Best Internet Providers in Seattle, Washington for 2026
Compare the Best Internet Service Providers in Seattle, WA
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.).
Whether you’re video calling from a Capitol Hill apartment, coding from a Ballard bungalow, or streaming in South Lake Union, fast, reliable internet is as essential to Seattle life as a sturdy rain shell. After all, when your day starts with strong coffee and a cloud sync, your connection needs to be just as dependable.
Who delivers the fastest connection in the Emerald City? Based on Speedtest data collected in the second half of 2025, Xfinity leads in Seattle, with median download speeds of 323.53 Mbps, followed by CenturyLink at 293.82 Mbps. Across the city, typical fixed connections average 248.42 Mbps down, enough for remote work, streaming, and everyday multitasking across multiple devices.
Your internet needs depend on how you actually use your connection. For most households of three to four people watching a moderate amount of streaming video and performing simpler work-from-home tasks such as emailing, Slack, Zoom, etc., a 300 to 500 Mbps plan is more than enough. But for creators, tech professionals, or large households, gigabit speeds and strong upload performance make a noticeable difference.
How to Pick the Right Internet Provider in Seattle
Here are some practical tips:
Check Your Address
Many ISPs tout citywide coverage, but the reality is more complicated (like if your building isn’t wired for fiber). Use provider lookup tools or Speedtest’s zip code breakdowns to verify.
Consider More Than Speed
Reliability, customer support, and data caps matter just as much. Many fiber plans, for example, include unlimited data and no equipment rental fees. Watch out for plans that include data caps and extra charges.
Think About Uploads
If you send large files, stream on Twitch, or make frequent video calls, symmetrical upload/download speeds (only offered by fiber) are a game-changer.
Match a Plan to Your Needs
Don’t pay for 1 gigabit if you’re just browsing or streaming a few hours a night. On the flip side, don’t skimp if you’re running a business from home.
Read the Fine Print
Promo rates often expire after 12 months. Check for hidden fees, contracts, or equipment rentals that inflate the total cost.

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 Seattle, WA
According to Speedtest Intelligence®, as of January 2026, Seattle reports the following city-wide median speeds:
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Median download speed | 248.42 Mbps |
| Median upload speed | 65.72 Mbps |
| Top-performing ISP | Xfinity (323.53 Mbps median download) |
| Most widely available ISP | Xfinity (90% availability) |
ISP Speeds in Seattle, WA
Based on Speedtest data collected in the second half of 2025, here’s how the major providers compare:
- Xfinity: Seattle’s fastest and most widely available provider with 90% coverage. Downloads of 323.53 Mbps, uploads of 47.19 Mbps, and latency around 20 ms. Its cable infrastructure is nearly ubiquitous, and some areas even have access to fiber, making it the go-to option for most Seattle households.
- CenturyLink: Covers 23% of the city with solid DSL performance. Downloads of 293.82 Mbps, uploads of 226.69 Mbps, and latency around 10 ms. Its DSL service offers excellent upload performance, ideal for households that need fast uploads for video conferencing, cloud storage, and creative work.
- SpaceX Starlink: Covers 100% of Seattle with satellite service. Real-world downloads of 94.79 Mbps, uploads of 17.37 Mbps, and latency around 38 ms. It serves areas where traditional wired connections are limited and offers a solid satellite alternative, though performance can vary with weather conditions.
- Quantum Fiber: Covers 57% of Seattle residents. Real-world Speedtest data is not yet available for this market. It offers competitive fiber plans with symmetrical speeds, making it an appealing option for remote professionals and heavy data users.
- Ziply Fiber: Available in 18% of neighborhoods. Real-world Speedtest data is not yet available for this market. Where available, its fiber plans can be appealing to remote professionals and heavy data users who need fast upload performance.
- Spectrum: Covers 33% of Seattle. Real-world Speedtest data is not yet available for this market, suggesting limited sample size in the area. It serves select parts of the Seattle area and is a solid cable alternative with straightforward pricing and no data caps.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Covers 61% of Seattle. Real-world Speedtest data is not yet available for this market, but it delivers quick setup and contract-free plans, ideal for renters or those who move frequently.
- T-Mobile 5G Home Internet: Covers 55% of Seattle. Real-world Speedtest data is not yet available for this market, but it delivers quick setup and contract-free plans, ideal for renters or those who move frequently.
Seattle 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.
Internet Providers in Nearby Cities
Home Internet in Seattle
At the time of this writing, the average starting price for internet in Seattle is $53.63 per month, based on entry-level plans from major providers including Xfinity ($40), Quantum Fiber ($50), Ziply Fiber ($20), Spectrum ($30), Verizon ($35), and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet ($50). While fiber and 5G plans bring fast upload and download speeds to much of the city, cable remains the most widely available option for most neighborhoods.
Top Internet Providers in Seattle, WA
Xfinity
- Type: Cable, Fiber
- Max speeds: Up to 2,000 Mbps download / 200 Mbps upload
- Best for: Citywide coverage and consistent performance
- Availability: ~90%
- Price range: $40–$70/month
Xfinity is nearly ubiquitous in Seattle. Based on Speedtest data collected in the second half of 2025, Xfinity delivers median download speeds of 323.53 Mbps and upload speeds of 47.19 Mbps, with 20 ms latency. 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 Seattle households.
CenturyLink
- Type: DSL
- Max speeds: Up to 140 Mbps download / 100 Mbps upload
- Best for: Fast uploads and reliable DSL performance
- Availability: ~23%
- Price range: from $55/month
CenturyLink’s DSL service offers excellent upload performance. Based on Speedtest data collected in the second half of 2025, CenturyLink delivers real-world median speeds of 293.82 Mbps down and 226.69 Mbps up, with 10 ms latency. While availability is more limited, where available it provides strong two-way bandwidth for remote work and content creation.
Quantum Fiber
- Type: Fiber
- Max speeds: Up to 8,000 Mbps download / 8,000 Mbps upload
- Best for: Gigabit users and symmetrical speeds
- Availability: ~57%
- Price range: $50–$165/month
Quantum Fiber offers symmetrical fiber speeds across much of Seattle. While real-world Speedtest data is not yet available for this market, its fiber plans provide excellent potential for remote professionals and households that need reliable two-way bandwidth for video conferencing and large file transfers.
Ziply Fiber
- Type: Fiber, DSL
- Max speeds: Up to 6,000 Mbps download / 50,000 Mbps upload
- Best for: High-performance connections and customer service
- Availability: ~18%
- Price range: $20–$900/month
In certain neighborhoods, Ziply Fiber offers fiber plans with some of the highest upload speeds available, 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.
Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Type: 5G Internet
- Max speeds: Up to 1,000 Mbps download / 75 Mbps upload
- Best for: Renters and homes without wired connections
- Availability: ~61%
- Price range: $35–$75/month
Verizon 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.
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: ~55%
- 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.
Spectrum
- Type: Cable
- Max speeds: Up to 2,000 Mbps download / 35 Mbps upload
- Best for: Smaller households prioritizing affordability
- Availability: ~33%
- Price range: $30–$90/month
Spectrum serves select parts of the Seattle area. It’s a solid cable alternative with straightforward pricing and no data caps, though coverage within the city proper is limited.
FAQs
Who has the fastest internet in Seattle?
Xfinity currently leads with median download speeds of 323.53 Mbps, based on Speedtest user data collected in the second half of 2025.
Who offers the cheapest plans?
At the time of this writing, Ziply Fiber starts at $20 per month, which is the lowest entry-level pricing for internet in Seattle among major providers. Spectrum also offers competitive starting prices around $30.
Is fiber internet available in Seattle?
Yes. Xfinity, Quantum Fiber, and Ziply Fiber all offer fiber service across parts of the city, though access depends on your building’s wiring.
Where can I find public Wi-Fi in Seattle?
According to the Seattle city government, public facilities including libraries and community centers offer free public Wi-Fi. The Seattle Public Library system also offers free WiFi access, and the ability for cardholders to check out a hotspot. The city also offers certain households discounts on internet service.
Speedtest TL;DR
Seattle’s internet market is dominated by Xfinity, which delivers strong performance and broad availability. While some infrastructure still limits fiber access in parts of the city, most residents have multiple high-speed options, with 5G home internet filling in the gaps. Seattle’s wired network continues to improve, keeping pace with the needs of a tech-savvy city that values both speed and reliability.
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.









