Best Internet Providers in Raleigh, NC (2024)

The capital of North Carolina is known for its natural beauty and sprawling parklands. Appropriately dubbed the City of Oaks for its oak-lined streets, Raleigh is an outdoor lover’s paradise.

But nowadays, even the most outdoorsy residents need solid home internet to stay connected to the digital world. In Raleigh, you’ve got no shortage of options for high-speed internet. You can get online for anywhere from $24.99 (for qualifying households) to $250 a month in the City of Oaks.

Here, we’ll break down and compare the best internet service providers in Raleigh to help you make the optimal choice for your home.

Best internet providers in Raleigh, NC

• Google Fiber: Best new fiber network
• Spectrum: Best high-speed availability
• Viasat: Best for rural customers
• Verizon 5G Internet: Best fixed wireless internet

Raleigh internet comparison

Whether you rent or own a home in Raleigh, you can find a home Wi-Fi plan that fits your needs. There are plans to suit every type of internet user, from the casual browser to the serious gamer. Here’s an overview of our top five picks for internet providers in Raleigh.

How to choose a provider in Raleigh, NC

There’s a lot to consider when choosing an internet provider in Raleigh. How do you decide which features matter most? We recommend focusing on the following factors:

• How fast you need your connection to be: Speed is often the first feature consumers consider when looking for a home internet plan. However, before you opt for the fastest option, you should consider your internet habits. You don’t need a super-fast connection speed for emailing, internet browsing and even some occasional streaming. But once you start streaming in 4K or gaming online, you may want to consider gigabit plans.
• Ensuring you can afford the hidden costs: Be sure to understand what other fees are involved in addition to the sticker price on any given plan. Equipment fees, taxes and installation charges add up, and promotional pricing is often only good for a year or so.
• Finding ways to get more value from your plan: There are ways to minimize the impact of home internet on your budget. Many Raleigh internet providers offer discounts for bundling with other services, and you may be able to toss in streaming subscriptions or other perks for free.

Raleigh internet provider reviews

AT&T – Best overall

Even though Google Fiber offers faster internet in some areas, AT&T is our top choice overall among internet service providers in Raleigh thanks to wider availability and a proven track record. AT&T has excellent customer service scores and keeps pricing simple by including equipment in your monthly cost. There are also no contracts or data caps.

Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.

Read our full .

Google Fiber – Best new fiber network

Google is still relatively new to home internet, but it’s aggressively expanding its lightning-fast fiber network in Raleigh and the surrounding area. Its highest speeds of 8 GB aren’t yet widely available, but many customers in Raleigh can get up to 2,000 Mbps with Google Fiber. There are no data caps or contracts, but the biggest downside is a lack of more affordable, lower-speed plans.

Overall score: 3.8 out of 5.

Read our full Google Fiber review.

Spectrum – Best high-speed availability

If fiber hasn’t yet reached your home, there’s a good chance Spectrum’s solid cable network is available in your area. With connection speeds of up to 1 GB and no contracts or data caps, Spectrum is an excellent choice for many home internet needs. Still, the company has below-average customer service reviews, and you may be hit with price hikes after the first year.

Overall score: 3.9 out of 5.

Read our full Spectrum review.

Viasat – Best for rural customers

Satellite internet isn’t the fastest option, but providers like Viasat can reach almost any customer in the U.S. Plus, its top speed of 150 Mbps is faster than many other satellite internet providers. You’ll need to install a satellite dish at home and keep in mind that starting prices only last for three months.

Overall score: 2.1 out of 5.

Read our full Viasat review.

Verizon 5G Home – Best fixed wireless internet

Verizon already offers the fastest fixed wireless internet in Raleigh, and it continues to invest in expanding its service to more customers in the area. It offers straightforward pricing, major discounts for cell customers, and enticing perks like a $200 Target gift card or free Nintendo Switch, depending on active promotions. Prices are also guaranteed for up to five years.

Overall score: 4 out of 5.

Read our full Verizon 5G Home review.

Cheap internet in Raleigh, NC

If you’re looking for a more affordable home internet plan in Raleigh, you have several options. Verizon cellular customers can get an especially good deal on 5G home internet, starting at only $35/mo. Spectrum offers cable plans at 50 and 100 Mbps starting at $24.99 (for qualifying households) and $29.99/mo., respectively. For those on the outskirts of Raleigh with minimal internet access, Viasat is a great option for cheap internet.

Fastest internet in Raleigh, NC

There’s no shortage of options for high-speed internet in the City of Oaks. In fact, Raleigh ranks at the top of Ookla’s speed test list for the fastest median internet speed out of all major U.S. cities. Google Fiber, AT&T and Spectrum all offer plans of 1 GB or faster in the Raleigh market.

Raleigh internet technology

Internet performance largely depends on the type of technology used. Internet service providers in Raleigh offer all of the following options:

• Fiber internet: If you need lightning-fast connectivity with no lag between download and upload times, fiber-optic internet is the way to go. This technology is ideal for demanding online activities and households with a lot of connected devices, but it’s not available everywhere.
• Cable: Cable internet is more widely available than fiber and offers fast download speeds, but it’s much slower in terms of upload speeds. It can also get bogged down with too many connected devices. Still, it’s a great option for many high-speed internet activities, and you can get great discounts by bundling internet with TV.
• Fixed wireless: 5G technology has changed the game for fixed wireless internet, allowing broadband providers to compete with cable plans in terms of upload and download speeds. Plus 5G plans are sometimes available where cable and fiber can’t reach. However, beware of slow connections during high-demand periods.
• DSL: Phone-line-based internet connections are phasing out as many providers replace them with fiber lines, but these are still one of the only options in rural areas. Connection speeds are much slower than the previous options, topping out around 150 Mbps.
• Satellite: If you can’t find any of the previous options in your area, check out satellite from providers like Viasat and Hughesnet. Satellite internet covers almost the entire country, allowing residents even in remote areas to get reliable home internet. Beware of slow connection speeds and high prices, though.

Raleigh internet FAQs

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