What are the best internet providers in Cincinnati?
CNET experts have studied and evaluated Internet service providers in Cincinnati to find the best choice, whether you value speed or affordability. If you live in Cincinnati, you mostly have two options when it comes to internet providers: spectrum and altafiber. (Although some families can access from 5G home internet T-MobileVerizon or AT&T Internet Air. ) We tested the available options and recommended Altafiber As the best internet provider in Cincinnati, Thanks to the combination of fast speed and reasonable pricing.
Altafiber also offers the cheapest plan in the region, starting at $35 a month and 100 megabits per second. If you prioritize speed, Altafiber also has a 2 Gigabit plan for $85 per month. But remember that ultimately, your choice depends on which providers and plans your address offers.
Cincinnati Internet Provider
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment cost | Data cap | contract | CNET Comment Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altafiber | fiber | $35- $85 | 100-2,000Mbps | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing | N/A. |
| AT&T Internet Air Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $60 | 72-225Mbps | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing | 6.9 |
| spectrum Read the full review |
cable | $50- $70 | 500-1,000Mbps | Free modem; $10 router | Nothing | Nothing | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 with qualified phone plan) | 87-415Mbps | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G home internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with qualified phone plan) | 50-250Mbps | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other Internet providers in Cincinnati
- Hughesnet: If you are in Cincinnati or its instant suburbs, you may not need satellite internet. It is available only at 50-100mbps, with a price of $50 and a contract and equipment fee of two years.
- Starlink: Starlink surpasses some of the top fiber and wired internet providers due to the price of $120 per month and the large equipment fee is $349. The obvious attraction of the satellite provider is its access to rural residents, low latency and unlimited data. In addition, Starlink’s new internet options, Starlink miniallowing you to connect internet on the go.
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Cincinnati residents can access the 5G Internet from Verizon and T-Mobile. T-Mobile’s home internet service costs between $50 and $70 per month and can offer speeds up to 415Mbps.
- Viasat: Another major satellite internet company, Viasat starts at $120 per month and can reach speeds up to 150Mbps, depending on the plan.
Cheap Internet Options in Cincinnati
Excluding expensive satellite internet options, Cincinnati residents can expect to pay $35 to $50 for internet services. The most affordable plan in the city comes from Altafiber ($35 per month), offering 100Mbps.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Cincinnati?
| Provider | Start monthly prices | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| altafiber fioptics 100Mbps | $35 | 100Mbps | Nothing |
| Altafiber Fioptics 400Mbps | $35 | 400Mbps | Nothing |
| Altafiber Fioptics 600Mbps | $45 | 600Mbps | Nothing |
| Spectrum Internet Premier Read the full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 for qualified mobile plans) | 318Mbps | Nothing |
| Verizon 5G home internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 for qualified mobile plans) | 85Mbps | Nothing |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Cincinnati
The best internet deals and top promotions in Cincinnati depend on the discounts available during this period. Most transactions are short-lived, but we often look for the latest quotes.
Cincinnati internet providers such as Altafiber and Verizon may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, some (including T-Mobile Home Internet and AT&T Internet Air) run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a wider list of promotions, check out our guide The best internet transactions.
How fast is Cincinnati broadband?
With limited options, it is no surprise that Cincinnati has lower download speeds compared to other U.S. cities and even Ohio cities. Queens City ranks 90 Ookla’s Internet Speed List Among the 100 most populous cities in the United States, the median download speed is 183 megabits per second and the upload speed is about 30Mbps. Not bad, but not very good. fortunately, High-speed Internet Options Available in the city. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET.)
Looking for fast download speeds? Consider Altafiber’s 2,000Mbps plan, available at some addresses for $85 per month. If you can’t use the plan, Altafiber also offers a plan of 1,000Mbps for $65 per month.
Cincinnati’s fastest internet plan
| Provider | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| altafiber fioptics 2 performances | $85 | 2,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | fiber |
| altafiber fioptics 1 performance | $65 | 1,000Mbps | 600Mbps | fiber |
| Spectrum Internet Performance Read the full review |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | cable |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is good internet speed?
Most Internet connectivity programs can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you are looking for an internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, streaming videos or games, you will get better experience and have a stronger connection. Here is an overview of the minimum download speeds recommended for various applications, According to FCC. Note that these are just guides – Internet speed, services and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to solve the basics: browse the internet, send and receive emails, and stream low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps provides you with higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should provide a user with enough bandwidth to meet the needs of modern remote office, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to perform high bandwidth activities for two users simultaneously, such as video conferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high bandwidth activities simultaneously.
For more information, see our guide How much internet speed do you really need.
How to choose the best internet provider in Cincinnati
There are numerous and regional Internet service providers. Different from the latest smartphone,,,,, laptop,,,,, router or Kitchen toolsit is impractical to test each ISP in a given city in person. So what is our method? We start by studying pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, providing the site and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission fcc.gov.
But that’s not over. We visit the FCC’s website to check our data and make sure we consider all ISPs that provide services in a certain area. We also enter our local address on the provider website to find specific options for residents. We look at resources including the U.S. Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to evaluate how satisfied ISP services have with customers. ISP plans and prices change frequently; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once this local information is obtained, we ask three main questions:
- Can providers access reasonable and fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for the money they pay?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
Although the answers to these questions are often layered and complex, the three we recommend are closest to the provider of “yes”. When choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for the lowest monthly plan, although we also consider issues such as price increase, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We view the upload and download speeds on ads and consider them from such Ookla and FCC Report.
To explore our process more deeply, visit us How we test ISP Page.
What is the last sentence of Cincinnati Internet providers?
For most Cincinnati residents, the ISP choice will boil down to Altafiber or Spectrum. However, some city residents can access the 5G Internet from T-Mobile and Verizon. Prices start around $50, and for those willing to $100 a month, the speed is even higher.
Internet providers in Cincinnati FAQ
Which is the best Internet service provider in Cincinnati?
Is there a fiber optic internet in Cincinnati?
Yes. It comes from Altafiber, and we chose the best internet service provider in the city. Altafiber’s services come in a variety of plans, starting at 100Mbps to 2,000Mbps, and prices range from $35 to $85. Compared to other options in Cincinnati, Altafiber’s plan is competitive in both speed and price.
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Is Verizon or T-Mobile better for home broadband?
If you are in a rare situation where you can access Verizon and T-Mobile’s 5G Internet, then you can make a decision. If you want higher speeds, we recommend Verizon. However, for a price guarantee (and other additional perks), T-Mobile may affect you. View CNET articles Comparison Verizon 5G home and T-Mobile home internet For more details.
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