Best Internet Providers in Washington, DC

What is the best internet provider in Washington, DC?

Whether you’ve lived in Washington, DC, for a while or are moving into the area, there are plenty of choices to explore. The three that stand out are Xfinity, Astound Broadband and Verizon Fios — although wireless internet from regional ISPs like Starry Internet, DC Access and T-Mobile’s 5G are also a good shout. But which comes out on top?

CNET recommends Verizon Fios as the best internet provider in Washington, DC — namely for its top speeds (symmetrical in nature), variety of plans (depending on your area) and decent prices, ranging from $50 to $110 monthly.

Of course, consumers looking for the best internet provider for speed should look no further than Xfinity. It has impressive 1- and 2-gigabit plans priced at $50 and $70, respectively. Better yet, there are zero data caps. That said, it isn’t the end of the world if you’re outside of Xfinity’s coverage area — both Astound and Starry are great alternatives, with Astound in particular also being an excellent choice for those looking for the cheapest internet in DC at only $30 monthly for 300Mbps.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Other available internet providers in Washington, DC

• DC Access: This local internet provider, founded in 1999, serves the Capitol Hill and Adams Morgan neighborhoods. Its plans are pricier and slower than its larger competitors and have a $99 installation fee, but it doesn’t require a contract.
• Satellite internet: Of course, satellite internet from Hughesnet, Viasat or Starlink is an option wherever you live. But it shouldn’t be your first pick — with high prices and slow speeds, there are cheaper and faster options available. 
• T-Mobile Home Internet: Some DC residents may have access to T-Mobile’s home broadband option. Plans range between $50 and $70, all offering speeds from 87Mbps to 415Mbps with plan differences linked to customer service and Wi-Fi hardware.

Cheap internet options in Washington, DC

Look no further than Astound’s 300Mbps plan for $30 a month for the most affordable internet service in the nation’s capital. This promotional price only lasts for 12 months, but it offers incredible savings.

What’s the cheapest internet plan in Washington, DC?

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Washington, DC

The best internet deals and top promotions in DC depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers. 

Washington, DC, internet providers, such as Xfinity and Astound Broadband, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, however, including Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round. 

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

How fast is Washington, DC, broadband?

Federal City sits near the back of the pack compared to the rest of the country regarding download speeds, with a median of about 253Mbps, according to Ookla speed test data. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) However, a few higher-speed plans are available for less than $100 with promotional pricing.

The fastest download speed you’ll find in the capital are provided through Xfinity and Verizon Fios which offer 2,000Mbps plan for $70 per month and $110 per month, respectively.

Fastest internet plans in Washington, DC

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What’s a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines — and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

• 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics — browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
• 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
• 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming. 
• 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and gaming. 
• 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Washington, DC

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

1. Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
2. Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
3. Are customers happy with their service?

While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

What’s the final word on internet providers in Washington, DC?

The District of Columbia offers a handful of options for choosing your internet provider, including many with fairly affordable pricing. For most city residents, the choice will come down to Verizon Fios, Astound or Xfinity, which are all competitive in price and speed.

Internet providers in DC FAQs