They say that America is the ‘land of opportunities’. And New York City has the most opportunities for its residents. Often referred to as the ‘Big Apple’, this city is home to some top sports teams, including the Giants, the Yankees, and the Jets. Besides its famous key tourist attractions and landmark buildings, there is an abundance of diversity among residents with different cultures and religions.
The most famous and vibrant city in the world is full of families, young professionals, and enthusiasts, all of whom require high-speed internet to stay connected at all times. Thankfully, there are quite a lot of connection types, speed tiers, and top-end broadband providers available in New York City.
When it comes to internet types, cable internet is widely available across NYC. On the other hand, fiber optic and DSL are also available in different boroughs. Depending on your address, you can get internet speeds as high up as 1,000 Mbps.
Whether you are moving to NYC or want to switch your internet service provider in New York, know that finding the best internet providers is not as simple as Googling “internet service near me.” With a variety of internet types and options, it’s worth digging a little deeper to find out which is right for you.
Though the internet type and plan you receive will depend entirely on the area in which you live, we’re confident that you can make a wise decision once you find a provider that meets your priorities. Here is a list of all the best ISPs available throughout New York to help you narrow down your decision.
Top Internet Providers in NYC
Of all the top internet providers in New York City, Optimum, Spectrum, Verizon Fios, and RCN offer the best value for internet service. The one that stands out the most for its good service and reach is Spectrum. You may not find Fiber optic in every part of the city but if you are lucky enough to have access to it, then you should subscribe to it for fast, symmetric, and reliable speeds at a good price.
If you are looking for satellite internet providers, HughesNet is a great option. HughesNet is not only widespread with 100% coverage throughout NYC due to its satellite network but it also offers high-speed internet with no hard data limits.
Needless to say, the borough you live in will largely determine the providers and plans that you can have access to. Depending on the options available to you, you can choose the one that suits you best.
Now let’s a closer look at what the top internet providers in NYC have in store for you:
Spectrum in NYC
Spectrum Internet is in high demand because of the fact that it is widely available throughout NYC with 99.99% coverage. The provider does not only offers up to 1,000 Mbps of download speeds, but it also does not bind its subscribers with contracts and data limits.
Being one of the top internet providers in NYC, it gives free access to its Wi-Fi hotspot network that is widespread throughout the city, making it effortless to use the internet at any location at any time of the day. Therefore, Spectrum subscribers can make the most of their internet package even when they are on the go.
Spectrum leaves no stone unturned in providing the fastest possible speeds across its service locations in the city — but the one feature that makes it the best among the rest is “no data cap plans”.
Apart from that, you get a variety of perks such as an internet security suite, and a free modem. Rather than intimidating its subscribers with a complicated pricing structure, Spectrum offers three simple internet speed tiers so that you may pick the one that best fits your needs.
Spectrum service is available to people living in Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. Residents of western Brooklyn are also likely to have access to the ISP. Let’s check out the perks that subscribers will enjoy:
- Speeds up to 1000 Mbps
- Starting at $49.99/mo.
- Modem included
- Free anti-virus
- Three internet plan options
- No data caps included
| Internet Plan | Max. Download Speeds | Starting Price | Data Caps |
| Spectrum Internet | 200 Mbps | $49.99/mo. for 12 months | None |
| Spectrum Internet Ultra | 400 Mbps | $69.99/mo. for 12 months | None |
| Spectrum Internet Gig | 1000 Mbps | $109.99/mo. for 12 months | None |
Optimum in NYC
Optimum Internet is another great option for people living in NYC. The cable provider offers the fastest and most reliable cable service at quite affordable rates. You may have access to Optimum in most of the areas where Spectrum is not available including Brooklyn and Bronx. It also covers most areas of Eastchester and Yonkers in the north, and Long Island in the east.
If you have a large household with multiple internet needs, then Optimum is the best bet for you. With Optimum Internet speeds, you can use multiple devices at the same time, that too at an affordable rate and no data caps.
What makes the provider stand out among the rest is the fact that it comes with strong in-home Wi-Fi. Consequently, you can easily load web pages with little to no disruptions and you may even enjoy glitch-free video conferencing. Plus, Optimum offers access to a FREE Wi-Fi hotspot network, ensuring brilliant connectivity even on the go.
The provider offers 3 internet plans with different speeds. You can choose the one that meets all your online needs. However, the speed of the internet may not impress you much. Here’s what Optimum has in store for you:
- Speeds up to 940 Mbps
- Starting at $45/mo.
- Three internet plan options
- No data caps
- Installation included with selected plans
| Internet Plan | Max. Download Speeds | Starting Price | Data Caps |
| Optimum 300 | 300 Mbps | $45/mo. for 12 months | None |
| Optimum 500 | 500 Mbps | $65/mo. for 12 months | None |
| Optimum 1 Gig | 940 Mbps | $85/mo. for 12 months | None |
RCN in NYC
If you like to stream content on Netflix or enjoy a heavy-duty multiplayer online game after a tiring day at work, you definitely need fast internet speeds. When it comes to blazing fast internet, RCN Internet is the best option in NYC. Its fiber-optic network offers up to 940 Mbps internet speeds that come with quite a lot of bandwidth. With this speed, you can indulge in all types of internet activities without putting a dent in your connection and wallet, too.
RCN is available in almost all parts of New York City except Staten Island. Whether you are a casual surfer or an avid gamer, RCN ensures to keep you connected at all times.
RCN has seamlessly curated its internet plans in multiple speed tiers. These plans are specially designed to cater to a range of individual and household internet needs. The best part is, you can enjoy different online activities without having to worry about data limits or worry about contracts.
Here is a list of perks that RCN subscribers will enjoy:
- Speeds 250 — 940 Mbps
- Starting at $34.99/mo.
- No data caps
- Installation included with selected plans
- Four internet plan options
- No contract required
As far as the availability of other providers is concerned, what you need to know is that HughesNet and Spectrum are available throughout the city, but Optimum internet plans are only available in selected parts of the city.
Verizon in NYC
If you are looking for a DSL or fiber-optic option in NYC, Verizon and Verizon Fios internet are on the table too. People who live in Brooklyn, the Bronx, or Staten Island can have access to its fiber connection.
Verizon Fios offers three internet plans; your New York address will help you determine the plan that you can have access to.
Here is a list of the most appealing perquisites that Verizon subscribers will enjoy:
- Speeds up to 940 Mbps
- Starting at $39.99/mo.
- Two connection types available
| Internet Plan | Max. Download Speeds | Starting Price | Connection Type |
| Verizon | Up to 15 Mbps | $69.99/mo. | DSL |
| Verizon Fios 200 Mbps | 200 Mbps | $39.99/mo. | Fiber |
| Verizon Fios 400 Mbps | 400 Mbps | $64.99/mo. | Fiber |
| Verizon Fios GigabitConnection | 940 Mbps | $89.99/mo. | Fiber |
The Providers with Cheapest Internet Plans in NYC
RCN — 250 Mbps Internet for just $34.99/mo.
Optimum — 300 Mbps Internet for just $45.00/mo.
Spectrum — 200 Mbps Internet for just $49.99/mo.
The ISPs with Maximum Download Speed in NYC
RCN – Up to 1,000 Mbps download speed
Spectrum – Up to 1,000 Mbps download speed
Optimum – Up to 1,000 Mbps download speed
Summary of Top Internet Providers in NYC
| ISP | Speed Range | Price Range | Internet Type |
| Spectrum | 200 — 1,000 Mbps | $49.99 — $109.99/mo. | Cable |
| Optimum | 300 — 940 Mbps | $45.00 – $85.00/mo. | Cable |
| RCN | 250 — 940 Mbps | Starting at $34.99/mo. | Fiber |
| Verizon Fios | 200 – 940 Mbps | $39.99 — 89.99/mo. | Fiber |
Ending Note
Not that you are aware of all the best internet providers in New York City, it’s time to sign up for the one the fits you best. But, if you are still unable to find the ideal plan for your household, you can reach out to a professional by calling at 1-855-349-9328 for expert advice and assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which internet service provider is best for multiple devices in New York City?
For a large household that has a combination of computers, smart TVs, gaming systems, tablets, and smart home devices, it is crucial to sign up for a service that is not only reliable and but also offers faster speeds.
RCN, Optimum, and Spectrum have made it to the list of top providers in NYC. By opting for any of these services, you can use multiple devices simultaneously without having to worry about slow speeds. In New York, fiber or cable services reign over satellite and DSL.
Which internet service provider is ideal for streaming in New York City?
If you have a poor internet connection, you are likely to fact frequent buffering issues in the middle of a good binge-watching session. To avoid running into such issues, make sure to have a reliable internet connection in place.
You don’t necessarily need to invest in a blazing-fast internet service. According to Netflix, 25 Mbps is enough to stream content in Ultra HD streaming, while 5 Mbps is all you need to for regular HD streaming to one device. Spectrum, RCN, and Optimum are ideal choices for streaming in New York City, whose speeds start from 200 Mbps.
