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Iowa is a powerhouse in the world of agriculture. The Hawkeye State is the source of the original Red Delicious (Hawkeye) apple, the largest producer of pork and corn, and home to the nationally renowned Iowa State Fair.
While it may have a lot of land dedicated to producing food, Iowa also has nearly 3.2 million residents who live and work in the state. Those residents need fast home Wi-Fi to keep pace in today’s world, whether they work in agriculture, IT, manufacturing or any of Iowa’s other major industries.
Fortunately, Iowa has an array of options for home Wi-Fi. Residents can choose from many internet plans and speeds, some reaching up to 8 GB. Read on for an overview of the top internet service providers in Iowa.
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Best internet providers in Iowa
Iowa internet providers offer a wide selection of plans for residents to choose from. Prices start as low as $20/mo. with the top providers, and you can find speed and bandwidth to fit any home internet habits.
Fiber internet providers like Quantum Fiber, Metronet and even Google Fiber lead the way in some of Iowa’s major cities, with symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 8 GB. If those aren’t available in your area, you can check out gigabit internet from cable providers like Mediacom or Kinetic. The Hawkeye State also has excellent options for fixed wireless and satellite internet from companies like Verizon and Hughesnet.
*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.
**When bundled with a qualifying mobile plan.
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.
Internet technology in Iowa
Depending on where you live in Iowa, you may have access to several different internet connection types. Each has its pros and cons, so it’s important to be informed about your options before you choose a plan.
Fiber-optic cables offer the fastest connection speeds, with no lag between download and upload times, and Iowa has a number of popular fiber internet providers. Cable internet is a close second, with gigabit download speeds and reliable connectivity on up to 10 devices. 5G fixed wireless can offer a similar experience, and both types are widely available in the Hawkeye State. If you live outside the city, check out satellite internet providers, which have coverage almost everywhere.
Pricing and connection speed vary widely by internet technology, as demonstrated in the following table:
Connection type
Starting price*
Speeds up to
Availability
Satellite
$49.99–$120/mo.
250 Mbps
100%
Cable
$19.99–$64.99/mo.
1,000 Mbps
69%
Fixed wireless
$35**–$70/mo.
1,000 Mbps
50% (at least 100 Mbps)
Fiber
$39.99–$150/mo.
8,000 Mbps
55%
Disclaimers
*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.
**When bundled with a qualifying mobile plan.
Top Iowa cities
If you’re shopping for an internet provider in Iowa, your top options will depend on your location. For instance, the list of internet providers in Des Moines may be quite different from the options in Cedar Rapids. Google Fiber is only available to a small segment of Des Moines customers, while Mediacom has coverage throughout the state. Enter your address on this page to find the top Iowa internet providers near you.
Cheap internet options in Iowa
You don’t have to overspend to get a decent internet connection in the Hawkeye State. Internet service providers in Iowa offer home Wi-Fi plans starting as low as $20/mo., and you can save big by bundling services with providers like Verizon or Mediacom. You’ll have no problem keeping your monthly cost below the national average of $40–$80/mo. with cheap internet plans in Iowa.
Fast internet options in Iowa
On the other end of the spectrum, you can easily get lightning-fast connections for streaming or online gaming in Iowa. Several internet providers in Iowa offer multi-gigabit connection speeds, and Google Fiber tops out at 8 GB in Des Moines. Altogether, about 48% of Iowa residents have access to plans of at least 1 GB. For the fastest internet plans in the state, check out options from Google Fiber, Metronet, Kinetic, Verizon and Mediacom.
If you’re not sure how fast your home Wi-Fi connection should be, read our internet speed guide to find out.
Rural internet options in Iowa
In an agricultural hot spot like Iowa, many residents live outside major urban centers. The good news is that you can still get a strong home internet connection in the rural parts of the state. Typically, your best bet will be a satellite internet provider like Hughesnet, Viasat or Starlink. These companies offer coverage almost everywhere, though connection speed depends on your exact location.
Iowa internet FAQs
How fast is the Internet in Iowa?
Overall, Iowa’s internet performance has a median download speed of 203 Mbps, with faster internet available in cities like Des Moines, which has a median download speed of 263 Mbps.
Does Iowa have fiber internet?
Yes, several internet providers in Iowa offer fiber connections, and roughly 55% of residents have fiber access. Availability varies by city, but search for options from Quantum Fiber, Metronet, Google Fiber and Kinetic.
Can I request fiber internet in my area?
If fiber internet isn’t yet available for your home in Iowa, you may be able to expedite the process. Start by reaching out to companies that offer fiber near you and request that they expand access to your neighborhood. You can also reach out to your local utility or government agencies to find out if they’re working on any programs to offer fiber internet to the public.
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Luke Daugherty is a freelance writer, editor, and former operations manager. His work covers a wide range of topics, including streaming and internet tech, green energy, and personal finance. His work, bylined and ghostwritten, has appeared in The Balance, CNET, CIO Magazine, Entrepreneur, and more.
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.
