Cincinnati, the third largest city in Ohio, can claim many notable people as its own, including the first man on the moon Neil Armstrong, director Steven Spielberg, Uncle Tom’s Cabinauthor Harriet Beecher Stowe, actor and alcohol entrepreneur George Clooney, and actress Sarah Jessica Parker. It’s also where both Play-Doh and Pringles were invented. (The latter’s creator had some of his ashes buried in the iconic can.)
But whereas the small and mighty Queen City punches above its weight regarding notable people and products, it can’t say the same about its options for connecting residents to the internet. Most of the city has access to just two wired internet providers, Spectrum and Altafiber (previously known as Cincinnati Bell), 5G home internet from T-Mobile and Verizon, and satellite internet providers.
With limited options, it’s no surprise that Cincinnati’s median download speeds are low compared with other American cities and even those in Ohio. The Queen City places 79th on Ookla’s list of internet speeds in the nation’s 100 most populous cities, with median download speeds of about 175 megabits per second and upload speeds of about 34Mbps. Both Columbus and Cleveland can boast median download speeds of more than 200Mbps.
Best internet providers in the Queen City
Residents of Cincinnati have limited options when it comes to their selection of ISPs. Out of those choices, our pick for the best internet provider in Cincinnati goes to Altafiber, based on its speed and pricing.
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.
Cable
100 – 1,000 Mbps
$30- $90 per month
Fiber
Fiber Show more details
85 – 1,000 Mbps
$50 – $70 per month
Our take – Many Cincinnati residents have access to 5G options from Verizon and T-Mobile, but we’re giving a nod to the former for offering higher speeds.
Fixed wireless Show more details
Fastest internet providers in Cincinnati
Median download speeds in Cincinnati according to Ookla are about 175Mbps. Not bad, but not great. Thankfully, high-speed internet options are available in the city.
Need fast download speeds? Look at Altafiber’s 2,000Mbps plan for $85 per month, available at certain addresses. If you don’t have access to that plan, Altafiber also offers 1,000Mbps for $65 monthly. Verizon’s higher tier 5G internet at $80 per month tops out at 1,000Mbps, while Spectrum’s 1,000Mbps plan costs $90. That Altafiber 2 gig plan sure is appealing if it’s available.
What are the fastest internet plans in Cincinnati?
Due to its variety of speeds and affordability, our pick for the best ISP in Cincinnati goes to Altafiber. Residents have reported they are happy with its service, and as a bonus, the company is headquartered in the Queen City. Its 2,000Mbps plan for $85 is a lot of speed for the price.
Yes. It comes from Altafiber, our pick for the best internet service provider in the city. Altafiber’s service comes in various speeds, starting at 400Mbps and going up to a blazing 2,000Mbps, with prices ranging from $45 to $85. Altafiber’s plans are competitive on both speed and price compared to the other options in Cincinnati.
If you’re in a rare situation with access to Verizon and T-Mobile’s 5G internet, you have a decision to make. If you want higher speeds, we recommend Verizon. But for a price-for-life guarantee (and other additional perks), T-Mobile might sway you. Check out CNET’s article comparing Verizon 5G Home and T-Mobile Home Internet for more detailed information.
You sure can, but only if you qualify for the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program. Follow that link to find out more about the program and the requirements to qualify. For those eligible, Altafiber offers a 100Mbps service plan free of charge.
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