Compare Internet Providers in 80236 Denver, CO

Find Denver Internet Providers with the Best Deals

Life in Denver is full of thrills. Concert music rises up through clear mountain skies at Red Rocks Amphitheater.  Spectacular hikes and skiing are within a day’s drive. You can’t help but love this city when you’re rooting for the Broncos, the Rockies, or the Nuggets under 300 days of sunshine a year. And as the number 23 top tech hub in the world, Denver is full of digital innovation. So if you’re looking for the best Denver internet providers, you are going to have solid choices.

You can compare plans, pricing, and internet speeds for top home internet providers in Denver right here on this page.  You will have several options for types of internet service, whether you live in Five Points, City Park, Washington Park, Capitol Hill, Lower Downtown, or the Golden Triangle.

Types of Internet Services in Denver

The technology you choose will determine your internet speed.

If you mainly use the web for checking emails and scanning Facebook, a slower connection speed will do. But  if streaming Ultra HD video is more your thing, or if multiple people are using one connection at once in your household, then more bandwidth would be ideal.

To get you started on choosing the right service in Denver, here are some of the technologies available.

Fiber Internet

Fiber internet is the fastest and most reliable option you'll find. Plus, it has equal upload and download speeds, which is better than the other kinds of internet out there. If you're into online gaming, you'll love it because it has fast upload speeds that let you play in real-time. It's also great for working from home because you can upload big files and video chat with ease thanks to its fast upload speeds and low latency.

The only challenge will be whether you can get it in your neighborhood. Fiber internet providers in Denver aren’t quite as widespread as in other major American cities. If you look at the FCC Broadband Map, you’ll see that even the best-covered parts of the city have at most 55-65% fiber coverage, while outlying suburbs can go as low as 14% coverage.

DSL Internet

One of your internet options in Denver may be DSL. DSL is an older way to get online, and it uses copper telephone cables to send you data from the internet. But, compared to cable and fiber, DSL is pretty slow.

Cable Internet

If you're looking for faster internet speeds, cable internet is a great option. It uses the same wiring that brings cable TV to your house, and it's faster than most DSL connections. With advancements in cable technology, you can now get speeds of 200-940 Mbps, which is similar to what you'd get with fiber. Just remember to check the upload speeds too, especially if you often need to upload big files or videos.

Satellite Internet

For people who live in the outskirts or remote areas of Denver, satellite internet can be a great way to stay connected. If you don't have cable or fiber internet available, satellite internet is a good option because it covers 100% of Denver-area homes as long as you have a clear view of the southern sky.

It's important to note that satellite internet has higher latency, which means a little delay in its signal. This shouldn't be a problem if you're only using email or browsing the web. But it's not the best option for online gaming or streaming HD videos on multiple devices. You'll also have monthly data limits with satellite internet. If you go over your data limit, your internet speed will slow down.

Top Internet Providers in Denver

Now that you know about the different types of internet services available in Denver, it's time to focus on what's available in your neighborhood. You can compare internet plans to see which one is the fastest and most reliable for you. To make it easier, let's take a look at the top Denver internet providers.

Overall Best Internet Provider in Denver

Xfinity (cable) is the best overall home internet provider in Denver, based on availability, best price, and internet speed. Xfinity has a first-tier internet plan for up to 50 Mbps starting at only $19.99/month, which is far lower than many national internet plans. But if you need more, you can get their top tier Gigabit Extra plan at up to 1200 Mbps for $84.99/month. CenturyLink Fiber also offers good overall speed and value with a first-tier plan up to 200 Mbps for only $30/month.

Fastest Internet Provider in Denver

If you’re seeking the fastest of Denver internet providers, CenturyLink Fiber internet and Earthlink fiber each offer up to about 1000 Mbps in both upload and download speeds. Technically, Xfinity cable has the fastest download speeds at up to 1200 Mbps. But as usual, cable internet upload speeds cannot approach the upload speeds of fiber internet. Whether you choose cable or fiber will depend on whether you do a lot of gaming or video uploads that might demand more upload speed.

Most Affordable Internet Provider in Denver

Xfinity cable is currently the most affordable Denver internet provider with its $19.99/month plan offering up to 50 Mbps download speed.

Best Satellite Internet Provider in Denver

If you live in an area without wired infrastructure and want satellite internet, HughesNet is a good choice. With HughesNet, you can get download speeds of 25 Mbps and upload speeds of 3 Mbps. Plus, HughesNet is now introducing HughesNet Fusion in some parts of the country. This is a new satellite internet service that has low latency, which means less delay.

FAQs: Internet Choices in Denver

How do I choose my internet speed?

Before choosing an internet plan, think about what you'll use the internet for and how many people in your home will be using it at the same time. If it's just you or one other person checking email and browsing the web, you can go for a plan with a download speed of 10-25 Mbps.

But if you have multiple devices and people streaming HD videos, gaming, or video chatting, you'll want a faster speed of at least 50-150 Mbps. If you go for fiber, you'll get low latency and fast upload speeds, which is great for some activities. But, cable internet can also work well for many internet activities and can perform similarly to fiber.

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

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

If you work from home, you'll need a stable and reliable internet connection with a download speed of at least 25 Mbps and an upload speed of at least 3 Mbps. And if you frequently upload large files like videos or graphics, look for an upload speed of 10-12 Mbps.

If more than one person in your household is working from home, it's best to go for a faster plan with a download speed of at least 50 Mbps. Getting a download speed of 100 Mbps or more wouldn't hurt either. The more bandwidth you have, the fewer problems you'll have with your connection.

What internet speed is best for streaming?

To get the best HD streaming experience, go for an internet plan with a speed of at least 50 Mbps. But if you're streaming HD videos on multiple devices at the same time, you'll want an even faster speed of at least 150 Mbps download.

What internet speed is best for gaming?

If you're into online gaming and there are other people in your home using the internet, you'll need a plan with a download speed of at least 100-150 Mbps. But, it's important to remember that upload speed is just as important for gaming.

Fiber internet is the only technology that has equal download and upload speeds, which is great for gaming. But, if you go for cable internet, you can still have a good gaming experience as long as it has high speed and low latency.

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

High-speed internet is a doorway to opportunity in today’s digital world. At every level of government, leaders are acknowledging that everybody needs fast, reliable home internet to participate equally in the economy.

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 Colorado Sun for more on whether you qualify. You can also apply here on the federal ACP site.

If you need access to the internet or to computers right away, the Denver Public Library offers free Wi-Fi as well as computers, printers, and scanners for public access.