Raleigh, aka the “Smithsonian of the South,” is popular for its art, history and science. If you live in this North Carolina city or are planning on moving there, you’ll be pleased to know that it also has some of the fastest internet speeds in the country. That’s thanks to the widespread availability of fiber in the area. It’s no surprise that Raleigh consistently ranks among the best places to live.
What is the best internet provider in Raleigh?
Raleigh consistently ranks at the top of Ookla’s Speedtest.net list for internet speeds among the 100 most populated cities in the US, outranking places like Irvine, California and San Antonio. While Ookla highlights Google Fiber as the fastest option in the city, according to CNET, AT&T Fiber is the best overall internet provider in Raleigh due to its extensive coverage. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis)
That said, fiber isn’t the only choice for residents. Both AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber offer widespread service in Raleigh and its neighboring communities, while Spectrum’s cable internet blankets the region, covering areas that fiber may not reach. Here’s our guide to the best internet providers in Raleigh to help you choose the right one for your needs.
Internet providers in Raleigh compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber Read full review |
Fiber | $55-$245 | 300-5,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Google Fiber Read full review |
Fiber | $70-$150 | 1,000-8,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.5 |
| Spectrum Read full review |
Cable | $30-$70 | 100-1,000Mbps | Free modem; $10 router (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 with eligible mobile plans) | 87-415Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with eligible mobile plans) | 50-250Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
All available Raleigh residential internet providers
Fiber is fantastic and Spectrum is everywhere, but there are a few other ISPs to consider when you’re shopping in Raleigh. T-Mobile, in particular, is worthy of consideration as a no-fuss option with simple pricing and a tempting bundle discount.
- AT&T Internet: Remember those AT&T Fiber dry spots I mentioned earlier? Those areas may be serviced by AT&T’s outdated DSL network instead. Speeds can vary greatly. You may only get 10Mbps in some areas of Raleigh for the standard price of $55 a month. So basically, this is me saying, please look for a better option. Go with AT&T DSL only if you don’t have faster fiber, cable or fixed wireless available to you.
- Frontier Internet: Frontier’s DSL network sneaks into Raleigh from the northwest so that you will find it as an option up around Brier Creek and Bethesda and around the Durham area. Speeds, however, can be variable. You may be able to pull down speeds of only 12Mbps, or you may be able to get 25Mbps. The price is $30 a month. Residents of Durham can look for Frontier’s faster fiber offerings, which are much preferable to DSL. Raleigh folks, however, will want to skip the Frontier DSL and opt for Google or AT&T fiber, if available, or Spectrum’s speedier cable plans.
- Google Fiber: AT&T Fiber’s toughest competitor is Google Fiber, which doesn’t quite match AT&T’s top speed or availability across town. However, it’s worthy of strong consideration if it services your address. While Google Fiber has speeds of up to 8,000Mbps in some areas of the US, you’ll be looking at speeds up to 2,000Mbps in Raleigh. That will cost you $100 a month, or you can get 1,000Mbps service for $70 a month. There are no contracts or data caps, and equipment is included, making it one of the best deals for fast, reliable internet.
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Availability of either T-Mobile or Verizon home internet services is a roll of the dice that depends on your address and whether any slots are available. Check into T-Mobile if you’re interested in trying fixed wireless internet. T-Mobile costs $50-$70 a month for typical speeds up to 245Mbps. Equipment is included and there are no data caps. It’s a particularly good deal for T-Mobile phone customers. Bundle an eligible phone plan and get your internet for just $30-$50 a month.
- Satellite internet: Starlink, Viasat and Hughesnet are competitors in the satellite internet market. They likely won’t be your first choice for getting online unless you’re in a rural area with few options. However, digital nomads with a home base in Raleigh might consider Starlink’s on-the-go plan for staying connected while traveling.
Raleigh broadband at a glance
Raleigh residents are in the enviable position of having two major fiber providers competing for their dollars. It’s hard to go wrong with either AT&T Fiber or Google Fiber, but pricing is a factor that can influence which ISP you go with. It may push you to explore options from Spectrum, Verizon or T-Mobile.
Pricing info on Raleigh home internet service
The average starting price for home internet in Raleigh is around $50 a month. It will cost you a little more to get started with fiber. AT&T’s 300Mbps runs $55 a month while Google’s lowest-cost plan is $70 for 1,000Mbps. Look to Spectrum, Verizon and T-Mobile if you’re searching for budget options.
Cheap internet options in the Raleigh metro area
One of the cheapest ways to get online is to bundle Verizon or T-Mobile home internet with an eligible phone plan. That knocks your home internet price down to as low as $35 for Verizon and $30 for T-Mobile. If you’re shopping for Google Fiber, keep an eye out for the ISP’s Neighborhood 100 Meg plan, which is available in some areas. It’s for households with an annual income under $40,000, and it costs only $20 a month. You’ll be asked to confirm your income when you sign up.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Raleigh?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Advantage Read full review |
$30 | 100Mbps | Free modem; $10 router | None |
| Spectrum Premier Read full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | Free modem; $10 router | None |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plan) | 318Mbps | None | None |
| AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review |
$55 | 300Mbps | None | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plan) | 85Mbps | None | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Fastest internet providers in Raleigh
Wanna go fast? Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber have got your back with 8,000Mbps and 5,000Mbps plans that are available in Raleigh. That’s in stark contrast to the other end of the speed spectrum. Pokey DSL service in some locations may only reach 10Mbps. But chances are good your Raleigh address qualifies for fiber, or at least Spectrum’s cable offerings that reach up to 1,000Mbps.
AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber duke it out for the fastest ISP in Raleigh as the best multi-gigabit internet plans, but AT&T has an edge with the wide availability of its 5,000Mbps plan whereas Google is some steps behind despite offering a faster 8,000Mbps plan. Now, AT&T’s offering comes with a hefty price tag of $245 a month, which may encourage you to consider a different option, like AT&T’s 2,000Mbps plan for $145 or Google Fiber’s rival 2,000Mbps plan that trims that to $100 monthly.
What are the fastest internet plans in Raleigh?
| Provider | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Starting price | Data cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber Read full review |
8,000Mbps | 8,000Mbps | $150 | None | None |
| AT&T Fiber 5000 Read full review |
5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | $245 | None | None |
| AT&T Fiber 2000 Read full review |
2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | $145 | None | None |
| Google Fiber Read full review |
2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | $100 | None | None |
| Google Fiber Read full review |
1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $70 | None | None |
| AT&T Fiber 1000 Read full review |
1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $80 (currently discounted to $70) | None | None |
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review |
1,000 Mbps | 35Mbps | $70 | None | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Raleigh
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from FCC.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We use 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 answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers that 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, although 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 also consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Raleigh?
In case it’s not obvious already, I’m a fan of fiber. It’s fast. It’s reliable. Upload speeds are just as fast as download speeds. Your decision on whether to go with AT&T Fiber or Google Fiber may be made for you if just one of those ISPs services your address. If both do, consider the price (Google’s plans are a little cheaper) and speed (AT&T tops out at a faster 5,000Mbps unless you happen to be in a 8,000Mbps area for Google). If it comes down to it, Spectrum almost certainly services your Raleigh home, but future price hikes aren’t appealing. I’ve also tested out and been happy with fixed wireless, so don’t sleep on Verizon or T-Mobile as an affordable alternative.
Internet providers in Raleigh FAQs
Is fiber internet available in Raleigh?
Raleigh is fortunate to have two major fiber providers at work in the city. AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber offer simple, no-strings-attached plans and speeds to keep everyone from gamers to remote workers happy.
Which internet provider in Raleigh offers the fastest plan?
Google Fiber is the king of the hill for residential internet in Raleigh, with its 8,000Mbps plan for $150. AT&T Fiber comes in second with a 5,000Mbps plan, although it is quite pricey at $245 per month. Whether you need all that speed is a question only you can answer. Households with multiple heavy internet users, remote workers who need to upload massive files, and serious gamers may be able to justify the expense.
Is AT&T Fiber or Google Fiber better in Raleigh?
Choosing between AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber is a bit of a toss-up. They both earned similar CNET review scores, with AT&T coming in at 7.4 and Google Fiber at 7.5. There are no contracts, equipment fees or data caps with either one. AT&T offers a more affordable fiber entry point with its 300Mbps plan for $55 a month. That’s a good deal for budget buyers, but Google’s faster plans cost slightly less than the AT&T equivalents.