Founder
About Rob
Rob has 15+ years experience running price comparison & review websites that empower consumers to find the cheapest cell phone services, cell phone deals, home phone, and internet providers available. He has been published in Forbes, US News, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc.
Rob's Expertise
5G wireless networks, cell phone plans, cell phone deals, MVNOs, internet services, tablets, comparison shopping, money saving, reviewing telecom products & services
MoneySavingPro independently researches the products & services to bring you our recommendations. We may earn money when you click our links - disclosure policy.
The most effective way to find local communications services is to search for internet providers by ZIP code.
You've probably noticed that when you visit a website like Xfinity internet and others, the first thing you must do in order to view Internet plans and prices is to enter your location. There are good reasons for this protocol, which I'll detail in this guide.
Once you're wondering what is the best internet provider in my area - we created a convenient ZIP code checker that will allow you to quickly and easily narrow down all of the options in your area.
The best internet services in my area
Best internet options in my area
With literally thousands of ISPs (Internet Service Providers) in the United States, it would be virtually impossible to figure out which ones service your area without some organization method in place. ZIP codes provide a clear definition of a geographical area, making them the simplest way to designate the locations which both the large and small businesses serve.
This method of assigning service areas also makes sense because of the way the Internet is delivered. Fixed, or terrestrial (land-based) services require a hub, or central office, in order to provide a connection. The broadband connection Internet types of cable, phone line, and fiber optic Internet all require a base of operations in order to run the necessary wiring to your home.
Satellite Internet, on the other hand, does not require a home base, as it relies on a communications satellite to transfer data, ultimately allowing you to surf the web.
Best internet service provider in my area
Cable internet service
- Download
- 400-1,200 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $40-80
Pros
Lightning fast options
Multiple speed choices
Large bundle selection
Contract and no-contract options
Widespread availability
Hotspot access away from home
Cons
Less than stellar customer service ratings
Known for its occasional outages
Xfinity offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $40.
Xfinity Internet Only Plans
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
400 Mbps Internet |
400 Mbps |
|
|
$39.99 |
|
800 Mbps Internet |
800 Mbps |
|
|
$59.99 |
|
1000 Mbps Internet |
1000 Mbps |
|
|
$69.99 |
|
1200 Mbps Internet |
1200 Mbps |
|
|
$79.99 |
Xfinity TV Plans
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Basic TV |
|
10 Channels |
|
$20.00 |
|
Extra TV |
|
125 Channels |
|
$67.27 |
|
Preferred TV |
|
185 Channels |
|
$69.99 |
Xfinity Triple Play Bundles
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Extra TV + Internet 400 + Voice |
400 Mbps |
125 Channels |
Unlimited |
$99.99 |
|
Preferred TV + Internet 1000 + Voice |
1000 Mbps |
185 Channels |
Unlimited |
$109.99 |
- Download
- 300-1,000 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $50-90
Pros
Fast speeds
No contracts
No data caps
One-hour installation appointment window
Plenty of bundles
Cons
Negative customer service reputation
No fiber option
Spectrum offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $50.
Spectrum Internet Only Plans
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet |
300 Mbps |
|
|
$49.99 |
|
Internet Ultra |
500 Mbps |
|
|
$69.99 |
|
Internet GIG |
1000 Mbps |
|
|
$89.99 |
Spectrum TV Plans
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
TV Select |
|
125 Channels |
|
$59.99 |
Spectrum Triple Play Bundles
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
TV Select + Internet + Voice |
300 Mbps |
125 Channels |
Unlimited |
$129.97 |
|
TV Select + Internet Ultra + Voice |
500 Mbps |
125 Channels |
Unlimited |
$149.97 |
|
TV Select + Internet GIG + Voice |
1000 Mbps |
125 Channels |
Unlimited |
$169.97 |
- Download
- 100-1,000 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $50-100
Pros
Wide range of speed options
Panoramic wi-fi to cover weak spots
Hotspot access away from home
No commitment required
Cons
Available in limited number of states
Slow upload speeds on some plans
Cox offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $50.
Cox Internet Only Plans
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet Essential 100 |
100 Mbps |
|
|
$49.99 |
|
Internet Preferred 250 |
250 Mbps |
|
|
$59.99 |
|
Internet Ultimate 500 |
500 Mbps |
|
|
$69.99 |
|
Internet Gigablast |
1000 Mbps |
|
|
$99.99 |
Cox TV Plans
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Contour TV Starter |
|
75 Channels |
|
$53.00 |
|
Contour TV Preferred |
|
140 Channels |
|
$98.00 |
|
Contour TV Preferred Plus |
|
170 Channels |
|
$118.00 |
|
Contour TV Ultimate |
|
250 Channels |
|
$138.00 |
Cox Triple Play Bundles
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet Preferred 250 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice |
250 Mbps |
140 Channels |
Unlimited |
$167.99 |
|
Internet Essential 100 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice |
100 Mbps |
140 Channels |
Unlimited |
$167.99 |
|
Internet Ultimate 500 + Contour TV Preferred + Voice |
500 Mbps |
140 Channels |
Unlimited |
$187.99 |
|
Internet Gigablast + Contour TV Preferred + Voice |
1000 Mbps |
140 Channels |
Unlimited |
$217.99 |
Fiber internet service
- Download
- 300-5,000 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $55-180
Pros
Flexible bundling options
Quickly expanding fiber network
DSL service available
Extensive rural availability
Cons
Data caps on some plans
Contract required for best deals
AT&T offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $55.
AT&T Internet Only Plans
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet 300 |
300 Mbps |
|
|
$55.00 |
|
Internet 500 |
500 Mbps |
|
|
$65.00 |
|
Internet 1000 |
1000 Mbps |
|
|
$80.00 |
|
Internet 2000 |
2000 Mbps |
|
|
$110.00 |
|
Internet 5000 |
5000 Mbps |
|
|
$180.00 |
AT&T TV Plans
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Entertainment |
|
160 Channels |
|
$64.99 |
|
Choice |
|
185 Channels |
|
$69.99 |
|
Ultimate |
|
250 Channels |
|
$89.99 |
AT&T Triple Play Bundles
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet 300 + Entertainment TV + Phone |
300 Mbps |
160 Channels |
Unlimited |
$154.98 |
|
Internet 300 + Choice TV + Phone |
300 Mbps |
185 Channels |
Unlimited |
$159.99 |
|
Internet 300 + Ultimate TV + Phone |
300 Mbps |
250 Channels |
Unlimited |
$179.99 |
- Download
- 300-940 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $50-90
Pros
100% fiber network
Speed options up to Gigabit
Equal upload and download speeds
No contracts
Good customer service reputation
Cons
Limited availability
Fees can add up
Verizon FiOS offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $50.
Verizon FiOS Internet Only Plans
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fios Internet 300 Mbps |
300 Mbps |
|
|
$49.99 |
|
Fios Internet 500 Mbps |
500 Mbps |
|
|
$69.99 |
|
Fios Gigabit Internet |
940 Mbps |
|
|
$89.99 |
Verizon FiOS TV Plans
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Your Fios TV |
|
125 Channels |
|
$70.00 |
|
More FIos TV |
|
300 Channels |
|
$90.00 |
|
The Most Fios TV |
|
425 Channels |
|
$110.00 |
Verizon FiOS Triple Play Bundles
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Your Fios TV + Internet 300 + Home Phone |
300 Mbps |
125 Channels |
Unlimited |
$139.99 |
|
More Fios TV + Internet 300 + Home Phone |
300 Mbps |
300 Channels |
Unlimited |
$159.99 |
|
The Most Fios TV + Internet 300 + Home Phone |
300 Mbps |
425 Channels |
Unlimited |
$179.99 |
Frontier Internet
- Download
- 50-1,000 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $50-80
Pros
No data caps
Solid speeds to some rural areas
Good range of plans
TV and phone bundles available
Price lock or no-contract options
Cons
Contract required with fiber
Fiber isn't widely available
Some reports of hit or miss DSL speeds
Frontier offers internet & landline services with plans starting at $50.
Frontier Internet Only Plans
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
FiberOptic 50 |
50 Mbps |
|
|
$49.99 |
|
FiberOptic 500 |
500 Mbps |
|
|
$59.99 |
|
FiberOptic Gig |
1000 Mbps |
|
|
$79.99 |
Satellite internet service
- Download
- 25 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $50-100
Pros
No surprise mid-contract rate hikes
Clear and simple plans and pricing
Available nationwide
Cons
Very low data caps
Only one speed option
HughesNet offers internet service with plans starting at $50.
HughesNet Internet Only Plans
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet 30GB |
25 Mbps |
|
|
$49.99 |
|
Internet 50GB |
25 Mbps |
|
|
$64.99 |
|
Internet 100GB |
25 Mbps |
|
|
$99.99 |
- Download
- 25-100 Mbps
- Channels
- Calls
- Monthly Price
- $70-200
Pros
Several speed choices
Wide range of plans
Fast speeds for satellite
Wide availability
Cons
Low high-speed data caps
Additional fee if not signing contract
Limited HD streaming resolution
No TV bundles
Viasat offers internet service with plans starting at $70.
Viasat Internet Only Plans
Package |
Internet |
TV |
Phone |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet 25 |
25 Mbps |
|
|
$69.99 |
|
Internet 50 |
50 Mbps |
|
|
$99.99 |
|
Internet 75 |
75 Mbps |
|
|
$149.99 |
|
Internet 100 |
100 Mbps |
|
|
$199.99 |
5G internet service
Carrier |
Network | Data |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Verizon & T-Mobile | 2GB |
$10/mo |
|
AT&T & T-Mobile | 5GB |
$15/mo |
|
T-Mobile | 15GB |
$20/mo |
|
T-Mobile | 20GB |
$25/mo |
|
AT&T & T-Mobile | Unltd |
$25/mo |
Internet service in my area by ZIP code
When you search Internet service providers by ZIP code, you're able to see which cable providers (and non-cable) have a hub in your area. It's not a foolproof method (as I will explain later in this guide) however it does deliver highly accurate and useful results for the majority of consumers.
When you enter your information into our ZIP code checker tool, you will see information pertaining to the providers available in your area. This information includes:
A list of Internet providers available in your area (keep in mind that the ISP could be a small business)
Connection speeds offered by each provider
Starting rates for service along with those for the provider's cable and Internet bundles
Provider phone numbers in case you want to order over the phone rather than online
Once you have an idea of which companies serve your residence, you can focus your in-depth research on only those providers. Having the relevant information aggregated into once place saves you time and makes it easy for you to choose the best Internet service for your budget and needs.
Best internet services in my area
One thing you'll want to carefully assess when you search for Internet providers by ZIP code is the type of connection each provider offers. Knowing how to differentiate between each delivery method will equip you to effectively compare Internet providers.
The following are the most common types of connections you will encounter when you search Internet providers by ZIP code.
Cable internet
Cable Internet is the most common high-speed Internet delivery method in the U.S. Cable is convenient because it uses existing cable TV wiring. It can deliver speeds up to 100Mbps, although new innovations are being used in test markets to deliver 1000 Mbps speeds through regular copper coaxial cable. AT&T U-verse high-speed Internet and Xfinity Internet are a couple of high-speed internet services that rely on cable, though they both have their own fiber-optic network.
Fiber internet
If you're looking for high-speed Internet providers by ZIP code with the ultimate goal of finding the fastest Internet provider in your area, one which offers fiber optic service may be the solution. Fiber is mainly available in large metropolitan areas, with about one-fourth of Americans having access to this option. Fiber offers both a download speeds and upload speeds from 100Mbps to a gigabit or more. Another advantage of fiber is that it usually comes with an unlimited Internet plan, meaning you won't have to worry about data caps or overage charges. Verizon FiOS is one high-speed Internet service provider that brings users a fiber-optic broadband connection.
DSL internet
DSL Internet also connects you to the world wide web via your phone line, except you can get speeds up to 15Mbps. DSL Internet is available in many of the same rural areas as dial-up, along with urban areas as well. Many high-speed Internet providers, such as Time Warner Spectrum, offer DSL Internet.
Satellite internet
Satellite Internet service is available virtually everywhere thanks to the power of the satellite dish. Satellite broadband is one of the faster rural broadband Internet connection options, with speeds of up to 25Mbps, but it isn't usually the most affordable type if you're in an urban or suburban area.
Wireless internet
The primary types of wireless Internet service providers available to consumers offer portable Wi-Fi hubs which allow you to hop online no matter where you are. There is a new breed of wireless Internet service designed for home use, however, you won't likely see it quite yet when searching Internet providers by ZIP code because it is in its infancy.
5G internet
Mobile broadband (i.e. 3G and 4G data) is not a cheap Internet option, but it's good for those who are constantly on the road (or in the air). Mobile broadband service can be purchased from a wireless cell phone provider such as Verizon, AT&T, H2O Wireless, and more. You can surf the web by using your mobile broadband connection directly through your phone or through a wireless hotspot device such as a mobile hotspot.
If you live in a fairly populated area, you will likely see at least one broadband internet provider among your options when you search Internet providers by ZIP code, with at least one cable option alongside two or more choices for a satellite dish, DSL, or other types of broadband connections. However, if you happen to live in an extremely rural area, you may be limited to a dial-up connection or satellite Internet service.
Comparing internet service in my area
Here are a the key factors to take into consideration:
Internet speed - 25 Mbps is sufficient for email, browsing the web, watching HD videos, and playing games. Look for 100 Mbps or more if multiple people in the house stream video, download large files, and/or engage in competitive online games.
Pricing - Watch out for the limited time promotional offers: rates typically jump significantly at the end of the promotional period. Save money by shopping cable TV and internet bundles or internet and phone bundles.
Equipment - The most economical choice is to buy your own modem. Most large internet providers provide their customers with a list of approved equipment you can purchase. Additionally, if you want wireless internet you'll need a decent quality router.
Contract & fees - Commitment terms vary widely. Cheap internet providers usually require at least a one-year contract in order to get their advertised pricing. If you want to avoid a contract you may end up paying a little more per month.
Data caps -It's frustrating to hunt down, say, the best internet for gaming, only to find that you tear through your data allotment halfway through the billing cycle. Make sure you read the terms and conditions.
Customer service -We've all been there - the internet suddenly goes down for no apparent reason. You don't have time to sit on hold for hours, waiting for a tech to get to you. Check out the American Customer Satisfaction Index to see which companies rate the highest.
Cheapest internet service in my area
| Provider | Download | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|
|
100 Mbps | $54.99 |
|
60-1,000 Mbps | $19.99-79.99 |
|
100-1,000 Mbps | $19.99-54.99 |
|
50-940 Mbps | $29.99-59.99 |
|
12-500 Mbps | $34.95-149.95 |
|
200-1,000 Mbps | $35.00-55.00 |
|
300-1,000 Mbps | $39.99-79.99 |
|
|
400-1,200 Mbps | $39.99-79.99 |
|
400-1,000 Mbps | $39.99-59.99 |
|
100-1,000 Mbps | $45.00-125.00 |
Internet providers by state
Internet service in my area FAQs
What is the best internet service in my area?
All internet providers offer different benefits so it depends on your needs. You can use our ZIP code checker to see what internet services are available in your area. Including fiber-optic, cable, DSL, and satellite.
What is the fastest internet service in my area?
You can check your ZIP code to see which internet providers are available in your area. Also, Speedtest.net provides internet speeds based on provider and connection type.
Recap
Your job isn't over just because you're done searching Internet providers by ZIP code using our ZIP code checker tool.
Next, you need to research the details of each plan, decide whether you're going to bundle other services like cable and phone into your package, and then try to negotiate the best rate you can get.
Don't forget to read up on the best Internet providers so you can be totally prepared when the time comes to make a decision.
