Internet providers in Chicago, IL

Find Chicago internet providers for you

Chicago internet provider comparison

These Chicago internet providers are available from the city and into the suburbs. Whether you’re looking for super-fast fiber service or the best price available, multiple choices are available in the Chicago, IL, area.

If you live in Chicago or are planning to move there, we’ll help you compare your options to find the best internet service. Some of the best and largest internet service providers (ISPs) in Chicago, IL, are AT&T, Xfinity and Astound.

Not all providers are available in every neighborhood, so we ask for your address. For example, AT&T is available across much of Chicago and its suburbs to the West, like Berwyn, but coverage is not as consistent to the North, as in areas of Highland Park.

*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.

**For existing 5G Do More, 5G Play More or 5G Get More mobile customers who then add and maintain a home internet plan. Availability varies. Price guarantee applies to base monthly rate only. Auto Pay & paper-free billing req’d. Add’l $10/mo. w/o Auto Pay. Starting prices are $60 and $80 without discounts. Subj. to credit approval & may require a deposit. Other terms may apply. Wired speeds advertised. Wireless speeds may vary due to device limited, multiple users, networks & other factors. See Verizon.com/yourspeed for more info. Updated 10/30/24.

Chicago internet takeaways

In the middle of metro Chicago, nature lovers can revel in Lincoln Park, a lakefront greenspace with a zoo and botanical garden. Residents of the surrounding area have great accessibility to Xfinity’s cable internet, but only about half the addresses are served by fiber. Xfinity plans provide speeds up to 3,000 Mbps in some parts of the city.

If you need faster internet with symmetrical download and upload speeds, you may consider moving to West Town, Irving Park or Logan Square, which offer 100% fiber coverage with AT&T, Xfinity or Google Fiber.

Help to pay your internet bill in Chicago

All Chicago residents who need help with internet access or equipment are encouraged to visit the Chicago resource hub that has maps of where to find free Wi-Fi spots and a financial aid guide.

Chicago also has free public wireless access at city facilities, including Chicago Public Library locations and the Chicago Cultural Center.

Internet deals in Chicago

5G home internet providers T-Mobile and Verizon offer affordable deals on mobile and internet plans, starting at $35/mo.

If you live in Belmont Village and surrounding areas, you may be able to get Xfinity internet without a credit check.

Watch Allconnect’s best deals page to see if you can get discounted internet or perks like free streaming and rewards cards for switching providers.

Cheapest internet plans in Chicago

Residents of Chicago, IL, have several options for cheap internet. In fact, four internet providers in the Chicago area offer cheap internet plans starting at $25/mo. for 25 to 200 Mbps.

For a small household of one to two people using email, browsing and streaming on one device at a time, download speeds of 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps are fine.

If you need more speed, but have a tight budget, Xfinity is the best bet for your $25, with speeds up to 200 Mbps.

Fastest internet plans in Chicago

Chicago, IL, has above-average access to fast internet speeds. The FCC reports that speeds up to 250 Mbps or higher are available in more than 95% of Chicago. In comparison, speeds of 250 Mbps or more are only available to about half of the U.S. The providers that offer the top speed in Chicago are listed below.

Astound, AT&T, Xfinity and Zentro provide affordable 1 gig plans, while multi-gig plans will run you in the hundreds per month.

You may not need a gig plan at your home, however. If you have three to four people and up to six to eight devices simultaneously accessing the internet, plans from 300 to 500 Mbps will keep you from experiencing lag or downtime.

Gig plans are perfect for power users of the internet and very large families of five or more. You probably won’t need to purchase a plan beyond 1 gig of download speed, but for video creators, home business owners or heavy gamers, you’ll want to find a fiber provider with speeds of 3 to 10 gigs.

Fiber internet in Chicago

For 100% fiber availability, you will need to live in and around Logan Square. Outside of that area, fiber coverage drops to about 40%, with little to no fiber options in the south, around and below South Lawndale.

There are several fiber providers in Chicago, including AT&T, Xfinity and Astound.

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AT&T: Best overall ISP

Although AT&T Fiber does not offer the cheapest internet plans in Chicago, it does offer the best deals. All three internet plans available with AT&T offer affordable rates, unlimited data and symmetrical download/upload speeds.

AT&T Fiber covers 90% of the city and is the only major provider in Chicago that offers fiber technology, which is known for providing a more reliable connection. AT&T Fiber also has a 5 Gig plan that’s perfect for heavy internet activity and gaming.

 AT&T does not provide the cheapest internet service compared to other providers in the Chicago area.

Learn more about AT&T internet

Xfinity: Best high-speed provider

Xfinity offers the fastest internet for Chicago residents, with speeds as high as 3,000 Mbps. The company also offers competitive rates, with its most affordable plan starting at just $25/mo. Xfinity is primarily a cable internet provider but offers fiber technology for its gig speed plans.

Xfinity’s cable service is available to over 90% of Chicago neighborhoods. You can get Xfinity mobile across Chicago as well, and bundling that with your internet plan will save you some money.

Your monthly bill will likely be higher than advertised because of equipment rentals and hidden fees. Promotions and discounts — Xfinity often offers promotions when you sign up, and discounts for paperless billing and autopay.

Learn more about Xfinity internet

Astound: Most affordable provider

Astound offers cable and fiber internet speeds ranging from 300 to 1,200 Mbps, with prices starting at just $25/mo. Astound doesn’t impose data caps, meaning you can enjoy your high-speed internet all month long. Astound covers about 50% of Chicago and includes Elgin, Naperville, Evanston and down to Hammond.

You can also bundle your internet plan with Astound’s cable TV for additional value, plus options for Sports Packs, Premium channels and DVR service.

See all Astound internet plans

T-Mobile: Best for simple pricing

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet offers one 5G plan for $40/mo. with a mobile plan and with no hidden fees, price hikes, contracts or data caps. It’s one of the most affordable plans because you pay a flat $40 per month with all fees included, whereas other providers have lots of added fees that increase your bill.

Speeds only run up to 245 Mbps, which is good for a smaller home, but more than three users will stretch the connection’s capability. T-Mobile’s 5G home internet is available to nearly every address in Chicago.

Learn more about T-Mobile internet

Compare internet near Chicago

Check out internet provider availability in cities near Chicago, Illinois.

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