Internet providers in Rochester, NY
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Best overall
Prices from
$49.99
per month
Speeds up to
1,000
Mbps
for 12 mos with Auto Pay.
Best multi-connection provider
Prices from
$50.00
per month
Speeds up to
2,000
Mbps
Best alternative to wired internet
Prices from
$60.00
per month
Speeds up to
245
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.
A beautiful city situated on Lake Ontario in northwest New York, Rochester is home to more than 200,000 people in the city limits and over one million in the broader metro area. With acres of parkland, family-friendly attractions and year-round cultural events, Rochester has more than enough to keep locals entertained.
However, Rochester residents need more than entertainment to keep up with daily life — they also need access to affordable high-speed internet. Whether for work or play (or a little of both), quality home Wi-Fi is essential in today’s world.
Thankfully, locals have options for home internet for anywhere from $29.99/mo. to $200/mo. Read on to learn more and compare internet service providers in Rochester, or enter your address on this page to find out what’s available near you.
Best internet providers in Rochester, NY
- Spectrum: Best overall
- Greenlight Networks: Best local option
- EarthLink: Best multi-connection provider
- Viasat: Best for rural Rochester
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Best alternative to wired internet
Rochester internet comparison
No matter how you use your home Wi-Fi, Rochester internet providers have plans that can fit your needs. You can choose connection speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 5 GB and bundle services to save on your plan costs. Here’s an overview of our top five picks for internet providers in Rochester:
| Provider | Starting price range* | Download speed range | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | $29.99–$59.99/mo. | 100–1,000 Mbps | Cable |
| Greenlight Networks | $50–$200/mo. | 500–5,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| EarthLink | $59.95–$189.95/mo. | 100–5,000 Mbps | Fiber, satellite, fixed wireless |
| Viasat | $49.99–$249.99/mo. | 50–150 Mbps | Satellite |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | $60/mo. | 72–245 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 Rochester, NY
The previous list only represents a portion of the providers available in Rochester, not to mention the many plans each company offers. How do you narrow it down and choose a Rochester internet provider that suits your needs? We recommend focusing on the following:
- Sort out your speed needs: Your first step when choosing an internet plan should be to evaluate your internet usage and determine how much speed and bandwidth you need. For reference, you probably don’t need more than 500 Mbps unless you’ve got more than 10 connected devices and are regularly streaming and gaming online.
- Budget for everything: Few things are more frustrating than getting a surprise first bill that’s much higher than you anticipated. To avoid this, be sure to read all the fine print within your plan and understand equipment costs, taxes and installation charges.
- Weigh potential perks: Although the costs of home Wi-Fi can add up, so can the value of perks and deals. Internet service providers in Rochester offer discounts for bundling services, promotional prices that last a year or more and other perks for signing up. Be sure to factor these in when comparing plans.
Rochester internet provider reviews
Spectrum – Best overall
Spectrum is one of the largest internet providers in the country, with service in parts of 41 states. It offers gigabit internet plans with no contract requirements and low starting prices. There are no data caps, so you can stream and game as much as you want. Spectrum also offers great discounts when you bundle TV and internet. Watch out for big price jumps after your promotional period ends, though.
Overall score: 3.9 out of 5.
Read our full Spectrum review.
Greenlight Networks – Best local provider
Although its fiber network isn’t widely available in Rochester, Greenlight Network’s fiber internet is still the best option in the area. Pricing for 500 Mbps is impressive, starting at only $50/mo., but Greenlight does get expensive from there. There are also equipment fees (which you can avoid with your own router) and a $100 installation charge. Greenlight has no data caps and doesn’t require contracts.
EarthLink – Best multi-connection option
EarthLink offers service in most of the U.S. Depending on where you live in Rochester, you may have access to satellite, fixed wireless or even fiber connections as fast as 5 GB. Most EarthLink plans have no data caps, and prices stay steady even after the first year. However, it does tend to be one of the more expensive providers.
Overall score: 3.75 out of 5.
Read our full EarthLink review.
Viasat – Best for rural Rochester
Do you live outside the Rochester metro area? If so, you may have a harder time finding fiber, cable or even fixed wireless plans. The good news is that Viasat offers service almost anywhere. It won’t be as fast as other options — download speeds top out at 150 Mbps — but it’s reliable internet service for remote areas. You’ll need to install a satellite dish on your property, and the equipment cost adds a lot to your monthly price.
Overall score: 2.1 out of 5.
Read our full Viasat review.
T-Mobile Home Internet – Best alternative to wired internet
T-Mobile’s 5G network is already the largest in the country — and it just keeps getting bigger. Now, you can bring that network home with download speeds of up to 245 Mbps. There are no extra monthly fees, just a $35 setup charge. T-Mobile also offers enticing perks like free streaming subscriptions and discounts for bundling with your cellular service.
Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.
Read our full T-Mobile review.
Cheap internet plans in Rochester, NY
Home internet doesn’t have to break the bank. Rochester internet providers offer numerous affordable home Wi-Fi plans, with prices starting as low as $29.99/mo. Even fiber internet can be inexpensive, with Greenlight Networks offering symmetrical 500 Mbps upload/download speeds for only $50/mo.
| Plan | Price* | Download speed | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | $29.99/mo. | 100 Mbps | Cable |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | $40/mo.** | 72–245 Mbps | Fixed wireless |
| Greenlight Networks | $50/mo. | 500 Mbps | Fiber |
**When bundled with a qualifying mobile plan.
Fastest internet plans in Rochester, NY
Rochester internet providers also offer plenty of speed for those willing to pay for it. Fiber from EarthLink and Greenlight Networks tops out at 5 GB, but prices for both top-tier plans are in the neighborhood of $200/mo. Spectrum offers a more affordable gigabit cable plan that starts at $59.99/mo.
| Plan | Price* | Download speed | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenlight Networks | $200/mo. | 5,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| EarthLink | $189.95/mo. | 5,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Spectrum | $59.99/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Cable |
Rochester internet technology
Connection type is a significant factor in determining your internet performance. Internet service providers in Rochester offer the following options, each with its pros and cons:
- Fiber internet: Fiber-optic cables are the top option for good reason. With connection speeds of 5 GB or more in some cases, along with symmetrical upload and download speeds, fiber offers the fastest and most reliable connection type. However, availability is still limited in many areas.
- Cable: Although its upload speeds are much slower than fiber, cable is still far more widely available and the most popular choice for home internet. High-bandwidth activities like online gaming can lag with cable, but its gigabit download speeds are more than enough for many users.
- Fixed wireless: Broadband wireless 5G connections have been popular for cell phone service for a while now, but they’re rapidly becoming a go-to for home internet, too. Rochester internet providers like T-Mobile and Verizon can even compete with cable speeds in some areas. However, beware that high cellular traffic can bog down fixed wireless connections.
- DSL: Phone-line-based internet is an older and slower option, and download speeds top out at 100–200 Mbps. Most DSL providers are gradually transitioning their networks to fiber cables, but DSL is still available in some rural areas.
- Satellite: Satellite internet is another slow option, topping out at similar speeds to DSL. Its biggest advantage is availability — you can get satellite internet almost anywhere in the U.S.
Rochester internet FAQs
Is Verizon internet available in Rochester, NY?
Verizon offers limited service in some parts of Rochester — primarily through its 5G Home plan. Enter your address on this page to find out what’s available for your home.
Which Wi-Fi connection is best for home?
Choosing your home internet connection comes down to what’s available in your area and what you need in home internet. Fiber is the fastest, most reliable connection, but it tends to be more expensive and less available. Cable and fixed wireless can also offer reasonably fast connections, but they lag more than fiber.
Does Greenlight provide a router?
Greenlight Networks provides a router for a fee, but you can use your own router if you’d prefer to save on these extra costs.
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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