Internet Service Providers in
Chicago, IL
Compare the top internet providers in Chicago, IL.
Providers in Chicago, IL
Speeds up to 5,000 Mbps
Pricing
55%
coverage in Chicago, IL
Very Reliable
No cancellation fee
No required contract
No cancellation fee
No required contract
7 plans
Speeds up to 245 Mbps
Pricing
64%
coverage in Chicago, IL
Very Reliable
No cancellation fee
No required contract
No cancellation fee
No required contract
4 plans
Speeds up to 1,200 Mbps
Pricing
65%
coverage in Chicago, IL
Very Reliable
No cancellation fee
No required contract
No cancellation fee
No required contract
Speeds up to 2,000 Mbps
Pricing
99%
coverage in Chicago, IL
Very Reliable
No cancellation fee
No required contract
No cancellation fee
No required contract
2 plans
Speeds up to 5,000 Mbps
Pricing
66%
coverage in Chicago, IL
Reliable
Cancellation fee
Requires contract
Cancellation fee
Requires contract
16 plans
Speeds up to 100 Mbps
Pricing
99%
coverage in Chicago, IL
Reliable
Cancellation fee
Requires contract
Cancellation fee
Requires contract
3 plans
Speeds up to 1,200 Mbps
66% coverage in Chicago, IL
Speeds up to 100 Mbps
99% coverage in Chicago, IL
Speeds up to 150 Mbps
99% coverage in Chicago, IL
Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
99% coverage in Chicago, IL
Speeds up to 100 Mbps
99% coverage in Chicago, IL
Speeds up to 60 Mbps
99% coverage in Chicago, IL
Speeds may vary
Starting at
No cancellation fee
No required contract
Speeds may vary
Starting at
No cancellation fee
No required contract
Speeds may vary
Starting at
No cancellation fee
Requires contract
Speeds may vary
Starting at
No cancellation fee
Max network speed5G
Starting at
No cancellation fee
No required contract
Speeds may vary
Starting at
No cancellation fee
No required contract
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Best internet providers in Chicago, IL
As a Chicagoan, you probably know where to get the best hot dogs, cracker-crust pizza, and brownies—but what about the best home internet? The most populous city in the Midwest offers so many internet providers that it's hard to choose. So I've pulled the top three options for you to consider. You might like Xfinity Internet, which is available in almost every neighborhood in the city. AT&T Fiber is also stellar for its fast speeds and fair prices. And if neither of those do it for you, you can also look at Google Fiber Webpass, an avant-garde fixed wireless option for folks who love fast speeds at a bargain deal.
Who actually has the best internet in Chicago?
According to the American Consumer Satisfaction Index, AT&T Fiber is the internet service in Chicago that users are most happy with. As one of our best-rated internet providers, it tops ubiquitous cable provider Xfinity in terms of speeds and symmetrical uploads, while the prices are nice too. Just make sure that you can actually get fiber when you sign up and not AT&T's wireless option, Internet Air, which isn't as reliable.
What internet provider has the biggest coverage area in Chicago?
Comcast's Xfinity Internet has the biggest coverage area in Chicago, claiming 97.43% of the city, according to FCC data. You can scarcely swing a bat in the Windy City without hitting an Xfinity service locale! But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the cable provider if you don’t want it—there are still other internet services with broad availability in the city, including AT&T and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet.
Xfinity Internet: Fast speeds and widely available
If there's one thing you can rely on for Xfinity internet, it's getting fast download speeds almost anywhere in Chicago. Most Windy City residents can get Xfinity speeds ranging from 75Mbps to 800Mbps, although we recommend paying $55 a month for the 400Mbps Xfinity Fast plan for most Chicago residents. It hits that sweet spot of being affordable while providing enough internet speed for a household of four or fewer. You can also save some money on your internet and cell phone bill if you sign up for an Xfinity cell phone plan along with your internet plan. Xfinity Mobile offers one of the better cell phone plans, so it's worth checking out if you're not in love with your current carrier.
AT&T Internet: Best fiber internet
We recommend a "fiber or bust" approach with AT&T Internet. In other words, you should only go for AT&T if it offers fiber in your part of Chicago. AT&T Fiber is some of the best in the country. It's affordable but also very fast—download and upload speeds range from 1,000Mbps to a mind-boggling 5,000Mbps, depending on the plan. You don't need to worry about data caps or contracts, either. But if your area only offers AT&T Air, we recommend looking at a different cable or 5G home internet provider instead. AT&T just isn't worth it without fiber.
Google Fiber Webpass: Alternative gigabit option
This unique service from Google Fiber uses an antenna to dispatch a fixed wireless connection to apartment buildings and multi-family dwellings, giving customers speeds up to a gigabit for as low as $63 a month. The cost beats the pricing for AT&T's gigabit fiber plan, and you don't need to pay for installation fees, annual contracts, or data overage charges. But you do need to live with the fact that you can't get data speeds over 1,000Mbps.
Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate in Millennium Park, Chicago
Can I get internet service in Chicago without Comcast?
Yes, there are plenty of other internet options in Chicago besides Comcast Xfinity. While Xfinity service is accessible across nearly 100% of Chicago, most citizens have other internet options if they don’t wish to enroll with Xfinity.
How much is cable and internet in Chicago?
Nationwide, top cable and internet bundle prices average about $135. Precise cable and internet costs in Chicago depend on which providers you sign up for and where in the city you live. Check out Best Cable TV and Internet Bundles for a ballpark estimate of how much cable television and other home services might cost you.
Is Charter internet offered in Chicago?
According to the FCC National Broadband map, Charter-owned internet provider Spectrum Internet isn’t offered in Chicago. However, other cable providers, such as Xfinity, are.
How can I get free internet in Chicago?
Chicago students and their families may be eligible for Chicago Connected, a program that connects students to the internet at no cost. To learn about more subsidized internet options, you can also read our piece about what to do after the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Internet providers in cities and suburbs near Chicago:
Cheapest internet providers in Chicago, IL
The cheapest internet providers get you a reliable connection at an affordable price. You may have to settle for slower speeds, but you can also find promos and discounts. Hot tip: Look for providers with unlimited data and no extra fees to save even further.
Provider | Price starting at | Connection Type | Learn More |
| $9.95 | Cable | View Plans | |
| $20 | Cable + Fiber | View Plans | |
| $39.95 | Fiber | View Plans |
Fastest internet plans and providers in Chicago, IL
The fastest internet providers can get you gigabit or even multi-gigabit speeds. Not everyone needs a 1,000Mbps connection or faster, but it’s worth the investment if you’re a power user or live in a large household.
Provider | Max Download Speed | Connection Type | Learn More |
| 5000 Mbps | Fiber | View Plans | |
| 5000 Mbps | Fiber | View Plans | |
| 2000 Mbps | Cable | View Plans |
Most reliable internet plans in Chicago, IL
A reliable internet connection means you get a stable connection and consistent speeds day in, day out, without the worry of sudden slowdowns or outages. You also get top-rated customer service and technical support in case things do go awry. Fiber is the most reliable internet you can get, so we recommend that if it’s available.
Provider | Reliability rating | Connection Type | Learn More |
 3.93 | 5G Home | View Plans | |
| 3.91 | Cable | View Plans | |
 3.8 | Fiber | View Plans |
Test your internet speed
Is your home internet fast enough to meet your daily Wi-Fi needs? The best way to find out is by running a speed test, which gives you a snapshot of how much bandwidth you’re getting from your internet provider. Run the test over a hardwired ethernet connection for the most accurate results, and try taking the test at different times throughout the day to measure possible fluctuations in your download speed, upload speed, and latency.
If you have trouble getting things done online with the speed-test results you’re getting, consider upgrading to a faster plan or switching internet providers.
Connecting to a server ...
How much speed do you need?
Take a look below at what you can do with different speeds commonly offered by internet service providers (ISPs). You can read more about the average user’s speed needs in our internet speed guide.
To get these numbers, we used the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) broadband speed guide, our streaming internet speed guide, and our Zoom internet speed guide.
Internet connection options in Chicago, IL
Renowned for its reliability, fiber can reach download and upload speeds up to 10,000Mbps. While it isn’t available everywhere, it’s the best internet you can get.
Cable is bread-and-butter internet—widely available, often affordable, and very fast, delivering download speeds that range anywhere from 25Mbps to 1,200Mbps
DSL maxes out at 100Mbps, but many DSL customers get much slower speeds than that. DSL is becoming obsolete, but it’s still a solid option in rural areas.
Satellite is available practically everywhere, even in the most remote parts of the country. It’s costly and comes with strict data limits and slow speeds, so use it as a last resort.
Internet in Chicago, IL at a glance
Internet provider averages in
Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Average download speed
148 Mbps
Average upload speed
39 Mbps
Average latency time
20.24 ms
Average cost of internet
$54/mo
Number of internet providers
26
Internet availability faster than 100 Mbps
The number of households in each region that have access to 100 Mbps internet.
Chicago
99%
Illinois
99%
U.S.A.
92%
Chicago Internet Value Score
We came up with this score by dividing the average cost of each provider in Chicago, IL with the average speeds they offered.
$0.36 per Mbps
National average: $0.63
Find internet providers in cities near Chicago, IL
Browse all cities in Illinois
AT&T
*Above pricing is after $10/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount with a debit card or bank account; if using a credit card, then price is $5/mo more.
†Above pricing is after $10/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount with a debit card or bank account; if using a credit card, then price is $5/mo more. Pricing includes Equipment Fee. Up to $99 install fee may apply, plus tax where applicable.
‡AutoPay and paperless billing required. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. . Service subj. to Internet Terms of Service at att.com/internet-terms. Offers may be modified, or discontinued, at any time without notice. Other conditions may apply to all offers. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.
^Above pricing is after $10/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount with a debit card or bank account; if using a credit card, then price is $5/mo more.
°Above pricing is after $10/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount with a debit card or bank account; if using a credit card, then price is $5/mo more.
**Above pricing is after $10/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount with a debit card or bank account; if using a credit card, then price is $5/mo more.
††Above pricing is after $10/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount with a debit card or bank account; if using a credit card, then price is $5/mo more.
T-Mobile Home Internet
*w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms.
XFINITY
*For 12 month, no term contract. Taxes not included. Incl. up to $10/mo. auto-pay & paperless bill discount.
†For 12 month, no term contract. Taxes and equipment not included. Incl. up to $10/mo. auto-pay & paperless bill discount.
Earthlink
*with a 12 month contract. Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas
†Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas. Exclusions like taxes & fees apply. Not available in all areas. Limited-time offer; subject to change.
‡Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas. Exclusions like taxes & fees apply. Not available in all areas. Limited-time offer; subject to change.
^with a 12 month contract. Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas
°with a 12 month contract. Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas
**with a 12 month contract.
††with a 12 month contract. Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas
‡‡with a 12 month contract. Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas
^^with a 12 month contract. Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas
°°with a 12 month contract. Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas
***With the Work From Home Unlimited Plan, you’ll enjoy speeds up to 25 Mbps for the first 300 GB of data usage each month; speeds will reduce if usage exceeds 300 GB within that month.
†††Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas. Exclusions like taxes & fees apply. Not available in all areas. Limited-time offer; subject to change.
‡‡‡Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas. Exclusions like taxes & fees apply. Not available in all areas. Limited-time offer; subject to change.
^^^with a 12 month contract. Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas
°°°Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas. Exclusions like taxes & fees apply. Not available in all areas. Limited-time offer; subject to change.
****with a 12 month contract. Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas
Hughesnet
*Offer for 12 months. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra.
†Offer for 12 months. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra.
‡Offer for 12 months. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra.
Viasat
*Prices and speeds vary upon location. Offer available to new qualifying customers. One-time standard installation fee may be due at checkout. Minimum 24-month service term required. Equipment lease fee is $14.99/mo. Taxes apply. Speeds are “up to,” will vary and are not guaranteed. Service is not available in all areas. Offer may be changed or withdrawn at any time.
†Prices and speeds vary upon location. Offer available to new qualifying customers. One-time standard installation fee may be due at checkout. Minimum 24-month service term required. Equipment lease fee is $14.99/mo. Taxes apply. Speeds are “up to,” will vary and are not guaranteed. Service is not available in all areas. Offer may be changed or withdrawn at any time.
‡Prices, speeds and availability vary by location. Prices are subject to change. No annual contract or installation fees are required. Monthly equipment lease fees and taxes may apply.
^Prices and speeds vary upon location. Offer available to new qualifying customers. One-time standard installation fee may be due at checkout. Minimum 24-month service term required. Equipment lease fee is $14.99/mo. Taxes apply. Speeds are “up to,” will vary and are not guaranteed. Service is not available in all areas. Offer may be changed or withdrawn at any time.
