What makes a good ISP? Is it speed or reliability? How do I choose between them? Find out now!
It’s no secret that choosing an Internet service provider (ISP) can get tricky. From price to quality, there are lots of considerations to take into account. What’s more, ISPs don’t always offer consistent services across the board, which means you might end up with poor performance at home.
Choosing the right ISP requires research and patience. You’ll need to consider things such as features, pricing plans, speed, availability, and customer support. This article details the top three ISPs.
Some affordable ISPs like Suddenlink, Mediacom, and Astound Broadband are listed in our guides.
There is sure to be an internet provider that suits your needs, regardless of where you live or how many gadgets you have in your home. For more information about the Best ISPs of 2022, continue reading and start saving today.
What is an Internet Service Provider (ISP)?
An ISP provides access to the internet through a network of servers. The company also offers other services such as email, web hosting, and domain registration. ISPs are usually owned by large corporations or government entities.
You might already have heard of some of these companies, such as Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon. These companies provide their customers with high speed internet connections. They also offer phone plans and TV packages.
What are the most popular Internet Service Provider?
Spectrum
A popular internet service provider is Spectrum. In our ranking of the top Internet service providers for 2022, Spectrum is tied for fifth place and performs a decent job of juggling price and quality. Its plans are simple to select from and grasp. Spectrum will contribute up to $500 toward the cancellation fees for your old plan if you have an existing service that you want to stop using.
There are three major internet plans available from the provider, with download speeds ranging from 200 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Your actual speed depends on your usage and location. However, for the majority of typical needs, such as 4K and ultra high definition video streaming, online gaming, and other at-home uses, internet rates of 200 Mbps or greater are probably sufficient. Although this may not be as significant to many users, upload speeds are not usually as quick.
Xfinity
Along with being accessible in parts of 39 states and Washington, D.C., Xfinity Internet is frequently the sole high-speed option for a specific location in many markets. The majority of its service area is covered by Xfinity’s use of the same type of coaxial cable that it has long used for TV service, a technology that allows for quick downloads but noticeably slower uploads.
Additionally, it offers Xfinity Mobile phone service (which utilizes the Verizon Wireless network) and Xfinity Home Security service as add-on options.
AT&T
Overall ISP and ranks first in our Best Fiber ISPs of 2022 ranking. Its fiber plans start at $55 per month for download speeds of up to 100 Mbps (Mbps). AT&T’s best options are available in metro areas, while other locations outside of cities may have access to its DSL or fixed internet services. If you want to save money, consider buying a bundle that includes DirecTV. AT&T no longer requires a contract for its fiber plans and provides unlimited data.
Viasat
Viasat is on our list of the top satellite Internet service providers for rural ISPs. Off the main road yet seeking for inexpensive internet options? Viasat’s Basic 12 plan starts at $39.99 per month. Although this ISP requires a commitment, plans include unlimited data. The range of download speeds is 12 Mbps to 100 Mbps. The maximum upload speed is 3 Mbps. Plans from Viasat can cost up to $149.99 per month, however bundles of Viasat Voice, Viasat Shield (internet security), and EasyCare, an improved customer service option, may result in discounts. Along with your internet service, you can also get dish satellite TV.
Cox
Cox is a flexible ISP that provides fiber, cable, and prepaid options. With Cox, you can enjoy introductory prices that could lower your internet costs if you commit to a 12-month commitment. Prices range from $29.99 per month for download speeds up to 25 Mbps to $99.99 per month for the Gigablast, which is the fastest package and provides download speeds up to 940 Mbps. Cox has a monthly data cap of one terabyte (TB). However, it provides bundled services that include home security systems, technical assistance, and streaming services.
Mediacom
Mediacom offers affordable internet package prices. Three plans are provided by this cable company. The cheapest package, which is priced at $29.99 per month ($19.99 for the first year), offers download rates of up to 60 Mbps. Since Mediacom uses cable connections, its upload speeds will be slower than its download rates. The 1 Gig package, on the other hand, offers download and upload rates of up to 50 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps, respectively. Mediacom is now among the Best Cable ISPs and Best ISPs for Gaming of 2022 because to these speeds. There is no commitment necessary, and its data limitations for plans range from 200 to 6,000 gigabytes.
HughesNet
As of 2022, HughesNet continues to hold the top spot among satellite Internet service providers. Due to its accessibility throughout the nation, it also takes the top spot among the Best ISPs for Rural Areas. HughesNet offers a another potential source for going online when land-based connectivity like DSL, cable, or fiber cannot reach your home. You’ll probably be able to use satellite service for your internet connection if your property has a clear view of the southern sky. However, satellite is not the ideal choice for gaming because to its significant latency.
The starting cost of HughesNet is more expensive than the mean for ISPs. The maximum download and upload speeds for all plans are 25 Mbps and 3 Mbps, respectively. There are no data caps with Hughesnet, and you can pay extra to add on additional data tokens as you go.
Frontier
In 25 states, Frontier offers DSL and fiber internet services, sharing ninth place overall. The quickest plan, which offers upload and download speeds of up to 880 Mbps and 940 Mbps, ranges in price from $34.99 to $79.99 per month. There are no commitments and unlimited data is offered with each plan at enrollment.
CenturyLink
In 36 states and 19 locations, CenturyLink offers two options that include DSL or fiber internet connections. No contracts are required to use its services, and if you’re looking to save money, CenturyLink provides “Price for Life.” With CenturyLink’s Price for Life offer, your monthly fee remains same for the duration of your service. Its fiber service has download rates of up to 940 Mbps and costs $65 per month. That contrasts with its DSL service, which costs $50 a month and provides much slower download speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
Verizon Home Internet
Depending on where you live, Verizon offers fixed mobile broadband (LTE or 5G), fiber, and DSL options. If you are in a major metropolis in the Northeast of the United States, you will probably have more options than if you reside in a more rural region, where DSL is frequently the only readily available internet option. The popularity of Verizon’s fiber offerings helped the business tie for second place in our ranking of the best fiber internet service providers. Prices for Verizon’s 300 Mbps plan start at $39.99; for the 500 Mbps plan, they are $64.99; and for the Gigabit Connection, they are $89.99. Internet access is unrestricted, and there are no contracts associated with the plans.
EarthLink
With service available in all 50 states, EarthLink is one of the most well-known internet service providers in the US. By renting connections from service providers, it accomplishes this. Connection speeds and dependability can vary because EarthLink offers service over several networks, but the company’s emphasis on customer satisfaction enables it to swiftly resolve outages and other problems.
T-Mobile Home Internet
The most affordable option in several regions of the country is T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. Residents who lack access to standard high-speed internet services like fiber or cable internet no longer have to worry about unacceptably poor internet options or pricey plans with a meager amount of speed. To deliver speeds between 33 and 182 Mbps for $50 per month, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet combines fixed wireless technology with T-4G Mobile’s LTE and 5G coverage (with AutoPay). Location, signal quality and availability, time of day, and other variables can all affect how fast something moves.
Optimum
Optimum has a number of internet services as well as other potential add-ons, such as a monthly modem/router lease. Its service region is constrained, and it’s only offered in four Northeastern states, which is a drawback. It offers hybrid-fiber coaxial services with download and upload speeds of up to 10 Mbps and 1 Mbps, respectively, starting at $24.95 per month. The company’s highest set plan is 1 Gig, however in some areas, Optimum is now launching a 5 Gig upgrade. There are no contracts necessary for the service, and data is unlimited. For even more savings, you can combine streaming service bundles with mobile phone plans.
Additional Sites to Help Locate an Internet Service Provider in your area.
It can be tricky to locate which Internet Service Provider services your home or business. The resources I have listed below can help you locate an Internet Service Provider especially if you just moved to the area.
SmartMove
SmartMove is a website that provides tools and resources to you find the best internet service provider and other services such as cable TV, and mobile.