Best Internet Providers In Houston, TX

• AT&T: Best Nationwide Coverage
• T-Mobile: Best Mobile Internet
• Comcast: Best Bundle Options
• Verizon Fios: Best Starting Plan Costs
• HughesNet: Best Rural Coverage

Forbes Home chose AT&T as Houston’s best internet company in 2025. Download speeds reach up to 500 Mbps and national plans have a reasonable cost starting at $55. AT&T is also known for its excellent nationwide coverage, so it’s an especially competitive option if you access the internet from a mobile device and frequently travel.

Certain things should be non-negotiable when researching internet companies in Houston. But choosing where to start is no easy process. Here’s everything you need to know to narrow down the top options and get the internet service you need.

Comcast is the cheapest internet provider in Houston, with plans starting nationally from $20 per month. Verizon Fios, T-Mobile and AT&T are also sensible options for low-cost internet plans. Based on national price plans and cost of living data, you can expect to pay as little as $19 per month for low-cost internet in Houston.

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

PROVIDER	NATIONAL BASE PRICE	DOWNLOAD SPEED	AVAILABILITY IN HOUSTON
Comcast	$20	75 Mbps	95%
Verizon Fios	$25.00	300 Mbps	38%
T-Mobile	$30.00	33 Mbps	48%
AT&T	$55.00	10 Mbps	64%
Optimum	$70	300 Mbps	2%

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Optimum, Comcast and Verizon Fios are the fastest internet providers in Houston. Optimum provides the fastest internet plans in Houston with speeds up to 8,000 Mbps.

Whether you’re a big gamer or you mainly use your home Wi-Fi for small tasks, we consider download speed when determining the best internet provider for residents in Houston. People who use the internet for streaming and gaming or working from home, for example, will likely prioritize having the fastest internet possible with download speeds of 1 GB per second, which is available in your area. People who mainly browse, online shop or have an overall smaller home will likely be satisfied with ISPs with slower speeds.

When considering the companies on this list, keep in mind that the speeds listed can be very different from what is available to you. Speeds can vary even within a bigger city, so ask your provider about what you can get in your ZIP code.

Here’s what you need to know about the companies below, which are among some of Houston’s fastest internet service providers, including maximum available download speeds and the starting cost for each provider’s plan.

PROVIDER	FASTEST DOWNLOAD SPEED	BASE NATIONAL PRICE	AVAILABILITY IN HOUSTON
Optimum	8,000 Mbps	$70	2%
Comcast	1,200 Mbps	$20	95%
Verizon Fios	1,000 Mbps	$25	38%
T-Mobile	1,000 Mbps	$30	48%
AT&T	500 Mbps	$55	64%

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

Some of the promotion options will be solely 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.

Discovering a deal or promotion from your preferred provider in the Houston area presents an excellent opportunity to save money on your monthly or initial bills. Many leading internet providers offer discounts and promotions on their popular or latest plans. To find these offers, we recommend thoroughly exploring company websites for the most up-to-date promotions. Certain discounts may be tailored to specific groups, such as military personnel or active students, so it’s worthwhile to keep an eye out for these targeted deals if they pertain to you specifically.

Internet Connection Types Available in Houston

Internet Speeds Available in Houston

Most people in Houston have access to 25 Mbps (97% in fact), which is fast enough for streaming, gaming and working from home. If you have internet this fast, you can easily complete light tasks like email and browsing (which typically requires at least 3 Mbps).

Internet Survey Highlights How Residents Are Using Internet

According to a 2024 survey from Forbes Home, 86% of respondents claim to use more than one streaming service. The survey found that the average person subscribes to 2.8 streaming services; however, almost 10% of participants reported paying for more than five services at a given time. Additionally, 50% of participants admit to paying for services they rarely use. Over half of those using streaming services over traditional cable claim to share accounts with others.

More than 50% of the survey participants elected to sign up for a service because of a certain show or segment. The average American spends about $46 per month on streaming subscriptions.

Here are some other interesting insights:

• The survey indicates that people spend 3.1 hours a day streaming media.
• Hulu had the least popular interface among interviewees.
• 81% of participants feel that lags in the internet directly impact their streaming quality.

You can find the best internet provider for you in Houston by keeping a few elements top of mind. Some variables may be more significant to you than others based on your hobbies, the number of people in your household and more. For example, if laggy internet is your pet peeve, pay close attention to the fastest plans from various companies. If you live out in the country, one of the companies that service rural areas will likely be the best choice for you.

Consider the rest of these categories and factors to make the most well-rounded decision for your home:

Availability

First, you’ll only want to consider providers covering Houston and the neighborhood where you specifically stay. Availability can vary greatly, even in locations just a few miles away from each other, so doing some specific research can help a lot. Once you have your list, look at the major differences between each provider to narrow things down.

Speed

It’s no secret that speed is a top consideration for those who prioritize fast internet. A 1-GB-per-second download speed tends to be a good starting point for households wanting to stream from multiple devices. Adjust your desired speed based on your own needs.

Cost

Cost is probably another important factor—if not the most important factor—in your internet provider search. Plans can range widely, beginning as low as $20 per month for decent speeds and going up to $300 for some premium plans. Your unique monthly rate will depend on where you live and the provider you choose, among other factors. For example, if you’re in a rural area that’s tougher to service, your rates may be higher than in high-traffic areas.

Reliability

Reliability is imperative in an internet provider because nobody likes dealing with spotty Wi-Fi. Make sure that the company you select has reviews that demonstrate its internet is reliable so you’ll have a smooth experience. Because hiccups happen, we also recommend choosing an ISP with several different customer support options, like live chat and daily phone support.

Connection Type

Knowing the internet connection type you’d prefer will help you narrow down your choice of provider even more by eliminating any companies that don’t have that type of internet service. Luckily, lots of companies provide all the options you could want, including 5G, cable, fiber, wireless and satellite.

Contracts

You won’t always have to sign a contract with an ISP, but if you especially want to avoid signing one, be sure to mention that early on or do your research before strongly considering a certain company. Even if you’re comfortable with signing a contract, you’ll want to analyze it carefully for any hidden fees. Breaking a contract can be challenging and even cost you a lot of money, so look for mentions of early cancellation fees.

Bundling

Bundling your internet, phone and cable together can help you save money, so it’s wise to take a close look at each provider’s bundle offerings. Determine what’s included in each package and how much it costs to make the correct choice for your home.

Data Caps

Some providers may place data caps on your monthly data use. Once you’ve used your allotted data for the month, your service won’t necessarily be cut off, but you may observe that your speeds are slower or your connection is throttled. Read the fine print for each ISP and plan before making your choice, as some are more transparent about this cap than others.

To determine the best internet provider rankings in Houston, 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.