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Internet Providers in Chicago, Illinois

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About BroadbandNow’s Internet Service Data
BroadbandNow has the most accurate and comprehensive internet service coverage data on the web. Our data sources include the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), user speed tests and coverage data from internet service providers. In addition, we independently source and validate plan and pricing data. read more

Home Internet in Chicago, IL

  • 1. AT&T
    Speeds Up To
    5 Gbps
    See *
    Connection: IPBB, Fiber, 5G Internet
    Availability: 91.2%
    Chicago speed tests confirm high speeds for AT&T Internet
  • 2. Xfinity
    Speeds Up To
    2 Gbps
    * See **
    Connection: Cable
    Availability: 98.6%
    Chicago speed tests confirm high speeds for Xfinity
  • 3. Viasat
    Speeds Up To
    150 Mbps
    * See **
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%
  • 4. T-Mobile
    Download Speeds:
    72 - 245 Mbps
    * See **
    Connection: 5G Internet
    Availability: 62.7%
  • 5. EarthLink
    Speeds Up To
    100 Mbps
    * See **
    Connection: 5G Internet
    Availability: 63%
  • 6. Rise Broadband
    Speeds Up To
    100 Mbps
    * See **
    Connection: Fixed Wireless
    Availability: 80%
  • 7. Hughesnet
    Speeds Up To
    100 Mbps
    * See **
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%
  • 8. XNET WiFi
    Download Speeds:
    25 - 150 Mbps
    * See **
    Connection: Fixed Wireless
    Availability: 23.5%
  • 9. Bertram Internet
    Speeds Up To
    50 Mbps
    * See **
    Connection: Fixed Wireless
    Availability: 3.4%
  • Metronet
    Speeds Up To
    5.12 Gbps
    * See **
    Connection: Fiber
    Availability: 3.8%
  • NITCO
    Speeds Up To
    25 Mbps
    * See **
    Connection: Fixed Wireless
    Availability: 3%
  • RCN
    Speeds Up To
    1.5 Gbps
    * See **
    Connection: Cable, Fiber
    Availability: 22.4%
  • WATCH
    Speeds Up To
    400 Mbps
    * See **
    Connection: Fixed Wireless
    Availability: 4.1%
  • Starlink
    Download Speeds:
    50 - 220 Mbps
    * See **
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%
  • Verizon
    Speeds Up To
    1 Gbps
    * See **
    Connection: 5G Internet
    Availability: 38.9%

Best Internet Providers in Chicago, IL

We recommend AT&T Fiber as the best home internet provider for most users in Chicago. Not to be confused with AT&T’s IPBB offering, AT&T Internet, AT&T Fiber is the brand’s lightning-fast fiber-optic internet service. It offers speeds between 300 Mbps and 5 Gbps, and the best part is that these speeds are symmetrical. AT&T Fiber’s internet-only plans are also affordable, with prices ranging between $55 and $245 per month.

If AT&T Fiber isn’t available in your area of Chicago, look for Astound Broadband Powered by RCN. Formerly just RCN, the broadband provider is a longtime favorite of Chicago locals, and it offers fiber internet in some parts of the city. Its cable options aren’t as quick as its fiber connections, of course, but they’re still worth considering if they’re available in your area. Its top download speeds reach up to 1.5 Gbps, and depending on where you live, you might have access to its cable or fiber internet service.

If you don’t have access to AT&T Fiber or Astound Broadband, your next-best option is the city’s ubiquitous cable provider, Xfinity. Xfinity offers speeds between 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps on a cable connection. Its internet-only plans start at $30 per month, with the higher end at $95 per month. If you’re looking for bundles, Xfinity offers internet, home phone, home security, mobile and TV services that start at $55 per month. Unlike AT&T Fiber, Xfinity plans do have data caps, so we recommend going for fiber internet if you prefer unlimited data.

Beyond fiber and cable internet providers is T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. We like T-Mobile 5G Home Internet as an alternative to these providers because it is easy to setup and it has a simple pricing structure starting at $60 per month (with AutoPay). With speeds between 72 and 245 Mbps, it is also equipped with enough speed to handle most online activities.

Most ISPs offer deals and promotions to new and sometimes current subscribers. For example, some of AT&T’s current promotions include 20 percent off AT&T Fiber when paired with an unlimited wireless plan, an extra $75 reward card when you order AT&T Fiber over the phone using promo code “BACK2SCHOOL” at checkout, and a $150 Visa Reward Card with an AT&T Fiber Internet 1000 plan or higher. While it’s not as much as what AT&T is offering (though AT&T plans can be more expensive overall), T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is also throwing in a $100 Virtual Prepaid Mastercard when you sign up today. These promotions don’t last and change monthly, so be sure to check back frequently for the latest deals so you don’t miss out.

Fastest Internet Providers in Chicago, IL

Metronet is the fastest provider in Chicago, with speeds up to 5.12 Gbps.

Metronet is the fastest of Chicago’s broadband home internet companies. It offers speeds of up to 5 Gbps — more than enough for even the most bandwidth-hungry households.

When shopping for internet, consider how much speed you’ll actually need on your home Wi-Fi. More is always better, of course, but it’s not always cost-effective. Once you get past 1 Gbps, you’re not going to notice much difference in your internet speed with typical use. Keep in mind that fiber networks offer faster upload speeds than cable or DSL ones. Download speed is usually the most important thing, but certain activities — such as video chatting or broadcasting your own stream — demand decent upload speeds.

Another thing you’ll want to consider is data caps. Fiber internet plans usually come with unlimited data, but cable and DSL internet providers will have data caps with their plans. If you choose a plan with a data cap and go over the monthly allotted amount, you’ll be charged a data overage fee, and your internet performance might slow down due to throttling. However, data caps don’t always mean they’re bad, especially if you don’t perform online activities that often. It’s only when you live in a large household with multiple power internet users that you should keep an eye on your data usage.

What’s a Good Internet Speed?

Internet Speed Appropriate For Providers in your Area offering this Speed Availability in your Area
25 Mbps
  • Email
  • Web browsing
  • Light streaming
  • Smaller households
  • NITCO
3%
100 Mbps
  • Streaming
  • Video chat
  • Online gaming
  • Larger households
  • Viasat
  • T-Mobile
  • EarthLink
  • Rise Broadband
  • Hughesnet
  • XNET WiFi
  • WATCH
  • Starlink
100%
1000 Mbps (1 Gbps)
  • Heavy streaming (4K video
  • multiple devices
  • etc.)
  • Video chat
  • Lag-free gaming
  • Large households
  • AT&T
  • Xfinity
  • Metronet
  • RCN
  • Verizon
98.61999999999999%

Learn more about internet speeds:

Internet Availability in Chicago, IL

Chicago is well served by some very fast broadband internet providers, but your options will depend on what neighborhood you live in — and sometimes your exact address. The main difference you’ll see will be the availability of AT&T Fiber and Astound Powered by RCN. (The availability of Xfinity, on the other hand, won’t change much. You can get Xfinity service at virtually any address in the city.)

Where is AT&T Fiber available, and where can you get Astound Powered by RCN in Chicago?

Generally, AT&T Fiber is more widely available on the North Side of Chicago than it is on the South Side. The best-covered areas are mostly found along I-90 as it heads northwest out of downtown. AT&T has great fiber availability in neighborhoods like West Bucktown, Logan Square, Grayland, Albany Park, Montrose, Portage Park, and Northwood Park. Coverage is a little spotter closer to Lake Michigan, in areas such as Ravenswood and the Near North Side, but it’s still worth checking availability at your address if you live in those areas.

Coverage beyond those areas isn’t great. The Loop, Near West Side, and Near South Side don’t have a ton of access to AT&T Fiber, nor do most neighborhoods south or west of those areas.

Frustratingly, Astound Powered by RCN’s fiber internet footprint has a fair amount of overlap with AT&T’s. It does, however, offer fiber service in some areas that aren’t served well by AT&T — most notably the Near North Side, the Loop, West Loop, and the Near South Side. Astound’s cable internet options — which, although not as fast as its fiber offerings, are still very well regarded — are more widely available. Astound covers pretty much the entire North Side of Chicago. It handles a fair bit of the South Side, too, covering most areas between the Dan Ryan Expressway and Lake Michigan as far south as Hyde Park. Don’t expect to see it in neighborhoods on the western side of Chicago though.

Internet Provider Store Locations in Chicago, IL

Provider Connection Types in Chicago, IL

Connection Type About this Connection Type Availability in Chicago, IL
Satellite
  • Available even in very rural areas
  • Typically has high latency (lag)
100%
DSL
  • Typically about 100 Mbps
  • Slower than Cable or Fiber
55.28999999999999%
Cable
  • Typically 250 Mbps - 1 Gbps
  • Widely available
  • A good choice for most users
99.22%
Fiber
  • Typically 1 Gbps or faster
  • Upload speeds match download speeds
33.1%

List of Internet Providers in Chicago, IL

Provider Type Top Speed
AT&T IPBB, Fiber, 5G Internet 5 Gbps
Xfinity Cable 2 Gbps
Viasat Satellite 150 Mbps
T-Mobile 5G Internet 245 Mbps
EarthLink 5G Internet 100 Mbps
Rise Broadband Fixed Wireless 100 Mbps
Hughesnet Satellite 100 Mbps
XNET WiFi Fixed Wireless 225 Mbps
Bertram Internet Fixed Wireless 50 Mbps
Metronet Fiber 5.12 Gbps
NITCO Fixed Wireless 25 Mbps
RCN Cable, Fiber 1.5 Gbps
WATCH Fixed Wireless 400 Mbps
Starlink Satellite 220 Mbps
Verizon 5G Internet 1 Gbps

Internet Providers in Chicago, IL

Provider Plans Starting At Speeds Up To Connections
AT&T Internet $55/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 5 Gbps Ltd. avail/areas. Speeds vary, not g’td. Single devices wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. IPBB, Fiber, 5G Internet
Xfinity $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 2 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Cable
Viasat Internet $99.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 150 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Satellite
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet $60/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 245 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. 5G Internet
EarthLink 5G Home Internet $39.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 100 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. 5G Internet
Rise Broadband $55/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 100 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fixed Wireless
Hughesnet $49.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 100 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Satellite
XNET WiFi $85/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 225 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fixed Wireless
Bertram Internet $59.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 50 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fixed Wireless
Metronet $34.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 5.12 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fiber
NITCO $64.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 25 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fixed Wireless
Astound Broadband Powered by RCN $20/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 1.5 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Cable, Fiber
WATCH Communications $59.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 400 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fixed Wireless
Starlink $120/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 220 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Satellite
Verizon $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 1 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. 5G Internet

Frequently Asked Questions About Internet in Chicago, IL

  • What is the best internet provider in Chicago?

    AT&T Fiber is the best internet service provider in Chicago. With a reliable fiber connection and speeds of up to 5 Gbps, it’s the best choice if your address falls within the 21.2% of Chicago that AT&T’s fiber network covers.

  • What is the fastest internet provider in Chicago?

  • What is the cheapest internet provider in Chicago?

  • Is there financial assistance for internet in Chicago?

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