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What is the best internet provider in Buffalo?
For the fastest Internet speeds in Buffalo, CNET ranks Verizon Fios as the best providerthanks to symmetrical upload and download speeds, high customer satisfaction and competitive prices. However, availability of Fios in Buffalo is limited.
If Fios is not available in your area, Spectrum is a solid alternative as the most affordable provider in Buffalo, although prices typically increase by $20 to $30 after the first year. For the fixed price option, T-Mobile Home Internet promises that there will be no price increase. While it’s slower than Verizon Fios and Spectrum, it’s a reliable choice for smaller households.
The best internet in Buffalo, NY
Buffalo Internet Providers Compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data capacity | Contract | CNET rating rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Read the full review |
cable | $30-$70 | 100-1,000 Mbps | $10 (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$50 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50-1,000 Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
| Verizon Fios Read the full review |
Fibers | $50-$90 ($35-$65 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 300-940Mbps | None | None | None | 7.6 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in Buffalo
- Satellite Internet: You can get satellite internet at almost any address in the country, but it’s only worth considering in rural areas with few other options. HughesNet and Viasat they work in Buffalo, but they are expensive and not very fast. SpaceX’s Starlink Internet is a faster satellite option, but it requires a $349 equipment purchase to get started.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Like T-Mobile Home Internet, Verizon offers fixed wireless Internet in the area. Its plans reach higher maximum speeds than T-Mobile’s, but are less affordable. Plus, you can get a great discount when you bundle in an eligible Verizon Wireless package.
Cheap internet options in Buffalo
Buffalo has five different Internet plans available for $50 a month or less. While Spectrum has the cheapest plan in the area, prices increase significantly on all plans after a year or two.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Buffalo?
| Provider | Initial price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 250Mbps | None |
| Verizon Fios Read the full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find online deals and promotions in Buffalo
The best online deals and the best Buffalo promotions depend on the discounts available during that period. Most offers are short-lived, but we often look for the latest offers.
Buffalo Internet providers, such as Spectrum and Verizon Fios, may offer lower introductory rates or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many providers, including T-Mobile Home Internet, have the same standard rates year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, see our guide at the best internet deals.
How fast is Buffalo Broadband?
According to Ookla speed test dataBuffalo residents see a median of 218 Mbps for downloads and 18 Mbps for uploads. That puts Buffalo 70th out of the nation’s 100 most populous cities and below cities such as Cleveland (42.) , but a little above Pittsburgh (73.) i Philadelphia (74th). (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
Fastest internet plans in Buffalo
| Provider | Initial price | Maximum download speed | Maximum loading speed | Data capacity | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read the full review |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | None | cable |
| Verizon Fios 1 Gig Read the full review |
$90 ($65 with eligible mobile plans) | 940Mbps | 880Mbps | None | Fibers |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, video streaming or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a stronger connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for different apps, according to the FCC. Keep in mind that these are just guidelines — and that Internet speed, service, and performance will vary by connection type, provider, and address.
For more information, see our guide at how much internet speed do you really need?.
- 0 to 5Mbps lets you tackle the basics: browsing the web, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40 Mbps allows you to stream high-quality video and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100 Mbps should provide a single user with enough bandwidth to meet the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500 Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
- 500 to 1000 Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET Picked the Best Internet Providers in Buffalo
Internet providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest ones smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen toolsit is impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. So what is our approach? For starters, we use a proprietary pricing, availability, and speed database that is drawn from our historical ISP data, partner data, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
This guide uses an in-house artificial intelligence tool called RAMP, which is trained on our own writing and uses our database to generate content about specific internet providers that our writers can use to determine and present our choices for a given guide. Check it out CNET’s AI policy for more information on how our teams use (and don’t use) AI tools.
Since our database is not exhaustive, we go to the FCC’s website to check the primary data ourselves and make sure we are considering every ISP that provides service in a particular area. Plans and prices also vary by location, so we enter local addresses into provider websites to find specific options available to residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power, to gauge how satisfied customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent change; All information provided is correct as of our fact-checking prior to publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably high internet speeds?
- Are customers getting decent value for what they are paying for?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to saying yes to all three are the ones we recommend. When choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also take into account things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider actual speed data from sources such as Ookla and The FCC reports.
To explore our process in more detail, you can visit our how we test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on ISPs in Buffalo?
When it comes to internet service in Buffalo, there’s Verizon Fios and everything else. Verizon is the only company that offers fiber optic internet in the area, the fastest and most reliable type of connection available. If you can’t get Verizon Fios at your address, Spectrum, T-Mobile Home Internet, and Verizon 5G Home Internet are all solid backup options, but each has its drawbacks.
Frequently asked questions about internet service providers in Buffalo
What is the best internet provider in Buffalo?
Verizon Fios is the best internet provider in Buffalo. It’s the only provider in the area to offer symmetrical upload and download speeds, its prices are guaranteed for two to four years and there are no data caps, contracts or equipment fees.
Is fiber optic internet available in Buffalo?
Yes, fiber optic internet is available to 39% of Buffalo residents, according to FCC data. Verizon Fios is the only fiber provider operating in the city.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Buffalo?
Spectrum is the cheapest Internet provider in Buffalo, with prices starting at $30 per month for speeds of 100 Mbps, up to $50 after a year.
Which internet provider in Buffalo offers the fastest plan?
Spectrum and Verizon offer plans in Buffalo with download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps.
