Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
The average cost for residential broadband in Sarasota is $50 per month. That number may seem high, but there are a few providers in the area that offer internet for less than that.
Xfinity is Sarasota's cheapest ISP, offering a 150-megabit-per-second plan for only $30 per month. Frontier Fiber and Blue Stream Fiber also offer service for less than the average price, but Frontier's plan offers better cost-per-Mbps compared with Blue Stream.
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Provider | Starting monthly price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
---|---|---|---|
Xfinity Connect Read full review | $20 | 150Mbps | $15 (optional) |
Xfinity Connect More Read full review | $35 | 300Mbps | None |
Blue Stream 100 | $45 | 100Mbps | None |
Frontier Fiber 500 Read full review | $45 | 500Mbps | None |
Verizon 5G Home Read full review | $50 ($35 with eligible mobile plan) | 300Mbps | None |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $60 ($40 with eligible mobile plan) | 245Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
The best internet deals and top promotions in Sarasota depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Sarasota internet providers, such as Xfinity and Blue Stream Fiber, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, such as Frontier Fiber 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.
According to Speedtest by Ookla, Sarasota's median download speed is 237Mbps, with an upload speed of 41.75Mbps. Xfinity and Frontier Fiber compete for speed in this Florida city, both reaching download speeds close to 210Mbps.
If you're looking for faster connection in Sarasota, Frontier Fiber will be your best bet. This ISP offers symmetrical speeds up to 7 gigabits -- or 7,000Mbps -- for $300 per month.
Provider | Starting monthly price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frontier Fiber 5 Gig Read full review | $155 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Frontier Fiber 2 Gig Read full review | $100 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read full review | $85 | 1,200Mbps | 35Mbps | 1.2TB | Cable |
Blue Stream 1 Gig | $75 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Frontier Fiber 1 Gig Read full review | $60 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review | $70 ($45 with eligible mobile plan) | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
Xfinity Gigabit Read full review | $65 | 1,000Mbps | 20Mbps | 1.2TB | Cable |
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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 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 the Federal Communications Commission at 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:
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.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
What is the best internet service provider in Sarasota?
Xfinity’s wide availability and cheap introductory pricing make it Sarasota’s best internet provider for most households. This cable giant also offers speeds up to 2 gigabits and prices as low as $30 per month.
Is fiber internet available in Sarasota?
Fiber internet is available to 60% of Sarasota homes, with providers like Frontier Fiber, Xfinity and Blue Stream Fiber offering the largest fiber networks in the area.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Sarasota?
Xfinity offers the cheapest internet service in Sarasota, costing $30 per month for speeds up to 150Mbps.
Which internet provider in Sarasota offers the fastest plan?
Frontier Fiber, Sarasota's fastest provider, offers multi-gigabit speeds up to 7 gigabits for $300.
Source: cnet.com