Top 5 Internet Providers in Houston, TX | Complete Review

With a population of over 2.2 million people, Houston is the haven for space aficionados (yes, there is a Space Center!) and home to the extraordinary Miller Outdoor Theatre. Not to mention, Greater Houston is one of the most populous and diverse metro areas in America—progressive and tech-savvy, credit in part to the fact it houses the headquarters of 22 Fortune 500 companies.

Not a surprise then, the city is served by a variety of ISPs—with Xfinity, AT&T, and T-Mobile being some of the biggest internet providers in Houston, TX. In fact, the residential market also has access to cutting-edge fiber optic broadband. Internet options in Houston have no end, so you can consider yourself lucky if you live there or planning to move.

Exploring a good internet service provider is as essential as exploring the city’s local museums for the artsy crowd. As anywhere else, it is necessary to learn about the offerings and plans from each to better determine the value of the service before you sign up with the best internet service provider in Houston, TX.

Top 5 Internet Providers in Houston, TX

To simplify the selection process for you, here is an overview of the best internet service providers in Houston TX, so you have a more complete picture of the ISP landscape in the city.   

Internet Service Provider	Availability	Key Features
HughesNet	Available everywhere in the city, thanks to its wireless satellite technology.	Available everywhere
Xfinity	Almost completely available in 97.5% of Houston areas, including the Greater East End or Downtown Houston.	Widely available super-fast speeds. Nationwide WiFi hotspots.
AT&T	AT&T IPBB service is far more widespread and comprehensive than AT&T Fiber, which is available in over 60% of the city — particularly in West and Northside Houston.	Unlimited data allowance included in AT&T Internet 100 Mbps speed tier and Fiber plans. Multi-Gig Fiber internet offering speeds up to 5 Gig in select areas.
Spectrum	Available majorly in the north of Houston, with coverage in some areas, including Spring Valley Village, Westview DR, and Highland Village.	No data caps. Option to bundle Spectrum TV and Voice for greater cost savings.
Astound powered by Grande	Available to all major Texas cities, including Houston.	Reliable high-speed internet at competitive prices Unlimited data allowance

Internet Providers in Houston, TX: An Overview of the Best Service Plans

Now that you have a picture of the multiple internet service providers offering services in Houston—in terms of coverage in and around the city—it is time to discuss the top 5 widely available ISPs for residential purposes.

AT&T

When it comes to getting a valuable return on your investment, AT&T high-speed internet is a top pick in Houston. It is one of the fastest internet providers in Houston, widely covering the city via its IPBB network, delivering speeds as fast as 100 Mbps, and plans are competitively priced. AT&T Fiber does not cover the city as comprehensively, but where available, it makes for a no-brainer choice—unlimited data with symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps at affordable rates!

But AT&T is about more than speed. AT&T internet service is known for its top-rated customer satisfaction, 99% reliability, and consistent speeds. You get high-end equipment, Wi-Fi that delivers for work and play, a free internet security suite, an AT&T email account with unlimited storage, access to thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide, and more!

So, if you want to enjoy a lag-free online experience from one of the biggest names in the U.S. ISP industry, AT&T Internet & Fiber Internet plans are a sure bet.

Here is a sneak peek into AT&T internet service plans in Houston, TX.

Data effective as of publish date. For the latest plans and prices, call 855-925-2541.

Xfinity from Comcast

Xfinity is among the widely available cable internet providers in Houston, but there are a few pockets in downtown Houston where you may not be able to get the service.

The provider is the only cable broadband provider in the city with widespread coverage. Xfinity internet plans offer a range of speed tiers—starting from 75 Mbps and go as high as 2,000 Mbps in select neighborhoods. With Xfinity internet, you can rest assured that you have picked the fastest internet provider in Houston.

Xfinity does not force you into an agreement—it is up to you if you want to enter into a 1 or 2 yearlong contract with the provider or skip that completely.

With each Xfinity internet plan, you have the option to lease the xFi gateway device at just $15/mo.—it comes equipped with xFi Advanced Security at no additional cost. And, you also have the option to add the Xumo Stream box from Xfinity with voice remote at an additional monthly price and enjoy thousands of on-demand titles and 250+ apps in one place.

Xfinity Internet Plans	Promotional Price	Max Download Speed	Data Allowance
Connect	$19.99/mo. For 12 months with a 1-year agreement. Taxes not included. Automatic payments and paperless billing required.	75 Mbps	1.2TB
Connect More	$30/mo. For 24 months. No Term Contract. Taxes not included. Automatic payments and paperless req’d.	200 Mbps	1.2TB
Fast	$55/mo. For 24 months. No Term Contract. Taxes not included. Automatic payments and paperless req’d.	400 Mbps	1.2TB
Superfast	$65/mo. For 24 months. No Term Contract. Taxes not included. Automatic payments and paperless req’d.	800 Mbps	1.2TB
Gigabit	$75/mo. For 24 months. No Term Contract. Taxes not included. Automatic payments and paperless req’d.	1000 Mbps	1.2TB
Gigabit Extra	$80/mo. For 24 months. No Term Contract. Taxes not included. Automatic payments and paperless req’d.	1200 Mbps	1.2TB

Data effective as of publish date. For the latest plans and prices, call 844-207-8721.

HughesNet

HughesNet is one of the most popular satellite internet providers in the country. In Houston, HughesNet puts at your disposal 3 internet plans to choose from. HughesNet Internet plans offer up to 100 Mbps download and up to 5 Mbps upload speed. Though HughesNet provides unlimited data, the internet speeds are reduced once the monthly Priority Data allowance is exhausted, which is 100 GB or 200 GB, depending on the plan.

Because of this limitation, the service may not come as highly recommended for hardcore gamers and streamers, However,

HughesNet internet service gives the advantage of smart tools that help streamline data consumption and automatically adjust the data transfer rate. The HughesNet Fusion plan is specially designed to deliver a low-latency and more responsive online experience via a combination of satellite and wireless technologies.

However, in densely populated urban parts of the city, where wired internet providers are available to choose from, a perfect rural internet option like HughesNet does not make much sense. But if you are residing in parts of Harris County, where access to wired options is not available or limited, you may be better off not second-guessing your choice about choosing from a limited list of rural internet providers.

HughesNet Internet Plans	Max Download Speed	Priority Data	Price*
Select	50 Mbps	100 GB	$74.99/mo.
Elite	100 Mbps	200 GB	$89.99/mo.
Fusion	100 Mbps	200 GB	$109.99/mo.

*Monthly Fee reflects the applied $5 savings for ACH enrollment. Enroll before the 2nd billing cycle for continued savings. 24-month commitment required.

Data effective as of publish date. For the latest plans and prices, call 855-349-9309.

Spectrum

Spectrum is one of the largest cable internet providers in the US, with services covering over 40 states. In Texas, Spectrum has excellent coverage, with major cities like Houston being lucky enough to have access to Spectrum’s hybrid fiber-coaxial internet connectivity.

Spectrum’s state-of-the-art fiber-powered network supports high bandwidth needs, offering seamless connectivity, unlimited data, excellent pricing, and a range of other features and perks. Spectrum internet speeds start from 300 Mbps, going as high as 1 Gbps!

All Spectrum internet plans also come with a FREE WiFi modem to support wireless connectivity in your household. As Spectrum Internet users, you also get to enjoy the free nationwide WiFi hotspots. These plans also include the Spectrum Internet security suite that guarantees protection from viruses, malware, Trojans, and many such threats.

The cherry on top—all the amazing Spectrum internet plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets you try out the service worry-free!

Astound Powered by Grande

Astound Powered by Grande is the ultimate ISP for all Texans, whether they reside in Houston, Sugar Land, or any other area within the state. Grande Internet services are powered by fiber-optic infrastructure that allows for greater bandwidth with no data caps and no speed throttling!

Its internet speed tiers start from 300 Mbps, gradually going as high as 1200 Mbps. Although the upload speeds are on the lower side, which is 20 Mbps with all plans. All Grande internet plans come with no hard-and-fast contract requirements, offer 24/7 online support, include a FREE mode, and offer a Whole-Home WiFi system as an add-on. Let’s not forget that Astound Powered by Grande also offers comprehensive bundled deals to provide a complete entertainment and communication solution to Houston residents!

When you subscribe to Grand Communication internet service, you enjoy a 2-year price lock—this means that you will be paying the same price each month without any unexpected hikes!

Here are the most notable Grande internet plans you don’t want to miss out on. For further details on Grande Internet, TV, and Phone bundles, contact Astound Powered by Grande customer service.

Take Away!

Now that you know about the top internet providers in Houston, TX, all you have to do is select the one that seems an ideal fit for your internet lifestyle. And check for offer availability at your address.

But, before taking your final pick, don’t forget to have a clear idea of how much speed and data your household needs—only with that in perspective you must begin to consider the essential factors of ISP offerings—speeds, prices, data caps, and service contracts. If you still have any doubts about choosing the best internet provider in Houston, get in touch with our experts at 855-349-9328 to answer any questions so you can fulfill your internet needs without trouble.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which is the cheapest internet provider in Houston, TX?

AT&T Fiber is the cheapest and fastest internet provider option available to Houston, TX. With the highest starting speed and a low-end price, you can get up to 300 Mbps symmetrical speeds and unlimited data at only $55/mo. plus taxes.

What is the best internet for gaming in Houston, TX?

Xfinity and AT&T offer fast speeds for you to enjoy a seamless gaming experience in Houston, TX. Both ISPs have widespread coverage and offer Gigabit internet. Our top pick is AT&T Fiber as it provides symmetrical speeds and multi-gig internet speeds. But, if unavailable in your area, a range of Xfinity cable broadband plans also offer fast speeds for smooth gameplay. To discover high-speed internet plans in your area, call 855-349-9328.

Which is the best internet for multiple devices in Houston?

If you want 100% fiber-optic internet, AT&T offers multiple fiber internet speed tiers at bargain prices. Cable internet from Xfinity also delivers up to 1,200 Mbps download speeds in the city. Spectrum offers a fiber-powered cable internet connection, with speeds starting from 300 Mbps at just $49.99/mo.