Best Internet Providers for Business 2023

Our pick: Which internet provider for business is best?

Verizon Business is the best internet provider for your small business. The provider delivers fiber internet with symmetrical upload and download speeds ranging from 200Mbps to 940Mbps, giving you ample speeds but also slower plans that go easier on the budget. Verizon Business also ranks high in terms of customer satisfaction, so it’s clear that plenty of proprietors get what they need from it.¹

Compare business internet plans and prices

What should you look for in the best internet for business?

You want an internet service that’s dependable, affordable, and fast enough to fit your needs. It should also have solid customer support that addresses your issues quickly, so day-to-day operations aren’t disrupted.

Also consider scalability. Can the internet service handle your growing company? Look for a service you can upgrade (or downgrade) as needed without the hefty fees.

Security and stability are two other important factors to consider. An internet provider should have tools in place to shield your business against malware, spyware, and hackers. It should also include a backup connection, so your online services don’t go dark during an unforeseen server crash.

Best overall—Verizon Business

Verizon Business plans and pricing

Best for customer satisfaction—AT&T Business

AT&T Business plans and pricing

Best for availability—Comcast Business

Comcast Business plans and pricing

Best for no contracts—Spectrum Business

Spectrum Business plans and pricing

Best for rural—Viasat Business

Viasat Business plans and pricing

Internet for business specs

Speed doesn’t necessarily make an internet service good for a business. After all, your company may not need more than 50Mbps. Instead, the best internet service for businesses should focus on reliability, support, scalability, and security. Add-on services like static IPs and 4G LTE backup connections are a plus.

Here are a few additional features to consider when you choose an internet service for business.

Quality customer service

Business internet typically comes with high-quality expert customer service that’s generally available 24/7, 365 days of the year. But each internet provider differs, so ask when customer support is available before you buy.

Dedicated connection

Grab a business internet plan with a dedicated connection, and you won’t have to share with neighboring businesses. That’s a huge plus since it allows you and your employees to stream, video chat, upload documents, and download files without worrying about anyone else hogging the connection.

But dedicated lines are usually far more expensive than ones shared with other businesses. Your monthly fees can reach into the thousands.

Guaranteed service-level agreements

Service-level agreements (SLAs) are one way you can make sure you get what you pay for with business internet.

SLAs typically promise things like low latency or lag, no internet connection downtime, 24-hour customer support, and more. And if your provider doesn’t deliver? Well, those SLAs should cover how you’ll be compensated—we’re talking discounts, bill credits, or the chance to end your contract early.

Internet for business extra features and add-ons

Many internet providers offers add-on services that can help a business run smoothly. They cost extra and aren’t always necessary, but they may be worth the investment.

Here are some add-on services that can benefit your business.

Static IP addresses

A static IP address gives you an IP that you can use to manage web servers, email, VPNs, and more.

The IP address is the numerical code that websites and servers use to identify your location for transferring data. The majority of IP addresses are dynamic, meaning they change every two weeks or so. On the other hand, a static IP address always stays the same, giving you a fixed geolocation to host a server or company email addresses. A static IP also makes it easier for employees to log in remotely to your company’s system through a VPN.

4G LTE backup

While the internet you get for your business usually runs over a cable or fiber-optic network, some providers also offer a 4G LTE wireless backup network that kicks into gear whenever your main Wi-Fi goes out. The wireless internet may have stricter limitations on speed and data usage, but what’s important is that it lets you keep running online business tasks even while your internet is down. This makes a 4G LTE backup especially useful for restaurants and shops, which often rely on Wi-Fi networks to run credit card machines and point-of-sale software.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone services

In the olden days of 10 or 20 years ago, offices and shops had phone numbers that anyone could call to contact the company directly. The landline phone is fast going the way of the dodo bird, but nowadays you can usually bundle your business internet with a VOIP plan that works as a digital phone line.

How to choose a business internet plan

Here are some pointers to help you find the best internet plan for any business.

Decide what you need first

Your first step is to figure out how much speed your business needs. Your answer depends on the number of employees that will use the internet simultaneously and how.

How much speed does your business need?

Use our How Much Speed Do You Need? Tool to get a personalized internet speed recommendation for your small business.

Ask about contract length

Business internet plans may come with a one- or two-year contract.

It’s important to consider whether this timeline works for you—will you pay extra fees if you need to upgrade your plan before the contract ends? Is the contract canceled if the internet provider doesn’t keep the promises outlined in the SLAs?

Some business internet plans offer no-contract options, but these typically cost extra. Still, it may be a good fit if you run a seasonal business and need an internet connection for only part of the year.

Get curious about average downtime

There’s nothing worse than your business internet going down and your employees going old school by recording transaction details with paper and pen.

That’s why it’s important to ask about a provider’s average yearly downtime. Most will state their uptime is close to 100%, but you’re the one left in the dark if they don’t deliver.

This is an important feature your SLAs should cover—especially if no internet means a huge loss for your business.

Look into bundles

Bundles are a great way to save money, especially if you need more than just internet. Most internet providers will bundle your business internet with phone, TV, or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services at a lower cost than if you bought each plan separately.

FAQ about business internet

How much does business internet cost?

Business internet costs anywhere from $34.99 a month to over $500.00 a month. The price depends on the type of connection (DSL, cable, fiber, or satellite), special features (like a dedicated line), and what speed you get.

If you bundle your business internet with phone, TV, or other services, you’ll likely save some money each month.

Is business internet faster than residential?

Most business internet plans match residential ones in speed. You can get a 5Gbps fiber connection from AT&T whether you need internet in your home or at your business, for example.

But you can get a dedicated connection with faster speeds for a higher price, like AT&T Dedicated Internet. This service tops out at 1Tbps (1,000,000Mbps), but it’s a direct (and private) line to AT&T’s network versus a shared connection with other businesses on the block. A dedicated line speeding along at 1,000Mbps (1Gbps) can cost more than $2,000 per month.