Optimum
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◊ Provider star ratings are based on user reviews and our independent customer satisfaction survey.
Our Optimum internet review
Jan 30, 2026 | Share
Optimum is a cable and fiber internet provider operating in 21 states across the US: from California to Texas to North Carolina to New York. We recommend Optimum’s fiber internet if you can get it— it has greater reliability and symmetrical speeds up to 8,000Mbps. Optimum’s cable internet is a good alternative if fiber isn’t in your area.
Pros
- Affordable promo prices
- No contracts or data caps
- Free Wi-Fi equipment
Cons
- Price increases after 12 and 24 months
- Confusing bundle prices
- Pricey equipment fees
Jump to: Plans and pricing | Speed and data caps | Fees | Installation, equipment, and contracts | Customer ratings | Optimum vs. the competition | Bottom line | FAQ
Jump to:
Compare Optimum internet plans and pricing
| Package | Price | Speed | Type | View on Optimum site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 Mbps Internet | $25/mo.* | Up to 200Mbps | Cable, fiber | Shop Plans |
| 500 Mbps Internet | $30/mo.* | Up to 500Mbps | Cable, fiber | Shop Plans |
| 1 Gig Internet | $50/mo.† | Up to 940Mbps | Cable, fiber | Shop Plans |
| 5 Gig Fiber Internet | $75/mo.* | Up to 5,000Mbps | Fiber | Shop Plans |
| 8 Gig Fiber Internet | $120/mo.* | Up to 8,000Mbps | Fiber | Shop Plans |
See disclaimers.
Find out if Optimum is available in your area.
Optimum’s speeds: What’s best for you?
Optimum’s 200 Mbps Internet plan is ideal for small households checking email, posting to social media, and streaming a few cat videos. If you have a household of four or five, start with a 500 Mbps connection. If you run into slowdowns and you live in a fiber area, consider the gigabit plan.
Optimum also offers plans with speeds of 5Gbps and 8Gpbs (5,000Mbps and 8,000Mbps), but that’s likely overkill for most households.
Test and track your internet speed on your phone
Download our free, easy-to-use speed test app for quick and reliable results.
How fast are your Optimum speeds?
Click below for a quick speed test and find out.
Download speed
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Upload speed
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Latency (ping)
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Jitter
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Be sure to use our How Much Speed Do I Need? tool before investing in a plan that may be too little or too much for your needs.
Optimum’s data caps
Optimum doesn’t enforce data caps, so no worries about overage fees or extra charges for unlimited data.
Our favorite plan: Optimum’s 500Mbps Fiber Internet plan is a good choice if you have up to four people in your household. Fiber is highly reliable and offers equal upload and download speeds.
Optimum provides some of the cheapest promotional discounts in the U.S. The 200 Mbps Internet plan is a steal for $25 per month—especially the fiber version with symmetrical speeds.
After the first year, Optimum’s 300 Mbps plan increases in price to $40 per month. After the second year with Optimum, that 200 Mbps plan costs $55.
Optimum ongoing deals and promotions + bundles
Free internet opportunities in NYC
Qualifying NYC residents can enroll in Big Apple Connect for a free plan up to 300 Mbps.
Optimum plans with mobile bundle deal
| Package | Starting price | Speed | Type | View on Optimum site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 Mbps Fiber Internet + Unlimited Mobile | $50/mo.* | Up to 500Mbps | Cable, fiber | Shop Plans |
| 1 Gig Internet + Unlimited Mobile | $60/mo.† | Up to 940Mbps | Cable, fiber | Shop Plans |
| 5 Gig Fiber Internet + Unlimited Mobile | $120/mo.§ | Up to 5,000Mbps | Fiber | Shop Plans |
| 8 Gig Fiber Internet + Unlimited Mobile | $280/mo.§ | Up to 8,000Mbps | Fiber | Shop Plans |
Data effective 01/30/2026. Pricing and plan names may vary by region. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
You can get $15 off your Optimum internet bill if you bundle with mobile. However, if you cancel your internet plan you’ll see a monthly $20 charge per line. The services are billed separately, so check your bill every month to make sure your accounts are connected properly.
Optimum internet fees
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Optimum used to charge a Network Enhancement Fee of $3.50 per month but discontinued the fee in early 2022 (although Optimum still shows it on the standard rates and packages list).
Optimum internet installation, equipment, and contracts
With self-setup, you use the MyOptimum app to guide you through every step of the process. With a professional install, you have to schedule an appointment with a pro and they’ll come out and do the work for you.
Optimum equipment
Optimum supplies both fiber and cable internet customers with an Optimum Gateway, which acts as both a modem and router. You can pay an extra $5 per month for Whole Home WiFi, which includes up to three extenders.
Optimum isn’t charging new customers for equipment right now, but that could change any time. According to its broadband nutrition label on all plans, equipment charges max out at $14 per month.
Optimum internet contracts
Optimum doesn’t require an annual contract, but its standard policy is to offer new customers a discount for 24 months. In some markets, you might be able to get a 5-year guarantee. After your promotional period ends, standard rates apply. Typically, that’s a monthly price increase of $15 in the first year and again in the second year.
Optimum internet customer satisfaction ratings
| Overall | Reliability | Customer Service | Speed | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum rating* | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 2.9 |
| Average rating* | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 3.4 |
* Rating based on a 5-point system used in our customer satisfaction survey. Higher is better.
Optimum ranks in the bottom half of every category in our latest customer satisfaction survey. Its highest ranking is in speed satisfaction, although that’s not saying much, given it places twelfth out of 15 internet providers. Cable internet rivals Astound, Spectrum, Cox, and Xfinity did far better in this category in our survey, even though Optimum offers superfast fiber-to-the-home internet.
Optimum ranked at rock bottom for customer service and price in our survey. The company has exceptional introductory prices, but customers used to be hit with super-inflated rates after the first 12 months, hence the low price ranking. That has changed now—prices go up only $30 per month after two years—but Optimum still can’t compete with the likes of T-Mobile and Verizon, which rank at the top of our survey and don’t raise their prices after a year.
How Optimum compares
| Provider | Starting price | Speeds (range) | User rating* | Order online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum | $25/mo.† | 200–8,000Mbps | 3.2 | View Plans |
| Verizon | $49.99/mo.* w/ Auto Pay | 300–2,300Mbps | 3.9 | View Plans |
| Spectrum | $25.00§ for 12 mos. | 50–1,000Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | 3.7 | View Plans |
* Rating based on a 5-point system used in our customer satisfaction survey. Higher is better.
Read our full reviews of Optimum vs. its main internet competitors
Is Optimum internet right for you?
Optimum provides mainly cable internet in 21 states across the US. It also has some fiber in the New York tri-state area and in small pockets in Texas, West Virginia, and a handful of other states. The type of connection you can get depends on where you live.
We suggest fiber if you can get it—Optimum’s fiber internet is pretty cheap for the first 12 months. But once the promotional pricing ends, another option like Verizon’s fiber is cheaper long-term if you can get it.
Optimum’s cable internet competes with Spectrum in many areas if there’s no fiber where you live. Even after promotional pricing ends, Optimum is the cheaper of the two.
Shop Optimum InternetFAQ about Optimum
Where can I get Optimum's cable internet?
Where can I get Optimum’s fiber internet?
What are the best routers for Optimum internet?
Does Optimum offer equipment catered to gamers?
Methodology
Our HighSpeedInternet.com editorial team bases our analyses on customer input from our annual customer satisfaction survey, results from our speed test tool, and proprietary internet provider data on speeds and pricing. To strengthen our research, we look closely at provider contracts to get hard-to-find information on price hikes, data caps, and extra fees, and we keep tabs on the latest news reports and online reviews. When applicable, we also rely on our personal experiences testing these services.
Disclaimer
Optimum
Data effective 01/30/2026. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Optimum disclaimers
- * w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.† w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.
Compare Optimum internet plans and pricing
* w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.
† w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.
‡ w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.
§ w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.
Optimum plans with mobile bundle deal
*Data effective 1/30/2026. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
† w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes & fees. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. iPhone 16 (128 GB) available with trade-in via 36-mo. bill credits. Terms apply.
§ w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply. iPhone 16 (128 GB) available with trade-in via 36-mo. bill credits. Terms apply.
Optimum competitors
†Optimum disclaimers
- w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.
- w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.
- w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.
- w/ $10/mo. elig. Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Disney+, Hulu Bundle Basic avail. w/ 500 Mbps Internet and above. After promo period, plan auto-renews at $10.99/mo. Offer will not replace existing subscriptions. Add’l terms apply. Unlimited Mobile line w/ Promo Code HEYITSFREE. Plus taxes & fees. Savings via monthly bill credits. Elig. cust. only. Paperless Bill & Auto Pay req’d. Terms Apply.
*Verizon
- Price per month without select 5G mobile plans. Available in select areas only. Price per month without select 5G mobile plans.
§ Spectrum
- Offer based on eligibility requirements. Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.
- Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.
# w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill plus taxes. Terms apply. Not available in all areas.
