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Internet Providers in Washington, DC

Over 9,883 people in Washington found the best Internet Provider in the last 30 days.

#1

EarthLink Fiber

92.36% availability
EarthLink Fiber logo

Connection Types:

Fiber
Speed up to:

5 Gbps

User Review:

(2728)

View Plans

Limited-Time Fibermaxx Offer: Lock in Fiber 1 Gig for $39.95/mo

#2

Verizon

77.6% availability
Verizon logo

Connection Types:

Fiber / DSL / Television / Mobile / Phone
Speed up to:

1 Gbps

User Review:

(2718)

Fios customers get upload speeds as fast as their download speeds.

#3

Verizon Fios Fiber

65.6% availability
Verizon Fios Fiber logo

Connection Types:

Fiber
Speed up to:

2 Gbps

User Review:

(2976)

Compare Verizon Fios Internet Plans with speeds up to 1Gbps starting at $39.99/mo.

#4

Earthlink 5G Home Internet

86.1% availability

Connection Types:

Fixed Wireless / Mobile
Speed up to:

425 Mbps

User Review:

(2977)

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No credit checks - No contracts

#5

Xfinity

87.69% availability

Connection Types:

Cable / Television / Phone
Speed up to:

1 Gbps

User Review:

(2645)

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Comcast customers get access to millions of WiFi hotspots nationwide!

#6

Brightspeed

100% availability

Connection Types:

Fiber / DSL
Speed up to:

940 Mbps

User Review:

(2977)

View Plans

We’re a brand-new choice in internet. And we’re on a mission to power your home with reliable internet.

#7

Viasat

10.15% availability

Connection Types:

Satellite / Phone
Speed up to:

150 Mbps

User Review:

(2975)

View Plans
#8

RCN

46.28% availability

Connection Types:

Fiber / Cable / Television / Phone
Speed up to:

155 Mbps

User Review:

(2629)

View Plans

Award-winning, high-speed internet service with super fast speeds up to 155 Mbps.

#9

HughesNet

11.87% availability

Connection Types:

Satellite / Phone
Speed up to:

100 Mbps

User Review:

(2869)

*24-month commitment and early service termination fees apply. Monthly Fee reflects the applied $5 savings for ACH enrollment. Offer may vary by geographic area.

Unlimited Data – With no hard data limits, if you use the data in your plan, speeds will reduce.

Television Only Providers in Washington, DC

#1Dish Network

  • DISH is ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction by J.D. Power for the third year in a row.
  • 2-Year TV Price Guarantee.
  • Free Google Voice Remote and Smart DVR Included.
  • Record up to 16 shows at once.
  • 80,000 On Demand Titles.
  • FREE Standard Professional Installation from a trusted, local expert.
Pricing starting at:
$64.99

#2DIRECTV

  • Best entertainement options for any sports fan over Cable TV, including NFL Sunday Ticket!
  • Includes local channels
  • HBO, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax free for first 3 months
  • Free upgrade to Genie HD-DVR
  • Free professional installation in up to 4 rooms
Pricing starting at:
$64.99

Best Internet Providers in Washington

EarthLink Fiber is the best internet provider in most parts of Washington, if it is available at your address. Fiber internet is one of the fastest and most reliable types of internet and is ideal for remote work, streaming, gaming, and busy households with lots of connected devices. In many areas of Washington, you will see speed tiers from 11 Mbps to 5 Gbps, with pricing generally in the $29.99-$99/mo range.

Xfinity is a solid choice in Washington, if fiber is not available where you live. Cable internet is widely available in many parts of Washington and can support most households with speeds up to 1 Gbps and plans starting at $29.99/mo.

Verizon offers 5G home internet plans starting at $39.95/mo, and delivers speeds from 11 Mbps to 450 Mbps, depending on your address and signal strength. 5G internet can be a great alternative in many parts of Washington.

What is the fastest internet provider in Washington?

EarthLink Fiber is the fastest internet provider in Washington, DC, with download speeds up to 5 Gbps and upload speeds up to 1 Gbps — available to 92.36% of the city.
ProviderConnectionsMax DownloadMax UploadAvailability
EarthLink FiberFiber5 Gbps1 Gbps92.36%
Verizon Fios FiberFiber2 Gbps940 Mbps65.60%
VerizonFiber / DSL / Television / Mobile / Phone1 Gbps1 Gbps77.60%
XfinityCable / Television / Phone1 Gbps1 Gbps87.69%
BrightspeedFiber / DSL940 Mbps940 Mbps100.00%
Earthlink 5G Home InternetFixed Wireless / Mobile425 Mbps15 Mbps86.10%
RCNFiber / Cable / Television / Phone155 Mbps15 Mbps46.28%
ViasatSatellite / Phone150 Mbps3 Mbps10.15%
HughesNetSatellite / Phone100 Mbps5 Mbps11.87%

What is the cheapest internet provider in Washington?

RCN offers the cheapest internet in Washington starting at $29.99/month with speeds up to 155 Mbps. Brightspeed offers the next lowest price at $39.00/month.
ProviderStarting PriceSpeedContractData Cap
EarthLink Fiber$39.95Up to 5 GbpsYesUnlimited
Verizon Fios Fiber$69.00Up to 2 GbpsNoUnlimited
Verizon$69.00Up to 1 GbpsNoUnlimited
Xfinity$50.00+Up to 1 GbpsNoUnlimited
Brightspeed$39.00Up to 940 MbpsNoUnlimited
Earthlink 5G Home Internet$39.95Up to 425 MbpsNoUnlimited
RCN$29.99Up to 155 MbpsNoUnlimited
Viasat$49.99Up to 150 MbpsNoUnlimited
HughesNet$74.99*Up to 100 MbpsYes100-200 GB

What type of internet connection is best in Washington?

Washington has 5 main types of internet connections. Your best option depends on where you live and what you need.

Fiber

41.25%

Fastest, most reliable. Symmetrical speeds. EarthLink Fiber is the best available for gaming and WFH.

Cable

69.77%

Most widely available wired option. Xfinity covers 87.69%, RCN covers 46.28%. Up to 1 Gbps download. Good for most households.

DSL

71.14%

Verizon, max 1 Gbps. Being phased out for fiber. Only consider if no other options exist.

5G Wireless

2.63%

No contracts or data caps. Verizon leads at 77.60%. Typical 15 Mbps - 450 Mbps. Great for renters and budget-conscious users.

Satellite

100.00%

Viasat (150 Mbps), HughesNet (100 Mbps). Higher latency. Last resort for most Washington residents.

Washington, DC - Internet Connection and Coverage Map

Washington, DC has a total of 21 internet providers including  12 Fiber providers, 4 Cable providers, 9 DSL providers, 6 Fixed Wireless providers and 2 Satellite providers.

Compare Internet Providers in Washington, DC by Coverage Area

All 21 internet providers serving Washington by coverage area. This is the most comprehensive provider comparison available for the city — no competitor lists more than 11 providers with coverage data.

ProviderMax DownloadMax UploadInternet ConnectionCoverage
1.Brightspeed940 Mbps940 MbpsFiber / DSL100.00%
2.EarthLink Fiber5 Gbps1 GbpsFiber92.36%
3.Xfinity1 Gbps1 GbpsCable / Television / Phone87.69%
4.Earthlink 5G Home Internet425 Mbps15 MbpsFixed Wireless / Mobile86.10%
5.Verizon1 Gbps1 GbpsFiber / DSL / Television / Mobile / Phone77.60%
6.Cyberonic11 Mbps11 MbpsFiber / Cable / DSL / Fixed Wireless77.60%
7.Verizon Fios Fiber2 Gbps940 MbpsFiber65.60%
8.RCN155 Mbps15 MbpsFiber / Cable / Television / Phone46.28%
9.HughesNet100 Mbps5 MbpsSatellite / Phone11.87%
10.Viasat150 Mbps3 MbpsSatellite / Phone10.15%
11.Global Capacity8 Mbps1 MbpsDSL8.44%
12.DC Access20 Mbps5 MbpsFixed Wireless2.48%
13.Wisper ISP20 Mbps4 MbpsFixed Wireless0.15%
14.Access Media 330 Mbps30 MbpsFiber / Cable / DSL~
15.Cogent Communications~~Fiber~
16.Allied Telecom Group~~Fiber / DSL~
17.Broadview Networks~~DSL~
18.Cavalier Telephone~~Fiber / DSL~
19.T-Mobile~~Fixed Wireless / Mobile~
20.Level 3 Communications~~Fiber / DSL~
21.Zayo Group~~Fiber / Fixed Wireless~

Is there financial assistance for internet service in Washington?

Yes. Washington residents may qualify for free or discounted internet service through the federal Lifeline program, or provider-specific, low-income, affordable internet plans.

Federal Program

Lifeline

An FCC program that provides up to a $9.25/mo discount on internet service to eligible low-income households at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Provider Program

Xfinity Internet Essentials

$14.95/month for up to 75 Mbps for qualifying households. Xfinity Internet Essentials includes xFi Gateway (modem + Wi-Fi) and discounted PCs.

Provider Program

Verizon Forward

Up to $30 off/mo for eligible Fios or 5G home for qualifying households. Verizon Forward includes 12 months of job resources & skills training.

Provider Program

Astound Broadband Internet First

$9.95/mo for 50 Mbps for qualifying households. Astound Broadband Internet First includes modem & Wi-Fi and no contracts or install fees.

Frequently Asked Questions about Washington

EarthLink Fiber is the best internet provider in Washington, DC, based on speed and pricing. It's Fiber internet reaches speeds up to 5 Gbps, and plans start at $39.95. When comparing providers and plans, keep in mind how you use the internet and how many others in your household use it. High-demand activities, like streaming and working from home, and multiple users will require faster speeds to avoid buffering and poor performance.

There are 21 internet providers in Washington, DC. Residents have a variety of service options, including fiber, cable, DSL, fixed wireless and satellite.

RCN offers the cheapest internet plans that start at $29.99. Note that some pricing may be promotional or tied to autopay and paperless billing. If it is promotional pricing, your monthly bill will likely go up when the promo ends.

EarthLink Fiber has the fastest speeds in Washington, with a top download speed of 5 Gbps. Faster speeds provide more bandwidth for work-from-home activities (like video conferencing), online gaming, 4K video streaming, and households with multiple users and devices.

Yes, fiber internet is available in Washington. We recommend fiber internet for its fast symmetrical (equal) download and upload speeds, low latency for real-time activities like gaming and video calls, and its stability and resilience to interference. Fiber availability varies by address.

Yes. Washington residents could get assistance to reduce internet costs through various programs. Xfinity Internet Essentials offers up to 75 Mbps for $14.95/month. Verizon Forward has eligible Fios or 5G home with up to $30 off/mo. Astound Broadband Internet First offers $9.95/mo for 50 Mbps. Since the ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program) ended in 2024, eligible households may take advantage of the federal Lifeline program, which provides up to $9.25/month in discounts.

If it's available in Washington, fiber internet is the best internet option for online gaming. Fiber offers the fastest download and upload speeds, but more importantly, it offers very low latency, which is important for fast-paced games that rely on stability and quick response times.

Yes, 5G home internet is available in Washington. 5G home internet offers competitive pricing and easy self-installation, since it doesn't rely on new or existing wired infrastructure. Average download speeds for 5G home internet are between 200 and 300 Mbps, which is plenty for remote work, streaming HD and 4K content, and households of 2-4 users, depending on activity.

The average download speed in Washington is 114 Mbps. For comparison, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines broadband internet as having a download speed of 100 Mbps and an upload speed of 20 Mbps. Go to TestMySpeed and run an internet speed test to see how fast your internet connection is compared to speeds in Washington, DC.

Brightspeed, EarthLink Fiber, Xfinity, Earthlink 5G Home Internet, and Verizon offer internet in Washington, DC.

Internet Providers in Nearby Cities

Arlington, VA Alexandria, VA Seven Corners, VA Bailey's Crossroads, VA Glassmanor, MD Hillcrest Heights, MD Forest Heights, MD Friendship Heights Village, MD Mount Rainier, MD Lake Barcroft, VA Chevy Chase Village, MD Somerset, MD Brookmont, MD Huntington, VA Colmar Manor, MD Marlow Heights, MD Brentwood, MD Lincolnia, VA Cottage City, MD Martin's Additions, MD Chevy Chase Section Three, MD Coral Hills, MD North Brentwood, MD Falls Church, VA National Harbor, MD

Free wireless internet access points in Washington

Anacostia Neighborhood Library
1800 Good Hope Road, Se
Washington, DC 20020
(202) 698-1190
Capitol View Neighborhood Library
5001 Central Avenue, Se
Washington, DC 20019
(202) 645-0755
Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library
5625 Connecticut Avenue, Nw
Washington, DC 20015
(202) 282-0021
Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library
3310 Connecticut Avenue, Nw
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 282-3080
Deanwood Neighborhood Library
4215 Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, Ne
Washington, DC 20019
(202) 724-8526
District Of Columbia Public Library
901 G Street, N.W. (Room 400)
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 727-1101
Dorothy I. Height-Benning Neighborhood Library
3935 Benning Road, Ne
Washington, DC 20019
(202) 724-4787
Francis A. Gregory Interim Library
3660 Alabama Avenue, Se
Washington, DC 20020
(202) 645-4297
Georgetown Neighborhood Library
3260 R Street, Nw
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 282-0220
Juanita E. Thornton - Shepherd Park
7420 Georgia Avenue, Nw
Washington, DC 20012
(202) 541-6100
Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library
5401 South Dakota Avenue, Ne
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 541-6255
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
901 G Street, Nw
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 727-1111
Mt. Pleasant Interim Library
3160 16th Street, Nw
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 671-0200
Northeast Neighborhood Library
330 7th Street, Ne
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 698-3320
Palisades Neighborhood Library
4901 V Street, Nw
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 282-3139
Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library
1700 Alabama Avenue, Se
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 698-1103
Petworth Neighborhood Library
4200 Kansas Avenue, Nw
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 541-6300
Southeast Neighborhood Library
403 7th Street, Se
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 698-3374
Southwest Neighborhood Library
900 Wesley Place, Sw
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 724-4752
Takoma Park Neighborhood Library
416 Cedar Street, Nw
Washington, DC 20012
(202) 576-7252
Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library
4450 Wisconsin Avenue, Nw
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 282-3090
Washington Highlands Interim Library
115 Atlantic Street, Sw
Washington, DC 20032
(202) 645-5880
Watha T. Daniel-Shaw Neighborhood Library
1630 7th St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 727-1288
West End Neighborhood Library
1101 24th Street, Nw
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 724-8707
Woodridge Neighborhood Library
1801 Hamlin Street, Ne
Washington, DC 20018
(202) 541-6226

How We Research Internet Providers

BroadbandSearch is committed to providing accurate and current internet provider data so you can choose the provider and service in your area that best suits your needs and budget. Here is how we source and verify the information we provide:

Data Sources

We pull provider data from FCC Broadband Data Collection filings, the NTIA National Broadband Map, U.S. Census Bureau data, and direct provider disclosures.

Coverage

Availability percentages represent estimated households that can order service, based on FCC Form 477 data and provider-reported service areas.

Reviews

Aggregated reviews from verified BroadbandSearch users. Ratings are based on speed performance, reliability, customer service, and value.

Updates

We review pricing monthly and coverage is updated quarterly with new FCC data. Last updated: March 22, 2026.

BroadbandSearch earns commissions from some providers. These partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial recommendations. Learn more about our data sources →