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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
High-speed internet is essential for streaming, gaming, video calls and homes with multiple devices.
The fastest internet speeds up to 8 GB are available from Google Fiber, Kinetic by Windstream and Optimum.
Xfinity offers high-speed internet plans up to 6 GB; AT&T and Frontier have fast internet deals up to 5 GB.
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 high-speed internet services
Start your search for “high-speed internet in my area” today.
* 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.
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.
While our best high-speed internet reviews consider the fastest download speeds, other key factors are included to calculate an overall best provider score.
Our ranking methodology analyzes data from research and government organizations, such as the FCC‘s criteria and national broadband map, which indicates that 89% of the U.S. has access to at least one provider offering speeds of 100 Mbps or higher.
Fastest internet plan breakdown
Discover the fastest home Wi-Fi from cable, 5G and fiber internet providers.
AT&T – Best for bundling
Pros
Bundle with AT&T Wireless for 20% off.
Symmetrical speeds up to 5 GB.*
Cons
Fiber service is not available everywhere.
Installation fees may apply.
AT&T Fiber 5 Gig* is the fastest internet plan from AT&T. Other fiber optic speed options are 300 to 2,000 Mbps, all without contracts or data caps. Equipment is included in the monthly price with all high-speed internet plans, and installation is free during occasional promotions.
*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.
Frontier Fiber – Most affordable price
Pros
Multi-gig plans available.
Free installation.
Cons
Rate increases after 12 months.
ETFs may apply.
Frontier Fiber 5 Gig is this ISP’s fastest internet deal. Frontier plans offer 1, 2 or 5 GB upload and download speeds with a competitive starting price. Rates increase by $10/mo. or more in year two, but installation and a Wi-Fi 6E router are included in the monthly cost.
Google Fiber’s 8 GB plan is its highest-speed internet. Available in 19 states, Google Fiber offers four simple plans: $70 for 1 GB, $100 for 2 GB, $125 for 5 GB and $150 for 8 GB. This fiber-optic connection offers symmetrical upload and download speeds, and equipment is included at no additional charge.
Get Kinetic Fiber 8 Gig for the top high-speed internet from Windstream. Kinetic by Windstream is a fiber connection often available outside of large cities. While Windstream’s fastest 8 GB plan costs nearly $300/mo., most high-speed plans offer affordable pricing between $39.99–$69.99/mo.
Optimum Fiber 8 Gig is the fastest Optimum internet package. This cable and fiber internet provider, primarily available in the Northeast, comes with free installation, free equipment, no data limits and no contracts. You can bundle internet and TV with Optimum and add mobile services as well.
At up to 6 GB, Gigabit Pro is the fastest Xfinity internet plan. Xfinity’s network is primarily cable internet, but its fastest plans use a fiber connection. At $299.95/mo., Xfinity’s top speeds of 3 GB or 6 GB are the most expensive out of all the fast ISPs on our list, but cheaper fast Xfinity plans are available between 150–2,100 Mbps.
When searching for the best high-speed internet, consider technology type, availability and cost. Fiber offers symmetrical speeds, while cable and 5G deliver fast downloads but may slow with network congestion.
Availability: Your location is the biggest factor in determining which high-speed internet options are available for your home. Check availability with top providers on this page.
Online tasks: What you use the internet for is another key variable when choosing a fast internet plan, especially if fast upload speeds are crucial.
Connection type: Fiber internet has the utmost consistency and best upload speeds — perfect for gaming or content creation. Cable and 5G internet offer fast download, but slower upload speeds and are prone to speed throttling at times.
Pros and cons of high-speed internet
Pros
Provides the fastest Wi-Fi
Can connect more devices
Less lag and buffering
Faster upload speeds
Cons
Fastest speeds not available everywhere
More expensive plans
May pay for more speed than you need
Speeds might be throttled during heavy usage
Who needs high-speed internet?
Think about choosing one of the best high-speed internet plans if:
You currently experience lag or have trouble with your Wi-Fi not working.
You need fast upload speeds only available with a fiber connection.
Your home has multiple people streaming at the same time.
You are a content creator or regularly livestream from your home.
*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.
**Limited availability. Service and rate in select locations only. Paperless billing required. Taxes and fees apply. Rate excludes CTL Fee not to exceed $1.50/mo./line.
Rural internet speeds are typically slower than those in urban areas, but options for faster rural internet are increasing with the expansion of 5G networks. For high-speed rural internet, 5G or satellite internet is often the fastest choice.
Verizon 5G offers speeds up to 1 GB.
T-Mobile reaches up to 415 Mbps.
Starlink satellite internet provides speeds up to 220 Mbps, depending on your location.
High-speed internet FAQs
What is a good high speed for internet?
The FCC defines broadband internet as any connection of at least 100 Mbps. Still, for many people, a good fast internet speed would typically be considered anything over 300 Mbps.
What is the highest speed internet?
The highest widely available residential speed is 8 GB from Google Fiber, Kinetic by Windstream or Optimum.
Do I need gigabit internet?
Gigabit internet is perfect for those who want to do any internet activity without lag or delay. While most streaming services like Netflix and Hulu can run on a minimum bandwidth of around 3 Mbps, fast speeds can cut down on aggravating lag or buffering. Still, the highest internet speeds are not for everyone, and many households can operate smoothly on 300–500 Mbps.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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.
