Best Internet Providers in
Chicago, Illinois
Near You

We've made it easy for you to compare internet service providers in one search!

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We've scoped out the top internet providers in Chicago and gathered some useful tips to make your decision easier. From comparing plans to figuring out what matters most to you, we've got you covered on your internet journey.

Fastest Internet Providers in Chicago

ISP
Speed Up To
Connection Type
Additional Information
1EarthLink Fiber
EarthLink Fiber logo

Speed Up To:

5 Gbps

Connection Type:

Fiber, DSL

Additional Information:

Get Started with your EarthLink Internet. Check out all the bells and whistles you get to help you make the most out of your EarthLink experience.

2AT&T Fiber
AT&T Fiber logo

Speed Up To:

5 Gbps

Connection Type:

Fiber, Television

Additional Information:

Compare AT&T's Fiber Internet Plans with speeds up to 1Gbps starting at $60.00/mo.

3AT&T
AT&T logo

Speed Up To:

1 Gbps

Connection Type:

DSL, Television

Additional Information:

AT&T U-verse Internet offers lightning-fast, high-speed internet with speeds up to 45 Mbps at a great price.

4Xfinity

Speed Up To:

1 Gbps

Connection Type:

Cable, Television, Phone

Additional Information:

Comcast customers get access to millions of WiFi hotspots nationwide!

5RCN

Speed Up To:

155 Mbps

Connection Type:

Fiber, Cable, Television

Additional Information:

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

6Viasat

Speed Up To:

150 Mbps

Connection Type:

Satellite, Phone

Additional Information:

Our mission is to connect the world by making the internet accessible, affordable and secure to everyone, anywhere.

7HughesNet

Speed Up To:

100 Mbps

Connection Type:

Satellite, Phone

Additional Information:

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

8WOW!

Speed Up To:

50 Mbps

Connection Type:

Fiber, Cable, DSL

Additional Information:

WOW! is one of the nation’s leading broadband providers, serving residential, business and wholesale customers in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland and the Southeast.

Types of Internet Available in Chicago, IL.

Cheapest Internet Options in Chicago

RCN logo-cheapest

Price starts at

$29.99/month

Speeds

Up to 155 Mbps

EarthLink Fiber logo-cheapest

Price starts at

$39.95/month

Speeds

Up to 5 Gbps

WOW! logo-cheapest

Price starts at

$39.99/month

Speeds

Up to 50 Mbps

Viasat logo-cheapest

Price starts at

$49.99/month

Speeds

Up to 150 Mbps

Xfinity logo-cheapest

Price starts at

$50.00+/month

Speeds

Up to 1 Gbps

Internet Speed Guide: How Much Speed Do You Need?

This table provides a general guideline for selecting internet speeds based on the number of devices and typical online activities. Keep in mind that actual speed requirements may vary depending on individual usage patterns and specific needs.

Speed Range (Mbps)Number of DevicesActivities
Up to 251-2Basic web browsing, email, light streaming
25-502-4Web browsing, email, SD video streaming
50-1005-9HD video streaming, online gaming (fast enough for multiplayer games)
100-50010+4K video streaming, video conferencing, gaming (multiplayer)
500-1000+15+4K video streaming on multiple devices simultaneously, heavy gaming, large file downloads/uploads

Understanding Internet Speed: Download and Upload

Internet speed is important for both downloading and uploading data. Download speed is how fast data comes from the internet to your device, while upload speed is how fast data goes from your device to the Internet. Here's what you need to know:

Download Speed

Download Speed

This is important for activities like streaming videos and downloading files. A speed of 25 Mbps is good for basic use, but for things like gaming or streaming in 4K high quality, you'll want at least 100 Mbps.

Upload Speed

Upload Speed

This matters for tasks like uploading photos or videos to the internet. A speed of 3 Mbps is fine for basic use, but for things like video calls or uploading large files, aim for at least 10 Mbps.

Your Provider Speed Test

Check how fast your internet is with our speed test. See how quickly you can browse the web and download content.

Chicago Internet Provider Coverage

Having internet is pretty much a must for everyday life, but not everyone's hooked up the same way across Chicago's neighborhoods. Take the South and West sides, for example—they've got a higher share of households without internet, up to 40% in some spots. According to Forbes, the typical monthly internet bill in Chicago is, on average, $76, which can be pretty steep for some families. But hey, your actual bill might be different depending on your plan and provider. So, don't worry, finding the right fit is doable. Residents in Chicago have access to a variety of internet providers, each offering different levels of coverage and service options.

Frequently Asked Questions

AT&T Fiber and EarthLink are some of the top internet choices in Chicago, with fast speeds of up to 5 Gigs and available to almost 97% of the city.

Astound Broadband offers internet plans starting at $20 per month, plus tax and fees, providing speeds up to 300 Mbps. Xfinity also offers competitive pricing at $25 per month, with terms and conditions applying for speeds up to 300 Mbps.

AT&T Fiber and EarthLink are among the providers offering the fastest internet speeds in Chicago, with symmetrical download and upload speeds of up to 5 Gigs.

The average internet speed in Chicago is approximately 188 Mbps.

In Chicago, internet service typically costs around $76 per month. Prices may vary depending on the chosen provider and plan.

Yes, many internet providers in Chicago offer bundle packages that include internet, phone, and cable services, allowing customers to save money by subscribing to multiple services from the same provider.

If you experience internet connectivity issues in Chicago, you can start by checking your router and modem, restarting your devices, and contacting your internet service provider's customer support for assistance. You can also check with neighbors or local message boards, like Nextdoor or Facebook groups, to see if there's a regional outage affecting the area.

Some internet providers in Chicago may impose data caps on their plans, which can affect internet speeds if exceeded. It's essential to review each provider's policies regarding data caps before selecting a plan.

Chicago is working to improve internet access in underserved areas through programs like Chicago Connected. Launched in June 2020, this program offers free internet to qualifying Chicago Public Schools (CPS) families for four years.

Another effort addressing the digital gap is the Chicago Area Broadband Initiative (CABI), led by the NGO Quilt. This program aims to reduce the disparity in broadband access in urban underserved communities. CABI's innovative approach focuses on establishing Gigabit Opportunity Zones in economically neglected areas across Chicago.

Chicago residents can access various types of internet connections, including fiber optic, cable, DSL, wireless, satellite, and 5G, depending on the availability in their area and the provider.

Disclaimer: The plans and prices may be subject to change based on specific locations within Chicago, IL, deals on offer, and other factors. The information presented on this page is provided by third-party sources and relevant individuals. We do not independently verify the accuracy or completeness of this information. Customers are advised to conduct their own due diligence and research to ensure they have the most relevant and up-to-date information before making any decisions.