Best Internet Service Providers in Washington, DC

What is the best internet provider in Washington, DC?

People living in Washington, DC can choose from three major internet providers: Astound Broadband, Xfinity and Verizon Fios – along with T-Mobile’s 5G offerings and regional carriers like Starry Internet and DC Access. So which one is the best? It really depends on what is available at your address. CNET recommends Verizon Fios as Washington, DC’s best Internet provider because of its symmetrical speeds and simple service terms.

Xfinity has a 2 gigabit plan for $95 per month, and there are no data caps, making it the fastest option for people in Federal City. If Xfinity isn’t available where you live, don’t worry; Astound and Starry also have some good quick plans. If you’re on a budget, check out Astound’s 300 megabits per second plan for just $20 per month.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Other Available Internet Service Providers in Washington, DC

• DC access: Founded in 1999, this local Internet provider serves the Capitol Hill and Adams Morgan neighborhoods. The plans are more expensive and slower than its larger competitors, requiring a $99 installation fee, but no contract required.
• Satellite internet: Of course, satellite internet from Hughesnet, Viasat or Starlink is an option, wherever you live. But it shouldn’t be your first choice: with high prices and slow speeds, there are cheaper and faster options available.
• T-Mobile Home Internet: Some DC residents may have access to T-Mobile’s home broadband option. There are only two plans available for $50-$70 and offer speeds from 72 to 245 Mbps.

Cheap Internet Options in Washington, DC

Look no further than Astound’s 300 Mbps plan for $20 per month for the most affordable internet service in the nation’s capital. This promotional price lasts for 24 months but offers incredible savings. Astound also offers the best value overall with its $55, 1,500 Mbps plan, but the same caveats apply.

What is the cheapest internet plan in Washington, DC?

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to Find Internet Deals and Promotions in Washington, DC

The best internet deals and top promotions in DC depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most offers are short-lived, but we regularly review the latest offers.

Washington, DC internet providers such as Xfinity and Astound Broadband may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, others, including Verizon, have the same standard prices year-round.

For a more comprehensive list of promos, check out our guide to the best internet deals.

How fast is broadband in Washington, DC?

Federal City is at the back of the pack compared to the rest of the country in download speeds, with a median of about 202 Mbps, according to Ookla’s speed test data. However, there are a few faster plans available for under $100 with promotional pricing. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

The fastest download speeds you’ll find in the capital come through Xfinity and Verizon Fios, which offer a 2,000 Mbps plan for $95 per month and $110 per month, respectively. For high speeds at a lower price, Astound offers a 1,500 Mbps plan for $55 for the first 24 months.

Fastest Internet Plans in Washington, DC

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What is a good internet speed?

Most internet plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that’s suitable for video conferencing, video streaming, or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here you will find an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for different applications, according to the FCC. Please note that these are guidelines only and internet speed, service and performance will vary by connection type, provider and address.

• With 0 to 5 Mbps you can handle the basics: surfing the web, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
• 5 to 40 Mbps gives you higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
• 40 to 100 Mbps should give a single user enough bandwidth to meet the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
• With 100 to 500 Mbps, one to two users can simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming and gaming.
• With 500 to 1,000 Mbps, three or more users can perform high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.

For more information, see our guide to how much internet speed you really need.

How CNET chose the best Internet providers in Washington, DC

Internet providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what is our approach? We’ll start by researching the price, availability, and speed information, based on our own historical ISP data, carrier sites, and Federal Communications Commission mapping information at FCC.gov.

But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our records and make sure we’re considering every ISP that provides service in a particular area. We also enter local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look to sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power, to evaluate how satisfied customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate at the time of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

1. Does the provider offer access to reasonably high internet speeds?
2. Do customers get a good price for what they pay?
3. Are customers satisfied with their service?

While the answers to these questions are often layered and complex, we recommend the providers who come closest to ‘yes’ to all three questions. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the subscriptions with the lowest monthly amount, but we also take into account things such as price increases, equipment costs and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively easy. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and take into account real-world speed data from sources such as Ookla And FCC reports.

Visit our page on how we test ISPs to explore our process in more depth.

What’s the final word on Internet service providers in Washington, DC?

The District of Columbia offers a handful of options for choosing your Internet service provider, including many with fairly affordable prices. For most city dwellers, the choice will come down to Verizon Fios, Astound or Xfinity, all of which are competitive in price and speed.

Internet Service Providers in DC Frequently Asked Questions