Best Internet Providers in Sacramento
We looked at the 15 residential internet providers available in Sacramento and evaluated each based on five core metrics: availability, speed, affordability, reliability, and customer service. Once we identified the internet providers with considerable coverage, we then highlighted those providers that went above and beyond in one or more of our focus areas. The following companies in Sacramento satisfied our best internet provider conditions.
Our Top Internet Provider Picks in Sacramento
Price range: $55-$180 per month
Speed range: 25 Mbps – 5 Gbps
Fine print: No contracts or data caps, router included
Connection types: Fiber, DSL, and fixed wireless
Why You Should Choose AT&T
- Most fiber internet coverage in Sacramento
- Multiple levels of flexible fiber internet plans
- Established and reliable internet provider
Who AT&T Suits Best
- Any household that needs internet service
- Users who need symmetrical speeds for peak internet performance
Get AT&T Internet
For a versatile internet provider with a vast fiber network and history of spectacular customer service, you should consider AT&T. While its fiber internet service is not as fast as Xfinity’s, AT&T provides fiber internet speeds up to 5 Gbps in Sacramento — plenty of speed for any devices and activities your family desires.
Where AT&T surpasses Xfinity is in fiber availability. Xfinity has significant gaps in fiber coverage in Land Park, the Natomas area, and East Sacramento, while AT&T Fiber reaches almost every neighborhood in Sacramento. As one of the longest-standing fiber internet providers, AT&T has a history of reliability and excellent customer service, beating Xfinity in both the J.D. Power awards and the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) in recent years.
Price range: $24.99-$299.95 per month
Speed range: 50 Mbps – 6 Gbps
Fine print: Contracts optional, unlimited data, and free router on plans above 300 Mbps
Connection types: Cable and fiber
Why You Should Choose Xfinity
- Ultra-fast fiber internet speeds
- Widest coverage in Sacramento
- Multiple connection types and home service offerings
Who Xfinity Suits Best
- Users who need the fastest speeds possible
- Large households with a variety of home service requirements
Get Xfinity Internet
If you’re looking for a fast internet provider with multiple home services and extensive city coverage, then you can’t beat Xfinity. The speed of Xfinity’s fiber internet network surpasses that of all other fiber internet providers in Sacramento, including AT&T, Fidium, and Frontier, with symmetrical speeds up to 6 Gbps.
As a bonus, Xfinity customers can pair their superfast internet with various home services, including home phone, mobile, TV, and home security. Xfinity allows subscribers to customize and create an all-inclusive home service experience — with the convenience of one bill. Even though Xfinity fiber doesn’t have the same coverage as AT&T in Sacramento, Xfinity offers by far the most comprehensive cable and internet services of any provider in the city.
Price: $50 per month
Speed range: 33-182 Mbps
Fine print: No contracts or data caps, Wi-Fi Gateway included
Connection type: 5G Home Internet
Why You Should Choose T-Mobile
- Innovative 5G internet technology
- One plan, simple pricing
- 15-day, money-back guarantee
Who T-Mobile Suits Best
- Subscribers looking for a straightforward internet plan with no gimmicks
- People who want to try before they buy
Get T-Mobile Internet
If you find yourself fed up with traditional wired internet providers, you should look to T-Mobile 5G Home Internet for simple plan pricing, easy installation, and a satisfaction guarantee. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet leverages T-Mobile’s vast 5G infrastructure to provide download speeds up to 182 Mbps straight to your home for one price: $50 per month.
While AT&T, Xfinity, and other providers offer different speeds for different prices, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet gives you the maximum speed available — no decision necessary. Also, there are no professional installation fees with T-Mobile like there are with AT&T or Xfinity (or any fees for that matter), as you simply plug in the 5G Wi-Fi Gateway, and you’re ready to go. Best of all, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet comes with a 15-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out without feeling trapped.
Side-by-Side Overview of the Best Internet Providers in Sacramento
| Best category | Best overall internet provider | Fastest internet provider | Cheapest internet provider | Best 5G internet provider | Best new internet provider |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provider | AT&T | Xfinity | Astound Broadband Powered by Wave | T-Mobile 5G Home Internet | Fidium |
| Price range | $55 to $180 per month | $24.99 to $299.95 per month | $19.95 to $50 per month | $50 per month | $35 to $165 per month |
| Download speeds | Up to 5 Gbps | Up to 6 Gbps | Up to 1.2 Gbps | Up to 182 Mbps | Up to 2 Gbps |
| Contract requirement | No contracts | Contracts optional | No contracts | No contracts | No contracts |
| Data caps | Unlimited | 1.2 TB to unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| ACSI score | 69 out of 100 | 66 out of 100 | N/A | 71 out of 100 | N/A |
| Bundles | TV, mobile, and phone | TV, phone, mobile, and home security | Phone | Mobile | Phone |
| Connection types | Fiber, DSL, and fixed wireless | Cable and fiber | Cable | 5G Home Internet | Fiber |
Fastest Internet Providers in Sacramento
With more than five internet providers in Sacramento offering gigabit internet speeds, the competition is stout in the race for the fastest internet provider in the city. Reaching symmetrical speeds up to 6 Gbps, Xfinity’s Gigabit Pro plan is the fastest in Sacramento. However, at $299.95 per month, it’s expensive and available only in select regions of the city.
If you want sensational speeds in Sacramento at a lower price point, consider going with AT&T’s Internet 5000 plan for $180 per month. At nearly half the price of Xfinity when you add in AT&T’s frequent discounts and perks, this plan has more than enough speed to satisfy the needs of even the largest households, and it’s available everywhere. We also recommend checking out Astound Broadband’s 1.2 Gig Internet plan if you don’t need super-fast upload speeds. For just $50 per month, this plan offers download speeds up to 1.2 Gbps, saving you up to a few hundred dollars a month without sacrificing much in terms of speed.
| Internet provider | Fastest plan | Price | Download speeds (up to) | Upload speeds (up to) | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | Gigabit Pro | $299.95 per month | 6 Gbps | 6 Gbps | Fiber |
| AT&T | Internet 5000 | $180 per month | 5 Gbps | 5 Gbps | Fiber |
| Frontier | 2 Gig Internet | $149.99 per month | 2 Gbps | 2 Gbps | Fiber |
| Fidium | Futuristic | $165 per month | 2 Gbps | 2 Gbps | Fiber |
| Astound Broadband Powered by Wave | 1.2 Gig Internet | $50 per month | 1.2 Gbps | 50 Mbps | Cable |
Cheapest Internet Providers in Sacramento
Everything seems to be getting more expensive each year. However, some internet plans still provide decent speeds at a reasonable price. The cheapest internet provider in Sacramento is Astound Broadband, offering speeds up to 100 Mbps for $19.95 per month. At only $0.20 per Mbps, this plan from Astound Broadband is, well, astounding! Plus, 100 Mbps is enough speed to cover all the streaming, gaming, and social media needs of a small household. That said, this plan does increase in price after 12 months, and it might not be available at your home given Astound Broadband’s scattered coverage in Sacramento.
While it may not be as fast as Asound Broadband, Xfinity’s Connect plan for $24.99 per month provides speeds up to 50 Mbps — more than enough for browsing, shopping, and light streaming. Since Xfinity’s cable internet network reaches more individuals than any internet provider in the area, it’s also likely to be available at your address.
If you’re willing to pay a little more, we recommend checking out T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet doesn’t increase in price after the first year (unlike AT&T, Astound Broadband, and Xfinity), and you get the max speed of 182 Mbps because there’s only one plan. As T-Mobile’s 5G network grows, your speed will also increase.
| Internet provider | Cheapest plan | Price | Download speeds (up to) | Internet value | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astound Broadband Powered by Wave | 100 Mbps Internet | $19.95 per month | 100 Mbps | $0.20 per Mbps | Cable |
| Xfinity | Connect | $24.99 per month | 50 Mbps | $0.50 per Mbps | Cable |
| Fidium | Essential | $35 per month | 50 Mbps | $0.70 per Mbps | Fiber |
| T-Mobile | 5G Home Internet | $50 per month | 182 Mbps | $0.27 per Mbps |
5G Home Internet |
| AT&T | Internet 300 | $55 per month | 300 Mbps | $0.18 per Mbps | Fiber |
Best Internet Providers in Sacramento Based on Your Lifestyle
Much like finding the right pair of shoes to match your activities and style, picking your internet provider is sometimes more about what you do on the internet. So, we put together these internet provider recommendations based on your lifestyle:
Best Internet for Gamers and Streamers: Xfinity
Are you the type of internet user who streams every new hit show or plays the latest online multiplayer games? If so, do yourself a favor and get Xfinity. With speeds up to 6 Gbps on an innovative fiber-optic network in Sacramento, you’ll never have to worry about buffering or lag again.
Best Internet for the Budget-Conscious: Astound Broadband
If you’re looking for a way to save some significant dollars, consider signing up for Astound Broadband Powered by Wave. Starting at just $19.95 per month, Astound Broadband’s cheapest plan provides download speeds up to 100 Mbps, meaning you don’t have to suffer to save. Just remember, Astound’s coverage area in Sacramento is scattered.
Best Internet for the Commitment-phobe: T-Mobile
Whether it’s a mortgage, lease, or home service, putting your name on the dotted line can feel like signing your life away. However, you don’t have to engage in a Faustian bargain to get a deal in Sacramento. Instead, sign up for T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet comes with no contracts, data caps, or hidden fees, and you get 15 days to test it out. Now that’s what we call no strings attached.
Best Internet for Remote Workers: AT&T
Working from home has its pros and cons. While it allows for fewer interruptions and higher productivity, it also means not having access to that reliable business internet connection at your office. If you work from home, we recommend getting AT&T internet. AT&T Fiber is one of the most consistent and dependable connections in Sacramento, so you’ll always make your meetings and deadlines without the fear of having to explain why your internet let you down.
Other Internet Providers in Sacramento
Much like a high school popularity contest, a few internet providers usually take center stage and get all the attention. For those looking for something a little more local, here are some other Sacramento internet providers not mentioned above:
-
Cal.net: Focusing services in Central Valley and rural Northern California, Cal.net is a local internet provider aiming to bridge the digital divide in the state by offering wireless, DSL, and fiber internet services where internet service is sparse. Cal.net offers no data caps or contracts, and it customizes plans and pricing based on your location.
-
Succeed.net: With a name associated with success, Succeed.net is a fixed wireless provider with no contracts, next-day installation, unlimited data, and lifetime equipment warranties. Succeed.net offers speeds up to 100 Mbps, and prices for this local internet provider begin at $50 per month.
-
Softcom: Using a point-to-point fixed wireless 4G LTE network, Softcom delivers download speeds up to 150 Mbps. Even though the starting price of $79.95 per month is a bit expensive, Softcom thrives by giving rural subscribers internet access that would be unattainable otherwise.
Methodology
Here’s the methodology we used to determine our list of the best internet providers in Sacramento:
-
Coverage maps (Availability): We compared coverage maps and availability percentages of local internet providers to determine the most widespread providers, as well as identify internet providers missing coverage in key areas.
Plan listings (Variability and Selection): We researched plan listings for each internet provider and compared them in terms of overall variability, selection, and connection types. -
Speeds: We evaluated the affordability of internet providers in the area by looking at starting price and top price versus speed for the fastest offerings. Using this analysis, we generated the cheapest internet providers in the city.
Prices (Affordability): We compared internet provider plan download and upload speeds, focusing on starting speeds and top speeds. Used this analysis allowed us to generate the fastest internet providers in the city. - Awards and ratings: We surveyed any special awards or ratings given to key internet providers. Compared these accolades as a differentiating factor between the main ISPs in the region.
-
Connection types: We considered connection types in relation to availability and speed in the city. Focused primarily on fiber, cable, and 5G internet providers, as well as their offerings across the area.
Contract requirements: We assessed the contract requirements of ISPs in city, distinguishing those internet providers with no contracts or optional contracts from those with contract requirements. - Sign-up perks: We identified internet providers in the city with sign-up perks, bonuses, or discounts that add to the overall value of the ISP. Used these details as a differentiating factor between ISPs.
- Bundle offerings: We explored the bundle offerings from each ISP, including home phone, home security, TV, mobile phone, VPNs, or other services. These bundles were a focus for comparison between the internet provider selections.