Best Internet Providers in Boston – CNET
Best Internet Providers in Boston - CNET
- Prices from $50 – $120 per month
- Speeds from 300 – 2,000Mbps
- Unlimited data
- Prices from $20 – $300 per month
- Speeds from 75 – 6,000Mbps
- Data caps on some plans
- Prices from $20 – $80 per month
- Speeds from 100 – 1,200Mbps
- Unlimited data
- Prices from $50 – $70 per month
- Speeds from 85 – 1,000Mbps
- Unlimited data
Bostonians know a thing or two about rivalries: Red Sox versus Yankees, Celtics versus Lakers, colonial America versus England, Xfinity versus Verizon Fios. OK, maybe I’m stretching it with that last one, but there is some competition regarding Boston’s best internet providers.
My vote for the best internet provider in Boston overall goes to Verizon Fios. Any Pats fan will tell you the number of titles carries a lot of weight when debating rivalries, and Verizon Fios has held the top spot in customer satisfaction for multiple years in a row now. Maybe that’s due to the fast, symmetrical download and upload speeds you get with a 100% fiber connection or the lengthy price guarantee, but I bet the unique signup bonuses also have something to do with it.
That said, the case for the best ISP at your specific Boston address could be made for Xfinity, Astound, hometown startup Starry or others. Like finding the best seat at Fenway, the answer depends on what’s available and what you want to spend.
Best internet options in Boston
Each Boston internet provider is different when it comes to speeds, pricing, service terms and even the technology they use. As such, some providers stand out above the rest in various ways. Here are our picks for the top internet providers in Boston.
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Product details
There’s a lot to like about Verizon Fios, from fast speeds to simple, competitive pricing. The consistently high customer satisfaction scores indicate that the provider can deliver what it promises.
Availability: Verizon Fios is available in select areas throughout Boston, but you’ll find the best coverage in the south around Dorchester, Fields Corner and Roxbury communities. Coverage is also decent in the northern neighborhoods of Charlestown and The Flats.
Plans and pricing: 300Mbps, 500Mbps and 1 Gig plans are available from Verizon Fios in Boston starting at $50, $70 and $90 per month with auto-pay enrollment. If you’re a Verizon 5G mobile customer, you may qualify for $25 off the monthly rate.
Fees and service details: There are no equipment fees, data caps or contracts with Verizon Fios. Service comes with a price guarantee of two to four years, depending on your chosen plan. Even after the price guarantee is up, there is no preset rate increase as you can expect from Xfinity or Astound.
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Xfinity
Best high-speed coverage among internet providers in Boston
Product details
Fiber reigns as the superior connection type, but those expensive fiber-optic lines don’t yet have the reach of a cable internet service like that of Xfinity. As the primary cable provider in the area, Xfinity has the greatest coverage of any non-satellite ISP in Boston.
Availability: Xfinity is available just about everywhere in the Boston area, from Brookline to Chelsea and Somerville to South Boston.
Plans and pricing: Most Xfinity internet customers in Boston will have five plans to choose from, with speeds ranging from 200Mbps to 1,200Mpbs, starting at $25 to $80 per month. Introductory pricing is good for two years, after which standard pricing goes into effect and could raise your monthly bill by anywhere from $27 to $52, depending on your plan.
Fees and service details: Xfinity can vary slightly from market to market, but service terms are fairly favorable in Boston. There are no data caps and no contracts required. Xfinity’s cheapest standard plan, Connect More, also includes your equipment rental at no extra cost, at a $15 monthly value.
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Astound
Best introductory pricing among internet providers in Boston
Product details
Many Boston residents have the unique advantage of being serviceable for two cable internet providers: Xfinity and Astound (formerly RCN). That’s quite the bargaining chip if you want to call and negotiate with your provider for a lower rate. Or you may find Astound’s low pricing tempting enough to go ahead and switch internet providers.
Availability: Astound coverage in Boston is somewhat random compared to Xfinity. Neighborhoods around Fenway Park have the greatest serviceability, but those in Dorchester Heights or South Boston are also likely to be eligible for service. Otherwise, you’ll find pockets of serviceability throughout the city.
Plans and pricing: With starting prices of $20 per month for download speeds up to 300Mbps to just $60 per month for up to 1,200Mbps (and two equally deal-worthy plans in between), Astound has the lowest introductory rates of any major ISP in Boston. Service may come with additional budget-friendly perks, like a free installation and a free month or two.
Like with Xfinity, Astound plans have a two-year price guarantee, followed by a potentially steep increase.
Fees and service details: Your modem is free, but renting a Wi-Fi router could add up to $13 per month to your bill, plus $5 for any extra Wi-Fi extenders if needed. There are no data caps or contracts with Astound internet service.
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Verizon 5G Home Internet
Best fixed wireless service among internet providers in Boston
Product details
For a simple and relatively low-cost internet connection in Boston, you may consider Verizon’s new 5G home internet service. Setup is simple, and there’s a 50% discount for qualifying Verizon mobile customers, so it may be worth trying to see what speeds you can get.
Availability: Verizon’s 5G map shows Ultra Wideband (the Verizon network that will get you the fastest speeds) coverage throughout most of Boston, save for some neighborhoods around South Boston and Dorchester Heights. Also, Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network is unavailable around the airport.
Plans and pricing: Verizon 5G Home offers speeds ranging from 85 to 300Mbps starting at $50 monthly. Verizon 5G Home Plus comes with speeds of 300 to 1,000Mbps starting at $70 per month. That’s quite the range in speeds. The actual speeds you can get will vary by address.
Again, there is a 50% discount on 5G home internet service for qualifying Verizon mobile customers.
Fees and service details: Like with Verizon Fios, the 5G home internet service comes with unlimited data, free equipment rental and requires no contracts.
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Starry Internet
Best for renters among internet providers in Boston
Product details
Local internet startup Starry is available in many MDU complexes, such as apartments and condos throughout Boston. The fixed wireless service sends signals over the air directly to a receiver at the building, which then sends the service along the building’s wiring to individual units. The result is an easy and affordable way for renters to sign up for high-speed internet.
Availability: Serviceability can be found in the Boston area from Quincy to the south to as far north as Lynn, but coverage is greatest in the heart of Boston. Those around the Financial District, Beacon Hill, Back Bay and East Boston communities will have the best chance for service.
Plans and pricing: Available Starry plans can vary by location, but the provider’s flagship plan — $50 per month for speeds up to 200Mbps download and 100Mbps upload — will be available in most serviceable households. Additional plan options may also be available, ranging from $30 for symmetrical speeds up to 50Mbps to $80 for gig service.
There is no promotional pricing with Starry, which means no looming price increase after a set period.
Fees and service details: Pricing is as simple as it gets. Your equipment is included at no extra cost, as is unlimited data. No contracts are required.
