-
#1 Recommended Plan
1. AT&T 
Speeds Up To5 GbpsLtd. avail/areas. Speeds vary, not g’td. Single devices wired speed maximum 4.7 Gbps.Connection: Fiber, IPBB, 5G InternetAvailability: 81.9%Why AT&T? AT&T Fiber's symmetrical gigabit speeds make it the ideal choice for busy households with streamers, gamers and remote workers. -
2. Xfinity 
Speeds Up To2 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: CableAvailability: 99.1%Chicago speed tests confirm high speeds for Xfinity -
3. Viasat 
Speeds Up To150 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100% -
4. T-Mobile 
Download Speeds:87 Mbps - 415 MbpsRely, All-In, and Amplified Internet plans can experience fast speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 133 Mbps – 415 Mbps. 25% of our customers see speeds below and 25% see speeds above these ranges. T-Mobile Home Internet is delivered via 5G cellular network and speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks. See https://t-mobile.com/OpenInternet for additional details.Connection: 5G InternetAvailability: 75.5%Chicago speed tests confirm high speeds for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet -
5. Mint Mobile 
Download Speeds:133 Mbps - 415 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: 5G InternetAvailability: 71.9%LIMITED TIME OFFERIntroducing 5G Home MINTernet powered by T-Mobile starting at $30/month -
6. Verizon 
Speeds Up To300 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: 5G InternetAvailability: 57.7% -
7. Astound Broadband 
Speeds Up To2 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fiber, CableAvailability: 56.9% -
8. XNET WiFi 
Speeds Up To2 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 65.6% -
9. Starlink 
Speeds Up To350 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100% -
10. Hughesnet 
Speeds Up To100 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100%
Internet Providers in Chicago, IL
Refine your search for better results:
Popular Chicago Internet Deals
| Provider | Featured deal | |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Get up to a $300 Reward Card with purchase of AT&T Fiber! Redemption req’d. |
|
| Xfinity | Get reliable 300 Mbps internet with an Unlimited mobile line for $40/mo for 5 years! With no term contract — Wi-Fi equipment included |
|
| Viasat | Get $30 off for your first 3 months! Price shown includes promotion; Get $30/mo. off for the first 3 months. For new customers only. You must mention this offer when ordering service to receive the discount. |
|
| T-Mobile | Limited time. Get a $300 rebate (via virtual prepaid Mastercard) when you activate a new T-Mobile Internet line on an eligible All-In Home Internet plan! |
|
| Verizon | Get a 43" Class QF QLED Samsung TV or Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G on us! |
|
Chicago Home Internet Providers
| Provider | Plans starting at | Speeds up to | Connections | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Mobile | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 133 Mbps - 415 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | 5G Internet |
|
| AT&T | $34/mo Price is per month, plus taxes. Price after discounts: 20% off w/elig wireless svc. and $10/mo w/elig Autopay & Paperless bill. Discounts start w/in 2 bills. | 5 Gbps Ltd. avail/areas. Speeds vary, not g’td. Single devices wired speed maximum 4.7 Gbps. | Fiber, IPBB, 5G Internet |
|
| Verizon | $35/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 300 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | 5G Internet |
|
| Hughesnet | $39.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 100 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite |
|
| Xfinity | $40/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Cable |
|
| Astound Broadband | $40/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber, Cable |
|
| T-Mobile | $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 87 Mbps - 415 Mbps Rely, All-In, and Amplified Internet plans can experience fast speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 133 Mbps – 415 Mbps. 25% of our customers see speeds below and 25% see speeds above these ranges. T-Mobile Home Internet is delivered via 5G cellular network and speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks. See https://t-mobile.com/OpenInternet for additional details. | 5G Internet |
|
| XNET WiFi | $65/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
|
| Viasat | $69.99/mo Price shown includes promotion; Get $30/mo. off for first 3 months. For new customers only. You must mention this offer when ordering service to receive the discount. | 150 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite |
|
| Starlink | $80/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 350 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite |
|
Best Internet Providers in Chicago, IL
We recommend AT&T Fiber as the best home internet provider for most customers 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 up to 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 $34 and $235 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 up to 2 Gbps on a cable connection. Its internet-only plans start at $40 per month, with the higher end at $70 per month. If you're looking for bundles, Xfinity offers internet, home phone, home security, mobile and TV services that start at $45 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 $50 per month. With speeds up to 415 Mbps, it is also equipped with enough speed to handle most online activities.
| Provider | Why they're great | Who they're great for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Fastest provider | For customers with lots of devices and competitive gamers, AT&T Fiber provides the extreme speeds needed to handle heavy daily internet use. |
|
| Xfinity | Generous sign-up perks | Xfinity is an excellent choice for new customers looking to maximize savings and entertainment with plans that include free premium streaming. |
|
| T-Mobile | Easy installation | T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is perfect for customers who want to skip the technician and get online in minutes with a simple, app-guided setup. |
|
| Astound Broadband | No annual contracts | Astound Broadband is perfect for renters or anyone who wants the freedom to cancel their internet without paying early termination fees. |
|
| Viasat | Widely available | Rural homes near [city] in remote communities where traditional cable and fiber networks cannot go will find a critical lifeline in Viasat. |
|
Chicago Cheapest Internet Plans
For the lowest rates in Chicago, Spectrum is the clear winner with plans from $30 per month. Our top overall pick, AT&T Fiber, starts at $34 per month and delivers incredible value via symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps. Verizon 5G Home Internet is another great budget option at $35 per month.
| Provider | Plan name | Price | Speeds up to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Mobile | 3-month w/ Mint Phone Plan | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 415 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
|
| AT&T | Internet 100 | $34/mo Price is per month, plus taxes. Price after discounts: 20% off w/elig wireless svc. and $10/mo w/elig Autopay & Paperless bill. Discounts start w/in 2 bills. | 100 Mbps Ltd. avail/areas. Speeds vary, not g’td. Single devices wired speed maximum 4.7 Gbps. |
|
| Verizon | Verizon Home Internet Lite | $35/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 25 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
|
| Viasat | Viasat Essentials | $39.99/mo Price shown includes promotion; Get $30/mo. off for first 3 months. For new customers only. You must mention this offer when ordering service to receive the discount. | 50 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
|
| Hughesnet | Lite | $39.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 25 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
|
Fastest Internet Providers in Chicago, IL
AT&T Fiber is the fastest of Chicago's broadband home internet companies. It offers speeds 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 customers that you should keep an eye on your data usage.
| Provider | Speeds up to | Connection type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | 5 Gbps Ltd. avail/areas. Speeds vary, not g’td. Single devices wired speed maximum 4.7 Gbps. | Fiber |
|
| Xfinity | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Cable |
|
| Astound Broadband | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
|
| XNET WiFi | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
|
| T-Mobile | 87 Mbps - 415 Mbps Rely, All-In, and Amplified Internet plans can experience fast speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 133 Mbps – 415 Mbps. 25% of our customers see speeds below and 25% see speeds above these ranges. T-Mobile Home Internet is delivered via 5G cellular network and speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks. See https://t-mobile.com/OpenInternet for additional details. | 5G Internet |
|
Compare Top Providers in Your Area
- AT&T Internet vs. Xfinity
- AT&T Internet vs. Spectrum
- AT&T Internet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- AT&T Internet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Hughesnet vs. Viasat Internet
- Hughesnet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- Hughesnet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Spectrum vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- Spectrum vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Starlink vs. Viasat Internet
- T-Mobile 5G Home Internet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Viasat Internet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
Check Your Current Speed
What's a Good Internet Speed?
| Internet speed | Appropriate for | Providers in your area offering this speed | Availability in your area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Mbps |
|
|
100% |
| 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
|
|
99.1% |
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 Fiber has great 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 Fiber's. It does, however, offer fiber service in some areas that aren't served well by AT&T Fiber — 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.
| Connection type | Provider with most coverage | Chicago availability | Starting price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satellite | Hughesnet | 100% | $39.99/mo |
|
| Cable | Xfinity | 99.1% | $40/mo |
|
| DSL | AT&T Internet | 81.9% | $60/mo |
|
| 5G Internet | AT&T Internet Air | 71% | $65/mo |
|
| Fixed Wireless | XNET WiFi | 65.6% | $65/mo |
|
| Fiber | AT&T Fiber | 21.6% | $34/mo |
|
Chicago Internet Stats
| Average internet monthly cost | Available speed ranges | Available price range | Available connection types |
|---|---|---|---|
| $70.07 | 12 Mbps - 5 Gbps | $20/mo - $235/mo | 5G Internet, Cable, DSL, Fiber, Fixed Wireless, Satellite |
-
Fastest Speed
AT&T FiberFiber
Internet 5000$235/mo*Price is per month, plus taxes. Elig. wireless svc. req'd. and after AutoPay & Paperless bill discount. Ltd. avail/areas. See offer details
Save 20% with Eligible AT&T Wireless Plan | $300 Visa Reward Card-
Download Speeds up to 5 Gbps
Show Details -
-
Best Value
AT&T FiberFiber
Internet 1000$70/mo*Price is per month, plus taxes. Elig. wireless svc. req'd. and after AutoPay & Paperless bill discount. Ltd. avail/areas. See offer details
Save 20% with Eligible AT&T Wireless Plan | $100 Visa Reward Card-
Download Speeds up to 1 Gbps
-
Great for multiplayer gaming and remote work
Show Details -
-
Lowest Price
AT&T FiberFiber
Internet 100$34/mo*Price is per month, plus taxes. Elig. wireless svc. req'd. and after AutoPay & Paperless bill discount. Ltd. avail/areas. See offer details
Save 20% with Eligible AT&T Wireless Plan-
Download Speeds up to 100 Mbps
Show Details -
Internet Coverage Map and Store Locations for Chicago, Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet in Chicago, IL
Methodology
Our provider rankings rely on a rigorous, data-driven framework evaluating over 100 million rows of FCC data to bring transparency to local internet options. We track 8,000+ active plans from 2,000+ providers to cut through marketing jargon. We weigh technical factors against real-world experiences to match you with the best connections actually available at your address:
- Tested Technology: We utilize a fiber-first ranking system, prioritizing high-performance, structurally sound technologies (like fiber and cable) over slower legacy connections.
- Realistic Coverage: We filter out "ghost ISPs" with near-zero availability and actively flag providers that only cover a fraction of neighborhoods, ensuring you don't waste time on unavailable options.
- Transparent Pricing: We track base rates and downgrade providers that rely on hidden fees or sudden price hikes, exposing the true long-term cost beyond initial marketing promotions.
- Verified Speeds: We look beyond deceptive "up to" marketing claims to evaluate the actual download and upload speeds delivered, prioritizing the balanced, symmetrical performance necessary for seamless video calls and heavy streaming.
- User-Driven Personalization: We don't just look at the tech; we look at what people actually prefer. By analyzing millions of local connections, user reviews on downtime, and validated J.D. Power scores, we tailor our rankings to highlight the providers proven to satisfy users in your area.
Are you a journalist or researcher writing about this topic?
Contact us and we'll connect you with a broadband market expert on our team who can provide insights and data to support your work.
Data valid as of 03/18/2026