Best Internet Providers in Grand Rapids, Michigan

What is the best internet provider in Grand Rapids?

CNET’s top pick for best internet provider in Grand Rapids is AT&T Fiber. Not only is it widely available, it also has symmetrical upload and download speeds, making it a great choice for avid gamers or users who do a lot of video conferencing. There are no hidden fees to be found, and there are no data caps either.

Looking for a more affordable option? Check out Xfinity. The service provider has a wide range of plans to suit every need. Keep in mind that prices go up after a year or two, depending on the plan.

If you can’t get AT&T Fiber and don’t want to deal with Xfinity’s confusing pricing structure, T-Mobile Home Internet is a refreshingly simple option. The fixed wireless provider includes everything you need in its single $50 monthly plan and guarantees that it will never raise your rates.

Best Internet in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.

Other available internet providers in Grand Rapids

• Satellite internet: You can get satellite internet at just about any address in the country, but it’s only your best option in rural areas where other types of connections aren’t available. HughesNet and Viasat are the traditional satellite ISPs, and both have high prices, slow speeds, and low data caps. Starlink is a newer option from SpaceX that offers faster speeds, but you’ll still pay a much higher price than AT&T, Xfinity, and T-Mobile.
• Verizon 5G Home Internet: It’s only available to about 1 in 5 homes in Grand Rapids, but Verizon 5G Home Internet is a solid option for fixed wireless internet in the area. Speeds go up to 1,000 Mbps at some addresses, and you can save an extra $15 to $25 per month when you bundle with a qualifying Verizon Wireless plan.

Cheap Internet Options in Grand Rapids

Xfinity is by far the cheapest internet provider in Grand Rapids, with plans starting at $30 per month and available almost everywhere in the city. Those prices more than double in the third year of service, but when you factor in the savings from the first few years, they’re still a pretty good deal.

Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.

How do you find online deals and promotions in Grand Rapids?

The best internet deals and top promotions in Grand Rapids depend on what discounts are available at the time. Most deals are short-lived, but we regularly check for the latest offers.

Grand Rapids internet providers, such as Xfinity, may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, including AT&T Fiber and T-Mobile Home Internet, 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 the broadband internet in Grand Rapids?

Nearly every address in Grand Rapids has access to high-speed internet. 99.7% of the city can reach 250/25Mbps speeds, compared to 85.5% for Michigan and 87.3% for the nation as a whole. That’s also better than other cities in the state, such as Lansing (96.9%) and Detroit (98.9%).

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 be enough bandwidth for one person to meet the demands of modern teleworking, video streaming, and online gaming.
• With 100 to 500 Mbps, one or two people can simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
• With 500 to 1,000 Mbps, three or more people can participate in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.

How CNET Picked the Best Internet Providers in Grand Rapids

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router, or kitchen utensil, it’s impractical to personally test every Internet service provider in a given city. So how do we do it? To start, we use a proprietary price, availability, and speed database based on our own historical ISP data, partner data, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

This guide uses an in-house artificial intelligence tool called RAMP, which is trained on our own writing and uses our database to generate content about specific ISPs that our writers can use in determining and presenting our picks for a given guide. Check out CNET’s AI Policy for more information about how our teams use (and don’t use) AI tools.

Because our database is not exhaustive, we go to the FCC website to check the primary data ourselves and make sure we consider every ISP that offers service in an area. Plans and prices also vary by location, so we enter local addresses into provider websites to find the specific options available to 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 prices are subject to frequent change; all information provided is accurate as of our pre-publication fact check.

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?

The answers to these questions are often multi-layered and complex, but the providers that come closest to yes on all three are the providers we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fees, although 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 such as Ookla And FCC Reports.

Want to dive deeper into our process? Visit our How We Test ISPs page.

What’s the final word on internet providers in Grand Rapids?

Nearly every household in Grand Rapids has access to at least one high-speed internet provider, but some are still better than others. AT&T Fiber is the best of the bunch, with fast, symmetrical speeds, straightforward pricing, and excellent customer satisfaction scores. If you can’t get AT&T Fiber at your address, Xfinity and T-Mobile Home Internet are good backup options, but they both have drawbacks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Providers in Grand Rapids