Best Internet Providers in Madison, Wisconsin - CNET
- Prices from $55 – $180 per month
- Speeds from 300 – 5,000Mbps
- Unlimited data
- Prices from $50 – $90 per month
- Speeds from 300 – 940Mbps
- Unlimited data
- Prices from $50 per month
- Speeds from 72 – 245Mbps
- Unlimited data
Charm, smarts, beauty, influence. Madison’s got it all. The capital city of Wisconsin has a thousand ways to wow its residents. Winters might be tough, but lakes, parks and an excellent biking system beckon you outside. For those times when you’re inside or working remotely, you want to be able to lean on fast, reliable internet. Fortunately, Madisonians have access to fiber as well as cable and fixed wireless ISPs.
According to Speedtest.net’s ranking of median download internet speeds for the 100 most populous cities in the US, Madison typically lands in the middle of the pack. It’s not the fastest and not the slowest city in the country. AT&T Fiber, our choice for best internet provider in Madison, is worth a look, thanks to fast speeds and straightforward pricing. But you have choices. You may find a cable or 5G fixed wireless option that fits your needs and budget. Try not to drop any cheese curds on your keyboard as we venture through the best internet providers in Madison.
Best internet providers in the City of Four Lakes
Whether you’re coveting fiber or testing the waters with fixed wireless, we’ve got you covered. Our choices for the best ISPs in Madison earned their spots for various reasons: fast speeds, wide availability or no-fuss, affordable pricing.
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Product details
Availability and heart-pounding max speeds of 5,000Mbps in some parts of Madison make AT&T Fiber our choice for the best internet provider in the area. However, if you’re on the outskirts of Madison or in one of the surrounding communities, be sure to compare with TDS as a fiber alternative.
Availability: AT&T Fiber is Madison’s most widely available fiber ISP, but its coverage is a little patchy, especially south of Lake Mendota. You’ll find more consistent availability in the broader area around Eken Park.
Plans and pricing: Top speeds will vary with location. Some spots in Madison max out at 1,000Mbps for $80 per month, while others can access AT&T’s top-end 5,000Mbps service for $180. On the budget side, you’re looking at 300Mbps for $55 monthly. That’s a speed level that will still satisfy many internet users.
Fees and service details: AT&T promises no contract, no data caps and no price increase after a year, so you won’t have to go to battle to keep your internet bill at the same level. Look for special offers, like a reward card and payment of your cancellation fee when switching from another provider.
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Product details
Cable internet has some disadvantages over fiber, particularly regarding upload speeds, but it has a leg up regarding availability. Spectrum, a brand from Charter Communications, offers solid coverage across Madison, earning it a nod as our choice for the top cable provider for the metro area.
Availability: Almost anywhere you look in Madison, Spectrum provides residential internet. It fills in spaces where AT&T Fiber doesn’t reach. That means you can still pull down near-gig speeds even without fiber.
Plans and pricing: Spectrum has a selection of plans ranging from $20 per month for 30Mbps (only available for eligible low-income households) to up to $90 monthly for the Internet Gig plan.
Fees and service details: Spectrum service includes a modem, but you can also rent a router for $5 per month. There are no contracts or data caps, but watch out for future price hikes for many plans. Your sweet introductory deal might not be as sweet one or two years later.
