Best Internet Providers in Washington, District of Columbia for 2026
Compare the Best Internet Service Providers in Washington, DC
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in Washington, District of Columbia, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in Washington, District of Columbia, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | 268.03 | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | 41.00 | Mbps |
| Latency | 23 | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in Washington, District of Columbia, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | 235.24 | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | 142.10 | Mbps |
| Latency | 11 | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in Washington, District of Columbia, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in Washington, District of Columbia, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in Washington, District of Columbia, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in Washington, District of Columbia, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in Washington, District of Columbia, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in Washington, District of Columbia, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in Washington, District of Columbia, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in Washington, District of Columbia, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in Washington, District of Columbia, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in Washington, District of Columbia, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Not all plans are available in all areas. Provider plan, availability, and speed tier data provided by BroadbandNow.com. Speedtest real-world data is only present where sample size has reached significance within a region. Additionally, averages may include aggregated tests across multiple Internet Types (Fiber, DSL, Cable, etc.).
Between packed Metro cars, buzzing cafés in walkable neighborhoods, and a culture where history meets hustle, life in DC moves fast. So whether you're logging on from a Capitol Hill row house, an Adams Morgan apartment, or a Dupont Circle co-working space, your internet speeds should keep up.
Who delivers the fastest connection in the nation's capital? According to Speedtest results from July through December 2024, Xfinity leads in Washington, DC, with median download speeds of 263.96 Mbps, followed by Verizon at 246.45 Mbps. Across the city, typical fixed connections average 252.84 Mbps down, enough for remote work, streaming, and everyday multitasking across multiple devices.
How Much Speed Do I Need?
Download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 10 Mbps are widely considered fast enough to handle nearly any online activity. A quick guide to what speeds you need for different online activities is below, and you can read our full guide to internet speeds and performance for more information. Keep in mind that the numbers below are the bare minimum for one device at a time. If you’re trying to use multiple devices on a network at the same time, you’ll want higher speeds.
0–5 Mbps (Slow)
- Stream SD video
- Connect on Slack
- Use Microsoft Teams
- Write and read email
- Scroll social media
- General web browsing
5–20 Mbps (Better)
- Stream HD video at 1080p
20–40 Mbps (Solid)
- Stream 4K video
- Play games online
40–100 Mbps (Good)
- Stream HD games
100+ Mbps (Fast)
- Engage in multi-player gaming
- Download huge files
1+ Gbps (Very fast)
- Do anything you want on multiple devices
ISP Speeds in Washington, DC
The average starting price for internet in Washington, DC is about $41.56 per month, based on entry-level plans from major providers including Xfinity ($30), Spectrum ($30), Verizon ($49.99), EarthLink ($54.95), and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet ($50). While fiber and 5G plans bring fast upload and download speeds to much of the city, older wiring in some neighborhoods may mean cable or fixed wireless are still the most practical choices.
Top Internet Providers in Washington, DC
Here are the largest internet providers in Washington, DC, based on coverage, speed, and consumer value.
Xfinity
- Type: Cable, Fiber
- Max speeds: Up to 2,000 Mbps download / 10,000 Mbps upload
- Best for: Citywide coverage and consistent performance
- Availability: 99%
- Price range: $30-$299.95/month
Xfinity is nearly ubiquitous in the Capitol, delivering the fastest median download speeds at 263.96 Mbps. Its cable infrastructure is widely available, and some areas even have access to fiber. With plan flexibility and competitive entry pricing, Xfinity remains the go-to option for most DC households.
Verizon
- Type: Fiber, 5G Internet
- Max speeds: Up to 1,000 Mbps download / 2,300 Mbps upload
- Best for: Fast uploads and reliable fiber performance
- Availability: 86%
- Price range: $49.99-$109.99/month
Verizon's fiber service offers excellent upload performance, with real-world median speeds of 246.45 Mbps down and 147.46 Mbps up. 5G Home Internet extends access to more neighborhoods, though performance can vary with signal strength.
Astound Broadband Powered by RCN
- Type: Cable
- Max speeds: Up to 1,500 Mbps download / 50 Mbps upload
- Best for: Affordable, high-speed cable plans
- Availability: 71%
- Price range: $30-$90/month
Astound serves a large share of DC residents and offers competitive rates for cable plans, making it an appealing option for budget-conscious users. Upload speeds trail fiber, but reliability is generally solid.
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- Type: 5G Internet
- Max speeds: Up to 415 Mbps download / 56 Mbps upload
- Best for: Renters and homes without wired connections
- Availability: 68%
- Price range: $50-$70/month
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet delivers quick setup and contract-free plans, ideal for renters or those who move frequently. Speeds depend heavily on network congestion and building density.
EarthLink Fiber
- Type: Fiber
- Max speeds: Up to 940 Mbps download / 5,000 Mbps upload
- Best for: High-performance connections and customer service
- Availability: 62%
- Price range: $54.95-$189.95/month
In certain neighborhoods, EarthLink offers fiber plans, which can be appealing to remote professionals and heavy data users who need fast upload performance. Availability varies depending on neighborhood and existing fiber infrastructure.
Spectrum
- Type: Cable
- Max speeds: Up to 1,000 Mbps download / 35 Mbps upload
- Best for: Smaller households prioritizing affordability
- Availability: 33%
- Price range: $30-$70/month
Spectrum serves select parts of the DC area and nearby suburbs. It's a solid cable alternative with straightforward pricing and no data caps, though coverage within the city proper is limited.
Washington Fixed Speeds
Download Mbps
Median download speed
Upload Mbps
Median upload speed
Latency ms
Median latency
To be added to this list for mobile or fixed broadband, 75% of a city's monthly unique user totals over a 13-month period must have a minimum of 200 monthly unique user results. To be updated for mobile or fixed broadband, 75% of a city's monthly unique user totals over a 13-month period must have a minimum of 100 monthly unique user results.
An operator or ISP must account for 3% or more of total test samples in the market to be on this list. We display data if at least two operators or ISPs meet this threshold in a designated region or city.
Home Internet in Washington
Who has the fastest internet in Washington, DC?
Xfinity currently leads with median download speeds of 263.96 Mbps, based on Speedtest user data.
Who offers the cheapest plans?
Xfinity and Spectrum both start at $30 per month, which are the lowest entry-level pricing for internet in Washington, DC.
Is fiber internet available in DC?
Verizon and EarthLink both offer fiber service across much of the city, though access depends on your building's wiring.
Where can I find public Wi-Fi in DC?
According to the DC city government, "DC residents and visitors can enjoy free Wi-Fi access via outdoor hotspots throughout the District at key community anchor locations," which include libraries, parks and recreation centers, senior centers, and government buildings.
Speedtest TL;DR
Washington, DC's internet market is dominated by Xfinity and Verizon, which both deliver strong performance and broad availability. While some older infrastructure still limits fiber access in parts of the city, most residents have at least one high-speed option, with 5G home internet filling in the gaps. DC's wired network might not be the fastest in the nation, but it's keeping pace with the needs of a city that's always on the move.
How we test the speed of ISPs
Speedtest is the definitive way to test the performance and quality of an internet connection. Millions of users like you use Speedtest.net and our Android and iOS apps every day to test internet performance (including bandwidth, latency, coverage, video metrics, and more) in real world situations. We then use rigorous scientific approaches to aggregate and anonymize those results to empower people like you with content like this so you can understand and optimize your internet experience.
The data found within has not been subjected to the rigorous Speedtest marketing claims and data methodology, and therefore cannot be used in commercial applications. Additionally, promised speeds and plans offered are always subject to change.
How to test your internet speed
Speedtest can help you test the speed and overall performance of your internet for free from any device. Click here to open a new page and take a Speedtest. You can then compare your results with what you’ve learned about internet performance near you. If you aren’t getting the results you expect, you can either use this guide to use your Speedtest results to talk to your internet provider or you can shop for a new provider.