Internet providers in California

Published 10:29 am ET Aug 2

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Prices from
$50
per month
Speeds up to
1,000
Mbps
Call to order: (877) 743-2209
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Prices from
$65.00
per month
Speeds up to
5,000
Mbps
Call to order: (833) 249-1503
Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install charge may apply.
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Prices from
$19.99
per month
Speeds up to
2,000
Mbps
Call to order: (877) 417-5069
with a mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband. With Auto Pay + Paperless billing.
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California offers endless opportunities for adventure with a variety of landscapes. Whether you’re in the busy city of Los Angeles, relaxing in Long Beach or exploring Fresno, a strong internet connection keeps the excitement going.

With high-speed internet available throughout the state, you can stream your favorite show, play video games with friends or work remotely without worry of dropped video calls. Fiber is the most reliable connection type but has limited availability. California’s wide variety of cable and wireless plans are typically more affordable, with prices starting at $24.99.

Read on to learn more about internet service providers in California and find out what plan matches your lifestyle.

Why trust our broadband experts

Allconnect’s team of broadband experts regularly reviews the top internet service providers in the U.S., scrutinizing each company under a rigorous scoring system to help our readers make informed internet purchases. We keep our data points accurate and up to date based on thorough research and partnership communications. Our content is not directed by partners. Visit our full methodology page and advertising disclosure to learn more.

Best internet providers in California

While pricing and performance vary by city, the top California internet providers are T-Mobile and Verizon, based on our reviews. T-Mobile is available throughout 54% of the state, with prices ranging from $40 to $60/mo., though you can only secure the lowest prices if you choose a bundle deal. Verizon plans have 5G wireless or fiber internet options with speeds up to 2,300 Mbps and prices starting at $35/mo.

While the fastest speed options reach up to 5,000 Mbps from Earthlink and Frontier, fiber is only available in about 33% of the state. If fiber is not an option in your area, cable internet is the next fastest, with broad availability in 90% of California. There are affordable plans for every budget — starting prices range from $24.99 to about $249/mo. Providers like Xfinity and Frontier offer the lowest starting prices, though they have less state coverage. In contrast, satellite providers such as Starlink and Hughesnet provide extensive coverage, reaching nearly 100% of the state, but beware of higher price points and lower speeds.

The following table compares the top internet providers in California.

Provider	Starting price range	Download speed range	Connection type	Availability
Xfinity	$24.99–$299.95/mo.	75–3,000 Mbps	Cable	33%
Frontier	$29.99–$154.99/mo.	200–5,000 Mbps	Fiber, DSL	13%
Spectrum Internet®	$50–$70/mo.*	500–1,000 Mbps	Cable	46%
Verizon 5G / Verizon Fios	$35**–$109.99/mo.	85–2,300 Mbps	5G, fiber	28%
T-Mobile	$40**–$60/mo.	72–245 Mbps	5G	54%
AT&T	$55–$245/mo.	300–4,700 Mbps	Fiber	64%
Earthlink	$59.95–$189.95/mo.	100–5,000 Mbps	Fiber, wireless	25%
Viasat	$64.99–$199.99/mo.	12–100 Mbps	Satellite	99%
Hughesnet	$74.99–$119.99/mo.	50–100 Mbps	Satellite	100%
Starlink	$120/mo.	25–220 Mbps	Satellite	99%

*Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2024 Charter Communications, all rights reserved. As of 9/17/24.
**When bundled with a qualifying mobile plan.

Methodology

We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.

Internet technology in California

Choosing the best internet connection type depends on what you need for your home and what is available in your location. Generally, fiber and cable offer the highest internet speeds and reliability, while fixed wireless, 5G and DSL provide moderate speeds and availability. In rural areas, satellite is the best option as it covers 100% of the state, even in remote areas where there are usually limited choices.

You can use the following table to compare prices, speeds and availability by internet connection type in California.

Connection type	Starting price	Speeds up to	Availability
Satellite	$64.99–$249.99/mo.	500 Mbps	100%
Cable	$24.99–$299.95	3,000 Mbps	90%
Wireless	$35–$89.95	100 Mbps	75%
Fiber	$29.99–$189.95	5,000 Mbps	33%

Top California cities

Your location in California may determine the prices or providers you have to choose from. Find the best internet providers California offers based on your location and compare prices, speeds and Wi-Fi deals.

Cheap internet options in California

The cheapest internet in California includes plans from Xfinity, Frontier and Spectrum. Xfinity’s Connect More plan is a great value of $24.99/mo. for 12 months with up to 75 Mbps download speeds. We recommend this plan as a short-term option because the price triples after the promotional period. With Frontier, you can get affordable fiber for a starting price of $29.99 and then an increase to $54.99/mo. when the promotion ends. Even with the cost increase, Frontier offers a great price for up to 200 Mbps download speeds and unlimited data.

Spectrum is the most available cheap internet option in California starting at $30/mo. for up to 100 Mbps download speeds. With no contracts or early termination fees, you can cancel the plan before your price increases after the first year. Before signing up for any cheap internet plans, review the fine print details about promotional pricing and additional fees. Sometimes the monthly starting price is attractive, but after the promotional period and adding up the fees, it costs more than alternatives.

Fast internet options in California

You have multiple options for fast fiber internet in California, including plans from Frontier, Verizon, AT&T and Earthlink. The fastest plan has download speeds of up to 5 GB from Earthlink and Frontier but will cost you from about $154.95 to $189.95 every month. Most high-usage homes do not require such high speeds, and a 1 GB or 2 GB plan will fit your needs. Choosing a 1 GB or 2 GB plan can reduce your monthly price by about $55 to $100 instead of the 5 GB option. Verizon’s fastest plan has speeds up to 2.3 GB for a $109.99 monthly price with no hidden fees, contracts or data caps.

While fiber is the fastest and most reliable connection type, it is only available throughout 33% of the state. If fiber isn’t an option in your area, you can still choose a fast cable internet plan from Xfinity. The Gigabit Pro plan is the fastest option from Xfinity, up to 3 GB, but costs nearly $300/mo. Alternatively, you can consider Xfinity’s Gigabit plan instead with up to 1.2 GB for $80/mo. With all these options, you can find a high-speed home Wi-Fi plan in California that fits your needs and budget.

Rural internet options in California

While fewer providers operate in remote locations, satellite is the best internet type for rural areas in California. Hughesnet offers 100% coverage throughout the state, and Viasat and Starlink are close behind with 99% coverage. For a more affordable price, choose Viasat or Hughesnet, as starting prices range from $64.99 to $74.99. Before signing up for the cheapest plan, consider the speed you need for your online activities. If you are learning or working from home, you will need more than 50 Mbps download speeds. For higher speeds, Starlink’s Standard plan provides up to 200 Mbps download speeds for $120/mo. with no contract or cancellation fees.

California internet FAQs

Who has the fastest internet in California?

The fastest internet option is a fiber plan from Earthlink or Frontier, with download speeds up to 5 GB. If fiber is unavailable in your area, you can choose a fast 3 GB cable internet plan from Xfinity.

How much is internet per month in California?

Internet costs in California range from $24.99 to $249.99 each month depending on provider, location and plan type. The cheapest internet options may include promotional pricing. Review the fine print details to know about fees or price increases.

What is the average internet speed in California?

The median download speed in California is about 250 Mbps with a median upload of 25.67 Mbps. These speeds are higher than the national average of 219 Mbps download and 24 Mbps upload.

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Faith FousheeAllconnect.com

Faith Foushee is a writer who is passionate about helping consumers understand broadband, internet, home services, and clean energy products. She enjoys chatting with experts and sharing her learnings through writing to help customers gain a better understanding about their home purchases.

Hannah WhatleyAllconnect.com

Hannah Whatley is an editor who enjoys collaborating with writers to offer readers the most relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information for their home purchases. She has previously edited for The Motley Fool, The Modest Wallet, Grammarly, JoinCake.com and SaveOnEnergy.com, gaining expertise in several industries. Hannah has a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State University. When she isn’t editing, she enjoys studying linguistics and languages.