Internet providers in Minneapolis, MN

What is the best internet provider in Minneapolis?

• CenturyLink - Low-cost options
• Xfinity - High speeds widely available
• Mediacom - Good for multiple users
• Viasat - Widely available
• HughesNet - Perfect for rural areas

Minneapolis has several excellent choices for internet service, from national brands like CenturyLink and Xfinity to smaller providers like Mediacom. And if none of those options appeal to you, you can go with satellite internet. For Minneapolis residents, there’s no shortage of options in the Twin Cities.

CenturyLink offers the largest coverage area in the city, with Xfinity close behind. Although both providers cover the city center thoroughly, Xfinity falls short in the far eastern and western parts of the metro area. Neither provider offers coverage in the Baker Park Reserve, but Xfinity does extend its coverage beyond the stateline near Willow River State Park in Wisconsin. Mediacom is available mostly to the west of the downtown area, with very little coverage on the east side. And Viasat, of course, is widely available in Minneapolis.

Highest-rated internet providers in Minneapolis

Coverage between CenturyLink and Xfinity might be comparable, but there’s more to a provider than just its service area. Customer satisfaction scores can be a great indicator of what to expect from an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and we can learn a lot by comparing providers in Minneapolis.

In our own customer satisfaction survey, Xfinity scored five places higher than CenturyLink in overall satisfaction. Although Xfinity once had a reputation for poor customer service, the company has made big positive changes and customers are taking note. Xfinity also outscored CenturyLink in the speed and reliability categories.

J.D. Power ranked Xfinity as the second-best internet provider in all regions of the United States except for the West, where it came in fifth but still ranked above CenturyLink. Mediacom scored lower overall than both CenturyLink and Xfinity.

While each of these providers offers its own strengths, we do think Xfinity’s reliability and speed place it a cut above the rest—as long as it’s available in your neighborhood.

Fastest internet service providers in Minneapolis

CenturyLink offers internet at speeds up to 1000 Mbps

Xfinity offers internet at speeds up to 1000 Mbps

Mediacom offers internet at speeds up to 100 Mbps

Viasat offers internet at speeds up to 25 Mbps

When it comes to speed, Xfinity is one of the best in the business, and CenturyLink is no slouch either. Both providers offer speeds up to 1,000 Mbps in Minneapolis, which is faster than most people need. Mediacom offers speeds up to 100 Mbps, which seems low compared to 1,000 Mbps but is still plenty for a household of streamers.

Only Viasat falls short in the speed department, but that’s because satellite internet tends to be a little slower than cable. The signal does come from space, after all. But Viasat makes up for slower speeds with unbeatable availability. No matter how far out from town you may live or travel, you can still connect online with Viasat.

Minneapolis residential internet coverage

Minneapolis Xfinity

Xfinity by Comcast has a strong presence in Minneapolis. You can get Xfinity internet service in nearly any part of the city, from Bryn Mawr on the west side all the way over to Howe and Cooper in the east. The coverage is not quite as widespread as CenturyLink, but all the major neighborhoods should get service.

Minneapolis CenturyLink

CenturyLink is the most available provider in Minneapolis. You’ll find CenturyLink coverage in the entire metro area, as well as surrounding suburbs and other outlying areas.

Coverage stretches from Shingle Creek down to Diamond Lake in the south, and from Willard-Hay all the way over to Hiawatha. In downtown Minneapolis, popular areas like Prospect Park and University also get coverage, with speeds reaching up to 1,000 Mbps in some neighborhoods.

Minneapolis Mediacom

Mediacom has a smaller presence in Minneapolis, mostly on the southwest side of the city. The speeds are also slower than Xfinity or CenturyLink. But if you want to go with a smaller cable provider, Mediacom makes a solid choice.

Minneapolis Viasat

If you want a service you can take with you anywhere, Viasat satellite internet coverage is always an option. This internet service is available nationwide, from remote rural areas of Minnesota to busy downtown Minneapolis. You’ll get slower speeds but wider availability.