We’ve done the research for you.
HighSpeedInternet.com makes it easy to find the best internet in your area—no matter where you live. You can find the most affordable prices and fastest Wi-Fi speeds for your address—just run a search with our zip tool above to see which internet service providers (ISPs) are available.
From there, you can easily compare internet availability, speeds, features, customer reviews, expert ratings, and more between providers. With over 1,200 high-speed internet providers in our database, you’re sure to find the best internet option in your neighborhood.
Below you’ll find national internet service statistics, FAQs, and general provider information to help you in your search for excellent internet and Wi-Fi service in your area.
What are the best internet providers?
We think Xfinity is the best internet provider overall because it delivers incredibly fast speeds on home internet plans. It also provides a lot of affordable options, and it’s one of the most widely available internet services in the US.
Still, EarthLink is pretty much tied with Xfinity because it delivers quality service and straightforward pricing over a very wide coverage area. EarthLink’s prices factor in all the fees you’ll pay on your bill, including costs that are usually included only in the fine print. It’s transparency like this that helped earn the provider top ratings across the board in our 2020 customer satisfaction survey.
- Xfinity — Best speed availability
- EarthLink — Best customer satisfaction
- Frontier — Best package variety
- AT&T — Best promotional deals
- Verizon Fios — Best fiber options
- Spectrum — Best package simplicity
- CenturyLink — Best value
- Optimum — Best reliability
- Viasat — Best rural internet provider
- Optimum, Xfinity, Spectrum — Most commonly bundled plans
This list is based on combined insights gained from customer feedback, speed data, independent customer satisfaction survey results.
Who has the cheapest internet?
Xfinity has the cheapest internet overall—and it’s a true bargain, with Xfinity offering 25 Mbps speeds for under $25 per month on its cheapest plan. Cox and Mediacom are also well known for budget internet options, while CenturyLink helps out with long-term savings by maintaining Price for Life guarantees on all of its DSL plans.
See our guide to cheap internet for more details on affordable internet and Wi-Fi.
- Xfinity — 25 Mbps for $20.00/mo. (for the first 12 mos. with a 1-year agreement)
- Frontier — 50 Mbps for $29.99/mo.
- Cox Communications — 10 Mbps for $29.99/mo. (for the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement)
- WOW! — 100 Mbps for $39.99/mo. (with 2-yr. agreement and Autopay)
- Suddenlink Communications — 100 Mbps for $34.99/mo. (for 1 yr.)
- Verizon Fios — 200 Mbps for $39.99/mo. (with autopay and taxes and equipment charges)
- Mediacom — 60 Mbps for $19.99/mo. (for the first 12 mos.)
- Optimum — 300 Mbps for $39.99/mo. (for 1 year plus taxes, fees, and other charges.)
- Spectrum — Up to 200 Mbps for $49.99/mo for 12 mos.
- CenturyLink — Up to 100 Mbps for $49.00/mo. (rate requires paperless billing. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Speeds may not be available in your area)
- AT&T Fiber — 100 Mbps for $35.00/mo. (for 12 mos., plus taxes & equip. fee. $10/mo. equip. fee applies. Incl. 1TB data/mo. $10 chrg. for each add’l 50 GB [up to $100/mo.])
Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Prices listed are introductory and may require a contract.
This list shows some of the most popular internet service providers (ISPs) nationwide, but we have information on over 1,200. So, just because you don’t see a provider listed here doesn’t mean you won’t find it on our site. Just enter your zip code to see ISPs near you.
List of internet service providers
| Provider | Customer satisfaction* | Max download speed | Internet type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | 3.88/5 | 2,000 Mbps (2 Gbps) |
Cable and fiber | View Plans for Xfinity |
| AT&T | 3.83/5 | 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
Fiber and DSL | View Plans for AT&T |
| Spectrum | 3.81/5 | 1000 Mbps° | Cable | View Plans for Spectrum |
| Verizon | 3.96/5 | Up to 940 Mbps | Fiber | View Plans for Verizon |
| Google Fiber | N/A | 2,000 Mbps (2 Gbps) |
Fiber | |
| WOW! | N/A | 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
Cable | View Plans for WOW! |
| Optimum | 3.92/5 | 940 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
Cable and fiber | View Plans for Optimum |
| CenturyLink | 3.79/5 | 940 Mbps | Fiber and DSL | View Plans for Centurylink |
| Mediacom | 3.31/5 | 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
Cable | View Plans for Mediacom |
| EarthLink | 4.01/5 | 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
Fiber and DSL | View Plans for EarthLink |
| Windstream | 3.88/5 | 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
Fiber and DSL | View Plans for Windstream |
| RCN | 3.61/5 | 940 Mbps | Cable | View Plans for RCN |
| Cox Communications | 3.60/5 | 940 Mbps | Cable | View Plans for Cox |
| Frontier | 3.77/5 | 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
Fiber and DSL | View Plans for Frontier |
| Suddenlink Communications | 3.48/5 | 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
Cable | View Plans for Suddenlink Communications |
| Sparklight | 3.60/5 | 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
Cable | View Plans for Sparklight |
| HughesNet | 3.75/5 | 25 Mbps | Satellite | View Plans for Hughesnet |
| Viasat | N/A | 100 Mbps | Satellite | View Plans for Viasat |
*results based on our 2020 Customer Satisfaction Survey.
°Speed based on wired connection. Available Internet speeds may vary by address. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem.
Internet service by zip code: quick facts
The average zip code has maximum speeds between 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps.
71%
of ZIP codes have at least one provider with speeds
between 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps.
93.5%
of the country has access to broadband Internet (25 Mbps or faster).
70%
of ZIP codes have access to 2 or more wired providers.
52%
of ZIP codes have access to 3 or more wired providers.
33%
of ZIP codes have access to 4 or more wired providers.
17%
of zip codes have access to 5 or more wired providers.
Data via the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other sources.
Other provider types:
5G | Mobile Wireless | Fixed Wireless | Wi-Fi
Internet availability—what internet can you get?
You can usually get multiple types of internet in your area, ranging from affordable DSL plans to ultrafast cable packages to deluxe fiber deals with equal upload and download speeds. However, the specifics depend on which ISPs are providing service where you live and what options they have for plans, prices, and speeds.
| Provider | No. of states w/ service | % of US population served | Main service areas | See plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | 40 | 40% | East Coast, West Coast, Midwest, South | View Plans for Xfinity |
| AT&T | 21 | 45% | California, Texas, Midwest, South | View Plans for AT&T |
| Spectrum | 42 | 39% | East Coast, West Coast, South, Midwest | View Plans for Spectrum |
| Verizon | 10 | 18% | East Coast | View Plans for Verizon |
| WOW! | 9 | 3% | South, Midwest | View Plans for WOW! |
| Optimum | 4 | 5% | East Coast | View Plans for Optimum |
| CenturyLink | 36 | 20% | South, Midwest, Intermountain West | View Plans for CenturyLink |
| Mediacom | 37 | 5% | Midwest, South | View Plans for Mediacom |
| EarthLink | 49 | 71% | East Coast, West Coast, Midwest, South | View Plans for EarthLink |
| Windstream | 18 | 3% | South, East Coast | View Plans for Windstream |
| RCN | 8 | 3% | Urban areas in Midwest and East Coast | View Plans for RCN |
| Cox Communications | 28 | 9% | West Coast, Southwest, South | View Plans for Cox Communications |
| Frontier | 29 | 16% | East Coast, Midwest, Intermountain West | View Plans for Frontier |
| Suddenlink Communications | 20 | 4% | South, Southwest | View Plans for Suddenlink Communications |
| Sparklight | 25 | 2% | South, Southwest, Midwest | View Plans for Sparklight |
| HughesNet | 50 | 100% | Rural areas | View Plans for Hughesnet |
| Viasat | 50 | 100% | Rural areas | View Plans for Viasat |
What is the fastest available internet in my area?
Google Fiber and Xfinity have the fastest available internet in most parts of the United States. Both providers have fiber internet plans that deliver mind-bending speeds of up to 2,000 Mbps. No other internet provider in the country can top these speeds.
Xfinity is also one of the country’s largest internet providers, with a network in 40 states that’s capable of serving 40% of the US population.
If you don’t have Google Fiber or Xfinity where you live, then the fastest internet available in your area will most likely come from EarthLink, which is available in 49 states to 71% of the US population. EarthLink offers both DSL and fiber internet, with plans that top out at 1,000 Mbps—which is incredibly fast and will do wonders for most internet users.
AT&T and Spectrum also have robust networks that each cover dozens of states. And both of these ISPs are also capable of delivering 1,000 Mbps speeds on certain plans. However, you can’t always get the top internet speeds where you live, so you’ll want to make sure to run a search to get a more specific list of which internet providers and plans are available in your area.
See internet service provider ratings and reviews
Make a more informed decision when selecting your ISP by reading our expert insights and customer reviews first.
View our expert ratings and reviews to compare how ISPs scored for customer satisfaction, speed, reliability, pricing, and customer support.
Read reviews from customers of ISPs in your area, and use their personal experience to inform your search.
Types of nationwide internet service providers
DSL
A digital subscriber line (DSL) connection delivers internet over your home phone line. It’s usually the cheapest option you can get. But it has limited speeds, topping out at around 100 Mbps. Additionally, some DSL providers are now pivoting to focus on newer technologies like fiber. Still, it’s much faster than old-school dial-up.
Pros
- Affordable package options
- Widely available service
Cons
- Limited upload and download speeds
- Weaker connection when far away from an ISP’s central office
Cable
Cable internet uses the same coaxial cable lines that deliver cable television, making it easy to bundle with TV. It’s capable of fast speeds and is available in most neighborhoods, though you may experience area-wide slowdowns during peak hours.
Pros
- Fast download speeds
- Widely available
Cons
- Limited upload speeds
- Slower speeds during high-traffic times
Fiber
Fiber-optic internet flashes light through glass fibers to relay digital information. Its superfast upload and download speeds are unprecedented because fiber enables an extremely efficient signal. But its availability remains limited because it’s so expensive to build fiber infrastructure.
Pros
- Ultrafast download speeds
- Phenomenal upload speeds
Cons
- Limited availability
- More expensive than other connection types
Satellite
Satellite internet uses transmitters orbiting Earth to beam wireless signals to subscribers on the ground. It’s capable of decent speeds and is widely available, making it a great option for rural areas. The only downside is the long transmission distance means slower speeds and more lag. Also most satellite providers put strict limits on your data usage.
Next generation satellite providers—including Starlink, Project Kuiper, and OneWeb— will have lower orbits, which means lower latency and faster, fiber-like speeds, allowing them to compete more evenly with other ISPs.
Pros
- Widely available, even in rural areas
- Good customer service
Cons
- Unavoidable lag
- Data restrictions
5G
5G internet uses cellular networks and fixed-wireless connections to give you fast speeds at a good price. These forms of internet technology are relatively new, so availability is limited, but they could offer an excellent alternative to fiber and cable as they grow in popularity. Most providers with 5G internet services give you a break on extra fees, too, including unlimited data and a router at no extra cost.
Pros
- Fast speeds
- Affordable prices
Cons
- Extremely limited availability
- Unpredictable speeds
4G LTE
Like 5G, 4G LTE internet uses a fixed-wireless connection over a cellular network to give you decent speeds. It works over 4G networks, so it’s not as fast as 5G but more widely available. Some 4G providers specifically serve rural users and digital nomads, providing internet over travel routers that you can install anywhere. Prices can be steep, but you can also find affordable deals with unlimited data and breaks on extra costs.
Pros
- Unlimited data options
- Availability in rural areas
Cons
- High prices
- Unpredictable speeds
Fixed wireless
Fixed wireless operates over radio waves, sending a wireless signal directly to an antenna set up in your home. This relatively obscure technology is mostly popular in rural areas where you have few other options. It’s also the backbone of 5G home internet.
Pros
- Fast download speeds
- Cutting-edge technology
Cons
- Limited availability
- Unfamiliar technology
1 in 3 Americans Don’t Know How the Internet Works
We surveyed 1,000 Americans to find out exactly what they know about how the internet works. Turns out it’s less than we thought.
FAQ about internet providers
Why do you need my zip code before I can see the available internet services?
Anyone who’s ever shopped for internet service online knows that at some point in the process you will be asked to enter your zip code into a box like the one below.
Asking for this type of information upfront may seem intrusive and can be a little frustrating, but we have a good reason for asking: we want to help you find the internet provider you want.
We keep a database of which internet service providers offer service in a particular area. To keep the database simple, we define each area by its zip code. So, to show you the internet service packages you can actually buy, we need to know which internet service providers (ISPs) offer service in your area. The simplest way to establish that information is by asking for your zip code.
In most areas, you will find one major cable company, one major telephone company, and one or two satellite companies providing internet service. Although this is typical, exactly which companies are available to you will vary based on your area.
What happens after I enter my zip code?
Entering your zip code narrows down the list of ISPs to only the internet provider options in your area. After you have that list, you can search through the packages each provider offers and choose one that suits your needs. But before you make your final decision about which package to order, you’ll want to know exactly what your needs are when it comes to internet.
Most providers will have several speed tiers from which to choose, so the first thing to consider is how much internet speed you’ll need. You can quickly determine your speed needs by using our handy tool.
You also might want to compare how much speed you need to the speed you already have. You can check the internet speed you’re currently getting with this tool.
Next, you’ll want to know what kind of customer service each brand provides and understand any fees or unexpected charges. Fortunately, you can do all that by simply reading the expert reviews on our site. Reading user reviews by current customers is also a good way to learn about an internet service provider before you sign up for high-speed internet.
Which internet provider has the best internet service?
We think Xfinity has the best internet service all around. It has a lot of affordable package options, gives you excellent speeds over a cable connection, and is one of the most widely available internet providers in the United States.
But if Xfinity is best, EarthLink is pretty much tied for best. It got top ratings in our 2020 customer satisfaction survey, ranking first for crucial categories like speed, billing, and overall satisfaction. It has a huge nationwide footprint. And, depending on where you are in its service area, it gives you the choice between DSL, cable, and fiber internet packages.
How can I find internet providers in my zip code?
Just enter your zip code in the box below, and we’ll show you a list.