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$50 – $70 per month
Best cable internet provider
$50 – $80 per month
Best internet provider for customer care
$50 – $120 per month
Best internet provider for value
$20 – $95 per month
Worth a look if service is available
$45 – $165 per month
Convenient alternative rural internet provider
$45 – $65 per month
Fast and reliable option
$19 – $95 per month
Great value for high-speed internet
$70 – $150 per month
Best if you’re stuck with satellite
$70 – $300 per month
Off to a strong start
$20 – $900 per month
AT&T Fiber and Verizon Fios are two of our top ISPs.
There are times when cable internet, like that of Xfinity, Spectrum and Cox, is the best option. Cable is often a solid choice for cheap internet, which could be important because a recent CNET survey showed that 63% of adults paid more for internet service last year than they did the year prior. Cable can also be a fine option if you’re interested in bundling internet and TV, or internet and mobile. Cable internet boasts the highest availability of any non-satellite connection type, often making it the best option if there are no fiber providers in your area. Let’s look at which internet providers made CNET’s cut.
Our methodology
300 – 5,000 Mbps
$55 – $250 per month
Fiber
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Cable
Our take – Fiber offers the most bang for your buck, but a cable connection is the next best thing if fiber isn’t an option. Spectrum is the provider offering cable internet service in the country that I’d be happiest to see available at my address.
500 – 1,000 Mbps
$50 – $80 per month
| Plan | Starting monthly price | Max speeds | Monthly equipment fee | Data cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum 500 Internet Read full review |
$50 | 500Mbps download, 20Mbps upload | Modem free; $10 for router (optional) | None | None |
| Spectrum Gig Internet Read full review |
$70 | 1,000Mbps download, 35Mbps upload | Modem and router free | None | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Cable
Our take – WideOpenWest is a relatively small provider that offers services in six states. It earns the exclamation point it likes to stick at the end of its branding by offering cable internet plans at some of the best prices you’ll find anywhere in the US. That includes an entry-level 300Mbps plan that starts at $30 per month, reaching all the way up to a high-speed 1,200Mbps plan at $95 monthly. That’s a stellar cost per Mbps of just 8 cents, which is unheard of in the cable category. In some areas, for an extra $5 a month, WOW offers price-lock to your chosen plan to protect against sudden price increases.
100 – 1,200 Mbps
$20 – $95 per month
| Plan | Starting monthly price | Max speeds | Monthly equipment fee | Data Cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WOW Internet 300 Read full review |
$30 | 300Mbps download, 20 Mbps upload | None | None | None |
| WOW Internet 600 Read full review |
$45 | 600Mbps download, 50 Mbps upload | None | None | None |
| WOW Internet 1 Gig Read full review |
$60 | 1,000Mbps download, 50 Mbps upload | None | None | None |
| WOW Internet 1.2 Gigs Read full review |
$95 | 1,200Mbps download, 50 Mbps upload | None | None | None |
| Plan | Starting monthly price | Max speeds | Monthly equipment fee | Data cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantum Fiber 500 | $50 | 500Mbps download, 500Mbps upload | None | None | None |
| Quantum Fiber 940 | $75 | 940Mbps download, 940Mbps upload | None | None | None |
| Quantum Fiber 2 Gig | $95 | 2,000Mbps download, 1,000Mbps upload | None | None | None |
| Quantum Fiber 3 Gig | $100 | 3,000Mbps download, 3,000Mbps upload | None | None | None |
| Quantum Fiber 8 Gig | $165 | 8,000Mbps download, 3,000Mbps upload | None | None | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Cable
Our take – Comcast is the biggest name in cable, and the company offers its Xfinity internet service to over 100 million people in the US — more than a third of the country. Subscribers will find a great variety of plans and packages to choose from, including download speeds of up to 2,000Mbps, that are available across the majority of the sprawling coverage map. In addition, Xfinity consistently earns above-average customer satisfaction scores too.
150 – 2,000 Mbps
$19 – $95 per month
| Plan | Monthly price | Max speeds | Fees and service details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connect More | $40 ($83 after 12 months) | 400Mbps download, 150Mbps upload | Equipment and unlimited data free for 1 year; $15 gateway rental after 12 months |
| Fast | $45 ($98 after 12 months) | 600Mbps download, 150Mbps upload | Equipment and unlimited data free for 1 year; $15 gateway rental after 12 months |
| Gigabit | $50 ($108 after 12 months) | 1,100Mbps download, 300Mbps upload | Equipment and unlimited data free for 1 year; $15 gateway rental after 12 months |
| Gigabit Extra | $70 ($113 after 12 months) | 1,300Mbps download, 300Mbps upload | Equipment and unlimited data free for 1 year; $15 gateway rental after 12 months |
| Gigabit X2 | $90 ($116 after 12 months) | 2,000Mbps download, 300Mbps upload | Equipment and unlimited data free for 1 year; $15 gateway rental after 12 months |
| Gigabit Pro (fiber) | $300 | 10,000Mbps download, 10,000Mbps upload | $20 gateway rental (required), unlimited data, 2-year contract |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Satellite
Our take – Satellite internet is typically slow, laggy and temperamental in inclement weather, so I’d explore other options if you’ve got them. That’s the issue; too many of us don’t have other options, and satellite internet from established names like Viasat and Hughesnet are available just about everywhere.
12 – 150 Mbps
$70 – $300 per month
| Plan | Starting monthly price | Max speeds | Monthly equipment fee | Data cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viasat Unleashed Read full review |
$100-$150 | Up to 150Mbps, 3Mbps upload | $15 or $250 one-time purchase | None (850GB soft cap) | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
The broadband beat keeps our team busy, but we’ll continue evaluating internet providers and updating this post as new options emerge. Please note that the plans below show each provider’s cheapest available tier. The maximum speed is the top advertised speed for that given plan, but it might not be available in your area. Overall, the best selection for you — and the most cost-effective plan — might be a different tier that provides a faster speed at a higher price but a better value. To more fully understand this value-based approach, check out CNET’s guide to examining the cost per Mbps.
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Finding the right ISP for your household isn’t easy. This is especially true if you live in a rural or underserved portion of the US. We recommend carefully considering your household’s activities so you can better determine the download and upload speeds necessary to meet your needs. With that knowledge, you can better tackle plan pricing that will fit your budget and broadband demands.
For more comprehensive tips on finding the top internet plan for your household, check out CNET’s 10 tips to help you get the most out of your internet service.
For most of us, our internet use mainly focuses on our download speeds. Your download speed determines how easily you can stream the latest hit Netflix show or how fast you can load your favorite Amazon shopping page. The slower your download speeds, the longer it takes to do tasks on the internet. For example, Netflix suggests 15Mbps or higher to watch programming in ultra HD (to take full advantage of that 4K TV you bought).
As for uploads, most of us couldn’t care less about our upload speeds before the pandemic. Once we started excessively video chatting with friends and family, taking Zoom calls with business colleagues and sending files and homework to our bosses and teachers, we discovered its importance too.
Considering what types of activities dominate your household will affect what level of download speed you’ll need. Do you work remotely from home? Are you living in a household full of kids with their own devices? Have you recently downsized and are an empty nester? Take stock of how many devices are in your home and what kind of internet users you have. You can refer to our internet speed guide for a quick explainer on determining what speeds you may need.
At first glance, you might think it’s easy to spot good plan pricing. The cheaper the monthly fee, the better the price, right? Maybe. Because internet providers are not the most transparent (a Consumer Reports broadband study noted that customers found internet bills to be “extremely confusing”), one low monthly rate might not equal the next.
Keep an eye out for promo rates that expire quickly. Most enticing, low starting prices won’t last, and you may pay more for low speeds in the long term. Also, look for hidden fees and/or pricing traps that may add to your monthly expenses. For example, some providers don’t include equipment rentals in their monthly rates. That could add another $5 to $15 to your monthly bill.
Lastly, one good way to determine value is by examining the cost per Mbps. You might find a 75Mbps plan for $20 monthly from one provider and a 250Mbps plan for $30 monthly from another. Before you sign up for that $20 plan, consider that the cost per Mbps is just under 27 cents. The 250Mbps plan, on the other hand, chimes in at 12 cents per Mbps, so it’s a better value — more than 50% cheaper per Mbps — and you get more than three times the download speed.
Just as you might search the internet for recommendations on a good local restaurant, it can be helpful to research customers’ experiences with an ISP before you sign up. CNET has found it helpful to lean on the annual ISP surveys from the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, but many resources are available. Learning about constant network interruptions, a negligent help desk or frequent billing mistakes can be valuable info for choosing (or avoiding) certain providers.
There are six major types of internet available: fiber, cable, 5G, fixed wireless, DSL and satellite. Each of these internet technologies provides different quirks and benefits. Our CNET experts share their experiences with each internet connection type to better illustrate some differences.
Fiber internet is the gold standard if you can get it. It’s often called “future-proof,” meaning that it offers some of the fastest plans available and features symmetrical download and upload speeds. It’s more reliable than cable and is less prone to outages or network congestion. AT&T, Google and Verizon are among the major players that offer fiber-optic internet, but unfortunately, fiber internet is one of the least available internet connection types in the country. To learn whether this connection is right for your household, read our explainer on fiber internet.
Cable internet supplies your internet connection through the same cables (often a hybrid fiber and copper line) that providers use for TV services. It’s more reliable than satellite internet and offers faster download speeds. Often, cable internet is bundled with TV to get consumers to buy higher-priced packages to get a deal on internet service. Companies like Cox, Spectrum and Xfinity offer cable internet for competitive prices.
5G home internet and fixed wireless go hand-in-hand: 5G home internet services are fixed wireless internet services. Not all fixed wireless services are 5G home internet offerings. Fixed wireless service means the connection between your provider and home is not wired. That fixed wireless connection can come via cellular networks or satellite. Fixed wireless networks tend to be slower and more laggy than wired connections. You’re also subject to network congestion and speed throttling during peak usage hours. The promise of 5G home internet from companies like Starry, T-Mobile and Verizon is speeds that match up favorably to cable connections. Is it there yet? Not quite, but my CNET colleague is optimistic about 5G home internet’s potential.
DSL, or digital subscriber line, uses telephone lines to provide internet connectivity to users. Companies like AT&T, CenturyLink and Frontier offer DSL internet. The good news is those copper lines are prevalent across the country. The not-so-good news is that download speeds fall short of what cable internet can offer. In some cases, your speeds might even be slower than satellite internet.
Satellite internet is the one broadband connection type currently available to people in the rural areas of all 50 states. As a solid alternative for those without access to DSL, cable or fiber internet, satellite internet links a modem in your home to a satellite in space, sending the internet back to Earth. Typically, satellite internet features slower speeds — though Starlink has certainly disrupted expectations for satellite internet and raised the bar way up. Note that, like 5G home internet and other fixed wireless offerings, satellite internet is subject to network congestion and speed throttling.
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. What’s our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary pricing, availability and speed database that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
The answers to those questions are often layered and complex, but the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Finding the right ISP is easier said than done, especially if you live in a rural part of the country with limited options for getting online. Fiber internet is almost always the best internet connection type, but we recognize that many Americans don’t currently have access to fiber internet.
Some providers we listed might not be the perfect fit for your situation. Often, the best provider is simply the one available at your address. We recommend carefully considering your household’s activities so you can better determine your broadband demands.
What’s the cheapest way to get internet?
The good news is that gigabit plans are now common and offered by almost all major ISPs. As we often say, the fastest internet service for you will depend on your location and specific address. Xfinity and Optimum often extend the fastest plans available for residential homes, with a 10,000Mbps and an 8,000Mbps plan, respectively. Those aren’t as widely available and may require a site survey to ensure serviceability.
In 2022, a Chattanooga, Tennessee, provider announced it was offering a 25Gbps plan. Although that’s impressive, Ziply Fiber subsequently released a 50-gigabit plan. That’s ridiculously fast and pretty cool, though you probably don’t need that much speed in your household. To avoid paying for speeds you don’t need, read our guide on how much speed your household needs.
If fast is what you’re looking for, Ziply Fiber has two of the fastest internet plans of any major ISP, with advertised symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 10,000Mbps and 50,000Mbps. If you’re more interested in customer care and value, Verizon offers the best sign-up bonuses among high-speed internet providers.
Since internet providers tend to operate in specific areas, the provider with the best Wi-Fi coverage will depend on where you live. Currently, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is available in 49 states and has 65% nationwide coverage.
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New York, NY 1001
India Office
Office-S-2 Second Floor,
Yashwant Plaza
Opp.Railway station, Indore(M.P.)
Broadlink Development (Guyana)
6&7 Fellowship
Mahaicony, E.C.D, Guyana.
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