Best Internet Providers In Washington, D.C.

• T-Mobile: Best Mobile Internet
• Comcast: Best Bundle Options
• Verizon Fios: Best Starting Plan Costs
• HughesNet: Best Rural Coverage
• Astound Broadband: Best Metro Internet

Forbes Home’s top internet company overall pick in Washington, D.C. for 2025 is T-Mobile. T-Mobile boasts download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps, or megabits per second, and reasonable monthly costs starting nationally at $30. T-Mobile is also a great choice for the best mobile internet in your area, so be sure to check out plans and pricing options if you frequently browse the internet from your mobile device.

Here are the details you need to know about the other D.C. internet providers.

Comcast is the cheapest internet provider in D.C., with plans starting nationally from $20 per month. Verizon Fios, Astound Broadband and T-Mobile are also great options for low-cost internet plans. Based on national price plans and cost of living data, you can expect to pay as little as $29 per month for low-cost internet in D.C.

Keep in mind that these are the average monthly prices for internet, and the cost of internet service in D.C. depends on a plethora of attributes including plans, download and upload speeds, connection types and your area’s average rates. Below are some of the cheapest internet providers in D.C., including their national monthly base rates.

PROVIDER	NATIONAL BASE PRICE	DOWNLOAD SPEED	AVAILABILITY IN WASHINGTON, D.C
Comcast	$20	75 Mbps	99%
Verizon Fios	$25	300 Mbps	97%
Astound Broadband	$25	300 Mbps	97%
T-Mobile	$50	33 Mbps	82%
HughesNet	$50	50 Mbps	100%

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Astound Broadband, Comcast and Verizon Fios are the fastest internet providers in Washington, D.C. Astound Broadband offers the fastest internet plans in  D.C. with speeds up to 1,500 Mbps.

When considering the best internet service providers in D.C., download speed plays a pivotal role in our decision-making process. After all, why pay a premium for internet service that is too slow? This factor is especially important for those who heavily rely on the internet for streaming, gaming or remote work.

Multiple ISPs in D.C. advertise download speeds of up to 1 GB per second, which can easily cater to the needs of streamers, gamers and remote workers. However, for D.C. residents who primarily use the internet for basic browsing or have a smaller household with fewer connected devices plans with slower speeds may be sufficient.

While these national speed estimates can help give you a basic idea of what each service can offer, it’s important to do the proper research on the speeds in your location so you can be crystal clear on what you’re signing up for. Internet speeds in D.C. can vary from the national average.

The companies below are some of the fastest internet providers on our list, including download speed and the cost for each provider’s plan.

PROVIDER	FASTEST DOWNLOAD SPEED	BASE NATIONAL PRICE	AVAILABILITY IN WASHINGTON, D.C
Astound Broadband	1,500 Mbps	$25	64%
Comcast	1,200 Mbps	$20	99%
Verizon Fios	1,000 Mbps	$25	97%
T-Mobile	1,000 Mbps	$30	82%
HughesNet	50 Mbps	$50	100%

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Monthly internet fees and startup costs don’t have to break the bank. With a bit of research, you can find deals or promotions for certain ISPs in D.C. In fact, most providers even have discounts for their new or most common internet plans, helping you save money.

Some of the options for promotions will be specifically for certain demographics, like students, military members or new residential customers. But a quick scan of a few ISP websites will give you more information.

Internet Connection Types Available in Washington, D.C.

Internet Speeds Available in Washington, D.C.

In Washington, D.C., 100% of people can access the internet with speeds at a minimum of 25 Mbps, which is fast enough for gaming, streaming and working from home. You’ll need to select a plan with speeds of at least 3 Mbps to surf the internet or send emails.

Internet Survey Highlights How Residents Are Using Internet

In a Forbes Home internet survey run in 2024, 86% of respondents reported paying for more than one streaming service each month. Of those who are streaming rather than going the traditional cable route, over half are sharing accounts with others. While the survey found that the average respondent subscribes to 2.8 streaming services, almost 10% of respondents reported paying for more than five streaming services at any given time, and 50% of respondents said they pay for services and platforms they rarely or never use.

The survey also discovered that over half of streamers signed up for a service in order to watch one particular show or segment, and the average American spends about $46 per month on streaming subscriptions.

Find other interesting insights below:

• Respondents spend 3.1 hours a day streaming media.
• Respondents enjoy Hulu’s interface the least.
• 81% experience lags in internet that directly affect their streaming quality.

It can be difficult to know which internet company is best for your home in Washington, D.C. But by reviewing what elements are most important to you, you can nail your choices and make your decision easier. Depending on your wants and needs, some factors may be more important than others. For instance, if budget is most important to you, you should focus your search on the lowest-priced plans between companies. At the same time, if you live deep in the country, you might look more closely at companies that service rural areas.

Here are a handful of other factors you should assess when selecting the best internet company for you:

Speed

Depending on how often you use your internet, and what you use it for, the upload and download speeds offered by each company may be more important to you than other elements. A download speed of 1 GB per second is a common benchmark among ISPs for streaming on multiple smart devices, but if you’re an avid gamer or streamer, you may need to look for high-speed internet plans that offer more than that.

Reliability

Having a reliable internet connection is crucial when you work from home and participate in daily video conferencing calls. The ISP you select will significantly affect your internet experience, so ensure that the company has a reputation for reliable service and customer contentment. Additionally, we recommend selecting a company that offers various customer support options, such as live chat and phone assistance, as a backup.

Cost

If you prioritize budget-friendly options, the rate of your internet plan can significantly impact your decision. Internet plans can vary in cost, ranging from as low as $20 per month to as much as $300 per month or more for higher-tier plans. Your monthly cost will vary on your chosen plan and location. If you live in a rural area that’s challenging to service, you may see higher rates than in high-traffic areas.

Internet Availability

Choosing an internet service provider that services your location and neighborhood in D.C. is crucial, as it will narrow down your list of potential providers. Depending on your area, you may have only a few companies to review, or you may have dozens to choose from. To further pare down your search, assess each company’s key differentiating elements and evaluate them accordingly.

Bundling

If you’re considering bundling your internet, phone and cable services, it’s pivotal to evaluate the options offered by each company carefully. Assess the pricing and what’s included in each provider’s bundle package, and choose the one that best fits your needs.

Data Caps

Some companies have monthly data caps, which may cause your speeds to slow down or your connection to be throttled after reaching your limit. While this doesn’t mean you’ll entirely lose service, be sure to read the details of each provider’s offerings, as some may have clearly defined data limits while others are less obviously laid out.

Contracts

Internet service providers may not always need you to sign a contract. However, it is advisable to inquire about this factor early on when talking to potential providers to avoid any confusion. Contracts may have hidden fees, such as early termination fees, that can be costly if not read thoroughly, and breaking these contracts can be challenging. To dodge any inconvenience, clarify whether the provider requires a contract and read the fine print carefully.

Connection Type

To narrow down your list of promising internet service providers, it’s important to review the connection type you’d prefer. If you have a specific type in mind, such as fiber, cable, wireless, satellite or 5G, you can eliminate any providers that don’t offer it. Fortunately, many companies offer a wide range of connection types, so you’ll find one that meets your requirements.

To determine the best internet provider rankings in Washington, D.C., the Forbes Home editorial team compared 22 major internet providers across 39 different metrics, such as average monthly cost, download speed and fiber availability.

You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates internet providers in our detailed methodology page.