
Article Summary
In this guide, we highlight the fastest internet providers by each category of broadband internet:
- Verizon Fios, AT&T, and Xfinity offers the fastest fiber internet
- Xfinity and Charter Spectrum are the fastest cable internet providers
- AT&T and Windstream have the fastest DSL speeds
- Viasat is the fastest satellite internet provider
Fast internet has become crucial as our homes grow ever more connected. A fast connection means streaming, video conferencing, gaming, and browsing—whether it's just you, or your whole family—without worrying about lags or hang ups. Take a look at this list of the fastest internet providers and plans to help you find what kind of internet speed you need at your home.
| Internet Provider | Type | Fastest Download | Fastest Upload | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber | Fiber | 5Gbps | 5Gbps | Go |
| Verizon Fios | Fiber | 1Gbps | 1Gbps | Go |
| Xfinity (Fiber) | Hybrid Fiber-Coax | 1.2Gbps | 35Mbps | Go |
| Xfinity (Cable) | Cable | 500Mbps | 35Mbps | Go |
| Charter Spectrum | Cable | 1Gbps | 1Gbps | Go |
| AT&T (DSL) | DSL | 100Mbps | 20Mbps | Go |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150Mbps | 3Mbps | Go |
Fastest Fiber Internet Providers
A ton of information can pass through high-speed fiber-optic cable. Because of this, fiber internet plans offer extremely fast download and upload speeds, where other broadband connections typically reserve most of their bandwidth for downloading.
Who has the fastest internet?
AT&T Fiber
Because fiber internet is very fast and reliable, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly who has the fastest service. However, AT&T Fiber gets consistently high marks for speed from customers—and they have a lot of them.
As part of AT&T’s acquisition of DIRECTV, the FCC required AT&T to greatly expand its fiber network. After fulfilling this requirement, AT&T Fiber covers more of the country than any other fiber internet provider.
AT&T’s Internet 5000 plan provides maximum download speeds of 5Gbps and symmetrical upload speeds.
Verizon Fios
According to FCC’s latest reporting, Verizon Fios is the best provider when it comes to actual speeds vs advertised speeds, meaning you’re more likely to experience close to top speeds the majority of time. Verizon Fios’ fiber plans are highlighted by their Gigabit Connection plan which comes with max download and upload speeds of 1Gbps. Fios now sits behind AT&T Fiber in area covered, but they still provide some of the fastest internet available.
Xfinity from Comcast
Xfinity’s 1.2 Gig advertises top speeds of 1.2Gbps. That’s nearly twice as fast as the speeds you get with AT&T Fiber or Verizon Fios. So, why are we saving Xfinity for last? The issue with Xfinity’s 1.2 Gig is that it’s not a pure fiber connection. Instead, it’s a hybrid fiber-coaxial connection, meaning it uses fiber for most of the information transfer, and cable for the rest. Because of this, Xfinity’s Gigabit plans don’t quite get the benefits of a full fiber connection. You might see very fast download speeds with Xfinity at the expense of upload speeds, despite the advertise speeds of 1.2Gbps download and 35Mbps upload.
Fastest Cable Internet Providers
While generally not as fast as fiber, cable internet is fast enough to support most common internet tasks. Unlike fiber, cable can’t reach equal download and upload speeds. Instead, most of the bandwidth is reserved for download speeds and upload speeds are often considerably slower.
Who has the fastest cable internet?
Charter Spectrum
Charter Spectrum is a big name in cable. Spectrum’s fastest cable internet plans go up to 1Gbps. These are great speeds for cable internet. What’s more, Spectrum has an excellent track record of delivering on its advertised speeds.
Xfinity
Cable internet is Xfinity’s bread and butter. Their Fast internet plan comes with download speeds at 500Mbps and upload speeds at 35Mbps. This is more than fast enough to handle watching your favorite Netflix content in 4K UHD, but the upload speeds, while adequate, can be stressed by heavy video conferencing or streaming on Twitch.
Xfinity is one of the biggest cable providers in the country and have a large area of coverage, but it’s important to note that not all plans are available in all areas, and pricing can vary greatly.
Fastest DSL Internet
Improvements in DSL tech means this internet type can provide more bandwidth than ever before. While it may not be the best for those working from home or avid online gamers, DSL should be fast enough to binge watch Prime Video shows and influence the world on Instagram. One important thing to consider when shopping for a DSL plan is that the DSL providers included in the latest FCC reporting did fairly poorly in the actual speeds vs. advertised speed category.
Who has the fastest DSL internet?
AT&T DSL
AT&T’s DSL maxes out at 100Mbps, which is among the fastest in DSL. Also, AT&T is one of the best DSL providers when it comes to actual vs. advertised speeds. Not to mention, AT&T covers much more of the country than any other DSL carrier.
Fastest Satellite Internet
Satellite internet isn’t the fastest internet available, and it can be quite expensive. But if you are in a rural area, it might be your only option for broadband internet. Satellite internet is fast enough for regular web browsing and video watching, but slow upload speeds and long latency make it a poor choice for gamers.
Who has the fastest satellite internet?
Viasat
Viasat wins the race for satellite internet speed. Their fastest advertised speeds can reach up to 150Mbps with uploading topping out at 3Mbps. Unfortunately, Viasat scores poorly when it comes to actual speeds compared to advertised speeds. However, that's an issue that all satellite internet providers deal with, including Starlink and HughesNet. It's difficult to beam a consistent signal from space to the ground to provide internet. Anything in the way, whether it be a tree branch or a thunderstorm, can negatively impact speeds.
The Fastest Internet Provider in Your Area
The above providers are some of the fastest in the nation, but they might not be the fastest for you. Location plays a big part in which providers and internet speeds are available to you. Put in your address below to use our internet search tool, and find the fast internet provider in your area.
Angelo Ilumba
Senior Writer
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