What is the best internet provider in Atlanta?
You won’t have many options for home internet in Atlanta, but the good news is that the few ISPs serving the area are top-notch. AT&T Fiber is our pick for the best internet provider overall in Atlanta, but Xfinity and Google Fiber are also solid choices if that provider isn’t available at your address. If you want more internet options in Atlanta, wireless is the way to go: T-Mobile Home Internet, Verizon 5G Home Internet and Yomura Air all send internet signals throughout much of the area.
To help you compare Atlanta broadband providers, we’ve also found the cheapest plans and the fastest speeds in the city. The most affordable plan in the area is Xfinity Connect, costing $20 per month for 75 megabits per second. For those hunting for lightning-fast connectivity, Yomura offers 10 gigabits per second over a fiber-optic network for $999 monthly.
CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Atlanta 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 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 Atlanta. 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. Other discounts and promotions might also be available for signing a term contract or bundling with multiple services.
To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.
Best internet in Atlanta in 2023
Nine times out of 10, I’d choose a 100% fiber-optic connection over any other type of internet. AT&T is the largest fiber internet provider in Atlanta, so there are automatic bonus points there.
When streaming came along, many of us cut the traditional TV cord and never looked back. Wireless services, like that of Verizon 5G Home Internet, are showing it’s possible to do that with your internet connection as well.
There’s arguably no better choice for gigabit internet in Atlanta than Google Fiber. Though AT&T and Xfinity also offer gig plans, Google Fiber’s pricing and service terms make it the go-to for gig speeds in Atlanta.
Wherever you are in Atlanta, Xfinity will be your best bet for a cheap, basic connection. Xfinity’s cheapest plan starts at just $30 per month, but be prepared for less than impressive max download speeds of 75Mbps. Faster speed tiers are available, up to 1.2Gbps.
Atlanta internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber | Fiber | $55-$250 | 300-5,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| AT&T Internet | DSL | $55 | 10-100Mbps | None | 1.5TB | None | 7.4 |
| Google Fiber | Fiber | $70-$100 | 1,000-2,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | Fixed wireless | $50 ($30 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet | Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with eligible Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 50-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
| Xfinity | Cable | $20-$100 | 75-2,000Mbps | $15-$25 (optional) | 1.2TB | 1-2 years on some plans | 7 |
| Yomura | Fixed wireless/Fiber | $49-$999 | 100-10,000Mbps | Varies | None | None | N/A |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in Atlanta
T-Mobile Home Internet
5G home internet service from T-Mobile is available throughout about half of Atlanta, but no one neighborhood has exceptionally better coverage than another. Service starts at $50 per month for speeds ranging from 72-245Mbps. Equipment and unlimited data are included, and no contracts are required.
Ultra Home Internet
Ultra Home Internet uses T-Mobile’s network to deliver 5G home internet, so the service will have the same Atlanta coverage and speeds as T-Mobile. It’s priced a bit higher at $55 per month, so you might as well go with T-Mobile.
EarthLink
Like Ultra Home Internet, EarthLink piggybacks off other networks to deliver service. In the case of Atlanta, EarthLink uses AT&T’s fiber and DSL networks. Pricing is a bit higher than AT&T, and there are no significant advantages to choosing EarthLink over AT&T.
Yomura Air
A fixed wireless provider, Yomura Air claims to offer service to nearly 100,000 premises around Atlanta. Service costs $49 per month for speeds up to 100Mbps, which isn’t bad, but faster plans get pricey, up to $999 per month for 10-gig service.
Satellite internet
HughesNet and Viasat are available throughout the US, including all over Atlanta, but given the other available internet options, you’ll want to stay away from the high pricing, high latency and low speeds that come with satellite internet.
Cheap internet options in Atlanta
Unless you go with Xfinity, expect starting prices for internet in Atlanta to be at or above $50 per month. While more low-priced internet options would be ideal, the cost of internet in Atlanta is not bad, considering the speeds you get. Google Fiber’s entry plan, for example, starts at $70 per month but comes with speeds up to 1,000Mbps. That’s a cost per Mbps of 7 cents, which is lower than you’ll find with plans from many providers.
If you’re looking for cheap internet, I’d recommend Xfinity, at least for the first 12 months, before prices increase by $20 or more. For more stable and relatively low internet pricing, consider Verizon 5G Home Internet or AT&T Fiber, which offer speeds of up to 300Mbps starting at $50 and $55 per month, respectively, with no set price increase after 12 months.
Most providers we’ve mentioned also participate in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program, which gives eligible low-income households a $30 monthly discount (or up to $75 for households on tribal lands) for high-speed internet. You can use the ACP toward any internet plan — not just the cheapest ones — from participating providers.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Atlanta?
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Atlanta
The best internet deals and the top promotions in Atlanta depend on what discounts are available during that time period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Atlanta internet providers, such as Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, however, including AT&T Fiber, Verizon and Google Fiber, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Jose-Fuste RAGA/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
How fast is Atlanta broadband?
Thanks to Yomura, AT&T and Google Fiber, Atlanta residents have access to some of the fastest max internet speeds nationwide. Google Fiber has offered gig and 2-gig services in the Atlanta area for a while now, and AT&T raised the bar with 2Gbps and 5Gbps plans available in select areas in addition to its single gig service. However, neither of those providers can beat Yomura’s fiber service, offering 10 gigabits for $999 per month.
Fastest internet plans in Atlanta
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yomura Fiber 10G | $999 | 10,000Mbps | 10,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber 5000 | $250 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber 2000 | $150 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Google Fiber 2 Gig | $100 | 2,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Xfinity Gigabit X2 | $100 | 2,000Mbps | 200Mbps | None | Cable |
| Xfinity Gigabit Extra | $85 | 1,200Mbps | 35Mbps | 1.2TB | Cable |
| Google Fiber 1 Gig | $70 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Plus | $50 | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
| Yomura Fiber 1000 | $99 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Xfinity Gigabit | $80 | 1,000Mbps | 20Mbps | 1.2TB | Cable |
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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.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
- 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 online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Atlanta
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. So what’s our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary database of pricing, availability and speed information that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data 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:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who 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 Atlanta?
The best Atlanta internet provider for your home depends on what you’re looking for and what’s available in your area. I’m partial to the fast, symmetrical speeds and reliable connection of Fiber internet providers, like what you get with AT&T Fiber. That said, the cheap internet pricing that often comes with cable internet providers like Xfinity is tempting, especially considering the added savings of bundle internet and TV.
Internet providers in Atlanta FAQs
Does Atlanta have fiber internet?
Yes. Fiber internet is available to roughly 68% of households in the Atlanta area. AT&T is the largest fiber provider, serving over half of Atlanta homes. Google Fiber is the second largest fiber provider in the area but is only available to around 10% of households. Yomura also recently introduced a fiber-optic network in addition to its fixed wireless service, offering the fastest plan in the city (10,000Mbps).
Is Xfinity or AT&T internet better?
The better provider will come down to which type of AT&T internet service you can get at your home. If AT&T Fiber is available, the speeds, reliability and overall value will likely be better with AT&T versus Xfinity. However, if your address is only eligible for AT&T’s DSL-based service, Xfinity will be the better choice for faster speed options and greater value. Check out our AT&T versus Xfinity comparison for more.
Is Cox available in Atlanta?
Though Cox Communications is headquartered in Atlanta, Cox’s home internet service is unavailable to Atlanta residents. There is no significant Cox coverage in Georgia outside of the Macon area. Xfinity is the primary cable internet provider in the Atlanta area.
