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The Best Houston Internet Providers
Houston residents now see a wider mix of fast home internet than just a few years ago. Fiber has expanded and gone multi-gig — AT&T Fiber commonly sells symmetrical 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1, 2, and 5 Gbps tiers with unlimited data and no annual contract, while local builders like Tachus and Ezee Fiber serve select suburbs and neighborhoods with symmetrical gigabit and multi-gig options. Cable from Xfinity and Astound Broadband remains very widely available, typically reaching up to 1.2–2 Gbps downstream; note Xfinity’s 1.2 TB monthly data plan in Texas unless you add an unlimited option via xFi Complete or an add-on (policy details). Fixed‑wireless 5G home internet from T‑Mobile and Verizon has become a simple, flat‑price alternative with typical speeds ranging roughly 50–300+ Mbps depending on signal. Your best bet: take fiber if it’s on your block; otherwise compare cable’s high downstream speeds with 5G’s unlimited, contract‑free pricing.
The 4 Best Internet Providers in Houston
- AT&T Internet – Best overall fiber (symmetrical 1–5 Gbps, unlimited, no annual contract)
- Xfinity – Best cable fallback (up to 1.2–2 Gbps down; unlimited add-on available)
- Frontier Communications – Selective value where fiber is built; compare with Astound and 5G
- EarthLink – Popular Regional Provider (resells fiber/cable/DSL; typically no data caps)
The Best Houston Internet Providers: Summed Up
| AT&T | Xfinity | Frontier | Earthlink | |
| Connection type | Fiber-optic (symmetrical, multi-gig); some legacy DSL in limited areas | Cable (DOCSIS); limited fiber in select MDUs | Fiber-optic (select addresses); legacy copper/DSL in others | Reseller: fiber, cable, or DSL depending on address |
| Download speeds (Mbps) | Fiber: 300–5,000 (all symmetrical on fiber) | Cable: up to ~1,200–2,000 down; uploads vary by upgrades | Fiber: up to ~1,000+ (sym); DSL much lower | Varies by network: fiber 1,000–5,000; cable/DSL lower |
| Prices starting at | $55/mo. (Fiber 300) — unlimited data, no annual contract | ~$50–$70/mo. typical promo range (varies by ZIP) | Varies by address and connection type | Varies by address (based on underlying network) |
| Contract length | No annual contract for Fiber | Varies (month-to-month and promotional terms offered) | Varies by plan and location | Varies; reseller terms depend on partner network |
| Data cap | Unlimited on Fiber | 1.2 TB monthly plan in Texas; unlimited add-on available | None on fiber (policies may differ on legacy copper) | Typically none; confirm for your address |
| J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score | ACSI telecom 2023–2024: ISPs average in the high‑60s; rankings vary (ACSI) | ACSI telecom 2023–2024: ISPs average in the high‑60s; rankings vary (ACSI) | ACSI telecom 2023–2024: ISPs average in the high‑60s; rankings vary (ACSI) | ACSI telecom 2023–2024: ISPs average in the high‑60s; rankings vary (ACSI) |
AT&T — Best Customer Service
AT&T’s fiber footprint is extensive across Houston proper and many suburbs. Where available, AT&T Fiber offers symmetrical 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1, 2, and 5 Gbps tiers with unlimited data, equipment included, and no annual contract — a strong fit for hybrid work, cloud backups, and multi‑user streaming. AT&T also markets “Internet Air” fixed‑wireless at select addresses as a copper replacement, but fiber remains the better pick for performance and latency (check availability). On customer sentiment, sector benchmarks show improvement but room to grow: the ACSI Telecommunications Study 2023–2024 reports ISPs averaging in the high‑60s (0–100 scale). For most households, we recommend taking the fastest affordable fiber tier; multi‑gig is worth it for heavy creators and very busy homes.
Xfinity — Fastest Max Speeds
Xfinity cable is very widely available across Greater Houston and delivers a broad range of speeds — commonly several hundred Mbps up to 1.2–2 Gbps downstream in upgraded areas (shop Houston offers). In Texas, Xfinity applies a 1.2 TB monthly data plan; heavy users can add unlimited data via xFi Complete or a separate add‑on (data policy). Upload speeds vary by plan and neighborhood upgrades; next‑gen cable tech like DOCSIS 4.0 can raise uploads and lower latency as it rolls out. Independent trackers such as Speed Test and Netflix often rank Xfinity among the faster providers for downstream performance. If fiber isn’t at your address, Xfinity is a strong fallback — just account for data policy and upload needs.
Frontier — Best for Cheap Internet
Frontier is available only at select Greater Houston addresses. Where Frontier has built fiber, plans deliver symmetrical speeds (often up to gigabit and higher) with strong value; other locations may see legacy copper with much lower speeds. If Frontier fiber isn’t at your address, compare cable options like Astound Broadband or consider flat‑price fixed‑wireless from T‑Mobile (typical 72–245 Mbps; unlimited, no annual contract) and Verizon 5G Home (typical 50–300 Mbps on 5G Home and 300–1,000 Mbps on Home Plus, unlimited). In suburbs such as The Woodlands, Kingwood, Humble, Katy, and Cypress, newer fiber builders like Tachus and Ezee Fiber may also be options.
EarthLink — Popular Regional Provider
EarthLink sells service over partner networks in Houston, so the connection type and speeds depend on your exact address. Some neighborhoods qualify for fiber up to multi‑gigabit, while others see cable or legacy DSL. Plans are typically marketed without data caps, which is helpful for heavy streamers and gamers, but performance and install experience reflect the underlying network. EarthLink doesn’t bundle TV; you’ll order internet separately and usually confirm options by address on the website or by phone. If your primary goal is symmetrical upload and low latency for video calls and backups, prioritize true fiber from AT&T, Tachus, or Ezee where available.
How We Found the Best Internet Providers in Houston
There are a few key features we considered when searching for the best internet provider.
- Coverage. Fiber availability has expanded markedly since 2020. The Fiber Broadband Association reports about 78 million U.S. homes passed by fiber at year‑end 2023, with roughly 9.1 million new passings added that year — and continued builds expected (FBA). For Houston, that translates into broad AT&T Fiber coverage in many areas and active builds from Tachus and Ezee Fiber in select neighborhoods; cable from Xfinity and Astound remains widely available.
- Value. We compared speed tiers, pricing, and policies using providers’ current plan pages and the FCC’s Broadband Label guidance, which standardizes disclosure of prices, fees, typical speeds, and data allowances at checkout (FCC Broadband Labels). In 2025, entry fiber/cable plans commonly cluster around $50–$70/month for ~300–500 Mbps, with gigabit near $80–$90/month; 5G home internet is often a flat ~$50–$70/month with equipment included (AT&T Fiber; Spectrum; T‑Mobile; Verizon).
- Customer Satisfaction. Industry satisfaction has improved from pandemic lows but remains mixed. The ACSI Telecommunications Study 2023–2024 places ISPs among the lowest‑scoring services on a 0–100 scale (averages in the high‑60s). J.D. Power publishes regional ISP rankings annually; results vary by market and provider mix. We weighed reliability, data policies (e.g., Xfinity’s 1.2 TB plan in Texas with unlimited add‑ons), and contract terms alongside these benchmarks.
You can read more about the search in our full methodology page.
Houston Internet FAQ
Can I get fiber internet in Houston?
Often, yes. AT&T Fiber serves large parts of Houston with symmetrical 300 Mbps up to 5 Gbps. In many suburbs and select neighborhoods, regional builders like Tachus and Ezee Fiber also offer symmetrical gigabit and multi‑gig tiers. Availability is address‑specific, so check your exact location.
How much does internet cost in Houston?
Typical entry prices for fiber or cable run about $50–$70 per month for ~300–500 Mbps, with gigabit often around $80–$90. Fixed‑wireless 5G home internet is commonly a flat ~$50–$70 per month with equipment included and no annual contracts (AT&T Fiber; T‑Mobile; Verizon). Exact offers vary by address and eligibility.
What should I look for when shopping for internet?
You can read more about shopping for internet providers in our guide. Also review the provider’s FCC Broadband Label at checkout for clear disclosure of pricing, fees, typical speeds, and data policies. If you work from home or upload a lot of content, favor symmetrical fiber (e.g., AT&T, Tachus, Ezee); if you choose cable, consider upload needs and any data cap (Xfinity’s 1.2 TB plan in Texas offers an unlimited add‑on). 5G home internet from T‑Mobile or Verizon can be a simple, flat‑price alternative where signal is strong.
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