Best Internet Service Provider in USA

The US is one of the places where you can expect high-speed internet connections without paying a lot. But how do you choose the best internet service provider in the USA? I can tell you one thing: getting the cheapest option in your area is not always good. Instead, you should do some research first.

In this detailed guide, I will share some insights on the best internet service providers in the USA.

Best Internet Service Providers in the USA

If you prioritize speed and performance, Google Fiber and AT&T are the best options. However, you have to consider the availability of these ISPs. On the other hand, you can consider Xfinity and Verizon Fios as better picks for budget-friendly scenarios.

Our Methodology for Choosing the Best

Since I started working and moving around in the USA, I have had to use more than 10 ISPs for my work and home. However, I understand that a purely anecdotal method will not be fruitful in this article. Therefore, I have devised a method to consider the following aspects of each provider.

• Speed
• Coverage
• Connection Types
• Performance
• Pricing/Plans
• Customer Service
• Reliability

I first created a list of popular ISPs containing 25 brands. Then, they were compared against each other and were shortlisted into the ten options I have presented below. I have sub-categorized them so you can pick one that suits your priorities.

Fastest Internet Service Providers in the US

Let’s say you do not mind paying something extra every month but do not want to compromise speeds. If so, you should consider the fastest internet service provider in the USA. But promised speeds are useless if you do not have a reliable service, right? So, I have made sure that these fastest ISPs are great.

#1 Google Fiber

If available in your area, Google Fiber is the fastest ISP you can get in the USA. A product from Alphabet, Google Fiber uses cutting-edge fiber-optics technology to provide internet, TV, and other bundled services. Here’s a quick table of what Google Fiber offers:

Aspect	Description
Speed	Ultra-fast: 1000 Mbps to 2,000 Mbps (1 Gbps to 8 Gbps)
Availability	Limited, select cities in US, primarily urban areas
Pricing	Starts at $70 per month
Reliability	Generally reliable with minimal downtime
Customer Service	Generally positive with responsive support
Installation	Professional setup by technician
Equipment	Router and modem provided
Data Caps	Typically unlimited data usage
Internet Type	Fiber-only
Additional Services	TV packages, home phone available

Google Fiber: The Good

• Speed: Google Fiber offers reliable download/upload speeds, even with the base $70 plan providing symmetrical 1Gbps speeds.
• They also provide quality hardware like the Nest WiFi Pro for easy management via an app. You can use the Google Home app as well.
• Additional Perks: Users invested in the Google ecosystem enjoy extra perks such as 1TB of cloud storage. Professional installation is a plus, although self-installation kits are available.
• Reliability: Google Fiber stands out for its reliability in the US, owing to its dedicated infrastructure, making it a great choice for uninterrupted high-speed internet, especially for work.
• Flexibility: Google Fiber also offers a highly flexible payment system. You can cancel, pause, resume, and move the service without heavy fees.

Google Fiber: The Bad

• Limited Availability: Even the base 1Gig and 2Gig plans aren’t available across the US. And the higher 4Gig and 8Gig plans are available in select markets only.
• Fewer Bundled Options: Google Fiber is undesirable if you want all-in-one packages with a landline phone.

Google Fiber: My Take

The bad points regarding Google Fiber do not matter if you live in an area with Fiber coverage. In that case, $70 for 1Gbps (unlimited) offers incredible value for money. So, for me, Google Fiber is a no-brainer choice.

#2 AT&T

Unlike Google Fiber, AT&T has found a balance between wide coverage and impressive speeds. So, if you need a high-speed internet connection alongside reasonable bundles, you should check out what AT&T offers.

Aspect	Description
Speed	300 Mbps to 5 Gbps
Availability	Widely available across the US, urban, suburban, rural
Pricing	Starts at $55 per month, bundled services available
Reliability	Generally reliable with minimal downtime
Customer Service	Mixed reviews, varying experiences
Installation	Professional or self-installation options
Equipment	Modems and routers provided, rental or purchase options
Data Caps	Some plans have data caps, unlimited options available
Internet Type	Fiber Optic and DSL
Additional Services	Offers TV packages, home phone, bundled services

AT&T Internet: The Good

• Wider Availability: You can find fiber- or cable-based internet services from AT&T nationwide. If fiber is unavailable, you can count on its DSL network.
• High Speeds: While not as high as Google Fiber, AT&T Internet can offer speeds up to 5 Gigabit. But these services are available only in select areas. Nevertheless, you can easily find affordable 300Mbps plans from AT&T.
• Impressive Bundles: With AT&T, you can easily bundle internet service with mobile, fixed landline, and other accessories. The company also offers dedicated hardware to improve Wi-Fi coverage.
• AT&T Internet is generally reliable as well. It is known for satisfactory uptime across the country. So, with the fiber plans, you can use AT&T for gaming and video calls.

AT&T Internet: The Bad

• Hidden Fees are common with AT&T Internet plans. The company may charge extra fees for setting up and maintaining the system. You are also restricted to the dedicated hardware.
• The higher-speed plans from AT&T are not reasonable, either. For instance, for the 5Gig plan, you’d have to pay close to $250 instead of the $150 for Google Fiber.
• I also hate the data caps on AT&T Internet plans. You need to pay additional charges to keep a plan truly unlimited.

AT&T Internet: My Take

Given its wider coverage, AT&T is a great option for those who need the best speed. However, it becomes a lot more expensive when you go for Gigabit plans. You should also watch out for additional costs, especially if you opt for company-provided installation.

Cheapest Internet Service Providers in the US

I completely understand if you do not want the best speed or uptime. If you want to compromise these aspects for some monetary savings, you should consider the cheapest internet service providers in the USA. Once again, despite being cheap, these ISPs are worth counting on.

#3 Comcast Xfinity

Comcast Xfinity is something I recommend whenever someone asks for a decent yet cheap ISP in their area. In most cases, Xfinity works because it uses Comcast’s existing infrastructure for wide availability. Thus, you can get a standard value from this ISP.

Aspect	Description
Speed	Variable: 25 Mbps to 2,000 Mbps (2 Gbps)
Availability	Wide availability across the US
Pricing	Starts at $19.99 to $299.95 per month
Reliability	Generally reliable with some variability
Customer Service	Mixed reviews with both positive and negative feedback
Installation	Professional or self-installation options available
Equipment	Modems and routers provided, rental only
Data Caps	Some plans have data caps, with unlimited options
Internet Type	Cable internet and fiber
Additional Services	TV packages, home phone, and bundled options available

Xfinity: The Good

• Despite being cheaper, Xfinity has one of the widest networks across the country. You can find either Xfinity or Comcast in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas.
• You can choose between a wider variety of plans and pricing. The base plan starts at $19.99, and you can pay up to $300 depending on the speed/performance you need.
• Xfinity offers additional bundling options, including Xfinity Mobile and TV. You can even get amazing discounts with other Comcast services like Peacock.
• Xfinity equipment is fairly easy to set up and maintain. I particularly love the Xfinity Home app, which makes things easier.

Xfinity: The Bad

• While cheaper, the base plans from Xfinity offer limited speeds of 150Mbps. More importantly, you have a data cap of 1.2TB, which can be a problem for heavy users. However, the fiber plan is exempt from this cap.
• The customer service from Xfinity is not the best, either. While you can rely on its extensive tutorials and other documentation, the support system needs work.
• I have also noticed that the advertised prices apply for only the first year. So, you will have to pay more in the subsequent years. You also have to deal with Xfinity cancellation fees depending on how many months are left in the contract.

Xfinity: My Take

While Xfinity Internet offers standard value for money, it is not affordable when you need the best speed. I would also warn you against cancellation fees and subpar customer service. Yet, the ecosystem that Xfinity builds is sustainable from a user’s point of view.

#4 Verizon Fios

Verizon Fios is another widely available yet cheaper ISP in the United States. You get benefits if you already use Verizon’s cellular service. Even otherwise, home internet plans from Verizon Fios are of great value to most people.

Aspect	Description
Speed	300 Mbps to 2Gbps
Availability	Limited, mainly East Coast, some Midwest, West Coast
Pricing	Starts at $49.99 per month, bundled options available
Reliability	Generally reliable with minimal downtime
Customer Service	Generally positive reviews, responsive support
Installation	Professional installation included, self-install options may be available
Equipment	Modems and routers provided with service
Data Caps	Typically unlimited data usage
Internet Type	Fiber-optic technology
Additional Services	TV packages, home phone, bundled wireless services

Before I talk more about this, I have to clarify something. Verizon Fios is in this position solely because of its bundled options. That is, the actual price of Verizon Fios is not the cheapest in town. However, when you bundle the home internet service with Verizon Mobile, you can save almost 50%.

So, I will discuss the price under the impression that you are ready for these bundles.

Verizon Fios: The Good

• In addition to being one of the cheapest internet service providers in the US, Verizon Fios has great coverage nationwide. It uses fiber-optic technology to ensure the best speed and performance for your home/office.
• I also love the variety of plans from Verizon Fios. Starting at $24.99, you get an impressive speed of 300Mbps. You can go up to 2Gbps, at which point the price hits $84.99.
• You can also get the Full Wi-Fi kit with the mid-range plans from Verizon. I recommend this method if you do not want to separately invest in a mesh system.
• The 5-year price guarantee from Verizon is also a good reason to rely on this ISP. At the least, you’d have uninterrupted access for the next five years.
• If you already use Verizon services, the packages from Verizon Fios are more than reasonable. You’d have access to the internet service without compromising anything else.

Verizon Fios: The Bad

• The savings from Verizon are applicable only when you go for bundles. You pay a huge amount if you purchase these plans without a discount. I also noticed that Auto Pay is needed for these discounts.
• Additional fees are also a big problem with Verizon, especially while shifting from it. The company is known for refunding cancellation fees from other ISPs. However, you should expect some tussle if and when you move away from Verizon.

Verizon Fios: My Take

I can easily recommend Verizon Fios if you are already interested in other products from the provider. Otherwise, it may not be the cheapest option out there. But you get a solid experience in terms of performance and speed across your home.

Best Satellite Internet Providers in the USA

If you live in an extremely rural area where cable/fiber internet connections are impossible, you can consider getting a satellite internet service. While it is true that the satellite internet industry is not that competitive, I needed some research to find the best satellite ISPs.

#5 Hughesnet

Hughesnet is one of the best options if your home does not have access to wired internet service. Instead, you can rely on the JUPITER 3 satellite to access the internet. The packages from Hughesnet are designed for multiple scenarios.

Aspect	Description
Speed	Up to 100Mbps
Availability	Nationwide, suitable for rural and remote areas
Pricing	Starts at $59.99 per month
Reliability	Generally reliable, occasional slowdowns possible
Customer Service	Mixed reviews, some report slow support response
Installation	Professional required, self-install kits sometimes available
Equipment	Satellite dish and modem provided, leased
Data Caps	Unlimited with Fair Access Policy throttling
Internet Type	Satellite
Additional Services	Limited focus on internet connectivity

Hughesnet: The Good

• Hughesnet offers a maximum speed of up to 100Mbps in the best conditions. Considering that you use a satellite system, the speeds are impressive.
• The company also offers a Fusion plan advertised for its low-latency design. It claims that you can use the Fusion plan for more responsive tasks like online gaming and video calls.
• Considering its standard speed of 50Mbps, the basic plan from Hughesnet is reasonable for most. It should be powerful enough to handle HD streaming.
• Like cable internet service providers, Hughesnet also offers full-home Wi-Fi systems. This way, when you have a suitable plan, you can make the connection available across your home.
• I found it impressive that you can bundle some cool additional services. For instance, the ability to route phone calls via satellite may be useful if you live in a remote area.

Hughesnet: The Bad

• Despite its claims, latency remains an issue with Hughesnet. Even in the Fusion plan, the latency of connections is not stable. It could be a problem if you are into gaming.
• The speed limitations could also be a hindrance for some users. While 100Mbps is great for HD or 4K streaming, satellite internet cannot always deliver these speeds. So, the maximum being 100Mbps can be a problem.

Hughesnet: My Take

I recommend this internet service provider if you do not mind paying for an internet service available in your region. Hughesnet offers standard speeds for browsing, streaming, and content downloads even while relying on satellites.

Other Best Value-for-Money ISPs in the USA

Now, I will talk about other internet service providers offering value-for-money services. These may not have the highest speeds or the lowest costs. However, they offer great service in areas where they have basic coverage.

#6 T-Mobile Home Internet

T-Mobile’s Home Internet is another good option that you can consider if you live in a rural area. If you can’t  rely on cable internet, you can choose wireless internet plans from this internet service provider.

Pros:

• Affordable pricing
• No data caps
• Fast speeds in some areas
• Simple setup process
• Flexibility with portable modem

Cons:

• Limited availability
• Speeds vary depending on the location
• Potential network congestion
• Lack of bundled services

The company is known for its mobile services, and by relying on them, you can get 5G or 4G LTE networks to make a good connection. This service will use the Internet Lite plan to give you up to 300 GB of data per package. As far as speeds are concerned, you can choose between 72 Mbps and 245 Mbps at maximum.

Even though T-Mobile Home Internet does not offer the best speeds, you will appreciate its flexibility. Because it does not involve extensive wiring or cables, you can take this system away as you please. So, it is a good option for people who move around or live in RVs.

There are no issues with pricing or contracts either. You can choose between the prepaid or the postpaid options depending on how you want to pay. But, in my experience, moving around with these wireless systems can result in speed variation.

If you prioritize flexibility over speed, you can go with T-Mobile Home Internet.

#7 Cox Communications

Cox communication, also known as Cox Internet, is another great option that you may want to consider if you are into gaming or content streaming.

Pros:

• High-speed options
• Bundled services available
• Consistent reliability
• Strong customer service

Cons:

• Pricing may be higher than competitors
• Data caps on some plans
• Limited availability of fiber-optic options

Even though the plans are somewhat budget-friendly, Cox Internet is known for using a hybrid between fiber and coaxial cables. You can also choose between security, automation, TV and landline phone bundles.

Regarding availability, I have found that Cox Communications has a good footprint across the country. Depending on your requirements, you can choose between 100 Mbps and 2 Gbps, which can be useful for gamers.

The bigger problem with Cox Internet is the annoying data caps. These data caps become functional even as you use the most expensive plans. I also find availability concerning if you live in a state other than the 19 states covered by Cox.

If you are looking for the best speeds, you can get Cox Internet.

#8 Kinetic by Windstream

You should check out Kinetic by Windstream if you live in a rural area but need a fiber-based internet connection.

Pros:

• Competitive Pricing
• No data caps
• Wide availability in rural areas
• Fiber-optic options in select locations
• Bundle options available

Cons:

• Limited availability in urban areas
• Speeds may vary by location
• Customer service satisfaction varies
• Equipment rental fees

Considering that you can get the plans for as low as $39.99 per month, the internet plans from Kinetic are not the most expensive. For instance, even when you go for the 2-gigabit plan from the company, you only have to pay close to $100 per month.

This plan surprisingly offers up to 2 gigabits of upload and download speeds. It is also convenient to bundle other services, such as Dish TV or Voice, by paying an additional amount. Unlike other ISPs, Kinetic does not bother us with data caps or contracts.

In addition, you also get a hall home Wi-Fi setup when you purchase one of the fiber internet plans from the company. This option and the gateway rental are also included in the non-fiber internet plans. So, for a company that prioritizes speed, Kinetic is quite affordable.

It is a great option if you live in an area where Kinetic has coverage.

Types of Internet Service (Cable, Fiber, Satellite, DSL)

I will quickly talk about the popular internet service technologies in the United States.

Aspect	Cable Internet	Fiber-Optic Internet	Satellite Internet	DSL Internet
Speed	Up to 1000 Mbps	Up to 10000 Mbps	Up to 200 Mbps	Up to 100 Mbps
Availability	Widely available	Limited availability	Nationwide coverage	Widely available
Reliability	Generally reliable	Very reliable	Susceptible to weather	Variable
Latency	Low	Lowest	High	Moderate
Data Caps	Some plans	Typically unlimited	Typically unlimited	Most plans
Equipment	Provided	Provided, usually included	Provided, leased	Provided, rental or purchase
Cost	Varies	Varies	Higher setup costs	Affordable

Cable internet is the most common type of internet service available in the United States, and it uses coaxial cables to provide the internet connection to your home. The system consists of a modem which will convert the signals from the coaxial cable into digital signals that your devices can use.

Fiber internet connections, on the other hand, use fiber optic cables to transfer information from one point to another. Fiber cable connections are known for their higher speed and are becoming popular worldwide.

Satellite internet connections use communication satellites to relay information between your device and the ground station. So, as far as your device is concerned, it can access the internet without physical wires or extensive cable management.

The DSL internet technology has become somewhat outdated and is being used only in rare instances. This is a novel technology that uses telephone cables for transferring information. It is the last resort if you can’t get any other options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

I have tried my best to help you understand the best Internet Service Providers in the United States.

While we stay united, not all these ISPs are available in all states. Therefore, you must check many factors like coverage and speed restrictions in your area.

For instance, I have always preferred Google Fiber for its no-hassle payment and top speeds. But, the lack of coverage has forced me to shift to other ISPs, especially while moving to rural areas. In those instances, I’d much prefer rural-optimized options like Kinetic or something like the Mobile Internet from T-Mobile.