Top Internet Providers in Seattle, Washington
Seattle is a data-driven, interconnected city. From tech workers to students, remote professionals to streamers, fast and reliable internet is essential. Fortunately, Seattle offers a rich mix of internet service technologies—fiber, cable, fixed wireless (including 5G), and satellite. Here's a detailed look at the best ISPs in Seattle, helping you choose based on speed, reliability, price, and availability.
Type: Fiber-optic
Speed Options: Up to 8 Gbps (8,000 Mbps) (broadbandmap.com, compareinternet.com)
Availability: Nearly city-wide (99%)
Pros:
Ultra-high speeds
Symmetrical upload/download
No data caps
Competitive for multi‑gig households
Cons:
Still rolling out in some zones
Seattle locals rate fiber from Quantum very highly. CNET named it “best internet provider in Seattle” for its symmetrical speeds and unlimited data starting at just $50 for 500 Mbps (tech.yahoo.com, ziplyfiber.com).
Type: Cable
Speed Options: Up to 2 Gbps (1,200 Mbps typical plans) (highspeedinternet.com)
Availability: Very high (~91%) (broadbandmap.com)
Pros:
Widely available
Multiple plan tiers from budget to gigabit+
Strong customer base
Cons:
Data cap (~1.2 TB) with overage fees
Slowdowns during peak use
Xfinity leads in speed and coverage, with ratings showing very strong download performance (highspeedinternet.com, wsj.com).
Type: Fiber (reselling AT&T/Wave networks)
Speeds: Up to 5 Gbps (broadbandsearch.net)
Pros:
No data caps
Strong customer service reputation
Competitive pricing (plans starting ~$40/month) (broadbandsearch.net)
Cons:
Not as extensively available
EarthLink is frequently recommended by local comparison sites for high-speed fiber at affordable prices (highspeedinternet.com).
Type: DSL and Fiber
Top Fiber Speed: 940 Mbps (highspeedinternet.com)
Pros:
Offers both DSL and fiber
No contracts
Flat $65/month for gigabit fiber (reddit.com)
Cons:
DSL speeds are limited
Reddit users note:
“Century Link is great if you are in range of their fiber. We've been paying a flat $65 per month for gigabit speeds, with zero issues for 4 years straight.” (bestneighborhood.org, axios.com, reddit.com)
Type: Cable and Fiber
Speeds: Up to 2 Gbps (fiber)/1.5 Gbps (cable) (broadbandsearch.net)
Availability: 43% fiber, 18% cable (reddit.com)
Pros:
No data caps
Good speeds
Cons:
Limited coverage
Astound is strong in certain neighborhoods, especially where Wave offers fiber.
Type: Fiber-optic
Speeds: Up to 10 Gbps available (highspeedinternet.com)
Pros:
Symmetrical multi‑gig speeds
No contracts or data caps
Local firm rooted in the Pacific Northwest (ziplyfiber.com)
Cons:
Not fully city-wide; mainly in former Frontier areas
Amazon's acquisition interest shows industry confidence in Ziply’s future expansion (en.wikipedia.org).
Provider Options:
Verizon – up to 1 Gbps (broadbandsearch.net)
T-Mobile – ~100–245 Mbps
AT&T fixed wireless – ~100 Mbps (ispreports.org)
Webpass (by Google) – 1 Gbps in select buildings (broadbandmap.com)
Pros:
Minimal setup, no cables
Good value and flexibility
Cons:
Speed varies by location
May face congestion issues
The Seattle government highlights Verizon and T-Mobile’s 5G home internet options (ispreports.org, wsj.com, seattle.gov).
Speed Range: Up to ~150 Mbps
Pros:
Available virtually everywhere
Cons:
High latency
Low data caps
More costly
Satellite is a remote-area fallback. Upcoming services like Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper may expand options (rsinc.com, en.wikipedia.org).
Provider | Type | Max Speed | Data Cap | Contracts | Best For |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quantum Fiber | Fiber | 8 Gbps | None | No | Tech-heavy, large households, future‑proof |
Ziply Fiber | Fiber | 10 Gbps | None | No | Pacific NW locals, ultrafast needs |
EarthLink Fiber | Fiber | 5 Gbps | None | Yes | Great support, solid fiber speeds |
CenturyLink Fiber | Fiber | 940 Mbps | None | No | Budget‑friendly fiber, reliability lovers |
Xfinity | Cable | 2 Gbps | ~1–1.2 TB | Optional | Widest coverage, versatile plans |
Astound/Wave | Cable/Fiber | 2 Gbps | None | Optional | Areas serviced by Wave network |
Verizon/T‑Mobile 5G | Fixed Wireless | 1 Gbps / ≈245 Mbps | None | No | Urban flexibility, no‑cable install |
Satellite (Starlink) | LEO Satellite | 220 Mbps | Varies | Yes | Rural/remote locations, evolving tech |
Seattle shows strong ISP coverage across neighborhoods:
Downtown / South Lake Union / Capitol Hill:
Quantum, CenturyLink/Ziply, Xfinity, Webpass, Verizon/T-Mobile (ispreports.org, highspeedinternet.com, en.wikipedia.org, axios.com)
Ballard / Queen Anne / Magnolia:
Fiber from CenturyLink/Ziply, cable from Xfinity (highspeedinternet.com)
Belltown / Chinatown-International District:
Xfinity and Astound most common; fiber access limited (highspeedinternet.com)
In general: Fiber is nearly universal (CenturyLink/Ziply), while Xfinity covers 91%, and Astound fiber reaches ~43% .
Reddit praise:
“Century Link is great if you are in range of their fiber. We've been paying a flat $65 per month for gigabit speeds, with zero issues for 4 years straight.” (reddit.com)
Fixed wireless satisfaction:
Seattle city data shows Verizon’s fixed wireless reaching up to 1 Gbps and covering 96% of Capitol Hill homes (ispreports.org)
Check address-specific availability. Fiber like Ziply may not reach all addresses.
Match speed to usage.
Light use: <200 Mbps
Remote work/streaming: ~500 Mbps+
Gaming, smart homes, future-proofing: 1 Gbps or higher
Consider data caps. Avoid cable facilities if you’re a heavy data user.
Evaluate contracts and pricing. Contract-free plans offer flexibility.
Look at installation costs. Fiber sometimes requires install fees; fixed wireless is usually plug-and-play.
Assess support reputation. Providers like CenturyLink, EarthLink, and Ziply often get higher marks for service.
Fixed wireless (5G) is pressuring traditional cable providers, leading many to offer long-term price guarantees or promotional deals (ziplyfiber.com, wsj.com, bestneighborhood.org). Meanwhile, AT&T’s $5.75 billion acquisition of Lumen fiber assets in the region—including Seattle—fuels a continued fiber expansion (axios.com).
Top-tier speeds & reliability? Go for Quantum, Ziply, or EarthLink Fiber.
Widest coverage & versatile plans? Choose Xfinity or Astound/Wave.
Budget-conscious with flexibility? CenturyLink fiber or fixed wireless (Verizon/T‑Mobile) are great picks.
Remote or rural? Satellite like Starlink or Viasat provides coverage where wired options can’t reach.
No matter where you are in Seattle or what type of user you are—techie, gamer, remote worker, student—you'll find a plan that suits your need for speed, reliability, and value.
Let us help you transfer your current Internet service or pick a new plan.
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What are the best internet providers in Seattle WA?
Some of the top internet providers in Seattle include Xfinity, AT&T, Spectrum, and Frontier. The best provider for you depends on your location, internet speed needs, and budget.
What types of internet connections are available in Seattle WA?
Seattle offers various internet connections, including fiber-optic, cable, DSL, and satellite. Fiber-optic provides the fastest speeds, but cable and DSL are also widely available.
How much does the internet cost in Seattle WA?
Internet prices in Seattle generally range from $30 to $100+ per month, depending on the provider, plan, and speed. Higher-speed plans, especially fiber optics, tend to cost more.
Is Google Fiber available in Seattle WA?
Google Fiber is not currently available in Seattle, WA. However, other high-speed internet providers such as Xfinity, AT&T, and Spectrum offer service in the area.
Can I bundle internet with TV or phone services in Seattle WA?
Many internet providers in Seattle offer bundle packages that include internet, TV, and phone services. Providers like Xfinity, Spectrum, and AT&T offer discounts when bundling multiple services.
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