Best Internet Providers in Washington, DC

What is the best internet provider in Washington, DC?

People living in Washington, DC can choose from three main internet providers: Astound Broadband, Xfinity and Verizon Fios — along with T-Mobile’s 5G offering and regional providers like Starry Internet and DC Access. So which one is the best? It really depends on what’s available at your address. CNET recommends Verizon Fios as Washington, DC’s top internet service provider due to its symmetrical speeds and simple service terms.

Xfinity has a 2-gigabit plan for $95 a month, and it comes with no data caps, making it the fastest option for folks in Federal City. If Xfinity isn’t available where you live, don’t worry; Astound and Starry have some good high-speed plans, too. If you’re on a budget, check out Astound’s 300 megabits per second plan for just $20 a month.

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. Only two plans are available for $50-$70 and offer speeds from 72 to 245Mbps.

Cheap internet options in Washington, DC

Look no further than Astound’s 300Mbps plan for $20 a month for the most affordable internet service in the nation’s capital. This promotional price will last 24 months, but it offers incredible savings. Astound also provides the best value overall with its $55, 1,500Mbps plan, but the same caveats apply.

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 202Mbps, according to Ookla speed test data. However, a few higher-speed plans are available for under $100 with promotional pricing. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

The fastest download speed you’ll find in the capital are provided through Xfinity and Verizon Fios which offer 2,000Mbps plan for $95 per month and $110 per month, respectively. For high speeds at a lower price, Astound offers a 1,500Mbps plan at $55 for the first 24 months.

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