Find internet providers in your area

How can you find internet service providers in your area?

By Joe Supan Last updated: November 23, 2021

Many Americans don’t have a whole lot of choice in their internet — around 1 in 4 can only access broadband through one provider — so most of us just go with whichever provider is in our area. But if you’re lucky enough to have options, we’ve analyzed all the nationwide players, comparing speeds, customer service ratings and pricing to discover which deserve the title of best internet providers.

Where to find the best internet providers

When shopping for a new internet service provider, it’s likely you’ll discover internet options you previously didn’t know were available. It’s just as likely, however, that some ISPs you thought were (or hoped would be) available are not. Broadband access can vary significantly even in a single community, where one side of a street has access to fiber optic, for instance, and the other side does not.

If fiber optic internet is available in your area, it will almost always give you the fastest, most reliable speeds for the best value. If you can’t get fiber, your next best option is cable internet, but DSL may be a better choice if you’re looking for the cheapest plans. Lastly, satellite internet is a common go-to service in rural areas where fiber and cable are not available. Residents of rural areas may want to consider fixed wireless providers since they often have lower latency and higher data allowances than satellite providers.

Internet availability and service areas

• Xfinity – Available in 39 states. Primary internet service areas include the Northwest, Great Lakes region and eastern U.S.

• Spectrum – Available in 41 states. Primary internet service areas include the South, Midwest and West Coast.

• AT&T – Available in 21 states. Primary internet service areas include the South, Midwest and parts of the West Coast.

• Verizon – Available in eight states. Primary internet service areas include the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

• Cox – Available in 19 states. Primary internet service areas include the Southwest, Central U.S. and the Northeast.

• CenturyLink – Available in 35 states. Primary internet service areas include the Northwest, Southwest and Midwest.

• Frontier – Available in 25 states. Primary internet service areas include the Midwest, Northeast, parts of the South and Texas.

• HughesNet – Available in all 50 states. Primary internet service areas include rural areas across the U.S.

Source: FCC Fixed Broadband Deployment

Don’t see your local home internet provider?

The service providers listed above cover most of the U.S. population, but there are hundreds of smaller, regional providers. These providers extend internet coverage to areas where the largest providers do not reach or provide some often much-needed competition in areas where there is already a major internet provider established. 

We’ve listed some of the top regional providers and their service areas below, but there may be other internet options in your area.

Compare the best home internet providers

Comparing providers head-to-head is one of the best ways to avoid overpaying for internet service or signing up for a plan that doesn’t fit your needs. Not all providers will be available in your area, but you can use this list to see how the largest ones compare to what’s available near you.

*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 10/09/21.
**Wireless speeds may vary.

How to choose the best home internet service

Chances are, you don’t have a ton of providers to choose from when picking internet service. But even if you’re picking from a small pool, there are still a ton of questions you have to answer to make the best decision. Here’s what you should consider: 

1. Decide how much speed you need. The average household in the U.S. gets around 200 Mbps of download speed, but many people can get by with less. 
2. See what’s available in your area. If fiber optic internet is available in your area, it will almost always give you the fastest, most reliable speeds for the best value. If you can’t get fiber, your next best option is cable internet, but DSL may be a better choice if you’re looking for the cheapest plans. Lastly, satellite is a common go-to internet service in rural areas where fiber and cable are not available. Residents of rural areas may want to consider fixed wireless providers since they often have lower latency and higher data allowances than satellite internet.
3. Read the fine print. Almost all providers charge extra fees for equipment rental and installation, but many also raise prices after the first year. It’s also worth comparing data caps and contracts between providers. 
4. Consider buying your own equipment. Most providers charge $10-15/mo. for equipment, but you can almost always use your own to avoid that fee. Buying your own modem and router typically costs around $100. 
5. Look at promotions for new customers. You can often find perks like rewards cards or free streaming subscriptions when you activate service. Factor in the dollar value for these extras before you make your final decision.