Find Cleveland Internet Providers with the Best Deals
Cleveland rocks! We can prove it, because our city hosts the one and only
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But there’s lots more to love, including our
Cleveland Museum of Art, our scenic location perched on the edge of
Lake Erie, and three major pro sports teams (even if the
Browns get more love than wins)! For real-life victories, we look to our
Health Tech Corridor, anchored by the famous Cleveland Clinic that saves lives every day. That corridor boasts the largest fiber-optic trunk in the nation. It’s on the leading edge of digital progress as Cleveland builds more fiber infrastructure. If you’re looking for the best internet providers in Cleveland, you can rest assured that the city is pursuing a rapid buildout to help get you the fastest internet service possible. This guide will help you find the best Cleveland internet providers and compare their internet speeds, plans and pricing. To start with, you can explore what kind of internet service will best suit your needs. Whether you live in Tremont, University Circle, Gordon Square, Coventry Village, Shaker Heights, or Rocky River, you will have a choice of top internet providers in Cleveland, OH.
Types of Internet Services in Cleveland
If you want to do the things you enjoy online, your internet speed is essential. To carry out data-intensive tasks such as video chatting or streaming in HD quality, a faster connection will be needed. However, if most of what you do involves sending emails and browsing social media posts, then less speed will work just fine. Here's an overview of the sorts of technology available for internet access in Cleveland based on where exactly you live.
Fiber Internet
Cleveland internet providers offer fiber internet, the superior service option for speed and dependability. Unlike other technologies that are slower and have varied upload/download speeds, fiber offers symmetrical download/upload speeds. Those speeds make fiber perfect for online gaming or working from home while uploading large files or participating in video conferences. Fiber outclasses all older technology options with swift uploads and low latency.
DSL Internet
When it comes to internet accessibility, DSL is the oldest technology out there. It relies on copper telephone cables for data transmission, and this method can be very sluggish in comparison to cable or fiber-optic networks. If your provider offers DSL services, make sure that the speed meets the
FCC definition of high-speed internet– at least 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload– before making any decisions.
Cable Internet
Cable internet relies on the same cable wiring used for television. Coaxial cables usually transmit data much faster than DSL does. If your top priority is having fast speeds to download large files or videos, then you should consider cable technology. Cable can reach average speeds of 200-940 Mbps--which means that in many cases it can match a fiber plan's average download speeds too. Compare both potential upload and download rates when selecting between these two options.
Satellite Internet
Satellite internet is the perfect choice for properties in more rural areas. Not to worry if you don't have cable lines or fiber optic infrastructure - satellite service will take care of your home internet needs. All households with an unobstructed view of the southern sky are eligible for this connection option.. Satellite internet is characterized by higher latency, which is a slight delay in its signal. You will barely notice any lag if you usually engage in emailing or browsing the web. However, satellite service is not suggested for real-time gaming or ultra HD video streaming. Satellite internet providers also have data limits that you will need to be aware of.
Top Internet Providers in Cleveland
Your next step is to compare Cleveland internet providers for plan pricing, speed and reliability.
Overall Best Internet Provider in Cleveland
Though there’s plenty of competition, we choose Spectrum as best overall home internet provider in Cleveland for a combination of price, coverage, and internet speed. Spectrum offers speeds up to 940 Mbps and starts at $49.99/month. Spectrum is available to over 4/5ths of the city. Though Cox offers comparable speeds at $39.99/month, Cox’s coverage of the city is not nearly as wide.
Fastest Internet Provider in Cleveland
AT&T Fiber is the fastest of the fiber internet providers in Cleveland with up to 5000 Mbps. However, AT&T is still building out fiber infrastructure and does not cover many portions of the city. In those areas, AT&T provides DSL. So if you are ordering from AT&T, make sure you are very clear on whether you are getting fiber or DSL, and what your actual internet speed will be.
Most Affordable Internet Provider in Cleveland
Cox (cable) offers the lowest-priced internet plan in Cleveland, OH with their first-tier plan for up to 50 Mbps at only $39.99.
Best Satellite Internet Provider in Cleveland
HughesNet is your best choice for satellite internet. Satellite can be a good option if you live in a more remote area of Cuyahoga County where you don’t have cable or fiber infrastructure. HughesNet offers consistent speeds of 25 Mbps download speed/3 Mbps upload speed. HughesNet has also recently debuted HughesNet Fusion, a revolutionary new satellite service for low latency.
FAQs: Internet Choices in Cleveland
How do I choose my internet speed?
Consider your typical internet activities. How many members of your family will be online simultaneously? 10-25 Mbps download speed should do for one user or a couple who mostly likes browsing the web, sending emails and checking their messages. If you plan to be gaming, making video calls, or streaming in HD quality on multiple devices simultaneously, then your optimal speed should be at least 50 to 150 Mbps. A fiber provider with low latency and fast upload speeds would give you the best performance. However, speedy cable internet could offer similar results to a fiber network for many online 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?
If you're a remote worker, it's vital that your internet connection provides sufficient speed to meet all of your needs. Aim for an upload and download minimum of 25 Mbps; however, if you habitually upload large files such as videos or graphics, aim for 10-12 Mbps instead. Additionally, consider 50-100 Mbps if more than one person in the household utilizes the same connection for work purposes.
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, try out a plan with at least 150 Mbps download speed.
What internet speed is best for gaming?
To get the most out of your HD streaming experience, you need to select an ISP that provides a minimum speed of 50 Mbps. However, if watching multiple films on different devices at once is what you're after, then go for a plan boasting 150 Mbps or more download speed.
Is there a financial assistance program for internet access in Cleveland?
High-speed internet access is more important than ever, now that so many jobs and educational options require internet applications. Fortunately, the city of Cleveland is aware that faster internet is important and is actively seeking
partners to build more fiber infrastructure. Cleveland’s lower-income residents often can’t afford internet subscriptions from their household budget. They are part of a national phenomenon called the digital divide. Some organizations such as the Cleveland Public Library have programs to lend out
free mobile hotspots to help people use the internet at home. The library also offers free computer use and free Wi-Fi onsite at the library itself. For equal access, all Clevelanders should have broadband internet in their homes.. 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 if you qualify to apply here on the
federal ACP site.
