Best Internet Service Providers
Research Team
Updated on 03/02/2018
Internet service providers (ISPs) allow users to connect to the Internet, surf the web, check their emails and use many types of online services. Though each ISP provides services only in certain zip codes, they all compete for the fastest download speed.
Many ISPs offer bundle services for home use (landline phones, cable TV) and businesses (cloud storage, email servers). These bundled services are usually offered at a substantial discount over the services priced individually.
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You’ll be the first to receive our tips and recommendations. Stay tuned!Compare Reviews for Top Internet Service Providers | |||
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| AT&T Uverse | Read 3242 Reviews | AT&T U-verse provides Internet, TV and phone (VoIP) services that can be ordered standalone or in packages. AT&T is the only national internet provider with 100 percent IP technology, which delivers more variety and control. |  |
| Comcast Internet Service | Read 2506 Reviews | Comcast offers a number of XFINITY packages that provide high-speed internet as well as access to millions of WiFi hotspots. XFINITY plus Premium TV delivers popular TV channels and mobile streaming via the XFINITY TV app. |  |
| CenturyLink | Read 4070 Reviews | CenturyLink was established in the late 1960s and is headquartered in Louisiana. It offers a variety of telecommunication services, including home phone service. CenturyLink services are available in over 40 states. |  |
| Spectrum | Read 997 Reviews | Formerly Bright House Networks, Spectrum provides TV, internet and phone service to residential and business customers. Spectrum sells communication and entertainment packages and will buy out your current contact up to $500. |  |
| Verizon Fios | Read 2910 Reviews | Verizon FiOS offers high-speed internet connections with corresponding phone lines. With 99.9 percent reliability bolstered by rapid delivery fiber optic technology, Verizon FiOS also provides strong home network support. |  |
| Hughes Network Systems | Read 2751 Reviews | HughesNet is a leading satellite Internet services company with free installation and 24/7 technical support. HughesNet is ideal for both urban and rural locations. |  |
| Windstream Internet | Read 476 Reviews | Windstream provides a variety of internet connection options. Their Basic package is suited to web surfing and email, while Max Speed is set up for video streaming and gaming. The company also offers an Internet/DISH-TV bundle. |  |
| Cox Internet | Read 503 Reviews | Cox High-Speed Internet delivers a variety of services including Internet-only and Internet-plus-TV access. Clients enjoy fast in-home WiFi, Cloud Drive, security software and more than 400,000 WiFi hotspots across the country. |  |
| Suddenlink | Read 161 Reviews | Suddenlink Communication provides television, phone, home security and internet services. Their internet speeds range from 50 mbps to 1 gbps. They offer discounts for bundling services. Visit their website to see coverage areas. |  |
| Exede Satellite Internet | Read 737 Reviews | Exede provides affordable satellite broadband Internet using a 26-inch minidish to underserved residential and business areas in rural and small-town America. Customers do not need cable lines or phone lines. |  |
What features matter most?
What are different types of Internet service providers?
Who's it for?
Company reviews
Comcast is one of the largest Internet providers in the United States. It also offers cable television and phone services, and it has numerous bundling options for customers to choose from.
AT&T Uverse Internet service is provided by AT&T, one of the oldest utility companies in the United States. With over 10,000 patents and nationwide coverage, AT&T offers various Internet, telephone and satellite options to customers all over the country.
Among the largest ISPs in the United States, Cox covers 18 states, with its primary coverage areas in Arizona, California, Nevada and Virginia. Cox is one of the longest-operating ISPs, having started operation in 1996. It often wins PC Magazine's Reader's Choice Awards for its high-speed service.
Another of the largest ISPs, Verizon supports its core mobile phone operations with fiber optic cable Internet. Verizon intends to expand coverage in existing locations, but is not expanding into new regions. Verizon has also sold its FiOS operations in a few states, including Texas, Florida and California.
This company has seen many changes in the ISP market over the past two decades. It was one of the leaders when dial-up was the fastest speed on the market. Today, dial-up remains the only option in many parts of the United States, and Earthlink offers unlimited access from anywhere in the nation.
As one of the most popular of the mid-sized ISPs, Windstream ranks among the top 10 largest ISPs in the nation. It is especially well-known throughout the Midwestern and southern states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky and Texas.
Just as its name suggests, it is possible to get online for free. Using the freemium model, NetZero is able to offer the free service (200 MB of bandwidth) to some customers because other customers pay a premium for faster speeds and more space (up to 6 GB).
Both Juno and NetZero are owned by United Online, which also operates some of the smaller ISPs like BlueLight. Juno offers the same free Internet access as NetZero, and it has dial-up lines in 8,000 cities across North America.
This broadband satellite ISP, known in the market as HughesNet, provides high-speed satellite internet everywhere in the continental United States.
This is the company with the most Internet experience, going all the way back to the 1980s -- 10 years before the World Wide Web was created. Over the years, AOL has been at the center of many of the most important developments in Internet technology. It merged with Time Warner in 2000, then split off again in 2009. In 2015, Verizon purchased the company.
Information in this guide is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only; it is not legal, health, investment or tax advice. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from its use.
Compare Reviews for Top Internet Service Providers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| AOL | Read 1522 Reviews | AOL offers several affordable Internet services including Total Advantage Plus, a discounted phone service, VIP customer service and 24/7 tech support. Assist by AOL provides stand-by experts ready to help with any questions. | |
| Atlantic Broadband | Read 187 Reviews | Atlantic Broadband, headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts, offers turbo-fast Internet service as well as bundles for phone and TV service. It serves regions in Pennsylvania, Florida, South Carolina, Maryland and Delaware. |  |
| Google Fiber | Read 38 Reviews | Google has developed its own infrastructure to provide high-speed internet and television service. The service uses fiber-optic cable that gives customers very fast download speeds. It’s available in select locations. |  |
| Earthlink | Read 428 Reviews | EarthLink High Speed internet brings clients DSL, cable and satellite internet access. The company offers speeds up to 20 Mbps, protection from viruses and allows several devices to share one internet connection. | |
| MSN | Read 157 Reviews | Microsoft Online Services offers accelerated dial-up Internet for quick downloading of photos and documents. Included in the package are photo editing tools, Internet security tools and other Microsoft Network features. |  |
| DSL Extreme | Read 76 Reviews | DSL Extreme, headquartered in Los Angeles and founded in 1999, boasts Internet speeds of up to 75 Mbps on its fast fiber-optic network. It offers Internet and phone packages to both residential and business customers. |  |
| Juno | Read 77 Reviews | Juno is a value-priced Internet company that delivers rapid Internet access, email service with protection from spam and enhanced virus scanning. Sign-up is simple and no credit card is required to begin service. | |
| Netzero | Read 505 Reviews | NetZero offers reliable mobile broadband, dial-up, wireless and DSL broadband Internet services. The company delivers service in more than 12,000 markets in North America, and concentrates on value, performance and security. | |
| People PC | Read 164 Reviews | PeoplePC Online focuses on affordable Internet service by offering nationwide dial-up Internet access and high-speed DSL Internet. Its Smart Dialer software combines with Accelerator technology for quicker dial-up browsing. |  |
