Internet Service Providers in Chicago

If you’re shopping for internet service providers in Chicago, you have a wide range of options to choose from. Like most major American cities, you’ll have access to major providers — like Xfinity and AT&T — as well as several regional and smaller providers.

Internet service providers in Illinois offer different speeds, connectivity and other benefits. This is everything you need to know when searching for and buying internet services in Chicago.

Internet Service Providers Near Me in Chicago

There are 16 internet providers in Chicago, nine of which provide service to at least half the city:

• Xfinity
• AT&T
• RCN
• ViaSat
• EarthLink
• HughesNet
• Everywhere Wireless
• Foresite Wireless
• Urban Communications

Of these nine, two — ViaSat and HughesNet — exclusively offer satellite internet plans.

The other seven providers cover some of the city but may not offer service at every address:

• Spectrum
• WOW!
• Atlantic Broadband
• Rise Broadband
• Convergence Technologies
• E-vergent
• Magnum Wireless

Cheapest Internet Providers in Chicago

In Chicago, the price leader is the locally owned Everywhere Wireless. The provider’s cheapest plans start at just $19 per month.

Major providers in the area offer the next-best prices. Xfinity likely has the cheapest plans, with advertised rates starting at $25 per month. AT&T provides similar but slightly more expensive offerings that start at $35 per month.

Most internet providers in Chicago will have a plan starting at around $30 to $50 per month.

High-Speed Internet Options in Chicago

The Chicago price leaders also provide the fastest speeds. Everywhere Wireless, Xfinity and AT&T all offer gigabit plans that provide speeds up to 1,000 megabits per second. Xfinity also advertises a 2-gigabit option that provides rates that are twice as fast — up to 2,000 megabits per second.

Several other providers in the area also offer gigabit internet. EarthLink, Atlantic Broadband, WOW! and RCN all offer plans that provide up to 1,000 megabits per second. Spectrum also has an option with speeds up to 940 megabits per second.

Plans from other providers are likely to cap out at much lower speeds. A satellite internet service provider may only get you up to 100 or 25 megabits per second.

Who Has the Best Internet Service in Chicago?

Those looking for excellent customer service will find that Everywhere Wireless tends to get the highest reviews in the area. 

If Xfinity can provide its 2-gigabit plan at your address, it will likely have the fastest service available in your neighborhood.

If you prefer going the satellite route, ViaSat and HughesNet both offer their satellite internet plans in most of the city.

How Much Does Internet Cost in Chicago?

Prices will depend on the company you choose and the plan you pick. However, most providers in the Chicago area offer plans starting at around $30 to $50. Some are cheaper — Everywhere Wireless has offerings as cheap as $19 a month, depending on the speeds you need and where you live. You will find a wide range of prices and options available in Chicago.

Is 100 Mbps Fast?

Most providers in the Chicago area offer plans with speeds up to and beyond 100 megabits per second — but you may not be sure how fast 100 Mbps really is.

100 Mbps is a little less than twice the average internet speed in the U.S. — 50.2 Mbps. For most consumers, 100 Mbps will be a fast enough speed for streaming, online gaming and for multiple people in the same household to use the internet at once. 

However, you may notice some slowness when downloading large files, or when enough people are trying to use your home’s internet connection.