to 2 devices:

5 to 20 Mbps

2 to 4 devices:

20 to 40 Mbps

5 to 10 devices:

50 to 100 Mbps

View Allconnect's take

Moderate

Internet use

3 - 4

The same functions as Light, plus one high-demand application like streaming HD video, video conferencing, online gaming or telecommuting.

Broadband guidelines:

1 to 2 devices:

5 to 20 Mbps

2 to 4 devices:

20 to 40 Mbps

5 to 10 devices:

75 to 200 Mbps

View Allconnect's take

High

Internet use

The same functions as Light and Moderate, plus multiple high-demand applications running simultaneously.

Broadband guidelines:

1 to 2 devices:

100 to 200 Mbps

2 to 4 devices:

200 to 300 Mbps

5 to 10 devices:

400 to 500 Mbps

View Allconnect's take

Light

Internet use

1 to 2

Email, browsing, basic video, one streaming device at a time.

Broadband guidelines:

1 to 2 devices:

5 to 20 Mbps

2 to 4 devices:

20 to 40 Mbps

5 to 10 devices:

50 to 100 Mbps

Allconnect's take:

For a small unit of one to two people, download speeds of 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps are just fine if you are both browsing or shopping online, checking your email and posting to your social media accounts on four to five devices at a time.
Moderate

Internet use

3 - 4

The same functions as Light, plus one high-demand application like streaming HD video, video conferencing, online gaming or telecommuting.

Broadband guidelines:

1 to 2 devices:

5 to 20 Mbps

2 to 4 devices:

20 to 40 Mbps

5 to 10 devices:

75 to 200 Mbps

Allconnect's take:

If you have a larger home, with three to four people and up to six to eight devices accessing the internet simultaneously, plans from 100 to 400 Mbps will keep you from experiencing lag or downtime.
High

Internet use

5+

The same functions as Light and Moderate, plus multiple high-demand applications running simultaneously.

Broadband guidelines:

1 to 2 devices:

100 to 200 Mbps

2 to 4 devices:

200 to 300 Mbps

5 to 10 devices:

400 to 500 Mbps

Allconnect's take:

With five or more people and 10+ devices accessing the internet at the same time, you’ll need a 500 Mbps to 1 Gig plan or above. Most internet users don’t need beyond 1 Gig of download speed, but if you are creating and uploading content like videos, running a home business or have multiple heavy gamers, some internet service providers have plans up to 10 Gbps.

DON'T KNOW WHAT INTERNET SPEED YOU NEED?

Find the speed you need with our internet speed quiz

Take the quiz

Best internet provider in San Mateo, CA

Allconnect's choice for the best internet provider in San Mateo is Verizon 5G Home, with their Wireless plans covering 73% of the city. Verizon 5G Home internet plans start at $50 with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps.

To make that choice, we look at the affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction of internet service providers (ISPs). View our full methodology here.

Monthly Price Range

Available Speeds

Contract Length

Plans starting at

$50/mo.

Available speeds

300-1,000 Mbps

None

Call to order

(844) 451-2720 Check plans with Verizon

Plans starting at

$50/mo.

Available speeds

300-1,000 Mbps

Contract length

None

Call to order: (844) 451-2720

Check plans with Verizon

Cheap internet in San Mateo

Most internet service providers offer cheap internet plans between $20-$30, for the lowest tier of speed, usually up to 75-100 Mbps. These plans are fast enough for light use in a small household.

Xfinity has the cheapest internet plans in San Mateo, starting at 400 Mbps for $40/mo.

Hughesnet also has an affordable internet plan offering 50 Mbps for $49.99/mo.

Keep in mind that for just $5 or $10 extra a month, the second-to-cheapest plan offered by an ISP is sometimes the better deal, often providing more speed for your dollar.

Cheapest internet plans

Xfinity

Cheapest Plan

Monthly price

$40.00/mo.

Download speed

Up to 400 Mbps

Contract length

Connection type

Cable

Check availability

Call to order

(844) 451-2720

Hughesnet

Next Best Plan

Monthly price

$49.99/mo.

Download speed

Up to 50 Mbps

Contract length

24 mos.

Connection type

Satellite

Check availability

Call to order

(844) 451-2720

Fastest internet in San Mateo

The speed you need depends on what you use the internet for. If high-speed internet is necessary for your household to game, work and learn, you'll be happy to know that AT&T and Xfinity offer the fastest internet in San Mateo.

AT&T has Fiber internet speeds starting at $245.00/mo. For up to 5,000 Mbps while Xfinity offers plans up to 2,000 Mbps for their Cable internet.

Fastest internet plans

AT&T

Fastest Plan

Monthly price

$245.00/mo.

Download speed

Up to 5,000 Mbps

Contract length

None

Connection type

Fiber

Check availability

Call to order

(844) 451-2720

Xfinity

Next Best Plan

Monthly price

$70.00/mo.

Download speed

Up to 2,000 Mbps

Contract length

Connection type

Cable

Check availability

Call to order

(844) 451-2720

Provider	Monthly price range	Download speed range	Connection type
Verizon 5G Home	$50/mo.	300 - 1000 Mbps	Wireless Reliability Moderate	Check with Verizon Or call Or give us a call (844) 451-2720
AT&T	$55 - $245/mo.	300 - 5000 Mbps	Fiber Reliability High	Check with AT&T Or call Or give us a call (844) 451-2720
Verizon 4G LTE	$50/mo.	50 Mbps	Wireless Reliability Moderate	Check with Verizon Or call Or give us a call (844) 451-2720
Xfinity	$40 - $80/mo.	400 - 2000 Mbps	Cable Reliability Average	Check with Xfinity Or call Or give us a call (844) 451-2720
Hughesnet	$49.99 - $94.99/mo.	50 - 100 Mbps	Satellite Reliability Low	Check with HughesNet Or call Or give us a call (844) 451-2720

Internet providers in San Mateo, California

Provider details

What we like

Pricing breakdown

Xfinity's terms & conditions

Provider details

What we like

Pricing breakdown

AT&T's terms & conditions

Provider details

What we like

Pricing breakdown

Verizon 5G's terms & conditions

Provider details

What we like

Pricing breakdown

Verizon 4G's terms & conditions

Provider details

What we like

Pricing breakdown

Hughesnet's terms & conditions

What's the right internet speed for your home?

Find the speed you need with our internet speed quiz

Best internet provider in San Mateo, CA

Cheap internet in San Mateo

Cheapest internet plans

Fastest internet in San Mateo

Fastest internet plans

Provider coverage map for San Mateo

Most available internet providers in San Mateo

Most available internet plans

Explore internet options near San Mateo

Popular nearby cities

Compare Top Internet Services

San Mateo internet FAQs

What's the cheapest internet provider in San Mateo?

What's the fastest internet provider in San Mateo?

Should I buy my own equipment?

How do I set up internet?

What internet technology type should I look for?