Compare Internet Providers in 85086 Phoenix, AZ

Find Phoenix Internet Providers with the Best Deals

Ever wondered what you call someone who lives in Phoenix? It’s one of the odder nicknames in America: Phoenician (Fuh-NEE-shun). There’s even a luxury resort in Scottsdale (part of the Phoenix metro area) called The Phoenician.

If you’re a Phoenician, you may have moved here for the mild winter weather that has been attracting outdoorsy people to Phoenix for decades. Golfers flock here by the thousands to play on over 200 golf courses. Hikers find a desert paradise with over 200 miles of trails in Phoenix alone. And of course, there’s world-famous scenery within easy driving distance at the Grand Canyon and other popular Sonoran desert parks. It’s no wonder that winter is the top tourist season in Phoenix.

But then there’s July and August. In the dog days of summer when the average high is 106°F, you’re going to need an air conditioner and reliable internet access. Getting your best home internet plan can keep you entertained in comfort when it’s too hot to go outside. This guide will help you find the best Phoenix internet providers and compare their plans, pricing, and internet speeds.

To start with, you’ll need to know what kind of internet service is best for you. Whether you live in Alhambra, Uptown, Downtown, Camelback East, Desert Ridge, or Encanto Village, you will have choices from among the internet providers in Phoenix. The type of internet you choose will determine your internet speed.

Types of Internet Services in Phoenix

Internet speed matters chiefly based on what you like to do on the internet. If you mostly like to use email and browse Facebook, you won’t need super-high internet speeds. But if you stream lots of video or have a large household, you’re going to want more bandwidth.

Here's a quick overview of the types of internet service in Phoenix:

Fiber Internet

Fiber internet is the fastest, most reliable service option among Phoenix internet providers. Your fiber internet will be much faster than other technologies and will have symmetrical upload and download speeds. All older technologies have slower upload speeds, which makes fiber a standout for real-time activities such as online multiplayer gaming. Fiber’s fast upload speeds and low latency will also make it easier to work from home if you have to upload large files or videoconference.

Fiber internet providers in Phoenix currently serve about 39% of area households.

DSL Internet

DSL is often the oldest technology available and uses copper telephone cable to transmit your internet. Most of the time, DSL is very slow compared to cable internet or fiber internet. But in Phoenix, the DSL service is much faster than in most places. You may be able to get 60, 80, or 100 Mbps download speeds from your DSL, which is practically unheard of in cities where older DSL can average 10 Mbps download speeds – or even less. Just be aware that DSL’s upload speeds still won’t match fiber.

Cable Internet

Cable internet travels along the same wiring used for cable television. These coaxial cables usually send data at much higher speeds than most DSL, but Phoenix internet providers may be an exception. If your internet options at your home are cable and DSL, check your potential internet speeds to see which plan is better.

One drawback of cable Internet is that your internet may slow down during peak hours. But recently, many cable providers have built extra nodes to avoid network congestion. Other advances in cable technology mean that average cable internet speeds can even match average fiber download speeds at 200-940 Mbps. Just make sure you compare potential upload speeds if you frequently have videos or large files to upload.

Satellite Internet

Satellite internet can be a good way to stay connected for homes on the outskirts of Phoenix or  in more remote areas. If you don’t have cable or fiber wiring, satellite service will cover your home. Satellite internet is available to 100% of Phoenix-area households.

All you need to get satellite reception is a clear view of the southern sky. In the big, open skies of the desert, you get clear satellite signals in addition to your great Arizona sunsets.

Satellite internet has higher latency, which means a small delay in its signal. You won’t notice latency if you’re mainly interested in email and web browsing. But satellite is not recommended for real-time online gaming or HD video streaming on multiple devices. In addition, satellite providers will have monthly data allowances. If you exceed your data allowance, your internet will slow down.

Top Internet Providers in Phoenix

Now you know types of service are available from internet providers in Phoenix, AZ. Time to zoom in on what’s available in your specific neighborhood.

You can compare internet plans for speed and reliability. To help find the right option for you, let's look at which companies stand out as the best Phoenix internet providers.

Overall Best Internet Provider in Phoenix

To pick the best overall home internet provider in Phoenix, we considered availability, best price, and internet speed. Cox cable internet has the strongest combination of these qualities. With a first-tier internet plan starting at $39.99/month, Cox provides up to 50 Mbps download speed. If you need more, you can get their top tier Gigablast plan at up to 1000 Mbps for $99.99/month..

Fastest Internet Provider in Phoenix

If you’re seeking the fastest of these internet providers, Earthlink fiber internet offers approximately the same download speeds as Cox, But Earthlink’s fiber optic lines will allow you more upload speed, which can be crucial for large file uploads and online real-time gaming.

Most Affordable Internet Provider in Phoenix

Cox cable is currently the most affordable Phoenix internet provider with its $39.99/month “Essential 50” plan offering up to 50 Mbps download speed.

Best Satellite Internet Provider in Phoenix

If you don’t have wired infrastructure, HughesNet is your best choice for satellite internet. HughesNet offers consistent speeds of 25 Mbps download speed/3 Mbps upload speed. In addition, HughesNet is rolling out HughesNet Fusion in select areas of the country as a breakthrough low-latency satellite internet service.

FAQs: Internet Choices in Phoenix

How do I choose my internet speed?

First, you’ll need to think about what kind of internet activities you prefer. How many people in your household will be using the internet at once?  For just one or two people checking email and enjoying basic browsing, you need 10-25 Mbps download speed.

If you plan to have multiple devices streaming for gaming, video chats, or HD movies, your ideal speed would be at least 50-150 Mbps. You might want to choose a fiber provider with low latency and high upload speeds. But cable internet can approach the performance of fiber for many internet activities.

If you don’t know your current internet speed, you can test it here.

I work from home. What internet speed should I get?

Remote workers should look for a stable and reliable connection of at least 25 Mbps download speed/3 Mpbs upload speed. If you often upload large files such as videos or graphics, you should look for an upload speed of at least 10-12 Mbps. If you have more than one household member working from home, you will probably want at least 50 Mbps download speed, and 100 Mbps won’t hurt. More bandwidth equals fewer glitches.

What internet speed is best for streaming?

Choose an ISP that offers internet speeds of at least 50 Mbps for the best HD streaming experience. For streaming HD video on several devices simultaneously, seek out at least 150 Mbps download speed.

What internet speed is best for gaming?

If you’re an avid realtime gamer with other internet users in the home, you may need download speeds of at least 100-150 Mbps. But upload speed is also crucial for gaming.  Fiber is the only technology with equal download and upload speeds, but cable can provide a decent gaming experience. Just be sure your cable connection has high speed and low latency.

Is there a financial assistance program for internet access in Phoenix?

Both federal and state governments have recognized that high-speed internet is a doorway to opportunity in today’s digital world.

Fortunately, Arizona leadership has been working for years to encourage infrastructure and expand internet access in Arizona, including in Phoenix.

But even when internet service is available, household budgets may not be able to stretch to include it. That’s why in 2022, the federal government announced the Affordable Connectivity Program. Qualified households can receive a $30 subsidy for internet access through the ACP.

See this article on the Afffordable Connectivity Program from the Arizona State Library for more on whether you qualify.. You can also apply here on the federal ACP site.