Internet providers in Oakland, CA
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Best overall
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 cable bundles
Prices from
$19.99
per month
Speeds up to
2,000
Mbps
Best alternative to wired internet
Prices from
$35.00
per month
Speeds up to
1,000
Mbps
with a mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband. With Auto Pay + Paperless billing.
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.
Oakland, California, has many claims to fame: year-round beautiful weather, the invention of the popsicle, the first Mai Tai. Just across the Bay from San Francisco, this beautiful waterfront town has plenty of appeal.
Oakland is also home to some of the fastest internet in the country. With providers like Sonic offering speeds of up to 10 GB, Oakland locals can get some serious speed for home internet.
Even if you don’t need a lightning-fast connection, you’ve got options on the Bright Side of the Bay. Read on to compare prices, speeds and more from top internet service providers in Oakland, California.
Best internet providers in Oakland, CA
- AT&T: Best overall
- Sonic: Fastest internet provider
- Xfinity: Best for cable bundles
- Viasat: Best for rural Rochester
- Verizon 5G Home: Best alternative to wired internet
Oakland internet comparison
Oakland is home to a number of home Wi-Fi providers, and your choices depend on the connections available in your neighborhood. Prices range from as low as $9.95/mo. to $250/mo., and connection speeds are similarly varied. Here’s an overview of our top five picks for internet providers in Oakland.
| Provider | Starting price range* | Download speed range | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $55–$250/mo. | 300–5,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Sonic | $49.99–$59.99/mo. | 1,000–10,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Xfinity | $9.95–$85/mo. | 50–1,200 Mbps | Cable |
| Viasat | $49.99–$249.99/mo. | 50–150 Mbps | Satellite |
| Verizon 5G Home | $60–$80/mo. | 300–1,000 Mbps | Fixed wireless |
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 a provider in Oakland, CA
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing your home internet plan. Speed, pricing, equipment and bundling options are all important aspects of your plan, and it can be challenging to narrow it down and find the right fit. We recommend zeroing in on the following factors:
- Evaluate your internet usage habits: You can’t choose the right internet plan without knowing how much speed and bandwidth you need for your typical internet usage. If you regularly have up to 10 devices streaming simultaneously, 500 Mbps is sufficient for normal activities like browsing and gaming. Once you add more devices than that, introduce more frequent gaming, or regularly stream in 4K, you may want to consider gigabit fiber plans.
- Tally up the extra costs: You can’t always compare advertised prices for home internet directly. Some providers include everything in that price, while others add fees for installation and equipment, along with taxes. Be sure you know all these costs so that you can compare apples to apples.
- Compare perks and deals: Oakland internet providers offer numerous plan promotions to add value and entice new customers. Whether you want to bundle internet with other services or get free streaming subscriptions included, be sure to compare the value of these add-ons as you compare plans.
Oakland internet provider reviews
AT&T – Best overall
Where AT&T’s fiber internet service is available, it’s frequently our pick for best overall. Thanks to high symmetrical upload and download speeds and a great track record for customer service, AT&T is one of the best internet providers in the country. Pricing is straightforward, with built-in equipment costs. Plus, there are no data caps, contracts or early termination fees.
Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.
Read our full AT&T review.
Sonic – Fastest internet provider
Sonic is a regional provider in California that offers high-speed fiber connections in Oakland and a few other markets. Depending on where you’re located, you may have access to 1 GB or 10 GB connection speeds with symmetrical upload and download times. Either way, you’ll pay an astonishingly low $49.99/mo. Keep in mind that you’ll pay additional fees for equipment, and your base price will increase after the first year.
Overall score: 4 out of 5.
Read our full Sonic review.
Xfinity – Best for cable bundles
Xfinity is able to push the limits of cable internet by using hybrid fiber-coaxial lines. While not a true, lag-free fiber connection, it’s as close as you can get with cable. Xfinity also offers low starting prices, especially with cable or home security bundles. However, watch out for installation charges, equipment fees and big price jumps after your promotional period wraps up.
Overall score: 3.9 out of 5.
Read our full Xfinity review.
Viasat – Best for rural areas
Viasat can’t compete with other options on this list in terms of speed or bandwidth. However, its satellite internet connections are available almost anywhere, even well outside of Oakland. All you need is a satellite dish on your property, which you can lease via your monthly payment. Keep in mind that initial prices are only good for the first three months before increasing sharply.
Overall score: 2.1 out of 5.
Read our full Viasat review.
Verizon 5G Home – Best alternative to wired internet
Thanks to its growing 5G network, Verizon can offer home Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps in some parts of Oakland. Pricing includes equipment and is good for up to five years. Verizon also offers some hefty perks for signing up. Cellular customers can get $15/mo. off the regular price. Before you sign up, be sure you have 5G service at your home, as Verizon’s LTE service is much slower.
Overall score: 4 out of 5.
Read our full Verizon 5G Home review.
Cheap internet providers in Oakland, CA
Internet plans can get pricey, but Oakland internet providers offer ways to keep it affordable. Xfinity features some of the cheapest home Wi-Fi plans around, and Verizon wireless customers can take advantage of a big bundling discount. If Sonic is available for your home, you may be able to get up to 10 GB for only $49.99/mo.
| Plan | Price* | Download speed | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | $9.95/mo. | 50 Mbps | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home | $35–$45/mo.** | 300 Mbps | Fixed wireless |
| Sonic | $49.99/mo. | 1,000–10,000 Mbps | Fiber |
**When bundled with a qualifying mobile plan.
Fastest internet options in Oakland, CA
Oakland residents have access to some of the fastest internet in the country. According to Ookla, the median download speed in the area is over 238 Mbps, putting Oakland in the top 40 cities for internet speed, with Sonic offering a blistering 10 GB in some areas.
| Plan | Price* | Download speed | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic | $49.99/mo. | Up to 10,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| AT&T | $250/mo. | Up to 5,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Xfinity | $85/mo. | Up to 1,200 Mbps | Cable |
Oakland internet technology
Before you compare different home Wi-Fi plans, it’s helpful to understand the different types of internet technology. Oakland internet providers offer all of the following:
- Fiber internet: If speed is your top priority for home internet, fiber-optic connections will be your best option. With symmetrical upload and download speeds, you’ll get a lag-free experience perfect for online gaming or other high-demand activities. Unfortunately, though, fiber may not be available in your area.
- Cable: Cable internet isn’t as fast as fiber — especially for upload speeds — but it’s still fairly reliable and widely available. Cable providers like Xfinity and Spectrum are among the most popular in the country, and they offer excellent discounts for bundling with TV and other services.
- Fixed wireless: 5G connections have made fixed wireless much more competitive in the home internet space. 5G internet service providers in Oakland offer download speeds to match cable in some cases, but beware of laggy connections when cell traffic gets high.
- DSL: These phone-line-based connections aren’t an ideal choice, with slow and finicky connections. However, in some rural areas, this may be your only option until providers upgrade their lines to fiber.
- Satellite: Like DSL, satellite internet is much slower than other home Wi-Fi options. However, it’s available almost anywhere in the country, making it the only option for some customers in remote areas.
Oakland, CA, internet FAQs
How much is internet per month in Oakland?
Home Wi-Fi prices vary significantly by provider and plan type. Internet service providers in Oakland offer plans ranging from $9.95/mo. to $250/mo.
Is Spectrum available in Oakland, CA?
Spectrum doesn’t currently offer internet service in Oakland and the surrounding area. Xfinity is your best bet for cable internet on the Bright Side of the Bay.
Where in California is Google Fiber available?
Google Fiber currently has limited availability in parts of Oakland, San Francisco, Orange County and San Diego. Check your address on this page to find out if it’s available in your area.
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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