Best Internet Providers in Newark, New Jersey

What is the best internet provider in Newark, New Jersey?

CNET recommends Optimum as the top internet provider in Newark, offering extensive coverage and speeds of up to 8,000 Mbps in select areas, though most users will max out at 1,000 Mbps. If Optimum isn’t available in your area, Verizon Fios and Newark Fiber are solid alternatives. For those on a budget, Optimum’s 300 Mbps plan is the most affordable at $40 per month.

Best internet in Newark, New Jersey

Newark, New Jersey, internet providers compared

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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Other available internet providers in Newark, New Jersey

  • Satellite internet: Starlink, Viasat and Hughesnet offer satellite internet alternatives for homes that don’t have a faster or more affordable broadband option. Typically, that means rural or remote households. In Newark, look for fiber, cable or fixed wireless options before you turn to satellite, with its high prices and variable speeds. 
  • Verizon 5G Home Internet: In parts of Newark where Verizon doesn’t offer Fios, you may find its 5G home internet option instead. Speeds max out at 300Mbps in the city, though Verizon offers gig downloads nationwide in some parts of its coverage areas. This mainly makes sense if you’re a Verizon customer looking to bundle with a phone plan to bring your home internet down as low as $35 per month. Otherwise, plans start at $50 monthly for speeds up to 100Mbps in Newark.

Cheap internet options in Newark, New Jersey

Optimum’s entry-level cable and fiber plans have 300Mbps downloads for $40 monthly. Fiber is preferable for its symmetrical speeds, but some addresses in Newark will find cable is the only Optimum option. Most broadband plans, including the Verizon Fios 300Mbps plan, start at $35 per month. Verizon has a stronger customer service reputation than Optimum, which might sway you to pay more. 

Verizon’s wide fiber coverage in Newark will likely steer customers to Fios rather than 5G home internet. T-Mobile, however, offers a home internet discount when bundling with an eligible phone plan. That can bring your home internet cost down as low as $40 per month.

What’s the cheapest internet plan in Newark, New Jersey?

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Newark internet providers, such as Optimum and T-Mobile, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, however, including Verizon Fios and Newark Fiber, tend to run the same standard pricing year-round. 

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals

How fast is Newark internet?

Newark delivered a median fixed internet download speed of nearly 316Mbps in a recent Ookla speed test report. That’s a bit better than the US average of around 242Mbps. Ookla shows Optimum and Verizon running neck and neck as Newark’s fastest providers. The city’s average speed matches New York City, but comes in a little slower than Jersey City’s 283Mbps and Paterson’s 314Mbps. Speed tests can swing widely depending on broadband technology, network demand, equipment and location, so your results may vary.

Fastest internet plans in Newark, New Jersey

Provider Starting price Max download speed Monthly equipment fee
Optimum
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$40 300Mbps None
Newark Fiber $50 (may be less) 1,000Mbps None
Verizon Fios
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$35 300Mbps None
Verizon 5G Home Internet
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$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) 300Mbps None
T-Mobile Home Internet
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$50 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) 245Mbps None

Optimum’s $40-per-month 300Mbps plan for cable or fiber is Newark’s lowest-cost wired broadband plan. Optimum’s fiber option is widely available across the city. 

Which internet provider in Newark, New Jersey, offers the fastest plan?

There are several fiber competitors in Newark. Optimum has been known as a cable provider but has upgraded much of its Newark network to fiber. Verizon Fios is also widely available, while the very affordable Newark Fiber reaches dozens of apartment buildings in the city.

Provider Starting price Max download speed Max upload speed Data cap Connection
Verizon Fios 2 Gig
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$120 2,300Mbps 2,300Mbps None Fiber
Optimum 2 Gig Fiber Internet
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$120 2,000Mbps 2,000Mbps None Fiber
Newark Fiber $50 (may be less) 1,000Mbps 1,000Mbps None Fiber
Optimum 1 Gig Fiber Internet
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$70 940Mbps 940Mbps None Fiber
Verizon Fios 1 Gig
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$100 940Mbps 880Mbps None Fiber