As a lifelong resident of the Carolinas, I know firsthand the benefits of living in South Carolina. We’ve got some of the lowest taxes in the South, the best beaches on the East Coast, and the top schools in academics and athletics in the nation. Internet service isn’t half bad either, depending on where you live in the state.
The best internet provider for your home will depend on your needs and what’s available in your area, but Spectrum is CNET’s pick as the best ISP for most South Carolinians. The cable internet giant boasts the best broadband coverage of any wired provider in the state, offering fast speeds and favorable service terms to over a million South Carolina homes.
AT&T also has a large presence in the Palmetto State and may prove to be the better choice for speed and overall value, particularly if a fiber-optic connection is available at your address. Other national ISPs including Xfinity, Kinetic and WideOpenWest also serve South Carolina and are worth considering along with the many regional providers that offer service throughout the state.
If you’re shopping for internet in the state capital or South Carolina’s largest city, check out our best ISP picks for Columbia and Charleston.
Best internet providers in South Carolina
CNET considers availability, speed, pricing, service terms, customer satisfaction and other factors when determining the best internet providers in an area. After evaluating the most prevalent ISPs in South Carolina, I’ve landed on the following providers as the ones I’d recommend most. They may not be the only providers in your area however, so it’s always important to explore all your available options before choosing an internet provider for your home.
Note: The prices, speeds and features detailed in the article text may differ from those listed in the product detail cards, which represent providers’ national offerings. Your particular internet service options — including prices and speeds — depend on your address and may differ from those detailed here.
All prices listed on this page reflect available discounts for setting up paperless billing. If you decide not to go with automatic monthly payments, your price will be higher.
Price range $40 – $70 per month Speed range 300 – 940Mbps Connection Cable Key Info Unlimited data, simple pricing, no contracts, modem included, free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots
Spectrum has the best availability of any wired internet provider in South Carolina, but the cable ISP also deserves recognition for its straightforward plans and pricing.
Availability: You’ll find Spectrum throughout much of the Upstate, including Gaffney and the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson metro area. Other key metro areas serviceable for Spectrum are Columbia, Florence, Sumter and Orangeburg. Spectrum is also the primary cable internet provider at many of South Carolina’s popular beaches like Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head and Pawleys Island. However, Xfinity has a hold on the Charleston area.
Plans and pricing: Spectrum plans and pricing can vary slightly depending on the local competition, but most customers can anticipate three speed tiers to choose from: 300Mbps, 500Mbps and gig service (around 1,000Mbps) starting at $50, $70 and $90 per month, respectively.
Fees and service details: Your cable modem is included at no additional cost, but renting a Wi-Fi router through Spectrum costs $5 per month. Service includes unlimited data and requires no contract.