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The Best Chicago Internet Providers
Home to over 2.7 million people, Chicago is known for its fast-paced culture and tourist attractions like Wrigley Field, Millennium Park, Willis Tower, and many more. It’s also a competitive internet market with fiber, cable, and 5G fixed‑wireless options now widely available. Remote and hybrid work remain a major driver of home internet needs in the metro—about 1 in 6 workers reported “worked from home” in the latest ACS for the Chicago area, reinforcing demand for higher uploads and stable connections (ACS S0801).
Since 2020, Chicago addresses have seen more fiber, upgraded cable uploads, and broad 5G Home Internet rollouts. To verify what’s at your address, start with the FCC’s National Broadband Map and the State of Illinois broadband map (Illinois Office of Broadband). Providers have also expanded eligibility tools, including Xfinity, AT&T Fiber, Astound (RCN), T‑Mobile 5G Home, and Verizon 5G Home.
When comparing options, weigh connection type (fiber vs. cable vs. fixed wireless), symmetrical vs. asymmetrical speeds, upload needs, reliability, and total monthly cost. Look for the standardized FCC “Broadband Facts” label during checkout to see typical performance and fees (FCC Broadband Labels). With a multitude of internet provider choices in Chicago, we focus on the plans and technologies that best fit common use-cases like multi‑user streaming, remote work, and gaming.
We reviewed the major options available in Chicago—including AT&T Fiber, Xfinity, Astound (RCN), T‑Mobile 5G Home Internet, Verizon 5G Home Internet, and Google Fiber Webpass—using provider plan data, local availability pages, and independent benchmarks from the ACSI, J.D. Power, and Ookla Speedtest Intelligence. Address‑level options vary by block and building, so confirm availability and current pricing before ordering (Chicago overview).
The 4 Best Internet Providers in Chicago
- Everywhere Wireless – Best local MDU option (select buildings; month-to-month available)
- AT&T Fiber – Best overall and multi‑gig symmetric speeds
- Xfinity – Best for coverage and fastest cable downloads
- WebPass – Best for no‑contract in serviced MDUs
The Best Chicago Internet Providers: Summed Up
All information accurate as of 11/10/2025.
Everywhere Wireless – Best Overall
Everywhere Wireless focuses on Chicago, deploying service building-by-building with simple pricing and month-to-month options in many properties. See building‑specific offers to confirm availability and plan speeds at your address (current offers).
As a locally owned provider, Everywhere Wireless tailors connectivity to participating MDUs, delivering Ethernet or wireless backhaul to the building and offering straightforward resident plans. Availability, pricing, and speed tiers vary by property; address‑level confirmation is essential.
In serviced buildings, Everywhere Wireless markets gigabit‑class service and low‑latency performance comparable to wired options, with options below gigabit for lighter needs (how to maximize speeds). If your building is not served, consider citywide options like AT&T Fiber, Xfinity, or fixed‑wireless from T‑Mobile and Verizon.
Customer experiences can vary by building infrastructure and in‑unit wiring; we recommend checking recent reviews for your specific address and verifying typical speeds and latency during your trial period.
AT&T Fiber – Best for Promotional Offers
AT&T’s fiber-to-the-home service delivers symmetrical speeds ideal for remote work and multi‑user households. Current fiber plans commonly include 300 Mbps (~$55/mo), 500 Mbps (~$65/mo), 1 Gig (~$80/mo), 2 Gig (~$110/mo), and 5 Gig (~$225/mo), with equipment included, unlimited data, and no annual contract (AT&T Fiber plans). Availability is address-specific across Chicago; check the coverage map to confirm FTTH at your location (coverage map).
AT&T’s multi‑gig symmetric tiers (up to 5 Gbps) are among the fastest residential options in Chicago, and fiber ISPs generally score higher on customer satisfaction than non‑fiber providers in independent studies (ACSI; J.D. Power).
Note: AT&T also sells non‑fiber IPBB/DSL in some areas; performance and satisfaction typically trail FTTH. Confirm that your plan is “Fiber” before ordering.
Xfinity – Best for Coverage Area
Xfinity’s cable (DOCSIS) network offers very wide coverage—spanning essentially all Chicago ZIP codes via its local availability tools—and supports fast download tiers up to 1.2–2 Gbps at many addresses (check availability; plan overview). Mid‑split upgrades have boosted upstream capacity; on upgraded tiers, uploads commonly reach into the 100–200 Mbps range, though fiber generally retains a stronger upload/latency profile (Ookla trends).
Contracts are often not required for standard residential plans. Pricing is typically promotional for ~12 months on cable; equipment fees and post‑promo rates vary by address. Xfinity’s data policy can vary by market—Illinois customers should review the Broadband Facts label at checkout for the latest details on any data usage plans (Xfinity Internet).
Real‑world experiences vary by neighborhood and building wiring. National speed benchmarking shows cable providers like Xfinity remain highly competitive on median download speeds in major metros, while fiber leads on uploads and latency (Speedtest Intelligence).
WebPass – Best for No-Contract
WebPass (part of Google Fiber) serves select Chicago apartment and condo buildings with simple, no‑contract plans. Pricing is commonly $70 per month no‑contract or $58.33 per month on a one‑year term with unlimited data, with optional annual prepay. Service is generally symmetric 1 Gbps via in‑building Ethernet; some markets offer 2 Gbps. Availability is limited to participating MDUs (see Chicago; other metros).
If your building is eligible, WebPass provides a top‑tier experience for upload‑heavy tasks like large file transfers and video collaboration thanks to symmetric speeds and low latency. Where WebPass isn’t available, compare fiber (e.g., AT&T Fiber) and high‑speed cable (Xfinity) as alternatives.
How We Found the Best Internet Providers in Chicago
When we reviewed the most popular internet providers in Chicago to make our top four selections, we looked for a variety of factors.
- Coverage: We verified availability at the address level using neutral maps and provider tools. Xfinity and AT&T together reach the vast majority of addresses in Chicago, with Xfinity present in essentially all ZIP codes (Xfinity Chicago; AT&T Fiber map). Astound (RCN) has a sizable North Side and downtown footprint (Astound Chicago). 5G fixed‑wireless from T‑Mobile and Verizon now covers broad parts of the city; eligibility varies by capacity (T‑Mobile; Verizon). We cross‑checked with the FCC and Illinois state maps (FCC; Illinois map).
- Value: We compared symmetrical vs. asymmetrical performance, multi‑gig availability, typical promos, and equipment policies using providers’ pages and Broadband Facts labels. Representative pricing: AT&T Fiber 300 at ~$55/mo with unlimited data (AT&T Fiber); T‑Mobile 5G Home around $60/mo with equipment included (T‑Mobile); Verizon 5G Home commonly $60–$80 with long price guarantees (Verizon 5G Home).
- Customer Satisfaction: We referenced independent benchmarks from the ACSI and J.D. Power. Fiber ISPs consistently rate higher than non‑fiber peers on overall satisfaction, which supports recommending AT&T Fiber or WebPass where available.
Upon assessment, Chicago households typically choose between fiber (best for uploads/latency), cable (widest availability and fast downloads), and 5G fixed‑wireless (simple pricing, quick install). Persistent hybrid/remote work—seen in the metro’s ~1‑in‑6 work‑from‑home rate—makes symmetrical or higher‑upload tiers and reliable daytime performance especially valuable (ACS S0801; Speedtest Intelligence).
Chicago Internet FAQ
What types of internet connections are available in Chicago?
Residents of Chicago can typically choose among fiber, cable, and fixed wireless (5G Home Internet). Fiber (e.g., AT&T Fiber) offers symmetrical speeds up to multi‑gig where available; cable (e.g., Xfinity, Astound) provides broad coverage with very fast downloads and improving uploads; fixed‑wireless (T‑Mobile, Verizon) delivers simple, contract‑free plans with typical speeds from tens to a few hundred Mbps depending on signal and congestion. Legacy DSL has contracted as fiber, cable, and FWA expanded—verify options at your address using the FCC map and provider checkers (AT&T; Xfinity).
What should I expect to spend on internet in Chicago?
Most households pay around $50–$90 per month for mainstream tiers, depending on technology and address. Examples: AT&T Fiber Internet 300 is about $55/mo with unlimited data and no annual contract (AT&T Fiber); T‑Mobile 5G Home commonly runs ~$60/mo with AutoPay and equipment included (T‑Mobile); Verizon 5G Home is typically $60–$80/mo, often with long price guarantees (Verizon 5G Home). Cable providers often advertise lower first‑year promo rates that increase after the term.
Remember that download and upload needs should guide your tier. Remote/hybrid work and content creation benefit from higher uploads and lower latency—use fiber or mid‑split‑upgraded cable where available, and confirm typical performance on the Broadband Facts label (FCC Broadband Labels).
How do I pick the best internet service provider in Chicago?
Start by confirming address‑level availability on the FCC map and provider sites. Compare Broadband Facts labels for pricing, fees, and typical speeds; check whether fiber (symmetrical) is available; and consider contract terms and equipment costs. If fiber isn’t at your address, weigh Xfinity or Astound for fastest downloads and higher new‑upload tiers, or consider T‑Mobile/Verizon 5G Home for contract‑free simplicity. For more information on how to select the best internet service provider, read this guide.
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