New York has no shortage of internet providers, but only a few truly deliver that mix of speed, reliability and value that residents demand.
CNET’s experts have done extensive testing and analysis to determine that Verizon Fios is the top internet provider for most New Yorkers. It’s got fast, symmetrical fiber-optic speeds, solid pricing and strong customer satisfaction making it the top choice. That said, New York’s diverse lineup of ISP including Optimum, Astound Broadband and Spectrum give residents plenty of options to match their usage and benefit.
If you’re after sheer speed, Optimum leads the pack, offering up to 8,000Mbps speeds in select areas. That said, that top-end speed will cost you a pricey $140 a month. For a more wallet-friendly choice, look at Astound’s plans starting at just $30 and topping off at $85 monthly for a speedy 1500Mbps.
To help you decide, we’ve broken down the best internet providers in Manhattan. If you’re in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens or Staten Island, check out our specialized guides for internet options in those boroughs.
Our methodology
CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in New York City across several categories. Our evaluation includes referencing a proprietary database built over years of reviewing internet services. We validate that against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. We also closely read providers’ terms and conditions and, when needed, call ISPs to verify the details.
Despite our efforts to find the most recent and accurate information, our process has some limitations you should know about. Pricing and speed data are variable: Certain addresses may qualify for different service tiers, and monthly costs may vary, even within a city. The best way to identify your options is to plug your address into a provider’s website.
Also, the prices, speed and other information listed above and in the provider cards below may differ from what we found in our research. The cards display the full range of a provider’s pricing and speed across the US, according to our database of plan information provided directly by ISPs. At the same time, the text is specific to what’s available in New York City. The prices referenced within this article’s text come from our research and include applicable discounts for setting up automatic payments each month — a standard industry offering. Discounts and promotions might also be available for signing a term contract or bundling multiple services.
To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in New York City
- Optimum: The second-largest cable internet provider in the greater New York City area, Optimum is available to much of Brooklyn and the Bronx but not Manhattan. Optimum speeds and pricing are comparable to Astound, including a gigabit plan starting at $60 monthly. Optimum also employs a fiber network throughout much of New York City, with 100% fiber connections available to roughly 2.7 million households across the country.
- T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Like Verizon’s 5G home internet service, T-Mobile’s coverage area reaches a good portion of New York City, save for the dead zones between and inside tall buildings. Although the two are in a similar price range and share roughly the same service features, T-Mobile isn’t as fast as Verizon 5G, with maximum speeds ranging from 87 to 415Mbps. Verizon 5G covers more of the city overall than T-Mobile Home Internet, around 87% to T-Mobile’s 76%, according to the latest data from the FCC.
- Skywire: Coverage is scattered throughout New York City and with limited availability in Midtown Manhattan, SoHo and Queens. You will find the most coverage in certain parts of Brooklyn. Skywire primarily uses a fixed wireless network, but fiber or DSL service may also be available at select addresses. Pricing and speeds will vary by location.
- Satellite internet: To truly cover all your internet options, satellite internet from Starlink, Hughesnet and Viasat belong here. Technically, they are available, but there are too many other faster, cheaper and all-around better internet options in New York City to seriously consider satellite internet.
Cheap internet options in New York City
The average price for broadband in New York City is around $40, but there are a few cheaper options if you’re looking for more affordable home internet. Astound Broadband offers the cheapest plan in the city: 300Mbps starting at $30 a month.
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