Internet Providers in Des Moines, IA

Over 3,100 people in Des Moines found the best Internet Provider in the last 30 days.

#1

EarthLink Fiber

32% availability
EarthLink Fiber logo

Connection Types:

Fiber
Speed up to:

5 Gbps

User Review:

(2728)

View Plans

100% Fiber. All the way to your door. $24.95/mo

#2

Windstream

1.5% availability
Windstream logo

Connection Types:

Fiber / Cable / DSL / Phone
Speed up to:

2 Gbps

User Review:

(2717)

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Windstream offers two great high-speed Internet plans that will support all of your online activities.

#3

Quantum Fiber

75.12% availability
Quantum Fiber logo

Connection Types:

Fiber
Speed up to:

2 Gbps

User Review:

(2977)

View Plans

Fast Fiber internet starting at $50

#4

Earthlink 5G Home Internet

86.1% availability

Connection Types:

Fixed Wireless / Mobile
Speed up to:

100 Mbps

User Review:

(2977)

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No credit checks - No contracts

#5

CenturyLink

86.41% availability

Connection Types:

Fiber / DSL / Fixed Wireless / Television / Phone
Speed up to:

140 Mbps

User Review:

(2639)

View Plans

Unlimited, Uncomplicated, Unbundled

#6

Viasat

7.98% availability

Connection Types:

Satellite / Phone
Speed up to:

150 Mbps

User Review:

(2975)

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#7

Mediacom

79.6% availability

Connection Types:

Cable / Television / Phone
Speed up to:

150 Mbps

User Review:

(2679)

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Mediacom has a variety of internet plans that can accommodate the needs of each household member and any household.

#8

HughesNet

3.27% 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.

#9

Starlink

97% availability

Connection Types:

Satellite
Speed up to:

400 Mbps

User Review:

(2978)

View Plans

Fast Satellite Internet available almost anywhere on Earth.

Television Only Providers in Des Moines, IA

#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 Des Moines

Des Moines sits at the confluence of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. Along the I‑235 and the I‑35/I‑80 corridors, utility routes and postwar growth guided where cable and fiber companies ran lines toward business parks and apartment strips. Fiber is widely available in downtown Des Moines and the East Village and has expanded through Beaverdale and areas west of downtown, while south-side neighborhoods and older subdivisions remain served primarily by cable. So people near the core get steadier upload speeds and lower latency for video calls, whereas households on the fringe often juggle decent download rates from cable or widely available 5G home service with weaker uploads.

EarthLink Fiber's fiber can give you the best combination of price and performance in Des Moines, it it is available at your address. Fiber internet is the top choice for consistency and speed, making it ideal for remote work and for households with many users and devices. Plans start at 100 Mbps, with pricing ranging between $39.95 and $99/mo.

Windstream cable internet is the next-best option in Des Moines for fast downloads and broad availability, if fiber is not available. Speeds can reach up to 2 Gbps, and pricing often starts around $39.99/mo.

Earthlink 5G Home Internet 5G home internet can be an easy setup with predictable pricing, and is worth considering in Des Moines. Plans start around $39.95/mo, with typical speeds around 6 Mbps-1 Gbps depending on your location and signal.

What is the fastest internet provider in Des Moines?

EarthLink Fiber is the fastest internet provider in Des Moines, IA, with download speeds up to 5 Gbps and upload speeds up to 1 Gbps — available to 32% of the city.
ProviderConnectionsMax DownloadMax UploadAvailability
EarthLink FiberFiber5 Gbps1 Gbps32.00%
WindstreamFiber / Cable / DSL / Phone2 Gbps2 Gbps1.50%
Quantum FiberFiber2 Gbps2 Gbps75.12%
StarlinkSatellite400 Mbps44 Mbps97.00%
ViasatSatellite / Phone150 Mbps3 Mbps7.98%
MediacomCable / Television / Phone150 Mbps20 Mbps79.60%
CenturyLinkFiber / DSL / Fixed Wireless / Television / Phone140 Mbps140 Mbps86.41%
Earthlink 5G Home InternetFixed Wireless / Mobile100 Mbps55 Mbps86.10%
HughesNetSatellite / Phone100 Mbps5 Mbps3.27%

What is the cheapest internet provider in Des Moines?

EarthLink Fiber offers the cheapest internet in Des Moines starting at $39.95/month with speeds up to 5 Gbps. Earthlink 5G Home Internet offers the next lowest price at $39.95/month.
ProviderStarting PriceSpeedContractData Cap
EarthLink Fiber$39.95Up to 5 GbpsYesUnlimited
Windstream$39.99Up to 2 GbpsNoUnlimited
Quantum Fiber$50.00Up to 2 GbpsNoUnlimited
Starlink$55.00Up to 400 MbpsNoUnlimited
Viasat$49.99Up to 150 MbpsNoUnlimited
Mediacom$40.00Up to 150 MbpsNo6 TB
CenturyLink$50.00Up to 140 MbpsNoUnlimited
Earthlink 5G Home Internet$39.95Up to 100 MbpsNoUnlimited
HughesNet$74.99*Up to 100 MbpsYes100-200 GB

What type of internet connection is best in Des Moines?

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

Fiber

3.77%

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

Cable

79.60%

Most widely available wired option. Windstream covers 1.50%, Mediacom covers 79.60%. Up to 2 Gbps download. Good for most households.

DSL

86.21%

Windstream, max 2 Gbps. Being phased out for fiber. Only consider if no other options exist.

5G Wireless

92.69%

No contracts or data caps. Earthlink 5G Home Internet leads at 86.10%. Typical 15 Mbps - 450 Mbps. Great for renters and budget-conscious users.

Satellite

100.00%

Viasat (150 Mbps), HughesNet (100 Mbps), Starlink (400 Mbps). Higher latency. Last resort for most Des Moines residents.

Des Moines, IA - Internet Connection and Coverage Map

Des Moines, IA has a total of 37 internet providers including  18 Fiber providers, 7 Cable providers, 24 DSL providers, 16 Fixed Wireless providers and 3 Satellite providers.

Compare Internet Providers in Des Moines, IA by Coverage Area

All 37 internet providers serving Des Moines by coverage area. This is the most comprehensive provider comparison available for the city — no competitor lists more than 19 providers with coverage data.

ProviderMax DownloadMax UploadInternet ConnectionCoverage
1.Starlink400 Mbps44 MbpsSatellite97.00%
2.Rise Broadband15 Mbps3 MbpsFixed Wireless92.64%
3.CenturyLink140 Mbps140 MbpsFiber / DSL / Fixed Wireless / Television / Phone86.41%
4.Earthlink 5G Home Internet100 Mbps55 MbpsFixed Wireless / Mobile86.10%
5.Mediacom150 Mbps20 MbpsCable / Television / Phone79.60%
6.Quantum Fiber2 Gbps2 GbpsFiber75.12%
7.EarthLink Fiber5 Gbps1 GbpsFiber32.00%
8.Viasat150 Mbps3 MbpsSatellite / Phone7.98%
9.HughesNet100 Mbps5 MbpsSatellite / Phone3.27%
10.Windstream2 Gbps2 GbpsFiber / Cable / DSL / Phone1.50%
11.Aureon7 Mbps3 MbpsFiber / DSL0.98%
12.Sully Telephone Association10 Mbps2 MbpsDSL / Fixed Wireless0.24%
13.Coon Valley Cooperative Telephone Association6 Mbps2 MbpsDSL / Fixed Wireless0.16%
14.Casey Mutual Telephone Company14 Mbps2 MbpsDSL0.13%
15.Consolidated Communications9 Mbps1 MbpsFiber / Cable / DSL / Fixed Wireless0.12%
16.Cumberland Telephone Company10 Mbps2 MbpsDSL / Fixed Wireless0.10%
17.Woolstock Mutual Telephone Assoc.8 Mbps3 MbpsDSL / Fixed Wireless0.07%
18.Olin Telephone Company23 Mbps1 MbpsFiber / DSL / Fixed Wireless0.07%
19.GoldField Access Network12 Mbps12 MbpsDSL0.04%
20.Springville Cooperative Telephone Association1 Gbps1 GbpsFiber / DSL0.04%
21.Rockwell Cooperative Telephone Association5 Mbps2 MbpsFiber / DSL0.03%
22.River Valley Telephone Coop.15 Mbps5 MbpsDSL / Fixed Wireless0.02%
23.ICS Advanced Technologies100 Mbps100 MbpsFiber / DSL / Fixed Wireless0.02%
24.Access Media 33 Mbps~Fiber / Cable / DSL0.01%
25.Martelle Cooperative Telephone Association8 Mbps1 MbpsCable / DSL0.01%
26.C-M-L Telephone Cooperative Association100 Mbps100 MbpsFiber0.01%
27.Modern Cooperative Telephone Company7 Mbps7 MbpsDSL0.01%
28.Cooperative Telephone Company10 Mbps1 MbpsDSL / Fixed Wireless0.01%
29.Bernard Telephone20 Mbps3 MbpsFiber / Fixed Wireless0.01%
30.Colo Telephone Company25 Mbps25 MbpsFiber0.01%
31.CS Technologies150 Mbps5 MbpsFiber / DSL~
32.Danville Telecom1 Gbps1 GbpsFiber / DSL / Fixed Wireless~
33.Brooklyn Mutual Telecommunications Cooperative10 Mbps2 MbpsCable / DSL~
34.Cyberonic11 Mbps11 MbpsFiber / Cable / DSL / Fixed Wireless~
35.T-Mobile~~Fixed Wireless / Mobile~
36.T-Mobile~~Fixed Wireless / Mobile~
37.Level 3 Communications~~Fiber / DSL~

Is there financial assistance for internet service in Des Moines?

Yes. Des Moines 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

Mediacom Xtream Connect

$29.99/mo for 100 Mbps for qualifying households. Xtream Connect includes free install and Wi-Fi 6 (w/ 5-yr price lock). Equipment fee may apply.

Provider Program

Windstream by Kinetic Income Assist

$20/mo for 200 Mbps fiber for qualifying households. Windstream Kinetic Income Assist has no data caps and includes a modem.

Frequently Asked Questions about Des Moines

EarthLink Fiber is the best internet provider in Des Moines, IA, 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 37 internet providers in Des Moines, IA. Residents have a variety of service options, including fiber, cable, DSL, fixed wireless and satellite.

EarthLink Fiber offers the cheapest internet plans that start at $39.95. 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 Des Moines, 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 Des Moines. 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. Des Moines residents could get assistance to reduce internet costs through various programs. Mediacom Xtream Connect has 100 Mbps starting at $29.99/mo. Windstream by Kinetic Income Assist provides up to 200 Mbps fiber for $20/mo. 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 Des Moines, 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 Des Moines. 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 Des Moines is 40 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 Des Moines, IA.

Starlink, CenturyLink, Earthlink 5G Home Internet, Mediacom, and Quantum Fiber offer internet in Des Moines, IA.

Internet Providers in Nearby Cities

Pleasant Hill, IA Windsor Heights, IA Saylorville, IA Altoona, IA Carlisle, IA Norwalk, IA Ankeny, IA Johnston, IA Urbandale, IA West Des Moines, IA Bondurant, IA Clive, IA Cumming, IA Grimes, IA Spring Hill, IA Hartford, IA Runnells, IA Mitchellville, IA Waukee, IA Elkhart, IA Alleman, IA Indianola, IA Polk City, IA Granger, IA Martensdale, IA

Free wireless internet access points in Des Moines

Des Moines Public Library - Central
1000 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 283-4152
Pleasant Hill Public Library
5151 Maple Drive
Des Moines, IA 50327
(515) 266-7815

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: June 21, 2026.

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