Top internet providers in Charlotte, NC
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Good for internet and TV bundles
Prices from
$49.99
per month
Speeds up to
1,000
Mbps
for 12 mos with Auto Pay.
Reliable Wi-Fi service
Prices from
$55.00
per month
Speeds up to
5,000
Mbps
Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install charge may apply.
Best for satellite internet
Prices from
$49.99
per month
Speeds up to
200
Mbps
Why trust our broadband experts
Allconnect’s team of broadband experts regularly reviews the top internet service providers in the U.S., scrutinizing each company under a rigorous scoring system to help our readers make informed internet purchases. We keep our data points accurate and up to date based on thorough research and partnership communications. Our content is not directed by partners. Visit our full methodology page and advertising disclosure to learn more.
Residents of Charlotte, NC, have several internet services providers (ISPs) to choose from, including Spectrum, AT&T, T-Mobile and more. Google Fiber and Kinetic by Windstream also have infrastructure in the area, giving residents up to three options for fiber services. For home internet in the surrounding areas of Charlotte, rural internet from Hughesnet, Viasat and Starlink provide multiple options.
Home Wi-Fi prices in Charlotte start at an average of $55/mo. Super-cheap internet for $10–$20 is hard to find in Charlotte, but many ISPs have frequent internet deals and promotions for discounted rates, free equipment, free installation and even gift cards for new customers that can help offset the monthly costs.
Compare and learn more about the Charlotte, NC, internet providers near you on this page.
Best internet providers in Charlotte
- Spectrum: Good for internet and TV bundles
- T-Mobile 5G: Best alternative to cable and fiber
- AT&T: Reliable Wi-Fi service
- Verizon 5G: Long price guarantee
- Google Fiber: Fastest speeds
- Kinetic by Windstream: Good for suburban areas
Charlotte internet provider comparison
Charlotte-metro’s predominant ISPs are Spectrum, T-Mobile and AT&T. Google Fiber has expanded into some areas of the city, including parts of Uptown Charlotte, Matthews and Windsor Park. Kinetic by Windstream offers services in some outlying areas such as Matthews, Indian Trail and areas slightly north of the city near Concord.
Provider | Starting price range* | Download speed range | Connection type | Availability** |
---|---|---|---|---|
Spectrum | $49.99–$79.99/mo. | 300–1,000 Mbps | Cable | 93% |
T-Mobile | $60/mo. | 72–245 Mbps | 5G | 78% |
AT&T | $55–$225/mo. | 300–4,700 Mbps | Fiber | 75% |
Verizon 5G | $60–$80/mo. | 85–1,000 Mbps | 5G | 49% |
Google Fiber | $70–$125/mo. | 100–5,000 Mbps | Fiber | 12% |
Kinetic by Windstream | $39.99–$69.99/mo. | 100–1,000 Mbps | Fiber, DSL | 7% |
**Source: FCC Broadband Map.
Methodology
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.
How to choose an internet provider in Charlotte
Finding a Charlotte internet plan begins with identifying the providers at your address, whether you’ve lived in Charlotte for a while or are relocating from another area. Use these tips to find the best internet provider at your home:
- Before choosing a plan, evaluate your internet needs based on what you use the internet for and how many devices you connect to Wi-Fi.
- High-speed internet of 300 Mbps or less is the typical speed for a basic plan with many Charlotte internet providers, sufficient for most average internet use.
- Plans of 300–500 Mbps plans are usually sufficient to support connecting 10 devices or fewer for online activities such as browsing, email, school, streaming and gaming.
- If you are often gaming, streaming and uploading social media content, especially videos, on multiple devices simultaneously, consider a plan with 1 GB or more.
- Some Charlotte internet providers also offer no-contract or prepaid internet for flexible plan alternatives.
- Uptown Charlotte homes will likely have access to Spectrum, AT&T, T-Mobile and Google Fiber as primary options. Suburbs may have similar choices, but they will have either AT&T or Kinetic by Windstream, not both.
- Browse available plans on this page when you edit your location and enter your address to find internet serviceable at your home.
Charlotte internet provider reviews
Reliable internet, bundled services and more are readily available in Charlotte, NC. Find more details about fees and price guarantees here.
Spectrum – Good for internet and TV bundles
Overall score: 3.9 out of 5.
Read our full Spectrum review.
Spectrum is the most available internet service in Charlotte. The ISP covers uptown and surrounding suburbs, including Matthews, Southpark and the University area around the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC).
Spectrum prices in Charlotte, NC, for the 500 Mbps and 1 GB plans are $10 cheaper than in other Spectrum markets. This price difference is likely due to the number of competing internet providers in Charlotte, NC. Spectrum internet plans have no data caps and come with a free modem and antivirus software. You must rent a router for $5/mo. or supply your own.
Speed | Starting price* | Price guarantee | Contract |
---|---|---|---|
300 Mbps | $49.99/mo. | 1 year | No |
500 Mbps | $69.99/mo. | 2 years | No |
1 GB | $79.99/mo. | 2 years | No |
Internet and TV packages are also available with Spectrum. You can bundle one of the following three TV plans with internet.
- TV Select Signature: $64.99/mo. for 150+ channels and Disney+.
- Spectrum TV® Stream: $39.99/mo. for 75+ channels.
- Mi Plan Latino: $39.99/mo. for 140+ channels.
T-Mobile 5G – Best alternative to cable and fiber
Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.
Read our full T-Mobile review.
T-Mobile 5G is an alternative from the major cable and fiber companies that exist in many areas. T-Mobile uses radio tower technology for fixed wireless internet speeds up to 245 Mbps. Speeds depend on your location relative to the nearest tower, and network congestion can cause variable speeds.
T-Mobile internet also gets a $10–$20 discount if you bundle with a qualifying T-Mobile wireless plan. Equipment is free, and you set up the internet yourself by plugging in the gateway to an electrical outlet. T-Mobile charges a $35 device connection fee when you sign up.
Speed | Price* | Price guarantee | Contract |
---|---|---|---|
72–245 Mbps | $60/mo. | None | No |
AT&T – Reliable Wi-Fi service
Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.
Read our full AT&T review.
Fiber internet uses a dedicated connection that is not shared with your neighbors, like a 5G plan. This technology gives a more secure and consistent internet connection and makes it less likely to cause problems with your home Wi-Fi. AT&T Fiber plans in Charlotte, NC, start at $55/mo., and AT&T offers a $20/mo. internet discount if you bundle with an AT&T wireless plan. Installation costs $99, but plans frequently come with reward card offers of $100 or more for new subscribers to offset this cost. AT&T also offers prepaid plans starting at $25/mo.
Speed | Starting price* | Equipment fee | Contract |
---|---|---|---|
300 Mbps | $55/mo. | No | No |
500 Mbps | $65/mo. | No | No |
1 GB | $80/mo. | No | No |
2 GB | $125/mo. | No | No |
5 GB | $225/mo. | No | No |
Verizon 5G – Long price guarantee
Overall score: 4 out of 5.
Read our full Verizon 5G review.
Verizon 5G Home Internet is available to about half of Charlotte and surrounding areas. Unlike Verizon’s fiber service, Fios, this 5G internet uses cell towers to transmit Wi-Fi to homes and businesses. The two available plans have max speeds of either 300 or 1,000 Mbps. Bundle with a Verizon wireless to receive an additional internet discount. Equipment and installation is free.
Plan | Speed | Starting price* | Price guarantee | Price with wireless |
---|---|---|---|---|
Verizon 5G Home | 85–300 Mbps | $60/mo. | 2 years | $35/mo. |
Verizon 5G Home Plus | 300–1,000 Mbps | $80/mo. | 3 years | $45/mo. |
Google Fiber – Fastest speeds
Overall score: 3.8 out of 5.
Read our full Google Fiber review.
Google Fiber is available to a little more than a tenth of Charlotte. Charlotte suburbs with service include Matthews, Myers Park, Pineville and Plaza Midwood, and expansion is coming soon to Huntersville, NC. Google Fiber’s three Charlotte-area plans include 1 TB of free cloud storage and have no data caps or installation fees. The monthly price also includes equipment. Very select locations may also have access to Google Fiber’s 8 GB plan.
Google Fiber’s symmetrical upload and download speeds are great for constant gaming or streaming. According to the technical specifications, you can download a 10-GB game in as few as 15.9 seconds with the 5 GB plan, 42.2 seconds with 2 GB speed or 1.5 minutes with 1 GB.
Speed | Starting price* | Included equipment | Contract |
---|---|---|---|
1 GB | $70/mo. | Nest Wifi Pro | No |
2 GB | $100/mo. | Wi-Fi 6 router, 1 mesh extender | No |
5 GB | $125/mo. | Wi-Fi 6 router, up to 2 mesh extenders | No |
Kinetic by Windstream – Good for suburban areas
Overall score: 3.8 out of 5.
Read our full Kinetic by Windstream review.
Kinetic by Windstream has unlimited internet plans without contracts or installation fees. The activation fee is $60, but this charge is often waived for new customers. Other frequent Kinetic by Windstream promotions include gift cards and speed increases for no extra charge. Kinetic by Windstream also offers DSL to provide rural internet to areas of Charlotte that are not in its fiber network.
Speed | Starting price* | Price guarantee | Contract |
---|---|---|---|
300 Mbps | $39.99/mo. | 1 year | No |
1 GB | $69.99/mo. | 1 year | No |
Cheap internet in Charlotte
Charlotte’s cheap internet plans cost more than other cities. Many areas have promotional rates starting around $20/mo., but the cheapest internet in Charlotte starts around $40/mo. It is possible to get the internet slightly cheaper if you add an additional service. For example, Verizon 5G has internet for $35/mo. when you bundle with a qualifying phone plan. T-Mobile and Spectrum also have bundle discounts for internet and mobile phone.
Plan | Starting price | Download speed | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|
Kinetic by Windstream | $39.99/mo. | up to 300 Mbps | Fiber, DSL |
Spectrum Internet® 300 | $49.99/mo. | 300 Mbps | Cable |
AT&T Internet 300 | $55/mo. | 300 Mbps | Fiber |
**When bundled with a qualifying mobile plan.
Fast internet in Charlotte
Charlotte, NC, has nine plans with high-speed internet of 1 GB and above from five providers, more than most cities have. However, there isn’t much price variation between plans of similar speeds other than the $100 price difference in the 5 GB plan from AT&T and Google Fiber.
Plan | Starting price* | Download speed | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|
Spectrum Internet® Gig | $69.99/mo. | 1 GB | Cable |
Kinetic by Windstream | $69.99/mo. | 1 GB | Fiber |
Google Fiber 1 Gig | $70/mo. | 1 GB | Fiber |
Verizon 5G Home Plus | $80/mo. | 1 GB | 5G |
AT&T Internet 1000 | $80/mo. | 1 GB | Fiber |
Google Fiber 2 Gig | $100/mo. | 2 GB | Fiber |
AT&T Internet 2000 | $125/mo. | 2 GB | Fiber |
Google Fiber 5 Gig | $125/mo. | 5 GB | Fiber |
AT&T Internet 5000 | $225/mo. | 4.7 GB | Fiber |
Charlotte internet availability
Charlotte, NC, has slightly less cable internet coverage than other big cities that have 97% or more. Other technologies, including fiber, fixed wireless and satellite coverage, are about average in Charlotte compared to other metropolitan areas.
Technology types | Pros | Cons | Availability in Charlotte, NC** |
---|---|---|---|
Cable | Reliable connection type that’s been around for many years | Often one company has a monopoly in a given area | 92% |
Fiber | Can support numerous Wi-Fi devices | More speed and cost than necessary for smaller households | 59% |
5G & fixed wireless | Often include internet discounts when bundling with wireless phone | Larger cities like Charlotte can have busy networks that slow speeds down | 70% |
Satellite | Three satellite providers to choose from | May need permission from landlords or HOAs for installation | 100% |
DSL | Provides rural internet | Connection type being phased out | 25% |
Charlotte internet FAQs
How much is Wi-Fi per month in Charlotte?
The average starting price of internet in Charlotte is $55.83. Your monthly price could be higher if you opt for faster internet speeds.
Does Charlotte, NC, have Xfinity?
No, Charlotte, NC, is not in the Xfinity coverage area. The main cable internet provider in Charlotte is Spectrum, which covers over 90% of the city and surrounding areas.
What fiber services are available in Charlotte, NC?
Fiber-optic internet in Charlotte is available with AT&T, Google Fiber or Kinetic by Windstream. It is unusual for cities to have two or more fiber providers, so Charlotte residents have more choices for fast fiber speeds than most areas.
Who is the fastest internet service provider in Charlotte?
Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber both offer 5GB plans, making these the fastest internet service providers in Charlotte. Speeds vary by location, so check your address to find out which plans are available near you.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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