Best Internet Providers in Washington, DC

What is the best internet provider in Washington, DC?

Whether you've lived in Washington, DC, for a while or are moving into the area, there are plenty of choices to explore. The three that stand out are Xfinity , Astound Broadband and Verizon Fios -- although wireless internet from regional ISPs like Starry Internet , DC Access and T-Mobile's 5G are also a good shout. But which comes out on top?

CNET recommends Verizon Fios as the best internet provider in Washington, DC-- namely for its top speeds (symmetrical in nature), variety of plans (depending on your area) and decent prices, ranging from $50 to $110 monthly.

Of course, consumers looking for the best internet provider for speed should look no further than Xfinity. It has impressive 1- and 2-gigabit plans priced at $50 and $70, respectively. Better yet, there are zero data caps. That said, it isn't the end of the world if you're outside of Xfinity's coverage area -- both Astound and Starry are great alternatives, with Astound in particular also being an excellent choice for those looking for the cheapest internet in DC at only $30 monthly for 300Mbps.

Our methodology

CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Washington, DC, across several categories. Our evaluation includes referencing a proprietary database built over years of reviewing internet services. We validate that against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. We also do a close read of providers' terms and conditions and, when needed, will call ISPs to verify the details.

Despite our efforts to find the most recent and accurate information, our process has some limitations you should know about. Pricing and speed data are variable: Certain addresses may qualify for different service tiers, and monthly costs may vary, even within a city. The best way to identify your particular options is to plug your address into a provider's website. 

Also, the prices, speed and other information listed above and in the provider cards below may differ from what we found in our research. The cards display the full range of a provider's pricing and speed across the US, according to our database of plan information provided directly by ISPs. At the same time, the text is specific to what's available in DC. The prices referenced within this article's text come from our research and include applicable discounts for setting up automatic payments each month -- a standard industry offering. Discounts and promotions might also be available for signing a term contract or bundling multiple services. 

Visit our full methodology page to understand how we review internet providers.

Verizon Fios

Verizon Fios often tops customer satisfaction studies for its symmetrical download and upload speeds and reliability. What sets it apart from the other major ISPs in DC is its clear pricing, which should remain the same even after its competitors raise your monthly rate significantly.

Availability:Fios is only available in eight states and, fortunately for DC residents, in the nation's capital. The service is available throughout most of the city, including Adams Morgan, Brightwood, Capitol Hill, Cleveland Park, Downtown DC, Dupont Circle, Fort Totten, Georgetown, Glover Park, Trinidad, University Heights and Woodley Park.

Plans and pricing:Fios is available in four speeds: 300Mbps at $50 a month, 500Mbps at $75, 1,000Mbps (gigabit) at $90 and 2,000Mbps at $110. These prices should remain the same throughout your service, although the company reserves the right to adjust them at any point.

Fees and service details:Verizon Fios has no equipment fees or data caps and doesn't require a contract.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Other available internet providers in Washington, DC

• DC Access : This local internet provider, founded in 1999, serves the Capitol Hill and Adams Morgan neighborhoods. Its plans are pricier and slower than its larger competitors and have a $99 installation fee, but it doesn't require a contract.

• Satellite internet : Of course, satellite internet from Hughesnet , Viasat or Starlink is an option wherever you live. But it shouldn't be your first pick -- with high prices and slow speeds, there are cheaper and faster options available. 

• T-Mobile Home Internet : Some DC residents may have access to T-Mobile's home broadband option. Plans range between $50 and $70, all offering speeds from 87Mbps to 415Mbps with plan differences linked to customer service and Wi-Fi hardware.

Cheap internet options in Washington, DC

Look no further than Astound's 300Mbps plan for $30 a month for the most affordable internet service in the nation's capital. This promotional price only lasts for 12 months, but it offers incredible savings.

What's the cheapest internet plan in Washington, DC?

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Washington, DC

The best internet deals and top promotions in DC depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers. 

Washington, DC, internet providers, such as Xfinity and Astound Broadband, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, however, including Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round. 

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals .

How fast is Washington, DC, broadband?

Federal City sits near the back of the pack compared to the rest of the country regarding download speeds, with a median of about 253Mbps, according to Ookla speed test data . (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) However, a few higher-speed plans are available for less than $100 with promotional pricing.

The fastest download speed you'll find in the capital are provided through Xfinity and Verizon Fios which offer 2,000Mbps plan for $70 per month and $110 per month, respectively.

Fastest internet plans in Washington, DC

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What's a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC . Note that these are only guidelines -- and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

• 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics -- browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.

• 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.

• 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming. 

• 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and gaming. 

• 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need .

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Washington, DC

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone , laptop , router or kitchen tool , it's impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what's our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov .

But it doesn't end there. We go to the FCC's website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:

1. Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?

2. Do customers get decent value for what they're paying?

3. Are customers happy with their service?

While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to "yes" on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports .

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

What's the final word on internet providers in Washington, DC?

The District of Columbia offers a handful of options for choosing your internet provider, including many with fairly affordable pricing. For most city residents, the choice will come down to Verizon Fios, Astound or Xfinity, which are all competitive in price and speed.

Internet providers in DC FAQs

Which is the best internet service provider in Washington, DC?

Verizon Fios is our choice for the best internet service provider in Washington. It's available in most of the city and offers four service tiers at $50, $75, $90 and $110 per month. Best of all, there's no price trickery here: These rates will be what you pay over the long term.

Is fiber internet available in Washington, DC?

Fiber internet is available in the nation's capital. It's provided by Verizon Fios, which happens to be our pick for the best ISP in the city. Rates start at $50 and go up to $110.

What is the cheapest internet provider in Washington, DC?

The cheapest internet in the District of Columbia can be had at a mere $30 per month for Astound's 300Mbps plan. The caveat with this plan is that the low price will only last for your first 12 months. Fortunately, you can cancel the service before the jump or try to negotiate with the company for a better price.

Is Verizon Fios or Xfinity better?

According to CNET's Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios article , "Xfinity has a slight advantage over Verizon Fios regarding promotional pricing and gigabit download speeds, but Verizon Fios can be the better long-term internet deal. Stable pricing, not to mention the speed and reliability of a 100% fiber connection, have helped Verizon Fios land the top spot for customer satisfaction in recent years."