What is the best internet provider in Buffalo?
If the fastest internet speeds are your priority, you can’t go wrong with Verizon Fios. According to CNET: Verizon Fios Ranked as the best internet service provider in Buffalo. Symmetry in upload and download speeds. Speed, great customer satisfaction, and affordability. However, availability is quite limited.
If you don’t have access to Fios, your next best bet is Spectrum, the cheapest internet service provider in Buffalo, but prices will increase by $20 to $30 after the first year. T-Mobile Home Internet guarantees no price increases, but its wireless internet isn’t as fast as Verizon Fios or Spectrum, making it a better choice for smaller homes.
Best Internet in Buffalo, NY
Compare Internet providers in Buffalo
| Provider | Internet Technology | Monthly fee range | Speed range | Monthly equipment fee | Data cap | contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| spectrum Read the full review |
cable | $25-70 | 50 to 1,000 Mbps | $10 (optional) | none | none | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed Wireless | $50 ($30 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | none | none | none | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed Wireless | $60-80 ($35-45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50 to 1,000 Mbps | none | none | none | 7.2 |
| Verizon Fios Read the full review |
fiber | $50-90 ($25-65 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 300-940Mbps | none | none | none | 7.6 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other Internet Providers in Buffalo
- Satellite Internet: Satellite internet is available at almost every address in the country, but it’s only worth considering in rural areas where there are few other options. HughesNet and Viasat operate in Buffalo, but they’re expensive and don’t offer very fast speeds. SpaceX’s Starlink internet is a faster satellite option, but it requires a $599 equipment purchase just to get started.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Like T-Mobile Home Internet, Verizon also offers fixed wireless internet in the area. Its plans offer faster top speeds than T-Mobile, but coverage is limited. However, you can get a significant discount when combined with a qualifying Verizon Wireless plan.
Buffalo’s cheap internet options
There are five internet plans available in Buffalo that cost under $50 per month: Spectrum has the cheapest plan in the area, but the price of all plans increases significantly after a year or two.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Buffalo?
| Provider | Starting price | Maximum Download Speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet Assist Read the full review |
$25 | 50Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| The Spectrum Internet Advantage Read the full review |
$30 | 100Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| Spectrum Internet Premier Read the full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
$55 ($50 if you pay automatically, $30 if you have a qualifying mobile plan). | 245Mbps | none |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
$60 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | none |
| Verizon Fios Read the full review |
$50 ($25 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | none |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to Find Internet Deals and Promotions in Buffalo
Buffalo’s best internet sales and top promotions vary depending on the discounts available at that time. Most sales are short-lived, but we frequently search for the latest offers.
Buffalo internet providers, like Spectrum and Verizon Fios, may offer low introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time, and many providers, including T-Mobile Home Internet, offer the same standard prices all year round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide to the best internet deals.
How fast is broadband in Buffalo?
According to Ookla Speed Test DataBuffalo residents see a median download speed of 217.89Mbps and a median upload speed of 18Mbps. Buffalo ranks 70th among the top 100 most populous cities in the country, below cities like Cleveland (42nd) but slightly above Pittsburgh (73rd) and Philadelphia (74th).
Fastest Internet Plans in Buffalo
| Provider | Starting price | Maximum Download Speed | Maximum Upload Speed | Data cap | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read the full review |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | none | cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review |
$80 ($45 with eligible Verizon 5G mobile plans). | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | none | Fixed Wireless |
| Verizon Fios 1GB Read the full review |
$90 ($65 with eligible mobile plans) | 940Mbps | 880Mbps | none | fiber |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans are now capable of handling basic productivity and communications tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can handle video conferencing, streaming video, and gaming, a more robust connection will give you a better experience. Here’s a summary of recommended minimum download speeds for various applications: According to the FCCPlease note that these are only guidelines and internet speeds, services and performance will vary depending on your connection type, provider and address.
For more information, check out our guide on how fast internet speed you really need.
- 0-5Mbps will do the basics like browsing the internet, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality video.
- 5-40Mbps allows for higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40-100 Mbps provides enough bandwidth for a single user to meet the demands of modern work-from-home, video streaming, and online gaming.
- 100-500 Mbps allows one or two users to simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities like video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
- 500-1,000 Mbps allows three or more users to carry out high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
How CNET chose the best internet provider in Buffalo
Internet service providers are numerous and vary by region. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router, or kitchen gadget, it’s not practical to personally test every Internet service provider in a given city. So how do we approach this? First, we leverage a proprietary database of price, availability, and speed information derived from our own ISP historical data, partner data, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
This guide is powered by an in-house artificial intelligence tool called RAMP. The tool is trained on our writing and uses our database to generate content about specific Internet Service Providers. This content is available to our writers when deciding and presenting suggestions for the guide. For more information about how our team uses (or doesn’t use) AI tools, please review CNET’s AI policy.
Our database is not comprehensive, so we visit the FCC website to independently verify primary data and make sure we’re considering all ISPs that offer service in your area. Plans and pricing also vary by location, so enter your local address into provider websites to find the specific options available to residents. We look at sources like the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to rate how satisfied customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and pricing are subject to frequent change. All information provided is accurate as of the time of fact-checking prior to publication.
Once you have the localized information, there are three main questions to ask:
- Does your provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are your customers getting value for what they pay?
- Are your customers satisfied with your service?
The answers to these questions are often complicated and complex, but the provider that comes closest to a “yes” to all three questions is the one we recommend. When choosing the cheapest Internet service, look for the plan with the lowest monthly price, but also consider factors such as price escalation, equipment fees, and contracts. Choosing the fastest Internet service is relatively simple: look at the advertised upload and download speeds and consider actual speed data from sources such as: Okura and FCC Report.
To learn more about our process, check out our “How We Test ISPs” page.
What is the final conclusion about internet providers in Buffalo?
When it comes to internet service in Buffalo, there’s Verizon Fios and then there’s everything else. Verizon is the only company that offers fiber optic internet in the area, and it’s the fastest and most reliable connection type available. If Verizon Fios isn’t available at your address, Spectrum, T-Mobile Home Internet, and Verizon 5G Home Internet are all reliable backup options, but each has their drawbacks.
Frequently Asked Questions about Internet Providers in Buffalo
What is the best internet service provider in Buffalo?
Verizon Fios is the best internet service provider in Buffalo, the only provider in the area that offers symmetrical upload and download speeds, guaranteed rates for 2-4 years, and no data caps, contracts, or equipment fees.
Is fiber optic internet available in Buffalo?
Yes, fiber optic internet is available to 18.8% of Buffalo residents. According to FCC data:Verizon Fios is the only fiber optic provider operating in the city.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Buffalo?
Spectrum is the cheapest internet provider in Buffalo, with speeds of 50/10Mbps starting at $25 per month. This is the only Spectrum plan that doesn’t increase in price after 12-24 months, but it’s only available to some users through their Internet Assist plan. If you don’t qualify, the next cheapest option is 100/10Mbps speeds, which start at $30 per month and go up to $50 after one year.
Which internet provider offers the fastest plans in Buffalo?
Spectrum and Verizon both offer plans in Buffalo with download speeds of up to 1,000Mbps.
