Internet providers in NYC, NY

Best internet providers in New York City

The best internet providers in New York City are Verizon, Spectrum, and Astound Broadband powered by RCN.

Hands down, you can’t beat Verizon . Available across parts of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and other areas in the outer boroughs, Verizon’s Fios service delivers one of the fastest internet connections in the United States. The slowest plans start at 300 Mbps, which is still a great speed for small households, and Verizon’s reasonable prices and extra perks (including unlimited data, no equipment fees, and regular promos) make its deals that much sweeter.
Spectrum is a cable internet provider, meaning it can’t deliver the impressive, symmetrical speeds of a fiber provider like Verizon or Optimum. But Spectrum is still an excellent pick if you need a fast and reliable connection for a decent price. The provider’s cable plans reach speeds up to 1,000 Mbps, and prices start at around $50 per month. Even better, Spectrum has no data caps or annual contracts, so you get a straight deal and can cancel any time without paying extra fees.
If you’re looking for a plan that costs you under $50 a month, try out Astound Broadband powered by RCN . Astound Broadband’s baseline plan delivers speeds of up to 600 Mbps (meaning: ridiculously fast) and only costs $34.99 a month. Astound Broadband plans have no data caps and no contracts, and the provider routinely offers an array of promotions to benefit new customers. Before you sign up, consult our Best Internet Deals page to get coupon codes for waiving installation costs and other benefits.
Verizon 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet both hook you up with solid service at a budget price. Verizon and T-Mobile have both rolled out their respective 5G internet plans across parts of Manhattan and other boroughs, and while these budding wireless services aren’t quite as foolproof as cable or fiber internet, they’re still well worth considering. Whichever provider you go with, you get internet at a flat monthly rate, with no extra fees for installation or equipment. You get unlimited data and you don’t have to sign an annual contract, so you can cancel any time.

What is the fastest internet provider in New York City?

Optimum is the fastest internet provider in New York City. Its fiber internet plans offer download speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. Optimum’s fiber internet plans aren’t as easy to find as its cable plans, which reach up to 940 Mbps.

Verizon is the second fastest internet provider available in New York City. Its fiber-optic internet plans offer download speeds up to 2,048 Mbps, although it’s more common to find Verizon Fios plans with 940 Mbps downloads and 880 Mbps uploads. Its fiber network is incredibly reliable, and its plans can deliver symmetrical upload and download speeds—which isn’t possible with cable providers.

Spectrum and Astound Broadband also deliver gigabit download speeds. Spectrum’s plans top out at 1,000 Mbps while Astound Broadband hits downloads up to 940 Mbps. These providers aren’t as fast as Verizon on our speed test, but they still deliver excellent service.

Fastest internet providers in NYC

Max speeds (download/upload)	Internet type	View plans
8,000 Mbps/8,000 Mbps	Fiber, cable	View Plans
2,048 Mbps/2,048 Mbps	Fiber	View Plans
1,500 Mbps/20 Mbps	Cable	View Plans
1,000 Mbps/35 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary)	Cable	View Plans

How much internet speed do I need?

5 Mbps

Browsing
Streaming music
Ideal for single user

10 Mbps

Streaming HD videos
Casual gaming
Ideal for 1-2 people

20 Mbps

Ultra HD streaming
Frequent gaming
Ideal for 2-4 people

40+ Mbps

Streaming multiple shows in HD
Simultaneous gaming
Ideal for 4+ people

Most households need at least 25 Mbps of download speed and 3 Mbps of upload speed. While most common internet activities can work with fairly slow speeds, your network easily gets bogged down if you have multiple devices using the internet at the same time. That’s especially true if you have multiple people working from home or learning remotely.

If you don’t know what speed you need, you can test your current internet speed to give yourself a reference point and take it from there.

Looking for an easy way to test and track your internet speed?

Take our internet speed test or download our free speed test app to test your speed from anywhere.

Download our free, easy-to-use speed test app for quick and reliable results.

What is the cheapest internet provider in New York City?

Astound Broadband is the cheapest internet provider in New York City. Astound Broadband offers a plan for just $20.00 a month and Optimum offers one for just $10 more—both awesome deals considering the speeds you get on either plan.

Verizon 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet are two other great options for cheap internet in the city. While both providers technically charge more (literally by a penny) than Verizon Fios and Spectrum on baseline plans, you end up getting a much better deal because you don’t have to worry about extra fees for installation or equipment. You also get unlimited data and lots of promotions and deals.

But if you prefer fiber or cable, no worries, because Verizon Fios and Spectrum also have solid fiber-optic and cable plans at cheap prices. We recommend going for Verizon if either has fiber internet in your area, but all these providers can get you reliable performance even on the cheapest internet plans.

Optimum also has cheap prices, but Optimum imposes price hikes on all of its plans after a year of service. So while you’re getting a great discount upfront, you end up paying more in the long run.

Cheapest internet plans in New York City

Plan	Price	Speed	View plans
Astound Broadband 300 Mbps Internet	$25.00/mo.^†	300 Mbps	View Plans
Optimum Fiber Internet 300	$35.00/mo.*	300 Mbps	View Plans
Verizon Fios Internet 300/300	$49.99/mo.^‡	300 Mbps	View Plans
Spectrum Internet^®	$49.99/mo. for 12 mos.^§	Up to 300 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary)	View Plans
Verizon 5G Home Internet	$50.00/mo.^║; $25.00/mo.** with 5G Get More, 5G Play More, or 5G Do More	Up to 300 Mbps	View Plans
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet	$50.00/mo.^††	33–182 Mbps	View Plans
Starry Select	$30.00/mo.^#	Up to 100 Mbps	View Plans

Read disclaimers.

Free internet opportunities in NYC

Qualifying residents can enroll in Big Apple Connect for either Optimum or Spectrum internet service. New customers at participating NYCHA properties can order through Big Apple Connect services for a free cable plan up to 300 Mbps. Existing customers can have their monthly bill reduced to $0.

Internet deals and promotions in New York City

Provider	Deal	View on provider's site
	Get a free Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) OR a $200 Verizon Gift Card. Also, if you switch to Verizon you can get up to $500 to help with termination fees.	Get the Deal
	Get Smart WiFi 6 for free with select Internet packages and free installation when you order online.	Get the Deal
	Get a free Unlimited Mobile line for 12 months when you sign up for an internet plan with speeds of 300Mbps or faster. Get a free mobile line with unlimited talk, text and data and free Advanced WiFi for enhanced network security when you sign up for Spectrum One Stream and get 300Mbps Spectrum Internet®. You can also get a free Xumo Stream Box when you add Spectrum TV®.	Get the Deal
	Get a $100 gift card and free installation with code CYBER23. Also, get Max for one year on 1 Gig or higher plans.	Get the Deal
	Get free Panoramic wifi equipment rental for 24 mos with the purchase of any Cox internet plan.	Get the Deal
	Get free installation when you sign up for a qualifying home internet plan.	Get the Deal
	Get a $25 gift card and 1 month of internet service free with code “TRYSTARRY”.	Get the Deal

What are the fiber internet providers in New York City?

Verizon Home Internet and Optimum are the two major fiber internet providers in New York City. Regional providers Flume Internet and Hotwire Communications also offer fiber internet on select plans.

We always recommend fiber internet as the best type of internet you can get—with fast speeds, a super reliable connection, and symmetrical uploads, you simply can’t beat it.

Fiber internet providers in New York City

Verizon Home Internet — Fiber speeds up to 2,048 Mbps
Optimum — Fiber speeds up to 8,000 Mbps
Flume Internet — Fiber speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Hotwire Communications — Fiber speeds up to 1,000 Mbps

NYC internet provider availability map

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Internet provider stores in NYC

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Featured customer reviews from NYC

“I called the hotline concerning our billing statement and I received the BEST costumer service!”

—Katie F.

“Service is excellent, never have had a service interruption unless for power failure over the 4-5 years we have had them.”

—Stephen E.

“Optimum provides adequate internet for the home. They are awesome in the amount of hotspots available to subscribers. This is great as to avoid using data.”

—Robyn P.

“Spectrum over-promises, under-performs, and under-delivers.”

—Happy G.

“Internet speeds are frustratingly inconsistent. The variance is between one hundred Mbs and one point zero Mbs. Periods between four PM and eleven PM are particularly problematic.”

—James K.

“If I were able to find another internet service provider, I would do so. We are paying for 100mb/second, but only receive intermittent service, usually at 20mb/sec when it actually is available.”

—R.D.

NYC internet FAQ

What is the best internet provider in New York?

Verizon is the best internet provider in New York because it has fast speeds, affordable prices, and reliable fiber connections.

What is the cheapest internet provider in New York City?

Astound Broadband offers the cheapest cable internet plan in New York City with prices starting under $30 per month.

Starry Internet is a fixed wireless provider with plans starting at $15.00 a month.

You can also apply for low-income internet programs to get discounted service.

How do you get free internet in New York City?

You can get free internet in New York City if you qualify for the government’s Affordable Connectivity Program and find a plan that lets you reduce your bill to the point that it’s free.

The ACP provides $30 per month toward a household’s internet bill. Recently, 20 major internet providers agreed—as part of a partnership with the Biden Administration—to adjust their speed and pricing tiers to allow for plans that don’t cost qualifying users anything once they’ve implemented the monthly stipend.

To qualify, someone in your household must be enrolled in certain social programs: Lifeline, SNAP, WIC, National School Lunch Program, and others. Or you can qualify based on your income.

How much is Verizon Fios internet only in New York?

You can find Verizon internet packages starting as low as under $49.99 per month. All ISP offers are subject to change, so if you see a package you like, don’t hesitate.

What's the fastest internet provider in New York City?

Optimum, Spectrum, Verizon, and Astound Broadband are the fastest internet providers in New York City because they all offer gigabit internet speeds. Optimum and Verizon have an advantage because both providers use a fiber-optic connection for the fastest plans, which means both have much faster upload speeds than Spectrum.

Disclaimers

Cheapest internet plans in New York City

*w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill w/unlimited mobile plans. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.

†Regional price differences may apply. 24 Month Internet Pricing. No contract required. Equipment priced separately. Includes $5 discount for 12 months w/ ebill & autopay. Experienced speeds may vary. New residential customers only.

‡w/ Auto Pay. Available in select areas.

§Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.

║w/ Auto Pay. Available in select areas.

**w/ Auto Pay and select 5G mobile plans. Available in select areas.

††w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms.

#Available in select areas only. Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Fios plan prices include taxes & fees.

Internet providers in NYC, NY

Best internet providers in New York City

What is the fastest internet provider in New York City?

Fastest internet providers in NYC

How much internet speed do I need?

Looking for an easy way to test and track your internet speed?

What is the cheapest internet provider in New York City?

Cheapest internet plans in New York City

Free internet opportunities in NYC

Internet deals and promotions in New York City

What are the fiber internet providers in New York City?

Fiber internet providers in New York City

NYC internet provider availability map

See internet providers in nearby cities.

Internet provider stores in NYC

Featured customer reviews from NYC

NYC internet FAQ

What is the best internet provider in New York?

What is the cheapest internet provider in New York City?

How do you get free internet in New York City?

How much is Verizon Fios internet only in New York?

What's the fastest internet provider in New York City?

Customer reviews of internet providers in NYC

Leave a review.

Disclaimers

Cheapest internet plans in New York City