CNET recommends Verizon Fios as the top internet provider in Boston, Massachusetts, with 100% fiber-optic coverage, fast symmetrical speeds, and plans ranging from $50 to $90. Approximately 80% of Boston households can access Verizon Fios. If Verizon Fios isn’t available, Xfinity is the most widely accessible provider, covering 99.5% of households with plans starting at $30 and the fastest download speeds in the city reaching up to 2,100Mbps in select areas. Astound provides the cheapest option, starting at $20 per month for speeds up to 300Mbps. Your choice depends on coverage and budget.
Other internet options in Boston include T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet, both offering similar service terms with no data caps, equipment fees, or contracts. Satellite internet providers like Hughesnet and Viasat are also available, but they are better suited for rural areas due to their high prices and low data services. Virtually every household in Boston has access to download speeds of 250Mbps or higher and upload speeds of 25Mbps or higher, with options from cable internet providers like Xfinity and Astound, as well as fiber service from Verizon Fios available to about 68% of Boston addresses.
Boston offers competitive pricing for high-speed internet, with introductory prices ranging from $20 to $35 per month, depending on the provider and discounts available. Even faster speed tiers are competitively priced, with Astound offering a 300Mbps plan starting at $30 and Xfinity’s Gigabit plan providing speeds up to 1,100Mbps starting at $60 per month. While Boston may not have the fastest download speeds compared to other cities, options for up to 1,500Mbps with providers like Astound and Xfinity are available.
Residents in Boston have multiple options for home internet service, with two or three providers available in most areas and potentially more in select locations. None of the providers offer multi-gigabit speeds, but up to five providers offer single-gig service. Pricing is competitive, starting at or below $35 per month, and most plans come with unlimited data and no contract requirements. Providers like Verizon Fios and Starry even offer free equipment, making service terms fair regardless of the chosen provider and plan.
CNET’s approach to selecting the best internet providers in Boston involves researching pricing, availability, and speed information from provider sites, the FCC, and other sources. The goal is to determine if providers offer reasonably fast internet speeds, decent value for the price, and customer satisfaction with their service. Recommendations are based on providers that come closest to meeting these criteria. Additional information such as customer satisfaction and plan prices are considered to provide accurate and up-to-date recommendations for internet service in Boston.
