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What is the best internet provider in Cincinnati?
Internet options in Cincinnati are mainly limited to just two internet providers: Spectrum And Alta fiber (formerly known as Cincinnati Bell). Other options, such as 5G home internet by T-Mobile, Verizon And AT&T Internet Aviationare available to selected households. Of those choices, CNET’s pick for best internet provider in Cincinnati is Altafiber, based on speed and price.
The cheapest provider in Cincinnati is fiber optic provider Altafiber, which offers a basic plan for $35 for 100 megabits per second connectivity and a $45 option for 400 Mbps, which is a better value on average cost per Mbps. Altafiber is also the fastest ISP in this Ohio city, with 2 gigabit for $105 per month. Ultimately, affordability and speed depend on what’s available at your address.
Internet providers in Cincinnati compared
| Supplier | internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data limit | Contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alta fiber | Fiber | $35-$105 | 100-2,000 Mbps | No | No | No | n/a |
| AT&T Internet Aviation Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $60 | 72-225 Mbps | No | No | No | 6.9 |
| Spectrum Read the full review | Cable | $50-$80 | 100-1,000 Mbps | Free modem; $7 router | No | No | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $50-$70 ($40-$50 with qualifying phone plans) | 72-245 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with qualifying phone plans) | 50-300 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
Other available internet providers in Cincinnati
- Hughesnet: If you live in Cincinnati or its immediate suburbs, you probably don’t need satellite internet. It’s only available in 50-100 Mbps speeds, with prices starting at $50 with a two-year contract and equipment costs.
- Sterlink: With prices starting at $120 per month and a hefty $499 equipment fee, Starlink outperforms some of the top fiber and cable internet providers. The clear appeal of this satellite provider is its rural accessibility, low latency, and unlimited data. Plus, Starlink’s new internet option, Starlink Mini, lets you take your internet connection with you wherever you go.
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Cincinnati residents can get access to 5G internet from Verizon and T-Mobile. T-Mobile’s home internet service costs $50-$70 per month and offers speeds of up to 245 Mbps.
- Viasat: Another large satellite internet company. Monthly rates start at $100 and speeds can reach up to 150 Mbps, depending on the plan.
Cheap Internet Options in Cincinnati
Excluding the expensive satellite internet options, Cincinnati residents can expect to pay between $35 and $50 for internet service. The most affordable plans in the city come from Altafiber ($35 per month), which offers 100 Mbps.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Cincinnati?
| Supplier | From monthly price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altrafiber Fioptics 100Mbps | $35 | 100 Mbps | No |
| Altafiber Fioptics 400Mbps | $45 | 400 Mbps | No |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($35 with a qualifying mobile plan) | 100 Mbps | No |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($40 with a qualifying mobile plan) | 245 Mbps | No |
| Spectrum Internet 300 Read the full review | $50 | 300 Mbps | $7 (optional) |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
How to find online deals and promotions in Cincinnati?
The best internet deals and top promotions in Cincinnati depend on what discounts are available at the time. Most deals are short-lived, but we regularly search for the latest offers.
Cincinnati internet providers like Altafiber and Verizon may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, some, including T-Mobile Home Internet and AT&T Internet Air, maintain the same standard prices year-round.
For a more comprehensive overview of all promotions, check out our guide to the best online deals.
How fast is broadband in Cincinnati?
With limited options, it’s no surprise that Cincinnati’s median download speeds are low compared to other U.S. cities and even those in Ohio. The Queen City ranks 90th Ookla’s List of Internet Speeds in the country’s 100 most populous cities, with median download speeds of around 183 megabits per second and upload speeds of around 29 Mbps. Not bad, but not great either. Fortunately, there are fast internet options available in the city.
Need fast download speeds? Check out Altafiber’s 2,000Mbps plan, available at select addresses, for $105 per month. If you don’t have access to that plan, Altafiber also offers 1,000Mbps for $75 per month, and Spectrum’s 1,000Mbps plan costs $80.
Fastest Internet Plans in Cincinnati
| Supplier | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altafiber Fioptics 2 Gig | $105 | 2,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Altafiber Fioptics 1 Gig | €75 | 1,000 Mbps | 600 Mbps | Fiber |
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read the full review | $80 | 1,000 Mbps | 35 Mbps | Cable |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet plans now can handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that’s suitable for video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s a look at the recommended minimum download speeds for different applications, according to the FCCPlease note that these are guidelines only and that Internet speed, service, and performance vary by connection type, provider, and address.
- With 0 to 5 Mbps you can perform basic tasks: surfing the web, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality videos.
- 5 to 40 Mbps gives you higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100 Mbps should provide enough bandwidth for a single user to meet the demands of modern teleworking, video streaming, and online gaming.
- With 100 to 500 Mbps, one or two users can simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
- With 500 to 1,000 Mbps, three or more users can participate in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
For more information, check out our guide to how much internet speed you really need.
How CNET Chose the Best Internet Providers in Cincinnati
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router, or kitchen utensil, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So how do we approach this? We start by examining pricing, availability, and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the providers’ websites, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission on FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t stop there. We go to the FCC website to check our data and make sure we account for every ISP that offers service in an area. We also enter local addresses into provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to evaluate how satisfied customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and pricing are subject to frequent change; all information provided is accurate at the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask ourselves three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get value for their money?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
While the answers to these questions are often multi-layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” to all three questions are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fees, though we also consider things like price increases, equipment costs, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We look at advertised upload and download speeds, and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla And FCC Reports.
If you would like to take a more detailed look at our process, please visit our How We Test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Cincinnati?
For most Cincinnati residents, the choice of ISP will come down to either Altafiber or Spectrum. However, some residents of the city can get access to 5G internet from T-Mobile and Verizon. Prices start around $35, with faster speeds available for those willing to pay up to $105 per month.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Providers in Cincinnati
What is the best internet provider in Cincinnati?
Due to the range of speeds and affordability, our pick for the best ISP in Cincinnati is Altafiber. Residents have reported being happy with the service, and as a bonus, the company is headquartered in Queen City. The 2000Mbps plan for $105 is a lot of speed for the price.
Is fiber optic internet available in Cincinnati?
Yes. It comes from Altafiber, our pick for the best internet provider in town. Altafiber’s service comes in a variety of plans, starting at 100 Mbps and going up to a speedy 2,000 Mbps, with prices ranging from $35 to $105. Altafiber’s plans are competitive in speed and price compared to other options in Cincinnati.
Is Verizon or T-Mobile better for home broadband?
If you find yourself in the rare situation where you have access to Verizon and T-Mobile’s 5G internet, you have a decision to make. If you want faster speeds, we recommend Verizon. But for a lifetime price guarantee (and other perks), T-Mobile might be the one to sway you. Check out CNET’s article comparing Verizon 5G Home vs. T-Mobile Home Internet for more detailed information.
