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Top 10 Internet Service Providers

The United States of America is leading the world in internet provision. Currently, around 7,000 internet service providers, including telecommunications conglomerates, regional broadband carriers, and local virtual network operators (VNOs), are ensuring reliable internet access to 94 percent of the population. While the number of internet options is surplus in metro areas, their availability wanes as we move to the outskirts. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) states that the average American has 2.5 choices for fixed broadband internet providers.

Regardless of the number of internet service providers competing for your attention, your buying journey can become overwhelming if you do not know what you are looking for. Our list of the 10 best internet providers includes the nation’s top-rated DSL, cable, fiber-optic, fixed wireless, and satellite internet companies, to give you a concise lowdown on the speeds, prices, and perks available to you.

  • Spectrum

    Rating
    Max Speed

    1000 Mbps

    Starting From

    $49.99/mo.for 12 mos with Auto Pay

    Hybrid fiber-coaxial

    Accepts ACP Credit

    Spectrum_logo

  • AT&T

    Rating
    Max Speed

    5000 Mbps

    Starting From

    $55.00/mo.

    DSL

    Fiber

    Accepts ACP Credit

    att_logo

  • EarthLink

    Rating
    Max Speed

    5000 Mbps

    Starting From

    $54.95/mo.

    DSL

    Fiber

    Satellite

    Accepts ACP Credit

    EarthLink-logo

  • Frontier

    Rating
    Max Speed

    5,000 Mbps

    Starting From

    $49.99/mo.

    DSL

    Fiber

    Accepts ACP Credit

    Frontier_logo

  • Windstream

    Rating
    Max Speed

    2,000 Mbps

    Starting From

    $39.99/mo.

    DSL

    Fiber

    Cable

    Accepts ACP Credit

    Windstream_logo

  • Fidium Fiber

    Rating
    Max Speed

    2,000 Mbps

    Starting From

    $35.00/mo.

    Cable

    Fiber

    Accepts ACP Credit

    Fidium_fiber_logo

  • Verizon

    Rating
    Max Speed

    1000 Mbps

    Starting From

    $24.99/mo.

    5G Home Internet

    Fiber

    Accepts ACP Credit

    verizon_logo

  • Ziply Fiber

    Rating
    Max Speed

    10,000 Mbps

    Starting From

    $20.00/mo.

    Fiber

    Accepts ACP Credit

    Ziply_Fiber_logo

  • HughesNet

    Rating
    Max Speed

    50 Mbps

    Starting From

    $64.99/mo.

    Satellite

    Accepts ACP Credit

    HughesNet_logo

  • Viasat

    Rating
    Max Speed

    150 Mbps

    Starting From

    $39.99/mo.

    Satellite

    Accepts ACP Credit

    Viasat_logo

Best Fiber Internet Providers

Fiber is the only type of internet technology that can offer equal upload and download speeds. Fiber-optic cables use light to transmit data, which is much faster than the electrical signals used by other types of internet connections. Additionally, fiber-optic cables are less susceptible to interference, which means that they can consistently deliver high speeds.

Unfortunately, the construction cost of a fiber-optic internet network is 20 percent to 50 percent higher than that of a DSL and coaxial cable network. Due to this, the fiber internet coverage in the USA is limited to 43 percent of the total habited area. AT&T Fiber is the largest fiber internet provider in the country with 16.81 percent of the market share.

The 5 best fiber internet providers in the USA can distribute up to 10 Gigs of symmetrical internet speeds for an average monthly price of $63.78 per month.

Best Fiber Internet Providers



  • EarthLink

    Rating
    Download Speed

    5000 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    5000 Mbps

    Starting From

    $54.95/mo.

    EarthLink-logo

  • Frontier

    Rating
    Download Speed

    5000 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    5000 Mbps

    Starting From

    $49.99/mo.

    Frontier_logo

  • Ziply Fiber

    Rating
    Download Speed

    10,000 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    10,000 Mbps

    Starting From

    $20.00/mo.

    Ziply_Fiber_logo

  • Fidium Fiber

    Rating
    Download Speed

    2,000 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    2,000 Mbps

    Starting From

    $35.00/mo.

    Fidium_fiber_logo

Best Cable Internet Providers

Coaxial cable is the most available source of wired internet in the USA. As of 2023, approximately 90% of U.S. households have access to cable internet. This means that over 194 million households in the United States can get cable internet service. The bi-layer insulation inside a coaxial cable prevents data loss during long-distance transmissions.

The best cable internet providers in the USA can distribute up to 2 Gig of download speed for a starting price of $25 per month. Unlike fiber connections, the analog signals inside a coaxial cable cannot travel faster than 50 Mbps on the upstream channel. For this reason, prominent cable internet providers use a combination of fiber-optic and coaxial cables to upgrade upload and download speeds up to multigigabit in populous urban centers.

Xfinity by Comcast Corporation is the nation’s biggest cable internet provider. It alone dominates 39.8 percent of the U.S. cable internet market share.

Best Cable Internet Providers


  • Spectrum

    Rating
    Download Speed

    1000 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    1000 Mbps

    Starting From

    $49.99/mo.for 12 mos with Auto Pay

    Spectrum

  • Xfinity

    Rating
    Download Speed

    1200 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    35 Mbps

    Starting From

    $25.00/mo.

    Xfinity

  • Cox Communications

    Rating
    Download Speed

    2000 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    100 Mbps

    Starting From

    $49.99/mo.

    Cox Communications

  • Optimum

    Rating
    Download Speed

    2000 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    50 Mbps

    Starting From

    $35.00/mo.

    Optimum

  • Astound Broadband

    Rating
    Download Speed

    1200 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    20 Mbps

    Starting From

    $25.00/mo.

    Astound Broadband

Best Fixed Wireless Internet Providers

Fixed wireless internet, often referred to as the “last mile” technology, is the newest form of broadband access in the USA. Through the transmission of mid, wide, and ultrawideband radio frequencies, it bridges the connectivity gap in the rural and remote areas of the country. The coverage area of fixed wireless internet continues to expand across the USA. At the moment, 80 percent of the U.S. population can subscribe to fixed wireless home internet plans.

Best fixed wireless internet providers can offer up to 1,000 Mbps of download speeds for a starting price of $35 per month. Some popular fixed wireless internet providers, like AT&T and EarthLink, cap users' monthly data usage while others, like Verizon 5G and T-Mobile, offer unlimited data throughout the month.

Here are the 5 best fixed wireless internet providers in the United States that are successfully influencing millions of Americans to adopt a cordless life.

Fixed Wireless Internet Providers



  • EarthLink

    Rating
    Download Speed

    100 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    10 Mbps

    Starting From

    $64.95/mo.

    EarthLink-logo

  • T-Mobile Home

    Rating
    Download Speed

    245 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    31 Mbps

    Starting From

    $50.00/mo

    T-mobile_logo

  • Verizon 5G

    Rating
    Download Speed

    300 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    10 Mbps

    Starting From

    $50.00/mo.

    verizon-logo

  • Rise Broadband

    Rating
    Download Speed

    250 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    20 Mbps

    Starting From

    $35.00/mo.

    Rise Broadband_logo

Best DSL Internet Providers

Digital subscriber line (DSL), a new and improved version of the old-school dial-up connections, is the second most widely available form of wired broadband in the country. Around 85 percent of Americans can purchase a DSL internet plan for basic to moderate digital connectivity. DSL internet uses existing telephone lines to deliver up to 100 Mbps of download speed to individual homes and businesses. While DSL internet is lauded for its wide-scale availability and affordability, the slow speeds and frequent network congestion make it unsuitable for data-intensive activities (e.g., HD streaming, online gaming, and video calling).

The nation’s best DSL internet providers can distribute download speeds faster than 100 Mbps in rural, suburban, and urban areas for a median monthly price of $45.83. In the last few years, there has been an uptick in the discontinuation of slow-speed DSL internet service in favor of lightning-fast fiber internet. But as renowned internet providers, like AT&T, say goodbye to DSL, CenturyLink’s 36-state telephone access line system proves that DSL internet is an affordable solution for nationwide broadband connectivity.

DSL Internet Providers


  • Frontier

    Rating
    Download Speed

    100 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    10 Mbps

    Starting From

    $49.99/mo.

    frontier_logo

  • Ziply Fiber

    Rating
    Download Speed

    115 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    25 Mbps

    Starting From

    $50.00/mo.

    ziply-logo

  • Windstream

    Rating
    Download Speed

    100 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    8 Mbps

    Starting From

    $39.99/mo.

    Kinetic

  • CenturyLink

    Rating
    Download Speed

    100 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    10 Mbps

    Starting From

    $50.00/mo.

    centurylink

  • Consolidated Communications

    Rating
    Download Speed

    50 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    5 Mbps

    Starting From

    $33.00/mo.

    consolidated-com

Best Satellite Internet Providers

The satellite internet’s extraterrestrial nature makes it capable of promising internet access throughout the country. It uses a fleet of geosynchronous satellites to transmit data signals, in the form of radio frequencies, directly to subscribers’ homes.

The most famous tagline for satellite internet is that it “finds you where everything earthly fails you”. Satellites deploy signals using spot beam technology to ensure that internet data reaches you even in the most remote parts of the USA. E.g., Viasat sends 1 terabyte of data to Earth via 2000 beams. On average, 16 beams can serve up to 2000 customers.

Geostationary satellite internet providers, like Viasat and HughesNet, send data signals from satellites that are located 22,236 miles away from the Earth. The long-distance affects internet speed and latency. Compared to that, Starlink positions its satellites in low-earth orbit. Being closer to Earth, it can guarantee download speeds of up to 300 Mbps with latency as low as 25 milliseconds. Together, the 3 best satellite internet providers in the USA can offer 100 percent broadband coverage for an average monthly price of $103.

Satellite Internet Providers




  • Starlink

    Rating
    Download Speed

    300 Mbps

    Upload Speed

    20 Mbps

    Starting From

    $110.00/mo.

    Starlink

Choosing the Best Internet Provider

We see numerous internet providers around us. But choosing the best provider can become intimidating, especially when you see a long list of internet service providers offering different broadband packages and complicated TV and internet bundles Therefore, we have come up with various tips and tricks to help you find the best internet service provider with reliable plans and affordable rates.

Find the Best Internet Service Providers in Your Area

The telecommunication market has numerous internet providers with different coverage areas. Most cities and towns only have a handful of reliable internet providers, and you will not find every provider at your location. So, the first step is to figure out the best internet providers in your area. You can do that by entering your zip code in our availability checker tool.

Figure Out Your Requirements

The next step is to deduce your requirements. We have divided the requirements into three sections. You can evaluate these factors to find out the best internet provider in your area.

  • Data Consumption


    Data consumption is another crucial factor to consider while evaluating your requirements. If your chosen internet provider enforces data caps, check whether the amount of data provided can accommodate your family’s monthly data usage or not. If there is no information about the data limits, you can contact the customer service of your internet provider for further clarification.


  • Number of Internet Users


    Keep in mind that the number of users can influence your internet speed, so don’t forget to include your family members in your plan. Large households require more speeds, therefore you must get one of the best internet deals in your area to cater to your internet usage requirements. Otherwise, you can get away with a low-speed internet package.


  • Online Activities


    The first step is to assess what activities you’ll be using the internet for. For example, netizens who only use the internet for surfing or checking emails do not need higher internet speeds. Meanwhile, dedicated streamers and gamers must opt for the best internet deals due to high bandwidth requirements.

Identify the Suitable Internet Connection Type

After evaluating your requirements, the next step is to see which internet connection type can be suitable for them. It is the most significant step as your connection type determines the internet speed and prices. But the availability depends on where you live. Look at the list of internet providers available in your area and see which service providers offer which broadband connection type to narrow down the list.

Compare the Prices

The next step is to note the plans that fulfill your requirements and compare their prices. Besides the monthly rates, you should also consider the additional monthly and one-time costs like overage fees (if the plan comes with monthly data), and equipment and installation fees.

Some of the best internet providers also offer bundles, so if you are looking for ways to reduce your monthly bill, you can look into them. While assessing the prices, you should also check whether the plan involves a contract because it will also have an early termination fee.

Consider Add-Ons and other Special Features

Many internet service providers offer special features, discounts & perks to entice new customers. For example, you get a free modem with all Spectrum internet plans, allowing you to save some money. Likewise, the best internet providers also offer security perks, gift cards, and free WiFi hotspots with their services. Internet security suites, out-of-home WiFi hotspots, and free modem are a few examples of the additional perks offered by some of the best internet service providers.

Check the Customer Service

The Internet is an essential tool of our modern lifestyle, so choosing one of the best internet providers is crucial if your work depends on it. So that in case of any issue, your provider's trustworthy customer service can quickly resolve it. There are many ways to get a sense of your potential provider's customer service. You can read customer reviews online, talk to your neighbors and even assess them yourself by talking to a customer service representative.

Frequently Asked Questions

AT&T is the best fiber-optic internet provider in the market. For a starting price of $35 per month, it can offer hyperfast, symmetrical internet speeds of up to 5 Gigs. All the AT&T Fiber Internet plans include unlimited data, cutting-edge modem-router gateway, free access to AT&T ActiveArmor cybersecurity suite, contract-free service, and up to $150 in credit on AT&T Reward Cards.

With over 19 million customer locations and 500,000 route miles of fiber cable, AT&T has the largest fiber-optic internet network in the country. Its award-winning customer service and value-added monthly internet plans make it the best fiber internet service provider in the USA.

HughesNet is the best and largest satellite internet provider in the United States. Around 1.4 million Americans are subscribed to HughesNet satellite internet plans that start at $64.99 per month and can offer download speeds of up to 50 Mbps.

In the Federal Communications Commission Measuring Broadband America report, HughesNet bagged the top spot for living up to its commitments and delivering download speed faster than the advertised speed for 4 years in a row. For 52 years, HughesNet’s reliable satellite internet service is offering digital connectivity to the rural and remote areas of America. Its innovative equipment, countrywide coverage, consistent speeds, and affordable month-to-month plans make it the nation’s No.1 choice for satellite internet.

Spectrum is the best cable internet provider in the USA. Its high-speed internet plans start at $49.99 per month and can promise up to 99.9 percent network reliability. Spectrum Internet® subscribers can receive up to 1 Gig download speed with unlimited data and no-contract service. With over 32 million customers and coverage in 41 states, Spectrum has earned its place among the largest internet service providers in the country.

Ziply Fiber is the nation’s fastest internet provider. It can offer supremely fast, equal upload and download speeds of up to 10 Gigs for a starting price of just $10 per month. Ziply Fiber is a regional internet service provider that serves over 500,000 broadband subscribers in the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.

The best internet provider is the one that can offer the right internet speeds for your household’s needs. So, the first step for the extensive internet selection process is to determine your family’s internet speed requirements. Generally, a small family of 4 with moderate internet usage will need download speeds between 100 and 500 Mbps.

Secondly, you must pick a broadband plan that suits your monthly budget. As a rule of thumb, wired internet services are on the lower end of the price point. Whereas, wireless broadband connections, like satellite and fixed wireless internet, are considered pricier options. The finality of the decision will rest on the additional benefits that come with the service, such as free equipment, discounts, price lock guarantees, and more. Best internet plans are not just fast and affordable but also include perks that enhance the value of the overall service.

You can use our advanced search tool to find the best internet providers in your area. Enter your zip code in the search box above. Our well-trained AI bots will generate a comprehensive list of top-ranked internet service providers in your area. You can browse the list, and compare the providers’ internet speeds, prices, and perks to select the perfect internet provider for your home.

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