Greatest Web Suppliers in Seattle, Washington

Any metropolis that may say it is the birthplace of Starbucks and Jimi Hendrix should be doing one thing proper. Nevertheless, relating to high-speed web choices, Seattle is not precisely within the espresso lane. Although the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area is among the many nation’s high 20 most populous metro areas, it might muster solely a 97th-place end among the many quickest cities within the US for broadband.

That is based mostly on the most recent information from the speed-testing firm Ookla, which tracks the highest 100 cities within the US and categorizes them based mostly on their median obtain speeds. Per Ookla’s second-quarter report for 2023, Seattle positioned within the backside 5 — barely above Denver, Atlanta and Detroit — with a median obtain pace of simply over 115 megabits per second. 

The Ookla report additionally famous that Seattle’s quickest supplier, based mostly on median obtain pace, was Xfinity (Comcast’s cable web service), whose common pace within the space was roughly 217Mbps. As we have written many occasions in CNET’s broadband protection, cable web connections provide quick speeds and respectable reliability however aren’t the speediest mode accessible. That declare belongs to fiber-optic web service. And whereas you will get fiber web in and round Seattle, every supplier, together with CenturyLink and Ziply Fiber, additionally provides web service through DSL connections, that are far slower than fiber and fewer reliable than cable. That brings these common speeds again all the way down to Earth — and it additionally means there’s so much to maintain observe of should you’re purchasing for a brand new web plan in Seattle. 

That is the place CNET can assist. We think about customer support, accessible web speeds, pricing and total worth to advocate the perfect broadband choices for you. Let’s dive into the perfect web suppliers in Seattle.

Greatest web suppliers within the Emerald Metropolis

Whether or not you have relocated to the world or are a longtime Seattleite, you have acquired some choices for getting related. Let’s study your selections and discover Seattle web suppliers. Another phrase as we start: all costs on this web page embrace the accessible reductions for organising computerized month-to-month funds. When you select to obtain paper billing, your costs might be larger.

Word: The costs, speeds and options detailed within the article textual content could differ from these listed within the product element playing cards, which characterize suppliers’ nationwide choices. Your specific web service choices — together with costs and speeds — rely in your handle and should differ from these detailed right here.

CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber

Greatest fiber service

Value vary

$30 – $70 per thirty days

Velocity vary

200 – 940Mbps

Connection

Fiber

Key Data

Limitless information, no contracts, gear included with gigabit tier

To be clear, not all CenturyLink service in Seattle is fiber-optic web service. Based on the Federal Communication Fee’s information, you may nonetheless discover DSL connections in lots of areas throughout town, maybe as a lot as 50% in some areas. But when you will get CenturyLink’s fiber service, you may discover a high quality providing that is additionally known as Quantum Fiber in some, however not all, areas. (Do not ask; it is simply rebranding.) 

Availability: Most of CenturyLink’s fiber service might be in and round Seattle, however some individuals will discover availability as far south as Bonney Lake, Gig Harbor and Orting. You may also discover it east of Seattle in Issaquah or west of town in Poulsbo, simply off Liberty Bay.

Plans and pricing: Anticipate particularly good worth with the gigabit plan, which gives matching obtain and add speeds of as much as 940Mbps for $70 per thirty days. That is a wonderful worth of simply over 7 cents per Mbps, which is robust even by fiber requirements. By comparability, cable plans sometimes run between 20 and 50 cents per Mbps, which matches even larger as soon as the promo value wears off after a 12 months. 

Charges and repair particulars: CenturyLink fiber service options limitless information and would not ask you to signal a time period settlement to get the bottom value. On high of that, your modem rental, which prices a further $15 month-to-month should you select the 200Mbps possibility, is included with CenturyLink’s gigabit plan.

Learn our CenturyLink residence web overview.

Astound Broadband

Greatest web supplier for affordable web

Value vary

$20 – $80 per thirty days

Velocity vary

100 – 1,200Mbps

Connection

Cable

Key Data

Limitless information, low promo costs, no contracts

This cable web supplier is hard to beat for aggressive beginning charges. 

Availability: Astound Broadband covers simply over 10% of the Seattle metro space, together with Bellevue, Bremerton and downtown Seattle. 

Plans and pricing: Its most cost-effective plan is $5 greater than Xfinity’s most cost-effective providing at $20, however it’s notably quicker. Xfinity is at 75Mbps obtain pace, whereas Astound will get your speeds as much as 100Mbps. Which means you are getting an honest worth of 25 cents per Mbps in comparison with Xfinity’s larger price per Mbps of 27 cents.

You’ll be able to additional emphasize that worth while you take a look at Astound’s quickest plan, which gives 1,200Mbps for $80 month-to-month. That comes out to only underneath 7 cents per Mbps. 

Charges and repair particulars: However (and also you needed to really feel it was coming), there is a caveat: Astound Broadband options a few of the highest price will increase amongst ISPs. Per the corporate’s price card, that $25 plan might bounce as excessive as $70 month-to-month. Whereas a spokesperson for the corporate advised CNET that almost all clients wouldn’t see a full improve to the usual retail price, I believe you want to concentrate on what would possibly await you after the rosy returns of the primary 24 months.

Learn our Astound Broadband overview.

T-Cellular House Web

Greatest mounted wi-fi service

Value vary

$50 per thirty days ($30 for eligible cellular clients)

Velocity vary

72 – 245Mbps

Connection

Fastened wi-fi

Key Data

Limitless information, gear included, no contracts, no extra charges

T-Cellular has been aggressively campaigning for its residence web product. Exhibit A: Its “Web Freedom” push included the tagline, “Free your self from web BS.” Prospects appear to reply effectively, too: T-Cellular House Web was tops amongst all non-fiber suppliers within the ACSI survey of People’ satisfaction with their ISPs.

Availability: The most important catch with T-Cellular House Web is that it nonetheless is not uniformly accessible. Whereas the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue market is among the many 50 million households that may get it (and technically, about 95% of individuals within the space ought to be capable to get it), you may nonetheless want to find out if it is accessible at your handle. For instance, I can get T-Cellular 5G cell service at residence, however my handle nonetheless is not eligible for T-Cellular House Web. To comply with up in your family’s availability, plug in your handle (T-Cellular clients may use their cell phone quantity) on the T-Cellular House Web web site.

Plans and pricing: T-Cellular House Web is appealingly easy — there’s one plan, costing $50 per thirty days. That one plan will get you speeds starting from 72 to 245Mbps. Moreover, T-Cellular gives a $20 low cost for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max clients. 

Charges and repair particulars: That one month-to-month charge covers all of your gear wants, and you will not have to fret about time period agreements, information caps or added charges. All new clients, regardless of in the event that they’re additionally wi-fi clients or not, can attempt the service for 15 days with out penalty and with a full money-back assure.

Learn our T-Cellular House Web overview.

Xfinity

Greatest availability

Value vary

$20 – $300 per thirty days

Velocity vary

75 – 6,000Mbps

Connection

Cable

Key Data

Knowledge caps on some plans, numerous plan choices, strong buyer satisfaction numbers

You may need to look far and broad earlier than discovering a supplier that gives as many choices as Comcast’s cable web service, Xfinity. 

Availability: Based on the FCC’s Nationwide Broadband Map, Xfinity is out there to over 94% of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan space.

Plans and pricing: Seven totally different tiers aid you discover the appropriate match to your family, from one of many space’s most cost-effective web plans (75Mbps for $20 a month) to the area’s quickest residential providing (10,000Mbps for $300 per thirty days). Xfinity’s Gigabit Professional is notable not only for its superior pace but in addition as a result of it is Xfinity’s solely fiber-to-the-home product. Which means you may get symmetrical obtain and add pace, whereas all different Xfinity plans can have a max add pace of 10 to 35Mbps. That mentioned, Gigabit Professional is restricted to pick addresses, so there is a good probability it is not accessible at yours. It is not low-cost, both — it is one of the costly broadband plans on the market. You may get so much however pay so much, too.

Charges and repair particulars: Xfinity additionally does effectively in buyer satisfaction surveys. It scored two factors above the trade common in the latest American Buyer Satisfaction Index report and completed above common in three of 4 areas within the J.D. Energy research for 2022.

So why is not it the perfect total? Cable, contracts and caps. Cable web, whereas dependable, would not carry out in addition to fiber web, with add speeds restricted to 35Mbps. Additionally, to get the perfect promo charges with Xfinity, you should signal a contract (normally one 12 months, however Gigabit Professional requires a two-year dedication). Lastly, some Xfinity plans have a month-to-month information cap of 1.2 terabytes. You’ll be able to join limitless information, however that’ll add further charges to your month-to-month invoice. 

Learn our Xfinity Web overview.

Supply: CNET evaluation of supplier information

Different accessible Seattle residential web suppliers

Town set on Puget Sound has extra ISPs looking for what you are promoting than the 4 we highlighted above. Listed below are a few of the different web suppliers in Seattle. 

• Google Fiber Webpass: Do not be confused by the fiber within the identify. This can be a fixed-wireless possibility from Google Fiber that is targeted solely on house buildings. Regardless that it is not fiber web, it is nonetheless lots zippy: It gives symmetrical gigabit speeds for $70 a month (or a median of $63 a month should you join the yearly plan through a full, $750 upfront cost). Webpass additionally options free set up, limitless information and no gear charges. In case your constructing can’t help the complete gig speeds, Webpass will cut back the pricing. Yow will discover Google Fiber Webpass inside Seattle metropolis limits, together with the Belltown, Capitol Hill, First Hill, Fremont, Queen Anne and Uptown neighborhoods.

• Satellite tv for pc web: This all the time appears like dishonest, nevertheless it should be mentioned that regardless of town or space wherein you reside within the US, this mode of web connectivity is all the time an possibility. Is it a terrific possibility for Seattle residents? When you dwell within the metropolis, no. You may have a lot quicker and cheaper selections accessible to you. Even areas south of Tacoma or north of Everett ought to have some viable alternate options, but when you end up in a rural city with restricted choices, you would possibly think about it. HughesNet and Viasat might be your high picks, though each require you to decide to a two-year contract. A extra intriguing chance is Starlink, which simply turned accessible within the space in 2023. It options quicker obtain speeds and no time period settlement.

• Verizon 5G House Web: Why select Verizon’s mounted wi-fi residence web product over T-Cellular House Web? On the plus aspect, it has a a lot quicker common obtain pace (300Mbps) than T-Cellular, and should you’re amongst eligible Verizon Wi-fi subscribers, it is cheaper, too, with the identical “all-in” strategy the place gear, set up and costs are all coated in your flat, month-to-month price. The place it falls wanting T-Cellular is availability. Its heavy reliance on its 5G community — T-Cellular makes use of its 4G LTE community extra aggressively, along with 5G, to spice up its protection territory — means it would not fairly hit the identical attain. 

• Ziply Fiber: Regardless of being comparatively new to the sport — it launched companies in the course of 2020 — Ziply Fiber is a viable possibility should you’re eligible for its fiber web, which boasts limitless information and no long-term contract necessities. Nevertheless, regardless of its identify, a few of its footprint contains the a lot slower DSL kind. A Ziply spokesperson tells CNET that the corporate is actively constructing a fiber different for these communities, together with over 112 tasks in Seattle and the better Northwest. Additionally, Ziply Fiber is rolling out a number of multi-gigabit plans, together with a zippy 10Gbps possibility. Confirmed cities round Seattle the place multi-gig plans are presently accessible embrace Bellevue, Bothell, Brier, Edmonds, Everett, Kenmore, Kirkland, Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Redmond, Shoreline, Snohomish and Woodinville.

Common pricing for Seattle web suppliers 

When you think about the beginning costs of all ISPs (the promo costs, not the common charges that take maintain after the introductory price), the typical value for web service in Seattle is slightly below $42 per thirty days. That is in regards to the center of the pack among the many cities CNET has examined thus far. That features Brooklyn ($36 a month), Los Angeles ($38 month-to-month), Denver ($39 per thirty days), San Francisco ($40 a month), New York ($41 per thirty days), Austin, Dallas and Philadelphia ($43 a month), Houston ($45 per thirty days), Phoenix ($46 month-to-month), Atlanta ($47 a month), Orlando and San Antonio ($48 per thirty days) and, all at $50 a month, Charlotte, Chicago, Las Vegas, San Diego and St. Louis. 

However digging in a bit on particular choices, you may discover the bottom beginning value of $20 a month shared by two suppliers: Xfinity and Ziply Fiber. Ziply Fiber options 100Mbps obtain speeds at that value level, whereas Xfinity begins at 75Mbps. Additionally, Xfinity’s barely slower plan has an information cap (1.2TB). Ziply Fiber, however, options limitless information.

Low cost web choices in Seattle

Additionally, each time speaking about low-cost web, we must always all the time point out there are extra, low-income web choices. Such is the case in Seattle. All suppliers we have talked about take part within the FCC’s Reasonably priced Connectivity Program, which supplies eligible low-income households a $30 month-to-month low cost for high-speed web. You should use the ACP in the direction of any web plan (not simply the most cost effective ones) from collaborating suppliers. Moreover, a number of suppliers joined forces with the White Home on its plans to deal with the digital divide. They are going to make accessible plans of no less than 100Mbps that clients get without spending a dime as soon as they be a part of the ACP low cost. 

Supply: CNET evaluation of supplier information

What qualifies as quick web in Seattle?

As I discussed close to the beginning of this text, Seattle is not precisely lighting issues up relating to common obtain speeds. That mentioned, you could find loads of choices should you really feel the necessity for excessive pace. The primary caveat is that a few of the quickest plans within the space aren’t extensively accessible all through the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area. However a few of our associates within the Bellevue space, for instance, ought to have entry to Ziply Fiber’s quickest multi-gig plans, as much as 10 gigs or 10,000Mbps. Choose addresses all through Seattle could possibly entry Comcast’s Gigabit Professional plan, additionally with symmetrical speeds of 10 gigs (10,000Mbps). 

Supply: CNET evaluation of supplier information

What is the backside line on Seattle web suppliers?

When you’ve been maintaining with CNET’s protection of the perfect web suppliers throughout the nation — and I definitely hope you have got — you might have seen fewer choices in Seattle than in different massive US cities. Alternatively, Seattle can brag that it has cheaper web choices than most cities and extra multi-gig suppliers. They’re unfold out all through the world, however they’re there. Xfinity’s seven totally different cable web plans are essentially the most extensively accessible in Seattle, however Astound Broadband’s 4 cable web tiers are cheaper and do not require you to signal a contract to get the bottom value. However as we all the time say, should you’re serviceable for fiber web — and in Seattle, that features CenturyLink, Ziply Fiber or, in rarer circumstances, Xfinity’s Gigabit Professional plan — that must be your high possibility. 

How CNET selected the perfect web suppliers in Seattle

Web service suppliers are quite a few and regional. In contrast to the most recent smartphone, laptop computer, router or kitchen software, it’s impractical to personally take a look at each ISP in a given metropolis. So what’s our strategy? We begin by researching the pricing, availability and pace data drawing on our personal historic ISP information, the supplier websites and mapping data from the Federal Communications Fee at FCC.gov.

Nevertheless it doesn’t finish there. We go to the FCC’s web site to verify our information and guarantee we think about each ISP that gives service in an space. We additionally enter native addresses on supplier web sites to seek out particular choices for residents. We take a look at sources, together with the American Buyer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Energy, to judge how blissful clients are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and costs are topic to frequent modifications; all data supplied is correct as of the time of publication.

As soon as now we have this localized data, we ask three predominant questions: 

1. Does the supplier provide entry to fairly quick web speeds? 
2. Do clients get respectable worth for what they’re paying? 
3. Are clients proud of their service? 

Whereas the reply to these questions is usually layered and complicated, the suppliers who come closest to “sure” on all three are those we advocate. Inside these suggestions, we additionally search for the most cost effective and quickest ISPs from that area. To additional discover our course of, go to our how we take a look at ISPs web page.

Web suppliers in Seattle FAQs