Table of Contents
What is the best internet provider in Gainesville?
Provides blazing fast broadband speeds of up to 5,000 Mbps, AT&T Fiber is the best broadband provider in Gainesville, Georgia, according to CNET. It has symmetrical speeds, no data limits and clear pricing. The high customer satisfaction is a proof of the quality of the service.
Point Broadband is another local fiber internet provider, but availability is currently limited as the provider continues to expand into the area. One ISP that you can count on being available throughout Gainesville is Spectrum. As the largest cable provider in the area, Spectrum is available to about 4 out of 5 homes in Gainesville, with download speeds ranging from 500 to 1,000 Mbps.
If you’re looking for cheap internet in Gainesville, Xfinity has the lowest introductory rate, with service starting at $20 per month for maximum download speeds of 150 Mbps. T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet are also great choices for cheap internet. Both providers offer a mobile bundle discount and include free equipment rentals and unlimited data.
Best internet in Gainesville, Georgia
Gainesville, Georgia, Internet Providers Compared
| Supplier | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data limit | Contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber Read the full review | Fiber | $55-$245 | 300-5,000 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| Point width band | Fiber | $59-$79 | 300-1,000 Mbps | No | No | No | n/a |
| Spectrum Read the full review | Cable | $50-$70 | 500-1,000 Mbps | $10 (optional) | No | No | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $50 ($40 with qualifying mobile 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 mobile plans) | 50-1,000 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.2 |
| Xfinity Read the full review | Cable | $20-$100 | 150-2,000 Mbps | $15 (included in most plans) | 1.2 TB | 1-2 years (optional) | 7 |
Show more (2 items)
Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Gainesville?
| Plan | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity connection Read the full review | $20 | 150 Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Xfinity Connect More Read the full review | $35 | 300 Mbps | $15 (included) |
| Spectrum Internet Read the full review | $50 | 500 Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($35 with qualifying mobile plans) | 300 Mbps | No |
| AT&T Fiber 300 Read the full review | $55 | 300 Mbps | No |
| Point Broadband Performance Plus | €59 | 300 Mbps | No |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($40 with qualifying mobile plans) | 245 Mbps | No |
Show more (3 items)
Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
How to Find Online Deals and Promotions in Gainesville
The best internet deals and top promotions in Gainesville depend on what discounts are available at the time. Most deals are short-lived, but we regularly check for the latest offers.
Internet providers in Gainesville, such as Xfinity, may offer lower introductory rates or other incentives, such as free equipment rentals for a limited time. However, many providers, including AT&T Fiber and Spectrum, maintain the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more comprehensive overview of all promotions, check out our guide to the best online deals.
Fastest Internet Plans in Gainesville
| Plan | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data limit | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet 5000 Read the full review | $245 | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| AT&T Internet 2000 Read the full review | $145 | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Xfinity Gigabit x2 Read the full review | $100 | 2,000 Mbps | 200 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read the full review | €85 | 1,200 Mbps | 35 Mbps | 1.2 TB | Cable |
| AT&T Internet 1000 Read the full review | $80 | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Point Broadband Extreme | €79 | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read the full review | $70 | 1,000 Mbps | 35 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Xfinity Gigabit Read the full review | $65 | 1,000 Mbps | 20 Mbps | 1.2 TB | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review | $70 ($45 with qualifying mobile plans) | 1,000 Mbps | 75 Mbps | No | Fixed wireless connection |
Show more (5 items)
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.
For more information, check out our guide to how much internet speed you really need.
- 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.
How CNET Chose the Best Internet Providers in Gainesville, Georgia
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 based on our own historical ISP data, the providers’ websites, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at 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 carrier 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 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.
Internet Providers in Gainesville, Georgia, Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best internet provider in Gainesville?
AT&T Fiber is the best internet provider in Gainesville. The area’s largest fiber internet provider offers the fastest speeds, up to 5,000 Mbps, and all plans include free equipment rental, unlimited data, and no contract requirements — benefits not all of which are available with local cable providers Spectrum and Xfinity.
Is fiber optic internet available in Gainesville?
According to recent FCC data, nearly 60% of Gainesville households are eligible for fiber internet. AT&T Fiber is the largest fiber internet provider in the area, although local ISP Point Broadband also has a growing fiber presence in Gainesville.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Gainesville?
Xfinity has the lowest introductory price for home internet in Gainesville, with service starting at $20 per month for download speeds of up to 150 Mbps. For $15 more per month (and still lower than AT&T Fiber or Spectrum’s starting price), Xfinity offers speeds of up to 300 Mbps.
Which internet provider in Gainesville offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber’s 5 Gig plan is the fastest home internet speed in Gainesville. As a 100% fiber provider, AT&T Fiber has the added benefit of symmetrical upload and download speeds, a benefit not available with cable internet.
