Find Portland Internet Providers with the Best Deals

The whole country knows our city of Portland for its lovable weirdness. But Portlanders know that there’s a lot more to love here, starting with the incredible coffee scene and the breweries. When you add the natural beauty of 12 bridges across the Willamette River and the trails of our huge Forest Park, it’s no wonder nature lovers keep flocking here. Plus, we have the legendary Powell’s City of Books that covers a whole city block. We’re laidback, casual, and the 9th greenest city in America!

But we’re also known as the home of a thriving digital economy called the Silicon Forest. That means that if you’re looking for Portland internet providers, you’re going to have really solid options to support your digital needs.

By the time of the 2020 census, 92% of Portlanders already had a broadband internet subscription. Our city’s average download speed is over 300 Mbps. These stats show that Portland internet providers are bringing their A game to your home internet options.

This guide will give you all the info you need on internet providers in Portland. You can compare specific internet plans, pricing and available speeds.

Maybe you’re moving to Portland. Or maybe you’ve been here a dog’s age, but you want to know whether you’re getting the best deal possible. Either way, we can help you find the best home internet providers in Portland, OR.

Types of Internet Services in Portland

What do you usually do on the internet? That’s the question that will determine your best choice for an ISP. The type of internet technology you get will determine your internet speed.  Your internet speed will affect your entertainment or your remote work.

Portland internet providers offer several different technologies. Here’s what you need to know about how they work.

DSL Internet

DSL is an older internet technology that uses copper wiring for internet service. It’s not as fast as cable or fiber internet, but it’s a popular option for those without access to cable or fiber infrastructure. DSL is of course much faster than dial-up internet.

Cable Internet

Cable internet uses the same cables as cable television to transmit internet data. With recent advancements, cable internet can provide download speeds that are comparable to those of many fiber plans. However, cable internet’s upload speeds are typically slower than those of fiber internet.

Fiber Internet

Fiber internet uses fiber optic lines to transmit data, which results in faster internet speeds than previous technologies. One of the main advantages of fiber internet is that its upload speeds are the same as its download speeds. The fastest fiber plans can be more expensive, so it is important to consider how much speed you need when determining if fiber internet is the right choice for you. Popular fiber internet providers in Portland include Ziply Fiber and Earthlink.

Satellite Internet

Satellite internet service is an option for those in more rural areas or on the outskirts of Portland. It’s typically slower than cable or fiber internet, but can sometimes compete with DSL speeds. One of the main benefits of satellite internet is coverage and reliability. Satellite is available to any home in America with a clear view of the southern sky. However, satellite internet is not recommended for real-time activities such as multiplayer gaming due to latency and data caps. Recently, HughesNet’s Fusion plans have introduced a low-latency satellite service.

Top Internet Providers in Portland

Overall Best Internet Provider in Portland

Xfinity cable internet has several strengths to help it claim the top spot as the best internet provider in Portland.  Xfinity offers up to 1200 Mbps download speed. Even more impressively, Xfinity‘s Performance Starter plan is only $20/month for up to 50 Mbps.What really gives Xfinity the edge is its coverage, because its infrastructure covers a much wider portion of the city than the fiber internet providers.

Also a contender for overall best provider is Ziply Fiber, which offers by far the best deal for those equal upload and download speeds you can only get with fiber-optic internet.

Fastest Internet Provider in Portland

Xfinity is the fastest provider of download speed with its maximum of 1200 Mbps. But the fiber internet providers in Portland offer equal download and upload speeds for the best experience in gaming, videoconferencing and large file uploads. Top fiber providers are Ziply and Earthlink, and each of them offers maximum speeds between 700 and 1000 Mbps. That maximum will cover almost any household’s home internet needs.

Most Affordable Internet Provider in Portland

Xfinity cable and Ziply Fiber offer some of the lowest internet prices in the nation with their $20/month first-tier plans for 50 Mbps download speed. Ziply Fiber may have a slight advantage because their fiber network will also give you the same upload speed. Also, Ziply does not require a contract, while Xfinity asks for a one-year contract.

Best Satellite Internet Provider in Portland

If you don’t have cable or fiber infrastructure, your best bet for satellite internet is likely to be HughesNet. HughesNet was the first satellite company to offer consistent high-speed internet at 25 Mbps download speed/3 Mbps upload speed. In select areas, HughesNet has also premiered HughesNet Fusion, a breakthrough low-latency satellite internet service.

FAQs on Internet Choices in Portland

How much internet speed do I need?

The speed you require depends on the nature of your internet usage and the number of users in your household. For example, if you are an avid gamer who spends hours playing online, you would benefit from a high-speed, low-latency connection such as fiber. If your household frequently streams movies and videos simultaneously, you will need a high download speed, but upload speed may not be as crucial. Test your current internet speed here.

For general web browsing and small households, a speed of 25 Mbps for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads should suffice. For work that involves video conferencing, a speed of 50-100 Mbps for downloads and 12 Mbps or more for uploads is recommended. If multiple users in the household engage in activities such as streaming, video conferencing or gaming, faster speeds such as those offered by cable or fiber plans with 100Mbps or more may be necessary.

What internet speed do I need for remote work?

If your remote work is mostly audio calls, such as customer service work, your speed requirements won’t be too high. You will be fine with a reliable connection and 25 Mbps download/3Mbps upload speed. Even some slower speeds will be acceptable to remote employers: check with your employer to know for sure.

If you work a job that includes frequent videoconferencing, consider getting at least 100 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed. Large file uploads will also be easier if you have higher upload speeds, so consider fiber if you create or transfer lots of video or graphics.

How fast should my internet be for multiplayer gaming?

For real-time gaming, both download and upload speed must be fast, as well as low latency (under 40 milliseconds). Fiber internet is the best option for multiplayer gaming, especially if there are multiple gamers in the household. However, a high-speed cable internet connection with low latency can also work well.

How can I get low-cost or free internet in Portland?

With the low-cost internet plans available in Portland, you may be able to get help to start up your home internet service at no cost to you.

As recently reported in The Oregonian, the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps more people access the opportunities that come with high-speed internet.

In our digital world, you can get a remote job, further your education or job training, or even see a doctor from your home. But you need high-speed internet to do these things.

The Affordable Connectivity Plan offers qualified applicants relief of $30/month on an internet plan. See if you qualify for reduced-cost internet here.

Maybe you’re just starting to explore the digital world and you don’t have a computer yet. If you are from a BIPOC community (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), the Multnomah County Library has a special program to loan a laptop and hotspot to you at no charge.