Internet Providers in Charlotte, NC
Enter your zip code to find the best internet providers in your area.
Enter your zip code to find the best internet providers in your area.
Get AT&T Fiber free for 6 months when you get AT&T Wireless when purchasing a new smartphone on installment. 6 mos free via reward card. Redempt req’d. Taxes & fees extra.
Unlock the best deal when you combine services with Spectrum Internet® – Starting at $30/mo.
Free installation. Mesh Wi-Fi included. No Contracts.
T-Mobile Home Internet connects your new home fast. Get up to a $300 gift card with activation.
No credit check required.
Unlock the best deal when you combine services with Spectrum Internet® – Starting at $30/mo.
Get started with a $500 gift card today.
Only available to Spectrum Internet customers. Buy one line of Unlimited Data Plan and get the second line FREE for 12 months + extra $100 off when you trade-in an eligible device with the purchase of a new line and phone activation.
◊ Provider star ratings are based on user reviews and our independent customer satisfaction survey.
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0–5 Mbps
Works for:
5–40 Mbps
Works for:
40–100 Mbps
Works for:
100–500 Mbps
Works for:
500–1,000+ Mbps
Works for:
The cheapest internet in Charlotte is Windstream’s DSL plan with up to 100 Mbps for $39.99 per month. If you have access to fiber, Windstream’s 500 Mbps plan costs the same and is a better value. It’s also a better deal than Spectrum’s base 300 Mbps cable internet plan (wireless speeds may vary), which costs $10 more each month for less speed during the first 12 months.
If you want a gigabit connection, Google Fiber and Kinetic have the cheapest in town, costing $70.00 per month. AT&T is $10 more per month, while the Spectrum Internet® Gig cable internet plan starts at $89.99 but increases around $25 after the first 12 months.
Both Kinetic and AT&T offer multi-gig fiber plans, but most households don’t need this much speed.
Provider | Price | Speed | Rating* | View on provider site |
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Kinetic | $39.99–$169.99/mo.†* | 100–2,000Mbps | 3.6 | View Plans |
EarthLink | $49.95–$189.95/mo.‡ | 10–5,000Mbps | 3.3 | View Plans |
Spectrum | $49.99–$89.99/mo.§ for 12 mos. | 300–1,000Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | 3.7 | View Plans |
AT&T | $55.00–$250.00/mo.||#** | 25–5,000Mbps | 3.9 | View Plans |
Google Fiber | $70.00–$100.00/mo.§§ | 1,000–2,000Mbps | 4.3 | View Plans |
Data as of 02/06/23. Prices and availability may vary and are subject to change.
* Rating based on a five (5) point system used in our customer satisfaction survey. Higher is better.
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AT&T and EarthLink have the fastest internet in town, with fiber speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. Google Fiber and Kinetic are your second best bet, with speeds up to 2,000 Mbps. Spectrum’s cable internet doesn’t go above a gigabit in download speed.
Provider | Type | Speed | Rating* | View on provider's site |
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AT&T | DSL, fiber | Up to 5,000Mbps | 3.9 | View Plans |
EarthLink | DSL, fiber | Up to 5,000Mbps | 3.3 | View Plans |
Google Fiber | Fiber | Up to 2,000Mbps | 4.3 | View Plans |
Kinetic | DSL, fiber | Up to 2,000Mbps | 3.6 | View Plans |
Spectrum | Cable, fiber | Up to 1,000Mbps | 3.7 | View Plans |
Data as of 02/06/23. Prices and availability may vary and are subject to change.
* Rating based on a five (5) point system used in our customer satisfaction survey. Higher is better.
There are five major fiber internet providers in the Charlotte area. AT&T is your top national fiber internet pick for overall customer satisfaction based on our latest customer satisfaction survey. It ranks fourth in speed, too, surpassing EarthLink, Spectrum (yes, it has fiber), and Kinetic.
Google Fiber is a regional fiber internet provider that outranks them all. It has high marks in every category in our survey, ranging from speed to customer service. You simply can’t go wrong with Google Fiber if you can get it, but AT&T and Spectrum are great fiber options, too.
Provider | Speed | Rating* | View on provider site |
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AT&T | 25–5,000Mbps | 3.9 | View Plans |
EarthLink | 100–5,000Mbps | 3.3 | View Plans |
Google Fiber | 1,000–2,000Mbps | 4.3 | View Plans |
Kinetic | 1,000–2,000Mbps | 3.6 | View Plans |
Spectrum | 300–1,000Mbps | 3.7 | View Plans |
Data as of 02/06/23. Prices and availability may vary and are subject to change.
* Rating based on a five (5) point system used in our customer satisfaction survey. Higher is better.
Compare two of the best internet providers in Charlotte, NC. Find out which is right for you.
Read more about AT&T vs. SpectrumWe pit Spectrum against Windstream to see which is the better internet provider in the Charlotte area.
Read more about Spectrum vs. WindstreamWhich has the better fiber internet connection? We list the pros and cons so that you can make the best choice.
Read more about Google Fiber vs. AT&TTake a quick quiz to decide what speeds are best for your household
AT&T and EarthLink are the fastest internet providers in the area, with fiber speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. Google Fiber is the second-fastest provider with fiber speeds up to 2 Gbps followed by Kinetic with fiber speeds up to 1 Gbps. But Google Fiber is the only provider of the four that doesn’t offer a secondary DSL internet service.
Spectrum is the only cable internet provider in Charlotte. Its plans range in speed between 300 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps.
Viasat and Hughesnet provide satellite internet if you live in areas where landlines don’t reach. They’re also a good option if you’re not happy with your landline options.
Digital subscriber line (DSL) is a type of internet service that runs through phone lines, like dial-up. But unlike dial-up, DSL won’t occupy your phone connection, so you can still make and receive calls while online. DSL is also much faster than dial-up, reaching speeds up to 100 Mbps with some providers. DSL is ideal if you live in a rural area or don’t need speeds faster than 100 Mbps.
Google Fiber is a fiber-to-the-home internet service operated by Google. Google Fiber supports 1,000 Mbps or 2,000 Mbps, depending on the plan.
AT&T Fiber is AT&T’s fastest internet service. It’s a fiber-to-the-home service offering speeds up to 5,000 Mbps.
Charter Communications is the parent company of Spectrum. Charter acquired Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks in 2016 and merged those services with Charter’s own cable service. Charter rebranded the three combined services as Spectrum.
Spectrum Internet® plans start at $49.99 per month for 12 months. Bundles with TV or phone service start at $64.98 per month for 12 months.
Spectrum Internet® plans range from 300 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps.
AT&T Internet starts at $55 per month and costs $180 per month for the fastest plan.
Spectrum Internet Assist is a program that offers low-income households affordable internet service starting at $17.99 per month. The service comes with 30 Mbps internet, no data caps, and the option to add WiFi for another $5.00 per month. You can sign up for this program if a member of your household receives benefits from the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or Supplemental Security Income.
Spectrum WiFi is a fancy name for the WiFi portion of your Spectrum Internet® plan. For $5 per month, you can use a router provided by Spectrum or enable the WiFi component in its wireless gateway. Spectrum Advanced Home WiFi is a newer service that gives you more control over your WiFi network, but you must use its standalone Wi-Fi 6 router.
How much you pay for home internet with Wi-Fi depends on which provider you choose and which plan you select. The cheapest internet plans in Charlotte come in at about $40 per month, from either Spectrum or Earthlink fiber. Both are fast enough to meet the needs of most households. If you can't get those plans, you can find options in the $50 to $55 range from Earthlink DSL or AT&T, but the plans will only be fast enough for browsing and checking email. If you can get Google Fiber, the cheapest plan is $70 per month but the speeds will be lightning-fast.
Spectrum and Earthlink offer internet plans in the range of $40 per month for speeds of 300Mbps, not counting equipment fees. If you can prove you qualify for low-income status, however, you may be able to sign up for a plan from Spectrum for as low as about $25 per month for top speeds of 50Mbps.
Xfinity does not offer home internet service in Charlotte, but you can get comparable cable internet from Spectrum. The biggest difference is that Spectrum doesn’t have data caps but may have equipment fees and price hikes after a year or two of service.
Yes, fiber internet from AT&T, Google Fiber, and Earthlink is available to certain homes and businesses in Charlotte. To see if your location qualifies, navigate to either EarthLink, Google Fiber, or AT&T and enter your address.
Learn more about AT&T
Learn more about Spectrum
Learn more about Google Fiber
Learn more about T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
Learn more about EarthLink
Learn more about Verizon
Learn more about Easy Internet Now
Learn more about Hotwire Communications
Learn more about Pineville Communication Systems
AT&T, Google Fiber, and Spectrum are the largest internet providers in Charlotte.
AT&T has the fastest fiber in Charlotte, with speeds ranging from 300 Mbps to 5,000 Mbps. AT&T also offers slower DSL internet plans that use existing telephone lines—with speeds up to 100 Mbps. AT&T’s service area covers most of the city and surrounding areas, from Highland Creek all the way down to Ballantyne and Provincetowne.
Google Fiber is the second fastest internet provider in the area. Its fiber connections reach up to 1,000 Mbps or 2,000 Mbps, depending on the plan.
EarthLink is another fiber internet provider, but its coverage isn’t quite as widespread as AT&T. Its DSL internet plans top out at 80 Mbps, while its fiber services support up to 5,000 Mbps.
Kinetic rounds out the fiber providers list supporting up to 2,000 Mbps. Like EarthLink, its availability isn’t as widespread as AT&T. Windstream is primarily in eastern communities like Villa Heights, Idlewild, East Forest, Providence Crossing, and Piper Glen Estates.
Spectrum is a cable and fiber internet provider with a larger footprint than AT&T in the Charlotte area. Top speeds range from 300 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps. Plus, customers can take advantage of Spectrum’s WiFi hotspots scattered throughout the city.
Finally, Viasat and Hughesnet provide satellite internet to areas where landlines can’t reach. They’re also a good alternative if you’re not happy with the land-based providers. Satellite internet is slower and more expensive, however.
AT&T is your highest-ranking national fiber internet provider in the area based on our latest customer satisfaction survey, placing fourth out of 15 national internet providers for overall satisfaction. Google Fiber is another great pick for fiber internet, although it ranks on a regional level, so our survey doesn’t compare it with AT&T. Spectrum (7th) may have some fiber somewhere in Charlotte along with Kinetic (10th).
Spectrum appears to be your only national cable internet provider in Charlotte. It ranks sixth in speed satisfaction based on our survey, falling a few notches behind AT&T. Spectrum also ranks seventh in reliability and customer satisfaction, and eighth in price satisfaction— presumable due to the slight price hikes after 12 months. AT&T and Google Fiber don’t raise their prices after a year.
Provider | Type | Download speeds |
User rating | Order online |
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AT&T | Fiber | 5000 Mbps | 3.5/5 | View Plans for AT&T |
Spectrum | Cable | 1000 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) |
3.5/5 | View Plans for Spectrumor call 833-513-4720 |
Google Fiber | Fiber | 8000 Mbps | 4.5/5 | View Plans for Google Fiber |
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet | 5G Home | 245 Mbps | N/A | View Plans for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet |
EarthLink | Fiber | 5000 Mbps | 4.0/5 | View Plans for EarthLink |
Verizon | 5G Home | 300 Mbps | 4/5 | View Plans for Verizon |
Easy Internet Now | Fiber | 5000 Mbps | 4.5/5 | Link not provided |
Hotwire Communications | Fiber | 10000 Mbps | 3.0/5 | Learn more about Hotwire Communications |
Pineville Communication Systems | DSL & Fiber | 1000 Mbps | N/A | Learn more about Pineville Communication Systems |
Availability and speeds displayed are not guaranteed and are subject to change.
DSL:
DSL provides internet service via phone cables and is up to ten times faster than dial-up service.
Cable:
Cable provides internet speeds faster than DSL through the same cables used for cable TV.
Satellite:
Satellite internet is widely available, but offers slower speeds due to a far-traveling signal.
Fiber:
Fiber relies on glass strands to relay digital code and is much faster than both DSL and cable.
Peyton P | 07-18-2024
Calvin in Florida working in the retention department is so great at his job! Very personable and kind! Lovely to talk to, glad he figured out a deal for me as my pricing was way higher than I would’ve liked to pay
Was this review helpful?Curtis P | 07-09-2024
This is the worst service I have ever had in my life. The internet goes out every week atleast once. I have been disconnected from games, interviews, and much more on a regular basis. Would not recommend to anyone if you like steady and consistent service
Was this review helpful?Kole P | 07-02-2024
Verified User
Worst internet with outages almost every week, sometimes twice a week. Takes hours or almost a whole day to repair and then they will always tell you oh we fixed it super fast (less than 4 hours) so you will not receive credit. Best part when they say that usually it was out 6+ hours. Scammy Lying company
Was this review helpful?HighSpeedInternet.com compares internet providers within cities and metro areas to give customers the most relevant insights into their internet options. When comparing providers, we consider the following:
We source localized coverage data displayed on our coverage maps from the FCC coverage database, which is updated every six months. For the most current summary of providers in your area, we recommend you use our zip code search tool, which offers the most recent coverage data straight from internet service providers (ISPs).
Our city overviews compare advertised provider speeds. We may also include real-world speed data gathered from millions of annual speed test results. To process our speed test data, we first filter out outliers and providers with low test counts. We then calculate speed averages with every ISP subject to the same parameters.
We gather ISP customer feedback data from our comprehensive annual surveys and direct customer feedback submitted to HighSpeedInternet.com. Unless stated otherwise, average ratings are calculated nationally.
Windstream
† For the first 12 months. No data caps. No overage charges. 30-day money back guarantee.
*With autopay for 12 months. Limited-time, non-transferable offer for residential customers that may not be combined with other promotions. Credit restrictions may apply. Subject to availability.
EarthLink
‡ with a 12-month contract.
Spectrum
§ Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum Internet® Gig promotion price is $89.99/mo.; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra.
AT&T
||Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.
# Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. Ltd. avail/areas. Call or go to www.fiber.att.com to see if you qualify.
** Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. Ltd. availability/areas.
Google Fiber
§§ Terms and Conditions: Plus taxes and fees. Service not available in all areas. If you live in an apartment or condo, Google Fiber’s ability to construct and provide Fiber is subject to the continued agreement between Google Fiber and the property owner. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.