Best Internet Providers 2023: Plans, Prices, Deals, and More
Got a need for speed? Want to save cash on your internet plan? Find out what internet provider is best for you.
AT&T
Price: $55.00–$180.00/mo.
Download speeds: 100–5,000 Mbps
Data cap: 1 TB–Unlimited
AT&T
Price: $55.00–$180.00/mo.
Download speeds: 100–5,000 Mbps
Data cap: 1 TB–Unlimited
Optimum
Price: $40.00–$180.00/mo.
Download speeds: 300–5,000 Mbps
Data cap: Unlimited
Optimum
Price: $40.00–$180.00/mo.
Download speeds: 300–5,000 Mbps
Data cap: Unlimited
Spectrum
Price: $49.99–$89.99/mo.
Download speed: 300 Mbps–1,000 Mbps
Data cap: Unlimited
Spectrum
Price: $49.99–$89.99/mo.
Download speed: 300 Mbps–1,000 Mbps
Data cap: Unlimited
T-Mobile Home Internet
Price: $50.00/mo.
Download speed: 33–182 Mbps
Data cap: Unlimited
T-Mobile Home Internet
Price: $50.00/mo.
Download speed: 33–182 Mbps
Data cap: Unlimited
Whether you’re looking for the absolute cheapest internet service or the fastest home internet, we’ve got you covered. Out of our five recommendations for the best home internet providers, we really love AT&T Fiber internet, but each internet service provider (ISP) below offers something special to fit your needs.
Best internet service providers head to head
| Internet provider | Price | Max download speed | Data cap | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $55.00–$180.00/mo. | 100–5,000 Mbps | 1 TB–Unlimited | |
| Google Fiber | $70.00–$100.00/mo. | 1,000–2,000 Mbps | Unlimited | |
| Optimum | $40.00–$180.00/mo. | 300–5,000 Mbps | Unlimited | |
| Spectrum | $49.99–$89.99/mo. | 300 Mbps–1,000 Mbps | Unlimited | |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | $50.00/mo. | 33–182 Mbps | Unlimited | |
| Verizon | $49.99–$89.99/mo. | 200–940 Mbps | Unlimited | |
| Xfinity | $19.99–$85.00/mo. | 150–6,000 Mbps | 1.2 TB–Unlimited |
Data effective as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
What to look for in top internet service providers
Some internet services have exciting deals and freebies that look super impressive. But when you want the best home internet, make sure the price per month, download speed, and data caps meet your standards before you sign a contract.
Price per month
Since there’s no standard for internet pricing, even 25 Mbps plans can run anywhere from $19.99 to $60.00 per month. It’s a big range, we know. Price depends a lot on your provider and location.
If you’re looking for budget-friendly internet service, we recommend trying to find a deal around $50 per month. Most providers have basic internet plans that are at or below this price point.
Download speed
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines broadband—high-speed internet—as 25 Mbps download speeds and 3 Mbps upload speeds. Unless you’re in a rural area, it’s easy to find internet speeds like that nowadays.
But our internet usage is growing all the time. People stream more, game more, and telecommute more. Add to that cool smart home devices, and our bandwidth usage is higher than ever.
With that in mind, we recommend trying for faster internet speeds. Going from 25 Mbps to 50 Mbps will make a world of difference, but jumping up to 100 Mbps is the best fit for most homes.
Unless you’re a super internet user, you probably don’t need 1,000 Mbps, but if you feel like your internet connection is too slow, go ahead and kick it up a notch. Check out our internet speed guide if you need help deciding what internet plan best fits your household.
Data caps
Data caps—also called data allowances—are limits on how much an ISP will let you use the internet before it charges you extra fees.
Every time you upload or download something, whether it’s clicking a link, sending a Facebook message, or streaming a show from Netflix, you’re using data.
We didn’t talk about data caps much in this article because our top five recommendations all meet our standards. That means they’re all around 1,024 GB (1 TB), which is more than plenty for the average household. (Should you be concerned about going over 1TB of data? We’ve got the answer.)
But knowing your provider’s data caps and how much it will charge you can save you a lot of heartbreak. We broke down all the limits and fees in this data cap article, so you don’t have to dig through internet contracts to find your info.
Best internet providers FAQ
What is the fastest internet speed?
The fastest internet download speed you can get for your home is 5,000 Mbps. You’ll find this high-speed internet offered only by AT&T.
What is the fastest internet service?
AT&T is the fastest internet provider in the USA thanks to its 5,000 Mbps home internet plan. This ridiculously expensive plan will run you $180.00 per month, and it’s not available in all areas.
But if you live in a big city, and you’ve got the cash, you could practically break the sound barrier with these download speeds. Still, 100 Mbps internet plans are fast enough for most of us, and they’re a lot more affordable.
What is the fastest satellite internet provider?
Viasat has the fastest satellite internet service, with download speeds up to 100 Mbps. Satellite internet usually costs more and has more latency than fixed wireless or wired internet services like DSL, fiber, or cable internet. But unlike cable, DSL, or fiber ISPs, Viasat is widely available and covers more cities and rural areas.
Who is the best internet provider in my area?
The best internet provider for you depends on availability in your area, but our best national-provider picks offer a strong mix of value and internet performance.
- AT&T
- Optimum
- Spectrum
- T-Mobile Home Internet
Use our zip check tool above to see if any of our top internet provider picks are available in your area.
What’s the worst internet provider?
Our most recent internet customer satisfaction survey, which asked customers from major internet providers to rate their internet experience, placed EarthLink in last place.
Should I choose an internet-only provider?
Almost every internet provider out there has internet-only packages, so there’s no need to avoid a provider just because it offers optional TV service.
