Compare Internet Providers in 43204 Columbus, OH

Find Columbus Internet Providers with the Best Deals

The Buckeye City offers so much to people who live here, even above and beyond the legendary Ohio State Buckeyes. Anyone in Columbus, Ohio, will tell you that we have the best science museum in the country in COSI, which is beloved by adults and children alike. Then there’s our rich history such as  German Village and the Brewery District, where beer culture goes back almost two hundred years to German immigrants.

But as every Columbusite can also tell you, winters are long. Which is why It’s good that Columbus also has a strong digital culture with a good tech economy. When you need to entertain yourself on a snowy day, you’ll be glad you have plenty of choices for quality internet access. This guide will help you find the best Columbus internet providers and compare their plans, pricing, and internet speeds.

To begin, you’ll need to know what kind of internet service is best for you. Whether you live in the university area, the Short North, Franklinton, Downtown, or near Easton, you will have several choices from the internet providers in Columbus, OH. The type of internet you choose will determine your internet speed.

Types of Internet Service in Columbus

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 ultra-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 Columbus, OH:

Fiber Internet

Fiber internet is the fastest, most reliable service from Columbus 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 Columbus include AT&T Fiber and Earthlink.

DSL Internet

DSL uses copper telephone cable to transmit your internet and is the oldest available internet technology. DSL is usually very slow compared to cable internet or fiber internet. But in Columbus, some of the DSL service may be faster because of AT&T’s newer DSL technology known as IPBB. Even if the download speeds are reasonable, remember that DSL’s upload speeds still won’t match fiber.

Cable Internet

Cable internet travels along the same wiring used for cable television. Columbus cable internet providers can usually deliver much faster speeds than DSL providers. And cable is available to almost the entire city of Columbus.

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 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 Columbus or  in more rural areas. If you don’t have cable or fiber wiring, satellite service will cover your home. Satellite internet is available to 100% of Columbus-area households that have an unobstructed view of the southern sky.

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 Columbus

Now you know types of technology are available from internet providers in Columbus, OH. Next, you’ll need to know about the strengths of specific companies to know which are the best Columbus internet providers for your needs.

Overall Best Internet Provider in Columbus

To pick the best overall home internet provider in Columbus, we considered internet speed, best price, and coverage. Spectrum is the best across these categories. Not only does Spectrum offer cable internet speeds from 200 Mbps up to 940 Mbps, but Spectrum also covers virtually the entire metropolis. And Spectrum’s first-tier plan is up to 200 Mbps at $49.99/month, which is comparable to the other top internet providers for affordability.

Fastest Internet Provider in Columbus

AT&T Fiber is far and away the fastest provider in Columbus, with speeds up to 5000 Mbps. Though not many households would ever need this kind of speed, AT&T Fiber is certainly an industry leader. Earthlink Fiber offers speeds up to 1000 Mbps, which would be more than enough for most households. Both these fiber internet providers bring equal upload and download speeds to their customers.

Most Affordable Internet Provider in Columbus

Technically, Earthlink is the most affordable provider, with their first-tier plan coming in at $49.95/month. That is one nickel (5 cents) cheaper than Spectrum or HughesNet.

Best Satellite Internet Provider in Columbus

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 Columbus, OH

How do I choose my internet speed?

When deciding on an internet speed, think about the types of activities you'll be using the internet for. How many people will be using the internet at the same time in your household? If you're mostly checking email and browsing the web, a speed of 10-25 Mbps will suffice. But if you're planning on streaming videos, gaming, or video chatting with multiple devices, you'll want a speed of at least 50-150 Mbps. Consider a fiber provider for low latency and high upload speeds, but cable internet can also be suitable 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?

When working from home, it's essential to have a stable and reliable connection. A speed of at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload is recommended for remote workers. If you frequently upload large files such as videos or graphics, look for an upload speed of at least 10-12 Mbps. With multiple household members working from home, you'll want a minimum of 50 Mbps download speed, and 100 Mbps will ensure fewer glitches.

What internet speed is best for streaming?

For the best streaming experience, an internet speed of at least 50 Mbps is recommended. For streaming HD video on multiple devices simultaneously, a speed of 150 Mbps is recommended.

What internet speed is best for gaming?

For avid gamers with multiple internet users in the household, a download speed of at least 100-150 Mbps is recommended. But upload speed is also crucial for gaming. A fiber internet connection provides equal download and upload speeds, but cable can also provide a decent gaming experience. Just ensure your cable connection has high speed and low latency.

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

High-speed internet is crucial to educational and economic opportunity.

Columbus city government has a number of free services available to grant people internet access for digital inclusion, particularly in underserved areas of the city. Thirty-two city recreation centers and 21 locations of the Columbus Metropolitan Library offer free internet access.

But ideally, every household in Columbus  would be able to have its own high-speed internet access to allow remote work or online education. 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.

You can find out if you qualify here on the federal ACP site.