Best Internet Providers in New York

New York State’s mammal is the beaver, a fitting symbol for an industrious, hardworking place that likes to build things. We’re not just talking about subways, skyscrapers, and bridges. New Yorkers have built rich digital lives around work and play, and to make those lives thrive, you need fast, reliable internet access.

What is the best internet provider in New York State?

Your internet provider options in New York State will vary greatly depending on location, but we have a few recommendations for you. Whether you’re streaming movies in Ithaca or coding in Brooklyn, we’ve got you covered. Due to the wide availability of cable internet, Spectrum Internet is CNET’s pick for the best internet provider in New YorkStill, we’re also big fans of fiber optic internet from Verizon Fios, if you can get it.

There are dozens of ISPs serving New York, ranging from big names like Verizon to small, local providers. Let’s get down to business and take a look at the best broadband in the Empire State.

Best Internet Options in New York State

Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.

New York has a lot more to offer than just big cities. The state has large swaths of quaint small towns and rural areas. People who live there also need fast, reliable internet. Fixed wireless internet is usually a good option for rural areas. Verizon and T-Mobile are major national providers of 5G home internet service, but they still serve cities more than rural areas. You might get lucky. Otherwise, you’re better off going with a local or regional provider.

You’ll notice a fair number of small fiber ISPs on our list for rural broadband options in the state. New York has a progressive approach to rural internet, thanks in part to the New NY Broadband Program and his successor, the ConnectALL initiative. These programs fund the expansion of broadband in underserved areas. This takes the form of the growth of fiber networks in some counties. Fiber rollout can take time, so availability is still very location-dependent.

Satellite internet can be slow and expensive, which is why it’s often a last resort for rural homes. The contenders are Starlink, Viasat, and Hughesnet. The good news is that satellite internet service can reach areas otherwise unserved by other ISPs. You’ll need a clear view of the sky and the willingness to pay a premium to get connected. We give Hughesnet a special nod for its reliable speeds, while Starlink stands out for its faster maximum download speeds.

Go to the New York State PSC Broadband Map and enter your address to find ISPs that serve your home. This is a great way to learn about smaller local providers that you may have overlooked.

Internet Distribution by City in New York

It’s hard to cover the broadband options of a state like New York and give individual cities the attention they deserve. That’s why we’re also compiling lists of the best internet providers in cities across the U.S., including those in the Empire State. We’ll tackle details like internet connection types, maximum speeds, and cheapest providers. Check back later if you don’t see the location you’re looking for below. We’re working to add more cities every week.

Broadband in New York at a glance

The most extensive broadband coverage in New York comes from cable providers, most notably Spectrum and Optimum, but fiber is expanding across the state. In early 2023, Verizon Fios announced the availability of its multi-gig home internet plan in all five boroughs of New York City. Homes with fiber access are most likely to be found in densely populated large cities, but the state has been pushing fiber expansions into smaller communities, so you don’t necessarily have to live in a place with skyscrapers to get fast internet.

How fast is broadband in New York?

FCC Data paints a rosy picture of internet access in New York by showing that 100% of residential units have access to broadband speeds, but let’s take a closer look. For the FCC, 100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up qualifies as broadband. That speed can drive hardcore gamers and heavy internet users crazy. Satellite internet also plays into the equation, so rural residents may be able to access that speed via satellite, but it may not be an attractive option due to the cost.

The FCC data on gig speeds is a little less rosy. Only about 50% of homes can get at least 1,000 Mbps down and 100 Mbps up. Ookla’s speed test averages ranked New York 12th for the fastest median download speeds over fixed broadband in the U.S. states. New York’s median download speed of 226 Mbps makes for a strong showing. The fastest provider is Verizon, our pick for the best ISP in New York City, thanks to its reliable fiber network. If you’re in the Buffalo or Rochester area, check out Greenlight Networks for fast fiber speeds. Large swaths of the Empire State will find that their best bet for broadband is Spectrum. It won’t hit the peak speeds of fiber, but it will cover many places that fiber can’t.

Internet prices in New York

A typical starting price for home internet in New York is around $50. Some ISPs start below that, such as Astound Broadband’s killer 600 Mbps deal starting at $40 a month in parts of New York City. Rural residents may be looking at premium prices for satellite, but many of the smaller fiber providers in the state start at $60 a month. That’s a lot better than satellite or fixed wireless if you have access at home.

Many residents don’t have much choice when it comes to ISPs. If you’re stuck with a cable provider you don’t like, check out T-Mobile or Verizon home internet as an affordable alternative. Both have plans starting at $50-$60 per month and offer generous savings when bundled with a qualifying mobile plan. If you’re stuck with a provider that’s jacking up your price, it’s time to make a little noise and try to negotiate your way back to a more affordable monthly fee. Here are eight ways to save on your internet bill.

How CNET Picked the Best Internet Providers in New York

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:

1. Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
2. Do customers get value for their money?
3. Are customers satisfied with their service?

While the answers to these questions are often 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.

The Future of Broadband in New York

New York is working to bring fast, affordable broadband to unserved and underserved areas, particularly in rural parts of the state. That work is getting a boost thanks to New York’s nearly $665 million share of a $42 billion federal investment through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program. The money is part of the massive Infrastructure Act.

New York maintains its own broadband map of the state, which highlights areas that lack broadband or have limited choices. The data shows that approximately 130,000 locations remain unserved. Those areas will be a focus for broadband expansion. New York has set a higher bar than the FCC for what it considers high-speed internet. The state aims to bring speeds of at least 100 Mbps down and 10 Mbps up to all residents. Funding is an important part of improving New York’s broadband, but it also takes time and effort. Change won’t be immediate, but New Yorkers in typically overlooked areas can look forward to a brighter future with broadband.

Frequently Asked Questions About Internet in New York