The Best Internet for Streaming

We used our 8+ years of experience to find the best internet service providers for streaming.

Best Performance
ATT
AT&T Fiber
3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9
Prices
$55-$245
Download Speeds
100-5000 Mbps
Upload Speeds
100-5000 Mbps
Data Cap
Unlimited
Fastest download speeds
Google Fiber
Google Fiber
4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8
Prices
$70-$150
Download Speeds
1000-8000 Mbps
Upload Speeds
1000-8000 Mbps
Data Cap
Unlimited
Best Fiber Alternative
Verizon
Verizon Fios Home Internet
4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1
Price Range
$49.99–$109.99 with AutoPay
Download Speeds
300-2300 Mbps
Upload Speeds
10-2300 Mbps
Data Cap
Unlimited
Best Cable Internet
Xfinity
Xfinity Internet
3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8
Prices
$9.95-$75
Download Speeds
50-1200 Mbps
Upload Speeds
10-35 Mbps
Data cap range
1.2 TB
Best Cable Alternative
Spectrum
Spectrum Internet®
3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7
Prices
$25-$70
Download Speeds
50-1000 Mbps
Upload Speeds
4-35 Mbps
Data Cap
Unlimited
Brenna Elieson
Oct 10, 2024
Icon Time To Read7 min read

If you'd like to stream a movie on Hulu smoothly, listen to Spotify without pausing to load, or broadcast your live stream on Twitch without buffering, you'll want to ensure you have the correct download and upload speeds.

We created a top five list of internet service providers (ISPs) for streaming anything and everything because we know how frustrating sloooooow internet speeds can be.

So, let’s find the best internet service for you to support your marathon-watching and 24/7 music-listening demands.

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What are the best internet providers for streaming video?
Provider
Monthly price
Download speeds
Data cap
Details
AT&T Fiber$55–$225*100-5000 MbpsUnlimited
Verizon Fios Home Internet$49.99-$109.99300-2300 MbpsUnlimited
Xfinity Internet$9.95-$7550-1200 Mbps1200 Mbps
Google Fiber$70-$150^1000-8000 MbpsUnlimited
Spectrum Internet®$25-$7050-1000 Mbps°Unlimited
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
* Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes $ fees. Limited availability. May not be available in your area.
Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Fios plan prices include taxes & fees
Pricing for some packages are for the first 12 months. Some packages require a 1- or 2-year contract.
^ Plus taxes and fees. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.
° 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.

What to look for in an internet provider for streaming

Speed, a reasonable price, and an unlimited data cap are what we’re looking for.

We're here to help you find an internet service that gives you uninterrupted streaming.  We’re talking streaming that doesn't pause during your Ted Lasso marathon or lag when you’re searching for new TV shows on Peacock.

We want sufficient speed.

Internet service provider features that work best for streaming

  • Sufficient download and upload speed
  • Fair price for the speeds you get
  • Unlimited data cap

The best internet connection you could get is fiber, but it’s also the least available across the U.S. (sigh). Fiber internet's speed performance is top-tier compared to cable and DSL, but cable is a solid second choice if fiber isn't available near you.

Fiber internet will give you equal download and upload speeds, ensuring stability and reliability when streaming. You’ll hardly witness lag while streaming video. Cable doesn’t have the upload speeds that fiber does, but it still gives you fast download speeds.

Luckily, you don’t need the most expensive plan to find the speeds you need. We recommend 25–50Mbps per person for streaming, so 100–200Mbps will likely fit you or your small family’s needs. If you have a lot of connected devices or internet users at home, then you should look into 1,000Mbps to ensure you have enough bandwidth.

AT&T Fiber is the best fiber internet provider in our experience, and you’ll notice the other four internet providers that made our list here are also on the list of fastest internet providers.

Our favorite Xfinity deal
deals badge

Save 40% on top streaming services

New and existing Xfinity TV or Internet customers can add StreamSaver for just $15 per month and get Peacock Premium with ads, Apple TV+, and Netflix Standard with ads.

That's three streaming services for the price of one! And the savings are no joke–without StreamSaver, all three services would cost $29.95 per month.

AT&T Fiber: Best performance

AT&T Fiber is our favorite fiber internet service, with the best pricing for lower-speed fiber plans.
ATT
AT&T Fiber
3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9
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    Starting at $55/mo
  • Icon Blank
  • pro
    Best lower-speed fiber prices
  • pro
    Wide coverage across the U.S.
  • pro
    Available in 21 states

All fiber-optic internet service providers have limited availability across the U.S., but if AT&T Fiber is offered in your area, grab it.

AT&T Fiber is the best internet for streaming because it’s ultrafast, reliable, and high-performing. Its download and upload speeds are symmetrical, so you won’t experience lag, pausing, buffering, or any of that annoyance.

But even more important, among all fiber ISPs, this one has the widest coverage across the U.S.

You'll also find low to average pricing with AT&T Fiber. This internet provider's best deal is the $55/month plan for 300Mbps download speeds. Or hey, for $10 more, you could get 500Mbps so the whole family can stream a TV series on their smartphones simultaneously.

The gig plan is $80 per month, but if Google Fiber is available in your area, you can get these same speeds for $10 less. And if fiber internet isn't available in your area, Xfinity has a 1 gig plan for $60 per month.

How much does AT&T fiber internet cost?
Plan
Monthly price
Download speeds
Details
AT&T Fiber Internet 100$60/mo.**Up to 100 Mbps
AT&T Fiber Internet 300$55/mo.††Up to 300 Mbps
AT&T Fiber Internet 500$65/mo.Up to 500 Mbps
AT&T Internet Fiber 1 GIG$80/mo.††Up to 1000 Mbps
AT&T Internet Fiber 2 GIG$145/mo.††Up to 2000 Mbps
AT&T Internet Fiber 5 GIG$245/mo.††Up to 5000 Mbps
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
** Above pricing is after $10/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount with a debit card or bank account; if using a credit card, then price is $5/mo more. Pricing includes Equipment Fee. Up to $99 install fee may apply, plus tax where applicable.
†† Above pricing is after $10/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount with a debit card or bank account; if using a credit card, then price is $5/mo more.

Can I get a deal with AT&T Fiber?

When you bundle AT&T Internet with AT&T Wireless, you can save $20 per month.

Something we really love that AT&T does is pay your cancellation fee if you get charged when switching over from your previous internet provider to AT&T Fiber.

Also, depending on the AT&T internet plan you choose, you will receive a $150–$200 Reward Card that you can use toward your bill whenever you’d like.

Google Fiber Internet: Fastest download speeds

Google Fiber delivers the fastest download speed you can find and for a great price.
Google Fiber
Google Fiber
4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8
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    Starting at $70
  • Icon Blank
  • pro
    Up to 8Gps speeds
  • pro
    Low prices for high speeds
  • pro
    Expanding coverage

Google Fiber offers some of the fastest internet speeds you can find—all for an unbeatable price. (This ISP came close to first on this list, but it’s not as widely available as AT&T Fiber.)

Google Fiber’s 1 gig plan for $70 per month is the cheapest you’ll find with any fiber internet provider. And if you want 8x that speed, you’ll only need to pay about double that of the 1 gig plan for the 8 gig.

Google Fiber is available in only 13 cities, but if you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ll get to enjoy quick speeds that allow you to stream seamlessly. There will be no buffering during your movie marathon or while you’re trying to keep the kids entertained with Disney+.

How much does Google Fiber Internet cost?
Plan
Price
Download speeds
Details
1 Gig$70/mo.^Up to 1000 Mbps
2 Gig$100/mo.^Up to 2000 Mbps
5 Gig$125/mo.‡‡Up to 5000 Mbps
8 Gig$150/mo.‡‡Up to 8000 Mbps
^ Plus taxes and fees. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.
‡‡ Available in select markets only. Plus taxes and fees. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.

Verizon Fios Home Internet: Best fiber alternative

Verizon Fios Internet is one of the best internet providers if you live on the East Coast.
Verizon
Verizon Fios Home Internet
4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1
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    Starting at $49.99/mo (with AutoPay)
  • Icon Blank
  • pro
    Fairly priced internet speeds
  • pro
    Fios TV bundles with loads of channels
  • pro
    Availability only on the East Coast

Verizon Fios Internet uses a fiber connection that gives you fast download and upload speeds, low latency, and great pricing for your wallet. Stream NFL games on a Sunday afternoon without any lagging interruptions.

Sounds like the perfect service, right? The only thing holding us back from making Verizon Internet our first option is its extremely limited availability in the U.S. (we’re talking nine states).

We hope one day Verizon Fios will come around. Literally.

We recommend the Fios 300 Mbps plan if you have a small family or the Fios 500 Mbps plan if you have a family of four that uses the internet constantly.

If you have a bigger family or plan to download and upload multiple files simultaneously, you will be satisfied by Verizon's Fios 1 Gig.

How much does Verizon Fios Home Internet cost?
Plan
Price
Download speeds
Details
Fios 300 Mbps$49.99/mo. w/ Auto Pay^^Up to 300 Mbps
Fios 500 Mbps$74.99/mo. w/ Auto Pay°°Up to 500 Mbps
Fios 1 Gig$89.99/mo. w/ Auto Pay°°Up to 940 Mbps
Fios 2 Gig$109.99/mo. w/ Auto Pay^^Up to 2300 Mbps
^^ Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans.Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon's terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet.
°° Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon's terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet.

Can I get a deal with Verizon Internet?

When you bundle Verizon Fios Home Internet with a Verizon 5G Mobile plan through Verizon's myPlan customization service, you can get a discount for $20 per month.

When you order the Internet 1 Gig or 2 Gig plan, you can choose between a free NFL Sunday Ticket subscription or save $400 on Samsung home appliances at The Home Depot. You’ll also get a $100 Verizon Gift Card when you order online.

And if you’re in the area where Verizon Home Internet is serviced, you can’t pass up Verizon Fios TV. Only a couple of TV providers offer more than 425 channels.

Xfinity Internet: Best Cable Internet

Xfinity gives you a great price, but make sure you’ll be OK without an unlimited data cap.
Xfinity
Xfinity Internet
3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8
  • Icon Blank
    Starting at $9.95/mo
  • Icon Blank
  • pro
    Xfinity has the best price and speeds for cable internet
  • pro
    This ISP has a data cap of 1.2 TB

If fiber isn’t available in your area, cable internet is just behind in performance (because of its slower upload speeds). Expect reliability and stability while streaming NBA games, music, or The Last of Us with Xfinity Internet.

Xfinity is our favorite cable internet service because its dollar-to-Mbps ratio is unmatched and available in 41 states. But keep in mind that the prices will vary depending on which part of the country you live in.

We also like how Comcast Xfinity offers six different internet plans, so you can find download speeds that fit your and your family’s needs. Not sure how much download speed you need? Check out our internet speed guide.

We like Fast for families of two or three who might work from home before their night of Max streaming. Or grab Superfast for families of four who work remotely, video stream, use smart home devices, scroll on social media, and download files.

We’re not sure why the 800Mbps plan is the same price as the 1,000Mbps plan, but we say jump on that Gigabit plan while it’s still $60 per month.

How much does Comcast Xfinity Internet cost?
Plan
Price
Download speeds
Upload speeds
Details
Connect$19.99/mo. for 12 mos. w/1 yr contract.***Up to 150 MbpsUp to 10 Mbps
Connect More$30/mo. for 24 mos.†††Up to 300 MbpsUp to 10 Mbps
Fast$50/mo. for 24 mos.‡‡‡Up to 500 MbpsUp to 10 Mbps
Superfast$60/mo. for 24 mos.‡‡‡Up to 800 MbpsUp to 20 Mbps
Gigabit$65/mo.‡‡‡Up to 1000 MbpsUp to 35 Mbps
Gigabit Extra$75/mo. for 24 mos.Up to 1200 MbpsUp to 35 Mbps
*** For 12 months with 1-year term contract. Taxes and equipment not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Prices may vary by location.
††† For 24 months. No term contract. Taxes not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Prices may vary by location.
‡‡‡ For 24 months. No term contract. Taxes not included. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Not available in all areas. Prices may vary by location.

Can I get a deal with Comcast Xfinity Internet?

When you bundle Xfinity Internet with Xfinity Mobile, you can save $20 per month with the 200Mbps plan or $45 off your bundle when you order 400Mbps and higher.

New Xfinity customers can currently get 300Mbps internet for $30 per month for two years with free Wi-Fi equipment.  

You can also bundle Xfinity’s internet with Xfinity TV, home phone, and home security.

Spectrum Internet: Best cable alternative

Spectrum Internet is a little pricier than Xfinity, but you’ll get an unlimited data cap.
Spectrum
Spectrum Internet
3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7
  • Icon Blank
    Starting at $50/mo
  • Icon Blank
  • pro
    Unlimited data
  • pro
    For $20, you'll get 30 Mbps

If Xfinity isn’t available where you live, Spectrum Internet is our second favorite cable internet service.

Spectrum’s internet plans cost $10–$30 more per month than Xfinity’s, and if you’re thinking about bundling with TV, we like Xfinity TV’s channel lineup better.

But we do like how Spectrum doesn't require you to sign a contract and doesn't have a data cap. Now, this could be worth that extra $10–$30 per month.

With an unlimited data cap and Spectrum’s download speeds, you have the bandwidth to stream and use the internet and Wi-Fi without worrying about an extra cost or internet throttling

How much does Spectrum Internet cost?
Plan
Price
Speed
View plans
Spectrum Internet Premier$50/mo. for 12 mos.Up to 500 Mbps
Spectrum Premier w/ Spectrum Advanced WiFi$60/mo. for 12 mos.Up to 500 Mbps
Spectrum Internet Gig$70/mo. for 12 mos.Up to 1000 Mbps
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.

Can I get a deal with Spectrum Internet?

Spectrum offers a free unlimited mobile line for 12 months when you order Spectrum Internet Premier or Gig. Most internet providers offer a discount on an internet and mobile bundle, but Spectrum decided to up its game.

Recap: Best internet service provider for streaming

If fiber internet is in your neighborhood, grab that. If not, cable is the next best option.
  • AT&T Fiber has five internet plans ranging from $55–$150 for 300–5,000Mbps download speeds. Its upload speeds are symmetrical (the same Mbps as its download speeds), allowing for less lag and buffering during live TV streaming.
  • Google Fiber has the best pricing for fast speeds but isn’t as widely available across the U.S. as AT&T is. With Google Fiber, you can get 1 Gig internet for as low as $70 per month or 8,000Mbps for $150. If you want the fastest speeds, you’ll find it with Google.
  • Verizon Fios Home Internet is only available on the East Coast. If you live in this area, you’ll find the best internet and TV deal with Verizon. Verizon Internet has three plans for $50, $75, $90, and $110 (with AutoPay) for 300, 500, up to 940, and 2,300 Mbps speeds.
  • Xfinity Internet is our favorite cable internet service provider. You can get 150Mbps for only $20 or 1 gig for the best price on the market at $60. But Xfinity has six plans to fit any household depending on its streaming habits and other internet activity.
  • Spectrum Internet costs $10–$30 more per month than Xfinity, but if you like the freedom of no contracts or data caps, Spectrum is your best choice. With an unlimited data cap, you can stream 24/7 without worrying about an extra fee or slowed-down internet.

Methodology

When it comes to finding the best internet service for streaming, we sifted through dozens of internet providers and plans with the following in mind:

  1. Connection type (fiber, cable, DSL, satellite)
  2. Company reliability and reputation
  3. Fair pricing for internet speed performance
  4. Data caps

Fiber internet is best, cable is good, and DSL is better than satellite internet. Fiber will give you great speed and low latency when you're streaming Yellowstone, while satellite is the best option if you can't access other internet connections.

We only recommend reliable and trusted companies because we wouldn’t recommend something we don’t want for ourselves.

We value fair pricing for what you get, so this will always be in consideration when we rank our favorite providers.

Brenna Elieson
Written by
Brenna has been writing for Reviews.org since 2021. Always a lover of poetry and the arts, she discovered her knack for academic writing while earning her degree in English and literature from Utah Valley University. She loves horror movies, being creative in any capacity, and watching all the reality TV she can get her hands on.

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