Best internet providers in my area (2025)

Your internet service provider (ISP) can determine the quality of your online experience, whether you’re accessing the web for work or leisure. However, the providers available to you often depend on your location.

Most people Google “the best internet provider for my area” to find an ISP. But here’s one better: I worked with the Cybernews research team to review multiple internet providers in the US and determine the best options for different parts of the country. I focused on user feedback, coverage, speed, cost, and other factors to select the top internet service providers.

In this article, I’ll go through everything you need to know before choosing an ISP — from the type of internet connection that’s best for your needs to the top-ranking providers to consider.

How to determine the best internet provider in your area

Location plays a key role when choosing an internet provider. There are different types of internet infrastructure available in urban, suburban, and rural areas. As a result, you’ll find different providers and usually different connectivity options available in these areas.

Key factors that impact internet availability

The availability of internet providers in different regions depends on several factors, including the following:

• Market demand. Many providers prioritize urban or highly populated areas due to the high demand in these areas, which translates to a higher revenue potential. High-income areas and places with a large population of businesses are also more likely to be covered.
• Infrastructure. Providers often favor areas with existing infrastructure because of their proximity to utility poles and preexisting networks. This lowers deployment costs and simplifies installation. Installing and maintaining new infrastructure can be expensive — especially in remote areas.

These factors often put rural areas at a disadvantage. Due to their low population density and logistical challenges, rural areas remain underserved compared to urban areas and usually have to rely on slower options like satellite internet. Meanwhile, in urban areas, you can select from various high-speed internet options, including fiber and cable internet.

How to check your area coverage

One of the easiest ways to check if a certain internet provider is available in your area is to look at its coverage map. Most leading providers have coverage maps on their websites, allowing you to check their availability in your area by entering your address.

Alternatively, you can use tools like Allconnect, HighSpeedInternet.com, or InMyArea.com to check which providers are available in your area. There’s also the option of contacting local providers directly, especially if you live in a rural area.

Keep in mind that different providers can be more or less well-represented in different areas and states.

Key factors to consider before choosing an internet provider

While speed is important, it's far from the only thing that matters when choosing an internet provider. Here are all the factors to consider when selecting an internet service provider:

• Speed and reliability. First and foremost, you need to decide on the best speed for your needs. You’ll need about 10-25Mbps per device for streaming and gaming, while working from home will require around 50Mbps or more. You also need consistent and reliable performance to keep outages at a minimum.
• Coverage in your areas. Not all internet providers and connectivity options are available nationwide. Urban areas typically have a wider range of providers and high-speed options like fiber and cable. Rural areas are usually underserved and rely on satellite services. Check coverage maps or contact the provider directly to make sure it’s available in your area.
• Data caps. If you go hard on streaming, gaming, or downloading, you can exhaust your allotted data in no time. This will result in limited performance or overage charges. If you engage in data-intensive activities of have a household with multiple devices, it’s best to choose a provider with unlimited data plans.
• Customer support. In an emergency, a quick, responsive, and helpful support team can make a huge difference. So, be sure to check what users have to say about the customer support team of different internet service providers. I recommend checking user reviews on platforms like Reddit, Trustpilot, or Google Reviews.
• Cost vs. value. The cheapest option isn’t always the best. If you want a fast and reliable connection, compare different plans and their features, and pay attention to added perks or hidden fees.

Considering these factors can help you identify the best internet provider for your household.

Which type of internet connection is the best?

There’s no single answer to this question, as it depends on your location and needs. Below, I’ll highlight the most common internet connectivity options and the top providers offering them. I’ll also recommend which option to choose based on your needs.

Fiber

Fiber-optic internet uses light to transmit data. It is the best pick for speed and reliability thanks to its low latency and consistent performance, even during peak hours. Fiber-optic internet is best for heavy internet users.

It’s a popular choice in urban, densely populated areas. However, its availability is limited, with less than half of Americans serviceable for fiber.

Top 3 fiber internet providers in my area:

1. AT&T Fiber. Known for its flexible contracts and speed, AT&T Fiber is an excellent option for gamers and streamers.
2. Frontier. With its low latency and constantly expanding coverage, Frontier is a good pick for multiple-device households and heavy users.
3. Optimum. Optimum is a great budget-friendly choice, providing flexible plans with diverse speeds and a strong price-to-quality balance.

Cable

Cable internet is known for its speed, reliability, and wide availability, even though users may experience slowdowns during peak usage times. While it doesn’t reach the impressive speeds of fiber internet, it’s a solid choice for both casual users and heavy streamers.

Top 3 cable internet providers in my area:

1. Xfinity. One of the biggest cable providers nationwide, Xfinity offers diverse plans and impressive speeds for residential users, making it a good pick for most households.
2. Spectrum. Spectrum provides straightforward plans with unlimited data and strong coverage (it’s available in over 40 states), making it a reliable option.
3. Cox. Cox is a decent option for less demanding households and businesses, offering flexible plans and availability across 18 states.

DSL

DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, delivers internet over telephone lines. DSL is sometimes the only option in certain rural areas. While it’s an affordable solution with moderate speeds, it’s significantly slower than fiber and cable. DSL is suitable for light browsing and smaller households.

Top 3 DSL internet providers in my area:

1. AT&T DSL. AT&T offers reliable and steady coverage, which may come in handy in rural areas.
2. CenturyLink. CenturyLink is one of the most reliable DSL solutions, offering affordable plans with no data limits.
3. Frontier. Frontier’s DSL is a practical choice in regions with limited options.

Satellite

Satellite internet is a lifesaver for rural areas with limited alternatives. It offers connectivity through satellites orbiting the Earth, which makes it a strong pick for remote areas – although it doesn’t boast a fiber-level speed and is prone to latency issues.

Top 3 satellite internet providers in my area:

1. HughesNet. HughesNet offers affordable plans and reliable connections with wide coverage. It’s ideal for basic, non-demanding usage.
2. Viasat. Viasat offers some of the fastest speeds among satellite providers and boasts great affordability in rural areas, making it a strong choice when fiber or cable is out of the question.
3. Starlink. One of the biggest (and priciest) names on the market, Starlink offers low latency and reliable speeds for rural areas. It is widely available nationwide.

Wireless

Fixed wireless internet works without wired infrastructure. Instead, it connects through radio signals. Some systems may also integrate cellular network technologies, like 4G or 5G, to enhance coverage and speed.

It is an excellent — but less stable — solution for underserved areas and casual users who can’t access fiber or cable.

Top 3 wireless internet providers in my area:

1. T-Mobile Home Internet. T-Mobile offers consistent speeds with no data caps and hidden fees. It is a wallet-friendly option for remote and underserved areas.
2. Verizon 5G Home Internet. Verizon is one of the leading 5G providers in the US, offering fast download speed, unlimited data, and competitive pricing. However, its coverage is limited.
3. AT&T Wireless. If you’re not eligible for AT&T Fiber, wireless may be an alternative worth considering. It offers decent speed, wide coverage, and transparent prices.

All internet connection types have their strengths and weaknesses. Depending on your needs and location, any of them may be an excellent choice. I recommend making a list of your needs (and priorities) and selecting the option that fits them most.

Provider density in different states and cities

While users in some states and cities are spoilt for choices (this is usually the case with users in densely populated and urban areas), others (usually in remote areas) may have limited or no access to high-speed internet.

Below, I’ll break down the provider density by state and city.

Provider density by state

When it comes to availability, states like California, Maryland, New Jersey, Florida, and New York lead the way. Providers usually have fast speeds, low latency, and high availability across the states, with fiber, cable, DSL, and wireless options available. New Jersey scores first on the list, with wired and wireless internet accessible to over 97% of users.

States like Alaska, Montana, Iowa, Idaho, and Wyoming rank among the worst, with providers struggling to build and maintain infrastructure there. In these states, options like satellite internet are often the only ones available.

Unlike densely populated states like New Jersey, in Alaska, only 68.5% of residents have access to wired and wireless internet — and only 1.7% have low-priced wired broadband within reach.

Top covered cities and states

The bigger the city or state’s population, the bigger the provider pool. Here are the top 5 areas in terms of coverage:

• New Jersey – 122 providers available
• Maryland – 135 providers available
• Connecticut – 77 providers available
• Massachusetts – 104 providers available
• Rhode Island – 36 providers available

Best cities for internet access:

• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• San Francisco, California
• Tampa, Florida

These cities stand out for their high internet speeds, widespread availability of different providers and connectivity options, and affordable plans for various budgets.

Worst cities for internet access:

• El Paso, Texas
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• St. Louis, Missouri
• New Orleans, Louisiana

These cities seem to struggle the most in terms of speed, availability, and affordability.

Be sure to research your options before deciding on the provider and opt for the strongest local option.

Top internet providers by availability

For internet users, the best providers are often the ones with the widest reach. Below are 6 internet providers with broad coverage nationwide and various services for casual and internet-heavy users.

• AT&T. AT&T stands out as a top choice for fiber internet, with a constantly expanding network and high speeds in urban and suburban areas. Its DSL offerings can also be a viable option for users in rural areas where fiber internet is out of reach. It can currently be accessed in 22 American states.
• T-Mobile. T-Mobile offers its users competitive pricing and reliable speed, but one of the provider’s biggest benefits is its accessibility — it covers all 50 states and over 60% of the country.
• Xfinity. Xfinity offers some of the most comprehensive cable internet plans in the U.S. — with an impressive pool of options available, especially in residential areas. It’s currently available in 39 states and Washington, D.C.
• Spectrum. The second-largest cable provider in the US, Spectrum is a solid option thanks to its competitive pricing, no-data-cap policy, and widespread availability. It’s currently accessible in 41 states, although Washington, D.C., is excluded from the list.
• Verizon 5G Home Internet. If 5G is your choice, Verizon offers some of the best speeds and prices, plus it has wide availability in the country. While Verizon is currently focusing on larger regions and cities, its coverage map is constantly expanding.
• Verizon Fios. Verizon Fios is a 100% fiber-optic service, delivering impressive speed and reliability. While its coverage is still limited to just 8 regions and 9% of the country, it’s still one of the largest fiber providers in the US.

If you prioritize speed, reliability, and competitive pricing, one of these options may prove a reliable solution. Be sure to check their availability in your area and find the best solution that matches your goals.

How to check what is the fastest internet provider in my area

Along with availability, speed is one of the key factors to consider when selecting an internet provider. While speeds can vary depending on your location, there are a few ways to identify the fastest internet provider near you:

1. Use broadband maps. Broadband maps like the FCC Broadband Map or speed test platforms like Ookla Speedtest offer an easy way to check the fastest internet providers in your area. You usually just need to enter your address to see which providers and what speeds are available for you.
2. Contact providers. An even more straightforward approach is to go to the provider’s website or directly contact them via phone or online chat to confirm the speeds available in your neighborhood. Since different plans are usually available in different areas, you’ll be able to get a better understanding of your options.
3. Read reviews. Last but not least, checking platforms like Reddit, Trustpilot, and Quora for reviews will allow you to see feedback from actual users. This may help you avoid common mistakes, like locking yourself in a long-term contract.

A final word on the best internet providers

When selecting the best internet provider, there are several key factors to consider, such as availability, internet speed, reliability, and cost. Providers like AT&T, Spectrum, and Verizon are well-known for their widespread availability, competitive pricing, and fast speeds, making them popular choices for many customers.

However, it’s important to know that your options may vary depending on your specific needs — such as working or gaming — and location. Look for the best providers and connection types for your area and goals. Also, compare your options before making a pick. Use this guide and additional resources, such as user reviews, to compare different providers.

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