Best Internet Providers In San Diego, CA

• AT&T: Best Nationwide Coverage
• T-Mobile: Best Mobile Internet
• Verizon Fios: Best Starting Plan Costs
• Cox Communications: Best Overall Value
• Spectrum: Best 5G Internet

Forbes Home identifies AT&T as the standout internet service provider (ISP) in San Diego for 2025. This provider offers download speeds of up to 500 Mbps and reasonable monthly pricing starting nationally at $55 per month. AT&T also offers the best nationwide coverage around, so it’s a competitive option if you travel frequently or use your mobile device often.

Choosing the right internet provider in San Diego can be a formidable task given the many available options. To help you choose, here’s what you need to know about the premier internet providers that can best meet your connectivity needs.

Verizon Fios is the cheapest internet provider in San Diego, with plans starting nationally from $25 per month. T-Mobile, Cox Communications and Spectrum are also sensible options for cheap internet plans. Based on national price plans and cost of living data, you can expect to pay as little as $35 per month for low-cost internet in San Diego.

Keep in mind that these are the average monthly costs for internet, and the cost of internet service in San Diego depends on a variety of aspects including plans, download and upload speeds, connection types and your area’s average costs. Below are some of the cheapest internet providers in San Diego, including their national monthly base rates.

PROVIDER	NATIONAL BASE PRICE	DOWNLOAD SPEED	AVAILABILITY IN SAN DIEGO
Verizon Fios	$25	300 Mbps	36.00%
T-Mobile	$30	33 Mbps	63%
Cox Communications	$50	100 Mbps	50%
Spectrum	$50	300 Mbps	45%
AT&T	$55	10 Mbps	81%

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Cox Communications, Verizon Fios and T-Mobile are the highest-speed internet providers in San Diego. Cox Communications offers the fastest internet plans in San Diego with speeds up to 2,000 Mbps.

When considering the top internet service providers in San Diego, download speed plays an important role in our decision-making process. After all, why pay a premium for internet service that is too slow? This factor is especially important for those who heavily rely on the internet for streaming, gaming or remote work.

Multiple ISPs in San Diego advertise download speeds of up to 1 GB per second, which can easily cater to the needs of streamers, gamers and remote workers. However, for San Diego residents who primarily use the internet for basic browsing or have a smaller household with fewer connected devices, ISPs with slower speeds may be sufficient.

While these national speed estimates can help give you a basic idea of what each provider can offer, it’s important to do the proper research on the speeds in your area so you can be crystal clear on what you’re signing up for. Internet speeds in San Diego can vary from the national average.

The companies below are some of the fastest internet providers on our list, including the maximum available download speeds and the starting cost for each provider’s plan.

PROVIDER	FASTEST DOWNLOAD SPEED	BASE NATIONAL PRICE	AVAILABILITY IN SAN DIEGO
Cox Communications	2,000 Mbps	$50	50.00%
Verizon Fios	1,000 Mbps	$25	36%
T-Mobile	1,000 Mbps	$30	63%
Spectrum	1,000 Mbps	$50	45%
AT&T	500 Mbps	$55	81%

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Scouting for the best internet deals and promotions in San Diego can substantially reduce your monthly expenses or initial setup costs. Many of the leading internet providers frequently roll out enticing offers on their most sought-after or new plans.

To snag these savings, it’s advisable to browse the official websites of these providers often. There, you’ll find the latest deals they are promoting. Note that some discounts may cater exclusively to certain groups such as veterans, students or new homeowners, enhancing the appeal if you fit any of these categories.

Internet Connection Types Available in San Diego

Internet Speeds Available in San Diego

In San Diego, 95% of people have access to 25 Mbps, which is good enough for streaming, gaming and virtual work. With internet this fast, you’ll be able to email, browse the internet and shop online without interruption.

Internet Survey Highlights How Residents Are Using Internet

Forbes Home’s 2024 internet survey stated that 86% of interviewees paid for more than one streaming service every month. More than half of the interviewees who opted to stream instead of using traditional cable share accounts with other people. The survey also discovered that though most respondents subscribe to 2.8 streaming platforms, about 10% of the people interviewed pay for more than five streaming services at any given time. Additionally, 50% of people who participated in the survey reported paying for services and platforms they barely use. Some don’t even use the platforms at all.

Further survey discoveries suggest that more than half of streamers signed up for a platform just to watch one specific show or segment, and the average American pays approximately $46 for streaming subscriptions each month.

Additional insights note that:

• Interviewees spend 3.1 hours every day streaming media.
• Interviewees like Hulu’s interface the least.
• 81% of interviewees experience lagging internet that disrupts the quality of their streams.

You can find the best internet provider for you in San Diego by keeping a few variables top of mind. Some variables may be more important to you than others depending on your hobbies, the number of people in your household and more. For example, if laggy internet is your pet peeve, pay close attention to the fastest plans from various companies. If you live out in the country, one of the companies that service rural areas will probably be the best option for you.

Consider the rest of these categories and factors to make the most well-rounded decision for your home:

Availability

First, you’ll only want to evaluate providers covering San Diego and the neighborhood where you specifically live. Availability can vary greatly, even in locations just a few miles away from each other, so doing some specific research can help a lot. Once you have your list, look at the major differences between each provider to narrow things down.

Speed

For those who value fast internet, it’s no secret that speed is a top consideration. A 1-GB-per-second download speed tends to be a good baseline for households wanting to stream from several devices. Adjust your desired speed based on your own needs.

Cost

Cost is probably another important factor—if not the most important factor—in your internet provider search. Plans can range widely, starting as low as $20 per month for decent speeds and going up to $300 for some premium plans. Your distinctive monthly rate will depend on where you live and the provider you choose, among other factors. For example, if you’re in a remote area that’s tougher to service, your rates may be higher than in densely populated areas.

Reliability

Reliability is paramount in an internet provider because nobody likes dealing with Wi-Fi that cuts in and out. Make sure that the company you select has reviews that demonstrate that its internet is reliable so you’ll have a smooth experience. And because hiccups happen, we also recommend selecting an ISP with some different customer support options like live chat and daily phone support.

Connection Type

Knowing the internet connection type you want will help you narrow down your choice of provider even further by eliminating any companies that don’t offer that type of internet service. Luckily, many companies provide all the options you could want, including 5G, cable, fiber, wireless and satellite.

Contracts

You won’t always have to sign a contract with an ISP, but if you especially want to avoid signing one, be sure to mention that early on or do your research before strongly considering a certain company. Even if you’re okay with signing a contract, you’ll want to analyze it carefully for any hidden fees. Breaking a contract can be tough and even cost you a lot of money, so look for mentions of early cancellation fees.

Bundling

Bundling your internet, phone and cable together can help you save money, so it’s wise to evaluate each provider’s bundle offerings. Determine what’s included in each package and how much it costs to make the best choice for your home.

Data Caps

Some providers may include data caps on your monthly data use. Once you’ve used your allotted data for the month, your service won’t necessarily be cut off, but you may discover that your speeds are slower or your connection is throttled. Read the fine print for each ISP and plan before making your decision, as some are more transparent about this cap than others.

To determine the best internet provider rankings in San Diego, the Forbes Home editorial team compared 22 major internet providers across 39 different metrics, such as average monthly cost, download speed and fiber availability.

You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates internet providers in our detailed methodology page.