California internet providers
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Last updated: August 13, 2025
Compare plans from internet providers in California to find the best internet for your home. Our experts help you find the right fit.
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Best internet providers in California
SPECTRUM: Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET ADVANTAGE: Offer based on eligibility requirements. Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved. Updated as of 08/13/25.
Key takeaways
- The most widely available non-satellite provider in California is AT&T, which provides serviceability to 64% of the state
- Frontier and AT&T offer the fastest internet in California, with fiber speeds up to 7,000 Mbps
- Los Angeles is the most highly populated city in California and has a median download speed of about 264 Mbps and a median upload speed of about 21 Mbps
- Spectrum and AT&T are the most widely available non-satellite providers in Los Angeles
Fastest internet in California
The fastest internet in California comes from providers offering gig and multi-gig speeds ranging from 1,000 – 7,000 Mbps. Frontier offers fiber plans up to 7 Gbps. Xfinity also offers fast speeds up to 2,000 Mbps, but with slower upload speeds that will vary depending on your location.
The median internet speed in California is 294 Mbps, a bit higher than the U.S. median of 287 Mbps. Some cities in California with fast median speeds include Bakersfield, Santa Ana and Irvine. Provider availability will vary by location, so check your ZIP code to find providers available where you live.
| Provider | Starting price* | Download speed range |
|---|---|---|
| Frontier | $64.99/mo. | 1,000 – 7,000 Mbps |
| AT&T Fiber | $80.00/mo.** | 1,000 – 4,700 Mbps** |
| Xfinity | $100.00/mo. | 1,200 – 2,000 Mbps |
*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. Updated as of 08/13/25.
**Plus taxes (w/ eligible Autopay & Paperless bill). 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. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For 5GIG, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.
Cheapest internet in California
Californians can access cheap internet from several providers, including Xfinity’s 300 Mbps plan for $40.00/mo., Frontier’s 200 Mbps fiber plan for $29.99/mo. and 5G internet from T-Mobile and Verizon for $35.00/mo. with a mobile plan. You can also consider low-cost programs like Xfinity’s Internet Essentials, Access from AT&T and Verizon Forward that provide cheap internet for eligible customers based on their income.
When shopping for cheap internet, always check your ZIP code since provider availability varies by address. Also, consider the value and speed of your plan rather than just the cheapest price — a faster plan may provide more value in the long run. Promotional offers can also help you save, but the price may increase after the promotional period ends. Bundling with providers like Xfinity can save you money, since it provides a multi-product bundling discount of $10 per service, but not all providers offer discounts.
| Provider | Starting price* | Download speed |
|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | $40.00mo. | 300 Mbps |
| Frontier | $29.99/mo. | 200 Mbps |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet | $35.00/mo.** with mobile plan | 85 – 300 Mbps |
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet | $35.00/mo. with mobile plan | 87 – 318 Mbps |
*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. Updated as of 08/13/25.
**Price guarantee for 3-5 years, depending on internet plan, for new and existing myHome customers. 5G Home plan at $35/mo., 5G Home Plus plan at $45/mo. Or 5G Home Ultimate plan at $60/mo. when combined with postpaid mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband. Auto Pay & paper-free billing req’d. Mobile + Home Discount: $15/mo savings on Verizon Home Internet plans when combined with any Verizon postpaid mobile phone plan (excludes business and data-only plans). Availability varies. Subject to credit approval. © 2025 Verizon.
California internet provider comparison
We’ve listed some of the top internet providers in California. Compare them by coverage area, technology and starting price, but remember to check your address to find out if it’s available at your exact location.
The average cost of internet in California among the top four most available providers (AT&T, Spectrum, Hughesnet, T-Mobile) is about $44.00/mo., not including taxes and fees. However, once you factor in the speed you need, plus equipment fees, your total out-of-pocket expenses may be higher.
| Provider | Starting price* | Download speed range | Connection type | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 AT&T | $55.00/mo.** | 10 – 4,700 Mbps** | Fiber, DSL | 64% |
 Spectrum | $30.00/mo.*** | 100 – 1,000 Mbps | Cable | 46% |
 Frontier | $29.99/mo. | 200 – 7,000 Mbps | Fiber | 13% |
 Xfinity | $40.00/mo. | 300 – 2,000 Mbps | Cable, fiber | 33% |
 Google Fiber | $70.00/mo. | 1,000 – 8,000 Mbps | Fiber | 1.2% |
 Verizon 5G Home Internet | $35.00/mo.† with mobile plan | 85 – 1,000 Mbps | 5G | 31% |
 Hughesnet | $39.99/mo. | Up to 100 Mbps | Satellite | 86% |
 T-Mobile | $35.00/mo. with mobile plan | 87 – 415 Mbps | 5G | 57% |
*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. Updated as of 08/13/25.
**Plus taxes (w/ eligible Autopay & Paperless bill). Price after $10/mo discount with eligible Autopay & Paperless bill (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. Ltd. avail/areas. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For 5GIG, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.
***Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET ADVANTAGE: Offer based on eligibility requirements. Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.
***Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Capable modem required for all Gig speeds. For a list of capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2025 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.
†Price guarantee for 3-5 years, depending on internet plan, for new and existing myHome customers. 5G Home plan at $35/mo., 5G Home Plus plan at $45/mo. Or 5G Home Ultimate plan at $60/mo. when combined with postpaid mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband. Auto Pay & paper-free billing req’d. Mobile + Home Discount: $15/mo savings on Verizon Home Internet plans when combined with any Verizon postpaid mobile phone plan (excludes business and data-only plans). Availability varies. Subject to credit approval. © 2025 Verizon.
Call for details: (844) 451-2720 (844) 451-2720
How we review internet in California
As the third-largest state in the U.S., California is divided into three regions: Northern, Southern and the Bay Area. Our broadband experts researched the top providers in each region and scored their plans by speed, price, contract requirements, data caps, perks and more.
Our methodology
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 290 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 500 Mbps plan got a 3.71.
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.
California internet statistics
Compare California’s median download and upload speeds to those of the U.S. With statewide coverage for basic broadband speed of at least 100 Mbps, California pulls ahead of the country as a whole when it comes to download speed but falls behind in median upload speed. The following stats reveal average real-world speeds for California internet plans, although your specific service provider may fall above or below these speeds depending on location.
California
- Download speed: 294.23 Mbps
- Upload speed: 39.49 Mbps
U.S.
- Download speed: 287.59 Mbps
- Upload speed: 51.83 Mbps
Source: Speedtest Global Index
Internet availability in California
Satellite is the most widely available internet tech type in California, available to 100% of the state. Cable covers 90% of California from mainstream providers like Xfinity and Spectrum, while fixed wireless covers 63% of California. Fiber from AT&T and Frontier is generally considered the most premium quality Wi-Fi connection, but is less widely available at 34%. Around 8% of California still has access to DSL.
The fastest fiber and cable connections tend to be clustered around urban and suburban areas, so your location can be a vital deciding factor in California internet availability.
Source: FCC National Broadband Map
Quality of internet in California
Nearly 100% of California has access to the minimum recommended broadband speeds, but half the state has access to gigabit speeds. However, available coverage doesn’t always mean that the service is financially accessible, which is why many providers offer low-income internet options alongside their flagship plans.
- Residents with broadband access (speeds at or over 100/20 Mbps): 99%
- Residents with broadband access (speeds at or over 250/25 Mbps): 92%
- Residents with access to gigabit speeds (at or over 1,000/100 Mbps): 51%
Sources: FCC coverage maps and data, Ookla Speed Tests, internal speed test results and provider websites.
California internet provider breakdowns
Allconnect Rating
4.25 / 5
AT&T: Best fiber internet in California
AT&T offers the most accessible fiber speeds in California, up to 4,700 Mbps.* Fiber is the fastest and most reliable internet service, and with AT&T’s symmetrical fiber speeds, California residents can enjoy a consistent high-speed connection ideal for even the most intense internet activities and many connected devices.
Why California loves AT&T
- Speeds up to 4,700 Mbps
- Available to over half the state
Things to consider about AT&T
- Plans are pricier than other ISPs
- Some areas only have a DSL connection
*Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. Single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101. Updated as of 08/13/25.
AT&T Customer Reviews:
Allconnect Rating
3.75 / 5
Spectrum: Best cable option
Spectrum provides 46% of California with cable, internet and home and mobile phone services.
Why California loves Spectrum
- Low equipment fees
- Cable TV packages available
- No required contracts or plan data caps
Things to consider about Spectrum
- Pricing increases in year two
Spectrum Customer Reviews:
Allconnect Rating
3.75 / 5
Xfinity: Best for cheap internet
Xfinity is one of the cheapest providers in California, with plans starting at $40.00/mo.
Why California loves Xfinity
- Wide variety of speed plans available, up to 2,000 Mbps
Things to consider about Xfinity
- Upload speeds will be slower and vary depending on your location
Xfinity Customer Reviews:
California internet customer reviews
Allconnect shares customer reviews detailing real-life experiences with our partner ISPs to help you better understand the pain points and perks of each provider.
Great speeds. Moved across town recently and had to upgrade the modem due to speeds exceeding old 1 gig modem. Internet bogs down during peak hours and drops randomly.
3/5
I started with a special rate of $52.95 for 2 years. After one year, the monthly rate rose to $59.95 then to $69.95 after the 2nd year. It’s now $75 per month. I called, customer service stated the would discount $10 per month starting in June. That hasn’t happened so I’m changing internet providers.
2/5
ATT had a great promotion and the service seems to be satisfactory. The one thing I will say is their overall communication lacked some details that should’ve been given to a new customer especially. Nothing was a deal breaker but I found myself having to ask a lot of questions. Or where I found things out later rather than at the time of the switch. The self install didn’t go as planned because my apartment had a faulty wire which they came and handled rather quickly but it was still a bit frustrating. Overall satisfied but they could do a bit better especially for a new customer
4/5
Find California internet providers by city
Are you searching for internet service in California? Whether you’re moving to California or you’ve lived there for a long time, checking out current providers’ plans in your area can save you money.
There are several internet service providers (ISPs) in California to choose from. Find your city in the following tables to find out what is available near you. We’ve included the median download speed in each city, the number of providers available and FCC data on access to 100, 250 and 1,000 Mbps.
Most California residents have access to broadband speeds, with high percentages also able to access 250 and even 1,000 Mbps. California residents have access to fiber, cable and 5G internet, with satellite internet available to almost 100% of the state with providers like Hughesnet, Viasat and Starlink.
Southern California
The average download speed in Southern California is around 334 Mbps, which is considerably above the U.S. average speed of 291 Mbps.
| City | Download speed | Upload speed | % available up to 100 Mbps | % available up to 250 Mbps | % available up to 1 Gig | # of providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim | 296.34 Mbps | 21.57 Mbps | 100% | 93% | 22% | 7 |
| Bakersfield | 325.85 Mbps | 22.08 Mbps | 100% | 93% | 25% | 9 |
| Chula Vista | 318.00 Mbps | 48.20 Mbps | 100% | 95% | 86% | 7 |
| Irvine | 314.32 Mbps | 109.69 Mbps | 100% | 94% | 83% | 8 |
| Long Beach | 309.14 Mbps | 32.98 Mbps | 100% | 95% | 65% | 7 |
| Los Angeles | 264.39 Mbps | 21.48 Mbps | 100% | 94% | 38% | 7 |
| Oakland | 271.08 Mbps | 111.58 Mbps | 100% | 100% | 92% | 10 |
| Riverside | 302.25 Mbps | 22.19 Mbps | 100% | 92% | 23% | 7 |
| San Diego | 287.52 Mbps | 57.39 Mbps | 100% | 97% | 58% | 7 |
| Santa Ana | 316.76 Mbps | 22.17 Mbps | 100% | 89% | 30% | 7 |
Northern California
The average download speed in Northern California varies on location, with San Francisco being under the U.S. average of 291 Mbps at 265 Mbps. Further north, in Redding, speeds can hit around 322 Mbps.
| City | Download speed | Upload speed | % available up to 100 Mbps | % available up to 250 Mbps | % available up to 1 Gig | # of providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka | 306.05 Mbps | 36.02 Mbps | 100% | 87% | 10% | 9 |
| Fremont | 274.62 Mbps | 50.62 Mbps | 100% | 100% | 84% | 10 |
| Fresno | 303.33 Mbps | 36.90 Mbps | 100% | 98% | 51% | 9 |
| Redding | 321.94 Mbps | 19.54 Mbps | 90% | 90% | 72% | 12 |
| Sacramento | 283.92 Mbps | 81.50 Mbps | 100% | 99% | 90% | 9 |
| San Francisco | 244.14 Mbps | 40.73 Mbps | 100% | 100% | 75% | 11 |
| San Jose | 286.82 Mbps | 55.99 Mbps | 100% | 99% | 83% | 9 |
Sources: Ookla’s Speedtest.net; FCC National Broadband Map
Explore California internet providers by ZIP code
California internet provider store locations
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California internet FAQs
Which is the best internet provider in California?
The best internet provider in California depends on your internet needs, but AT&T and Frontier offer fast and reliable fiber speeds, while Xfinity, Verizon and T-Mobile each offer affordable options.
What is the fastest internet provider in California?
The fastest internet providers in California are AT&T and Frontier. Speeds go up to 7,000 Mbps.
What is the cheapest internet provider in California?
Xfinity, Verizon 5G, Frontier and T-Mobile offer internet plans under $50.00/mo. in California.
Is fiber internet available in California?
Yes, fiber internet is available in California mainly through AT&T and Frontier, but Xfinity has limited fiber availability in Sacramento and San Francisco. Cox also has some fiber services available in Santa Barbara, San Diego and Irvine.
Written by
Lisa Iscrupe
Senior Writer, Broadband & Data Content
Lisa Iscrupe is a senior writer and broadband expert specializing in internet and connectivity solut… View profile
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Edited by
Anine Sus
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Anine Sus is an editor and publisher with Allconnect. With eight years of experience editing and wri… View profile
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