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What is the best internet provider in Detroit?
CNET recommends Xfinity as the best internet provider in Detroit, Michigan. It not only offers excellent speeds and a variety of plans, with speeds of up to 2,100Mbps, but it also has decent coverage, sitting at 98% overall according to the FCC National Broadband map. This makes it a perfect ISP for anyone, whether they be living by themselves or have a whole household in need of top speeds from a cable provider.
However, if you’re seeking fast fiber speeds, then you can’t go with other alternatives like AT&T Fiber or Zentro (formerly Snip). AT&T in particular can take you up to speeds of 5,000Mbps, which is nothing to turn your nose up at if blazing speeds is your number one priority for your broadband.
Residents looking for cheap internet also have plenty of options. Our CNET broadband experts recommend WOW overall, as for just $30 per month you can gain access to speeds of 300Mbps.
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.
Detroit internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber Read full review |
Fiber | $55-$245 | 300-5,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| AT&T Internet Read full review |
DSL | $60 | 768Kbps-100Mbps | None | 1.5TB (no data cap for 100Mbps plan) | None | 7.4 |
| Zentro Internet (formerly Snip Internet) | Fiber | $75 | 100-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | N/A |
| Spectrum Read full review |
Cable | $50-$90 | 300-940Mbps | Free modem; $7 router | None | None | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 | 87-415Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 | 85-250Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
| WOW Read full review |
Cable | $30-$95 | 300-1,200Mbps | Varies | Varies | None | 7.2 |
| Xfinity Read full review |
Cable | $30-$85 | 150-2,100Mbps | Varies | 1.2 TB | Varies | 7 |
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All available Detroit residential internet providers
ISP availability across the Detroit metro area is very situational. While Xfinity has the broadest coverage in Detroit proper, you’ll find Spectrum or WOW cable services in some communities around the city. Zentro Internet (formerly Snip Internet) is a good fiber option for certain apartment buildings in Detroit. On the fixed wireless side, T-Mobile Home Internet is an alternative to Verizon 5G Home Internet, and it’s an especially good deal for T-Mobile phone customers.
- AT&T Internet: AT&T Internet is different from AT&T Fiber. This old-school DSL service isn’t known for good speeds. Depending on location, you may be able to pull down 100Mbps, or you may get internet that’s at a painful crawl. The cost is $55 per month with no contract, but it’s not your best option unless no other ISPs service your home.
- Zentro Internet: Zentro Internet has acquired Snip internet, and provides fiber to apartment buildings around Detroit, concentrating in the downtown area. Like Snip, Zentro positions itself as a fast, hip alternative to other ISPs. There are no contracts, no data caps and no installation fees, and equipment is included. The $75-a-month plan gets you speeds up to 1,000Mbps. If you live in an apartment serviced by Zentro, you’ll find lots to like about the no-fuss plan and reasonable pricing.
- Spectrum: Charter’s Spectrum cable service can be found in northwestern parts of the metro area, including Livonia and Farmington Hills. Call Spectrum for details on all the plans available for your address. A popular option is a 500Mbps plan for $60 monthly with no data cap or contract. A modem is included. If that’s not fast enough, look for the $70-a-month 1,000Mbps plan. Be aware that prices will jump after the first two years.
- WOW: “WOW” stands for WideOpenWest, a cable provider serving six states. Coverage is focused on the wider metro area around Detroit, particularly to the north and west. In some areas, plans range from 100Mbps up to 1,200Mbps, but you may find a sweet spot with a promotional deal like the Internet 1 Gig plan for $50 a month for the first two years. There’s an option to add Wi-Fi for $10 a month. Look for a promotional gift card offer. You may luck out and find a deal where WOW covers your modem rental, but you can provide your own modem for most plans. Data caps vary from 1.5TB or 3TB on most plans, though the Internet 1.2 Gig plan is unlimited.
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Verizon competitor T-Mobile Home Internet is the other option for fixed wireless in Detroit. There’s one plan with typical speeds from 87-415Mbps for $50-$70 a month. Add an eligible phone plan, and your home internet will be just $35-$50 monthly. Slots may be limited, so you must run your address to see if the service is available at your home.
- Satellite internet: Rural residents often look to satellite internet from Starlink, Viasat or HughesNet as a lifeline. City dwellers in Detroit, however, will find cable, fiber or fixed wireless makes more sense. One exception is Starlink’s travel plan. It’s not cheap, but it can keep avid RVers and digital nomads connected and working on the go.
Detroit broadband at a glance
No matter where you live in Detroit, there’s a good chance Xfinity services your address. In some parts of the metro area, you may also have AT&T Fiber, WOW, Spectrum or Zentro to choose from. T-Mobile and Verizon may have open slots if you’d like to test out fixed wireless as an alternative. If it’s down to Xfinity or AT&T’s outdated DSL service, then Xfinity is your friend. Once you know who services your home, you can compare prices and speeds to find the best plan for your needs.
Pricing details on Detroit home internet service
The average starting price for home internet in the Detroit area works out to just under $48 a month. Promotional deals from Xfinity or WOW can dip below that, or you can score a deal by bundling an eligible phone plan with home internet from Verizon or T-Mobile. The intro price level for fiber is $55 for 300Mbps from AT&T Fiber.
Cheap internet options in the Detroit metro area
The cheapest internet plan you can get will depend on which ISPs connect to your home. If that’s Xfinity (and it likely is), you can get online with a $20-a-month, 150Mbps plan. But that might not be your best deal in the long term since the promo price is only good for a year. Look for special offers at Xfinity’s faster speed levels and do the math. WOW is plenty competitive with its $30, 12-month promo at the 300Mbps level, so give that a look if WOW runs to your address.
Regarding bang for the buck, AT&T’s 300Mbps fiber plan for $55 gives you reasonable download speeds and equally fast upload speeds. Zentro Internet is a good deal for eligible apartment dwellers at $75 for 1,000Mbps.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Detroit?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Connect More Read full review |
$30 | 400Mbps | $15 (optional) | None |
| Xfinity Connect Read full review |
$35 | 150Mbps | $15 (optional) | None |
| WOW Read full review |
$30 | 300Mbps | Free modem, $10 router (optional) | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plan) | 300Mbps | None | None |
| Spectrum Read full review |
$50 | 300Mbps | Free modem; $7 router | None |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plan) | 318Mbps | None | None |
| AT&T Fiber Read full review |
$55 | 300Mbps | None | None |
| AT&T Home Internet Read full review |
$60 | 100Mbps | None | None |
| Zentro Internet (formerly Snip Internet) | $75 | 1,000Mbps | None | None |
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Fastest internet providers in Detroit
Ookla’s Speedtest data shows Detroit with a median fixed internet download speed of about 154Mbps, which we already know isn’t the fastest around. You can still find decent internet speeds if you’re in the right location. AT&T Fiber delivers multigigabit plans, while other ISPs have options for service at or around the 1,000Mbps level. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
AT&T Fiber’s 5,000Mbps plan is untouchable when it comes to residential internet speeds in Detroit. The challenges with this are spotty availability across the metro area and the hefty price of $245 a month. AT&T’s 2,000Mbps plan is still fast but runs a more affordable $145 monthly. If you’re shopping around for gigabit service, there are more options, with WOW, Spectrum, Zentro and Xfinity all offering plans at that level. Here’s what you need to know about multi-gigabit internet plans.
What are the fastest internet plans in Detroit?
| Provider | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Starting price | Data cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber 5000 Read full review |
5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | $245 | None | None |
| AT&T Fiber 2000 Read full review |
2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | $145 | None | None |
| Xfinity Gigabit X2 Read full review |
2,100Mbps | 300Mbps | $95 | 1.2TB | Varies |
| WOW Read full review |
1,200Mbps | 50Mbps | $95 | None | None |
| WOW Read full review |
1,000Mbps | 50Mbps | $50 | 3TB | None |
| Xfinity Gigabit Read full review |
1,100Mbps | 300Mbps | $65 | 1.2TB | Varies |
| AT&T Fiber 1000 Read full review |
1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $80 | None | None |
| Zentro Internet (formerly Snip internet) | 1,000Mbps | 1,0000Mbps | $75 | None | None |
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review |
940Mbps | 35Mbps | $70 | None | None |
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What’s the final word on internet providers in Detroit?
Not everyone in Detroit will be able to pull down multi-gigabit speeds, but locations covered by AT&T Fiber can access that luxury. Thanks to its equally fast upload and download speeds (a trait that remote workers and avid gamers will love), fiber trumps other internet connection types. Limited fiber availability doesn’t mean you’ll be left surfing in the dark ages. Xfinity’s wide coverage area delivers gigabit download speeds. Residents in the wider metro area can also look for gigabit plans from WOW or Spectrum.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Detroit
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’re considering every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. To evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service, we look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time 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 answer to those questions is often layered and complex, but the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to 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 examine advertised upload and download speeds, and also consider real-world speed data from sources such as 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.
Internet providers in Detroit FAQs
Is fiber internet available in Detroit?
It might feel like fiber is a matter of luck in Detroit. AT&T Fiber is available but has patchwork coverage across the metro area. Some homes can get AT&T’s fastest 5,000Mbps plan for $245 a month. Apartment dwellers may be in luck with Zentro Internet, an ISP specializing in fiber to multi-unit dwellings. Zentro’s Z1000 plan is $75 a month for 1,000Mbps. That’s a good deal for fiber.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Detroit?
Looking at the wider metro area, people in WOW’s service zones can check into the $30-a-month, 300Mbps plan. The catch is that the price is subject to change, but you can get a price lock-in for $5/month extra. You can rent a modem for an additional $10 monthly or use your own. Bargain hunters should also check into fixed wireless from T-Mobile or Verizon. Bundle with an eligible phone plan and you’ll get a steep discount on your home internet, bringing it as low as $35 a month.
Is Xfinity or AT&T better in Detroit?
This question isn’t as simple as it looks on the surface because AT&T has two different offerings in Detroit: fiber and Internet Air. If your decision comes down to Xfinity versus AT&T’s outdated Internet Air service, prioritize Xfinity. You’ll get more satisfying speeds for your money, although you might have to navigate complicated plan details involving contracts and promotional pricing. If AT&T Fiber is in contention, that’s the smart way to go. The plans are straightforward, and the speeds are fast, both up and down. Read CNET’s comparison of Xfinity and AT&T home internet.
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