Best internet providers in Chicago
Compare Chicago home internet providers
These Chicago internet providers are available from the city and into the suburbs. Whether you’re looking for super-fast fiber optic service or the best price available, multiple choices are available in the Chicago, IL, area. Astound, Xfinity and the regional ISP Zentro offer the cheapest plans, under $30/mo. If you’re looking for fast speed in Chicago, Zentro, AT&T and Xfinity are your best bets.
| Provider | Price start at* | Download speed range | Internet type | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hughesnet | $49.99/mo. | 50 -100 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Xfinity | $25.00/mo. | 200 – 3,000 Mbps | Cable/fiber | 97% |
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet | $40.00/mo. | 72 – 245 Mbps | 5G | 99% |
| AT&T | $55.00/mo. | 300 – 4,700 Mbps | Fiber | 90% |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet | $35.00/mo.** | 85 – 300 Mbps | 5G | 50% |
| Astound | $25.00/mo. | 300 – 1,000 Mbps | Cable, fiber | 53% |
| Zentro Internet | $29.00/mo. | 25 – 2,000 Mbps | Fixed wireless | 1% |
*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. As of 02/23/24.
**For existing 5G Do More, 5G Play More or 5G Get More mobile customers who then add and maintain a home internet plan. Availability varies. Price guarantee applies to base monthly rate only. Auto Pay & paper-free billing req’d. Add’l $10/mo. w/o Auto Pay. Starting prices are $60 and $80 without discounts. Subj. to credit approval & may require a deposit. Other terms may apply. Wired speeds advertised. Wireless speeds may vary due to device limited, multiple users, networks & other factors. See Verizon.com/yourspeed for more info. Updated 02/23/24.
What’s the right speed for your home?
For a small household of one to two people using email, browsing and streaming on one device at a time, download speeds of 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps are fine.
For larger homes, with three to four people and up to six to eight devices accessing the internet simultaneously, plans from 100 to 400 Mbps will keep you from experiencing lag or downtime.
For power users of the internet and very large families of five or more, you’ll need a 500 Mbps to 1 gig plan or above. You probably won’t need to purchase a plan beyond 1 gig of download speed, but for video creators, home business owners or heavy gamers, you’ll want to find a fiber provider with speeds of 3 to 10 gigs.
Allconnect’s choice for best overall ISP: AT&T
While it’s not the provider with the cheapest plans, AT&T offers both plan variety and symmetrical fiber download and upload speeds. You’ll get a great connection with any AT&T fiber internet plan.
Cheapest internet plans in Chicago
Residents of Chicago, IL, have several options for cheap internet. In fact, four internet providers in the Chicago area offer cheap internet plans that start at $25/mo. Take a look at the best internet deals you can get for your money.
| Provider | Speed | Price | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zentro Internet | 25 Mbps | $29.00/mo. | Fixed wireless |
| Astound | 110 Mbps | $25.00/mo. | Cable, fiber |
| Xfinity | 50 Mbps | $25.00/mo. | Cable |
ing 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. As of 02/23/24.
Fastest internet plans in Chicago
Chicago, IL, has above-average access to fast internet speeds. The FCC reports speeds up to 250 Mbps or higher are available in more than 95% of Chicago. In comparison, 250 Mbps or more speeds are only available to about half of the U.S. The providers that offer the top speed in Chicago are listed below.
| Provider | Max download speed | Price | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | 4,700 Mbps | $250.00/mo. | Fiber optic |
| Xfinity | 3,000 Mbps | $299.95/mo. | Cable |
| Astound | 1,200 Mbps | $60.00/mo. | Cable, fiber |
| Zentro Internet | 1,000 Mbps | $55.00/mo. | Fixed wireless |
*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. As of 02/23/24.
How we evaluate internet providers
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 180 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 400 Mbps plan got a 4.16.
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.
Chicago internet provider breakdowns
Allconnect Rating
4.47 / 5
AT&T: Best overall ISP
Although AT&T Fiber does not offer the cheapest internet plans in Chicago, it does offer the best deals. All three internet plans available with AT&T offer affordable rates, unlimited data and symmetrical download/upload speeds. AT&T Fiber covers 90% of the city and is the only major provider in Chicago that offers fiber optic technology, which is known for providing a more reliable connection. AT&T Fiber also has a 5 Gig plan that’s perfect for heavy internet activity and gaming.
Pros
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Best value – AT&T offers some of the best deals available for high-speed internet.
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High customer satisfaction – AT&T ranked first for customer satisfaction in 2023 with a score of 80 out of 100 in the ACSI rankings.
Cons
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No plan under $55/mo. – AT&T does not provide the cheapest internet service compared to other providers in the Chicago area.
Plans available on Delaware Place
- Internet 18: Speeds up to 18 Mbps for $55/mo.
Allconnect Rating
3.63 / 5
Xfinity: Best high-speed provider
Xfinity offers the fastest internet for Chicago residents, with speeds as high as 3,000 Mbps. The company also offers competitive rates, with its most affordable plan starting at just $25/mo. Xfinity is primarily a cable internet provider but offers fiber optic technology for its Gig speed plans. Xfinity’s cable service is available to over 90% of Chicago neighborhoods. You can get Xfinity mobile across Chicago as well and bundling that with your internet plan will save you some money.
Pros
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Fastest internet speeds – Xfinity offers the fastest internet speeds for Chicago customers.
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Promotions and discounts – Xfinity often offers promotional offers when you sign up, and discounts for paperless billing and autopay.
Cons
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Expect hidden fees – Your monthly bill will likely be higher than advertised because of equipment rentals and hidden fees.
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Price increase – Your Xfinity rate may increase after the first year because of its limited-time promotional rates.
Plans available on 24th Street
- From 75 to 1,200 Mbps, starting at $20/mo.
Local feedback: Xfinity
Megan W. of Chicago has used Xfinity’s 400 Mbps plan since June 2022. Four people access the service and work from home and stream simultaneously. “Once the plan is set up, I’d give it a satisfactory rating (7/10). All our issues stemmed from setup and transfer of the plan from one apartment to another.” Customer service was also a sore point for Megan. Sorting out billing issues took some time and patience, she said.
Astound: Most affordable provider
Astound offers cable and fiber internet speeds ranging from 100 to 1000 Mbps, with prices starting at just $25/mo. Astound doesn’t impose data caps, meaning you can enjoy your high-speed internet all month long. Astound covers about 50% of Chicago and includes Elgin, Naperville, Evanston and down to Hammond. You can also bundle your internet plan with Astound’s cable TV for additional value, plus options for Sports Packs, Premium channels and DVR service.
Pros
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Affordable rates – Astound offers high internet speeds at an affordable rate.
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No data caps – Astound doesn’t charge data caps, meaning you don’t have to worry about your internet usage.
Cons
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Limited availability – Astound has a smaller service area than most of its competitors, meaning internet service may not be available for your address.
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Limited plan options – You may have limited options, since not all Astound speeds are available in each service area.
Plans found in Chicago:
- Up to 940 Mbps for $44.95/mo.
- Up to 1200 Mbps for $54.99/mo.
Allconnect Rating
4.34 / 5
T-Mobile: Best for simple pricing
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet offers one 5G plan for $40/mo. with a mobile plan and with no hidden fees, price hikes, contracts or data caps. It’s one of the most affordable plans because you pay a flat $40 per month with all fees included, whereas other providers have lots of added fees that increase your bill. Speeds only run up to 245 Mbps, which is good for a smaller home, but more than 3+ users will stretch the connection’s capability. T-Mobile’s 5G home internet is available to nearly every address in Chicago.
Pros
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Simple pricing – All-in-one price with equipment included and no hidden fees.
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No contracts – You can cancel anytime and T-Mobile won’t raise prices after the first year.
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No data caps – You won’t have to worry about getting charged for going over your data limit.
Cons
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Inconsistent speeds – Speeds are more erratic than cable and fiber optic internet connections.
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Location – The quality of your connection will depend on how close you are to a T-Mobile tower.
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No TV – You won’t be able to save money by bundling with TV service.
Compare internet near Chicago
Check out internet provider availability in cities near Chicago, Illinois.
Chicago internet service availability by Zip code
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Internet access in Chicago
If you live in Chicago or are planning to move there, we’ll help you compare your options to find the best internet service. Some of the best and largest internet service providers (ISPs) in Chicago, IL, are AT&T, Xfinity and Astound.
Remember that not all providers are available in every neighborhood, so we ask for your address. For example, AT&T is available across much of Chicago and its suburbs to the West, like Berwyn, but not to the North, as in areas of Highland Park.
Most Chicago addresses have access to satellite and cable internet connections, with speeds up to 250 Mbps. Only 40% of Chicago homes and businesses have fast fiber speed access.
The best internet plans in Chicago range from 25 to 4,700 Mbps in speed, using cable internet, fiber internet or 5G home internet connections, so you have a great chance of finding one to suit your needs and house size. The prices among the top four providers in Chicago range from $25.00/mo. to $55/mo., with less expensive internet plans available with some providers, like Verizon’s 5G Home Internet, if you bundle mobile services.
Chicago’s ISP statistics
Overall, Chicago residents enjoy fast internet speed no matter who their provider is. Astound (formerly RCN) users get the fastest internet in Chicago. Its average download speed is just over 117 Mbps. AT&T and Xfinity are all close behind, with average download speeds well above the national average. Astound, however, stands out as the best provider by far when it comes to upload speeds.
| Provider | Average download speed | Average upload speed |
|---|---|---|
| Astound | 210.9 | 37.4 |
| AT&T | 197.6 | 148.0 |
| Xfinity | 176.6 | 16.8 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet | 69.7 | 11.3 |
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet | 78.4 | 12.6 |
Source: FCC
Chicago internet speed compared to the national average
Chicago download speeds are slightly slower than the state of Illinois, but still faster than the national average. Its upload speeds, on the other hand, lag behind the nation significantly — just 33 Mbps compared to the 42 Mbps average.
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Download speeds
Chicago – 122.1 Mbps
Illinois – 140.3 Mbps
U.S. – 134.3 Mbps
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Upload speeds
Chicago – 38.2 Mbps
Illinois – 37.0 Mbps
U.S. – 48.0 Mbps
Internet coverage by technology type
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Cable – 99%
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DSL – 98%
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Fiber optic – 46%
Source
The average speeds listed above are based on over 1.2 million real-speed test results taken in Chicago over a six-month window from the M-Lab NDT Data Set from July 1 to December 31, 2022. Measurement Lab is an open-source platform aimed at advancing Internet research.
Chicago internet provider store locations
Chicago internet FAQs
There are several fast fiber internet providers in Chicago, including AT&T, Xfinity, Zentro and Astound. Fiber speeds in Chicago can reach up to 5,000 Gbps.
Xfinity offers cheap plans starting at $25/mo., depending on your location. Astound is another affordable option with plans also starting at $25/mo.
Verizon and T-Mobile provide fixed wireless internet, or 5G home internet, to about a combined 95% of Chicago addresses.
T-Mobile and Xfinity are the most widely-available providers in Chicago with 95% coverage over the city. HughesNet also provides coverage to 100% of Chicago.
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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Written by:
Robin LaytonEditor, Broadband Content
Robin Layton is an editor for the broadband marketplace Allconnect. She built her internet industry expertise writing and editing for four years on the site, as well as on Allconnect’s sister site MYMOVE.com. …
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