Since different internet service providers cover different areas across the US, you’ll find that not every provider is available where you live. If you live in an urban or suburban area, you’re likely to have many internet provider options, including fiber, cable, and DSL plans. Conversely, if you live in a rural area, you may be limited to satellite internet providers and plans. It may sound a bit confusing, but trust me—finding internet providers in your area is super easy. Read on to learn more about finding the best internet plan for you and your family.

In this internet provider guide:

Compare internet plans near me

If you’re looking to compare all the best internet plans in your area, all you have to do is use our internet plan search tool.

Here’s how:

  • Enter your street address into the search box.
  • Choose your preferred download speeds or go with “any.”
  • Click the dropdown “More Options.”
  • Choose your bundle preference and current provider (this step is optional).
  • Click “Search.”

Within a few seconds, you will see a comprehensive list of internet service providers available in your area. From the results page, you can also customize your data preferences (we personally like the providers that include unlimited data on all their plans!).

You can also select “All Filters” and filter by features, such as:

  • Internet speeds
  • Data allowance
  • Price
  • Internet providers
  • Bundles
  • Connection type (fiber, cable, etc.)
  • Contract length
  • Deals

The more filters you use, the more likely you’ll find internet plans that are exactly what you’re looking for, but of course, we don’t always know exactly what we want until we see it. If you want to compare all available internet plans from various internet providers, you can browse the options below.

 

High-speed internet near me

There are many quality high-speed internet service providers out there, and chances are if you live in the city or suburban area, you’ll have plenty of high-speed internet options. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines high-speed or broadband internet as a minimum of 25Mbps download speeds and 3Mbps upload speeds, which might be okay for a single-person household that mainly uses the internet for email, web browsing, and social media. But considering the endless opportunities the internet grants us, including streaming TV and movies, playing online games, downloading podcasts and audiobooks, going live on social media, and more, most of us are going to want speeds much faster than the actual definition of high-speed internet. Some popular high-speed internet providers include AT&T, Xfinity, Cox, Google Fiber, and Verizon Fios, who all offer download speeds up to 1Gbps (1,000Mbps). Spectrum is another popular and fast internet provider, offering speeds up to 400Mbps. If you want the fastest internet speeds, fiber will be your best bet; however, fiber isn’t widely available—it’s only available in about 25% of the US. If you live in an area that doesn’t yet have access to fiber internet, cable internet might be your best option. There is no shortage of quality high-speed cable internet plans.

Fast internet plans in your area

Cheap internet service providers in my area

The cheap internet providers available in your area will depend upon where you live since not all internet service providers offer service everywhere. But some popular providers offering cheap internet plans include:

  • Frontier
  • Windstream
  • Suddenlink
  • RCN
  • Cox
  • CenturyLink
  • Spectrum
  • Xfinity

This is certainly not a comprehensive list, and there are likely other affordable internet providers in your area. If you’re looking to keep your monthly costs down, there are plenty of internet plans between $19/month and $50/month; however, you’ll want to keep in mind that cheap plans tend to offer slower download speeds and upload speeds than more expensive plans. This isn’t always the case, as some providers, such as Wave, offer cheap plans with fast speeds—that said, Wave is only available in Oregon, Washington, and California.

Cheap internet plans near me

Which internet service providers have the most coverage?

Some internet service providers have widespread coverage across the country while others are only available in select states. Below is a list of the most widely available internet providers:

  • Spectrum: 41 states
  • Xfinity: 40 states
  • CenturyLink: 36 states
  • Frontier: 29 states
  • AT&T Internet: 21 states
  • Windstream: 18 states
  • Cox: 19 states

Additionally, HughesNet and Viasat (formerly Exede) are two satellite internet service providers that are available across all 50 states. Due to satellite internet’s widespread availability, it is the best option for rural customers who don’t have access to DSL, cable, or fiber internet plans. Just keep in mind, satellite internet is the slowest internet connection type and has the longest latency period, also known as “lag” or “ping,” which may result in long delays, frozen screens, and the spinning wheel we all dread to see.

How to choose the right internet provider & plan

First and foremost, the right internet provider and plan for you and your family is going to depend on where you live. Once you have a list of all the internet providers available at your address, you can narrow down your search according to your specific wireless needs and priorities. Some people prefer affordable internet plans while others want blazing fast speeds and unlimited data.

Things you’ll want to consider when choosing the best internet service provider include:

  • Monthly price: Set a maximum amount you’re willing to spend each month on your internet plan.
  • Installation costs: If you’re trying to save money, you’ll want to consider installation costs, as some (i.e., fiber, satellite) can be quite high that they’d negate any money you’re saving on your monthly bill.
  • Internet speeds: Determine what internet speeds you need (note: streaming and gaming require faster speeds).
  • Data allowance: Some internet providers offer unlimited data plans while others cap your data, which means your internet speeds will either be slowed once you’ve used your monthly data allowance or you’ll be charged overage fees.
  • Contracts: Decide whether you’re okay with committing to a contract or not. Some providers require 1- or 2-year contracts while others are no-contract providers.
  • Connection type: Decide what connection type you’d prefer. Fiber is the fastest but not widely available right now. Cable and DSL are great options, too, while satellite internet is likely the only option for rural customers.

Internet providers: FAQs

What internet providers are in my area?

The internet providers available in your area are going to depend on where you live. Generally, if you live in a city or suburban area, you will likely have access to cable and/or DSL internet plans. You can use our address look-up tool to see which internet providers are available near you.

Who has the cheapest internet?

There is not one single internet provider that has the cheapest internet, but rather there are numerous affordable providers nationwide. Wave, Frontier, and Windstream are just a few examples.

What is the best internet connection type?

That largely depends on what you mean by “best.” If you mean fastest, then fiber internet is the fastest internet connection type with the lowest latency or lag. If by best, you mean best value (fast but also affordable), then you may want to consider a cable internet plan.

What should I look for when buying internet?

What you should consider when signing up for an internet plan depends on what your preferences are. If you’re looking to save money, make sure you not only factor in monthly price but installation fees as well as price lock period. Other factors to consider include length of contract, connection type, internet speeds, and data allowance.

Can I get WiFi without an internet provider

Yes, you can get WiFi without an internet provider. Many people nowadays who are looking to save money will use their smartphone’s mobile hotspot to provide internet access to their other devices, such as laptops and tablets. If you’re going to go this route, make sure you have a cell phone plan that includes a generous mobile hotspot allowance or an unlimited plan that is hotspot-capable.

Why do I only have one internet provider in my area?

If you used our internet search tool and are finding that there is only one internet provider available in your area, it may be because you live in a rural area where many internet service providers don’t cover. You may have no choice but to go with the only provider available—that is, until SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet is available (hint: it may be available as early as the end of 2020).

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