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.

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 small business—EarthLink Business

Earthlink 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 a 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

An IP address is a set of four numbers used to identify a device connected to a local or wide-area network. The majority of IP addresses change roughly every two weeks, which isn’t ideal if your business needs to bridge VPNs located on multiple sites or plans to run an eCommerce server.

Like the physical address of your office or home, a static IP address never changes. Domain names require static IP addresses to even function.

Generally, you should lease more than one static IP address from your provider: one for the office, one for the mail server, one for the file server, one for cross-site networking, one for VPN connections from remote workers, and so on.

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 internet connection goes out.

Cellular internet may have stricter limitations on speed and data usage, but what’s important is that it lets you keep running business tasks even while your primary internet connection 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

The UK’s Public Switched Telephone Network is switching off in 2025, signaling the end of traditional analog phone calling. Here in the States, the Plain Old Telephone Service still lingers, but companies like AT&T and Verizon have already discontinued selling new DSL internet service as they replace old-school copper phone lines with fiber ones.

Nearly every internet provider now offers VoIP phone services, which send digital calls over a broadband connection. Some bundle VoIP service with internet at a combined discounted rate. Be sure to check out all the benefits you can get through a VoIP service geared for business.

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.

Tons of people work from home nowadays, but does that mean you need business internet to get your job done? No, not really. Even when you’re on the clock, your home internet setup works just fine for Zoom and Google Docs.

On the other hand, if you run a business out of your home—or if you manage an office, coffee shop, or restaurant—a business internet plan is well worth the investment. Business internet comes with quality assurances and extra features that you simply can’t get from a home Wi-Fi plan.

We took a deep dive to see what you can get from both home and business internet plans. Take a look at our guide below to see which service is best for you.

Jump to: Differences between business vs. residential internet | What internet do you need for working from home? | What internet do you need for a business? | FAQ

Jump to:

• Differences between business vs. residential internet
• What internet do you need for working from home?
• What internet do you need for a business?
• FAQ

Business vs. residential internet: What’s the difference?

There are some key similarities between business and residential internet. Business internet tends to cost more because it comes with greater technical needs, more features, and stronger customer care, including “service level agreements” (SLAs) that guarantee a quality of service. Residential internet costs less because it doesn’t have the same features or technical demands, but that also means you don’t have the same guarantees of quality service.

Business internet costs more—but gives you more too

Business internet usually comes at a higher price than residential internet. But a business plan comes with better customer support and extra features (available for an added fee) to help you manage a busy operation. A business internet customer can also sign a service-level agreement (SLA) to make sure their internet provider delivers on specific standards of speed and customer support.

Benefits of business internet:

• Service-level agreements form a contract between you and your provider. If your provider comes up short, you can be reimbursed with bill credits, discounts, or the chance to end your contract prematurely.
• 24/7 customer support means you can get help troubleshooting technical hiccups when your company needs Wi-Fi most.
• Extra features like static IP addresses and 4G LTE backup allow you to host a company server and email addresses and keep your Wi-Fi up and running even during an outage.

Drawbacks of business internet:

• Higher prices for the same speeds you get on a residential plan.
• Extra fees to get features like static IPs and 4G LTE backup.

Best internet plans for businesses

How much does business internet cost?

Business internet costs $158 a month on average. You usually have to pay an additional $10–$50 per month for extra services like 4G cloud backup and fixed IPs.

Residential internet is simpler—but cheaper

Residential internet doesn’t have the same quality assurances, since you don’t sign an SLA when you sign up. But residential internet is more affordable than business internet, giving you the same speeds, or even faster speeds, for a lower price. New customers can take advantage of a wider variety of deals and promotions, and in some areas, you may have more internet providers to choose from as well.

Benefits of residential internet:

• Lower prices for speeds that are just as fast as (if not faster than) what you can get on a business plan.
• Lots of deals for new customers, including VISA prepaid cards, free trials for streaming services, and free equipment for streaming TV. (See our best internet deals page for a full breakdown.)
• Self-installation for customers, cutting out the need for a professional technician to lay down cable (which usually costs a hefty fee).

Drawbacks of residential internet:

• No service-level agreement means you have no guarantee that your internet meets your needs.
• No wireless backup during outages means you have to go to a coffee shop or find another way to get internet.

Best internet plans for working from home

How much does residential internet cost?

Residential internet costs an average of $75 per month. You can get internet plans that range in price between $20 to nearly $200 per month, depending on the speeds and type of internet connection on your package.

You also may need to pay a one-time installation fee that usually ranges in price from $35 to $100. However, many internet providers waive the installation fee if you order online and/or sign up for Autopay. If you’re renting a router from your provider, that costs about $10 to $15 per month on top of your bill.

What kind of internet do you need for working from home?

You need a residential internet plan with speeds of at least 100Mbps to work comfortably from home.

There’s no need to get a business internet plan if you’re working from home, since most of your workload can easily be handled with the bandwidth and service support of a simple, home Wi-Fi setup. A residential internet is a lot more budget friendly too, putting less of a dent in your paycheck.

What you can do with residential internet (100Mbps speeds)

• Write and reply to emails
• Participate in video calls
• Use a variety of digital platforms including Wordpress, Google Docs, and Slack
• Stream videos, music, and podcasts

How much does internet for working from home cost?

Internet for working from home costs you around $50 on average. You can find cheaper plans, as well as costlier plans with faster speeds. But a plan that runs you $50 a month can usually get you solid internet speeds that can support regular Zoom calls, working over the cloud, editing documents, and other work tasks.

Want to know how much speed you need?

Take our internet speed test or download our free speed test app to see how much bandwidth you’re getting. That can help you decide what kind of internet plan to sign up for.

Looking for an easy way to test and track your internet speed on your phone?

Download our free, easy-to-use speed test app for quick and reliable results.

What kind of internet do you need for a business?

Most companies need a business internet plan with speeds of at least 200Mbps, 24/7 customer support, at least one static IP address to support company email addresses, and a service-level agreement guaranteeing that the network maintains adequate speeds during business hours.

You can probably get away with using residential internet if you run your business from home, but most offices and customer-facing businesses—especially ones that rely on internet to process payments—need a business internet account to properly support its many needs. Make sure you get a plan that has adequate speeds to support your staff and customers, and choose your extra features based on how your business runs.

Get fiber internet if it’s available, whether for a home or a business

Whether you’re signing up for a business or home internet account, fiber internet is the way to go.

Fiber-optic internet runs over cables made with bundled strands of glass, using light signals to transfer data at record speeds. It’s the fastest, most efficient and reliable type of internet you can get, capable of hitting max speeds of 5,000Mbps (on some residential internet plans) and 10,000Mbps (on premium business plans).

It’s also the only internet that can get you symmetrical upload and download speeds. Symmetrical speeds are a crucial benefit for remote workers, offices, and businesses that offer Wi-Fi for customers, because it vastly increases users’ ability to participate in video calls, upload and backup files quickly, and even host livestreams.

Although fiber isn’t as widely available as other internet types, it’s become an increasingly common option as internet providers across the country have stepped up efforts to expand fiber networks. You can see if fiber is available in your area by searching with your zip code below.

FAQ: Business vs. residential internet

Disclaimers

Best internet plans for working from home

*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 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.

^‡Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Fios plan prices include taxes & fees

^§For 24 months with 1-year term contract. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Taxes and equipment not included.

^║For 12 months when bundled. 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.

**w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts.

Best internet plans for businesses

* w/ 2y-year agreement plus taxes, fees & equip. charges.

^† Plus taxes & fees. Ltd. avail./areas. Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. 1GIG speeds avail. to new customers with the latest router (“BGW320”) and recommended setup. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factors and are not guaranteed.

^‡ for 12 months with 2-year agreement when you enroll in Auto Pay and Paperless Billing.