The Internet Enthusiasts Awards of 2025
Discover the best-of-the-best internet plans and services
Sep 30, 2025 | Share
Data and Research, Featured, Internet Enthusiasts Awards

Shopping for the best of the best can be … well, overwhelming. So many choices. Too many decisions. Can you smell the smoke rising from your head (sniff)? Seriously, you could be using all that research time to watch cat videos or bypass long-winded stories on posted recipes.
The good news is we did all the work for you because we’re cool like that. We dug into proprietary data to determine the best internet plans you can get. We corralled our wild experts to determine the most awesome internet services on the planet. The result is a time-saving list detailing what we picked and how.
Read on to discover the best-of-the-best internet plans and services you can get!
Best internet plan for streaming
T-Mobile All-In Home Internet
Price: $70/mo.* w/ AutoPay, plus taxes & fees
Speed: 133–415Mbps
Type: 5G home internet
See T-Mobile disclaimer.
Why we chose the All-In Home Internet plan
There are several reasons why we chose T-Mobile’s All-In Home Internet plan as the best for streaming.
First, it includes Hulu (With Ads) and Paramount+ Essential. That’s a savings of $18 per month right off the bat. Not too shabby, right?
Second, T-Mobile doesn’t raise your internet rate for five years (excluding taxes and fees). That’s a long-term savings you could use to rid yourself of those pesky ads on Hulu and Paramount+.
Third, 5G home internet doesn’t require a wired connection or a smelly technician to set it up. Simply get the kit, shove the gateway near a window, and you’re good to go. We even deemed T-Mobile’s service as the Easiest Internet Switch of 2025!
Check out our guide on how to install T-Mobile 5G Home Internet to see how crazy simple it is. Also, be sure to read our review of T-Mobile 5G Home Internet for more hands-on information.
How we chose the best internet plan for streaming
Although we gathered average speed and latency numbers for our Annual Internet Service Provider Review, we chose to take a more feature-based approach when choosing the best internet provider for streaming.
So, between the low cost associated with the included streaming services, the five-year pricing, and the easy installation, T-Mobile’s All-In Home Internet plan seemed like a no-brainer choice in our book.

Can’t get T-Mobile 5G Home Internet?
We provide more options in our guide about the best internet for streaming.
Best internet plan for gaming
Astound 1000 Mbps Internet
Price: $60/mo.* for 12 mos.
Speed: 1,000Mbps
Type: Cable, fiber
See Astound disclaimer.
Why we chose the Astound plan
Astound is the best for gaming based on the latency numbers we recorded for our 2025 Annual Review. It’s one of the few internet providers that actually speaks to gamers.
So, why the gigabit plan? It provides adequate bandwidth for livestreaming on Twitch and other platforms. We say go with fiber if you can (even in your diet), as you get equal download and upload speeds.
Not into sharing your gameplay? No problem! Gigabit internet still gives you more than enough bandwidth to game online without other data hogs in your home causing you hair-pulling latency. The 600Mbps plan works, too, if a gigabit seems like overkill.
Finally, Astound is hip to the latest wireless connectivity. All plans are backed by Eero’s mesh system, delivering fast Wi-Fi no matter where you’re gaming at home. Some plans even support the latest Eero Max 7 system (and we love Wi-Fi 7). W00T!
Consult our review of Astound’s cable and fiber internet for more information about the service.
How we chose the best internet plan for gaming
We chose Astound based on the latency numbers we recorded for our Annual Internet Service Provider review. It scored the lowest of all the providers we tested, outranking our previous champ, Verizon. After that, we selected the best bandwidth amount gamers need for all their devices, not just the gaming ones, plus some buffer. The fiber connection gives you loads of upload bandwidth for livestreaming, too.

Can’t get Astound internet?
We provide more options in our guide about the best internet for gaming.
Best internet plan for students
Xfinity 300 Mbps
Price: $40/mo.* for 12 mos.
Price: $55/mo. for 5 yrs.
Speed: 300Mbps
Type: Cable
See Xfinity disclaimer.
Why we chose the Xfinity 300 Mbps plan
Xfinity is normally our top internet provider for students because of its exclusive deals. For example, a recent promotion for college students included unlimited data, a gift card up to $200, and one line of Xfinity Mobile for the first year. Plus, there was no monthly fee to use Xfinity’s WiFi Gateway.
Sure, most students don’t need a lot of speed for school-related tasks—25Mbps at the most. But Xfinity’s 300Mbps plan is ideal for handling those tasks, plus all the other non-school active and passive activities that can interfere with schoolwork. Having a little buffer just in case doesn’t hurt either.
For more information about Xfinity, be sure to read our Xfinity internet review.
How we chose the best internet plan for students
HighSpeedInternet.com maintains a database containing the information of over 1,000 internet providers, including their deals. To determine the best for students, we compared their long-term prices, availability, and discounts for students.

Can’t get Xfinity internet?
We provide more options in our guide about the best internet plans and discounts for students.
Best internet plan for veterans and military families
Verizon Fios 300 Mbps
Price: $30/mo.*
Speed: 300Mbps
Type: Fiber
See Verizon disclaimer.
Why we chose Verizon Fios 300 Mbps
First, Verizon provides an exclusive discount for new and existing military customers who are on active duty, are veterans, or have retired from service. The discount also applies to current or former National Guard reserves. Customers must verify their military status using ID.me to qualify for the discount.
Second, the 300Mbps plan is a good amount of speed for the money, but the cheap internet price we show above is solely based on bundling home fiber with mobile. Otherwise, the plan is $45 per month. Don’t need internet? No problem! Verizon offers a discounted rate per mobile line for up to four lines.
But wait! There’s more! Verizon offers verified veterans and military families 25% off select accessories when they shop on Verizon’s website. Not too shabby!
How we chose the best plan for veterans and military families
HighSpeedInternet.com maintains a database containing the information of over 1,000 internet providers, including their deals. To determine the best plan for veterans and military families, we compared military discounts against normal residential pricing to see which internet provider offers the best deals.
But we’ll be honest: Choosing Verizon was a tough call. Xfinity’s military discounts are super competitive, and it has the larger footprint of the two. However, Verizon finalized its acquisition of Frontier. The deal greatly expands Verizon’s home fiber service across 31 states, giving Xfinity a reason to shake in its combat boots.

Can’t get Verizon’s fiber internet?
We provide more options for your consideration in our guide about the best internet for veterans and military families.
Best internet plan for budgets
AT&T Fiber Internet 300
Price: $55/mo.*
Speed: 300Mbps
Type: Fiber
See AT&T disclaimer.
Why we chose the AT&T Fiber Internet 300 plan
Picking the best budget plan is tricky because you absolutely must look beyond the promotional pricing. Sure, a plan can be super cheap in the first year, but it could double, maybe triple in price per month, after that.
So, why did we choose AT&T? Well, for a couple of reasons.
First, it’s cheap for the speeds you get, and the cost doesn’t skyrocket after the first year. Second, AT&T has more fiber availability than the competition, so chances are high that it’s available in your area. Plus, customers get a discount on internet when they bundle fiber with AT&T Wireless.
But is 300Mbps enough? Think of it this way: That amount equates to 12 devices streaming 4K video simultaneously. Since that will probably never happen, you have plenty of buffer for passive devices like smart stoves, thermostats, speakers, and so on.
For more information about AT&T, be sure to read our AT&T internet review.
How we chose the best internet plan for budgets
HighSpeedInternet.com maintains a database containing the information of over 1,000 internet providers, including their deals. To determine the best plan for tight budgets, we compared their long-term prices, availability, and fees.

Can’t get AT&T Fiber internet?
We provide more options for your consideration in our guide about the best cheap internet providers and plans.
Best internet plan for speed
Brightspeed Fiber 1 Gig
Price: $59/mo.*
Speed: 1,000Mbps
Type: Fiber
Why we chose the Fiber 1 Gig plan
We chose Brightspeed as our pick for the best internet provider for speed based on the speed average we collected for our 2025 Annual Review.
Technically, the average home doesn’t need gigabit internet—at least, not right now—but the Fiber 1 Gig plan is stupid cheap and prepares you for things like streaming 8K video on multiple devices. Plus, if you’re a gamer, you know all too well that you need every megabit you can get to download digital games and updates fast.
Sure, you can get a slower plan from Brightspeed, but if speed is what you need, this plan or the Fiber 2 Gig is your best bet.
For more information about Brightspeed, be sure to read our Brightspeed internet review.
How we chose the best internet plan for speed
We chose Brightspeed as the best for speed in our 2025 Annual Review based on proprietary data taken from our speed test. Brightspeed scored an average download speed of 290Mbps, surpassing Google Fiber, Verizon, Frontier, Metronet, and more. Be sure to check our methodology for more information.

Can’t get Brightspeed?
See how other internet providers compare to Brightspeed in our Fastest Internet Provider 2025 review. After that, see if they’re available to you.
Best Wi-Fi router
TP-Link Archer BE230
Price: $109.99*
Wi-Fi type: Wi-Fi 7
Max throughput: 3,600Mbps
Max WAN: 2,500Mbps
See Amazon disclaimer.
Why we chose the Archer BE230 router
Sure, the TP-Link Archer BE230 isn’t the beefiest Wi-Fi 7 router we’ve tested to date in terms of throughput and features, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. Like, kapow!
For starters, the Archer BE230 packs VPN tools for secure connections. It also provides up to seven different Wi-Fi networks (SSIDs) you can create for better device management, like isolating your IoT devices from your game consoles.
But that’s not all. It supports EasyMesh, too, so theoretically you could purchase three of these routers and create a whole-home Wi-Fi network cheaper than you’d pay for a pricey mesh networking system.
The key takeaway is that you don’t need Wi-Fi 7 devices to see the speed benefits you get. Wi-Fi 7 is simply better at handling interference according to our tests, so you may experience slightly improved speeds even using Wi-Fi 6 and older devices, especially in areas where radar interference is an issue.
Read our review of the TP-Link Archer BE230 to see why it’s such a great router, especially if you’re pinching pennies.
How we chose the best Wi-Fi router
We use an offline server to test Wi-Fi router speed. After that, we enter the speeds and features into a database. Be sure to read our methodology page for more details about how we test and compare Wi-Fi routers.

Want more budget router options?
We tested dozens upon dozens of routers and compiled a list of the best budget routers that fall under a $150 price cap.
Best cloud storage service
MEGA
Price: $11.73–$35.20/mo.
Spec 1: 20GB free storage
Spec 2: Included tools with paid plans
Spec 3: Up to 20TB storage
Why we chose MEGA
Out of all the cloud storage services we investigated, MEGA provides the most for free at 20GB. Sure, Google One serves up 15GB, but Gmail uses it for storage. Bummer.
The big callout with MEGA is the extra services you get when you sign up for a Pro subscription. All three plans include MEGA VPN and MEGA Pass, the latter of which is a password manager. The only difference between the three plans is the storage amount: 3TB, 10TB, and 20TB.
In addition to the VPN and password manager, MEGA includes a built-in chat tool for secure messaging, calls, and video meetings. You don’t need a subscription to use this feature, but calls and meetings are limited to one hour—they’re unlimited when you sign up for a premium plan.
How we chose the best cloud storage service
Right off the bat, we ruled out Microsoft 365, Google One, and Apple iCloud because you already use them and probably know exactly how much the premium plans cost. Apple iCloud is the least friendly of the three, anyway, given its strong ties to MacOS, iOS, and iPadOS (Windows users know exactly what we mean).
So, to look at all the third-party cloud storage services as a whole, we built a database to compare their prices and speeds.
Like any other shopper, we zeroed in on what we could get for free, as in how much storage we could get without spending a dime. Next, we looked for features that made each service stand out without skyrocketing the cost, like VPN connectivity and messaging. MEGA came out as the clear winner.
Best website builder
Squarespace
Price: $25.00–$139.00/mo.
Spec 1: Easy-to-use tools
Spec 2: Wide range of templates
Spec 3: Unlimited storage
Why we chose Squarespace
Squarespace is one of the easiest to use because it offers many templates, tools, and tutorials, and other helpful information you can find from its huge user base. Plenty of businesses and professionals use Squarespace, so it’s a great option for creating a professional-looking website without needing any web development skills.
If you’re looking to make a personal blog or a professional portfolio, you need something simple, reliable, and modern. Squarespace makes this possible by offering an affordable managed hosting service that takes care of the technical details and gives you plenty of templates that allow you to focus on the look and feel of your site. When choosing a website builder, you want something that gives you the features and feel you want, but still fits within your budget. Squarespace checked all those boxes for us and gave a wide enough range of plans to fit most users’ needs.
How we chose the best website builder
When comparing website builders, we prioritized the customizability of the platform and the range of features it offered, because if the end result always looks like a GeoCities site from 1998, it’s just not going to work for most purposes. We also considered ease of use, especially for those without a web development background, and cost.
Squarespace has a huge range of site-building tools, allowing users to create highly customizable layouts with a simple drag-and-drop interface. It also offers tools above and beyond basic website creation, such as marketing and analytics tools, features for connecting with online communities, and tools for online influencers. Squarespace also offers a broad range of plans and pricing, making it a scalable platform that can fit everything from a personal portfolio to a fully functional ecommerce site, making it an easy recommendation for anyone looking to create a website.

Looking for other hosting options?
For additional web hosting ideas, be sure to read our guide on the best web hosting services.
Best VPN service
NordVPN Plus
Price: $13.99/mo.
Spec 1: Dedicated IP servers
Spec 2: Secure remote device access
Why we chose the VPN service
We looked at the impact a VPN has on your internet speeds, and NordVPN is a great choice for keeping a fast internet connection. Plus, it really packs a punch when it comes to security features—what could be more important when it comes to finding a great VPN?
While NordVPN has a higher price point compared to other VPN services, it’s the best option for those who want to take their home networking security to the next level, with features like malware scans for downloads and alerts about leaked credentials.
But that’s not all. The value and additional security perks are worth a few extra bucks. You even get a 30-day money-back guarantee with NordVPN, giving you the opportunity to try it out risk-free before fully committing to a monthly or even multi-year subscription.
How we chose the best VPN service
We examined the most popular VPN services and all of the features, prices, and downsides as a whole. Since security features are the most important aspect of choosing a great VPN, any service that had a sketchy track record, overlooked no-log policies, or didn’t have strong encryption didn’t make the cut. We also investigated the best VPN features each service had to offer and compared them to the price point each plan carried. NordVPN came out as the best value that not only nailed the basics, but also provided extra features like Threat Protection Pro™ included in the Plus plan.
Nowadays, no household relies on a single device for internet browsing—so selecting a VPN service that allows multiple device connections was a top mark on our checklist that NordVPN hit with its 10 device cap across all plans. Additionally, having a robust and diverse server network was key in our selection. Being able to bypass geographical restrictions is an important piece of the best VPN puzzle, and having an extensive amount of servers to connect to improves quality.

Want a different VPN service?
Our second-best pick is ExpressVPN. For even more VPN options, consult our guide on the best VPNs you can get.
Disclaimers
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
* Guarantee exclusions like taxes and fees apply.
Astound
* Observed speeds may vary | One-time fees extra | Restrictions apply | Not available in all areas | New residential customers only
Xfinity
* For 12 months, no term contract. Restrictions apply. Autopay w/ stored bank account and paperless billing req’d. Taxes and fees extra and subj. to change. Reduced speeds after 30 GB of usage/line. Data thresholds may vary.
Verizon
* Discounted pricing with Auto Pay & any Verizon mobile phone plan.
AT&T
* Price includes $10/mo. discount when you sign up for paperless billing and AutoPay with a debit card or bank account. Or $5/mo. with a credit card.
Brightspeed
* Autopay required. Installation fee may apply. Limited availability in select areas. Prices may vary depending on location.
Amazon
* Amazon.com Prices as of 9/24/25 10:30 MST. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Highspeedinternet.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
Author -
Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of experience working as a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and soon branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom’s Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on network equipment testing and review.
Editor - Jessica Brooksby
Jessica loves bringing her passion for the written word and her love of tech into one space at HighSpeedInternet.com. She works with the team’s writers to revise strong, user-focused content so every reader can find the tech that works for them. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in English from Utah Valley University and seven years of creative and editorial experience. Outside of work, she spends her time gaming, reading, painting, and buying an excessive amount of Legend of Zelda merchandise.