Best Internet Providers in Charlotte, North Carolina
Why You Can Trust CNET
What is the best internet provider in Charlotte?
There are two primary Charlotte internet service providers: AT&T and Spectrum. While both providers present unique pros and cons, AT&T Fiber is the best Charlotte ISP overall. AT&T Fiber is the faster provider, but of the two, Spectrum has a cheaper plan and greater high-speed coverage throughout Charlotte.
As a lifelong resident of the Charlotte area -- from Concord to Fort Mill with time spent in University City, Oakhurst and Pineville -- I've become familiar with the internet providers in the area and have found the cheapest service and the fastest speeds to help you compare your options. Google Fiber and Kinetic by Windstream tie for the speediest plan, offering 8 gigabits per second for $150 and $300 monthly, respectively. For the most affordable home broadband, check out Kinetic by Windstream's $40 per month plan, which reaches speeds up to 500 megabits per second. Comporium also offers a $40 plan -- which has a wider coverage map -- but hits speeds up to only 100Mbps.
Our methodology
CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Charlotte across several categories. Our evaluation includes referencing a proprietary database built over years of reviewing internet services. We validate that against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. We also do a close read of providers' terms and conditions and, when needed, will call ISPs to verify the details.
Despite our efforts to find the most recent and accurate information, our process has some limitations you should know about. Pricing and speed data are variable: certain addresses may qualify for different service tiers, and monthly costs may vary, even within a city. The best way to identify your options is to plug your address into a provider's website.
Also, the prices, speed and other information listed above and in the provider cards below may differ from what we found in our research. The cards display the full range of a provider's pricing and speed across the US, according to our database of plan information provided directly by ISPs. At the same time, the text is specific to what’s available in Charlotte. The prices referenced within this article's text come from our research and include applicable discounts for setting up automatic payments each month -- a standard industry offering. Other discounts and promotions might also be available for things like signing a term contract or bundling with multiple services.
To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.
Best internet in Charlotte
Spectrum
Broadest coverage in Charlotte, NC
Our take - Cable providers often get a bad rap, perhaps deservedly in some cases, but Spectrum is a solid choice for home internet in Charlotte. That said, it's still cable internet. That means significantly slower upload speeds than fiber service and the potential for reduced speeds during peak usage times. The cable connection does, however, make Spectrum a good choice for bundling internet and TV service.
AT&T Fiber
Best internet provider in Charlotte, NC
Our take - AT&T Fiber has the best plan variety and value of any major Charlotte internet provider. The 100% fiber-optic service also offers symmetrical upload and download speeds, a perk you won't get with cable internet services such as Spectrum.
Google Fiber
Best for gigabit internet in Charlotte, NC
Our take - Google Fiber is more of a premium internet service in the Charlotte area. Starting prices are a touch higher than AT&T and Spectrum, but the entry plan speeds are also significantly higher, starting at 1Gbps. It will be the best value if you want gig speeds or higher, and Google Fiber is available at your address.
T-Mobile Home Internet
Best fixed wireless internet in Charlotte, NC
Our take - T-Mobile's 5G wireless home internet service makes sense if you're just outside the Charlotte city limits, say down in Lancaster, South Carolina or out in a rural part of Rowan County. It might also be a viable option if you're not satisfied with your service from AT&T or Spectrum.
Charlotte internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Home Internet | DSL | $55 | 10-100Mbps | None | 1.5TB | None | 7.4 |
| AT&T Fiber | Fiber | $55-$250 | 300-5,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Comporium | Cable/Fiber | $40-$76 | 100-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | N/A |
| Google Fiber | Fiber | $70-$150 | 1,000-8,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Kinetic by Windstream | DSL/Fiber | $40-$300 | 15-8,000Mbps | $60 one time fee | None | None | 6.7 |
| Spectrum | Cable | $50-$90 | 300-1,000Mbps | Free modem; $5 router | None | None | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | Fixed wireless | $50 ($30 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in Charlotte
- Comporium: Outside of the Steele Creek area, specifically Ayrsley, cable internet from Comporium is only available to the south of Charlotte over the border into South Carolina and parts of Union County. With plans starting at $40 per month, Comporium is one of the cheapest providers in the area, but customers should expect a price increase after the first three months.
- EarthLink: Internet service from EarthLink runs on the networks of other providers. In Charlotte, that provider is AT&T, so EarthLink is technically available wherever you find AT&T. However, AT&T has many of the same selling points as EarthLink, such as unlimited data and no contracts, not to mention lower pricing, so you're better off going with AT&T.
- Kinetic by Windstream: Kinetic is largely known for offering service in suburban or rural areas, and its coverage in Charlotte is no different. While a few Charlotte neighborhoods are serviceable for Kinetic, you'll find the best coverage in surrounding areas such as Albemarle, Concord and Matthews. If Kinetic's fiber service is available at your address, it's worth checking out, but you may want to pass on the DSL service if that's all you can get.
- Satellite service from HughesNet and Viasat is also available throughout most of Charlotte and the surrounding area. But with plenty of other internet options, satellite internet is not worth the cost.
Cheap internet options in Charlotte
The average starting price for internet service in Charlotte is around $50 monthly. Comporium and Kinetic by Windstream are tied for the lowest starting price in the area at $40 per month. However, Kinetic by Windstream has a better base plan since speed goes up to 500Mbps versus Comporium's 100Mbps.
Most providers we've mentioned also participate in the FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program, which gives eligible low-income households a $30 monthly discount (or up to $75 for households on tribal lands) for high-speed internet. You can use the ACP toward any internet plan -- not just the cheapest ones -- from participating providers.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Charlotte?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comporium Essential Internet | $40 | 100Mbps | None |
| Kinetic by Windstream | $40 | 500Mbps | None |
| Spectrum Internet | $50 | 300Mbps | $5 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | $50 ($30 for eligible mobile customers) | 245Mbps | None |
| AT&T Fiber 300 | $55 | 300Mbps | None |
| Google Fiber Gig | $70 | 1,000Mbps | None |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Charlotte
The best internet deals and top promotions in Charlotte depend on what discounts are available during that time period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Charlotte internet providers, such as Spectrum and Comporium, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, however, including AT&T, Google and T-Mobile, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
How fast is Charlotte broadband?
According to Ookla's speed test index, speeds in the Queen City are lower than the state's average, with a median speed of around 257Mbps. Keep in mind that many factors go into speed test data, such as equipment, Wi-Fi versus Ethernet connections and the internet plan itself.
Faster speeds than the area's average are certainly available. Google Fiber and Kinetic by Windstream offer speeds up to 8Gbps to Charlotte residents, and AT&T's fastest plan hits speeds up to 5,000Mbps. Numerous providers -- including Comporium, Google Fiber, Kinetic by Windstream and Spectrum -- offer single gigabit plans.
Fastest internet plans in Charlotte
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber 8 Gig | $150 | 8,000Mbps | 8,0000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Kinetic 8Gig | $300 | 8,000Mbps | 8,0000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Google Fiber 5 Gig | $125 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber 5000 | $250 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber 2000 | $150 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Google Fiber 2 Gig | $100 | 2,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Kinetic 2Gig | $180 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber 1000 | $80 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Comporium Zipstream | $76 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Google Fiber 1 Gig | $70 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Kinetic Gig | $70 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Spectrum Internet Gig | $90 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines -- and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics -- browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Charlotte
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it's impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. So what's our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary database of pricing, availability and speed information that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they're paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
What's the final word on internet providers in Charlotte?
As we always say, fiber connectivity will be your best bet for home internet. For Charlotteans, many fiber providers offer blazing speeds at an affordable monthly cost. Using a high-speed internet connection makes consuming lots of data each month easy, which can be problematic if you have a data cap. However, you won't have to worry about that in Charlotte, as all major ISPs have unlimited data. Contracts aren't an issue, either, because AT&T, Comporium, Google Fiber, Kinetic, Spectrum and T-Mobile's 5G home internet service don't require one when signing up.
Internet providers in Charlotte FAQs
Does Charlotte have fiber internet?
A little over half of Charlotte is serviceable for fiber-optic internet service. AT&T is Charlotte's largest fiber internet provider, but Google Fiber, Kinetic by Windstream and Comporium also contribute to the area's fiber coverage.
Can you get free internet in Charlotte?
Aside from the Access from AT&T and the Affordable Connectivity Program, your best bet to get free Wi-Fi in Charlotte is at your local Mecklenburg County Library branch. Other county facilities, such as the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, may offer a free Wi-Fi connection. You can also look at other public buildings, such as restaurants and coffee shops. When using a public Wi-Fi connection, remember that your data may not be secure, so try to avoid accessing or entering private information on your computer or mobile device when using a public Wi-Fi network.
How much is Wi-Fi in Charlotte?
Wi-Fi is a way of connecting to your internet service, not a separate one on its own, so you'll need a standard internet connection and a Wi-Fi router to get Wi-Fi in your home. Starting prices for internet service in Charlotte range from $40 to $70 per month, but the added fee for Wi-Fi will vary by provider. AT&T, Google Fiber and T-Mobile 5G are some providers that include Wi-Fi equipment at no extra cost, meaning your Wi-Fi is essentially "free." Spectrum charges $5 per month for Wi-Fi equipment rental, but you can skip that fee by using your own router.
Does Charlotte have Optimum or Xfinity?
No. Spectrum is Charlotte's primary cable internet service provider, though Comporium may be an option for those south of the city. Optimum and Xfinity are not available in Charlotte.
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