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Internet providers in Chicago, IL

Find internet providers in Chicago

AT&T – Best provider overall

All AT&T fiber plans come with unlimited data and symmetrical upload/download speeds

Check with ATT
Or call to order: (844) 451-2720

Xfinity – Best for fast speeds

Xfinity offers some of the fastest internet available anywhere, with speeds up to 3,000 Mbps

Check with Xfinity
Or call to order: (844) 451-2720

WOW! – Best for customizable Wi-Fi service

WOW! offers built-in Wi-Fi with modem rental, or upgrade to premium Wi-Fi service and add Wi-Fi extenders where needed.

Check with WOW!
Or call to order: (844) 451-2720

Astound – Best for lowest priced plans

Astound (formerly called RCN) offers the lowest starting rates in Chicago, with plans at just $19.99/mo.

Check with Astound
Or call to order: (844) 451-2720

Chicago internet at a glance

There are 10 internet providers in Chicago that range in speed, price and internet type. We use data from the Federal Communications Commission, real user speed tests and serviceability information directly from providers to determine what is available in this area.

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

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

With an exact location, we can give you the most accurate results of internet service providers for your home.

The best internet plans in Chicago range from 25 to 4,700 Mbps in speed, using cable, fiber or 5G connections, so you have a great chance of finding one to suit your needs and house size. The prices among the top four providers in Chicago range from $19.99/mo. to $55/mo., with less expensive plans available with some providers, like Verizon’s 5G Home Internet, if you bundle mobile services.

Best internet providers in Chicago

Internet coverage by technology type

  • Cable – 99%

  • DSL – 98%

  • Fiber optic – 46%

Source: FCC

All available Chicago residential internet providers

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

*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 01/31/23.

**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. 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. Updated01/31/23.

How we evaluate internet providers

We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction.

We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. Each category 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 one to five, 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 three and four. 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.

See how we review internet providers

Fastest internet options in Chicago

Chicago, IL has above average access to fast internet speeds. The FCC reports 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. 

*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 01/31/23.

Chicago real-world internet speed performance

Overall, Chicago residents enjoy fast internet speed no matter who their provider is. Astound (formerly RCN) users get the fastest internet in Chicago. Its average download speed is just over 200 Mbps. AT&T and Xfinity are all close behind, with average download speeds well above the national average. Astound, however, stands out as the best provider by far when it comes to upload speeds.

Chicago internet speed compared to the national average

Chicago download speeds are slightly slower than the state of Illinois, but still faster than the national average. Its upload speeds, on the other hand, lag behind the nation significantly — just 33 Mbps compared to the 42 Mbps average.

  • Download speeds

    Chicago – 122.1 Mbps

    Illinois – 140.3 Mbps

    U.S. – 134.3 Mbps

  • Upload speeds

    Chicago – 38.2 Mbps

    Illinois – 37.0 Mbps

    U.S. – 48.0 Mbps

Source

The average speeds listed above are based on over 1.2 million real-speed test results taken in Chicago over a six-month window from the M-Lab NDT Data Set from July 1 to December 31, 2022. Measurement Lab is an open-source platform aimed at advancing Internet research.

Cheap internet available 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 that start at $9.99/mo. Take a look at the best internet deals you can get for your money. 

*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 01/31/23.

Allconnect’s affordable choice: Astound

If you are looking for a plan that costs less than $20/mo., Astound offers the best value for high-speed internet. For just $19.99/mo., you can get speeds up to 300 Mbps.

Check availability
Or call us today: (844) 451-2720
AT&T logo

Allconnect Rating

4.43 / 5

AT&T Fiber: Best overall

Although AT&T does not offer the cheapest internet plans in Chicago, it does offers the best deals. All three internet plans available with AT&T offer affordable rates, unlimited data and symmetrical download/upload speeds. AT&T is the only major provider in Chicago that offers fiber optic technology, which is known for providing a more reliable connection.

Why Chicago loves AT&T

  • Best value – AT&T offers some of the best deals available for high-speed internet.

  • High customer satisfaction – AT&T ranked first for customer satisfaction in 2021 with a score of 71/100 on the ACSI.

What to consider about AT&T

  • No plan under $55/mo. – AT&T does not provide the cheapest internet service compared to other providers in the Chicago area.

  • Availability– AT&T’s fiber optic service isn’t as widely available as other Chicago internet providers.

Learn more about AT&T internet

Plans available on Delaware Place

  • Internet 18: Speeds up to 18Mbps for $55/mo.
Xfinity logo

Allconnect Rating

3.54 / 5

Xfinity: Best for fast speeds

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 optic technology for its Gig speed plans.

Why Chicago residents love Xfinity

  • Fastest internet speeds – Xfinity offers the fastest internet speeds for Chicago customers.

  • Promotions and discounts – Xfinity often offers promotional offers when you sign up, and discounts for paperless billing and autopay.

Things to consider

  • Expect hidden fees – Your monthly bill will likely be higher than advertised because of equipment rentals and hidden fees.

  • Price increase – Your Xfinity rate may increase after the first year because of its limited-time promotional rates.

Learn more about Xfinity internet

Plans available on 24th Street

  • From 75 to 1,200 Mbps, starting at $20/mo.

Local feedback: Xfinity

Megan W. of Chicago has used Xfinity’s 400 Mbps plan since June 2022.Four people access the service and work from home and stream simultaneously. “Once the plan is set up, I’d give it a satisfactory rating (7/10). All our issues stemmed from setup and transfer of the plan from one apartment to another.” Customer service was also a sore point for Megan. Sorting out billing issues took some time and patience, she said.

Astound Broadband: Most affordable internet

Astound offers cable internet speeds ranging from 100 to 1000 Mbps, with prices starting at just $19.99/mo. Astound doesn’t impose data caps, meaning you can enjoy your high-speed internet all month long.

Why Chicago loves Astound

  • Affordable rates – Astound offers high internet speeds at an affordable rate.

  • No data caps – Astound doesn’t charge data caps, meaning you don’t have to worry about your internet usage.

Things to consider

  • Limited availability – Astound has a smaller service area than most of its competitors, meaning internet service may not be available for your address.

  • Limited plan options – You may have limited options, since not all Astound speeds are available in each service area.

Plans found in Chicago:

  • Up to 940 Mbps for $44.95/mo.
  • Up to 1200 Mbps for $54.99/mo.
See all Astound internet plans
WoW! logo

Allconnect Rating

3.94 / 5

WOW: Best for customizable Wi-Fi

WOW! offers built-in Wi-Fi with your modem rental, or the ability to upgrade to premium Wi-Fi service and add Wi-Fi extenders as needed. The company also offers high internet speeds, ranging from 100 to 1200 Mbps.

Why Chicago loves WOW!

  • Most affordable plans – WOW! has the most affordable starting prices for internet plans.

  • Unlimited data – WOW! doesn’t charge data caps, you don’t have to worry about your usage being limited.

Things to consider

  • Price increase – WOW!’s starting price is a promotional rate, so your price will increase after the first year.

  • May require a contract – WOW! may require a contract and charge an early termination fee if you cancel your plan early.

Learn more about WOW! internet

Allconnect: Let us compare providers for you

Why should you choose Allconnect? We’re the #1 broadband marketplace in the U.S, meaning you can trust us to search, compare and order internet and TV service for your home.

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Erin Gobler

Written by:

Erin Gobler

Author

Erin Gobler is a freelance writer based in Madison, WI. She writes about topics including budgeting, student loans, credit, mortgages, investing, broadband and insurance. Including Allconnect.com, her work has b… Read more

Robin Layton

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

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