Which Wi-Fi providers have the cheapest internet?
Mediacom and WOW! Internet have incredibly affordable plans for 100Mbps. Optimum isn’t too shabby either, with a 300Mbps plan for under $50 per month, and AT&T offers something similar using fiber.
Frontier and Spectrum have 500Mbps plans for a great low price, but Spectrum’s cable internet doesn’t have symmetrical speeds like its fiber, plus Spectrum’s price increases by $25 after 12 months—Frontier’s price doesn’t.
See our guide on the best cheap internet plans for more details.
Provider | Speed | Type | Price | Get it |
---|---|---|---|---|
300Mbps | Fiber | $55.00/mo.* for 12 mos. | ||
| Up to 250Mbps | Cable | $49.99/mo.‡ | View Plans |
| Up to 500Mbps | Fiber | $39.99/mo.§ | View Plans |
| 100Mbps | Cable | $24.99/mo.|| | View Plans |
| 300Mbps | Cable, fiber | $30.00/mo.# | View Plans |
| Up to 300Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | Cable, fiber | $49.99/mo.** for 12 mos. | View Plans |
300Mbps | Fiber | $49.99/mo.†† | ||
![]() | 100Mbps | Cable, fiber | $19.99-$30.00/mo.‡‡ | View Plans |
| 200Mbps | Cable | $35.00/mo.§§ | View Plans |
Data as of 11/01/23. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Read disclaimers.
We’ve researched the best Wi-Fi providers for you
Finding the best Wi-Fi provider in your area is easy when you use HighSpeedInternet.com. We’ve done the hard work for you by compiling a database of over 1,200 Wi-Fi providers and their plans so you can quickly compare options. Just enter your zip code to see exactly which Wi-Fi providers and plans are available near you.
After that, you can compare each available provider by internet type, speed, customer reviews, and more. If you want to dig into our research further, check out our annual customer satisfaction survey to see which Wi-Fi providers come out on top in terms of overall satisfaction, speed, reliability, and more.
But keep in mind that actual service availability depends on your street address, which we don’t collect. AT&T fiber may be available in your zip code but not on your street, for example.
The best Wi-Fi providers
Provider | Customer rating* | Max download speed | Internet type | Get it |
---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9 | 2,000Mbps | Cable | View Plans |
3.9 | 5,000Mbps | Fiber, DSL | ||
| 3.7 | 1,000Mbps† | Cable, fiber | View Plans |
3.9 | Up to 2,300Mbps | Fiber, 5G | ||
4.3 | 8,000Mbps | Fiber | ||
![]() | 3.6 | 5,000Mbps | Cable, fiber | View Plans |
| 3.3 | 8,000Mbps | Cable, fiber | View Plans |
3.6 | 940Mbps | Fiber, DSL | ||
| 3.3 | 1,000Mbps | Cable | View Plans |
![]() | 3.3 | 5,000Mbps | Fiber, DSL | View Plans |
| 3.6 | 2,000Mbps | Fiber, DSL | View Plans |
3.6 | 1,200Mbps | Cable, fiber | ||
| 3.7 | 1,000Mbps | Cable | View Plans |
| 3.5 | 5,000Mbps | Fiber, DSL | View Plans |
| 3.8 | 940Mbps | Cable | View Plans |
![]() | 2.9 | 50Mbps | Satellite | |
3.1 | 150Mbps | Satellite |
Data as of 11/01/23. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* Rating based on a five (5) point system used in our customer satisfaction survey. Higher is better.
† Speed based on a 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.
The best Wi-Fi providers depend on where you live. Wi-Fi providers supply us with a list of zip codes where they’re available, so when you use our tool, you won’t see every single national or regional Wi-Fi provider in the results.
In most cases, you’ll see a handful of fiber, cable, DSL, fixed wireless, and satellite internet providers. The number depends on where you live, as one zip code may list seven different Wi-Fi providers while another will only list five.
Overall, fiber internet is the fastest and most reliable service you can get, with speeds topping out at 10,000Mbps, but its availability is limited. Cable internet is more available than fiber and your next-best bet in speed and reliability, followed by fixed wireless and DSL.
Best fiber Wi-Fi providers
Provider | Best for | Max download speed | Get it |
---|---|---|---|
Promotional deals | Up to 5,000Mbps | ||
Value | Up to 940Mbps | ||
Speed | Up to 8,000Mbps | ||
| Equipment fees | Up to 1,000Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | View Plans |
Options | Up to 2,300Mbps |
Data as of 11/01/23. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* This list is based on combined insights gained from customer feedback, speed test data, and our annual customer satisfaction survey results.
Fiber internet is the fastest residential connection you can get—at least for now—with speeds up to 10,000Mbps. Fiber’s design uses light rather than electricity to transmit data, making it the most reliable internet connection you can get. Plus, fiber offers equal upload and download speeds, but its availability is very limited—you’re lucky if it’s in your area.
If fiber internet isn’t available to you, cable internet is your next best Wi-Fi option.
Best cable Wi-Fi providers
Provider | Best for | Max download speed | Get it |
---|---|---|---|
| Variety | Up to 2,000Mbps | View Plans |
| Reliability | Up to 1,000Mbps | View Plans |
| Package simplicity | Up to 1,000Mbps (wireless speeds may vary | View Plans |
| Speed | Up to 2,000Mbps | View Plans |
Data as of 11/01/23. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* This list is based on combined insights gained from customer feedback, speed test data, and our annual customer satisfaction survey results.
Modern cable internet uses a mixture of fiber and cable TV lines, so it’s widely available and easy to find. The main drawback with cable is that download speeds currently don’t go beyond 2,000Mbps due to the infrastructure’s design and how cable internet providers distribute bandwidth across their networks. Upload speeds are typically just a fraction of a plan’s maximum download speed, but that will change in the coming years as cable internet providers adopt 10G Platform technology.
If fiber or cable isn’t in your area, your next best landline Wi-Fi option is DSL internet.
Best DSL Wi-Fi providers
Provider | Best for | Max download speed | Get it |
---|---|---|---|
Value | Up to 140Mbps | ||
![]() | Customer satisfaction | Up to 80Mbps | View Plans |
| Availability | Call provider for details | View Plans |
Data as of 11/01/23. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* This list is based on combined insights gained from customer feedback, speed test data, and our annual customer satisfaction survey results.
DSL internet uses existing telephone lines and is the slowest of the three, delivering speeds up to 140Mbps. It’s a good alternative if you don’t need the speed of fiber and cable—it may even be your only landline connection, especially in rural areas. However, DSL plans are typically more expensive than comparable fiber and cable internet plans.
If you don’t have a landline internet connection in your area, wireless internet is your only solution.
Best fixed and satellite Wi-Fi providers
Provider | Best for | Max download speed | Type | Get it |
---|---|---|---|---|
Promotional deals | Up to 25Mbps | 5G fixed wireless | ||
![]() | Simplicity | Up to 245Mbps | 5G fixed wireless | View Plans |
5G speed | Up to 1,000Mbps | 5G fixed wireless | ||
![]() | Satellite alternative | Up to 50Mbps | Satellite | |
Variety | Up to 150Mbps | Satellite |
Data as of 11/01/23. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
* This list is based on combined insights gained from customer feedback, speed test data, and our annual customer satisfaction survey results.
A fixed wireless internet connection is your best bet if you live within range of a cell tower—it supports 4G LTE and 5G cellular connections. If you’re not within range, satellite internet from Viasat or HughesNet is the only Wi-Fi connection you can get.
How to find the best Wi-Fi provider in your area
Wi-Fi provider availability depends on where you live. Wi-Fi providers supply us with the zip codes where they offer landline and wireless internet service. Simply enter your zip code into our tool to see which ones are available to you.
After that, you must provide your street address directly to the Wi-Fi provider you choose to see if internet service is actually available at your home or business. We do not ask for your street address—only your zip code.
The typical zip code search result lists several Wi-Fi providers offering different types of connections. The most common are cable and DSL, while fiber internet is relatively new and less abundant.
National internet providers
Verizon Home Internet is your top-rated fiber internet provider, ranking second out of 15 internet providers in our latest customer satisfaction survey. It ranks first in reliability and within the top three spots in every other category. AT&T and Spectrum are great fiber choices if they’re available to you.
Xfinity is your highest-rated cable internet provider in the nation. It ranks third for overall satisfaction and first for speed. Cox Communications and Spectrum are also solid choices if you’re ready to upgrade from DSL internet.
Regional internet providers
Technically, we now rank T-Mobile as a national provider, and it takes the top spot for overall satisfaction in our survey. However, Google Fiber has the best scores to date, surpassing all national and regional internet providers in our survey. Get Google Fiber over all the others in the area if you can get it.
See what Wi-Fi providers are in your area
Enter your zip code to discover what internet types and speeds you can get where you live. We say go with fiber internet if you can get it, but cable and fixed wireless internet are your best alternatives if fiber internet isn’t available to you.
What are the best deals on Wi-Fi?
Internet providers frequently offer promotions as an incentive to sign up for their services. Be sure to check our Best Internet Deals page for the latest. Here are three to get you started:
Provider | Deal | Type | Get it |
---|---|---|---|
Get AT&T Internet 300, which gives you 300 Mbps speeds for just $55 per month. | Fiber | ||
| Get a free, 12-month trial of Peacock Premium when you sign up for a qualifying internet plan. | Cable | Get the Deal |
| You'll get $5 off your monthly bill when you set up online autopay. | DSL, fiber | Get the Deal |
Data as of 6/28/23. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
What is the fastest Wi-Fi you can get?
Provider | Max download speed | Price | Get it |
---|---|---|---|
| Up to 10,000Mbps | $300.00/mo.* | View Plans for Ziply Fiber |
| Up to 8,000Mbps | $265.00/mo.† | View Plans for Optimum |
Up to 8,000Mbps | $150.00/mo.‡ | ||
![]() | Up to 5,000Mbps | $185.00/mo.§ | View Plans for WOW! |
Up to 5,000Mbps | $250.00/mo.|| | ||
| Up to 5,000Mbps | $154.99/mo.# | View Plans for Frontier |
Up to 2,300Mbps | $94.99/mo.** |
Data as of 11/01/23. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Read disclaimers.
The fastest available Wi-Fi service depends on where you live.
Fiber is the fastest Wi-Fi connection you can get, with residential internet speeds up to 10,000Mbps. Fiber also provides symmetrical speeds, meaning your upload and download speeds are nearly identical.
Some internet providers already offer fiber plans that reach up to 10,000Mbps, including Advanced Stream, Brigham, and Ziply Fiber.
Cable internet can hit multi-gig speeds, too. Xfinity and Cox have plans with a 2,000Mbps cap, although their downloads aren’t symmetrical like fiber.
What are the Wi-Fi provider ratings and reviews?
We conduct an annual customer satisfaction survey asking questions about each Wi-Fi provider. We publish the results of five categories: overall satisfaction, speed, price, reliability, and customer support.
T-Mobile takes the top spot for overall customer satisfaction on a national level in our latest survey—Google Fiber does the same as a regional internet provider.
AT&T , Verizon Home Internet , Spectrum, and Xfinity generally stay in the top half across all categories, so you can’t go wrong with either one of these providers.
You can also read reviews through our provider pages. For instance, there are 734 customer reviews on our AT&T provider page and 760 reviews on our Spectrum provider page. For more information about a specific provider, click on the provider’s name in the List of Wi-Fi Providers section above.
Types of nationwide Wi-Fi service providers
Type | Pros | Cons | Max speed | Get it |
---|---|---|---|---|
DSL | 140Mbps | Find Providers | ||
Cable | 2,000Mbps | Find Providers | ||
Fiber | 10,000Mbps | Find Providers | ||
Satellite | 150Mbps | Find Providers | ||
4G LTE | 100Mbps | Find Providers | ||
5G | 1,000Mbps | Find Providers | ||
Fixed wireless | 1,000Mbps | Find Providers |
Type | DSL |
Pros | |
Cons | |
Max speed | 140Mbps |
Get it | Find Providers |
Type | Cable |
Pros | |
Cons | |
Max speed | 2,000Mbps |
Get it | Find Providers |
Type | Fiber |
Pros | |
Cons | |
Max speed | 10,000Mbps |
Get it | Find Providers |
Type | Satellite |
Pros | |
Cons | |
Max speed | 150Mbps |
Get it | Find Providers |
Type | 4G LTE |
Pros | |
Cons | |
Max speed | 100Mbps |
Get it | Find Providers |
Type | 5G |
Pros | |
Cons | |
Max speed | 1,000Mbps |
Get it | Find Providers |
Type | Fixed wireless |
Pros | |
Cons | |
Max speed | 1,000Mbps |
Get it | Find Providers |
In a nutshell, nearly every residential internet type uses radio waves to carry data, whether it’s across copper wires or through the air. The only exception is fiber internet, which relies on light pulses beamed through glass instead. We will always suggest fiber over any other internet type due to its overall design and efficiency.
FAQ about Wi-Fi providers
What is Wi-Fi?
The terms “Wi-Fi” and “internet” have become synonymous over the years. We connect our wireless devices to the internet each day, but the two terms are technically different.
The internet is a system of computer networks scattered across the globe. Your internet provider does just that—it provides a bridge between your home network (or local access network) and the internet (the wide access network). In most cases, that bridge is wired (fiber, cable, or DSL) unless you have satellite or fixed wireless internet.
A standalone router or gateway allows you to share your internet provider’s single connection with multiple devices in your home or office. Some devices may connect to the router or gateway using Ethernet (wired), while most others connect wirelessly—aka Wi-Fi. The latter is just a convenient, tether-free way to forward your internet data to and from your internet provider’s modem or ONT. Wi-Fi is not the internet, even though we use the term “Wi-Fi provider” throughout this article.
Which Wi-Fi provider has the best internet service?
T-Mobile has the highest rank in overall satisfaction among the national internet providers in our latest customer satisfaction survey. It takes the top slot in customer service and price satisfaction, too.
As for our other categories, Xfinity has the highest ranking for speed satisfaction. Verizon Home Internet takes the top spot for reliability satisfaction.
On a regional level, Google Fiber has the highest rank across all five categories.
Can I get Wi-Fi internet without a provider?
You can get Wi-Fi internet without a provider by accessing public Wi-Fi networks offered in stores, restaurants, malls, and so on. We also provide a guide on how to get free and low-cost internet if you’re on a budget.
To get Wi-Fi internet in your home or office, you must have an internet plan and physical connection in place. An internet connection requires a modem or fiber ONT to receive the internet signal from the provider and a wireless router to broadcast that connection over the air. This requirement applies to all scenarios, whether you’re at home, in the office, or shopping at Walmart.
Is Wi-Fi internet secure?
Wi-Fi internet is typically secured by default using WPA2 or WPA3. Just click or tap on the listed network and enter the password. For more information, we provide instructions on setting up a home Wi-Fi network—especially if you’re installing a router you purchased.
A public Wi-Fi network, however, can be secured or unsecured.
A secure network typically requires an agreement before signing on and may even make you create an account before use. You also need a password to use a secure Wi-Fi network.
An unsecured Wi-Fi network typically doesn’t require an agreement or password. In some cases, you may need to create an account, which provides some protection—but not on the “secured” level.
In both cases, never log in to an account when accessing a public network, as lurking eavesdroppers could quietly steal your credentials. Never automatically connect to a public network, and consider using the best virtual private network (VPN) to secure your connection better.
Want to stay safe while you surf the web?We provide several methods on how to keep your router secure against unwanted visitors and hackers. |
What are Wi-Fi standards?
A Wi-Fi standard is an established requirement for wireless connectivity. It defines what is needed, what is expected, and how those expectations are accomplished to provide a specific service. It’s important information to know while you’re shopping for a router or a wireless device, as the Wi-Fi standard defines maximum wireless speeds.
For example, the latest standard is IEEE 802.11ax, the wireless portion of the 802.11 local area network standards set. It was created and maintained by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers LAN/MAN Standards Committee but is marketed as Wi-Fi 6 by the Wi-Fi Alliance.
Wi-Fi operates by sending data in streams. With Wi-Fi 6, a single stream can reach up to 1,201Mbps per second, meaning a Wi-Fi 6 router supporting eight streams can reach up to 10Gbps combined. By comparison, the older Wi-Fi 5 (801.11ac or Wireless AC) standard supports up to 866.7Mbps in a single stream only, totaling nearly 7Gbps combined in Wi-Fi 5 routers that can handle eight streams.
In addition to speeds, new standards introduce new technologies. For instance, Wi-Fi 5 added beamforming and multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) connectivity for a more stable connection. Wi-Fi 6 adds Target Wake Time (TWT) to improve device battery life, while orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) enables more data to flow simultaneously.
What is a good Wi-Fi speed?
A household of five people can comfortably use a 500Mbps plan. Using that formula, 100Mbps per user is more than plenty of speed to get things done. After all, streaming services like Netflix require 25Mbps at the most for 4K content, so that leaves 75Mbps open per user should someone need extra bandwidth to download a digital game fast, for instance.
Remember, your internet plan determines your full bandwidth. If you’re paying for only 100Mbps, you won’t see faster internet speeds whether you’re wired or wireless. Your router also plays a part, as range and Wi-Fi congestion create speed issues on your side of the internet connection.
Here are some examples of the speeds you need:
Media type | Speed range | More info |
Music streaming | 0.09–18.43Mbps (per song) | Find Out More |
Netflix streaming | 0.50–25Mbps (per video) | Find Out More |
Gaming online | 3Mbps at least | Find Out More |
These numbers reflect a single user, so three people streaming 4K content from Netflix would use roughly 75Mbps.
Of course, because every customer is different, you may need more speed than others. We provide a tool so you can determine how much speed you need for residential or business scenarios.
Get a Wi-Fi 6 routerNewer routers based on the Wi-Fi 6 standard can easily handle ten or more devices, depending on the model. Here are some ideas to get you started: |
Why is my Wi-Fi slow?
There are many reasons why your Wi-Fi is slow. These include the following:
- Website server issues
- Traffic congestion between you and the website or service
- Local provider network congestion issues
- Malfunctioning equipment
- Interference from other wireless networks
- Not enough bandwidth
Keep in mind that wireless speeds depend on the router and devices you use. For example, your smartphone with a Wi-Fi 5 component will never reach the maximum speeds advertised with a Wi-Fi 6 router. Plus, if you’re paying for a 400Mbps plan, your internet speed will never go beyond that number, no matter what router or device you get.
If your Wi-Fi connection seems slower than normal, move on to the next Q&A to find out how you can properly reboot your equipment.
How do I speed up my Wi-Fi?
If your Wi-Fi speed feels sluggish, you may be in dire need of a complete reboot. Do the following to see if a reboot will resolve the slowdown:
Step 1: Unplug your ONT or modem from the power outlet. This step completely powers them down and clears the system memory—just like you would with a computer.
Step 2: Do the same for your standalone router or mesh system node serving as your router.
Step 3: Plug the ONT or modem back in and wait for it to boot completely.
Step 4: Plug the standalone router or mesh system node back in and wait for it to boot completely.
Step 5: Try your internet connection on a wireless device.
If a proper reboot didn’t work, consult our guide on how to improve your Wi-Fi speed in 10 simple steps.
Disclaimers
Which Wi-Fi providers have the cheapest internet?
* Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. Ltd. avail/areas. Call or go to www.fiber.att.com to see if you qualify.
‡ for 12 months with 1-yr. term agreement
§ w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Max wired speed 500/500 Mbps. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary. One-time charges apply. In select areas where available.
|| For the first 12 months. Plus, activation, installation and monthly modem rental fees.
# w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
** Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.
†† Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Fios plan prices include taxes & fees
‡‡ With AutoPay & paperless billing. Equipment, taxes, data allowance, and other fees extra. Other restrictions apply to usage-based plans.
§§ No term contract. Taxes not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount.
The Fastest Wi-Fi Plans You Can Get
* For new residential customers only. No annual contract required. Prices shown are before taxes and fees and require autopay and paperless billing. Standard month to month pricing.
† w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
‡ Available in select markets only. Plus taxes and fees. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.
§ Price per month with AutoPay & paperless billing. Additional equipment, taxes, and other fees extra. Maximum speeds based on wired connection and customer equipment capable of delivering 5 Gig speeds.
|| Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. Ltd. availability/areas.
# w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Max wired speed 5000/5000. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary. One-time charges apply.
** Available in select areas only. Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Fios plan prices include taxes & fees