Top internet service providers in NYC
The following ISPs offer high-speed internet, reasonable introductory pricing, and favorable service terms, including contract-free plans and unlimited data, to customers in Manhattan and the wider New York City region. Below are our top choices for the best internet service providers in New York.
Best Internet Provider in New York City: Verizon Fios
Find out if it’s available in your area. Call to order: (877) 939-1265
Product Details:
– Price range: $50 – $120 per month
– Speed range: 300 – 2,000Mbps
– Connection: Fiber
– Highlights: Unlimited data, no contracts, free equipment with gig service.
Verizon Fios offers the typical speed and pricing of a top ISP, but distinguishes itself by providing unlimited data, free equipment without the obligation of a contract, and attractive sign-up bonuses.
Coverage: Verizon internet is accessible in various locations across New York City, however, Verizon Fios, the fiber service of the provider, is not available in all areas. Verizon Fios covers around 90% of Manhattan, comprising most of Midtown Manhattan, Chelsea, Soho, and the Lower East Side.
Plan and pricing details: The service is priced at $50 per month and delivers symmetrical download and upload speeds of up to 300Mbps. This speed is quite generous for an entry-level plan and the affordable pricing makes it one of the top budget-friendly internet plans in New York City.
Speeds of 300Mbps are adequate for the majority of households, particularly apartments. However, if you require a quicker connection for intensive streaming, gaming, or remote work, Verizon Fios also provides a 500Mbps plan and a gig plan.
Verizon’s latest multigig plan offers lightning-fast speeds of up to 2.3Gbps, starting at $120 per month, with eligibility restricted to certain areas only.
As for fees and service particulars, all Fios plans come with the benefit of unlimited data and zero contractual obligations, including special promotions such as free Wi-Fi equipment, streaming services, or gift cards, depending on the preferred plan.
Although bonus promotional offers may be appealing, I contend that the company’s customer satisfaction track record is even more alluring. In recent years, both the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power have ranked Verizon Fios at the pinnacle for ISP customer satisfaction, indicating that numerous New Yorkers are highly content with their Verizon Fios service, even after the complimentary offerings have lost their allure.
Check out our review of Verizon internet.
Check the availability of Verizon Fios or call to order: (877) 939-1265.
Sarah Tew of CNET took note that Spectrum offers the best high-speed internet coverage in New York City. To check availability, one can visit their website or call (877) 348-1908 to place an order. Spectrum’s products include unlimited data, simple pricing, no contracts, a modem and free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots. Their prices range from $50 to $90 per month with speed ranges from 300 to 940Mbps via a cable connection.
Most New Yorkers can expect to have access to Spectrum services at their location, since the coverage reaches all of Manhattan and Staten Island as well as the majority of Queens. However, coverage may be slightly limited in Brooklyn and almost non-existent in the Bronx.
Plan and pricing: Spectrum’s plan and pricing structure is similar to Verizon Fios, providing customer-friendly service terms. This has led to Spectrum being named the best cable internet provider overall by CNET.
Spectrum offers lightning-fast download speeds of up to 940Mbps, which are accessible in over 99% of service locations. This means that regardless of where you are in Spectrum’s service range, you can be assured of a high-speed internet connection. Even their slower speed tiers of 300Mbps and 500Mbps provide a considerable amount of speed for their respective prices.
Rewritten:
Pricing and service information: Spectrum plans have no data caps or contracts. A modem is provided without additional charges, however, if you choose to rent a router for Wi-Fi service, an additional $5 will be added to your monthly fee.
The sole disadvantage of Spectrum is its reliance on a coaxial cable connection. As a consequence, cable internet upload speeds are noticeably slower (Spectrum’s highest reaching only 35Mbps) and your connection may experience reduced speeds caused by network congestion during peak usage periods, which can occur at any time in a city that never rests.
Review Spectrum by reading our Spectrum review.
To check for Spectrum Internet availability, please call (877) 348-1908 to place an order.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Astound Powered by RCN
Ideal Option for Affordable Internet in New York City
Verify Availability Or Contact to Order: (833) 243-1745
Details of the Service
Price Range $20 – $80 per month Speed Range 100 – 1,200Mbps Connection Cable Key Features Unlimited Data, Attractive Promotional Prices, No Commitments
For those seeking affordable internet in New York City, Astound provides the most competitive introductory prices among major ISPs in the region. Astound’s internet service is heavily concentrated in Manhattan, with the highest availability in areas such as the Upper East Side and Bloomingdale, extending all the way to the Financial District. However, serviceability is less widespread in northern neighborhoods like Harlem, Manhattanville, and Sugar Heights, although there are isolated blocks with coverage. Residents in the northern regions of Brooklyn or Queens may also have the option for Astound internet service.
Astound (previously known as RCN, now Powered by RCN) offers affordable plans and pricing in the New York City area. Their 600Mbps internet deal starts at $35 per month with one month free and free installation, making it one of the best options available. Even their gig service is priced low, starting at $50 per month and offering two free months and free installation.
Fees and Service Details: Astound has no data caps or contractual obligations. Renting a Wi-Fi router from Astound will result in an additional $5 on your bill.
If Astound’s services are available at your New York address, the affordable pricing is worth considering. However, be cautious of potential price hikes after the first year. The price of the 600Mbps plan, which costs $35 per month, will increase fourfold to a regular rate of $154 per month over time. The increase may not occur all at once, but if you continue to use Astound beyond 24 months, anticipate a significant price increase. The positive aspect is that Astound does not enforce long-term service contracts, so you are free to switch to another provider once your bill increases.
Take a look at our Astound internet review.
Verify Astound Broadband availability or place an order by calling: (833) 243-1745.
Eli Blumenthal/CNET
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Top provider of 5G home internet in New York City
See if it’s available Or call to order: (877) 211-7146
Details of the product
Price range $50 – $70 per month (50% off for eligible 5G mobile customers) Speed range 85 – 1,000Mbps Connection Fixed wireless Key features Unlimited data, no contracts, free equipment, 50% discount for eligible Verizon mobile customers
While 5G technology is commonly used for smartphones, it is also a great option for home internet. Specifically, Verizon’s 5G Home Internet offers comparable speeds and pricing to both cable and fiber internet connections. The availability of 5G Ultra Wideband coverage is best found along the outer edges of Manhattan. Due to the challenge of navigating 5G signals around tall buildings, central locations such as Union Square and Midtown may have limited availability. However, areas like Hell’s Kitchen, Harlem, Washington Heights and Lower East Side have excellent Verizon 5G coverage.
Verizon 5G Home Internet offers a choice of two plans for its customers to select from. The first plan costs $50 each month and provides download speeds ranging between 85-300Mbps, while the second plan costs $70 per month and offers speeds between 300-1,000Mbps. Both plans are attractive on their own, but Verizon mobile customers who meet the criteria can receive a 50% discount on their home internet bill.
Service Information and Fees: Verizon 5G Home Internet comes with unlimited data and no additional charges for Wi-Fi equipment. A contract is not necessary.
Please refer to our review of Verizon 5G Home Internet.
To determine availability of Verizon 5G Home Internet, please check here or call (877) 211-7146 to place an order.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Starry Internet
Leading fixed wireless internet service provider in New York City
Verify availability Or order by phone: (844) 333-7797
Product information
Price range $30 – $80 per month Speed range 50 – 1,000Mbps Connection type Fixed wireless Key features Unlimited data, no contracts, no equipment fees, effortless setup
The Starry Internet service functions by transmitting wireless signals to a specific location, typically a receiver situated atop a building. The wireless delivery approach assists in maintaining comparatively low operational expenses, particularly when contrasted with the expensive process of laying fiber optic cables. Starry extends these savings to its customers by offering high-speed, low-priced, and easy-to-use internet service.
Availability: Starry is available across New York City, but it requires a wired building to provide the service.
Plans and pricing: The Starry plans have a starting price of $30 each month for a symmetrical download and upload speed of 50Mbps in specific locations. However, Starry’s flagship plan, with 200Mbps down and 100Mbps up, may be serviceable at your New York location at a starting price of $50 every month. Faster packages, such as 500Mbps and gig service, might also be available in some parts of NYC, as well as Starry’s cheap internet plan, Starry Connect.
Fee and Service Information: All packages offer limitless data, no need for a contract, and no charges for equipment.
View our critique of Starry Internet.
Verify Starry Internet accessibility or place an order by calling: (844) 333-7797.
Listed above are the residential internet providers currently accessible in New York City, but there could be additional providers available at your address. These are the ones we suggest considering. For more providers and service information, please refer to the complete list below.
Details of Internet Providers in New York City
Price Range Speed Range (Mbps) Equipment Cost Approximate Availability CNET Review Score
Spectrum $50-$80 300-940 $5 (optional) 99% 7.2
Verizon Fios $40-$120 300-2,300 $15 (optional) 92% 7.6
Verizon 5G $50-$70 85-940 None 65% N/A
Starry $30-$80 50-1,000 None 55% N/A
T-Mobile $50 35-115 None 40% N/A
Astound $20-$60 300-1,200 $5 (optional) 36% 7
Consolidated Communications $33-$70 25-1,000 $12 8% N/A
(Additional Providers)
Other internet service providers available in New York City.
Getty Images
These internet service providers might be accessible at your New York City residence.
Consolidated Communications: Primarily a DSL-based internet provider for rural areas, Consolidated Communications also provides fiber internet service in certain parts of New York City. Availability in Manhattan is inconsistent, but individuals located in the Bloomingdale and Lincoln Square neighborhoods may enjoy the best coverage. If accessible, it may be worth considering the provider’s gig service priced at $70 per month; however, lower speed tiers may not be the best option compared to Spectrum or Verizon Fios.
Optimum is the second biggest provider of cable internet in the wider New York City region. It is accessible to a large portion of Brooklyn and the Bronx, but not Manhattan. Optimum’s pricing and speeds are comparable to Astound, with a $60 per month gigabit plan available. In addition, Optimum has a fiber network that covers much of New York City, with 100% fiber connections offered to approximately one million inhabitants.
T-Mobile offers 5G Home Internet service that covers a significant part of NYC, similar to Verizon’s service. However, there are some areas with poor connectivity due to dead zones within and between tall buildings. While both services have comparable prices and features, T-Mobile’s 5G speeds are not as fast as Verizon’s, with maximum speeds ranging from 33 to 182Mbps.
Verizon Internet’s DSL service aims to provide internet coverage in areas where Verizon Fios is not yet accessible. However, the speeds offered may not justify the price, hence exploring other internet options such as Verizon 5G or cable internet from Spectrum or Astound could be a better option, especially for those looking for faster connectivity.
Xchange Telecom offers services in Central Park and various parts of Lower Manhattan, predominantly through a fixed wireless network. However, fiber or DSL services may be accessible at specific addresses. The costs and speeds offered are dependent on the location.
Satellite internet: To truly encompass all possible internet options, it should be noted that HughesNet and Viasat offer satellite internet. However, there are numerous faster, more affordable, and better internet options available in New York City, making satellite internet an unlikely choice.
Internet Options in New York City
Numerous broadband providers offer internet services throughout New York City, with most offering at least two options and many providing three or more.
Broadband access
The number of people without access to any type of broadband internet is not available according to the FCC data.
Primary internet technology available
The FCC is the source of this information.
Internet speeds in New York City
If you’re curious about the internet speeds of your fellow New Yorkers, here’s an overview of the average download and upload speeds in New York City and how they stack up.
Average download speeds:
New York – 149 Mbps
NY – 155 Mbps
US – 133 Mbps
Speeds for uploading data
New York – 93 Mbps
NY – 77 Mbps
US – 46 Mbps
*The above data was obtained from actual users in New York who used M-LAB speed tests.
To experience faster-than-average upload speeds, it is recommended to select a provider that offers gigabit or multigig speeds. A number of cities across the US now offer multigigabit internet plans, such as Verizon Fios in select areas of New York City, where internet speeds of up to 2.3Gbps are available. However, besides Verizon Fios, the majority of internet providers in the greater NYC area currently offer single gig speeds as their highest option.
High-speed internet plans available in New York City:
– Verizon 2Gig: offers max speeds of 2.3Gbps down and 2.3Gbps up with no data cap. Starting price is $120 per month.
– Astound 1,200: offers max speeds of 1.2Gbps down and 20Mbps up with no data cap. Starting price is $60 per month.
– Consolidated Communications 1Gig: offers max speeds of 1,000Mbps down and 1,000Mbps up with no data cap. Starting price is $70 per month.
– Starry Gigabit: offers max speeds of 1,000Mbps down and 500Mbps up with no data cap. Starting price is $80 per month.
– Spectrum Gig: offers max speeds of 940Mbps down and 35Mbps up with no data cap. Starting price is $80 per month.
– T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: offers max speeds of 115Mbps down and 23Mbps up with no data cap. Starting price is $50 per month.
Ways to Boost Internet Speed in New York City
In case you’re not satisfied with the internet speed that you’re currently getting in New York City, there are several methods that you can attempt to enhance it.
To improve your internet speed, there are a few steps you can take. Firstly, reset your router by unplugging it for a few seconds and then plugging it back in. If your device has a battery backup, you may need to remove the battery for a full reset. If your router is not capable of handling the speeds due to your residence’s size or the number of connected devices, consider upgrading to a mesh router system or asking your provider for an upgrade if you rent equipment. Check for any unauthorized devices or users that may be connected to your network and change your Wi-Fi password. If your cable connection is often slow, consider switching to a fiber ISP, which may be more reliable and provide more consistent speeds. Additionally, upgrading to a faster plan should result in a significant speed boost. Finally, try to use a wired connection when possible, as Wi-Fi connections typically result in slower speeds than directly connecting to the router or using a Wi-Fi extender with an Ethernet cord.
Internet prices in New York City
Are internet bills higher for Manhattan residents compared to those in neighboring boroughs or across the Hudson? Not always. As previously stated, many of the leading ISPs in Manhattan are also offered in surrounding areas, resulting in similar pricing across New York City. Jersey City has access to Xfinity, which has slightly lower pricing than Spectrum, but generally, Astound and Optimum offer cheaper rates than Xfinity, at least for the initial year.
Top affordable internet plans in NYC
Plan Starting price Max speeds Equipment fee
Astound 300Mbps $20 300Mbps down, 20Mbps up $5 (optional)
Starry Basic $30 50Mbps down, 50Mbps up None
Consolidated Communications 25Mbps $33 25Mbps down, 25Mbps up $12
Verizon Fios 300Mbps $40 300Mbps down, 300Mbps up $15 (optional)
Verizon 5G Home Internet $50 300Mbps-940Mbps down, 50Mbps up None
Spectrum Internet $50 200Mbps down, 10Mbps up $5 (optional)
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet $50 35Mbps-115Mbps down, 6Mbps-23Mbps up None
Affordable Internet Programs for Low-Income Individuals in New York City
In addition to the Affordable Connectivity Program that provides eligible households with up to $30 per month to cover internet expenses, several low-cost internet options are accessible in New York City.
Starry offers one of the most accessible and cost-effective internet plans in the region, which is also easy to qualify for. Starry Connect is available to all residents of an approved low-income internet service building. The plan provides users with symmetrical download and upload speeds of up to 30Mbps, starting at just $15 per month. Additionally, there are no equipment fees, data caps, or contract obligations.
Astound, Spectrum, and Verizon Fios are among the other internet providers in New York City that provide their own cost-effective internet plans. To learn more about the low-income internet service provided by each of these providers, please follow the links below:
Astound, Spectrum, and Verizon Fios are among the fiber internet providers in New York City. As per the FAQs, approximately 92% of Manhattan residents have access to fiber-optic internet service. Verizon Fios is the primary fiber internet provider in the city, while other ISPs like Optimum, Xchange Telecom, and Consolidated Communications may also offer fiber service in the area.
Is it possible to access free Wi-Fi in New York City?
Numerous public places in New York City provide free Wi-Fi services. Apart from cafes, restaurants, and hotels that offer complimentary Wi-Fi, all branches of the NYC public library and several places in Lower Manhattan such as Fulton Street Plaza, Bowling Green, Trinity Churchyard, and Pier 15 feature free public Wi-Fi access.
To obtain Wi-Fi for your home without charge, you must first have a wired internet connection. Although a variety of internet service providers and plans in New York City may be more affordable than others, none exist that offer internet services for homes free of charge. However, based on where you live and your requirements, Spectrum, Optimum, or Xfinity may offer a short-term complimentary internet connection. For additional information, visit nyc.gov.
Which is superior, Verizon Fios or Spectrum?
Verizon Fios comes out on top due to its 100% fiber-optic network. In addition, Verizon’s starting price is lower than Spectrum’s ($40 versus $50). With Verizon Fios, you can expect symmetrical or nearly symmetrical download and upload speeds, while Spectrum’s maximum upload speeds are significantly slower than its download speeds.
Spectrum offers a lower starting price for gigabit service and a monthly equipment fee that is $10 less than Verizon Fios. With its cable internet service, Spectrum is an excellent option for combining internet and TV services.
In brief, while both services have their advantages and disadvantages, I personally lean towards Verizon Fios over Spectrum. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to carefully consider your household’s internet requirements and the internet providers accessible in your locality before making a decision.
