Your Guide to Small-Business Internet 2021
Find out if you should invest in a small-business internet plan.
Oct 21, 2021 | Share 
Brand Guides, Internet Speed Guides
Business internet is generally faster than residential internet, but it’s also more expensive. As a small-business owner, you should first determine if a business-oriented plan is just what the company needs—or if it’s overkill—before you commit to a service.
For example, how big should the company get before you invest in a business plan? How much speed does it need? What will be the annual cost? Which provider should the company use?
There are a lot of questions that need answers. Here we’ll help you decide if your company needs a small-business internet plan, and if so, which one.
6 best small-business internet providers
| Best for | Provider | Price range | Download speeds | Upload speeds | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for dedicated connections |  | $50.00/mo. and up* | 25–500 Mbps | 1.5–8 Mbps | View Plans |
| Best for no contract |
| $50.00–$199.00/mo.** | 10–1,000 Mbps | Not provided | View Plans |
| Best for pricing |  | $49.99/mo. and up | 12–70 Mbps | 1–3 Mbps | View Plans |
| Best for speeds |  | $69.99–$249.99/mo.†† | Up to 75–940 Mbps | Up to 75–880 Mbps | View Plans |
| Best for rural businesses |
| $80.00/mo. and up‡ | Up to 35–100 Mbps | Up to 4 Mbps | View Plans |
| Best for | Best for dedicated connections |
| Provider | |
| Price range | $50.00/mo. and up* |
| Download speeds | 25–500 Mbps |
| Upload speeds | 1.5–8 Mbps |
| Learn more | View Plans |
| Best for | Best for no contract |
| Provider |
|
| Price range | $50.00–$199.00/mo.** |
| Download speeds | 10–1,000 Mbps |
| Upload speeds | Not provided |
| Learn more | View Plans |
| Best for | Best for pricing |
| Provider | |
| Price range | $49.99/mo. and up |
| Download speeds | 12–70 Mbps |
| Upload speeds | 1–3 Mbps |
| Learn more | View Plans |
| Best for | Best for speeds |
| Provider | |
| Price range | $69.99–$249.99/mo.†† |
| Download speeds | Up to 75–940 Mbps |
| Upload speeds | Up to 75–880 Mbps |
| Learn more | View Plans |
| Best for | Best for rural businesses |
| Provider |
|
| Price range | $80.00/mo. and up‡ |
| Download speeds | Up to 35–100 Mbps |
| Upload speeds | Up to 4 Mbps |
| Learn more | View Plans |
Data current as of 2/4/21. Prices and availability may vary.
*Price for 12 months with a 1-year contract.
**Price does not include taxes. Activation fee applies.
†Price for the first year with a 2-year contract and auto-renewal. Price increases for year two. Plus taxes, fees, and equipment charges.
††Price for 24 months with a 2-year contract and auto-renewal. Plus taxes, fees, and equipment charges.
‡Price for 24 months with a 2-year contract. Once the data cap is met, your data may be prioritized behind other customers during network congestion.
When should you choose business internet?
One size doesn’t fit all in terms of small-business internet.
A residential connection may work perfectly for an Etsy entrepreneur, sure. But if you’re operating a full-service company with enough clients that you need to count on all twenty fingers and toes, well, business internet might be a better setup.
Business internet pros and cons
Pros
- Quality customer service
- Option for a dedicated connection
- Guaranteed service-level agreements (SLAs)
Cons
- High cost
The real question here is whether you can afford the cost of business internet. We’ve seen business internet prices range from $35 up to $500 a month—or more.
That’s no small chunk of change. But the advantages of business internet may make the price worth it. Let’s dig into those a little more.
Not sure where to start?
Find and compare business internet plans near you.
Quality customer service
We’ve all had run-ins with internet customer service, and it’s usually not pretty.
But business internet typically comes with high-quality expert customer service. And it’s generally available 24/7, 365 days of the year.
Now that’s a perk anyone can enjoy. But each internet service provider (ISP) differs, so ask when customer support is available before you buy.
Dedicated connection
Ever wished you didn’t have to share your internet bandwidth with your neighbors?
Grab a business internet plan with a dedicated connection, and you won’t have to share. 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 during peak hours.
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AT&T Internet for Business + dedicated connection
-
Starts at $550/mo.*
*per location /mo
Guaranteed service-level agreements
Service-level agreements (SLAs) are one way you can make sure you get what you pay for with business internet.
These typically promise things like low latency or lag, no internet connection downtime, 24-hour customer support, and more. And if your ISP 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.)
Does anyone else hear the voice of George Zimmer saying, “You’re gonna like your business internet—I guarantee it?”
How to choose a business internet plan
Decided to go for business internet? The next step is to decide on an ISP and plan. This step may be just as daunting as choosing internet for your home—if not more so.
But it doesn’t need to be. Here are some pointers to help you find a business internet plan that fits just as well as the many hats you wear as a small-business hustler.
Decide what speed you need first
Your first step is to figure out how much speed your small business needs. Your answer will depend on the number of employees that will use the internet simultaneously, and how.
| Number of employees | Recommended speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | 15–25 Mbps | Web browsing Checking email Sharing small files |
| 2–5 | 25–50 Mbps | Sharing large files Video conferencing Using point-of-sale software |
| 5–10 | 50–75 Mbps | Remote work and collaboration Sharing large files Backing up data |
| 10–12 | 75–100 Mbps | Sharing large files Backing up data Web hosting ecommerce |
| 12–15 | 100–150 Mbps | Video conferencing Streaming Downloading and uploading files to cloud servers |
| 15–20 | 150–500 Mbps | Daily data backup to cloud servers Web hosting Multiple ecommerce sites |
| Number of employees | 1–2 |
| Recommended speed | 15–25 Mbps |
| Best for | Web browsing Checking email Sharing small files |
| Number of employees | 2–5 |
| Recommended speed | 25–50 Mbps |
| Best for | Sharing large files Video conferencing Using point-of-sale software |
| Number of employees | 5–10 |
| Recommended speed | 50–75 Mbps |
| Best for | Remote work and collaboration Sharing large files Backing up data |
| Number of employees | 10–12 |
| Recommended speed | 75–100 Mbps |
| Best for | Sharing large files Backing up data Web hosting ecommerce |
| Number of employees | 12–15 |
| Recommended speed | 100–150 Mbps |
| Best for | Video conferencing Streaming Downloading and uploading files to cloud servers |
| Number of employees | 15–20 |
| Recommended speed | 150–500 Mbps |
| Best for | Daily data backup to cloud servers Web hosting Multiple ecommerce sites |
Find the speed your business needs.
Take our quick internet speed quiz to find out.
Ask about contract length
Just like your home connection, business internet usually comes with a one- to 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 ISP doesn’t keep the promises outlined in the SLAs?
Some business internet plans offer no-contract options, but these typically cost extra. Still, they may be a good fit if you run a seasonal business and need an internet connection for only part of the year.
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CenturyLink SIMPLE business internet
-
$50/mo.
-
Download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
-
No contract
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. (Trust us, we’ve been there.)
That’s why it’s important to ask about the ISP’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 to consider getting covered in your SLAs—especially if no internet means a huge loss for your business.
Look into bundles
Bundles are a great way to save some money, especially if you need more than just internet. Most ISPs 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.
Don’t forget about extra fees.
Do your budget a favor and factor in activation and installation fees along with any equipment rental fees. (Business internet usually requires professional installation, so this is one fee we don’t recommend skipping out on.)
FAQ about small-business internet
What’s the best internet provider for small business?
Here’s our list of the best internet providers for small business:
The answer changes based on your business needs and the area you live in, plus what features you need—like a dedicated connection, email service, and cloud storage.
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, or fiber), 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?
Business internet is faster than residential internet—if you get the right plan. Most business internet plans top out around 1,000 Mbps—but we’ve seen some that soar right up to 10,000 Mbps or more. (Like AT&T’s business internet with a dedicated line, which tops out at 10 Gbps/10,000 Mbps. Be warned: you’ll pay a pretty penny for it!)
Author - Catherine McNally
Catherine has a degree in journalism and an MBA, and has spent the last 10+ years writing everything from Okinawa travel columns to internet guides and reviews. She's a lead writer on internet and technology for Reviews.org and believes the internet is a necessity, not a luxury, that everyone should have access to. You can also find her on Twitter: @CMReviewsIt.
Editor - Cara Haynes
Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.
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