When it comes to speed and reliability, fiber internet is the way to go, especially if any of these top providers are available.
Article updated on May 1, 2024 at 7:00 PM PDT edge data center
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You'll get a decent value from just about any fiber internet service provider, but AT&T Fiber leads the pack among fiber ISPs withits broad fiber-optic coverage area, varied plan selection, competitive pricing, favorable service terms and leading customer satisfaction record.
Other top fiber internet providers with relatively high availability, fast speeds and straightforward pricing include Frontier Fiber, Quantum Fiber, Kinetic by Windstream and Verizon Fios. If the big-name providers aren't available, check to see if a regional provider, such as Brightspeed or Ziply Fiber, the fastest ISP nationwide, might offer internet service in your area.
You'll find a rundown of the best fiber internet providers, and what makes them stand out, below. All of the best internet providers featured employ a fiber-to-the-home network for the best connection quality, speed and reliability.
Our take - AT&T has the greatest availability of any fiber provider, extending service to more than 16 million potential customers across 21 states. The provider also is among the cheapest when considering cost per Mbps and hidden fees (there aren't any).
All plans, from the budget-friendly 300Mbps plan to multi-gig service, come with free equipment rental, unlimited data and no contracts.
The fast speed, relatively low pricing and customer-friendly service terms have earned AT&T high customer satisfaction ratings in recent years. The American Customer Satisfaction Index gave AT&T Fiber an industry-leading score of 80 out of 100 last year.
Our take - Frontier Communications recently expanded its fiber internet coverage to 19 states and then rolled out a new multi-gig service to the entire footprint all at once, becoming the first major ISP to do so on such a wide scale.
Frontier's new multi-gig plans are priced competitively at $100 a month for speeds up to 2,000Mbps and $155 monthly for the 5-gig plan, but it's the 500Mbps, $45 plan that really stands out. Few providers, fiber or otherwise, offer an entry-level plan with that much speed for the price.
Frontier Fiber plans come with unlimited data and require no contract. Unlike many other providers, Frontier includes the equipment cost with the price, so other than taxes, Frontier plan pricing is very much "what you see is what you pay." Just be sure to sign up for autopay to get the lowest rate.
Our take - Verizon Fios is up there with AT&T Fiber and Frontier Fiber in terms of speed, pricing and service terms, but it lacks the same breadth of coverage. Though available to nearly the same number of potential customers as AT&T Fiber, Verizon Fios primarily serves the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.
Those lucky enough to live in a Verizon Fios service area will likely find the fiber internet service is hard to beat, especially for those looking for a low-cost connection. Starting at just $50 a month, the lowest-price Fios internet plan comes with download and upload speeds of up to 300Mbps. The next speed tier is also a decent value -- $70 a month for up to 500Mbps -- but at $90 per month, gigabit service is priced the same or a touch higher than you'll find with other fiber providers.
Whichever Fios plan you sign up for, expect some enticing extras with your order, like lengthy price guarantees, free streaming subscriptions, electronics, gift cards or other promotional offers.
Our take - Quantum Fiber has fewer plan options than many fiber providers with only 500 and 940Mbps plans available in most service areas, though select locations may have the choice of faster speeds, up to 8,000Mbps. Regardless of the available speeds, Quantum Fiber offers a price for life guarantee.
The price guarantee locks in the monthly internet rate for as long as you keep your service. That doesn't mean your total bill won't ever go up as taxes and fees can inflate the cost, but you won't have to worry about significant and continuous rate increases.
Our take - If you're interested in gig or multi-gig speeds, Google Fiber is the provider for you as plans start at gig speed and only go up from there. With such fast starting speeds, the monthly rate is understandably higher than many internet providers ($70 per month).
Faster speeds will run $100 or more each month, but considering the speeds you get, 2 gig, 5 gig or 8 gig, the cost is well worth it.
Our take - One disadvantage of fiber internet is that it's typically available only in select neighborhoods of larger cities. If you're living in the suburbs or a rural area, then your best chance to get fiber internet is likely Kinetic by Windstream. Roughly a third of Windstream's network -- which spans rural and suburban areas across 18 states -- is fiber optic.
Windstream is one of the best rural internet providers, bringing high-speed connections to places likely underserved by cable or by other fiber internet providers. Those in a Kinetic service area will also appreciate the low pricing -- $40 per month for speeds of up to 100 to 300Mbps, plus 1Gbps and 2Gbps service starting at $75 and $100 per month, respectively. Like most top fiber internet providers, Kinetic internet comes with unlimited data and no contract requirements.
Our take - Ziply Fiber recently rolled out a ridiculously fast 50-gig plan across its entire Northwest footprint in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, making it the fastest internet provider nationwide.
As streaming, online gaming, work from home, and remote schooling have become more commonplace, faster internet speeds are in high demand. Still, 50Gbps is more than the average household will need. For everyone else, Ziply Fiber offers a range of other competitively priced speed tiers from 100 to 10,000Mbps.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Your internet speeds, reliability and overall experience don't depend solely on the internet provider you choose. The technology it uses to run service to your home makes a big difference as well.
Fiber internet is the best type of service for most homes, but there's more to choosing a provider and plan than the connection type. Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for fiber internet service.
Availability. You won't find fiber internet to be available in nearly as many homes as cable, DSL, satellite or even 5G internet. In fact, only around 40% of US households are wired for fiber-optic internet. Availability is scarce in suburban and rural areas, and can vary from one neighborhood to the next in most cities. It's possible fiber internet is just not available at your home or the address you're moving to.
Speeds. Fiber internet has the fastest upload and download speed potential of any type of internet. Many of the top providers offer speed tiers up to 2,000Mbps (2Gbps), 5Gbps and higher. While the blazing-fast speeds are tempting, they're likely to be faster than your home needs. Check out our guide to finding the right internet speed for help selecting a fiber plan that best meets your needs.
Price. If you're looking for cheap internet, fiber may not be your best option. It's true that fiber internet plans are often the best value, but you may find cheaper options from cable or 5G providers.
A few fiber providers offer plans with starting prices as low as $30 per month, but you're more likely to pay at least $50 per month for fiber internet. Cable internet providers including Cox, Mediacom, Xfinity and others have lower-priced plans in many areas. If you are a T-Mobile Magenta Max or Verizon wireless customer, you could get 5G home internet for the discounted price of $25 to $35 per month.
Bundles. Few fiber providers offer a TV service, meaning you may not be able to bundle internet and TV together with the same provider if you choose a fiber internet service. In the days of streaming and cord-cutting, that may not be a deal-breaker for you, but it's something to keep in mind when shopping for both services.
Testing an internet provider the same way CNET tests other products and services is, at best, impractical. Instead, we rely on extensive research of each provider to develop our reviews and recommendations.
When comparing fiber internet providers, availability, speeds and overall value are at the center of our evaluations. We also examine added fees, data caps, contract requirements, customer satisfaction reports and other factors that could affect your quality of service or customer experience.
We refer to the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov for availability data and the type of network a provider uses. We then research a provider's speeds, pricing and service terms through a variety of channels such as the provider's website and our own historical data. When possible, we contact the provider directly to confirm pricing and speed details.
Finally, to develop a more well-rounded perspective of the provider, we consider customer satisfaction reports from the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, as well as customer reviews and complaints from sources such as the Better Business Bureau, downdetector.com and even Reddit.
Before writing our reviews and compiling best lists, we research anything and everything the typical shopper would want to know prior to signing up for home internet service. Read our piece on how we review internet providers to learn more about our review process.
If fiber internet service is available in your area, it's probably worth getting, especially if any of the providers listed above is an option. AT&T is easiest to recommend thanks to its high availability, low costs and favorable service terms, but Verizon Fios is a close second with low pricing, high customer satisfaction and lots of perks for signing up. Google Fiber, Frontier Fiber, Windstream, CenturyLink and Ziply Fiber round out the list of ideal options while providers like EarthLink, Optimum and others are worth a look, too, if available in your area.
Fiber-optic internet sends internet signals via thin glass wires either straight to the home, aka FTTH, or to a node just outside the home, aka FTTN. The technology allows higher bandwidth and faster data transmission than any other connection type, and has the unique capability of delivering symmetrical or near-symmetrical download and upload speeds.
Fiber internet uses a different type of modem than DSL or the DOCSIS equipment used for cable. In fact, fiber technically doesn't use a modem at all, but an optical network terminal that performs the same function.
What is the fastest fiber internet?
Ziply Fiber has the fastest speed tier of any major fiber internet provider with max speeds of 50,000Mbps, or 50Gbps. Many other fiber providers top out at 5Gbps, 2Gbps or 1Gbps.
Is fiber internet worth the money?
Starting prices for fiber internet plans typically range from $30 to $50 a month, with gigabit service ranging from $60 to $80 a month. While there are cheaper plans available with cable or 5G internet service in select areas, fiber service is likely to come with better speed and connection quality for the price.
Is fiber the best internet connection type?
Yes. Fiber-optic internet offers speeds and reliability that other internet connection types simply cannot, and you can get it for around the same monthly price as cable internet or DSL service. The one drawback is availability: Fiber-optic service is only available to about 40% of US residents, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
Will 5G replace fiber-optic internet?
Not likely. While the potential of 5G home internet is promising, it doesn't currently offer the speed or reliability that comes with a fiber-optic connection. That said, the wireless delivery method and rapidly expanding availability make 5G home internet a viable alternative to fiber internet in areas where fiber connections are not yet available.
When will fiber be available near me?
lc type fiber connector If fiber hasn't reached your address yet, I'm sorry to say you'll just have to be patient, as providers are actively expanding their fiber networks across the US. You're more likely to see fiber come to your neighborhood if you live in a city or densely populated area, but providers like Windstream and CenturyLink show that fiber access in suburban and rural areas is also obtainable.