Internet Providers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Best Internet Providers in Philadelphia, PA

Our data shows that Earthlink is the best internet service provider in Philadelphia. Earthlink offers a fiber-optic internet connection, which allows it to offer faster, more reliable internet than most of its competitors. Earthlink’s fiber internet plans start at , and its top plans offer speeds of up to .

Verizon Fios is another strong fiber internet option in Philadelphia. Though not available everywhere, it performs similarly to Earthlink’s fiber plans in our data. Verizon Fios plans can reach speeds of up to 2 Gbps.

With that said, Philadelphia’s primary cable internet provider, Xfinity, offers some very impressive speeds in parts of the city. Xfinity’s speeds top out at around 1 Gbps, though it’s worth noting that cable internet features lower upload speeds more than fiber internet does. Like other cable internet providers, Xfinity offers bundles that combine your internet and certain TV services.

Fastest Internet Providers in Philadelphia, PA

Xfinity, which offers speeds of up to 1 Gbps on its fastest plans, is the single fastest broadband internet service provider in Philadelphia.

When considering speed, remember that fiber internet speeds are “symmetrical,” meaning upload speeds on a fiber network are just as fast as download speeds are. On a cable or DSL connection, that won’t be true. You will get much higher download speeds than upload speeds. Fiber networks are also more reliable at high-traffic time than their cable or DSL counterparts because they’re less susceptible to being overloaded with traffic from your neighbors’ internet usage.

Internet Availability in Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia’s main cable provider, Xfinity, is available all over town. No matter where you live, you should be able to get Xfinity plans and bundles in your area.

Things get a little more complicated when it comes to fiber internet (fortunately, not by much!). Unlike many other cities, Philadelphia is blessed with significant fiber internet coverage from two providers, and most neighborhoods have pretty good coverage.

With the exception of a few areas way down by the stadiums, Verizon Fios has pretty complete coverage in South Philadelphia. Its availability gets a little spottier in Center City, where it varies block by block. But things pick up again in Spring Garden and Northern Liberties. Verizon Fios available remains excellent as you move through neighborhoods to the north of those, all the way up through the Great Northeast.

Our data shows Earthlink’s fiber-optic internet network is as strong and as widely available as Verizon Fios, meaning many Philadelphia residents can choose between two fiber providers.