Compare Internet Providers (US, 2026)
Enter your ZIP — we'll show fiber, cable, 5G home internet and fixed-wireless options actually available at your address.
The average US household pays $90 per month for home internet (Consumer Reports 2025) — but that number hides a 3× variation between ZIP codes. In a fiber-served neighborhood, 1 Gbps symmetric service from Google Fiber or Verizon Fios runs $80/mo flat with no contract. In a cable-only neighborhood, the same speed from Xfinity costs $110/mo after promo, plus fees. In rural areas, Starlink satellite costs $120/mo + $400 dish. The right provider depends entirely on what's actually built to your address; the FCC National Broadband Map (broadbandmap.fcc.gov) is the authoritative source. Below we break down technology types, speeds, pricing and the traps that make your bill higher than you think.
Find the right internet for you
Fiber Internet
Verizon Fios, AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber. 300 Mbps–5 Gbps symmetric.
Compare fiber →Cheapest Internet
Plans from $20/mo. Assistance programs for low-income households.
See cheap plans →No-Contract Internet
5G home internet, month-to-month cable, prepaid. Cancel anytime.
No-contract plans →How much speed do I actually need?
Tell us how many people are online at once and what you do.
Watch out for
Promo-price cliff
Cable and some fiber providers price the first 12 months as a promo — month 13 often jumps 40–80%. Read the post-promo price before signing.
Modem rental fees
$10–$15/mo adds up to $150/yr. Buying your own modem ($80–$150 one-time) pays back in 12 months. Check provider's approved modem list first.
Early termination fees
Contract-based plans charge $10/mo remaining, up to $180. Don't contract unless the discount is worth more than the ETF.
Data caps
Xfinity caps at 1.2 TB/mo in most markets; $10 per 50 GB overage. Fiber providers (Verizon Fios, AT&T Fiber) have no cap. Check your plan.
Broadband Nutrition Label
FCC rule now requires all-in pricing disclosure. Use the label to spot hidden fees and compare providers apples to apples.
Bundled TV traps
"Save $20 with bundle" often means you're paying $90 for TV you don't watch. Compare internet-only vs bundle separately.
Home internet questions
Enter your ZIP code — or your full street address — at the FCC's National Broadband Map (broadbandmap.fcc.gov) or at an aggregator like BroadbandNow.com. Availability varies block by block: one neighbor may have fiber while another has only cable. Most US addresses have 2–4 options; about 14% still have only one broadband-capable provider.
Fiber (Verizon Fios, AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber): fastest, most reliable, typically 300 Mbps–5 Gbps, $55–$90/mo. Cable (Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox): widely available, 100 Mbps–2 Gbps, $50–$130/mo. DSL: legacy phone-line, 1–100 Mbps, declining availability. 5G home internet (T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T Internet Air): 50–300 Mbps, $50–$70/mo, no contract. Satellite (Starlink, HughesNet): where nothing else reaches, 25–200 Mbps, $120–$500 setup + $90–$120/mo.
Streaming HD: 5 Mbps per stream (25 Mbps for a family of 4). Streaming 4K: 25 Mbps per stream. Video calls: 5 Mbps down/up. Online gaming: 25 Mbps with low latency. Large downloads / cloud backup: 100+ Mbps preferred. For a typical 4-person US household, 200–500 Mbps is the right target; more than 1 Gbps is usually overkill unless you're uploading 4K video.
$90/month in 2026, up from $78/mo in 2020. Includes base service plus common add-ons (modem rental, regional sports fees, taxes). Households that switch providers or negotiate at renewal typically save $20–$40/month.
Depends on provider. Verizon Fios, Google Fiber, and most 5G home internet plans are contract-free. Xfinity and AT&T often offer better rates with 12–24 month contracts plus early termination fees ($180+). Spectrum doesn't require contracts but also doesn't offer long promotional periods. Read the fine print — 'promo rates' commonly rise 40–80% after 12 months.
Symmetric (equal up and down) is ideal, common with fiber. Asymmetric (e.g., 400 Mbps down / 20 Mbps up) is typical with cable. If you work from home with heavy video calls, upload speed matters more than download — 10+ Mbps upload is the practical minimum; fiber's 100+ Mbps upload is luxurious.
Common add-ons: modem/router rental ($10–$15/mo), regional sports fees (cable-bundled plans), broadcast TV fees, taxes, FCC/universal service fund charges, local franchise fees. Buying your own modem ($80–$150 one-time) saves $120–$180/yr on rental. FCC's 'Broadband Nutrition Label' regulation now requires providers to disclose all-in pricing at sign-up.
Yes, via mobile hotspot. Fine for a few devices and modest usage. T-Mobile Home Internet, Verizon 5G Home Internet, and AT&T Internet Air are purpose-built 5G home services with unlimited data — typically 50–300 Mbps for $50/mo no contract. They're the cheapest broadband option where available.
ACP was a federal subsidy of up to $30/month ($75 on tribal lands) for low-income households. It ended in June 2024 when funding was not renewed. Replacement programs vary by state and provider — Comcast Internet Essentials ($10/mo for qualifying households) and AT&T Access ($30/mo) remain available. California's Lifeline program adds state funding.
Call to cancel; keep a log of the call, rep name, and confirmation number. Most providers require calling (not online cancellation). Watch for early termination fees ($10/mo remaining, up to $180 total). Return the modem within 30 days to avoid equipment fees of $100–$300. Port your email only if you use a provider-hosted address (most don't anymore).