Download Speed
000 Mbps
Upload Speed
000 Mbps
Latency (ping)
00 ms
Jitter
00 ms
Searching for top-notch internet service in the Windy City?
Shopping for internet in Chicago requires navigating a mix of historic neighborhoods and modern high-rises. A classic greystone in Lincoln Park will have different wiring challenges compared to a sleek condo in the Loop. Chicago’s ISP footprint is also a challenging mix of national and regional providers that offer competing speeds, benefits, and plans. While fiber is expanding, many areas still depend on traditional cable networks. It’s important to understand what infrastructure your specific building supports, as this will heavily influence your available speeds and provider choices.
Run our speed test above to see how your current internet is holding up. If you’re ready for a change, browse our top selections for the best internet providers in Chicago.
Whether you’re watching the Bears or tuning into local news, a great TV and internet bundle is a must for Chicagoans. Combining these services can help you keep more money in your pocket. Providers like Xfinity and AT&T offer competitive packages that cater to a wide range of viewing habits and internet needs.
Connect multiple devices at once. Stream on your own screen.
Bundle fiber-powered AT&T Internet with a DIRECTV package
DIRECTV brings you every live NFL game, every Sunday with NFL SUNDAYTICKET.
Access to 185+ Channels
Speeds up to 2000 Mbps
Switch to Xfinity Internet + TV and get up to $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube.
Access millions of Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the US.
Easily monitor who's using your internet.
Access to -1+ Channels
Speeds up to 5000 Mbps
Sync recorded shows to your mobile devices.
Get 1,000s of shows On Demand.
Get the help you need with 24/7 customer support.
No one likes paying more than they should for internet or TV service. CableTV.com's deal-hunting experts comb the internet to find the best and newest deals to save you money. Check out our pick for the best internet deal this month in Chicago, Illinois.
Need a budget-friendly connection so you can grab another deep-dish pizza? Discover our top picks for the cheapest and most reliable internet options in Chicago.
Cheapest Cable Internet:
Cheapest Fiber Internet:
Cheapest 5G Internet:
Blow away slow loading times with a high-speed connection. If you demand top-tier performance, check out our recommendations for the fastest internet providers in Chicago.
Fastest Cable Internet:
Fastest Fiber Internet:
Fastest 5G Internet:
Every year, CableTV.com talks to thousands of real-life internet and TV customers as part of our Customer Satisfaction Survey series. Use our guide below to see what customers in Chicago thought about their TV and internet providers.
Internet can be delivered to your home in more ways than ever now, and the key factor you need to worry about is finding a provider that offers maximum performance and value. Let’s break down the most common types of home internet service you’ll see in your area.
Fiber providers use high-speed fiber-optic cables to deliver the fastest download and upload speeds on the market. Fiber internet offers phenomenal performance and transfer speeds of up to 8,000 Mbps, but availability varies widely between cities and regions.
Cable internet is delivered through coaxial cables run through telephone poles or the ground, providing a reliable internet connection and steady internet speeds. Popular providers include Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox. Cable internet has the biggest nationwide footprint and offers solid-enough performance for most households.
5G home internet is a new type of home internet service that uses 5G cell phone data towers to wirelessly connect your home to the internet. Availability varies by area, but with 5G, you’ll get cable internet-level speeds with flat-rate pricing that gets even cheaper when you bundle phone and internet service. Popular 5G home internet providers include T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T.
DSL internet is delivered through a telephone line using Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology. While substantially slower than fiber or cable, DSL is available in areas where other high-speed options are limited.
Satellite internet uses a small dish installed at your home to deliver home internet service from satellites in space. However, it’s substantially slower and pricier than cable or fiber internet. This makes it best suited for rural subscribers who can’t get traditional internet services in their area.
Speed depends on your specific street, but in most metro areas, fiber-optic internet (like Google Fiber or AT&T Fiber) is the undisputed king, offering symmetrical speeds up to 8 Gbps. If fiber hasn't reached your block yet, cable (like Xfinity or Spectrum) is your next best bet and often reaches 1.2 Gbps transfer speeds.
Pro Tip: Always check for symmetrical speeds. Fiber offers the same upload and download speeds, which is a game-changer for video calls and gaming.
For a modern four-person home doing 4K streaming, gaming, and remote work, we recommend minimum download speeds of 500 Mbps. 4K streams take about 25 Mbps each, but "buffer room" for background updates and smart home devices eats up bandwidth quickly. If two or more people are working from home or gaming simultaneously, 1 Gig (1,000 Mbps) is the "set it and forget it" choice for 2026.
Yes, but with a caveat. 5G home internet (T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T) is excellent for budget-conscious users and small households. It's easy to set up and usually cheaper. But because it relies on cell towers, speeds can fluctuate during "peak hours" (like 7:00 p.m. when everyone is home). For tasks like competitive gaming or high-def video uploads, a wired cable or fiber connection remains the most reliable choice.
Most fiber and 5G providers (like Google Fiber or T-Mobile) have moved to a no-contract model by default. Similarly, many traditional cable companies offer month-to-month pricing on their prepaid plans or slightly higher rates in exchange for extended price guarantees.
Warning: Choosing no-contract sometimes means you'll miss out on a promotional price, so compare the total cost over 12 months before deciding.
The advertised price isn't always the final bill. Look out for these three:
Astound: Observed speeds may vary | One-time fees extra | Restrictions apply | Not available in all areas | New residential customers only
Astound: Observed speeds may vary | One-time fees extra | Restrictions apply | Not available in all areas | New residential customers only
AT&T: Price includes $10/mo. discount when you sign up for paperless billing and AutoPay with a debit card or bank account. Or $5/mo. with a credit card.
Earthlink: Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas. Exclusions like taxes & fees apply. Not available in all areas. Limited-time offer; subject to change.
Earthlink: Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas. Exclusions like taxes & fees apply. Not available in all areas. Limited-time offer; subject to change.
XFINITY: New Xfinity Internet customers. Limited to 300 Mbps internet. Requires both paperless billing and automatic payments with stored bank account (or additional $10/mo charge applies). Installation, taxes and fees, and other applicable charges extra, and subj. to change. Service limited to a single outlet. Internet: Actual speeds vary and are not guaranteed. For factors affecting speed visit www.xfinity.com/networkmanagement.
T-Mobile Home Internet: w/AutoPay. Guarantee exclusions like taxes and fees apply.
Starlink: Users on Residential 100 Mbps and Residential 200 Mbps will be limited to download speeds of 100 Mbps and 200 Mbps respectively. Residential 100 Mbps and Residential 200 Mbps plans are only available in select areas. Residential Max users will experience maximum available speeds and top Residential network priority.
Hughesnet: Minimum term required and early service termination fees apply. Monthly Fee reflects the applied $5 savings for ACH enrollment. Offer may vary by geographic area.
T-Mobile Fiber: w/AutoPay taxes and fees apply.
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