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#1 Recommended Plan
1. AT&T Speeds Up To300 MbpsIn rare cases, if your usage is contributing to congestion on the network, AT&T will greatly reduce your speed for a min. of 30 min.Connection: 5G InternetAvailability: 85.7%Why AT&T? AT&T Internet Air makes buying internet easy for customers by offering one plan with straightforward pricing and reliable 5G speeds. -
6. 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: 78.9%Boston speed tests confirm high speeds for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
Internet Providers in Boston, MA
Refine your search for better results:
Popular Boston Internet Deals
| Provider | Featured deal | |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Get a 43" Class QF QLED Samsung TV or Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G on us! |
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| 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 |
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| 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. |
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| 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! |
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| Astound Broadband | Get a $300 Amazon.com gift card when you subscribe to the 1.5 Gig service with Wi-Fi! |
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Boston Home Internet Providers
| Provider | Plans starting at | Speeds up to | Connections | |
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| Starry Internet | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 1 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber, Fixed Wireless |
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| Verizon | $35/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | DSL, Fiber, 5G Internet |
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| Hughesnet | $39.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 100 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite |
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| Xfinity | $40/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Cable, Fiber |
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| Astound Broadband | $40/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber, Cable |
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| 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 |
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| EarthLink | $54.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 940 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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| AT&T | $65/mo Price is per month, plus taxes. Price after discounts: $13/mo w/elig wireless svc. and $5/mo w/elig Autopay & Paperless bill. Discounts start w/in 2 bills. | 300 Mbps In rare cases, if your usage is contributing to congestion on the network, AT&T will greatly reduce your speed for a min. of 30 min. | 5G Internet |
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| XNET WiFi | $65/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
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| 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 |
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| Starlink | $80/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 350 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite |
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Best Internet Providers in Boston, MA
The best internet provider in Boston is Verizon Fios, the top fiber provider in the city. Fiber is the fastest and most reliable connection type. Boston has two fiber providers, the other being EarthLink Fiber.
Comparing the two, customer favorite Verizon Fios offers symmetrical fiber speeds up to 2 Gbps. Fios' internet plans start at $49.99 per month, and many customers choose to get more value out of the service by bundling Fios TV, mobile, and home phone services. Bundles start at $34.99 per month. EarthLink Fiber has comparable speeds reaching 940 Mbps and similar coverage to AT&T Internet Air as well. EarthLink Fiber's prices start at $54.95 per month. EarthLink Fiber is the more affordable option if you can choose from either fiber provider. Most likely, the decision will come down to which is available in your neighborhood.
If you don't have access to fiber, your best fallback option is cable internet. Xfinity is the most widely available in Boston, offering download speeds up to 2 Gbps. Though sometimes maligned by locals for its monopoly status, Xfinity remains undeniably popular for its high speeds and great customer service. Xfinity internet plans start at $40, but many customers choose to bundle phone and TV. Bundles start at $45. If you want cable internet and you're not a fan of Xfinity, look at Astound Broadband Powered by RCN (formerly known simply as "RCN"). It offers speeds comparable to Xfinity, though not as fast, but has a solid reputation for customer service, albeit in a limited geographic footprint.
New customers in Boston get the best deals on internet plans by checking out promotions from internet providers. Major national providers like Verizon Fios and Xfinity usually offer deals that can make a big difference to your internet bill. Currently, Verizon Fios offers $250 in Amazon Gift Cards when you order the Fios 1 Gig, Fios 2 Gig or 5G Home Ultimate plans. You can also get a $100 Amazon Gift Card with the Fios 500 Mbps, Fios 300 Mbps, 5G Home Plus or 5G Home plans from Verizon. Xfinity is also offering its StreamSaver program for $15 per month, which comes with Apple TV+, Peacock Premium and Netflix Standard subscriptions. Deals change frequently, sometimes more than once a month, so check back regularly for updated promotions.
For those in need of a wireless internet option, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet is a great alternative, especially if local wired providers are limited or costly. Powered by the latest 5G tech, it can deliver speeds up to 415 Mbps through nearby cell towers, provided your gateway has an unobstructed path.
| Provider | Why they're great | Who they're great for | |
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| AT&T | No annual contracts | AT&T Internet Air is ideal for renters and flexible households who want high-speed internet without being locked into an annual contract. |
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| Verizon | Fastest provider | Verizon Fios is a powerhouse for large households and power users who need extreme fiber speeds for flawless high-definition streaming. |
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| 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. |
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| T-Mobile | Straightforward pricing | Customers who hate hidden costs and want straightforward pricing with no equipment fees and taxes included will love T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. |
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| Viasat | Unlimited data | High-data households wanting consistent streaming and large downloads without worrying about hard data caps will find Viasat a strong choice. |
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Boston Cheapest Internet Plans
Bargain hunters in Boston will find the lowest rates with Verizon 5G Home Internet at $35 per month. This undercuts the city's top provider, Verizon Fios, which starts at $49.99 per month. If a wireless home connection isn't a fit, Xfinity is an excellent alternative offering plans from $40 per month.
| Provider | Plan name | Price | Speeds up to | |
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| Starry Internet | Starry 200 | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 200 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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| Verizon | Verizon Home Internet Lite | $35/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 25 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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| EarthLink | EarthLink Fiber 1 Gig | $39.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 1 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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| 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. |
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| Hughesnet | Lite | $39.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 25 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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Fastest Internet Providers in Boston, MA
Boston's fastest internet company is Verizon Fios, which offers speeds up to 2 Gbps. But that's not your only option: There are several providers in the city offering gigabit speeds more than sufficient for the average user.
Fiber customers will usually get the better deal, even at the same download speeds as a cable competitor, due to "symmetrical" speeds. Fiber upload speeds are just as fast as download speeds, unlike cable internet which prioritizes download speed. That's why Verizon Fios is able to offer gigabit upload speeds as well as download speeds, while its biggest competitor Xfinity only has upload speeds that reach 200 Mbps. If you're online gaming, streaming, or making video calls, this can make a noticeable difference. Fiber internet is also more reliable at peak traffic times.
Don't forget about data caps, which most cable providers have, but fiber providers don't. Data caps can restrict your internet speed and trigger extra charges when you exceed your limit. Verizon Fios customers don't have to worry about it, but Xfinity and Astound Broadband Powered by RCN do enforce them. You can often pay extra for unlimited data, although regular data allowances are usually more than enough for most users.
| Provider | Speeds up to | Connection type | |
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| Verizon | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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| Xfinity | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Cable |
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| Astound Broadband | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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| XNET WiFi | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
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| Starry Internet | 1 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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Compare Top Providers in Your Area
- AT&T Internet vs. Xfinity
- AT&T Internet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- AT&T Internet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- EarthLink vs. Verizon High Speed Internet
- EarthLink vs. Xfinity
- EarthLink vs. AT&T Internet
- Hughesnet vs. Viasat Internet
- Hughesnet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- Hughesnet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Starlink vs. Viasat Internet
- T-Mobile 5G Home Internet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Verizon Fios vs. Xfinity
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 |
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100% |
| 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
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99.2% |
Internet Availability in Boston, MA
Boston has a fair number of internet providers ([count-providers], technically, though that number includes wireless providers); however, most residents will find themselves deciding between just a couple of options.
One option is sure to be Xfinity, which is Boston's dominant cable provider. It doesn't matter if you're in the North End, South Boston, Back Bay, or anywhere else in town (or anywhere in Brookline or Cambridge, for that matter) — you're going to have Xfinity as one of your options. Xfinity covers 99.1% of Boston, which is just about everything other than some parkland and industrial sites.
What will change depending on where you live within Boston is which providers you'll be able to compare to Xfinity. The most important ones to look out for are Verizon Fios (53.0% availability) and EarthLink Fiber (57.5% availability).
So, where can you get fiber internet in general (and our top pick, Verizon Fios, in particular)? Let's start out on the city line, near Boston College. North of BC, in Brighton, Verizon Fios is widely available. That trend continues all the way into Allston — as long as you're to the north of Commonwealth Avenue. South of Comm Ave is a different story: Coverage dries up after a few blocks. Verizon Fios's availability seems to strictly follow the border with Brookline (which, as many Bostonians know, is technically not a part of Boston). You won't find Verizon Fios in Coolidge Corner, we're afraid.
Back in the parts of town that are technically, actually, truly Boston, Verizon Fios is once again widely available; the company serves just about every address in Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, Upham's Corner, and down in Dorchester.
Verizon Fios is pretty widely available along the eastern side of the Brookline border, too. They're missing a few spots near Boston Children's Hospital and Northeastern University, but for the most part they do a great job of covering Mission Hill and Back Bay. Availability is great in the South End; however, it gets a little spotty in the Chinatown area before regaining great coverage in the North End.
Verizon Fios serves South Boston, too — from the heart of Southie up into the up-and-coming Seaport area. Charlestown and East Boston are also covered very well.
It's worth noting that Verizon Fios's tendency to follow the city limits is not just a Brookline thing. Somerville and Cambridge residents will find themselves largely cut off from Verizon Fios, too. How do you like them apples?
| Connection type | Provider with most coverage | Boston availability | Starting price | |
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| Satellite | Hughesnet | 100% | $39.99/mo |
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| DSL | Verizon High Speed Internet | 99.2% | $40/mo |
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| Cable | Xfinity | 99.1% | $40/mo |
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| Fixed Wireless | XNET WiFi | 76.5% | $65/mo |
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| Fiber | Verizon Fios | 53% | $49.99/mo |
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| 5G Internet | Verizon 5G Home Internet | 45.3% | $35/mo |
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Boston Internet Stats
| Average internet monthly cost | Available speed ranges | Available price range | Available connection types |
|---|---|---|---|
| $71.8 | 12 Mbps - 2 Gbps | $20/mo - $205/mo | 5G Internet, Cable, DSL, Fiber, Fixed Wireless, Satellite |
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Best ValueAT&T Internet Air5G InternetInternet Air$65/mo
*Price is per month, plus taxes. Not available in all areas. Price after discounts: 20% w/elig wireless and $5/mo with AutoPay. Discount applied w/in 2 bills. See offer details
$100 Visa Reward Card | Save 20% with Eligible AT&T Wireless Plan-
Download Speeds up to 300 Mbps
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Perfect speeds for most families
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Lowest PriceVerizon Fios5G Internet
Verizon Home Internet Lite$35/mo*Taxes & fees extra and subj. to change. See disclaimer for details. Restrictions apply. See offer details
3-year price lock guarantee-
Download Speeds up to 25 Mbps
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Internet Coverage Map and Store Locations for Boston, Massachusetts
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet in Boston, MA
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.
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