Best Internet Providers in Washington, DC
CNET's top ISP choices for residents of Federal City make it easy to get fast and cheap internet.
What is the best internet provider in Washington, DC?
DC has a decent number of internet options, whether you already live in the area or are moving there now. The standout ISPs are Xfinity, Astound Broadband and Verizon Fios -- but you can also get great service from regional wireless internet providers like Starry Internet, DC Access and T-Mobile's 5G. But which one is the best one for your needs?
Verizon Fios is CNET's top recommendation for the best internet provider in Washington, DC. It takes our top spot because of its fast speeds (which are symmetrical), the wide selection of plans (depending on your area) and reasonable prices, ranging from $50 to $110, monthly.
Looking for the best internet provider for fast internet? You shouldn't look any further than Xfinity. The 1- and 2-gigabit plans priced at $50 and $70 respectively are ideal for those looking for speed, and they don't have any data caps. If you're outside of Xfinity's coverage area, don't worry, because both Astound and Starry are great alternatives. Astound is also particularly great if you're looking for the cheapest internet in DC, offering a 300Mbps plan at only $30.
Washington, DC, internet providers compared
Provider
Internet technology
Monthly price range
Speed range
Monthly equipment costs
Data cap
Contract
CNET review score
Astound Broadband
Read full review
Cable
$30-$85
300-1,500Mbps
None; $15 activation fee (one-time), $100 installation fee (one-time)
None
None
7
DC Access
Fixed wireless
$50-$110
25-200Mbps
None; $99 installation fee
None
None
N/A
Starry Internet
Read full review
Fixed wireless
$30-$70
200-800Mbps
None
None
None
7
T-Mobile Home Internet
Read full review
Fixed wireless
$50-$70 ($35-$55 for eligible mobile customers)
133-415Mbps
None
None
None
7.4
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Read full review
Fixed wireless
$50-$75 ($35-$60 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans)
85-250Mbps
None
None
None
7.2
Verizon Fios
Read full review
Fiber
$50-$110
300-2,000Mbps
None
None
None
7.6
Xfinity
Read full review
Cable
$30-$70
100-2,000Mbps
None
None
None
7
Show more (2 items)
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 $55 and $75 ($30-$50 for eligible customers), all offering speeds from 133Mbps 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?
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Monthly equipment fee
Astound Broadband 300
Read full review
$30
300Mbps
None
Xfinity 300Mbps
Read full review
$40
300Mbps
None
Starry 200
Read full review
$30
200Mbps
None
DC Access 25
$50
25Mbps
None
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Read full review
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plan)
85Mbps
None
Verizon Fios 300
Read full review
$50
300Mbps
None
T-Mobile Home Internet
Read full review
$55 ($30 with eligible mobile plan)
318Mbps
None
Show more (2 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
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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.
John Baggaley/Getty Images
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 242Mbps, 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
Provider
Starting price
Max download speed
Max upload speed
Data cap
Connection type
Verizon Fios 2 Gig
Read full review
$110
2,000Mbps
1,500Mbps
None
Fiber
Xfinity 2-Gig
Read full review
$70
2,000Mbps
250Mbps
None
Cable
Astound Broadband 1500
Read full review
$85
1,500Mbps
20Mbps
None
Cable
Astound Broadband 1000
Read full review
$65
1,000Mbps
20Mbps
None
Cable
Starry 800
Read full review
$70
800Mbps
50Mbps
None
Fixed wireless
Starry 500
Read full review
$55
500Mbps
50Mbps
None
Fixed wireless
Xfinity Gigabit
Read full review
$50
1,000Mbps
120Mbps
None
Cable
Show more (2 items)
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:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- 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.
Verizon Fios is our choice for the best internet service provider in Washington. It's available in most of the city and offers four service tiers at $50, $75, $90 and $110 per month. Best of all, there's no price trickery here: These rates will be what you pay over the long term.
Fiber internet is available in the nation's capital. It's provided by Verizon Fios, which happens to be our pick for the best ISP in the city. Rates start at $50 and go up to $110.
The cheapest internet in the District of Columbia can be had at a mere $30 per month for Astound's 300Mbps plan. The caveat with this plan is that the low price will only last for your first 12 months. Fortunately, you can cancel the service before the jump or try to negotiate with the company for a better price.
According to CNET's Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios article, "Xfinity has a slight advantage over Verizon Fios regarding promotional pricing and gigabit download speeds, but Verizon Fios can be the better long-term internet deal. Stable pricing, not to mention the speed and reliability of a 100% fiber connection, have helped Verizon Fios land the top spot for customer satisfaction in recent years."