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Internet Providers in Cincinnati, Ohio

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Home Internet in Cincinnati, OH

  • 1. Spectrum
    Speeds Up To
    2 Gbps
    See *
    Connection: Cable, Fiber
    Availability: 94.4%
  • 2. AT&T
    Speeds Up To
    225 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: 5G Internet
    Availability: 27%
  • 3. Viasat
    Speeds Up To
    150 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%
  • 4. T-Mobile
    Download Speeds:
    133 - 415 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: 5G Internet
    Availability: 60.2%
  • 5. EarthLink
    Speeds Up To
    100 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: 5G Internet
    Availability: 57.9%
  • 6. Hughesnet
    Speeds Up To
    100 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%
  • 7. XNET WiFi
    Download Speeds:
    25 - 150 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Fixed Wireless
    Availability: 27%
  • 8. altafiber
    Speeds Up To
    2 Gbps
    See *
    Connection: Fiber, DSL
    Availability: 91.4%
  • Agile Networks
    Speeds Up To
    25 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Fixed Wireless
    Availability: 7%
  • Starlink
    Download Speeds:
    50 - 220 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%
  • Verizon
    Speeds Up To
    1 Gbps
    See *
    Connection: 5G Internet
    Availability: 46.1%

Best Internet Providers in Cincinnati, OH

The best of Cincinnati’s internet providers is altafiber, for its excellent reputation and quick high-speed fiber internet connection. In fact, when we surveyed our local review data, we found altafiber customers were happy with the service for its quick speeds up to 2 Gbps, Fioptics+ streaming service, and minimum two-year price lock on plan prices. While customers didn’t love the required $39.99 activation fee on all altafiber internet plans, we love that altafiber offers a military discount of $5 off per life — something you don’t see that often with ISPs anymore.

If you don’t need the symmetrical 2 Gbps download and upload speeds of altafiber’s fiber internet connection, then you should consider Cincinnati’s cable internet provider, Spectrum. Spectrum’s cable connections can reach speeds up to 1 Gbps (wireless speeds may vary), and its plans start at just $50 per month for 12 months. Spectrum also offers packages with other services, including TV with 160+ channels, home phone, and mobile phone, starting at $30 per month for 12 months.

Altafiber and Spectrum aren’t Cincinnati’s only internet service providers — actually, a total of 12 companies serve Cincinnati. However, they’re the two that we most recommend. Wireless alternatives may be tempting (especially exciting newcomers like Starlink satellite internet and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet), but the fact of the matter is that fiber and cable internet are the top two connection types available. That said, if you really want to go with a wireless internet provider, we recommend T-Mobile 5G Home Internet for its affordable and budget-friendly pricing starting at $60 per month.

As a new customer, you can find special deals from internet providers each month. Spectrum frequently runs promotions that vary often as the company phases them in and out, but it’s currently offering Advanced WiFi when you purchase the Spectrum Internet Gig plan. In Cincinnati, you can also get a $150 Virtual Prepaid Mastercard when you sign up for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. Of course, these deals and promotions change quickly, so it’s essential to jump on them before they expire.

Fastest Internet Providers in Cincinnati, OH

Spectrum is the fastest provider in Cincinnati, with speeds up to 2 Gbps.

Cincinnati has a couple of speedy broadband providers. The fastest of them is altafiber, which offers speeds up to 2 Gbps. Fiber internet speeds mean more than internet speeds on other connection types. When altafiber says it offers up to 2 Gbps on its fiber network, that number refers to download speeds and upload speeds. With symmetrical speeds on a fiber internet connection, your home can stream and game on multiple devices without interruption, which cannot be said for other connection types.

With other connection types, like cable, DSL, and 5G home internet, speed claims only refer to download speeds. So, when Spectrum says it has speeds up to 1 Gbps (wireless speeds may vary), it only covers its download speeds. In fact, Spectrum’s upload speeds only reach 50 Mbps, which is much less than you may expect, especially if you tap into one of Spectrum’s faster plans, such as the Spectrum Internet® Gig plan.

To be fair, download speed is by far the most important factor when considering internet provider speeds in Cincinnati. However, upload speeds can matter for things like hosting a livestream or playing online video games. If these activities don’t apply to you, you’ll be more than happy with Spectrum’s internet plan options.

What’s a Good Internet Speed?

Internet Speed Appropriate For Providers in your Area offering this Speed Availability in your Area
25 Mbps
  • Email
  • Web browsing
  • Light streaming
  • Smaller households
  • Agile Networks
7.000000000000001%
100 Mbps
  • Streaming
  • Video chat
  • Online gaming
  • Larger households
  • AT&T
  • Viasat
  • T-Mobile
  • EarthLink
  • Hughesnet
  • XNET WiFi
  • Starlink
100%
1000 Mbps (1 Gbps)
  • Heavy streaming (4K video
  • multiple devices
  • etc.)
  • Video chat
  • Lag-free gaming
  • Large households
  • Spectrum
  • altafiber
  • Verizon
94.43%

Learn more about internet speeds:

Internet Availability in Cincinnati, OH

Choosing an internet plan always involves a question of geography: Which providers are available where you live? Happily, Cincinnati residents have some pretty good options that are also pretty consistent.

Take Altafiber, for example. Like most modern fiber networks, Altafiber doesn’t offer a ton of residential service in the immediate downtown areas. Coverage is a little block to block in Queensgate, Downtown Cincinnati, and the West End; however, you’re still reasonably likely to be able to sign up for a plan in residential zones of those neighborhoods.

Beyond those areas, however, Altafiber’s coverage is remarkable. You’ll find Altafiber in areas north of downtown, all the way up past Route 75 and Spring Grove in neighborhoods like College Hill, Winton Hills, and Bond Hill. Head west from the heart of town to Evanston, Hyde Park, and Mt. Lookout, and you’ll find the same wide availability. And west of 75 and Mill Creek, it’s the same story yet again: You can get Altafiber in Westwood, Western Hills, and just about anywhere else.

As for cable, Cincinnati residents can expect to be offered service by Spectrum. Just like Altafiber, Spectrum is available virtually everywhere in town. The only spots not included in its footprint — which covers 94.4% of Cincinnati — are places like park land, railroad tracks, and empty lots. If you live in Cincy, you can expect to be able to choose between Spectrum and Altafiber.

Internet Provider Store Locations in Cincinnati, OH

Provider Connection Types in Cincinnati, OH

Connection Type About this Connection Type Availability in Cincinnati, OH
Satellite
  • Available even in very rural areas
  • Typically has high latency (lag)
100%
DSL
  • Typically about 100 Mbps
  • Slower than Cable or Fiber
9.790000000000001%
Cable
  • Typically 250 Mbps - 1 Gbps
  • Widely available
  • A good choice for most users
95.44%
Fiber
  • Typically 1 Gbps or faster
  • Upload speeds match download speeds
86.53%

List of Internet Providers in Cincinnati, OH

Provider Type Top Speed
Spectrum Cable, Fiber 2 Gbps
AT&T 5G Internet 225 Mbps
Viasat Satellite 150 Mbps
T-Mobile 5G Internet 415 Mbps
EarthLink 5G Internet 100 Mbps
Hughesnet Satellite 100 Mbps
XNET WiFi Fixed Wireless 225 Mbps
altafiber Fiber, DSL 2 Gbps
Agile Networks Fixed Wireless 25 Mbps
Starlink Satellite 220 Mbps
Verizon 5G Internet 1 Gbps

Internet Providers in Cincinnati, OH

Provider Plans Starting At Speeds Up To Connections
Spectrum $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 2 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Cable, Fiber
AT&T Internet Air $60/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 225 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. 5G Internet
Viasat Internet $99.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 150 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Satellite
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 415 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. 5G Internet
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
Hughesnet $49.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 100 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Satellite
XNET WiFi $85/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 225 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fixed Wireless
altafiber $34.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 2 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fiber, DSL
Agile Networks $48/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 25 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 Cincinnati, OH

  • What is the best internet provider in Cincinnati?

    We consider Altafiber’s fiber internet plans to be the best option for internet in Cincinnati.

  • What is the fastest internet provider in Cincinnati?

  • What is the cheapest internet provider in Cincinnati?

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