Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
It’s hard to cover the internet options of an entire state while giving individual cities the in-depth attention they deserve. That’s why we’ve also put together lists of the best internet providers in cities across the US, including those in Pennsylvania. If you don’t see your hometown below, check back later. We’re working to add more every day.
Cable internet is typically the go-to for cheap internet, and that’s the case in Pennsylvania with the cheapest internet plan coming from Astound Broadband. This cable ISP offers internet service starting at $20 monthly with no required equipment fees. Xfinity, Spectrum, Kinetic by Windstream and Service Electric are the only other major internet providers in Pennsylvania with a starting price below $50 a month.
The best internet deals and top promotions in Pennsylvania depend on what discounts are available during a given time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
How many members of your household use the internet?
Pennsylvania internet providers, such as Astound Broadband or Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or special offers for a limited time. Many, however, including Frontier, Kinetic and Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Ookla speed test data from the fourth quarter of 2023 ranked Pennsylvania 25th among US states and Washington, DC, for the fastest median download speeds at 205Mbps. That’s lower than the national average (242Mbps) and lower than neighboring states New York (226Mbps), Delaware (237Mbps), Maryland (227Mbps) and Ohio (217Mbps), but higher than West Virginia (172Mbps).
There are many factors that can affect speed test data, so state averages aren’t necessarily representative of the speeds you can expect or that may be available in your home. Many Pennsylvania internet providers offer plans with max speeds much higher than the state average.
Frontier's Fiber 7 Gig offers subscribers up to 7,000Mbps of internet speed at $300 per month. It's the fastest we've yet seen in the state of Pennsylvania.
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.
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. So 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 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:
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, 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. (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.
It’s not the cheapest or the fastest internet provider in Pennsylvania, but Verizon Fios is the best all-around provider in the state. Fast speed tiers with symmetrical (or close) upload and download speeds, competitive pricing with lengthy price guarantees and other perks such as unlimited data, no equipment fees and no contracts make Verizon Fios a top choice for home internet.
If you’re looking for cheap internet, Astound Broadband has the cheapest internet plan in the state, starting at $20 monthly. Frontier Fiber has the fastest internet plan with symmetrical speeds up to 5,000Mbps starting at $155 a month. The fastest plans from other major providers mostly reach around 1,000Mbps, though Verizon Fios offers a 2 Gig plan and speeds of 1,200Mbps are available from Xfinity.
Whether you’re looking for the cheapest, fastest or best all-around internet provider in Pennsylvania, it’s important to explore all your options before deciding on the best ISP for your home. Along with speeds and pricing, be sure to compare equipment fees, data caps, contract requirements and other conditions that could affect your experience with an internet provider.
What is the best internet service provider in Pennsylvania?
Verizon Fios has the best fiber internet coverage and highest customer satisfaction of any major ISP in Pennsylvania. Its competitively priced plans feature symmetrical or close upload and download speeds, unlimited data, free equipment rental and a price guarantee of two to four years. While some Pennsylvania internet providers may be cheaper or faster than Verizon Fios, few if any can offer the same level of value.
Is fiber internet available in Pennsylvania?
Nearly half (47%) of Pennsylvania households are eligible for fiber internet service, according to the FCC. Verizon Fios is the largest fiber provider in Pennsylvania with service available in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. Frontier Fiber, Kinetic and Brightspeed also offer fiber internet in various parts of the state.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Pennsylvania?
Astound Broadband has the lowest introductory rate for home internet starting at $20 per month, but Xfinity isn't far behind with its $25 monthly service. However, while Astound's cheapest plan offers faster max speeds and no equipment rental fee, Xfinity is available to more households in Pennsylvania than Astound. Spectrum, Kinetic by Windstream and local provider Service Electric also offer internet service starting at under $50 per month. Most other major Pennsylvania ISPs, however, have a starting price of $50 per month or higher.
Which internet provider in Pennsylvania offers the fastest plan?
Frontier Fiber has the fastest internet plan, offering symmetrical upload and download speeds up to 7,000Mbps starting at $300 per month. Verizon Fios has the second-fastest internet plan in Pennsylvania with speeds up to 2,300Mbps starting at $110 per month and $85 with select 5G mobile plans. The fastest plans from other providers, including Astound, Spectrum, Kinetic and Xfinity, fall below 2,000Mbps.
Source: cnet.com