Best Internet Providers in Hartford, Connecticut
What is the best internet provider in Hartford?
Considering the speed and overall value, Frontier Fiber is the best internet provider in Hartford, Connecticut. Frontier Fiber has the best fiber coverage in Hartford, delivering fast, symmetrical speeds of up to 5,000 megabits per second, the fastest in the region. Unlike most Xfinity options, all plans include free equipment rental and unlimited data.
Speaking of Xfinity, the nation’s largest cable internet provider is also the largest and essentially only cable ISP in Hartford. Xfinity offers the cheapest internet plan in Hartford, starting at $30 for up to 300 Mbps, as well as a selection of other competitively priced plans with speeds up to 2,000 Mbps. Depending on the plan you choose, contracts and equipment fees may apply, potentially reducing the overall value a notch.
Other internet options in Hartford include fiber optic internet from GoNetspeed, although availability is limited, and fixed wireless internet from Verizon 5G Home Internet or T-Mobile Home Internet. More households in Hartford are likely eligible for T-Mobile Home Internet, but if you can get Verizon 5G Home Internet, it can provide faster speeds for a lower monthly price.
Best Internet in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut, Internet Providers Compared
| Supplier | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data limit | Contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Border fiber Read the full review | Fiber | $30-$130 | 200-5,000 Mbps | No | No | No | 6.3 |
| GoNetspeed | Fiber | $40-$100 | 500-2,000 Mbps | No | No | No | n/a |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $65 ($40-$50 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) | 100-300 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.2 |
| Xfinity Read the full review | Cable | $30-$1000 | 300-2000 Mbps | $15 (optional) | 1.2 TB or unlimited | Optional | 7 |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Hartford?
| Plan | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Connect More Read the full review | $34 | 300 Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Frontier Fiber 500 Read the full review | $30 | 200 Mbps | No |
| GoNetspeed 500 | $50 | 500 Mbps | No |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($35 with qualifying mobile plans) | 100 Mbps | No |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | $65 ($40-$50 with qualifying mobile plans) | 245 Mbps | No |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
How to Find Online Deals and Promotions in Hartford
The best internet deals and top promotions in Hartford 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 Hartford, such as Xfinity and T-Mobile Home Internet, may offer lower introductory prices or perks like streaming services and unlimited data for a limited time. Others, including Frontier Fiber, GoNetspeed and Verizon 5G 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.
Fastest internet plans in Hartford
| Plan | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data limit | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier Fiber 5 Gig Read the full review | $130 | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Frontier Fiber 2 Gig Read the full review | $100 | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Xfinity Gigabit x2 Read the full review | $1000 | 2000 Mbps | 206 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Frontier Fiber 1 Gig Read the full review | $50 | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| GoNet speed 1 Gig | $60 | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Xfinity Gigabit Read the full review | $50 | 1,000 Mbps | 114 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review | $70 ($45 with qualifying mobile plans) | 300 Mbps | 20 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 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 Hartford
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.
And 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?
The answers to those questions are often layered and complex, but the providers that come closest to yes on all three are the ones 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 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 Hartford, Connecticut, Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best internet provider in Hartford?
Frontier Fiber is the best internet provider in Hartford. With plans ranging from 200 to 5,000 Mbps starting at $30 to $130 per month with equipment and unlimited data included, the 100% fiber provider offers the best value of any major ISP in the area.
Is fiber optic internet available in Hartford?
According to recent figures, approximately 30% of homes in Hartford are ready for fiber optic internet. FCC Data. Fiber coverage is greatest in the south and northwest parts of the city, around the University of Hartford, although fiber service can be found in random areas of the city. Frontier Fiber is the largest fiber provider in Hartford, while GoNetspeed also offers fiber service to a smaller portion of Hartford households.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Hartford?
Xfinity has the cheapest internet plans in Hartford, with three plans priced lower than Frontier Fiber’s cheapest plan. They start at $35, $60, and $100 per month and offer speeds of up to 300, 1,000, and 2,000 Mbps, respectively. Depending on the plan, a contract may be required to get the lowest Xfinity prices, and none of them include equipment rental, which adds $15 to your monthly bill if you choose to rent.
Which internet provider in Hartford offers the fastest plan?
Frontier Fiber offers the fastest internet plan in Hartford with symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 5,000 Mbps starting at $130 per month. Frontier’s next-fastest plan, at up to 2,000 Mbps, is also faster than Xfinity’s fastest plan in Hartford, which maxes out at 1,200 Mbps. Frontier Fiber also has the advantage of symmetrical upload and download speeds with every plan, while Xfinity upload speeds are significantly slower than downloads.
