Internet Providers in Chicago, Illinois
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Home Internet in Chicago, IL
-
1. AT&T 
Speeds Up To5 Gbps
Connection: IPBB, Fiber, 5G InternetAvailability: 91.2%Chicago speed tests confirm high speeds for AT&T Internet -
2. Xfinity
Speeds Up To2 Gbps*
Connection: CableAvailability: 98.6%Chicago speed tests confirm high speeds for Xfinity -
3. Viasat
Speeds Up To150 Mbps*
Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100% -
4. EarthLink
Speeds Up To100 Mbps*
Connection: 5G InternetAvailability: 63% -
5. Rise Broadband
Speeds Up To100 Mbps*
Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 80% -
6. HughesNet
Speeds Up To100 Mbps*
Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100% -
7. Bertram Internet
Speeds Up To50 Mbps*
Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 3.4% -
8. Metronet
Speeds Up To5.12 Gbps*
Connection: FiberAvailability: 3.8% -
NITCO
Speeds Up To25 Mbps*
Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 3% -
RCN
Speeds Up To1.5 Gbps*
Connection: Cable, FiberAvailability: 22.4% -
WATCH
Speeds Up To400 Mbps*
Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 4.1% -
Starlink
Download Speeds:50 - 220 Mbps*
Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100% -
Verizon
Speeds Up To1 Gbps*
Connection: 5G InternetAvailability: 38.9%
Compare Top Providers in Your Area
- AT&T Internet vs. Xfinity
- AT&T Internet vs. Frontier
- AT&T Internet vs. Astound Broadband Powered by RCN
- AT&T Internet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Frontier vs. Xfinity
- Hughesnet vs. Viasat Internet
- Hughesnet vs. Rise Broadband
- Starlink vs. Viasat Internet
- Viasat Internet vs. Rise Broadband
- Viasat Internet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Xfinity vs. Astound Broadband Powered by RCN
- Xfinity vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
Best Internet Providers in Chicago, IL
We recommend AT&T Fiber as the best home internet provider for most users in Chicago. Not to be confused with AT&T’s IPBB offering, AT&T Internet, AT&T Fiber is the brand’s lightning-fast fiber-optic internet service. It offers speeds between 300 Mbps and 5 Gbps, and the best part is that these speeds are symmetrical. AT&T Fiber’s internet-only plans are also affordable, with prices ranging between $55 and $245 per month.
If AT&T Fiber isn’t available in your area of Chicago, look for Astound Broadband Powered by RCN. Formerly just RCN, the broadband provider is a longtime favorite of Chicago locals, and it offers fiber internet in some parts of the city. Its cable options aren’t as quick as its fiber connections, of course, but they’re still worth considering if they’re available in your area. Its top download speeds reach up to 1.5 Gbps, and depending on where you live, you might have access to its cable or fiber internet service.
If you don’t have access to AT&T Fiber or Astound Broadband, your next-best option is the city’s ubiquitous cable provider, Xfinity. Xfinity offers speeds between 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps on a cable connection. Its internet-only plans start at $30 per month, with the higher end at $95 per month. If you’re looking for bundles, Xfinity offers internet, home phone, home security, mobile and TV services that start at $55 per month. Unlike AT&T Fiber, Xfinity plans do have data caps, so we recommend going for fiber internet if you prefer unlimited data.
Most ISPs offer deals and promotions to new and sometimes current subscribers. For example, some of AT&T’s current promotions include 20 percent off AT&T Fiber when paired with an unlimited wireless plan, an extra $75 reward card when you order AT&T Fiber over the phone using promo code “BACK2SCHOOL” at checkout, and a $150 Visa Reward Card with an AT&T Fiber Internet 1000 plan or higher. These promotions don’t last and change monthly, so be sure to check back frequently for the latest deals so you don’t miss out.
Fastest Internet Providers in Chicago, IL
Metronet is the fastest of Chicago’s broadband home internet companies. It offers speeds of up to 5 Gbps — more than enough for even the most bandwidth-hungry households.
When shopping for internet, consider how much speed you’ll actually need on your home Wi-Fi. More is always better, of course, but it’s not always cost-effective. Once you get past 1 Gbps, you’re not going to notice much difference in your internet speed with typical use. Keep in mind that fiber networks offer faster upload speeds than cable or DSL ones. Download speed is usually the most important thing, but certain activities — such as video chatting or broadcasting your own stream — demand decent upload speeds.
Another thing you’ll want to consider is data caps. Fiber internet plans usually come with unlimited data, but cable and DSL internet providers will have data caps with their plans. If you choose a plan with a data cap and go over the monthly allotted amount, you’ll be charged a data overage fee, and your internet performance might slow down due to throttling. However, data caps don’t always mean they’re bad, especially if you don’t perform online activities that often. It’s only when you live in a large household with multiple power internet users that you should keep an eye on your data usage.
What’s a Good Internet Speed?
| Internet Speed | Appropriate For | Providers in your Area offering this Speed | Availability in your Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Mbps |
|
|
3% |
| 100 Mbps |
|
|
100% |
| 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
|
|
98.61999999999999% |
Learn more about internet speeds:
Internet Availability in Chicago, IL
Chicago is well served by some very fast broadband internet providers, but your options will depend on what neighborhood you live in — and sometimes your exact address. The main difference you’ll see will be the availability of AT&T Fiber and Astound Powered by RCN. (The availability of Xfinity, on the other hand, won’t change much. You can get Xfinity service at virtually any address in the city.)
Where is AT&T Fiber available, and where can you get Astound Powered by RCN in Chicago?
Generally, AT&T Fiber is more widely available on the North Side of Chicago than it is on the South Side. The best-covered areas are mostly found along I-90 as it heads northwest out of downtown. AT&T has great fiber availability in neighborhoods like West Bucktown, Logan Square, Grayland, Albany Park, Montrose, Portage Park, and Northwood Park. Coverage is a little spotter closer to Lake Michigan, in areas such as Ravenswood and the Near North Side, but it’s still worth checking availability at your address if you live in those areas.
Coverage beyond those areas isn’t great. The Loop, Near West Side, and Near South Side don’t have a ton of access to AT&T Fiber, nor do most neighborhoods south or west of those areas.
Frustratingly, Astound Powered by RCN’s fiber internet footprint has a fair amount of overlap with AT&T’s. It does, however, offer fiber service in some areas that aren’t served well by AT&T — most notably the Near North Side, the Loop, West Loop, and the Near South Side. Astound’s cable internet options — which, although not as fast as its fiber offerings, are still very well regarded — are more widely available. Astound covers pretty much the entire North Side of Chicago. It handles a fair bit of the South Side, too, covering most areas between the Dan Ryan Expressway and Lake Michigan as far south as Hyde Park. Don’t expect to see it in neighborhoods on the western side of Chicago though.
Internet Provider Store Locations in Chicago, IL
Provider Connection Types in Chicago, IL
| Connection Type | About this Connection Type | Availability in Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Satellite |
|
100% |
| DSL |
|
55.28999999999999% |
| Cable |
|
99.22% |
| Fiber |
|
33.1% |
List of Internet Providers in Chicago, IL
| Provider | Type | Top Speed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | IPBB, Fiber, 5G Internet | 5 Gbps | |
| Xfinity | Cable | 2 Gbps | |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps | |
| EarthLink | 5G Internet | 100 Mbps | |
| Rise Broadband | Fixed Wireless | 100 Mbps | |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100 Mbps | |
| Bertram Internet | Fixed Wireless | 50 Mbps | |
| Metronet | Fiber | 5.12 Gbps | |
| NITCO | Fixed Wireless | 25 Mbps | |
| RCN | Cable, Fiber | 1.5 Gbps | |
| WATCH | Fixed Wireless | 400 Mbps | |
| Starlink | Satellite | 220 Mbps | |
| Verizon | 5G Internet | 1 Gbps |
Internet Providers in Nearby Cities
Internet Providers in Chicago, IL
| Provider | Plans Starting At | Speeds Up To | Connections | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet | $55/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan | 5 Gbps Ltd. avail/areas. Speeds vary, not g’td. Single devices wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. | IPBB, Fiber, 5G Internet | |
| Xfinity | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan | 2 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Cable | |
| Viasat Internet | $99.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan | 150 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite | |
| EarthLink 5G Home Internet | $39.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan | 100 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | 5G Internet | |
| Rise Broadband | $55/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan | 100 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless | |
| Hughesnet | $49.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan | 100 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite | |
| Bertram Internet | $59.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan | 50 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless | |
| Metronet | $29.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan | 5.12 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber | |
| NITCO | $64.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan | 25 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless | |
| Astound Broadband Powered by RCN | $20/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan | 1.5 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Cable, Fiber | |
| WATCH Communications | $59.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan | 400 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless | |
| Starlink | $120/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan | 220 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite | |
| Verizon | $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan | 1 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | 5G Internet |
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet in Chicago, IL
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