If you live in the capital of Texas, or may just moved to Austin, you have many options when it comes to choosing an internet service provider (ISP). The city is served by a number of national and regional providers, each offering a variety of plans at different price points. So, how do you choose the best ISP for your needs?

HomeLinkd is here to help! We've done a quick analysis of internet in Austin and we have everything you need to know about the top ISPs offering internet plans, from fiber to cable to fixed wireless internet plans in Austin, we break it all down for you below.

Internet coverage in Austin, TX

The first thing you need to do is check what type of internet service is available in your area. In Austin, the two most common types of internet are cable and fiber. If you're looking for something a little different, there are also fixed wireless, DSL and satellite providers that offer internet service in limited areas of the city.

Types Of Internet Available

Cable Internet in Austin

Cable internet providers like AT&T, Spectrum, and Xfinity offer some of the most widely available cable internet plans in Austin. Cable plans tend to be very fast, with speeds ranging from 60 megabits per second (Mbps) all the way up to 1 Gig (1,000 Mbps). Prices for cable plans can start at around $40/month but can go up to $100/month or more for higher speeds.

Fiber internet in Austin

If you're looking for the fastest possible internet speeds, then a fiber plan is a great option. Fiber plans offer speeds of up to 1 Gig (1,000 Mbps) and are becoming increasingly available in Austin as fiber providers like AT&T, Google Fiber, and Verizon expand their networks. Prices for fiber plans start at around $50/month but can go up to $100/month or more for higher speeds.

Fixed wireless internet in Austin

If you live in a rural or underserved area of Austin, you may be able to get fixed wireless internet from a provider like Rise Broadband. Fixed wireless plans tend to be slower than other types of internet, with speeds typically ranging from 10 Mbps to 25 Mbps. Prices for fixed wireless plans start at around $40/month but can go up to $100/month or more for higher speeds.

DSL internet in Austin

DSL is a type of wired internet that uses your existing phone line to deliver service. DSL providers like AT&T, CenturyLink, and Frontier offer some of the most widely available plans in Austin. DSL plans tend to be slower than other types of internet, typically ranging from 5 Mbps to 25 Mbps download speed. Prices for DSL plans start at around $30/month but can go up to $70/month or more for higher speeds.

Satellite internet in Austin

If you live in a rural or underserved area of Austin, where fiber optic internet isn't available, you may be able to get satellite internet offers from a provider like HughesNet. Satellite plans tend to be slower than other types of internet, with speeds typically ranging from 10 Mbps to 25 Mbps. Prices for satellite plans start at around $50/month but can go up to $100/month or more for higher speeds.

How to choose the best internet provider in Austin

Now that you know what type of internet is available in your area, it's time to start thinking about which provider is going to be the best fit for your needs. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you compare providers:

1. Availability - Not all providers offer service in all areas of Austin. Make sure to check availability at your address before you sign up for service.

2. Speed - The speed you need will depend on how you plan to use the internet. If you just want to browse the web and check email, then a lower download speed plan may be all you need. However, if you plan to stream video or download large files, then you'll need the fastest plan available for your budget.

3. Price - Internet plans in Austin start at around $30/month but can go up to $100/month or more for higher speeds. Be sure to compare prices from multiple providers before making your final decision.

4. Contract length - Some providers require a contract while others do not. If you're not interested in signing a contract, then be sure to find a provider that offers month-to-month service.

5. Customer service - When you're dealing with an issue with your internet service, you'll want to have a good customer service experience. Be sure to read reviews of providers in your area to see what other people have to say about their customer service.

With all of these factors in mind, we've put together our top picks for the best internet providers in Austin, TX, for your needs.

Best Internet Providers In Austin

Google Fiber - fastest internet speed

Google Fiber is the fastest residential internet service provider in Austin. Offering fiber optic speeds of up to 2,000 Mbps or 2 Gbps, Google Fiber is perfect for large households with multiple devices and high-bandwidth usage. If you're looking for the fastest possible internet speeds, Google Fiber is the best provider in Austin.

Xfinity - Best overall provider

Xfinity is the best overall internet service provider in Austin, Texas. Offering plans with speeds of up to 2,000 Mbps or 2 Gbps, Xfinity has something for everyone. Internet plan speeds range from 75 Mbps to 2 Gbps - so whether you're a casual internet user or a power user, Xfinity has a plan with fast speeds that will fit your needs. Did we mention they also offer unlimited data and your internet modem and router rental is included in your overall fee?

Charter Spectrum Internet - Best cable broadband provider

If you're looking for a reliable and affordable broadband provider in Austin, then you can't go wrong with Charter Spectrum. As one of the largest cable companies in the US, they offer a wide variety of internet plans to suit any budget and need. And with their nationwide network offering upload and download speeds of up to 940 Mbps with no data caps, you can be sure that you'll always have a fast and reliable connection.

Viasat - Best rural internet access

If you live in a more rural area, you may want to consider Viasat as your go-to internet service provider. One of the biggest benefits of Viasat is that they have satellite internet plans with download speeds of up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 12 Mbps. No matter where you live, you should be able to get high-speed internet with this option.

One caveat of Viasat is that their plans are data-capped, so if you stream a lot of video or do other data-intensive activities, you may need to upgrade to a more expensive plan. But for most people, the basic plans should suffice.

HughesNet - Best availability for residential internet

If you live in a rural area, chances are you don't have a ton of options for internet service providers. But one company that is available in many rural areas is HughesNet. One of the benefits of HughesNet is that they offer speeds up to 25Mbps on their basic plans.

One downside of HughesNet is that their plans are also data-capped, so if you stream a lot of video or do other data-intensive activities, you may need to upgrade to a more expensive plan. But for most people, the basic plans should suffice.

AT&T Fiber - Best internet service In Austin

AT&T Fiber is one of the best internet service providers in Austin. They offer plans with speeds up to 940Mbps, which is incredibly fast. And, their plans are very affordable, starting at just $35 per month.

If you want the fastest internet speeds available in Austin, then AT&T Fiber is the way to go. But keep in mind that their availability is limited, so if you don't live in an area where they offer service, you'll need to look elsewhere.

Fastest internet service provider in Austin

If you're looking for the fastest possible internet speeds, then Google Fiber is the best provider in Austin. Offering speeds of up to 2,000 Mbps or 2 Gbps, Google Fiber is perfect for large households with multiple devices and high-bandwidth usage.

One downside of Google Fiber is that their availability is limited, so if you don't live in an area where they offer service, you'll be out of luck. But if you do have access to Google Fiber, it's the best option for high-speed internet in Austin.

Cheapest internet provider available in Austin

If you're on a budget and are looking for the cheapest internet provider in Austin, then you'll want to consider AT&T. Its plans can start from just $55 per month for speeds up to 300 Mbps.

One downside of AT&T is that their availability is limited, so if you don't live in an area where they offer service, you'll need to look elsewhere. But if you do have access to AT&T's fiber network, it's the best option for high-speed internet at a low price.

Get high-speed internet options with HomeLinkd

Finding high-speed broadband internet in Austin doesn't have to be a hassle. With HomeLinkd offering many options to choose from anywhere in the U.S, rest assured we'll be able to help you find the best Austin internet deals from top providers.

So, if you're looking for your next favorite provider in the Austin area, make sure to use our Coverage Map tool and guides to help you find the best deals available at your address.

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