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Rural internet consists of internet service providers that cater to residents of remote areas. These providers go where metro internet providers can’t, specifically to serve those in rural areas. There are plenty of great options for rural homes if you know what to look for. To help with your search, we break down the best internet options and what each provider has to offer you.
Rural internet is best for those living in remote areas with limited options and availability. It may be challenging to find reliable, high-speed internet providers when you’re far from the city, but there are more options than you might think. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), over 99% of people in the US have access to at least 2 providers near them.
If you live in a rural area, your likely choices include satellite, DSL, and fixed wireless internet. These types of internet have improved a lot over the years, with several ISPs offering plans with unlimited data, no-contract options, and remote availability. Compare top rural providers below to see what’s right for you.
| Provider | Type of Internet* | Starting Price* | Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Data Caps | Find Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EarthLink | Fixed wireless (4G/5G home), satellite in hard-to-reach areas | $39.95/mo | Up to 100+ / 50 | Yes on most plans; some unlimited | Check Availability |
| Starlink | Low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite | $40/mo | Up to 220 / 20 | No hard data caps (unlimited data) | Check Availability |
| Verizon | 5G & 4G LTE fixed wireless home internet | $35/mo | Up to 300 / 20 | Unlimited data | Check Availability |
| T-Mobile | 5G fixed wireless home internet | $35/mo | Up to 500 / 50 | Unlimited data | Check Availability |
| Viasat | Geostationary satellite | $39.99/mo (promo) | Up to 150 / 7 | Soft data caps; some “no cap” plans | Check Availability |
| HughesNet | Geostationary satellite | $39.99/mo | Up to 100 / 5 | Soft caps (priority data; unlimited standard data) | Check Availability |
| CenturyLink | DSL or fixed wireless (varies by location) | From $55/mo | Up to 100 / 10 | No data caps on most plans | Check Availability |
| Frontier | DSL and fiber in some rural buildouts | From $29.99/mo | Fiber: up to 500 / up to 500 (where available) | No data caps | Check Availability |
| Windstream | DSL and fiber in some rural areas | $24.99/mo | Fiber: up to 300 / — (higher tiers available) | No data caps | Check Availability |
| Provider | EarthLink |
|---|---|
| Type of Internet* | Fixed wireless (4G/5G home), satellite in hard-to-reach areas |
| Starting Price* | $39.95/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Up to 100+ / 50 |
| Data Caps | Yes on most plans; some unlimited |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | Starlink |
| Type of Internet* | Low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite |
| Starting Price* | $40/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Up to 220 / 20 |
| Data Caps | No hard data caps (unlimited data) |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | Verizon |
| Type of Internet* | 5G & 4G LTE fixed wireless home internet |
| Starting Price* | $35/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Up to 300 / 20 |
| Data Caps | Unlimited data |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | T-Mobile |
| Type of Internet* | 5G fixed wireless home internet |
| Starting Price* | $35/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Up to 500 / 50 |
| Data Caps | Unlimited data |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | Viasat |
| Type of Internet* | Geostationary satellite |
| Starting Price* | $39.99/mo (promo) |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Up to 150 / 7 |
| Data Caps | Soft data caps; some âno capâ plans |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | HughesNet |
| Type of Internet* | Geostationary satellite |
| Starting Price* | $39.99/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Up to 100 / 5 |
| Data Caps | Soft caps (priority data; unlimited standard data) |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | CenturyLink |
| Type of Internet* | DSL or fixed wireless (varies by location) |
| Starting Price* | From $55/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Up to 100 / 10 |
| Data Caps | No data caps on most plans |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | Frontier |
| Type of Internet* | DSL and fiber in some rural buildouts |
| Starting Price* | From $29.99/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Fiber: up to 500 / up to 500 (where available) |
| Data Caps | No data caps |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | Windstream |
| Type of Internet* | DSL and fiber in some rural areas |
| Starting Price* | $24.99/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Fiber: up to 300 / â (higher tiers available) |
| Data Caps | No data caps |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
Best satellite internet
$64.99/mo. – $169.99/mo.
25 Mbps – 150 Mbps
3 Mbps
No
Viasat internet is HighSpeedOptions’ top choice for high-speed satellite internet. It offers speeds up to 100 Mbps and additional services you can bundle under one plan. Viasat is widely available, going where cable internet and fiber internet providers can’t.
Most flexible satellite data
$44.99/mo.
25 Mbps
3 Mbps
No
HughesNet internet provides satellite internet to all 50 U.S. states with speeds up to 25 Mbps, as well as home phone plans. Choose from a variety of high-speed data plans that all include unlimited standard data.
Price stability
$49.95/mo. – $59.95/mo.
5 Gbps
5 Gbps
No
With Earthlink internet, tap into high speeds, a customizable suite of security features, superior customer service, and no credit checks. And with a fixed price guarantee, you won’t get surprised by sudden price hikes on your monthly bill.
Most perks
$50/mo. – $75/mo.
940 Mbps
940 Mbps
No
CenturyLink internet plans are available in 36 states, with the best coverage in Colorado, Florida, and Oregon. While most service areas have DSL internet access, CenturyLink is growing its fiber network to include speeds up to 940 Mbps to more homes.
Best coverage in CA, FL & TX
$49.99/mo. w/Auto Pay & Paperless Bill
5000 Mbps
5000 Mbps
No
Frontier internet plans are available in select areas of 25 states, with the best coverage in California, Florida, and Texas. Frontier offers high-speed internet and home phone services to keep you connected to your world.
Most adaptable contracts
$19.99/mo. – $39.99/mo.
2000Mbps
200Mbps
No
Kinetic by Windstream is available in 18 states, with the best coverage in Georgia, Iowa, and Texas. Shop the best high-speed internet plans for fast, reliable internet that keeps the entire family connected.
Finding reliable, high-speed rural internet options can be challenging. Many areas only have access to 1-2 types of internet or providers. Satellite internet is almost always an option in remote locations, with Starlink offering the fastest speeds, but also higher prices. 5G home internet is becoming a viable option for many rural areas, as deployment is efficient and costs are low. Enter your ZIP code here to find the best rural internet in your area.
Rural internet falls a bit short regarding overall speeds and data caps, but its low costs and the wide availability of satellite internet make up for what it lacks. Below are the most common types of rural internet:
DSL uses pre-existing cable lines to deliver internet service to homes. DSL offers fast speeds and protection against harsh weather.
Satellite internet is available virtually anywhere. Providers like HughesNet and Viasat offer competitive rates and unlimited data.
Fixed wireless is less common, but those with access benefit from lower latency and decent data rates.
Between hidden fees and price hikes, finding the right internet providers can feel overwhelming. To help with your search, our team of internet experts evaluates ISPs on categories including performance, affordability, and customer satisfaction to provide you with the best options near you.
DSL internet and satellite internet offer comparable speeds. Both can deliver speeds up to 100 Mbps, however, DSL is usually more reliable than satellite for its grounded wire technology. Satellite internet is susceptible to service interruptions due to bad weather or faulty equipment, while DSL runs along grounded telephone lines that are protected from the elements.
If you decide to go with satellite internet, you may be able to get speeds from 25 Mbps to 150 Mbps in speeds. These speeds can support low to moderate internet usage like web browsing and occasional streaming. However, everyone’s needs are unique. The speeds you need will depend on your lifestyle.
Yes. DSL, satellite, and dial-up internet are the most common options in the country. DSL typically offers better data allowances, but Satellite internet is also an excellent option for broadband internet for rural areas thanks to its wide availability.
There are many reasons why your internet might be slow – location aside. Check out our guide on reasons for slow internet and how to fix them.
If you’re still not finding what you’re looking for, don’t worry. Here are a few alternative options for rural broadband you can also consider exploring.
The best rural internet option depends on what’s available at your address and your visibility (for satellite and fixed wireless internet). Enter your ZIP code in our provider search tool to see what is available in your area and to compare plans.
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