Best Internet Providers in 2022

Different types of internet connections

Depending on your age, you might remember the days of using a dial-up connection. Though it may seem hard to believe, some people still rely on that type of connection. Before you pick an ISP, you can look at the different types of internet connections to make sure you pick an ISP with the speeds you need.

Dial-up

Dial-up internet isn’t as popular today as it once was. It wasn’t that long ago that it was the only option for your home. To use dial-up today, you need to have a phone line that works with the connection from your ISP. The line dials into the internet and lets you use a connection on a device such as a computer. Though dial-up connections are the only option for people in some parts of the world, you can pick faster connections in most cities. This type of connection has a maximum speed of 56 kbps.

Satellite

Satellite internet from companies like Viasat is a step up from dial-up. They are quite common in rural areas and the countryside. If you live in an area where you need to have a satellite dish to watch TV, this might be your only option. The satellite on your home connects to a satellite in the sky and finds an internet signal that it sends back to your home. While you might enjoy speeds that are fast enough for gaming and streaming, you’re lucky if you find a speed of more than 100 Mbps.

Digital subscriber line

Another option is a digital subscriber line or DSL. Business owners jumped on the technology as soon as it appeared because it allowed them to run meetings from their homes or offices and send emails in a fraction of a second. For DSL internet, you need lines installed near your house that are similar to telephone lines but use broadband technology. While you can use your phone and internet at the same time, you’ll often find that your internet speeds are quite low. Even the best DSL packages have a maximum download speed of around 115-120 Mbps.

Cable

Whether you live in a big city or outside of the city limits, chances are good that you have access to cable internet connections. Spectrum and Xfinity offer this type of internet all across the country. Instead of using phone lines, they work with the existing cable lines in your area. You can get a modem from your ISP and plug it into the wall and screw the cable line into the back. It uses the signal from the cable line to create your internet connection. With the addition of a router, you can use Wi-Fi around your home. Cable internet can hit speeds of 500 Mbps or higher, but you may find that your speed slows down when there is a lot of traffic on your network.

Mobile internet

Mobile internet plans are on the rise because mobile carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon entered the market in recent years. This is a good choice for those who have a mobile tower nearby but are not suitable for all users. Instead of using a dedicated line, your internet connection comes through the carrier’s towers. You can choose between 4G and 5G plans that offer speeds of more than 100 Mbps. Not all carriers offer unlimited data though, which can lead to you picking up some high fees when you go over your limit.

Fiber internet

The best and fastest type of connection is fiber internet. Some of the companies we added to our list use fiber networks, including Google and Verizon. Fiber networks are not available everywhere because it takes a lot of time and money to build the required infrastructure. Most providers let you check your zip code to see if you can sign up. You can add your name to the waiting list to find out when it will become available, too. With a fiber internet connection, you can enjoy speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps.

How does the Affordable Connectivity Program work?

In our descriptions and reviews of different ISPs, we noted that some work with a government program to bring down your monthly costs. The Affordable Connectivity Program is a new program designed by the Federal Communications Commission. A similar program appeared during the Covid pandemic as the FCC noticed that many people in America needed internet at home but could not afford it.

What is the program?

The Affordable Connectivity Program takes $30 off your monthly internet bill as long as you qualify and use the internet at home. If you live on Tribal Lands, you get a $75 discount every month. The program also gives you money for certain tech purchases. When you buy a tablet or a certain computer from a listed provider and put at least $10 but no more than $50 towards the purchase, the program covers the remaining cost up to $100. Each household qualifies for one tech discount and one ISP discount, which you can use every month.

Who qualifies?

Many people qualify for this program but do not know it. You qualify if you received a Pell grant to cover some of your college expenses in the last year or you are on a school lunch program. The program also accepts those who receive government benefits such as SNAP, WIC, SSI, or Medicaid. Some ISPs also allow customers to sign up if their income puts them at 200% or less of the Federal poverty line.

How can you sign up?

Signing up is easy because you can use the official FCC website. The application is available as a file you can download, which lets you print and complete it at home before sending it back. You can also use an online version of the application and submit it directly. Most ISPs have their own applications, too. Visit the website of your ISP and look for the eligibility guidelines. You may need to submit proof of the government benefits you receive or a copy of your paycheck. Once you get approval, the ISP will automatically apply the discount to your monthly bill. You will need to renew your application to show that you qualify every few months or once a year.

What should you consider when choosing an ISP?

Though we gave you lots of information on the top ISPs, you may find yourself overwhelmed and not sure how to pick the right one. We’ll go over some of the top factors you should consider before signing up for any internet plan.

Contract

One big thing to consider is whether you need to sign a contract, especially if you plan to move soon. There’s no guarantee that the ISP you choose today will offer service when you move to a different city or even a different address in the same city. Most contracts last for one year up to two years and have an early termination fee. If you end your service for any reason before your contract is over, you face penalties of $500 and even higher. Some providers offer no-contract plans, but you should always read the fine print. A no-contract ISP might charge you more per month than you would pay with a contract. AT&T and other ISPs now offer no-contract plans that include no fees or penalties.

Bundle packages

As much as you love using the internet at home, you may want an ISP that offers more than just a strong internet connection. Both AT&T and Xfinity offer bundles that come with TV service, and some plans give you access to more than 100 channels, including some in high-definition. You might also get a DVR or another device that lets you pause live TV and record shows when you’re not home. Some ISPs now offer home phone service, too. This gives you a dedicated phone line that does not interfere with your internet connection. You’ll also find plans that include mobile phone service.

Cost

Never pick an ISP unless you’re sure you can afford the monthly fee. While prices start at around $50 a month, they can easily climb to $100 per month or more. Some ISPs do not tell you that you are also responsible for equipment rental fees. For example, you might choose an ISP that offers a $60 monthly fee and find out that you must also pay a $10 fee every month to rent your modem. While some providers let you buy the equipment outright or use your own modem, others require that you use one of their branded products.

Perks

Thanks to the partnerships they have with other companies, many ISPs now offer perks when you sign up as a new subscriber. Free streaming apps are one of the common perks. NBCUniversal introduced Peacock, which lets you watch classic and modern shows, like The Office and Cheers, along with new films that are only available on the app. Disney+ is another popular streaming app that gives you access to almost the entire Disney library. Many ISPs give you free access to one of these apps for 90 days or longer.

Speeds

Looking at both the download and upload speeds will help you see how fast you can use online content. The speed often depends on the type of internet you choose. Fiber is the highest, but cable internet is fast enough for most homes. Do not assume that you should always pick the ISP with the fastest speed. While it’s nice to watch a Netflix show without waiting for it to load, a slower speed plan might cost less and still help you avoid lags and buffering. Download speeds of 100 Mbps are suitable for most internet users.

Discounts

Even if you don’t qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, you might qualify for other ISP discounts. The most common discounts are available for students and people in the military. To get a student discount, you usually need to sign up with a school email address that ends in .edu or show proof that you’re in college. If you’re in the military or a veteran, you need some type of proof of your current or past service. In addition to discounts, ISP offers military and student subscribers other perks like gift cards.

Tech vs. self-install

Though fiber internet is popular with many users, not everyone likes how long it takes to install. When choosing an ISP, think about whether you want to install the equipment on your own or have a tech do it for you. A fiber connection requires that you schedule a tech who will come to your house and install a new jack that works with the line. Even if you pick a cable internet provider, you can arrange for a tech to install and set up your modem as well as your router if you have one. With self-install options, you get a kit and instructions that tell you how to set up all the necessary equipment.

Wi-Fi

Do not assume that all ISPs charge one price for both wired and wireless connections. We noticed that some of these companies charge a lower fee for a wired connection and make subscribers pay an additional fee if they want to use Wi-Fi. A good example is an ISP that supplies you with a free modem. While the modem lets you connect to the internet, it cannot support wireless connections unless you also have a router. A few ISPs only allow customers to use their company’s routers and will charge you for the device and/or a monthly fee to use it.

Data limits

Watching a high-definition video on Netflix uses up to 3GB of data per streaming hour. Similar apps use just as much data, which is why we recommend looking at ISPs that offer unlimited data. A data cap is a limit on how much data you can use per month. When you reach this cap, your ISP will either slow down your speed to a fraction of what it was before or let you use the same speed but charge for each gigabit you use. Unlimited data let you use as much data as you want without incurring any fees.