Internet providers in Albany, NY

Like many other New England towns, New York’s capital has a long, rich history. In fact, Albany is the oldest continuous settlement in the 13 colonies. Settled in 1614, Albany has been a growing city ever since. Today, it’s home to more than 100,000 residents. 

Albany locals may find the city’s history intriguing, but they also need to keep up with the pace of today’s world. More often than not, doing so requires reliable home internet. While Albany doesn’t have as many options to offer as some larger markets, it’s still possible to find high-speed home Wi-Fi in the area. Prices start at $49.99/mo. (with some cheaper options when you bundle with mobile).

Here, we’ll explore options for internet service providers in Albany and compare features like prices, speeds, connection types and more.

Best internet providers in Albany, NY

• Spectrum: Best overall
• Verizon: Best multi-connection option
• Viasat: Best availability
• T-Mobile Home Internet: Best 5G coverage

Albany internet comparison

In Albany, residents can choose from several different internet providers. Plans range from around $50/mo. to $250/mo., with download speeds of up to 2,000 Mbps. In the following table, you’ll find an overview of our top four picks for internet providers in Albany.

How to choose a provider in Albany, NY

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a home internet plan. Even in a smaller city like Albany, which has a shorter list of internet providers, you’ll have to compare plans and sort out the most important features for your home browsing and streaming needs. 

To simplify your search, we recommend focusing on the following:

• How you use the internet: Before you choose a home Wi-Fi plan, you should know how much bandwidth you need — and that comes down to how your household uses the internet. Do you just need enough service for basic browsing and light streaming? If so, 200–400 Mbps may be more than enough. Need a lot of bandwidth for online gaming and work meetings? A gigabit internet plan may be a better fit.
• Ways to get more from your plan: When comparing home internet plans, it’s always a good idea to search for perks and deals. Many Albany internet providers offer bundling discounts or special freebies like streaming subscriptions.
• The total monthly cost: Don’t assume the advertised price is what you’ll pay. Providers often charge extra fees for leasing equipment, and you may have taxes on top of your monthly rate. Review all the details of the plan agreement before you sign up.

Albany internet provider reviews

Spectrum – Best overall

Spectrum is our top choice among Albany internet providers for its combination of high-speed options and broad availability. The company offers service to over 94% of Albany residents, and its plans come with no data caps or contracts. Download speeds reach up to 1 GB, but as with any cable internet plan, upload speeds are much slower. Spectrum offers affordable starting prices, but beware of big price increases after the first year.

Overall score: 3.9 out of 5.

Read our full Spectrum review.

Verizon – Best multi-connection option

Verizon is an excellent choice for Albany residents who want a variety of options, as the company offers fiber and fixed wireless in the area. Speed and performance vary significantly depending on what’s available for your home. If available, Verizon’s best options are its 5G Home or Fios fiber connections, which reach up to 1 and 2 GB, respectively. The company also offers big signup perks and bundling discounts to help customers get more from their plan.

Overall score: 4 out of 5.

Read our full Verizon Fios review and Verizon 5G Home review.

Viasat – Best availability

If internet access is an issue where you live, Viasat is almost certainly an option. Its satellite coverage extends across the entire U.S., and Viasat’s top speeds are better than most other satellite providers. You’ll need to install a satellite dish on your property, and you’ll pay much more for less speed than you would with fiber, cable or fixed wireless internet.

Overall score: 2.1 out of 5.

Read our full Viasat review.

T-Mobile Home Internet – Best 5G coverage

T-Mobile’s 5G network is already the largest in the country, and it continues to grow and reach more homes in markets like Albany. Pricing is straightforward, with just one simple plan and big discount options for cellular customers. T-Mobile doesn’t charge extra fees for equipment or taxes, and you’ll just pay a one-time setup fee of $30.

Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.

Read our full T-Mobile review.

Cheap internet in Albany, NY

Your internet plan doesn’t have to break the bank in Albany. Several internet service providers in Albany offer affordable plans that start under $50/mo. Verizon and T-Mobile feature especially great deals for customers who bundle with their cellular plans. If you’d prefer a wired plan, Spectrum’s cable service has download speeds of up to 300 Mbps for $50/mo.

Fastest internet in Albany, NY

According to Ookla speed test data, the median internet speed in Albany is 240.44 Mbps. However, internet providers in Albany offer much faster plans for customers who want to max out their bandwidth. Verizon Fios wins the race with its symmetrical download and upload speeds of up to 2 GB, but its 5G Home network also offers an impressive 1 GB fixed wireless connection in some areas. Spectrum’s cable network can also reach 1 GB for wired customers.

Albany internet technology

Your home internet’s performance is most heavily determined by the type of connection you have. Albany internet providers offer all the following options, each with its pros and cons:

• Fiber internet: Fiber-optic cables are unmatched in performance, offering lag-free connections with symmetrical upload/download speeds. It is the best option for heavy streamers and online gamers. Unfortunately, much of Albany is still fairly thin on fiber options.
• Cable: Most Albany residents can access cable internet. While it’s not as fast as fiber — especially when it comes to uploads — it still offers gigabit download speeds that work well for most home users. Just be mindful of connecting too many devices, as this can slow down cable performance.
• Fixed wireless: Cellular towers were once just for mobile phone service, but these days, more and more users are opting for fixed wireless home internet. With 5G technology, providers like T-Mobile and Verizon can offer cable-like connection speeds. Note that fixed wireless is subject to significant slowdowns when network congestion is high.
• DSL: Most Albany internet providers are moving away from phone-line-based internet, but it’s still common in rural areas. DSL is much slower than fiber, cable and many fixed wireless connections, but it may be one of your only options if you live outside the city.
• Satellite: Satellite internet is available almost everywhere, making it the go-to choice for many rural residents. Like DSL, its download speeds top out around 150 Mbps. Satellite also requires installing expensive equipment on your property.

Albany internet FAQs

Luke DaughertyAllconnect.com

Luke Daugherty is a freelance writer, editor, and former operations manager. His work covers a wide range of topics, including streaming and internet tech, green energy, and personal finance. His work, bylined and ghostwritten, has appeared in The Balance, CNET, CIO Magazine, Entrepreneur, and more.

Hannah WhatleyAllconnect.com

Hannah Whatley is an editor who enjoys collaborating with writers to offer readers the most relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information for their home purchases. She has previously edited for The Motley Fool, The Modest Wallet, Grammarly, JoinCake.com and SaveOnEnergy.com, gaining expertise in several industries. Hannah has a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State University. When she isn’t editing, she enjoys studying linguistics and languages.