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Want home internet so fast you can brag about it to your friends and family? Then these high-speed ISPs are for you.
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At what point is a home internet connection considered fast? The threshold for high-speed can depend on where you live and the ISPs available in your area, but a fast internet plan is generally one that consistently provides enough speed for all your online activities, such as streaming TV and browsing social media, on all your connected devices. Those demands, along with other factors such as Wi-Fi use and the internet connection type, can vary from household to household, so it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly at what speed “fast” internet begins. One speed that is undisputedly fast, however, is gigabit internet.
Gigabit internet plans, or those with max download speeds around 1,000 megabits per second, are now available from nearly every major cable and fiber-optic internet provider. The competition has helped keep the cost of high-speed internet relatively low — most offer gigabit service for less than 0 a month — while features such data caps and contracts are often good value. 
Among the competition, a few high-speed internet providers rise to the top thanks to their fast download speeds, pricing, service terms and customer satisfaction. Here’s our pick of the best gigabit internet providers.
Read more: Best DSL internet providers for 2022
Xfinity has long led the way in fastest residential internet speeds with its Gigabit Pro plan, which advertises max download and upload speeds up to 2,000Mbps. Availability is highly limited, but with a monthly price of 0 and a two-year contract, chances are you’ll want to pass on the plan even if it is available.
Much more available, and reasonable, is the Xfinity Gigabit plan. It’s offered in most Xfinity markets and comes with a more industry-acceptable price of around per month. Though still higher priced than some gigabit plans, Xfinity Gigabit is cheaper than gigabit plans from many competing cable providers, and comes with download speeds up to 1,200Mbps compared to the 940 or 1,000Mbps you’ll find from most high-speed providers.
Keep in mind that high-speed internet is only as good as the network that carries it. A fiber to the home network can deliver symmetrical or near-symmetrical download and upload speeds whereas a cable or cable/fiber hybrid network often cannot. Xfinity’s Gigabit Pro plan employs a FTTH network, but the vast majority of Xfinity service areas will use a cable or hybrid network. As a result, max upload speeds for Xfinity Gigabit are only 35Mbps, a stark contrast to the plan’s max download speeds.
Read more about Xfinity Home Internet.
 
Google Fiber recently introduced a 2-gigabit plan of its own, “2 Gig,” starting at just 0 per month — a third of the price you’d pay with Xfinity and much more widely available. The appropriately named plan comes with download speeds up to 2Gbps and upload speeds up to 1Gbps. While symmetrical download/upload speeds would be nice from the FTTH service, 1Gbps is more than fast enough for an average household of remote workers and learners, online gamers and aspiring social media influencers.
If 2 gigabits is more speed than your home needs, or 0 per month is more than you’d like to pay, consider Google Fiber’s 1 Gig plan. Starting at per month, the plan offers max upload and download speeds of 1Gbps. You really can’t go wrong with either, but if you don’t mind the higher monthly price, 2 Gig is the better deal with a cost per Mbps of just 5 cents — the lowest you’ll find from any major high-speed internet provider.
Both Google Fiber gig plans are contract-free and come with unlimited data and Wi-Fi equipment at no additional cost. Considering the fast speeds, competitive pricing and favorable service terms, Google Fiber is understandably in high demand. Thankfully, Google Fiber recently announced plans to resume expansion in current markets and new ones, including West Des Moines, Iowa.
Read more about Google Fiber.
 
AT&T has the lowest standard starting price for fiber gigabit service at just per month ( after 12 months). Since AT&T uses a 100% fiber connection, the gigabit service is capable of delivering max download and upload speeds of up to 940Mbps. A modest per month equipment fee will add to your monthly bill, but the overall price is still lower than you’ll find among nearly all of the fastest home internet providers.
AT&T’s other fiber plans, while a little lower than gigabit on the speed scale, are still an excellent value, especially considering the provider’s recent speed increases. In April 2021, AT&T bumped both its lower-tiered fiber plans up by 200Mbps at no extra cost to consumers and now offers 300Mbps starting at a month and 500Mbps for per month. All plans come with unlimited data and require no contract.
Along with low pricing, AT&T Fiber also boasts exceptional availability. AT&T Fiber is available to roughly 40 million people across 21 states, according to the FCC. Customers across the US appear to be pleased with their service, as AT&T earned J.D. Power’s top spot for ISP customer satisfaction in the North/Central and South regions in 2021.
Read more about AT&T Home Internet.
 
The Verizon Fios equipment fee is a tad higher than other high-speed internet providers at per month, but those who sign up for the Fios Gigabit Connection will get their equipment included at no extra cost. Pricing for the Verizon Fios Gigabit Connection is around per month (download speeds up to 940Mbps, upload up to 880Mbps), but with no additional equipment fees, data caps or contract requirements, Verizon’s all-in gigabit pricing is lower than most. 
Equipment isn’t the only freebie that comes with the Fios Gigabit Connection. Verizon is known to throw in extra promotional offers, such as rewards cards or free service subscriptions for new customers. As of this writing, Verizon is offering a 0 rewards card and AMC Plus for 12 months along with the free router when you sign up for gigabit service.
Fast speeds and free stuff has helped Verizon rank as a top-tier choice for customer satisfaction. The American Customer Satisfaction Index scored Verizon at the top (tied with AT&T) for customer satisfaction in 2021 with a 71/100 while J.D. Power named Verizon the best provider in the East region in 2020.
Read more about Verizon Fios.
 
Optimum and Suddenlink are both divisions of Altice, and both are currently running the best cable internet deals on gigabit service. 
Optimum’s 1 Gig plan offers download speeds up to 940Mbps, but upload speeds top out at 35Mbps — a downgrade from the once-available 50Mbps after the company chose to lower its upload speeds to be more “aligned” with competing cable internet providers — starting at or per month for 12 months. The low pricing reflects a discount for paperless billing, so be sure to enroll to take advantage of the lowest pricing.
Similarly on the Suddenlink side, the Suddenlink 1 Gig plan is available in select areas starting at per month, which includes an “exclusive per month discount” and, again, a discount for paperless billing. Like the Optimum 1 Gig plan, Suddenlink 1 Gig offers download speeds up to 940Mbps and upload speeds up to 35Mbps.
Optimum and Suddenlink plans also include unlimited data, require no contract and installation is free when you order online. Watch for a potential steep price increase after 12 months, however — that’s when standard plan pricing takes effect, and it’s “subject to change,” according to the fine print.
Read more about the best rural internet providers.
 
These providers, along with regional providers that are too many to list here, also offer high-speed internet plans including gigabit service in select areas. In addition to the best high-speed internet providers listed above, these are certainly worth a look if available in your area.
You’re likely to find the fastest speeds possible from a fiber provider, but cable internet providers offer gigabit download speeds, as well.
You likely noticed a trend in our list of the best gigabit providers. Fiber-optic providers will often be your best bet for the fast home internet, even though Xfinity — traditionally a cable provider — boasts the fastest max internet speed and Optimum has the lowest introductory pricing. Other cable providers including Spectrum, Cox and Mediacom offer gigabit plans, but watch out for drastically low upload speeds. 
When shopping for any internet service, be sure to compare average internet speed, pricing and features of all providers in your area to ensure you’re getting the best high-speed plan for your home.
Speeds of 100Mbps and higher will handle most online activities such as streaming in HD, gaming online and working/learning remotely on multiple devices. That’s actual, tested speeds of 100Mbps or higher, not advertised plan speeds of 100Mbps. If your internet plan includes “max speeds” of 100Mbps, your actual speeds are likely to be much lower if you use a Wi-Fi connection and connect multiple devices. For the fastest home internet connection, consider a plan that advertises gigabit speeds, up to 940Mbps or higher. 
In all honesty, gigabit speeds are going to be overkill for the average home, at least for now. Larger households with numerous connected devices can likely get by with 300 to 500Mbps no problem. For smaller households, 100 to 200Mbps may be suitable, but I wouldn’t go lower than 100Mbps if you want a “fast” connection. 
That said, gigabit internet has its advantages. The biggest one is the added speed boost will compensate for speed degradation when using a Wi-Fi connection. Using Wi-Fi will often result in actual speeds half of your plans advertised speeds, or lower. As you move further away from the router, actual speeds can drop even further. The best routers and a good mesh Wi-Fi system will help compensate for the speed loss, but gigabit speeds are your best bet for ensuring the fastest speeds over Wi-Fi.
Another advantage to gigabit service is value. Though gigabit plans are going to be a provider’s highest priced plan more often than not, they usually offer the lowest cost per Mbps. For example, AT&T Fiber 1000 starts at per month, which is more than the provider’s cheapest internet plan, AT&T Fiber 300, but when you consider cost per Mbps — that is, essentially what you get in regards to what you’re paying for — AT&T Fiber 1000 is the better deal. AT&T Fiber 1000 has an estimated cost per Mbps of around Edit
At what point is a home internet connection considered fast? The threshold for high-speed can depend on where you live and the ISPs available in your area, but a fast internet plan is generally one that consistently provides enough speed for all your online activities, such as streaming TV and browsing social media, on all your connected devices. Those demands, along with other factors such as Wi-Fi use and the internet connection type, can vary from household to household, so it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly at what speed “fast” internet begins. One speed that is undisputedly fast, however, is gigabit internet.
Gigabit internet plans, or those with max download speeds around 1,000 megabits per second, are now available from nearly every major cable and fiber-optic internet provider. The competition has helped keep the cost of high-speed internet relatively low — most offer gigabit service for less than 0 a month — while features such data caps and contracts are often good value. 
Among the competition, a few high-speed internet providers rise to the top thanks to their fast download speeds, pricing, service terms and customer satisfaction. Here’s our pick of the best gigabit internet providers.
Read more: Best DSL internet providers for 2022
Xfinity has long led the way in fastest residential internet speeds with its Gigabit Pro plan, which advertises max download and upload speeds up to 2,000Mbps. Availability is highly limited, but with a monthly price of 0 and a two-year contract, chances are you’ll want to pass on the plan even if it is available.
Much more available, and reasonable, is the Xfinity Gigabit plan. It’s offered in most Xfinity markets and comes with a more industry-acceptable price of around per month. Though still higher priced than some gigabit plans, Xfinity Gigabit is cheaper than gigabit plans from many competing cable providers, and comes with download speeds up to 1,200Mbps compared to the 940 or 1,000Mbps you’ll find from most high-speed providers.
Keep in mind that high-speed internet is only as good as the network that carries it. A fiber to the home network can deliver symmetrical or near-symmetrical download and upload speeds whereas a cable or cable/fiber hybrid network often cannot. Xfinity’s Gigabit Pro plan employs a FTTH network, but the vast majority of Xfinity service areas will use a cable or hybrid network. As a result, max upload speeds for Xfinity Gigabit are only 35Mbps, a stark contrast to the plan’s max download speeds.
Read more about Xfinity Home Internet.
 
Google Fiber recently introduced a 2-gigabit plan of its own, “2 Gig,” starting at just 0 per month — a third of the price you’d pay with Xfinity and much more widely available. The appropriately named plan comes with download speeds up to 2Gbps and upload speeds up to 1Gbps. While symmetrical download/upload speeds would be nice from the FTTH service, 1Gbps is more than fast enough for an average household of remote workers and learners, online gamers and aspiring social media influencers.
If 2 gigabits is more speed than your home needs, or 0 per month is more than you’d like to pay, consider Google Fiber’s 1 Gig plan. Starting at per month, the plan offers max upload and download speeds of 1Gbps. You really can’t go wrong with either, but if you don’t mind the higher monthly price, 2 Gig is the better deal with a cost per Mbps of just 5 cents — the lowest you’ll find from any major high-speed internet provider.
Both Google Fiber gig plans are contract-free and come with unlimited data and Wi-Fi equipment at no additional cost. Considering the fast speeds, competitive pricing and favorable service terms, Google Fiber is understandably in high demand. Thankfully, Google Fiber recently announced plans to resume expansion in current markets and new ones, including West Des Moines, Iowa.
Read more about Google Fiber.
 
AT&T has the lowest standard starting price for fiber gigabit service at just per month ( after 12 months). Since AT&T uses a 100% fiber connection, the gigabit service is capable of delivering max download and upload speeds of up to 940Mbps. A modest per month equipment fee will add to your monthly bill, but the overall price is still lower than you’ll find among nearly all of the fastest home internet providers.
AT&T’s other fiber plans, while a little lower than gigabit on the speed scale, are still an excellent value, especially considering the provider’s recent speed increases. In April 2021, AT&T bumped both its lower-tiered fiber plans up by 200Mbps at no extra cost to consumers and now offers 300Mbps starting at a month and 500Mbps for per month. All plans come with unlimited data and require no contract.
Along with low pricing, AT&T Fiber also boasts exceptional availability. AT&T Fiber is available to roughly 40 million people across 21 states, according to the FCC. Customers across the US appear to be pleased with their service, as AT&T earned J.D. Power’s top spot for ISP customer satisfaction in the North/Central and South regions in 2021.
Read more about AT&T Home Internet.
 
The Verizon Fios equipment fee is a tad higher than other high-speed internet providers at per month, but those who sign up for the Fios Gigabit Connection will get their equipment included at no extra cost. Pricing for the Verizon Fios Gigabit Connection is around per month (download speeds up to 940Mbps, upload up to 880Mbps), but with no additional equipment fees, data caps or contract requirements, Verizon’s all-in gigabit pricing is lower than most. 
Equipment isn’t the only freebie that comes with the Fios Gigabit Connection. Verizon is known to throw in extra promotional offers, such as rewards cards or free service subscriptions for new customers. As of this writing, Verizon is offering a 0 rewards card and AMC Plus for 12 months along with the free router when you sign up for gigabit service.
Fast speeds and free stuff has helped Verizon rank as a top-tier choice for customer satisfaction. The American Customer Satisfaction Index scored Verizon at the top (tied with AT&T) for customer satisfaction in 2021 with a 71/100 while J.D. Power named Verizon the best provider in the East region in 2020.
Read more about Verizon Fios.
 
Optimum and Suddenlink are both divisions of Altice, and both are currently running the best cable internet deals on gigabit service. 
Optimum’s 1 Gig plan offers download speeds up to 940Mbps, but upload speeds top out at 35Mbps — a downgrade from the once-available 50Mbps after the company chose to lower its upload speeds to be more “aligned” with competing cable internet providers — starting at or per month for 12 months. The low pricing reflects a discount for paperless billing, so be sure to enroll to take advantage of the lowest pricing.
Similarly on the Suddenlink side, the Suddenlink 1 Gig plan is available in select areas starting at per month, which includes an “exclusive per month discount” and, again, a discount for paperless billing. Like the Optimum 1 Gig plan, Suddenlink 1 Gig offers download speeds up to 940Mbps and upload speeds up to 35Mbps.
Optimum and Suddenlink plans also include unlimited data, require no contract and installation is free when you order online. Watch for a potential steep price increase after 12 months, however — that’s when standard plan pricing takes effect, and it’s “subject to change,” according to the fine print.
Read more about the best rural internet providers.
 
These providers, along with regional providers that are too many to list here, also offer high-speed internet plans including gigabit service in select areas. In addition to the best high-speed internet providers listed above, these are certainly worth a look if available in your area.
You’re likely to find the fastest speeds possible from a fiber provider, but cable internet providers offer gigabit download speeds, as well.
You likely noticed a trend in our list of the best gigabit providers. Fiber-optic providers will often be your best bet for the fast home internet, even though Xfinity — traditionally a cable provider — boasts the fastest max internet speed and Optimum has the lowest introductory pricing. Other cable providers including Spectrum, Cox and Mediacom offer gigabit plans, but watch out for drastically low upload speeds. 
When shopping for any internet service, be sure to compare average internet speed, pricing and features of all providers in your area to ensure you’re getting the best high-speed plan for your home.
Speeds of 100Mbps and higher will handle most online activities such as streaming in HD, gaming online and working/learning remotely on multiple devices. That’s actual, tested speeds of 100Mbps or higher, not advertised plan speeds of 100Mbps. If your internet plan includes “max speeds” of 100Mbps, your actual speeds are likely to be much lower if you use a Wi-Fi connection and connect multiple devices. For the fastest home internet connection, consider a plan that advertises gigabit speeds, up to 940Mbps or higher. 
In all honesty, gigabit speeds are going to be overkill for the average home, at least for now. Larger households with numerous connected devices can likely get by with 300 to 500Mbps no problem. For smaller households, 100 to 200Mbps may be suitable, but I wouldn’t go lower than 100Mbps if you want a “fast” connection. 
That said, gigabit internet has its advantages. The biggest one is the added speed boost will compensate for speed degradation when using a Wi-Fi connection. Using Wi-Fi will often result in actual speeds half of your plans advertised speeds, or lower. As you move further away from the router, actual speeds can drop even further. The best routers and a good mesh Wi-Fi system will help compensate for the speed loss, but gigabit speeds are your best bet for ensuring the fastest speeds over Wi-Fi.
Another advantage to gigabit service is value. Though gigabit plans are going to be a provider’s highest priced plan more often than not, they usually offer the lowest cost per Mbps. For example, AT&T Fiber 1000 starts at per month, which is more than the provider’s cheapest internet plan, AT&T Fiber 300, but when you consider cost per Mbps — that is, essentially what you get in regards to what you’re paying for — AT&T Fiber 1000 is the better deal. AT&T Fiber 1000 has an estimated cost per Mbps of around Watch for a potential steep price increase after 12 months, however — that’s when standard plan pricing takes effect, and it’s “subject to change,” according to the fine print.
Read more about the best rural internet providers.
 
These providers, along with regional providers that are too many to list here, also offer high-speed internet plans including gigabit service in select areas. In addition to the best high-speed internet providers listed above, these are certainly worth a look if available in your area.
You’re likely to find the fastest speeds possible from a fiber provider, but cable internet providers offer gigabit download speeds, as well.
You likely noticed a trend in our list of the best gigabit providers. Fiber-optic providers will often be your best bet for the fast home internet, even though Xfinity — traditionally a cable provider — boasts the fastest max internet speed and Optimum has the lowest introductory pricing. Other cable providers including Spectrum, Cox and Mediacom offer gigabit plans, but watch out for drastically low upload speeds. 
When shopping for any internet service, be sure to compare average internet speed, pricing and features of all providers in your area to ensure you’re getting the best high-speed plan for your home.
Speeds of 100Mbps and higher will handle most online activities such as streaming in HD, gaming online and working/learning remotely on multiple devices. That’s actual, tested speeds of 100Mbps or higher, not advertised plan speeds of 100Mbps. If your internet plan includes “max speeds” of 100Mbps, your actual speeds are likely to be much lower if you use a Wi-Fi connection and connect multiple devices. For the fastest home internet connection, consider a plan that advertises gigabit speeds, up to 940Mbps or higher. 
In all honesty, gigabit speeds are going to be overkill for the average home, at least for now. Larger households with numerous connected devices can likely get by with 300 to 500Mbps no problem. For smaller households, 100 to 200Mbps may be suitable, but I wouldn’t go lower than 100Mbps if you want a “fast” connection. 
That said, gigabit internet has its advantages. The biggest one is the added speed boost will compensate for speed degradation when using a Wi-Fi connection. Using Wi-Fi will often result in actual speeds half of your plans advertised speeds, or lower. As you move further away from the router, actual speeds can drop even further. The best routers and a good mesh Wi-Fi system will help compensate for the speed loss, but gigabit speeds are your best bet for ensuring the fastest speeds over Wi-Fi.
Another advantage to gigabit service is value. Though gigabit plans are going to be a provider’s highest priced plan more often than not, they usually offer the lowest cost per Mbps. For example, AT&T Fiber 1000 starts at $60 per month, which is $25 more than the provider’s cheapest internet plan, AT&T Fiber 300, but when you consider cost per Mbps — that is, essentially what you get in regards to what you’re paying for — AT&T Fiber 1000 is the better deal. AT&T Fiber 1000 has an estimated cost per Mbps of around $0.06 while AT&T Fiber 300 has a cost per Mbps of around $0.12.
Google Fiber and Xfinity both offer 2,000Mbps plans, which are the fastest of any major residential internet provider. Xfinity has the fastest upload speeds with up to 2,000Mbps available in select areas.06 while AT&T Fiber 300 has a cost per Mbps of around Watch for a potential steep price increase after 12 months, however — that’s when standard plan pricing takes effect, and it’s “subject to change,” according to the fine print.
Read more about the best rural internet providers.
 
These providers, along with regional providers that are too many to list here, also offer high-speed internet plans including gigabit service in select areas. In addition to the best high-speed internet providers listed above, these are certainly worth a look if available in your area.
You’re likely to find the fastest speeds possible from a fiber provider, but cable internet providers offer gigabit download speeds, as well.
You likely noticed a trend in our list of the best gigabit providers. Fiber-optic providers will often be your best bet for the fast home internet, even though Xfinity — traditionally a cable provider — boasts the fastest max internet speed and Optimum has the lowest introductory pricing. Other cable providers including Spectrum, Cox and Mediacom offer gigabit plans, but watch out for drastically low upload speeds. 
When shopping for any internet service, be sure to compare average internet speed, pricing and features of all providers in your area to ensure you’re getting the best high-speed plan for your home.
Speeds of 100Mbps and higher will handle most online activities such as streaming in HD, gaming online and working/learning remotely on multiple devices. That’s actual, tested speeds of 100Mbps or higher, not advertised plan speeds of 100Mbps. If your internet plan includes “max speeds” of 100Mbps, your actual speeds are likely to be much lower if you use a Wi-Fi connection and connect multiple devices. For the fastest home internet connection, consider a plan that advertises gigabit speeds, up to 940Mbps or higher. 
In all honesty, gigabit speeds are going to be overkill for the average home, at least for now. Larger households with numerous connected devices can likely get by with 300 to 500Mbps no problem. For smaller households, 100 to 200Mbps may be suitable, but I wouldn’t go lower than 100Mbps if you want a “fast” connection. 
That said, gigabit internet has its advantages. The biggest one is the added speed boost will compensate for speed degradation when using a Wi-Fi connection. Using Wi-Fi will often result in actual speeds half of your plans advertised speeds, or lower. As you move further away from the router, actual speeds can drop even further. The best routers and a good mesh Wi-Fi system will help compensate for the speed loss, but gigabit speeds are your best bet for ensuring the fastest speeds over Wi-Fi.
Another advantage to gigabit service is value. Though gigabit plans are going to be a provider’s highest priced plan more often than not, they usually offer the lowest cost per Mbps. For example, AT&T Fiber 1000 starts at $60 per month, which is $25 more than the provider’s cheapest internet plan, AT&T Fiber 300, but when you consider cost per Mbps — that is, essentially what you get in regards to what you’re paying for — AT&T Fiber 1000 is the better deal. AT&T Fiber 1000 has an estimated cost per Mbps of around $0.06 while AT&T Fiber 300 has a cost per Mbps of around $0.12.
Google Fiber and Xfinity both offer 2,000Mbps plans, which are the fastest of any major residential internet provider. Xfinity has the fastest upload speeds with up to 2,000Mbps available in select areas.12.
Google Fiber and Xfinity both offer 2,000Mbps plans, which are the fastest of any major residential internet provider. Xfinity has the fastest upload speeds with up to 2,000Mbps available in select areas while Google Fiber’s 2 Gig plan comes with upload speeds up to 1,000Mbps..06 while AT&T Fiber 300 has a cost per Mbps of around Edit
At what point is a home internet connection considered fast? The threshold for high-speed can depend on where you live and the ISPs available in your area, but a fast internet plan is generally one that consistently provides enough speed for all your online activities, such as streaming TV and browsing social media, on all your connected devices. Those demands, along with other factors such as Wi-Fi use and the internet connection type, can vary from household to household, so it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly at what speed “fast” internet begins. One speed that is undisputedly fast, however, is gigabit internet.
Gigabit internet plans, or those with max download speeds around 1,000 megabits per second, are now available from nearly every major cable and fiber-optic internet provider. The competition has helped keep the cost of high-speed internet relatively low — most offer gigabit service for less than 0 a month — while features such data caps and contracts are often good value. 
Among the competition, a few high-speed internet providers rise to the top thanks to their fast download speeds, pricing, service terms and customer satisfaction. Here’s our pick of the best gigabit internet providers.
Read more: Best DSL internet providers for 2022
Xfinity has long led the way in fastest residential internet speeds with its Gigabit Pro plan, which advertises max download and upload speeds up to 2,000Mbps. Availability is highly limited, but with a monthly price of 0 and a two-year contract, chances are you’ll want to pass on the plan even if it is available.
Much more available, and reasonable, is the Xfinity Gigabit plan. It’s offered in most Xfinity markets and comes with a more industry-acceptable price of around per month. Though still higher priced than some gigabit plans, Xfinity Gigabit is cheaper than gigabit plans from many competing cable providers, and comes with download speeds up to 1,200Mbps compared to the 940 or 1,000Mbps you’ll find from most high-speed providers.
Keep in mind that high-speed internet is only as good as the network that carries it. A fiber to the home network can deliver symmetrical or near-symmetrical download and upload speeds whereas a cable or cable/fiber hybrid network often cannot. Xfinity’s Gigabit Pro plan employs a FTTH network, but the vast majority of Xfinity service areas will use a cable or hybrid network. As a result, max upload speeds for Xfinity Gigabit are only 35Mbps, a stark contrast to the plan’s max download speeds.
Read more about Xfinity Home Internet.
 
Google Fiber recently introduced a 2-gigabit plan of its own, “2 Gig,” starting at just 0 per month — a third of the price you’d pay with Xfinity and much more widely available. The appropriately named plan comes with download speeds up to 2Gbps and upload speeds up to 1Gbps. While symmetrical download/upload speeds would be nice from the FTTH service, 1Gbps is more than fast enough for an average household of remote workers and learners, online gamers and aspiring social media influencers.
If 2 gigabits is more speed than your home needs, or 0 per month is more than you’d like to pay, consider Google Fiber’s 1 Gig plan. Starting at per month, the plan offers max upload and download speeds of 1Gbps. You really can’t go wrong with either, but if you don’t mind the higher monthly price, 2 Gig is the better deal with a cost per Mbps of just 5 cents — the lowest you’ll find from any major high-speed internet provider.
Both Google Fiber gig plans are contract-free and come with unlimited data and Wi-Fi equipment at no additional cost. Considering the fast speeds, competitive pricing and favorable service terms, Google Fiber is understandably in high demand. Thankfully, Google Fiber recently announced plans to resume expansion in current markets and new ones, including West Des Moines, Iowa.
Read more about Google Fiber.
 
AT&T has the lowest standard starting price for fiber gigabit service at just per month ( after 12 months). Since AT&T uses a 100% fiber connection, the gigabit service is capable of delivering max download and upload speeds of up to 940Mbps. A modest per month equipment fee will add to your monthly bill, but the overall price is still lower than you’ll find among nearly all of the fastest home internet providers.
AT&T’s other fiber plans, while a little lower than gigabit on the speed scale, are still an excellent value, especially considering the provider’s recent speed increases. In April 2021, AT&T bumped both its lower-tiered fiber plans up by 200Mbps at no extra cost to consumers and now offers 300Mbps starting at a month and 500Mbps for per month. All plans come with unlimited data and require no contract.
Along with low pricing, AT&T Fiber also boasts exceptional availability. AT&T Fiber is available to roughly 40 million people across 21 states, according to the FCC. Customers across the US appear to be pleased with their service, as AT&T earned J.D. Power’s top spot for ISP customer satisfaction in the North/Central and South regions in 2021.
Read more about AT&T Home Internet.
 
The Verizon Fios equipment fee is a tad higher than other high-speed internet providers at per month, but those who sign up for the Fios Gigabit Connection will get their equipment included at no extra cost. Pricing for the Verizon Fios Gigabit Connection is around per month (download speeds up to 940Mbps, upload up to 880Mbps), but with no additional equipment fees, data caps or contract requirements, Verizon’s all-in gigabit pricing is lower than most. 
Equipment isn’t the only freebie that comes with the Fios Gigabit Connection. Verizon is known to throw in extra promotional offers, such as rewards cards or free service subscriptions for new customers. As of this writing, Verizon is offering a 0 rewards card and AMC Plus for 12 months along with the free router when you sign up for gigabit service.
Fast speeds and free stuff has helped Verizon rank as a top-tier choice for customer satisfaction. The American Customer Satisfaction Index scored Verizon at the top (tied with AT&T) for customer satisfaction in 2021 with a 71/100 while J.D. Power named Verizon the best provider in the East region in 2020.
Read more about Verizon Fios.
 
Optimum and Suddenlink are both divisions of Altice, and both are currently running the best cable internet deals on gigabit service. 
Optimum’s 1 Gig plan offers download speeds up to 940Mbps, but upload speeds top out at 35Mbps — a downgrade from the once-available 50Mbps after the company chose to lower its upload speeds to be more “aligned” with competing cable internet providers — starting at or per month for 12 months. The low pricing reflects a discount for paperless billing, so be sure to enroll to take advantage of the lowest pricing.
Similarly on the Suddenlink side, the Suddenlink 1 Gig plan is available in select areas starting at per month, which includes an “exclusive per month discount” and, again, a discount for paperless billing. Like the Optimum 1 Gig plan, Suddenlink 1 Gig offers download speeds up to 940Mbps and upload speeds up to 35Mbps.
Optimum and Suddenlink plans also include unlimited data, require no contract and installation is free when you order online. Watch for a potential steep price increase after 12 months, however — that’s when standard plan pricing takes effect, and it’s “subject to change,” according to the fine print.
Read more about the best rural internet providers.
 
These providers, along with regional providers that are too many to list here, also offer high-speed internet plans including gigabit service in select areas. In addition to the best high-speed internet providers listed above, these are certainly worth a look if available in your area.
You’re likely to find the fastest speeds possible from a fiber provider, but cable internet providers offer gigabit download speeds, as well.
You likely noticed a trend in our list of the best gigabit providers. Fiber-optic providers will often be your best bet for the fast home internet, even though Xfinity — traditionally a cable provider — boasts the fastest max internet speed and Optimum has the lowest introductory pricing. Other cable providers including Spectrum, Cox and Mediacom offer gigabit plans, but watch out for drastically low upload speeds. 
When shopping for any internet service, be sure to compare average internet speed, pricing and features of all providers in your area to ensure you’re getting the best high-speed plan for your home.
Speeds of 100Mbps and higher will handle most online activities such as streaming in HD, gaming online and working/learning remotely on multiple devices. That’s actual, tested speeds of 100Mbps or higher, not advertised plan speeds of 100Mbps. If your internet plan includes “max speeds” of 100Mbps, your actual speeds are likely to be much lower if you use a Wi-Fi connection and connect multiple devices. For the fastest home internet connection, consider a plan that advertises gigabit speeds, up to 940Mbps or higher. 
In all honesty, gigabit speeds are going to be overkill for the average home, at least for now. Larger households with numerous connected devices can likely get by with 300 to 500Mbps no problem. For smaller households, 100 to 200Mbps may be suitable, but I wouldn’t go lower than 100Mbps if you want a “fast” connection. 
That said, gigabit internet has its advantages. The biggest one is the added speed boost will compensate for speed degradation when using a Wi-Fi connection. Using Wi-Fi will often result in actual speeds half of your plans advertised speeds, or lower. As you move further away from the router, actual speeds can drop even further. The best routers and a good mesh Wi-Fi system will help compensate for the speed loss, but gigabit speeds are your best bet for ensuring the fastest speeds over Wi-Fi.
Another advantage to gigabit service is value. Though gigabit plans are going to be a provider’s highest priced plan more often than not, they usually offer the lowest cost per Mbps. For example, AT&T Fiber 1000 starts at per month, which is more than the provider’s cheapest internet plan, AT&T Fiber 300, but when you consider cost per Mbps — that is, essentially what you get in regards to what you’re paying for — AT&T Fiber 1000 is the better deal. AT&T Fiber 1000 has an estimated cost per Mbps of around Watch for a potential steep price increase after 12 months, however — that’s when standard plan pricing takes effect, and it’s “subject to change,” according to the fine print.
Read more about the best rural internet providers.
 
These providers, along with regional providers that are too many to list here, also offer high-speed internet plans including gigabit service in select areas. In addition to the best high-speed internet providers listed above, these are certainly worth a look if available in your area.
You’re likely to find the fastest speeds possible from a fiber provider, but cable internet providers offer gigabit download speeds, as well.
You likely noticed a trend in our list of the best gigabit providers. Fiber-optic providers will often be your best bet for the fast home internet, even though Xfinity — traditionally a cable provider — boasts the fastest max internet speed and Optimum has the lowest introductory pricing. Other cable providers including Spectrum, Cox and Mediacom offer gigabit plans, but watch out for drastically low upload speeds. 
When shopping for any internet service, be sure to compare average internet speed, pricing and features of all providers in your area to ensure you’re getting the best high-speed plan for your home.
Speeds of 100Mbps and higher will handle most online activities such as streaming in HD, gaming online and working/learning remotely on multiple devices. That’s actual, tested speeds of 100Mbps or higher, not advertised plan speeds of 100Mbps. If your internet plan includes “max speeds” of 100Mbps, your actual speeds are likely to be much lower if you use a Wi-Fi connection and connect multiple devices. For the fastest home internet connection, consider a plan that advertises gigabit speeds, up to 940Mbps or higher. 
In all honesty, gigabit speeds are going to be overkill for the average home, at least for now. Larger households with numerous connected devices can likely get by with 300 to 500Mbps no problem. For smaller households, 100 to 200Mbps may be suitable, but I wouldn’t go lower than 100Mbps if you want a “fast” connection. 
That said, gigabit internet has its advantages. The biggest one is the added speed boost will compensate for speed degradation when using a Wi-Fi connection. Using Wi-Fi will often result in actual speeds half of your plans advertised speeds, or lower. As you move further away from the router, actual speeds can drop even further. The best routers and a good mesh Wi-Fi system will help compensate for the speed loss, but gigabit speeds are your best bet for ensuring the fastest speeds over Wi-Fi.
Another advantage to gigabit service is value. Though gigabit plans are going to be a provider’s highest priced plan more often than not, they usually offer the lowest cost per Mbps. For example, AT&T Fiber 1000 starts at $60 per month, which is $25 more than the provider’s cheapest internet plan, AT&T Fiber 300, but when you consider cost per Mbps — that is, essentially what you get in regards to what you’re paying for — AT&T Fiber 1000 is the better deal. AT&T Fiber 1000 has an estimated cost per Mbps of around $0.06 while AT&T Fiber 300 has a cost per Mbps of around $0.12.
Google Fiber and Xfinity both offer 2,000Mbps plans, which are the fastest of any major residential internet provider. Xfinity has the fastest upload speeds with up to 2,000Mbps available in select areas.06 while AT&T Fiber 300 has a cost per Mbps of around Watch for a potential steep price increase after 12 months, however — that’s when standard plan pricing takes effect, and it’s “subject to change,” according to the fine print.
Read more about the best rural internet providers.
 
These providers, along with regional providers that are too many to list here, also offer high-speed internet plans including gigabit service in select areas. In addition to the best high-speed internet providers listed above, these are certainly worth a look if available in your area.
You’re likely to find the fastest speeds possible from a fiber provider, but cable internet providers offer gigabit download speeds, as well.
You likely noticed a trend in our list of the best gigabit providers. Fiber-optic providers will often be your best bet for the fast home internet, even though Xfinity — traditionally a cable provider — boasts the fastest max internet speed and Optimum has the lowest introductory pricing. Other cable providers including Spectrum, Cox and Mediacom offer gigabit plans, but watch out for drastically low upload speeds. 
When shopping for any internet service, be sure to compare average internet speed, pricing and features of all providers in your area to ensure you’re getting the best high-speed plan for your home.
Speeds of 100Mbps and higher will handle most online activities such as streaming in HD, gaming online and working/learning remotely on multiple devices. That’s actual, tested speeds of 100Mbps or higher, not advertised plan speeds of 100Mbps. If your internet plan includes “max speeds” of 100Mbps, your actual speeds are likely to be much lower if you use a Wi-Fi connection and connect multiple devices. For the fastest home internet connection, consider a plan that advertises gigabit speeds, up to 940Mbps or higher. 
In all honesty, gigabit speeds are going to be overkill for the average home, at least for now. Larger households with numerous connected devices can likely get by with 300 to 500Mbps no problem. For smaller households, 100 to 200Mbps may be suitable, but I wouldn’t go lower than 100Mbps if you want a “fast” connection. 
That said, gigabit internet has its advantages. The biggest one is the added speed boost will compensate for speed degradation when using a Wi-Fi connection. Using Wi-Fi will often result in actual speeds half of your plans advertised speeds, or lower. As you move further away from the router, actual speeds can drop even further. The best routers and a good mesh Wi-Fi system will help compensate for the speed loss, but gigabit speeds are your best bet for ensuring the fastest speeds over Wi-Fi.
Another advantage to gigabit service is value. Though gigabit plans are going to be a provider’s highest priced plan more often than not, they usually offer the lowest cost per Mbps. For example, AT&T Fiber 1000 starts at $60 per month, which is $25 more than the provider’s cheapest internet plan, AT&T Fiber 300, but when you consider cost per Mbps — that is, essentially what you get in regards to what you’re paying for — AT&T Fiber 1000 is the better deal. AT&T Fiber 1000 has an estimated cost per Mbps of around $0.06 while AT&T Fiber 300 has a cost per Mbps of around $0.12.
Google Fiber and Xfinity both offer 2,000Mbps plans, which are the fastest of any major residential internet provider. Xfinity has the fastest upload speeds with up to 2,000Mbps available in select areas.12.
Google Fiber and Xfinity both offer 2,000Mbps plans, which are the fastest of any major residential internet provider. Xfinity has the fastest upload speeds with up to 2,000Mbps available in select areas while Google Fiber’s 2 Gig plan comes with upload speeds up to 1,000Mbps..12.
Google Fiber and Xfinity both offer 2,000Mbps plans, which are the fastest of any major residential internet provider. Xfinity has the fastest upload speeds with up to 2,000Mbps available in select areas while Google Fiber’s 2 Gig plan comes with upload speeds up to 1,000Mbps. 
As for actual, tested speeds, Verizon Fios had the fastest average speeds in Q1 for 2022, coming in at just over 160Mbps, according to speedtest.net. 
In many locations, yes. Most cable and fiber-optic internet providers already have a gigabit plan, but recent speed increases from Google Fiber and Xfinity may be an indicator of faster speeds to come. Additionally, Wi-Fi connections are getting faster as providers are adopting and implementing Wi-Fi 6 technology. Some providers, including Google Fiber, offer a Wi-Fi 6 router with select plans, but if you don’t want to wait on one from your provider, check out these Wi-Fi 6 routers that are available now.

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