What is the best internet provider in Baltimore?

After thorough research and testing, CNET's experts have chosen Xfinity as the best internet provider for most households in Baltimore, Maryland. This is due to Xfinity's wide availability across the city and its affordable high-speed internet plans. However, if Xfinity isn't available at your address, Verizon Fios and satellite internet provider Viasat are also solid picks.

In Charm City, Xfinity has the cheapest internet option, offering 300 megabits per second for just $30 a month. For those seeking the fastest speeds in Baltimore, Xfinity boasts a broadband option with speeds of 2 gigabits per second for $90 per month.

Best internet in Baltimore, Maryland

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Other available internet providers in Baltimore

• Altius Broadband: Altius Broadband is available with speeds up to 30Mbps and a one-time skippable equipment fee of $95. You'll need to contact the provider to check rates. 
• EarthLink: Internet service with EarthLink is delivered through other providers' networks. In Baltimore, the provider, availability and exact speed EarthLink uses will depend on your address. All plans require a 12-month contract and a $15 equipment fee.
• Hughesnet: Hughesnet provides satellite internet to 100% of Baltimore residents. Plan prices range from $50 to $95 during the promotional period for download speeds between 50Mbps to 100Mbps. The difference between plan tiers is the data allowance, which ranges from 100GB to 200GB a month. Users are responsible for an equipment fee of $15 a month or a $300 to $450 one-time purchase and must sign a two-year contract.
• Port Networks: Port Networks offers fixed wireless internet with plans priced from $50 to $95 a month. Speeds will vary depending on your address but speeds typically range from 100Mbps to 1,000Mbps.
• T-Mobile Home Internet: T-Mobile's home internet plans are available for $50 (or $40 for eligible mobile customers) with speeds between 72Mbps and 245Mbps. There are no data caps, contracts or equipment fees. 

Cheap internet options in Baltimore

Among all internet providers in Baltimore, the average starting price is around $51 per month. Xfinity has the lowest starting price of $30 for speeds up to 300Mbps, but the price rises by $60 after 12 months.

Another cheap option is Port Networks, which offers plans at $50 a month to customers in its footprint for download speeds of up to 100Mbps.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

How to find internet deals and promotions in Baltimore

The best internet deals and top promotions in Baltimore depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers. 

Baltimore internet providers, such as Xfinity, T-Mobile Home Internet and Port Networks, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Other providers, such as Verizon Fios, may 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 Baltimore broadband?

Internet speeds in Baltimore -- median download speeds of 137Mbps -- are lower than the state (227Mbps) and the national average (246Mbps), according to Ookla's latest speed test data. Many factors -- including equipment, connection mode, and the internet plan itself -- affect speed test results. Your results might vary greatly.

The city’s average download speed may not be impressive, but you can find much faster speeds with most providers in Baltimore. Xfinity, for example, offers a speed tier of up to 2 gigs in the Baltimore area. Verizon offers fiber-optic internet service in Baltimore, with download speeds of up to 1 gig and upload speeds of 880Mbps.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

What's a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

• 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
• 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
• 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming. 
• 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming. 
• 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Baltimore

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

It doesn't end there: We go to the FCC's website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication. 

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions: 

• Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds? 
• Do customers get decent value for what they're paying? 
• Are customers happy with their service? 

The answers to those questions are often layered and complex, but the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

What's the final word on internet providers in Baltimore?

Like many cities, Baltimore has grappled with rural dead zones and a digital divide for years. According to the Baltimore Community Foundation, about 40% of the city's households did not have access to the internet during the pandemic. This imposed restrictions on many households, preventing children from learning remotely due to lacking access to telehealth.

Baltimore is taking steps -- like opening its Office of Broadband and Digital Equity -- to expand internet access to all of its residents. The city promises it will permanently close its digital divide by 2030.

Fiber internet is typically a better option than cable internet, but that’s not the case in Baltimore. Verizon Fios simply doesn’t cover enough people in the area. If you can get it, great. Start there. For most in Baltimore, the best option is Xfinity, which offers fast, reliable service with several plans to suit just about any household. 

Internet providers in Baltimore FAQs