Best internet providers in New York City
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Last updated: March 2, 2026
Verizon is the most widely available provider in New York City, but T-Mobile, Spectrum and Optimum are also top providers available in NYC, depending on where you live. Our experts break down internet options in New York City, starting at $30.00/mo.
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SPECTRUM: Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET ADVANTAGE: Offer based on eligibility requirements. Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2026 Charter Communications, all rights reserved. Internet Performance: Spectrum Internet is powered by fiber and delivered to your home via HFC. Updated as of 03/02/26.
VERIZON: Price guarantee for 3-5 years, depending on the internet plan, for new and existing myHome customers. Auto Pay & paper-free billing required. Mobile + Home Discount: $15/mo savings on Verizon Home Internet plans when combined with any Verizon postpaid mobile phone plan (excludes business and data-only plans). Enrollment req’d for Fios Home Internet plans. $99 setup and other terms apply. Subj. to credit approval & may require a deposit. Fios avail. in select areas. Wired speeds advertised. Wireless speeds may vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors. See Verizon.com/yourspeed for more info.
Key takeaways
- Verizon Fios is the most widely available non-satellite internet provider in New York City, offering 87% coverage
- Fiber is widely available across the city from providers like Optimum (up to 8,000 Mbps), AT&T (up to 4,700 Mbps*) and Verizon (up to 2,300 Mbps)
- One of the cheapest internet plans in New York City is provided by Verizon if you pair internet with a mobile plan
- NYC residents have 6 major providers to pick from, as well as several regional ISPs
*Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For 5GIG, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101. Updated as of 03/02/26.
Cheapest internet in New York City
- Optimum provides the cheapest internet in New York City
Optimum offers the cheapest plan in New York City, with speeds starting at 200 Mbps for $25.00/mo. Compared to the average overall internet price in the U.S. ($76.00/mo.), this is one of the best deals in the city. Verizon Fios and Spectrum also offer cheap internet service in New York City, each offering plans for less than or around $40.00/mo. You must bundle Verizon internet with a mobile plan to get the cheapest rate. Optimum’s cable and fiber plans start at $40.00/mo. as well, but the fiber service provides better value.
If Optimum or Verizon Fios fiber service is available where you live, their fiber connections will provide the most reliable and consistent connections due to their plans’ symmetrical download and upload speeds. 5G internet is indeed cheap, but due to cellular technology limitations, it sometimes provides inconsistent performance.
| Provider | Starting price* | Download speed | Connection type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum | $25.00/mo. | 200 Mbps | Cable, fiber | Hybrid options |
| Spectrum | $30.00/mo.** | 100 Mbps | Cable | Cable coverage |
| Astound | $30.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | Cable | Value options |
| Verizon Fios | $34.99/mo.*** with mobile plan | 300 Mbps | Fiber | Fiber speeds |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. Updated as of 03/02/26.
**Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET ADVANTAGE: Offer based on eligibility requirements. Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2026 Charter Communications, all rights reserved. Internet Performance: Spectrum Internet is powered by fiber and delivered to your home via HFC.
***Price guarantee for 3-5 years, depending on the internet plan, for new and existing myHome customers. Auto Pay & paper-free billing required. Mobile + Home Discount: $15/mo savings on Verizon Home Internet plans when combined with any Verizon postpaid mobile phone plan (excludes business and data-only plans). Enrollment req’d for Fios Home Internet plans. $99 setup and other terms apply. Subj. to credit approval & may require a deposit. Fios avail. in select areas. Wired speeds advertised. Wireless speeds may vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors. See Verizon.com/yourspeed for more info.
Fastest internet in New York City
- Optimum offers the fastest internet in New York City, with speeds up to 8,000 in certain areas
Optimum is the fastest provider in New York City, reaching speeds up to 8,000 Mbps in certain areas. AT&T Fiber and Verizon Fios also provide some of the fastest internet in the city with fiber speeds available up to 4,700 Mbps* and 2,300 Mbps, respectively. Astound provides speeds of 1,000 Mbps and 1,500 Mbps, and Spectrum’s gig plan provides cable speeds up to 1,000 Mbps, but with slower upload speeds than fiber providers.
*Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. Single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101. Updated as of 03/02/26.
| Provider | Starting price* | Download speeds | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum | $50.00/mo. | 1,000 – 8,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Verizon Fios | $74.99/mo.** with mobile plan | 940 – 2,300 Mbps | Fiber |
| Astound | $40.00/mo. | 1,000 – 1,500 Mbps | Cable/fiber |
| Spectrum | $70.00/mo.*** | 1,000 Mbps | Cable |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. Updated as of 03/02/26.
**Price guarantee for 3-5 years, depending on the internet plan, for new and existing myHome customers. Auto Pay & paper-free billing required. Mobile + Home Discount: $15/mo savings on Verizon Home Internet plans when combined with any Verizon postpaid mobile phone plan (excludes business and data-only plans). Enrollment req’d for Fios Home Internet plans. $99 setup and other terms apply. Subj. to credit approval & may require a deposit. Fios avail. in select areas. Wired speeds advertised. Wireless speeds may vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors. See Verizon.com/yourspeed for more info. © 2026 Verizon.
***Price for Gig speed additional. Capable modem required for all Gig speeds. For a list of capable modems, visit spectrum.net/modem. ©2026 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.
New York City internet provider comparison
New Yorkers have many choices of speed and type of internet connection, but not all providers listed are available in all areas of the city. We share the percentage of availability in the table below to show you how many New York addresses are covered by a certain provider.
This is why it’s important to search for internet providers with your address. Just because a plan is available for your neighbor doesn’t mean you will also have access.
| Provider | Starting price* | Download speed range | Connection type | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | $34.99/mo.** with mobile plan | 25 – 2,300 Mbps | Fiber, 5G | 87% |
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet | $30.00/mo.*** w/ Autopay and voice line. Plus taxes & fees | 87 – 498 Mbps | 5G | 76% |
| Spectrum | $30.00/mo.† | 100 – 1,000 Mbps | Cable | 62% |
| Starry Internet | $30.00/mo. | 100 – 1,000 Mbps | 5G | 37% |
| Optimum | $25.00/mo. | 200 – 8,000 Mbps | Cable, fiber | 32% |
| Astound | $30.00/mo. | 300 – 1,500 Mbps | Cable/fiber | 20% |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. Updated as of 03/02/26.
**Price guarantee for 3-5 years, depending on the internet plan, for new and existing myHome customers. Auto Pay & paper-free billing required. Mobile + Home Discount: $15/mo savings on Verizon Home Internet plans when combined with any Verizon postpaid mobile phone plan (excludes business and data-only plans). Enrollment req’d for Fios Home Internet plans. $99 setup and other terms apply. Subj. to credit approval & may require a deposit. Fios avail. in select areas. Wired speeds advertised. Wireless speeds may vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors. See Verizon.com/yourspeed for more info.
***Savings with $20 in monthly bill credits. Limited-time; subject to change. Qualifying credit, postpaid voice line, and new Internet line required. If you have cancelled Internet lines in past 90 days, you may need to reactivate them first. Credits may take up to 2 bill cycles; credits will stop if you cancel any lines or change plans. Limit 1/account. May not be combined with some offers or discounts.
†Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET ADVANTAGE: Offer based on eligibility requirements. Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2026 Charter Communications, all rights reserved. Internet Performance: Spectrum Internet is powered by fiber and delivered to your home via HFC.
†Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Capable modem required for all Gig speeds. For a list of capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2026 Charter Communications, all rights reserved. Internet Performance: Spectrum Internet is powered by fiber and delivered to your home via HFC.
How we review internet in New York City
Our methodology
We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. Each category contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to impact the provider’s overall score.
For each sub-factor, we score all providers on a continuous scale of one to five, relative to the industry as a whole. Because the average download speed in America is currently 290 Mbps, for example, we assigned all plans with download speeds between 100 and 299 Mbps a score between three and four. Xfinity’s 200 Mbps plan received a 3.50 score for download speed, while Spectrum’s 500 Mbps plan got a 3.71.
We only considered standardized data points in our scoring system. More abstract data like consistency of service and brand reputation is still part of our analysis, but we opted to let our writers address them in the context of each review.
New York City internet provider breakdowns
Allconnect Rating
3.72 / 5
Spectrum: Low-equipment fees
Spectrum charges $5.00/mo. for router rental — the modem is free — whereas most providers charge around $10.00 to $15.00/mo. You can get Spectrum internet in New York City starting at $30.00/mo. for 100 Mbps with no data caps — just watch out for year-two price increases. Spectrum has a median download speed of over 310 Mbps in New York City according to Ookla, but lacks in upload speed at 19 Mbps.
Spectrum Customer Reviews:
Allconnect Rating
4.53 / 5
Verizon Fios: High speeds for affordable pricing
If you’re looking for great, reliable internet at an affordable price with no hassles, then Verizon Fios is the way to go. Verizon Fios uses fiber optic cable where you can get gig speeds starting at $74.99/mo. with a mobile plan. If you don’t want to spend this much, you can get a 300 Mbps plan starting at $34.99/mo. or a 500 Mbps plan for $59.99/mo. Verizon Fios rolled out a 2 Gig plan in New York City as well. Verizon gets some of the fastest internet in New York City, according to Ookla, with a median download speed of 295 Mbps.
You won’t have to worry about rate increases with Verizon Fios, but the equipment rental fees are on the high side.
Verizon Customer Reviews:
Allconnect Rating
3.89 / 5
Optimum: Cheapest internet provider
Optimum is the cheapest provider in NYC, with plans starting at $25.00/mo. for up to 200 Mbps. Optimum offers cable, TV and mobile phone options.
Optimum Customer Reviews:
Allconnect Rating
3.76 / 5
Astound: Best value provider
Astound is a great provider for value. Not only do they have a very inexpensive starting plan of 300 Mbps for $30.00/mo., they also offer some of the highest speeds up to 1,500 Mbps for $60.00/mo. No contract is required, and installation is included with select plans.
Astound Customer Reviews:
Allconnect Rating
4.39 / 5
T-Mobile: Best for availability
T-Mobile is available to nearly all of New York City with three affordable plans starting at $30.00/mo. with Autopay and voice line, plus taxes & fees. You can start or stop your T-Mobile service any time since there are no contract requirements. There are also no data caps with T-Mobile. You must be near a cell tower to get 5G home internet from T-Mobile and speeds reach 87 – 498 Mbps.
T-Mobile Customer Reviews:
New York City internet customer reviews
Allconnect collects feedback from real internet customers across the U.S. to help you choose the best internet provider for your needs. Find out what real New York City residents think about their internet service below.
I’ve come over to Spectrum after 36 years of Verizon home and then cellphone service. My main reason for switching was price. I expected the hard sell when I walked into my local Spectrum store because that’s what I got only a year previous from Verizon cell service. But I was pleasantly surprised at how well the customer rep was able to explain to me all the things that I needed to know should I decide to go with their service. Like keeping my home phone number or my current cell with or without the number changing. It cost me $10 that day and I waited anticipating that first bill. It was exactly what they quoted me, as was the cell bill that came later. The service has been as good, if not better than what I’d had been using so at this point, I have to say I’m happy.
4/5
If my options weren’t limited when I first signed up, I would never choose Optimum. I was overcharged, underserved and could never fix things because their customer service is the worst I have ever seen. I moved six months ago and I am still trying to get them to disconnect my service.
1/5
I’m a bit biased against Spectrum because they, along with Verizon Fios, were supposed to install building equipment before the completion of a 5-story building renovation. Verizon showed up. Spectrum didn’t. That required weeks of post-renovation back and forth with the architects about why we had the wiring in the walls for each apartment, but only had access to Verizon equipment and service. We were forced to have Spectrum come in and mess up a pristine interior to install their equipment just because they failed to show up (or communicate) when invited by the building contractors to do so. In the one month that I’ve been using Spectrum at this location, we’ve had two outages. In the past three years at a different location in NYC, I had zero outages. Coincidence? Maybe. But I’m reluctant to give Spectrum the benefit of the doubt.
3/5
New York City internet assistance
New York City residents can access affordable internet through various federal and New York City programs.
Compare internet in cities near New York City
Internet in New York City boroughs
Your exact address is extremely important to provide you with accurate information on the providers in your area. One street may have Optimum fiber access, but the next street may have Spectrum.
- Queens – Some of Queens has satellite options, along with Spectrum and Verizon, but not all addresses have the same availability. For example, Spectrum and Verizon are available at 116th Street, but Spectrum isn’t available at residential addresses on the nearby 107th Street in Jamaica. The ISP does have business internet available in that area, however
- Manhattan – Providers in Manhattan include Astound, Spectrum, Starry, various satellite ISPs and T-Mobile and Verizon 5G Home Internet, although which provider is available depends on your street. For example, T-Mobile is available on 7th Avenue, but not on 17th Street
- The Bronx – Bronx residents have seven ISPs to pick from, with satellite, 5G, cable and fiber available. Optimum, T-Mobile and Starlink are the most prevalent providers
- Brooklyn – Fiber, satellite, 5G and cable are available to most Brooklyn addresses through Optimum, T-Mobile, Verizon and satellite services
- Staten Island – Spectrum and Verizon are available for Staten Island addresses, along with satellite options. T-Mobile is available in the area of Chestnut Avenue, but not in the area of Fingerboard Road
Internet in surrounding cities
Explore internet options in cities surrounding New York City:
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Enter your ZIP code below to find the best options in your area.
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New York City internet provider store locations
What speed do you need?
Before locking down an internet plan, consider what speed you need. A 100 to 300 Mbps plan will keep a small household of one to two users connected. In a smart home with four or more heavy internet users, you’ll most likely need a 500+ Mbps plan.
Gamers and work-from-home users in large households should consider at least 800 to 1,000 Mbps, since these activities need sufficient download and upload speeds, as well as low latency. Always consider the speed you need before choosing an internet plan, so ensure you aren’t going to be paying for a slow plan or overpaying for speed you don’t need.
The future of internet in New York City
New York City is serious about connectivity and has several city- and statewide initiatives to improve access.
Allconnect: Let us compare providers for you
Why should you choose Allconnect? We’re the #1 broadband marketplace in the U.S., meaning you can trust us to search, compare and order internet and TV service for your home.
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New York City internet FAQs
What is the cheapest internet in New York City?
Optimum is the cheapest plan in New York City, with speeds starting at 200 Mbps for $25.00/mo.
What is the fastest internet in NYC?
Optimum is the fastest provider in New York City, reaching speeds up to 8,000 Mbps in some areas.
Is 5G internet available in New York City?
Yes, Verizon and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet are available to nearly all areas of New York City.
Does New York City have fiber internet?
Yes, over 70% of New York City residents have access to a fiber connection.
Can you get free internet in New York City?
Yes, New York City government provides resources for residents to apply for federal assistance programs.
Do NYC providers offer deals and promotions?
ISPs typically offer deals and promotions and switch up their offers regularly. Check our best internet deals of the month page to stay up to date on provider deals.
What internet types are available in NYC?
When it comes to getting the internet into your home in New York City, there are different types of connections. New York City customers have access to many different types of internet, including fiber, cable, satellite and DSL. The most common types are cable internet at 95% coverage and fiber at about 70%. 100% of New York City can access satellite internet.
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Written by
Lisa Iscrupe
Senior Writer, Broadband & Data Content
Lisa Iscrupe is a senior writer and broadband expert specializing in internet and connectivity solut… View profile
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Edited by
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