Best Internet Providers in Columbus, Ohio for 2024
Compare the Best Internet Service Providers in Columbus, OH
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.).
Here at Speedtest, we are dedicated to delivering accurate and dependable data that forms the core of our ISP recommendations. Our insights are gathered from an extensive network of millions of users globally who take part in our Speedtest, lending credibility and timeliness to our analysis of ISP performance. As a result, we provide a clear and unbiased evaluation of internet service providers' performance.
To fully understand how well an internet service provider (ISP) performs, there are three key metrics: download speed, upload speed, and latency. Download speed is crucial for tasks like streaming content or downloading files, indicating how quickly data can be received by your device. Upload speed is vital for sending data from your device to the internet, essential for uploading files or engaging in video calls. Latency, often referred to as ping, plays a significant role in real-time online activities such as gaming or conferencing by affecting the responsiveness of your connection. Armed with knowledge about an ISP’s download and upload speeds, alongside its latency, you're well-equipped to choose a service that aligns with your internet habits.
The technology employed by ISPs heavily influences the overall quality of your internet connection. Fiber optics, for instance, generally offer superior speeds and are favored for bandwidth-intensive activities. On the other hand, cable internet is more readily available and typically provides decent download speeds, though upload speeds might not match up. DSL service is adequate for basic browsing and streaming, while satellite internet, often the only option in remote areas, tends to exhibit higher latency and comparatively slower speeds.
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 Columbus, OH
Based on our proprietary real-world Speedtest data, AT&T Internet boasts the fastest recorded median download speed in Columbus, Ohio, at 283.42 Mbps. This indicates that AT&T Internet excels in providing swift internet service, especially noteworthy for those interested in activities demanding high bandwidth.
AT&T Internet stands out in Columbus for its Fiber service, boasting the highest advertised download speeds of up to 5,000 Mbps, a testament to its outstanding speed and dependability. It remains unmatched in the Fiber internet category, providing speeds that are five times faster than the nearest competitor's cable services, which advertise speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps.
A good rule of thumb is that download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps are widely considered sufficient for virtually any online activity, from streaming 4K high-definition videos on multiple devices, downloading large files, to gaming online across multiple laptops or smartphones. Speed requirements should thus be tailored based on how the network will be utilized and the number of users, as overall performance is affected by the cumulative internet usage and the sheer number of devices connected at any given time.
Columbus 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
- Akron
- Alliance
- Ashland
- Athens
- Aurora
- Austintown
- Avon
- Avon Lake
- Barberton
- Bay Village
- Beachwood
- Beavercreek
- Beckett Ridge
- Bedford
- Bellefontaine
- Berea
- Bexley
- Blue Ash
- Boardman
- Bowling Green
- Brecksville
- Broadview Heights
- Brook Park
- Brunswick
- Canal Winchester
- Canton
- Centerville
- Chillicothe
- Cincinnati
- Circleville
- Clayton
- Cleveland
- Cleveland Heights
- Columbus
- Conneaut
- Cuyahoga Falls
- Dayton
- Defiance
- Delaware
- Delhi
- Dover
- Dublin
- Eastlake
- Elyria
- Englewood
- Euclid
- Fairborn
- Fairfield
- Fairlawn
- Fairview Park
- Findlay
- Five Points
- Forest Park
- Franklin
- Fremont
- Gahanna
- Garfield Heights
- Grandview Heights
- Green
- Grove City
- Hamilton
- Highland Heights
- Hilliard
- Huber Heights
- Hudson
- Independence
- Indian Hill
- Kent
- Kettering
- Lakewood
- Lancaster
- Landen
- Lebanon
- Lewis Center
- Lima
- Logan
- Lorain
- Lyndhurst
- Macedonia
- Mack
- Mansfield
- Maple Heights
- Marietta
- Marion
- Marysville
- Mason
- Massillon
- Maumee
- Mayfield Heights
- Medina
- Mentor
- Miamisburg
- Middleburg Heights
- Middletown
- Montgomery
- Montrose-Ghent
- Moreland Hills
- Mount Healthy
- Mount Vernon
- New Albany
- New Franklin
- New Philadelphia
- Newark
- Niles
- North Canton
- North Olmsted
- North Ridgeville
- North Royalton
- Norton
- Norwalk
- Norwood
- Olmsted Falls
- Oxford
- Painesville
- Parma
- Parma Heights
- Pataskala
- Pepper Pike
- Perrysburg
- Pickerington
- Piqua
- Powell
- Reynoldsburg
- Riverside
- Rocky River
- Sandusky
- Seven Hills
- Shaker Heights
- Sharonville
- Shelby
- Sidney
- Solon
- South Euclid
- Springboro
- Springfield
- Stow
- Streetsboro
- Strongsville
- Sylvania
- Tallmadge
- Tiffin
- Toledo
- Trotwood
- Troy
- Twinsburg
- Upper Arlington
- Vandalia
- Vermilion
- Wadsworth
- Warren
- Washington Court House
- West Carrollton
- Westerville
- Westlake
- Whitehall
- Wickliffe
- Willoughby
- Wilmington
- Woodbourne-Hyde Park
- Wooster
- Worthington
- Xenia
- Youngstown
- Zanesville
Home Internet in Columbus
Columbus, Ohio, the state's capital and largest city, is a vibrant hub of culture, education, and industry, renowned for its beautiful parks, dynamic arts scene, and as the home of The Ohio State University. Residents have a plethora of internet service options available, spanning IPBB, Fiber, Cable, Satellite, and 5G Internet. This ensures a suitable choice for various needs, whether it's for high-speed gaming, intensive streaming, or just casual web browsing.
Spectrum, with its notable coverage of 95% across the city, is among the leading providers, closely followed by AT&T Internet with a coverage of 94%. These providers, along with others like Breezeline and Verizon, offer a variety of internet types at maximum advertised speeds that can significantly impact the internet experience for residents. For those in the city's more secluded regions, satellite internet options like Viasat, HughesNet, and Starlink provide viable alternatives. Choosing the right provider entails evaluating coverage, internet type, and speed to ensure a choice that best fits individual requirements.
It's essential for consumers to be aware that the advertised maximum speeds might not consistently align with the speeds experienced in day-to-day use. These figures represent ideal conditions, which may not always be met due to various external factors such as network congestion or the physical setup within a user's home.
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.