5 Best Internet Service Providers 2023
After many hours of research and testing, here are the conclusions about the best internet service providers:
What are the best internet service providers of 2023?
- Xfinity: Best value
- AT&T Fiber: Best for the fastest fiber speeds up to 5 gigs
- Verizon Fios Home Internet: Affordable symmetrical data speeds
- Spectrum: Best for no contracts
- Viasat: Best satellite internet speeds
Xfinity: Best Value
Another perk to Xfinity is that it now offers multiple services you can bundle together: internet, TV, home security, and mobile. Bundling is a great way to save money each month, and you may also find bundle-specific Xfinity discounts.
But aside from cable TV, Xfinity’s other home services might be a bust. Here’s what our fellow experts had to say about other Xfinity services:
Xfinity cable TV: “Xfinity might have a lot of fees, but at least you won’t be disappointed by Xfinity’s service. This cable TV company is reliable, widely available, and you’ll get most, if not all, of the channels you and your family want.” —Chantel Buchi, TV and streaming expert
Spectrum: Best for no contracts
Spectrum Internet comes with a few extras that you might not get from other internet providers in the same area. That includes no contracts and no data caps—plus Spectrum’s prices are fairly competitive.
We’re also keen on Spectrum because it serves much of the Midwest. While other large ISPs stick to the coasts, that can leave residents of states like Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin feeling left out.
We do wish Spectrum speeds were more in line with other cable providers like Cox and Xfinity. But at 13th out of the 284 internet providers we analyzed, it’s still a great bet for getting the speed you pay for.
We’re also glad to see Spectrum do away with its hefty $199.99 setup fee for the Gig plan. You’ll still need to pay a $19.99 equipment upgrade fee to go from its slower plans to the Gig plan, but that’s much more reasonable. (And understandable, since the Gig plan requires different equipment.)
AT&T Fiber: Best for the fastest fiber speeds
If you’re looking for those excellent fiber internet speeds but can’t get Verizon Fios Home Internet in your area, AT&T Fiber is well worth checking out.
Its fiber internet plans start at $55 a month for 300 Mbps speeds, putting it leagues ahead of most, if not all, other fiber providers when it comes to affordable prices. And even if you’re running a home business and need gig speeds, the starting price for its 940 Mbps plan won’t break your piggy bank.
Verizon Fios Home Internet: Affordable plans
We always recommend fiber internet if you can get it. And Verizon Fios Home internet gives you plenty more reasons to choose it over other ISPs: low prices, fast download speeds, and some of the best customer service.
Verizon Fios Home Internet is still limited mostly to the East Coast, but given its good reputation, we hope it expands its service area soon. After all, every one of our East Coast friends who uses Verizon Fios Home Internet has nothing but great things to say about it.
Viasat: Best satellite internet speeds
Generally, we recommend DSL or cable internet providers like Optimum (formerly Suddenlink) if you can get them.
But in rural areas where you can’t get these types of internet connections, satellite internet can be a saving grace. And Viasat currently offers the fastest satellite internet speeds with the most generous data caps.
Though it’s not known for blazing fast download speeds or low latency, satellite internet has come a long way. Viasat’s Unlimited internet plans now go up to 100 Mbps, which blows HughesNet’s 25 Mbps speeds out of the water.
You’ll also find that Viasat gives you more data for your money, from 35 to 150 GB. HughesNet’s data caps range from 15 to 75 GB, which is not a lot. (That’s putting it lightly.) Still, we’re frustrated with only two choices for satellite internet, and we bet you are too. So, in the meantime, we’re keeping our ears to the ground for news on Starlink.
