Best Internet Providers in Akron, Ohio
What is the best internet provider in Akron, Ohio?
Akron has super fast fiber optic internet everywhere. However, AT&T Fiber stands out as the best internet provider in Akron, according to CNET. Between reasonable rates, fast speeds of up to 5000 Mbps, and free equipment, AT&T is your best bet in town. Plus, you can save $20 or more per month by bundling the service with a qualifying mobile plan.
Spectrum is the cheapest internet provider in Akron with a long shot, with plans starting at $30 per month. Unfortunately, those rates skyrocket after two years. Spectrum doesn’t require contracts, so you can always switch before the price increase goes into effect.
It is only available in the suburb of Fairlawn, but FairlawnGig is an excellent regional internet option if you can get it. It is city owned, which means it can offer incredibly fast speeds of up to 5000Mbps at affordable rates. Verizon 5G Home Internet is a wireless internet option worth considering. Wireless isn’t great for larger households connecting many devices at once, but you can still get great discounts by bundling with a qualifying Verizon phone plan.
Best Internet in Akron, Ohio
Akron 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 |
| AT&T Internet Read the full review | DSL | $55 | Up to 140 Mbps | No | 1.5 TB on some plans | No | 7.4 |
| FairlawnGig | Fiber | $55-$99 | 1,000-5,000 Mbps | No | No | No | n/a |
| Spectrum Read the full review | Cable | $30-$70 | 100-1,000 Mbps | $7 (optional) | No | No | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $55 ($50 with automatic payment) | 72-245 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 100-300 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Akron?
| Supplier | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet 100 Read the full review | $30 | 100 Mbps | $7 (optional) |
| Spectrum Internet Read the full review | $40 | 300 Mbps | $7 (optional) |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($35 with qualifying mobile plans) | 100 Mbps | No |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
How to Find Online Deals and Promotions in Akron
The best internet deals and top promotions in Akron depend on what discounts are available at the time. Most deals are short-lived, but we regularly search for the latest offers.
Internet providers in Akron, such as Verizon 5G Home Internet, may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many providers, including Spectrum and AT&T Fiber, 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 Akron
| Supplier | 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 |
| FairlawnGig-Pro | $99 | 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 |
| AT&T Internet 1000 Read the full review | $80 | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| FairlawnGig Premium | $55 | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read the full review | $60 | 1,000 Mbps | 40 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review | $70 ($45 with qualifying mobile plans) | 300 Mbps | 75 Mbps | No | Fixed wireless connection |
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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 Federal Communications CommissionPlease 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 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 Akron
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 price, availability, and speed information based on our own historical ISP data, the providers’ websites, and map information from FCC.gov.
And it doesn’t stop there: We use the FCC website to review 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 J.D. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Providers in Akron
What is the best internet provider in Akron?
AT&T Fiber is Akron’s best internet service provider, offering fast, symmetrical upload and download speeds at reasonable prices. It also has a number of favorable terms, including unlimited data, free equipment, and discounts for AT&T cell phone customers.
Is fiber optic internet available in Akron?
Yes, fiber optic internet is available to 32% of Akron residents, according to FCC dataAT&T Fiber and FairlawnGig both offer fiber internet services in the city.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Akron?
Spectrum is the cheapest internet provider in Akron, with prices starting at $30 per month. That said, prices increase by $55 per month on all plans in the third year.
Which internet provider in Akron offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber and FairlawnGig both offer upload and download speeds of up to 5,000 Mbps. AT&T Fiber is more widely available in the city.
