Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Several affordable internet plans are available in San Jose, with prices starting at just $20 per month from Xfinity. Xfinity’s prices increase after the promotional period ends, but this isn’t until the third year on most plans. If you don’t want to worry about your bill going up, T-Mobile locks in your price for as long as you stay a customer.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
The best internet deals and top promotions in San Jose depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
How many members of your household use the internet?
San Jose internet providers, such as Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, however, including AT&T Fiber and Sonic Fiber, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
San Jose has several multi-gig internet plans if you're looking for ultra-fast speeds. According to Ookla speed test data, San Jose ranks 30th out of the 100 most populated cities in the US for median internet speed -- ahead of Oakland, Fresno, San Francisco and Sacramento. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sonic Fiber | $50 | 10,000Mbps | 10,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
AT&T Fiber 5000 Read full review | $245 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
AT&T Fiber 2000 Read full review | $145 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Xfinity Gigabit X2 Read full review | $80 | 2,000Mbps | 200Mbps | 1.2TB | Cable |
AT&T Fiber 1000 Read full review | $55 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review | $70 ($45 with eligible mobile plan) | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | Fixed wireless | |
Xfinity Gigabit Read full review | $60 | 1,000Mbps | 20Mbps | None | Cable |
Show more (3 items)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
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 internet service provider in a given city. So what's our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary pricing, availability and speed database that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
This guide leverages an in-house artificial intelligence tool called RAMP, which is trained on our writing and uses our database to generate content about specific internet service providers that our writers can use in determining and presenting our picks for a given guide. Check CNET’s AI policy for more information about how our teams use (and don’t use) AI tools.
Because our database is not exhaustive, we go to the FCC's website to check the primary data for ourselves and make sure we're considering every ISP that provides service in an area. Plans and prices also vary by location, so we input local addresses on provider websites to find the specific options available to 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 our pre-publication fact-check.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who 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.
To explore our process in more depth, you can visit our how we test ISPs page.
San Jose residents have an embarrassment of riches when choosing an internet plan. Xfinity is our pick for the best internet provider overall due to its broad coverage throughout the city, a wide range of plan options and high customer satisfaction scores. AT&T Fiber isn’t as widely available, but it’s hard to beat the fast, symmetrical speeds and simple pricing if you can get it. For smaller households that don’t need as much horsepower, T-Mobile Home Internet is an affordable option that won’t ever go up in price.
What is the best internet service provider in San Jose?
Xfinity is the best internet provider in San Jose, with a range of plan options and widespread availability. Most Xfinity plans increase after the first or second year -- and sometimes both -- but prices start so low on most plans that it’s still a pretty good deal.
Is fiber internet available in San Jose?
Yes, AT&T's fiber internet service is widely available in San Jose. It offers five plans with no data caps or contracts required and has been rated the best ISP in the country, according to the 2023 American Customer Satisfaction Index survey. Sonic Fiber also has service in San Jose but is not as widely available as AT&T.
What is the cheapest internet provider in San Jose?
The cheapest internet provider in San Jose is Xfinity, which offers plans starting at $20 per month for 150Mbps speeds.
Which internet provider in San Jose offers the fastest plan?
Sonic Fiber offers the fastest plan in San Jose at 10,000Mbps for $50 per month, but it’s unavailable at most addresses. AT&T Fiber tops out at 5,000Mbps, but it’s more prevalent in the area.
Source: cnet.com