Compare Internet Awards: The Best Internet Providers of 2026

AT&T took home this year's Best Customer Experience award, and the numbers back it up.

AT&T ranked #1 in customer satisfaction for residential wired internet service in the North Central and West by J.D. Power (for the third year in a row) [2]. Its fiber customers report fast, reliable speeds with symmetrical upload and download. The lowest plan starts at $60/month for 100 Mbps. The fastest plan offers 5000 Mbps for $145. Additionally, J.D. Power ranked them #1 for business internet customer satisfaction in both medium and large enterprise categories (eight years running for large enterprise) [1].

What sets AT&T apart? It’s expanding the reach of its reliable, high-quality internet service. AT&T is acquiring Lumen's fiber network to add more than a million fiber customers in major metros like Denver, Minneapolis, and Las Vegas [3]. AT&T is investing $20 billion in its network from 2025 to 2027 [4]. And through it all, AT&T is keeping a top-tier customer experience at the center.

The company's customer service excellence extends beyond fiber. AT&T Internet Air (its fixed wireless home internet service) delivers reliable connectivity over AT&T's wireless network to areas where fiber isn't available. AT&T is strategically deploying Internet Air in locations with sufficient wireless coverage and capacity to ensure a great in-home experience while maintaining top-notch service for all customers.

When issues arise, AT&T provides 24/7 technical support and seven-day-a-week billing assistance, offering real help when you need it, not just automated menus and long hold times.

*Disclaimer: Price after discounts: 20% w/elig AT&T wireless svc, $20/mo for 12 mos for new customers and $10/mo AutoPay & Paperless bill. Discounts start w/in 3 bills. Monthly State Cost Recovery charge applies in NV, OH, TX. One time install fee may apply.

Formed in 2022 after it purchased CenturyLink's DSL operations, Brightspeed has been on a mission to bring fiber to communities that big providers ignore, and it's doing so quickly [7].

Brightspeed launched its first Fiber-to-the-Home network in March 2023. As of August 2025, the company has upgraded 2.3 million locations to fiber internet service. Brightspeed's total footprint spans 7.3 million homes and businesses across 20 states, which it serves through a combination of its modern fiber network and legacy copper-based infrastructure that is being progressively upgraded to fiber [16]. By the end of 2026, Brightspeed is on track to reach more than five million homes and businesses with fiber connectivity across its 20-state footprint. This aggressive expansion, fueled by $1.65 billion in new capital raised in August 2025, plus $575 million raised in June 2025, and $3.7 billion raised in August 2024, brings the total new fiber expansion capital to $5.9 billion raised in just one year. The company has also secured more than $295 million in public broadband grants [16].

Its fiber plans start at affordable prices for symmetrical gigabit speeds. The lowest plan starts at $29.99 for 200 Mbps. The fastest plan offers 8000 Mbps for $99.99. All plans offer a premium router with secure WiFi, no annual contracts, and zero termination fees.

Fidium Fiber’s network was built for those who need a lag-free experience, like gamers and streamers. It offers symmetrical speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 2000 Mbps with low latency. Low latency is huge for streamers broadcasting on Twitch, gamers communicating with teammates, or anyone doing video calls all day. Cable internet might give you fast downloads, but the crawling 10 Mbps upload speed doesn’t cut it for gaming and streaming. Fidium Fiber gives you full speed, both ways.

The fiber internet service offers a dedicated fiber connection, no data caps, and extremely competitive pricing starting at $30. Fidium Fiber also throws in free professional installation, a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, and 24/7 support.

Fidium Fiber is currently available in eight states, including California, Maine, Minnesota, Illinois, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Vermont.

Viasat’s satellite internet covers 96% of the United States, including many places where cable and fiber will never reach [13]. It offers speeds up to 150 Mbps for $69.99/month with unlimited data and no long-term contract required.

A major differentiator between Viasat and other satellite providers is the customer support. You can talk to a human being if something goes wrong. Viasat also includes professional installation by a technician who arrives, sets up your dish properly, and makes sure everything works before leaving.

Rural communities depend on the internet for education, healthcare, business, and staying connected. Viasat makes that possible. Students in remote areas can access online classes. Small businesses can reach global customers. Telehealth brings medical care to places hours from the nearest hospital.

Is Viasat as fast as fiber? No. But for millions of Americans who have no other option, Viasat is their connection to the modern world.

Finding a bundle that doesn't feel like a trap is hard. Too many providers load you up with channels you'll never watch, large hidden fees, and inescapable long-term contracts.

Spectrum is different. Its Internet + TV + Mobile bundle delivers a package of offerings that make bundling worth it. No data caps. No annual contracts. Over 85 popular TV channels (and streaming services on select packages). Plus, Spectrum Internet customers get one line of unlimited mobile included free for a full year [6]. After that, plans stay competitive. And here's the kicker: Spectrum will even help you ditch your old provider by covering up to $500 in early termination fees [5]. Spectrum bundles that include internet, TV, and mobile are currently starting at $65/month [6].

Spectrum’s bundling options make it easy to get everything on one bill without overpaying.

Fifty gigabits per second. Sounds unreal, right? Not for Ziply. While most people are excited about 1 or 2 gigabytes of internet, Ziply Fiber launched a 50 Gig residential service [12]. That's not a typo. That's the fastest home internet in America.

If you want the 50 Gig plan, you'll need specialized equipment. But that's not really the point. The point is, Ziply built a network capable of delivering 50 Gbps today, which means its infrastructure is ready for the technology of tomorrow.

Most customers are happy with Ziply's more practical offerings from 100 Mbps to 10 Gbpsv. All plans run on the same rock-solid fiber network. All deliver symmetrical speeds. All come with no data caps and no annual contracts.

Ziply’s network covers Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, many areas where fiber is not normally installed, bringing the fastest internet in the country to smaller towns and more rural communities.

Kinetic delivers multi-gig speed plans packed with features and long-term price stability. Its plans offer symmetrical speeds from 300 Mbps for $39.99/month to 2000 Mbps for $69.99/month with a 3-year price guarantee that keeps your rate stable.

What makes its service such a great value? Everything's included. WiFi 7 equipment on select plans. Professional installation for wall-to-wall coverage. Built-in WiFi security. Unlimited data. No annual contracts. Symmetrical upload and download speeds. Technical support available 24/7 [14].

Kinetic serves more than 1.6 million households across 18 states, and continues to expand [15]. Its service reaches many communities that larger fiber providers ignore, including small towns and rural areas, places where "multi-gig fiber" is considered rare.