Best Business Internet Service Providers of 2024- business.com (2024)

• Base Price:$40 per month (fiber); $30 per month (wireless)
• Top Features:5 Gbps maximum speed, 24/7 customer service, free installation on online orders, wireless back-up, voice, security.
• Minimum subscription:Varies by service

Why AT&T Business is Best for Symmetrical Speeds

E-commerce businesses and marketing agencies are prime examples of businesses that need quick upload speeds to upload large product images and videos and transfer large files to clients and team members. The problem many companies in this position face is that traditional high-speed internet offers much slower upload speeds than download speeds. This can create bottlenecks in companies, impacting their productivity and increasing the chances that they’ll miss important deadlines.

If your business is experiencing these challenges, AT&T’s service proposition is compelling. Businesses on the top subscription package benefit from a 5Gb upload and download speed and a 99.9 percent uptime guarantee, making it the fastest and most reliable business internet provider in our review. We also really appreciate that fiber connections require no annual contract, unlike many competitors we reviewed, which gives companies a great degree of flexibility. For businesses wanting the most reliable connections, AT&T Business also offers a dedicated internet service.

AT&T has just introduced the Internet Air for Business, a new plug-and-play route for commercial customers. Source: AT&T Business

AT&T Business Pricing and Services

You can choose an AT&T business internet plan based on the levels of speed you need. For ecommerce businesses and others that rely heavily on their internet connection, we recommend selecting a higher priced plan. Businesses that don’t do much more online than send emails and use basic business software can save some money by selecting a lower priced plan.

All plans currently include AT&T Active Armor (a mobile security app), a Wi-Fi gateway, a free business line, and free installation on online orders.

AT&T offers two wireless internet plans at $30 per month and $70 per month. The only difference between the two subscription levels is that the $70 service offers high priority on the first 250 GB of data in the month.

The company also offers a dedicated internet service with speeds up to 1 Tbps. You need to approach the sales team for a personalized quote for this plan, though.

AT&T Business Advantages

• AT&T’s symmetrical upload and download speeds are much faster than their competition and offer a 99.9% uptime guarantee.
• For smaller businesses reliant on the internet but not requiring speeds of up to 5 Gbps, the vendor offers a range of fiber plans starting from a low $70 per month.
• For businesses not in a fiber zone, AT&T Business’s 5G and LTE services offer a high allocation of priority data on the higher plan.

AT&T Business Disadvantages

• Although there is wide 5G and LTE coverage, fiber optic broadband may not have reached your area yet.
• AT&T Business plans are often more expensive than similar services offered by competitors.
• Heavy data users on the 5G and LTE plans may experience slower service during periods of high demand.

AT&T Business Customer Reviews

Although there are some customers expressing frustration online with parts of the AT&T Business service, the majority of feedback is positive. The company scores 4.2 out of 5 on Gartner with one user commenting that they liked the “high bandwidth and reliable fiber Internet connectivity. Support process is easy to use.”

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• Base Price:$49.99 per month
• Top Features:1.25 GB maximum speed, 24/7 customer service, free installation, wireless backup, guest Wi-Fi and security
• Minimum subscription:2 years for most plans

Why Comcast Business ISP is Best for Enterprise Businesses

Enterprise businesses require a flexible and scalable internet service capable of managing everything from international communications to keeping remote workers connected. The issue is that many ISPs don’t have the infrastructure to be able to maintain high performance levels across a number of often challenging use cases.

Comcast is the largest ISP in the U.S. and we found its advanced and robust high-speed, high-capacity 1.25 Gbps network very capable for handling the complex and substantial data needs of larger companies. Their recent purchase of Masergy now means that Comcast has a footprint in over 100 countries.

We also liked that Comcast employs a series of technologies like SD-WAN to improve security, a key factor for many enterprises, often entrusted with highly sensitive personal and financial data. The firm offers a strong service-level agreement to clients protecting them against downtimes and slower speeds. In the event of a network failure, you have the peace of mind knowing that their automatic internet backup service will tide you over.

Comcast Business ISP bundles in SecurityEdge, leading cybersecurity software with each of its business internet plans Source: Comcast Business ISP

Comcast Business ISP Pricing and Services

Comcast offers two plans on each of their four internet speeds, one of which includes a business phone line in the price. We obtained quotes for the Comcast service using the FL 34744 zip code however prices may vary across the country.

All plans bundled Comcast Security Business Edge. “Speed + Phone + Security” include one phone line and a $20 per month saving for 12 months if you add mobile coverage to your account. All plans charge an extra $10 per month if you don’t sign up for paperless billing and Auto Pay.

Comcast Business ISP Advantages

• Enterprise businesses benefit from Comcast’s high-speed internet capacity and extensive national and international infrastructure and thanks to its position as a leading global telecom company.
• Businesses handling sensitive personal and financial data access the network’s advanced cybersecurity features on all plans.
• Comcast offers robust internet backup service to clients in the rare event that their main network suffers an outage or interruption.

Comcast Business ISP Disadvantages

• Although 1.25 Gbps will be enough for most businesses, the maximum speed on Comcast is significantly slower than the fastest speed AT&T Business offers.
• Plans requiring less than a two-year commitment are available, however you will likely pay a premium for this.
• The maximum upload speed on the Comcast network is 35 Mbps, which may be far too slow for some businesses.

Comcast Business ISP Customer Reviews

Comcast Business ISP generally scores well in online customer reviews although some clients have expressed concern about internet speeds in parts of the country and their customer service team. Overall however, the company scores 3.9 out of 5 on Gartner with an impressive 63% of reviewers recommending the service. Reviewers on Featured Customer rate the service as 4.7 out of 5.

Click here for our full Comcast Business ISP review

• Base Price:$49.99 per month
• Top Features:1 Gbps maximum speed, 24/7 customer support, installation charge include in subscription, wireless backup, business Wi-Fi, security.
• Minimum subscription:No contract required

Why Spectrum Business is Best for Month-to-Month Contracts

Some businesses grow so rapidly that they have to find new premises on a regular basis. Other firms are seasonal and may only occupy an office or shop for a month or two at a time. For these types of companies, long-term internet contracts are restrictive and impractical. The problem has been that, traditionally, many providers want a commitment of between one and five years when signing up for a service. While they can leave early, this often results in significant termination fees.

We love the flexibility that Spectrum provides its customers with its month-to-month contract option. Another draw for their service is the unlimited data they offer and free business email addresses, important for companies reliant on the internet to do business. We also appreciate how their RingCentral-powered Business Connect app keeps teams connected and productive thanks to the support it offers for phone calls, messages, videos and file transfers. [Read Related: RingCentral Review]

Spectrum’s internet speeds can support multiple simultaneous tasks including bandwidth-hungry tasks like video conferencing. Source: Spectrum Business

Spectrum Business Pricing and Services

Spectrum Business offers three speeds to clients on their internet service:

The prices shown require you to sign up for a 12-month contract. With your contract, you also receive free advanced Wi-Fi with Security Shield and 1 free unlimited mobile line. After the first year of service, fees are payable on both of these if you choose to continue.

The company does not proactively advertise its “no contract prices”, however it’s still very much on offer across their website. You’ll need to speak to a rep to find out the latest offer but you should expect it to be higher than the 12-month contract fees.

If you don’t settle your bill by Auto Pay, you’ll pay an additional $5 per month.

Spectrum Business Advantages

• In addition to their standard 12-month contracts, Spectrum also offers month-to-month options for companies wanting greater flexibility.
• Spectrum’s partnership with RingCentral means that you can make calls, send messages, transfer videos and transfer files from your cell phone
• The company’s 1 Gbps is great value. Although not the cheapest on the market, it is up to 30 percent less than many of its main competitors.

Spectrum Business Disadvantages

• While the month-to-month deals are a welcome option, you have to contact the company to find out how much they cost.
• This vendor’s upload speeds are capped at 35 Mbps, which may not be fast enough for some types of businesses.
• The Advanced Wi-Fi box costs an extra $10 per month. Bundling the box as part of the subscription charges would have been better for customers.

Spectrum Business Customer Review

Spectrum Business does not fare as well in online reviews as some of the competitors we feature on this page. They score 3.6 out of 5 on G2 despite the fact that 76% of clients rate the service as 4 or 5. While some customers have expressed concerns on service team availability, others comment that the internet service is “fast and efficient, and hardly produces any lag or buffering”.

Click here for our full Spectrum Business review

• Base Price:$50 per month
• Top Features:150 Mbps maximum speed (satellite service), 7 day a week customer service, free installation in some cases, back-up internet.
• Minimum subscription:Month-to-month service

Why Viasat is Best for Rural Businesses

Wired internet infrastructure is incredibly expensive causing many ISPs and telco only to focus on building out networks in urban areas, leaving rural parts of the country behind. For the most rural, getting 5G- or LTE-based internet is possible but it’s unreliable and too slow. If this describes your business, Viasat may be a suitable option.

We liked that Viasat provides satellite internet to 96% of the U.S. population with speeds of up to 35 Mbps. This helps rural firms stay competitive, allowing them to video conference and transfer large data files. Handily, they also offer a three- to five-day turnaround on installation and provide back-up wireless internet in case of downtime. We also liked that they provide persistent IPs, important for ensuring secure and uninterrupted remote internet access. We appreciate the company’s involved in the Connect America Fund, which claims to make high-quality internet for rural businesses affordable and reliable.

The Viasat WiFi Gateway support voice services and provides two ethernet ports for wired connections to devices Source: Viasat

Viasat Pricing and Services

Pricing, speed, and plan availability vary according to where you are. For the quotes below, we used a FL 34744 zip code:

There are other fees to consider too in this Florida location, again which may vary according to where you are located and may not apply to you. This includes an installation fee of $500 as well as an activation fee for the same amount, which the company may discount partly or fully. There is also an early termination fee of $20 per month for each month remaining in the contract.

Viasat Advantages

• Viasat brings high speed internet services now to parts of the country that will not be connected to fiber internet services for years to come, if ever.
• Persistent IPs allow employees to securely connect to company networks and resources without frequent interruptions or the need to reconfigure settings.
• Most plans now offer unlimited data meaning that internet costs are predictable from month to month.

Viasat Disadvantages

• Upload speeds are very slow compared to cable, wireless and fiber broadband, maxing out at 5 Mbps on Viasat.
• Viasat, like all satellite providers, struggles with latency issues meaning real-time applications like video conferencing can experience delays
• Some users reported a prolonged loss of service during adverse weather conditions.

Click here for our full Viasat review

• Base Price:$59 per month (fiber), $69 per month (wireless)
• Top Features:2 Gbps maximum speed, 24/7 customer service, free installation for online orders, VOIP telephony, business trunking, hosted voice
• Minimum subscription:Varies by service

Why Verizon High-Speed Internet is Best for Wireless Services

Remote work and out-of-office working is more prevalent than ever before. While fixed line internet direct to an office is still important, so is providing high-quality connectivity to members of your team who don’t work in your office. For this use case, we were impressed by Verizon High-Speed Internet.

Verizon’s 5G Business Internet plan offers up to 400 Mbps in speed and the peace of mind of a 10-year fixed rate. Their LTE service delivers speeds of up to 50 Mbps with limited priority network access during the month. We loved that you could cancel your contract within 30 days of sign-up too with no penalty if you decide the service is not for you. Better still, the firm offers up to $1,500 to help you pay to switch to their account. If you want super-fast broadband to your office premises, you can stick with the same supplier as Verizon’s FIOS fiber service provides 2 Mbps of speed with up to a 5-year price fix.

Verizon’s newest routes support Wi-Fi 6E and also operate on the newer 6 GHz channel for increased Wi-Fi speeds. Source: Verizon High-Speed Internet

Verizon High-Speed Internet Pricing and Services

Pricing for Verizon’s 5G wireless service are as follows.

Monthly charges are subject to taxes, fees and an economic adjustment charge. All plans require self set-up and offer a 10 year price guarantee, a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and select router (monthly payment plan needed for 100 and 200 Mbps service). Verizon is also offering up to $1,500 to cover the cost of switching and a $30 per month discount if you pair the service with a Business Unlimited smartphone plan.

Pricing for Verizon’s LTE wireless service are as follows.

Monthly charges are subject to taxes, fees and an economic adjustment charge. Each plan offers a 300 GB monthly data allowance, no annual service contracts, no early termination fee and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee As with the 5G plan, Verizon is offering up to $1,500 to cover the cost of switching and a $30 per month discount if you pair the service with a Business Unlimited smartphone plan.

The current charges for Verizon’s FIOS fiber service are as follows.

Monthly charges are subject to taxes, fees and equipment charges. All plans offer unlimited data and a 30-day money-back guarantee if you sign up for two years.

You’ll need to contact Verizon directly to inquire about the dedicated line service.

Verizon High-Speed Internet Advantages

• Verizon offers high-speed broadband across a variety of different business types including fiber, 5G and LTE, providing customers with impressive coverage across the U.S.
• For smaller businesses on the move, the discount on business lines for making calls and sending and receiving messages offers real savings.
• If your business needs extremely fast upload speeds, the performance of Verizon’s FIOS fiber broadband service is superior compared to most of its competitors.

Verizon High-Speed Internet Disadvantages

• Although quicker than many fiber networks, Verizon has a much lower top speed than AT&T Business.
• While the price guarantees on plans are welcome, it is unclear when you sign up just how much your subscription will rise once the guarantee elapses.
• You may be charged a router rental fee on lower speed fiber connections, adding further to the cost.

Verizon High-Speed Internet Customer Review

Verizon receives a generally favorable reception from its customers, scoring 4.2 out of 5 across over 450 reviews on Best Company. The company receives praise for the quality of its connection and customer services team.

Click here for our full Verizon High-Speed Internet review

• Base Price:$59 per month (fiber), $69 per month (wireless)
• Top Features:1 Gbps maximum speed, 24/7 customer service, free installation on online orders, hosted voice, business trunking, retail and leisure TV channel provision.
• Minimum subscription:Varies by service

Why Optimum is Best for SMBs

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) seeking out a new internet service provider face two major issues – pricing and suitability. Many vendors charge a premium for connectivity and their services are more geared towards larger firms. We really appreciate the package Optimum has built out to address these concerns. There is no minimum contract length, giving you the flexibility to move suppliers if your needs change without being hit by early termination fees – important for managing your fixed costs. The 24/7 customer support is also impressive as the company aims to resolve all issues same-day, even if this involves an on-site visit. We also like the 60-day money-back guarantee the firm provides allowing you to try their service risk-free.

Optimum have over 100 local stores across the areas they serve. Source: Optimum

Optimum Pricing and Services

Optimum serves different markets across parts of the U.S. and the internet service offered to businesses varies depending on region. We obtained the pricing below using a FL 34744 zip code.

Where there are two upload speeds next to a plan, the higher upload speed refers to Optimum’s Gigabit markets. When same-speed services are offered at different prices and with differing upload speeds in different markets, this is indicated next to the product name. All subscription levels come with cyber security protection.

Optimum Advantages

• For companies not wanting to enter into a long term contract for internet provision, Optimum offers a very flexible, easy-come-easy-go approach.
• There are over 100 retail outlets that can provide support to customers in addition to the 24/7 phone and email support.
• Optimum supplies customers with robust cybersecurity protection, blocking access to malicious sites and preventing DDoS attacks.

Optimum Disadvantages

• Compared to other providers, Optimum is very expensive with 1 Gbps plans costing more than twice as much as some other providers.
• Upload speeds on most plans compare poorly to other competitors outside the company’s Gigabit market area.
• The company appears to be in the middle of a reputational crisis with high volumes of poor reviews from users.