Best Internet Providers In Des Moines, IA

• T-Mobile: Best Mobile Internet
• Verizon Fios: Best Starting Plan Costs
• HughesNet: Best Rural Coverage
• Starlink: Best Fixed Wireless Internet
• CenturyLink: Best No Contract

Forbes Home’s top internet provider overall pick in Des Moines for 2025 is T-Mobile. T-Mobile boasts download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps, or megabits per second, reasonable monthly costs starting at $30 and a strong nationwide presence. 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.

During an internet provider research process, potential customers will want to ensure that they choose the best service for their needs. Here are the details you need to know about the top Des Moines internet providers.

Is a lower price your principal priority when looking for an internet service in Des Moines? If so, look no further than Verizon Fios, with plans beginning nationally at $25 per month. For more budget-friendly options, providers like T-Mobile, Viasat and CenturyLink  all provide budget-friendly deals on low-cost internet plans. Based on national pricing and cost of living data, affordable plans can start as low as $23 per month.

It’s important to note that these prices are just averages that can change depending on plans, download and upload speeds, connection types and the average rates in your area. However, if you’re looking for budget-friendly internet options in Des Moines, here are some of the cheapest internet providers and their average monthly prices.

PROVIDER	NATIONAL BASE PRICE	DOWNLOAD SPEED	AVAILABILITY
Verizon Fios	$25	300 Mbps	43%
T-Mobile	$30	33 Mbps	50%
HughesNet	$50	15 Mbps	100%
Viasat	$50	12 Mbps	100%
CenturyLink	$55	100 Mbps	94%

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In Des Moines, the premier providers of rapid internet are Verizon Fios, T-Mobile and CenturyLink. Leading the pack, Verizon Fios delivers quick internet plans with speeds reaching up to 1,000 Mbps.

Download speed is an essential consideration for choosing your internet provider, especially if your online activities include extensive remote working. These activities demand robust bandwidth, and Verizon Fios caters precisely to such high-speed requirements.

For those in Des Moines whose internet use is more limited, such as casual streaming, slower and more affordable plans might suffice. However, for power users and digital professionals, opting for the fastest available speeds can significantly enhance the online experience.

Consider that the averages in this section and in the below table are just that—averages. Speeds in Des Moines can depend on a variety of factors, so it’s crucial that you check with each potential internet service to confirm the speeds your particular plan offers in your area.

Explore our list of the fastest internet providers in Des Moines, including maximum available download speeds and the starting cost for each provider’s plan, to find the service that best aligns with your internet usage and budgetary needs.

PROVIDER	FASTEST DOWNLOAD SPEED	BASE NATIONAL PRICE	AVAILABILITY IN DES MOINES
Verizon Fios	1,000 Mbps	$25	43%
T-Mobile	1,000 Mbps	$30	50%
CenturyLink	940 Mbps	$55	94%
Starlink	100 Mbps	$120	100%
HughesNet	50 Mbps	$50	100%

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Monthly internet fees and startup costs don’t have to break the bank. With some research, you can find deals or promotions for certain ISPs in Des Moines. In fact, many companies even have discounts for their new or most standard internet plans, helping you save money.

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

Internet Connection Types Available in Des Moines

Internet Speeds Available in Des Moines

In Des Moines, 99% of people have access to 25 Mbps, which is good enough for streaming, gaming and virtual work. If you choose a plan with internet this fast, you’ll be able to email, browse the internet and shop online without interruption.

Internet Survey Highlights How Residents Are Using Internet

In Forbes Home’s internet survey run in early 2025, over 50% of respondents said that they use services and platforms paid for by others.

Other survey discoveries include stats like 44% of streamers reporting that they signed up for a service so they could watch one particular show or segment, and the average American shells out about $46 per month on streaming subscriptions.

More streaming stats below:

• Survey respondents spend on average 3.1 hours a day streaming apps, shows, movies and more.
• Nearly 45% of subscribers have experienced the price increase of at least one service or platform in the past year.
• 79% of respondents 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 Des Moines. But by identifying what factors are most important to you, you can nail your choices and make your decision clearer. 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 more on the lowest-priced plans between companies. At the same time, if you live deep in the country, you might closely evaluate companies that service rural areas.

Here are some 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 matter more to you than other elements. A download speed of 1 GB per second is a typical bar 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 make sure that the company has a reputation for consistent service and customer happiness. Also, we recommend choosing a company that offers various customer support options, such as live chat and phone assistance, as a backup.

Cost

If you prioritize low-cost options, the price of your internet plan can heavily impact your decision. Internet plans can vary in cost, ranging from as low as $30 per month to as much as $300 per month for higher-tier plans. Your monthly price will depend on your chosen plan and location. If you reside in a remote 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 Des Moines is crucial, as it will narrow down your list of potential providers. Depending on your area, you may have only a few providers to review, or you may have many to choose from. To further refine your search, assess each company’s key differentiating aspects and evaluate them accordingly.

Bundling

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

Data Caps

Some service providers 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, it’s crucial to read the details of each provider’s offerings as some could have clearly defined data limits while others are less obviously laid out.

Contracts

Internet service providers may not always require a contract. However, we recommend customers ask 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 expensive if not read thoroughly, and breaking these contracts can be challenging. To avoid any inconvenience, clarify whether the provider requires a contract and read the fine print carefully.

Connection Type

To narrow down your list of potential 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 needs.

To determine the best internet provider rankings in Des Moines, 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.