Comparing the top high-speed internet providers of 2024
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Best for bundling
Prices from
$55.00
per month
Speeds up to
5,000
Mbps
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.
Most affordable price
Prices from
$29.99
per month
Speeds up to
5,000
Mbps
Fastest cable internet
Prices from
$19.99
per month
Speeds up to
2,000
Mbps
with a mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband. With Auto Pay + Paperless billing.
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.
High-speed internet is needed for streaming, gaming and video calls, as well as for households with multiple connected devices, like laptops, tablets and gaming consoles. Fast internet also prevents troublesome internet issues like lag, buffering and weak Wi-Fi signals.
The fastest internet speeds (up to 8 GB) are available from Google Fiber, Kinetic by Windstream and Optimum, while Xfinity has fast internet up to 6 GB, depending on area. High-speed internet with top speeds of 5 GB is widely accessible from AT&T and Frontier.
This FCC map shows that 89.38% of the U.S. has access to at least one internet provider with speeds of 100 Mbps or more. According to Speedtest by Ookla, Rhode Island, Connecticut Florida, Delaware and New Hampshire have the “fastest median download speeds” in the country, reaching 234–257 Mbps.
Keep reading to learn more about “high-speed internet in my area” and who has the fastest internet speed near you.
Best high-speed internet services
- AT&T: Best for bundling
- Frontier Fiber: Most affordable price
- Google Fiber: Best for simple pricing
- Kinetic by Windstream: Best for rural areas
- Optimum: Best for plan variety
- Xfinity: Fastest cable internet
Compare the fastest internet providers
These internet providers offer the fastest internet speed options and are available in vast areas of the U.S.
Provider | Fastest speed available | Starting price range* | Connection type | |
---|---|---|---|---|
4,700 Mbps | $55–$245/mo. | Fiber | ||
5,000 Mbps | $39.99–$154.99/mo. | Fiber | ||
8,000 Mbps | $70–$150/mo. | Fiber | ||
8,000 Mbps | $29.99–$299/mo. | Fiber | Call to order: (877) 701-6907 | |
8,000 Mbps | $40–$280/mo. | Cable, fiber | Call to order: (877) 701-6907 | |
6,000 Mbps | $9.95–$299.95/mo. | Cable, fiber |
*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. As of 1/18/24.
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.
Fastest internet plan breakdown
Enter your address on this page to discover the fastest home Wi-Fi and best internet speeds near you. Learn more about the cable and fiber internet providers with fast upload and download speeds here.
AT&T – Best for bundling
Overall score: 4.0 out of 5.
Read the full AT&T review.
AT&T has five fiber optic plans from 300 to 4,700 Mbps, all without contracts or data caps. Equipment is already included in the monthly price, and installation is typically free with these fast internet packages. Plus, AT&T routinely runs new-customer promotions for gift cards and other bonuses.
Pros
Bundle with a qualifying AT&T Wireless plan for discounted rates.
Cons
Fiber service is not available throughout all of AT&T’s coverage area.
Frontier Fiber – Most affordable price
Overall score: 3.7 out of 5.
Read the full Frontier review.
Frontier offers cheap internet with fiber-optic speeds. Frontier’s fastest plan is 5 GB, but the provider also has 1 and 2 GB plans available. Frontier has a competitive starting price; however, rates increase by $10/mo. or more in year two. Frontier plans come with free installation and an advanced Wi-Fi 6E router. They also have unlimited data and no contracts.
Pros
Multiple GB plans with symmetrical upload and download speeds.
Cons
Promotional rate ends after 12 months.
Google Fiber – Best for simple pricing
Overall score: 3.8 out of 5.
Read the Google Fiber review.
Google Fiber doesn’t have promotional pricing that increases. Its four simple plans are $70 for 1 GB, $100 for 2 GB, $125 for 5 GB and $150 for 8 GB. Upload and download speeds are the same for this fiber-optic connection, and equipment is included at no additional charge.
Pros
No contracts or installation costs for simple setup.
Cons
Currently in only 14 states; availability is the most scarce with this provider.
Kinetic by Windstream – Best for rural areas
Overall score: 3.6 out of 5.
Read the full Windstream review.
Kinetic by Windstream is a fiber connection that is often available in communities outside of large cities. The 100, 300 and 1,000 Mbps plans have affordable pricing under $70/mo. However, the 8 GB plan jumps to nearly $300/mo.; it’s only necessary for those who consider the fastest speeds a must-have.
Pros
Only provider that offers up to 8 GB other than Google Fiber.
Cons
Also offers DSL internet service in areas that are not upgraded to fiber lines with top speeds of 100 Mbps.
Optimum – Best for plan variety
Overall score: 3.8 out of 5.
Read the full Optimum review.
Optimum is a cable and fiber internet provider primarily available in the Northeast. You can bundle internet and TV with Optimum and add Mobile services as well. Plans come with free installation, free equipment, no data limits and no contracts.
Pros
Eight different plan options between 300 and 8,000 Mbps.
Cons
Fiber service not available in all markets. Cable internet with slower upload speeds is available in some areas.
Xfinity – Fastest cable internet
Overall score: 4.0 out of 5.
Read the full Xfinity review.
Xfinity is mainly a cable internet service, but its fastest plans use a fiber connection. Fiber offers upload speeds that are the same as download speeds, perfect for uploading large files including photos and video. The top speeds at 3 GB or 6 GB are the most expensive of all the fast ISPs at $299.95/mo. Other fast Xfinity plans are available at 300, 600, 900 and 1,200 Mbps.
Pros
Coverage area reaches the most households nationwide.
Cons
Additional fees may include equipment rental and installation.
What to consider when searching for fast internet
Your search for who has the fastest internet speed near you can yield multiple results depending on what is available in your area. Therefore, details like technology type (fiber, cable, 5G internet), availability and cost are all important factors to consider when selecting the best internet option for you.
If you require the utmost consistency, a fiber connection is a better option. Fiber is a dedicated connection, so network congestion doesn’t cause slowdowns. Fiber also has upload speeds that match its download speeds, a feature you won’t find with any other connection type.
Cable and 5G internet also offer fast download speeds, although the upload speeds are slower. These internet connections are also more susceptible to periodic speed throttling if the network is busy.
Pros and cons of high-speed internet
Consider these pros and cons when shopping for the fastest home 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 should look for high-speed internet plans?
High-speed internet is perfect for anyone who wants to browse the web without 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. The highest internet speeds are not for everyone because most households can operate smoothly on 300–500 Mbps.
Consider an internet plan with 1 GB or more 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.
- You don’t want to worry about fixing slow internet.
- You are a competitive gamer.
- You work from home with frequent video calls.
- You want the very best in internet quality.
- Your budget is more flexible.
Other high-speed internet providers
Provider | Fastest speeds available | Starting price range* | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|
Spectrum | 1 GB | $49.99–$79.99/mo. | Cable |
Verizon Fios | 940 Mbps | $49.99–$89.99/mo. | Fiber |
Cox | 2 GB | $35–$149.99/mo. | Hybrid |
CenturyLink | 940 Mbps | $30–$75/mo. | Fiber, DSL |
Mediacom | 1 GB | $24.99–$54.99/mo. | Cable |
Brightspeed | 2 GB | $49–$99/mo. | Fiber, DSL |
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.
Is 2,000 Mbps a fast internet speed?
Yes. 2,000 Mbps is equivalent to 2 GB. Internet plans that offer speeds of 1 GB, 2 GB, 5 GB and 8 GB are all extremely fast and can support over 40 devices running simultaneously.
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.
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