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*Price after $10/mo discount (starts within 2 bills) w/ paperless billing & Autopay if enrolled w a debut card or bank account. Discount reduced to $5/mo if enrolled w/ credit card. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies
Fiber internet offers faster download speeds and more bandwidth than cable, 5G or other internet types.
The best Wi-Fi in the U.S. includes AT&T Fiber, Verizon Fios and Google Fiber.
Fiber-optic internet is ideal for smart home management, gaming, streaming or households with numerous connected devices.
The cheapest fiber internet includes Frontier Fiber at $29.99/mo. or $30/mo. from WOW!.
Why trust our internet 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.
Our expert analysis of top providers can help you decide on the right fiber internet near you. Read informed fiber reviews here to start your search for “fiber optic broadband in my area.”
What is fiber internet?
Considered the most advanced type of home Wi-Fi, fiber is optimal for gaming, operating smart homes and future-proofing your home Wi-Fi network.
Fiber internet uses fiber optic lines to provide a direct high-speed internet connection that virtually eliminates lag.
Although fiber may seem like new technology, it has been in use since the 1970s.
Fiber has become more prevalent — and essential — as the average number of Wi-Fi devices in North American homes has almostdoubled since 2018, according to Statista.
With speeds up to 8 GB, fiber internet is up to 155% faster than the fastest cable internet, which usually tops out at 1 GB.
Advantages of fiber internet
Pros
Most secure internet connection.
Low latency & fastest response times.
Equal download & upload speeds.
Cons
Availability still limited.
Can be pricey.
Professional installation required.
Methodology
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2025. 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.
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary.
♱Price after $10/mo discount with eligible Autopay & Paperless bill (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. See offer details. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For 5GIG, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101. As of 03/20/25.
Fiber optic internet provider reviews
AT&T Fiber – Best overall fiber internet provider
Overall score: 4 out of 5.
Pros
Best ACSI customer satisfaction score.
Speeds up to 5 GB.
Cons
Unavailable in most NW & NE states.
The fastest 5 GB speeds are over $200/mo.
AT&T Fiber stands out among the best internet providers thanks to no contracts, unlimited data and few fees.
Speeds from 300 Mbps to 5 GB;* equal download and upload speeds.
Prices between $55 and $245/mo.;* get a 20% internet discount when bundled with wireless.
*Price after $10/mo discount with eligible Autopay & Paperless bill (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. See offer details. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For 5GIG, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101. As of 03/20/25.
Google Fiber’s 2, 5 and 8 GB plans ($100–$150/mo.) are more affordable than other ISPs, although the $70/mo. 1 GB plan is pricier than some competitors.
The best ISP in the U.S.A. is likely a fiber provider, thanks to its superior speeds and low latency, which outshine any other type of connection.
Multi-gig speedsup to 8 GB are increasingly common for residential fiber internet, as dark fiber (unused infrastructure) is converted into lit fiber (activated networks).
While other connections have slower upload speeds, fiber is the only type with equal upload and download speeds, making uploading files, videos or attachments nearly instant.
Ping rate (the metric for latency/lag; lower ping rate = faster response time) is around 10 ms with fiber internet compared to 40 ms or more with most other internet connections.
Connecting your device to the gateway with an Ethernet cable.
How much does fiber internet cost?
The average internet cost for 1 GB fiber is $64/mo., based on our top eight fiber providers.
The average cost for basic fiber internet (100–300 Mbps) starts at $41/mo.
Fiber internet has a cheaper cost per Mbps (cost per Mbps decreases as speed increases), resulting in a better value and return on investment, compared to other connection types (i.e., cable, 5G or DSL internet).
The overall monthly price of fiber internet is comparable to cable and 5G, when evaluating similar speeds.
Additional costs for fiber can be higher relative to other types of internet (although many ISPs include or waive these fees for new customers). Otherwise, professional installation can easily cost $100 or more to get the best fiber internet router.
Fiber deals
Discover the best deals for fiber internet near you by checking which ISPs are available at your location. Deals are subject to change.
AT&T Fiber deals: Cancellation fees covered when switching from another ISP; AT&T ActiveArmorSM internet security included; rotating reward card offers for new customers.
Verizon Fios deals: Price guarantee up to five years; recurring offers for reward cards/free streaming services.
Quantum Fiber deals: Price for Life guarantees your monthly internet rate.
Kinetic by Windstream: Reward cards; up to three-year price guarantee; $20/mo. AT&T wireless bundle discount.
Fiber optic internet providers are most commonly found in urban and suburban areas.
Fiber access is expanding into rural areas as well.
Find fiber internet near you
Google Fiber, AT&T Fiber, Verizon Fios and Frontier Fiber are currently expanding their fiber networks.
Google Fiber has plans to expand into new cities in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
AT&T Fiber expanded into Vanderburgh County, IN, and Oldham County, KY, in 2024.
Verizon Fios has been expanding into areas of Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts over the past two years.
If you’ve checked for fiber internet at your address in the past and it wasn’t available, it may be there now. Enter your address on this page to discover an optical fiber network in your area.
Who should purchase fiber internet?
Users who game, stream, work or go to school online.
Homes with numerous Wi-Fi devices, connected simultaneously.
Homes that require the fastest upload speeds and data transfer rates for various activities.
Anyone searching for a value-oriented internet plan with fast speeds, reliable connection and unlimited data.
Anyone who needs low ping rates, or minimal latency. (Median latency for fiber providers is about 10 milliseconds faster than cable internet.)
How does fiber beat other internet connections?
Future-proof: Fiber will remain a reliable connection unaffected by how many people are online in your area. In contrast, cable, 5G, fixed wireless and satellite internet use shared connections that slow down during network congestion.
Symmetrical speeds: Fiber is the only internet connection with equal upload and download speeds. Other internet types’ upload speeds are a fraction of the download speeds.
Fiber internet FAQs
How much does fiber internet cost?
Frontier, Optimum, Kinetic by Windstream and WOW! have fiber plans starting under $40/mo., but a gigabit or multi-gig fiber internet plan will cost $60 and up.
Can you get fiber internet in rural areas?
Fiber optic coverage is increasing nationwide, but it’s not as common to find fiber internet in rural areas.
Can fiber internet be slow?
Fiber internet is rarely slow, as even the lowest speeds start around 300 Mbps. However, if you have many devices connected wirelessly at once, you could experience reduced Wi-Fi speed.
What equipment is needed for fiber internet?
You need a modem and a router (or a combo unit called a gateway) designed for a fiber optic connection. You cannot use a cable or DSL modem with fiber internet.
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Lisa Iscrupe is a senior writer helping readers understand the complexities of broadband, internet and other home services, including energy and renewable products. Her work appears on SaveOnEnergy.com and CNET.com, with national sources such as CNN, The Daily MBA and The Media Bulletin referencing her articles.
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.
