Best Internet Providers in Houston, Texas for 2024
Compare the Best Internet Service Providers in Houston, TX
Not all plans are available in all areas. Provider plan, availability, and speed tier data provided by BroadbandNow.com. Speedtest real-world data is only present where sample size has reached significance within a region. Additionally, averages may include aggregated tests across multiple Internet Types (Fiber, DSL, Cable, etc.).
At Speedtest, we pride ourselves on supplying precise and dependable data that supports our ISP recommendations. Our data, garnered from millions worldwide who participate in a Speedtest, ensures that our insights into ISP performance are both credible and contemporary. This enables us to present a clear, impartial overview of ISP performance. T
hree key metrics to assess an ISP's performance include download speed, upload speed, and latency. Download speed is paramount for activities such as streaming and downloading, indicating how quickly data is transferred to your device. Upload speed is crucial for uploading content and participating in online engagements, signifying how rapidly data is sent from your device to the web. Latency, or ping, is vital in online gaming and video calls, affecting the reaction time of your connection. Armed with a comprehensive understanding of an ISP’s capabilities, you are equipped to make a well-informed decision based on your specific internet needs.
The technology behind an ISP is significant in defining your online experience. Technologies such as fiber optics usually offer the highest speeds, beneficial for demanding online activities, while cable internet, more accessible, tends to provide satisfactory download speeds but may have slower upload speeds. DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) delivers moderate speeds that suffice for general browsing and streaming, unlike satellite internet, which, often being the sole option in remote areas, usually exhibits higher latency and slower speeds.
How Much Speed Do I Need?
Download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 10 Mbps are widely considered fast enough to handle nearly any online activity. A quick guide to what speeds you need for different online activities is below, and you can read our full guide to internet speeds and performance for more information. Keep in mind that the numbers below are the bare minimum for one device at a time. If you’re trying to use multiple devices on a network at the same time, you’ll want higher speeds.
0–5 Mbps (Slow)
- Stream SD video
- Connect on Slack
- Use Microsoft Teams
- Write and read email
- Scroll social media
- General web browsing
5–20 Mbps (Better)
- Stream HD video at 1080p
20–40 Mbps (Solid)
- Stream 4K video
- Play games online
40–100 Mbps (Good)
- Stream HD games
100+ Mbps (Fast)
- Engage in multi-player gaming
- Download huge files
1+ Gbps (Very fast)
- Do anything you want on multiple devices
ISP Speeds in Houston, TX
Drawing from exclusive Speedtest data, AT&T Internet has distinguished itself as the fastest internet service provider in Houston, boasting a median download speed of 257.38 Mbps. This remarkable speed positions AT&T Internet at the forefront among local ISPs, providing strong and dependable internet access for bandwidth-intensive tasks.
AT&T Internet also touts the highest advertised download speeds, reaching up to 5,000 Mbps. This impressive speed is attributed to their Fiber service, which boasts exceptional speed and reliability compared to alternative types of internet connections. Following closely behind is Xfinity, offering advertised speeds up to 2,000 Mbps, powered by their Cable offering.
A good rule of thumb is that download speeds of at least 100 Mbps are considered fast enough for nearly any online activity, including streaming 4K HD videos and downloading large files. The choice of speed should be informed by the household's internet usage patterns and the number of devices connected, highlighting the importance of understanding your specific needs when selecting an ISP.
Houston Fixed Speeds
Download Mbps
Median download speed
Upload Mbps
Median upload speed
Latency ms
Median latency
To be added to this list for mobile or fixed broadband, 75% of a city's monthly unique user totals over a 13-month period must have a minimum of 200 monthly unique user results. To be updated for mobile or fixed broadband, 75% of a city's monthly unique user totals over a 13-month period must have a minimum of 100 monthly unique user results.
An operator or ISP must account for 3% or more of total test samples in the market to be on this list. We display data if at least two operators or ISPs meet this threshold in a designated region or city.
Internet Providers in Nearby Cities
- Abilene
- Addison
- Alamo Heights
- Aledo
- Allen
- Alton
- Alvin
- Amarillo
- Andrews
- Angleton
- Anna
- Argyle
- Arlington
- Atascocita
- Athens
- Aubrey
- Austin
- Azle
- Balch Springs
- Bastrop
- Baytown
- Beaumont
- Bedford
- Bee Cave
- Bellaire
- Belton
- Benbrook
- Big Spring
- Boerne
- Brenham
- Brownsville
- Brushy Creek
- Bryan
- Buda
- Bulverde
- Burkburnett
- Burleson
- Canyon
- Canyon Lake
- Carrollton
- Castle Hills
- Cedar Hill
- Cedar Park
- Celina
- Channelview
- Cibolo
- Cinco Ranch
- Cleburne
- Cloverleaf
- College Station
- Colleyville
- The Colony
- Conroe
- Converse
- Coppell
- Copperas Cove
- Corinth
- Corpus Christi
- Corsicana
- Cross Mountain
- Crowley
- Cypress
- Dallas
- Deer Park
- Denison
- Denton
- DeSoto
- Dickinson
- Duncanville
- Eagle Pass
- Edinburg
- El Paso
- Ennis
- Euless
- Fairview
- Farmers Branch
- Fate
- Flower Mound
- Forney
- Fort Bliss
- Fort Hood
- Fort Worth
- Fredericksburg
- Fresno
- Friendswood
- Frisco
- Fulshear
- Gainesville
- Galveston
- Garland
- Georgetown
- Granbury
- Grand Prairie
- Granite Shoals
- Grapevine
- Greatwood
- Greenville
- Groves
- Haltom City
- Harker Heights
- Harlingen
- Haslet
- Hedwig Village
- Helotes
- Highland Park
- Highland Village
- Horizon City
- Horseshoe Bay
- Houston
- Hudson Oaks
- Humble
- Huntsville
- Hurst
- Hutto
- Irving
- Jacksonville
- Jersey Village
- Jollyville
- Justin
- Katy
- Keller
- Kennedale
- Kerrville
- Kilgore
- Killeen
- Kingsville
- Kyle
- La Marque
- La Porte
- Lago Vista
- Lake Jackson
- Lakeway
- Lancaster
- Lantana
- Laredo
- League City
- Leander
- Leon Valley
- Levelland
- Lewisville
- Little Elm
- Longview
- Lubbock
- Lucas
- Lufkin
- Lumberton
- Manor
- Mansfield
- Manvel
- Marble Falls
- Marshall
- McAllen
- McKinney
- Melissa
- Mesquite
- Midland
- Midlothian
- Mineral Wells
- Mission
- Mission Bend
- Missouri City
- Mont Belvieu
- Mount Pleasant
- Murphy
- Nacogdoches
- Nederland
- New Braunfels
- New Caney
- North Richland Hills
- Northlake
- Odessa
- Orange
- Palestine
- Pampa
- Paris
- Pasadena
- Pearland
- Pecan Acres
- Pecan Grove
- Pflugerville
- Pharr
- Piney Point Village
- Plainview
- Plano
- Port Aransas
- Port Arthur
- Port Neches
- Porter
- Portland
- Princeton
- Prosper
- Red Oak
- Richardson
- Richmond
- Roanoke
- Robinson
- Rockport
- Rockwall
- Rosenberg
- Round Rock
- Rowlett
- Royse City
- Sachse
- Saginaw
- San Angelo
- San Antonio
- San Benito
- San Juan
- San Marcos
- Schertz
- Seabrook
- Seguin
- Shavano Park
- Sherman
- Sienna Plantation
- Socorro
- South Padre Island
- Southlake
- Spring
- Springtown
- Stafford
- Stephenville
- Sugar Land
- Sulphur Springs
- Sunset Valley
- Taylor
- Temple
- Terrell
- Texarkana
- Texas City
- Timberwood Park
- Tomball
- Trophy Club
- Tyler
- Universal City
- University Park
- Victoria
- Waco
- Watauga
- Waxahachie
- Weatherford
- Webster
- Wells Branch
- Weslaco
- West Lake Hills
- West Odessa
- West University Place
- Wichita Falls
- The Woodlands
- Woodway
- Wylie
Home Internet in Houston
Houston, a vast and bustling city at the heart of Texas, stands out for its remarkable diversity, dynamic cultural landscape, and its role as an international center for space research, energy, and healthcare. The city offers a wide array of internet service choices, including Fiber, 5G, Satellite, and Cable, to meet the varied requirements of its residents.
Xfinity, a cable internet provider, has an extensive coverage area that spans 97% of Houston, offering speeds that accommodate the needs of most households. Ror those requiring wider coverage, satellite services like SpaceX Starlink, Viasat Internet, and HughesNet provide city-wide connectivity, albeit with generally slower speeds. When investigating internet service options, residents should evaluate aspects like the type of service, the breadth of coverage, and the variety of speeds available from various providers.
In the process of selecting an internet provider, it's crucial for Houstonians to assess the coverage scope, available internet services, and how well the technology aligns with their home's internet usage requirements. It's worth noting that the highest speeds advertised may not always match the real-world experience, as various elements can influence actual internet speed performance.
How we test the speed of ISPs
Speedtest is the definitive way to test the performance and quality of an internet connection. Millions of users like you use Speedtest.net and our Android and iOS apps every day to test internet performance (including bandwidth, latency, coverage, video metrics, and more) in real world situations. We then use rigorous scientific approaches to aggregate and anonymize those results to empower people like you with content like this so you can understand and optimize your internet experience.
The data found within has not been subjected to the rigorous Speedtest marketing claims and data methodology, and therefore cannot be used in commercial applications. Additionally, promised speeds and plans offered are always subject to change.
How to test your internet speed
Speedtest can help you test the speed and overall performance of your internet for free from any device. Click here to open a new page and take a Speedtest. You can then compare your results with what you’ve learned about internet performance near you. If you aren’t getting the results you expect, you can either use this guide to use your Speedtest results to talk to your internet provider or you can shop for a new provider.