Best Internet Service Providers 2022

Januari 18, 2023Desember 7, 2022 falma.u99 internet, providers, service

We compared dozens of large internet providers across the US to find those with the best value, best speeds, best bundles, and best customer service.

We are committed to sharing unbiased reviews. Some of the links on our site are from our partners who compensate us. Read ourdisclosure policiesto learn more.

After many hours of research and testing, here are the conclusions about the best internet service providers:

* Comcast Xfinity offers the best combination of price and data speeds.
* Spectrum internet is the best option that doesn’t require a contract.
* AT&T Fiber won us over with its speeds.
* Verizon Fios isn’t widely available, but offers fast speeds for low prices.
* Satellite internet isn’t the fastest option, but Viasat gives you the most bang for your buck.

Of course, all of this depends on where you live. Only certain ISPs (internet service providers) are available in your area, and you might not get the advertised speeds. All things considered, you should get solid download and upload speeds with any of these recommended ISPs.

You can enter your ZIP code below to see what internet providers service your area.

Compare the best internet plans and prices near you.

So what are the best internet providers out there right now? Let’s dig in and find out.

What are the best internet service providers of 2022?

* : Best value
* : Best for the fastest fiber speeds up to 5 gigs
* : Affordable symmetrical data speeds
* : Best for no contracts
* : Best satellite internet speeds
* : Runner-up
* : Runner-up
* : Runner-up

The best internet service providers $49.99–$119.99‡300–2048 Mbps300–2048 MbpsUnlimitedFiberView Plans$49.99–$89.99^300–1000 Mbps10–35 MbpsUnlimitedCableView PlansViasat$30–$169.99°12–100 Mbps3 Mbps12–150 GBSatelliteView PlansCenturyLink$30–$70**100–940 Mbps10–940 MbpsUnlimitedDSL/FiberView PlansCox$49.99–$109.99††100–1000 Mbps5–35 Mbps1.28 TBCableView PlansAstound Broadband, powered by Grande$25.99–$59.99^400–1200 Mbps20–50 MbpsUnlimitedCable/FiberView PlansData effective 05/04/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

* For the first 12 months. Some packages require a 1- or 2-year contract.

† Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes $ fees. Limited availability. May not be available in your area.

‡ w/ Auto Pay + taxes & equip. charges.

^ For the first 12 months.

** New customers only. Rate requires paperless billing and excludes taxes. Additional fees apply.

†† For the first 12 months with a 1-year term agreement.

Data effective 10/22/2022. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

Xfinity internet has reliably fast download speeds It has competitive promotional prices It’s available almost everywhere in the US Xfinity’s prices vary widely based on location Notoriously known for difficult Xfinity customer service We voted Comcast Xfinity as a great value internet provider thanks to its competitive prices and high marks for fast speeds. And it’s available across most of the US.

Your prices may differ based on where you live, but generally, Xfinity charges the same prices—or less—compared to similar ISPs. Here’s a snapshot of Xfinity plans and prices for the Western US:

Xfinity plans and prices: Western US

Data effective 10/22/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

‡‡ For 12 months with a 1-year agreement. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Taxes and equipment not included.

^^ For 24 months. No term contract. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Taxes not included. Unlimited data and WiFi equipment included for new Xfinity Customers only for 24 months. Not available in all areas.

Xfinity internet + mobile = big savings

Need to upgrade your cell phone plan too? Don’t forget about Xfinity Mobile for extra savings! If you sign up for Xfinity internet, you’re eligible for Xfinity Mobile service too. Here’s what our expert says about Xfinity Mobile:

> “Because of Xfinity Mobile’s bundle-only model, plan structure, and rock-bottom prices, it really is like no other mobile carrier.” —Easton Smith

Learn more! Find the Xfinity internet and mobile deals in your area.

Save on Xfinity Mobile and Internet

Or, if you just want internet, you’re in luck. Switch to Xfinity and get up to a $200 Visa® Prepaid Card!

Read more about Xfinity internet

Another perk to Xfinity is that it now offers multiple services you can bundle together: internet, TV, home security, and mobile. Bundling is a great way to save money each month, and you may also find bundle-specificXfinity discounts.

But aside from cable TV, Xfinity’s other home services might be a bust. Here’s what our fellow experts had to say about other Xfinity services:

Xfinity cable TV:“Xfinity might have a lot of fees, but at least you won’t be disappointed by Xfinity’s service. This cable TV company is reliable, widely available, and you’ll get most, if not all, of the channels you and your family want.” —Chantel Buchi, TV and streaming expert

Xfinity Homesecurity system:“Xfinity Home’s prices are hard to pin down, most of the equipment lags behind other brands, and its customer service (through Comcast) may be the worst we’ve ever encountered.” —Brianne Sandorf, home security expert

Xfinity Mobile:“Because of its bundle-only model, plan structure, and rock-bottom prices, it really is like no other mobile carrier… Overall a solid, cheap plan for those already in the Xfinity universe, though you have to deal with data throttling, slowdowns, and poor video streaming quality (unless you have a 5G device).” —Easton Smith, mobile expert

Does Xfinity have Wi-Fi hotspots?

Another major benefit Xfinity customers enjoy is thousands of wireless hotspots across the US. Andif you’ve got Xfinity Mobile or a Performance internet plan or faster, you get hotspot access for free.

This is a huge boon if you’re on vacation and can’t find a Starbucks to siphon wireless internet off of. Not to mention access to all thoseXfinity Wi-Fi hotspotsis a lifesaver if your home internet goes down and you’ve got an assignment due the next morning.

You can access the wireless hotspots through theXfinity Wi-Fi app, which uses your Xfinity username and password.

Share your Wi-Fi with the Xfinity xFi Gateway modem
Xfinity has one of the largest Wi-Fi hotspot networks thanks to its xFi Gateway modems. Most of these modems are automatically set to broadcast a Wi-Fi signal.

If you’re not keen on your own modem broadcasting a Wi-Fi signal that almost anyone can use, here’show to turn off Xfinity Wi-Fi sharing.

View Plans|Read Full Xfinity Internet Review

Spectrum: Best for no contracts

Data effective 08/15/2022. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

Spectrum has good prices for most speeds There are no contracts There are also no data caps Spectrum might have download speeds that may be slower than advertised This internet provider gives poor customer service Spectrum Internet comes with a few extras that you might not get from other internet providers in the same area. That includes no contracts and no data caps—plus Spectrum’s prices are fairly competitive.

We’re also keen on Spectrum because it serves much of the Midwest. While other large ISPs stick to the coasts, that can leave residents of states like Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin feeling left out.

We do wish Spectrum speeds were more in line with other cable providers like Cox and Xfinity. But at 13th out of the 284 internet providers we analyzed, it’s still a great bet for getting the speed you pay for.

We’re also glad to see Spectrum do away with its hefty $199.99 setup fee for the Gig plan. You’ll still need to pay a $19.99 equipment upgrade fee to go from its slower plans to the Gig plan, but that’s much more reasonable. (And understandable, since the Gig plan requires different equipment.)

Spectrum Internet prices and speeds

Data effective 08/15/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

°° 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.

*** Wireless speeds may vary.

††† 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. Spectrum Internet® Gig promotion price is $89.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra.

‡‡‡ 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.

Compare Spectrum Internet prices near you.

AT&T Fiber: Best for the fastest fiber speeds

Data effective 08/15/2022. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

Well-priced fiber plans with unlimited data Option to bundle with DIRECTV Full fiber connections offered in some areas Limited fiber availability DSL speeds can be sluggish 1 TB data cap on DSL plans If you’re looking for those excellent fiber internet speeds but can’t get Verizon Fios Home Internet in your area, AT&T Fiber is well worth checking out.

Its fiber internet plans start at $55 a month for 300 Mbps speeds, putting it leagues ahead of most, if not all, other fiber providers when it comes to affordable prices. And even if you’re running a home business and need gig speeds, the starting price for its 940 Mbps plan won’t break your piggy bank.

AT&T Fiber internet promotional prices

Data effective 05/04/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

^^^ Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factors and are not guaranteed. For more information, go to /speed101.

°°° Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. 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.

**** Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factors and are not guaranteed.

†††† Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factors and are not guaranteed. For 5GIG speed, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more information, go to /speed101.

Get up to $200 with AT&T Fiber

Ready to give AT&T Fiber a go? Sign up for the AT&T Internet 300 or 500 plans and get a $150 Visa reward card to sweeten the deal.

And if you sign up for the AT&T Internet 1 Gig plan or higher, new customers will get a $200 Visa reward card.

Get the Deal

This deal ends on January 5, 2023.

UP TO $200 REWARD CARD OFFER: Ends 1/5/23. Online orders only at att.com. For new residential AT&T Fiber customers. $150 Reward Card w/ Internet 300 or 500; $200 Reward Card w/Internet 1Gig of higher plan. Residents of select multi-dwelling units are not eligible for this offer. Reward Card: Will be sent email or letter with redemption requirements. Redemption req’d. w/in 75 days from reward notification email or mail date. Reward Card delivered within 3-4 weeks after redemption to customers who maintain and pay for qualifying service from activation date and through reward fulfillment. Card expires at month-end 6 mos after issuance. For cardholder agreement, go to rewardcenter.att.com. The AT&T Visa Reward Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted in the United States, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. No cash access. The Bancorp Bank; Member FDIC. The Bancorp Bank does not endorse or sponsor and is not affiliated in any way with any product or service offered by AT&T.

AT&T Internet: Subj. to Internet Terms of Service at att.com/internet-terms.

Offers may not be combined with certain other promotional offers on the same services and may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice. Other conditions apply to all offers.

Read more about CenturyLink

CenturyLink internet benefits

CenturyLink internet comes with the following perks that make it a good deal:

* No contract
* No data caps
* No price hikes

You’ll want to make sure you set your account up for paperless billing in order to get all the benefits as well. And if you swap internet plans or move, be aware that your monthly bill may change at that time. Otherwise, these CenturyLink deals are pretty straightforward and easy to get.

Does CenturyLink have Wi-Fi hotspots?

One of our frustrations with CenturyLink is that it doesn’t offer a Wi-Fi hotspot network to its current subscribers.

So if hopping from hotspot to hotspot is a must-have for you, we thinkXfinityorAT&Tare better Wi-Fi companies. Both of these ISPs let you access hotspots as long as you’re paying for a home internet plan—no extra cash required.

Other DSL internet providers worth considering

DSL is older internet technology, but it’s also more widely available across the US. Especially in rural areas.

If you’re looking for top-notch DSL internet, these other providers are worth a look:

Other DSL internet providers

Data effective 08/15/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

† Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes $ fees. Limited availability. May not be available in your area.

With a 12 month contract.

^ For the first 12 months.

Data effective 08/15/2022. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

Budget-friendly high-speed plans Wide range of internet speeds to choose from No-contract options for all plans High-priced 25 and 50 Mbps plans Not-so-great customer service Cox offers low promotional prices on most of its plans that last for a whopping three years. Plus, if you subscribe to its internet service with speeds of 50 Mbps or faster, you don’t get roped into a contract.

Cox still costs about $10/month more compared to an internet service provider like Xfinity, but having no contract and potentially getting on promotional pricing can really sweeten the deal.

On top of all that, Cox performed fairly well in our latest speed report and offers some excellent bundling options if you want cable TV with your internet.

Cox internet prices and speeds

Data effective 08/15/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

for 12 months with 1-yr. term agreement

Astound Broadband, Powered by Grande: Runner-up

Data effective 11/14/2022. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

No contracts Fast download speeds Limited availability Price hikes after one year Even though it’s limited to parts of Texas, we had to mention Astound Broadband, powered by Grande here because of its low prices and exceptional internet speeds. And really, Astound does internet right with its no contracts and unlimited data too.

Grande Communications is now called Astound Broadband

Grande Communications just got a name change, and now it’s called Astound Broadband, powered by Grande.

Grande service should remain the same, and we’ll keep this review plus our full-length Astound Broadband, powered by Grande review updated if any more changes roll through.

Like we said, the biggest catch is that you can’t get Astound (formerly Grande) internet service outside of Texas. That’s a real shame, because it not only advertises fast speeds, it actually gives them to you.

Aside from limited availability, the only other thing about Astound Broadband that makes us frown is that its promotional prices last only 12 months.

Astound Broadband (formerly Grande) internet prices and speeds

Data effective 11/14/22. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.

No contract required. 24 Month Internet Pricing. Equipment priced separately. Includes $10 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Experienced speeds may vary. Excludes surcharges and fees. New residential customers only.

Recap: The 8 best internet providers When it comes to the best internet providers overall, we recommend Xfinity, AT&T Fiber, Verizon Fios Home Internet, CenturyLink, and Viasat, while Cox, Spectrum, and Astound Broadband, powered by Grande are worth a look as runners-up. It’s always worth looking around to see if there’s a smaller local internet provider offering a great deal near you too.

Either way, searching for the best internet gives you a lot to think about. We recommend running through our guide on how to find the right internet planbefore you start shopping.

* Xfinity: Best Value.Available basically nationwide, Xfinity offers stellar prices and speeds. It scored high on our list of the fastest ISPs, and regularly offers limited-time deals. Plus, you can save more money by bundling your internet with its TV, home security, and mobile services.
* Spectrum: Best for no contracts. Spectrum Internet comes with no contracts or data caps, and most of its prices are competitive. But you may not get the internet speeds you pay for.
* AT&T Fiber:Best for low fiber prices.It’s hard to find fiber internet prices lower than AT&T’s. That makes it a stand-out deal for gamers, streamers, and anyone who works from home.
* Verizon Fios Home Internet: Affordable plans.We always recommend fiber internet if you can get it, and Verizon Fios Home Internet comes with top-notch fiber speeds and customer service we’ve heard nothing but good things about. The only thing it’s missing is Wi-Fi hotspots.
* Viasat: Best satellite internet speeds.With the fastest speeds satellite can provide, Viasat is our pick for anyone who can’t get cable or DSL service in their area. It may even be a better value than the competing satellite provider, HughesNet, if you’re looking for speeds around 100 Mbps.
* CenturyLink: Runner-up.Look no further than CenturyLink if you’re after reasonable prices that don’t skyrocket a year later. It also offers a fiber internet plan for those that need gig speeds. But if you need a wireless network while you’re out of town, look elsewhere.
* Cox: Runner-up. Cox saves you money with low promo prices that last for three years. And it doesn’t require a contract for most of its plans. We only hope it improves its internet speeds and raises its data cap to unlimited in the future.
* Astound Broadband, powered by Grande: Runner-up. Astound (formerly Grande) gets a gold star for no contracts, unlimited data, fast internet speeds, and good value. But it’s available only in Texas—and your promo prices last for only 12 months.

Find and compare internet plans in your area.

Now that you know more about the best ISPs in the US, check these out next.

Find out which ISPs are the fastest.

Live in the country? These are the best rural internet options.

Our team tests our own home internet networks regularly, along with reaching out to folks living in different areas to test out ISPs we don’t have access to.

Based on hands-on testing, we gather information on data speeds, billing, customer service, installation, and outages for each ISP. We also use millions of Reviews.org internet speed test results from across the country to get a better idea of average performance.

We also use outside sources like the American Customer Satisfaction Index(ACSI),HighSpeedInternet.com, and theFederal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete our assessment of an ISP. (Remembering that FCC data is flawed and doesn’t include every ISP.2)

We also look at Better Business Bureau, JD Power, and Consumer Affairs comments and ratings, along with browsing Reddit or Quora threads for anecdotal insights on ISP experiences.

Long-story short: We balance our own proprietary data and personal experience with research from other sources.

How to choose the best internet provider

Ever wondered how you can find the best internet-only plans on your own? There are so many broadband providers and so many plans that it might seem impossible to pick one.

We’ll let you in on our not-so-secret methods for analyzing and comparing home internet options.

1. Find out which internet plans are available in your area.

Not only do you need to take a look at the ISPs in your area, but also which plans they offer. Some providers, like Xfinity, offer service across the US or in multiple states, but the internet plans you can get vary a lot depending on where you live.

The easiest way to get an eagle-eye view of what’s in your area is with our ZIP checker. Just put in your ZIP code and we’ll pull up all the internet providers and plans near you.

Find and compare internet providers near you.

2. Determine your monthly budget.

What’s the maximum you can afford to spend on internet each month?

This is always a good place to start because no one wants to spend more than they need to on anything.

But if you find that the home internet plan you want doesn’t match your wallet’s reality, don’t panic just yet. We’ve got a few tips on how you can lower your internet bill.

3. Figure out how much download speed you need

You can start narrowing down your internet-only plan choices by figuring out how much speed you need.

Once you figure out whether you need just 25 Mbps for some relaxing Facebook surfing and email forwarding or 300 Mbps for a connected smart home full of gamers, you can pinpoint different plans that offer just the right amount of internet speed.

Another step you can take here is to find out how fast your current internet plan is by taking a speed test.

This gives you a sort of benchmark to say, “I need faster download speeds” or “I can get a plan with speeds similar to what I have now.”

4. Estimate how much data you need.

Most DSL, cable, and fiber ISPs offer either one terabyte (1 TB) of data or unlimited data. Both options should be fine for most everyone—unless you download a lot of large files for work and/or pleasure.

But be aware that both satellite internet providers, Viasat and HughesNet, have much lower data caps. HughesNet caps out at 50 GB and Viasat caps out at 150 GB.

Of course, with Viasat, HughesNet, and even non-satellite providers like Xfinity, you can add more data. You’ll just have to pay extra.

5. Look to see if you can save by bundling.

Do you want to bundle services like TV, phone, and home security with your internet? That’s probably not a bad idea. You’ll typically save some money and get extra features if you bundle.

Of course, bundling throws a wrench in what’s already a difficult price comparison to make. But to get you started, we made a list of our favorite TV, internet, and phone bundles.

6. Compare your top two or three choices.

Once you’ve narrowed your search to two or three options, take a look at our more popular direct ISP comparisons.

This can give you an idea of which provider will save you money over the long run, which provider has better customer service, and even which provider doesn’t require you to sign a contract. (If any of them have that option, which we hope they do.)

Here’s How Much You’ll Spend on Internet in Your Lifetime

Ever wondered how much internet will cost you over your lifetime? Yeah, we get a dose of morbid curiosity every now and then too.

Well, here in the US, you can expect to pay about $32,400 for internet. (That’s with the average global life expectancy of 72 years.) Compared to the top 20 countries with the most internet users across the globe, that’s . . . not great.

Here’s what else we found out about the average lifetime cost of internet over the average global life expectancy of 72 years:

* The average lifetime cost of internet across the world is $18,584.96. That’s $13,815.04 cheaper than the average lifetime internet bill in the US. Oof.
* Internet in the US costs $6,266.16 more than the next highest average internet bill: In Japan, you’d pay $26,133.84 to scroll through Instagram and read the news.
* Here in the US, we pay about $18,280.08 less than the highest average lifetime internet bill: In Nigeria, you’d pay a whopping $50,680.08 to hop online.
* Speaking of Nigeria, you’d pay 10.6x more for a lifetime of internet there than you would in the cheapest location for internet, Russia. That’s a difference of $45,917.28. *insert screaming emoji here*
* Yup, Russians pay the least for a lifetime of internet at $4,762.80. Which is lucky for them, because no one wants to go outside during Russia’s brutally cold winters.

Sure, the US isn’t the cheapest place to log on and do some web surfing. But keep in mind that, in other countries, you may have to deal with limited access (or no access to certain sites), monitoring, and limited freedom of online speech.

And, hey, there are some things you can do to trim a few bucks off your internet bill here and there. So don’t let the high cost of being a US netizen get you down. Turn that frown into a slightly smiling emoji and enjoy the connections, friendships, and knowledge that internet brings.

Best Internet Service Providers FAQs

What are the best options for DSL internet?

We don’t recommend DSL (copper) internet unless you have no other choice. But for folks that do use AT&T, Verizon, and Ziply DSL internet, here’s an update for you:

These three ISPs are discontinuing their DSL service in 13 states. A majority, if not all, of their DSL service is set to be replaced by fiber or fixed wireless.

* AT&T:Ending DSL service in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, and South Carolina by 2025.10
* Verizon:Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia.11
* Ziply:Oregon and Washington.12

Need help paying for internet?

The new Affordable Connectivity Program could give you $30 a month toward your monthly bill.

All of our best internet provider picks participate in the program. Find out more, like how to qualify and how to apply, in ourAffordable Connectivity Program guide.

Does Xfinity offer bundling options?

Yes!

Xfinity’s 3 for 1 Bundlegives you unlimited internet, a free Flex 4K streaming TV box, and one Mobile Unlimited line.

With no contract requirement, a two-year price guarantee,andaccess to Peacock Premium, this is a pretty sweet bundle.

Also, if you ask for an Xfinity Flex streaming box along with your internet service, you now get access to YouTube TV along with Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV.8

See Xfinity Internet Deals

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