It’s hard to imagine life today without a strong internet connection. However, living in a rural area often leaves you with fewer options or at least a unique set of considerations when choosing a service. As such, the best high-speed internet providers for small towns may not necessarily be the same as the best choices in big cities.

Which internet service provider (ISP) is best for you depends on your area and needs. Still, a few widely available options stand out among the rest. Here’s a look at 10 of the best high-speed rural internet companies across the nation.

1. Point Broadband

For many people, Point Broadband is the best high-speed internet provider for small towns. It’s primarily a fiber internet company, but unlike most fiber businesses, it focuses on rural regions instead of major metropolitan areas.

Fiber internet offers the fastest speeds of any connection type, and Point’s services reach up to 2 gigabits per second (Gbps) for both uploads and downloads. It also offers fixed wireless options if you decide you don’t need fiber. These packages go up to 200 megabits per second (Mbps).

Most importantly, Point Broadband is a customer-centric organization. It emphasizes transparency and fairness, running an around-the-clock service line and offering competitive pricing. It also has a customer referral program that can earn you extra cash for getting a friend or family member to sign up.

2. T-Mobile

Some of the best rural internet options come from cellular providers, many of which now offer home internet services through their 5G or 4G networks. Wireless giant T-Mobile is a leader among this group.

T-Mobile has some of the most expansive coverage across the U.S. of any cellular provider. Customers also experience average download speeds of 415 Mbps, which puts it on par with many conventional fixed wireless ISPs. The company also offers a five-year price guarantee and advanced cybersecurity controls, which are not widely available at other providers.

Compared to other cellular businesses, T-Mobile has impressive customer satisfaction ratings, too. Installment is also quick and easy, which is particularly valuable if you’re often busy or lack much technical expertise.

3. Verizon

Verizon is another cellular provider that now offers home internet services. Like T-Mobile, it has 4G and 5G, but it also runs fiber connections. These are far faster but aren’t as widely available as its cellular options.

Speeds under Verizon’s fiber packages reach a staggering 2 Gbps, but its more accessible 4G internet is much slower at a maximum of 50 Mbps. Its 5G connections are also not always available in rural areas, making it slightly less appealing than T-Mobile.

Notably, Verizon doesn’t charge for equipment and has no data caps or hidden fees. Those benefits can make it easier to compare prices and offer some assurance for the level of quality you can expect from the company’s customer service.

4. AT&T

Yet another mobile company, AT&T, branched into home internet a while ago and has since become a leader in the field. While it lacks the coverage of Verizon and T-Mobile — it’s available in 22 states, not the entire contiguous U.S. — it offers an impressive variety.

AT&T’s internet comes in three options — fiber, cable and 5G cellular. This mix of connection types makes it easier to find something that works for you. 5G and cable are fairly widely available and relatively low-cost, while fiber is less common and more expensive but enables speeds up to 5 Gbps.

Like T-Mobile, AT&T also gives customers advanced cybersecurity protection. It also offers some of the best packages of any ISP, so you should be able to find a deal that fits your needs and budget.

5. CenturyLink

DSL company CenturyLink is another one of the best high-speed ISPs for small towns. Mainly available in the mountain states and Pacific Northwest, the company offers competitive speeds and even more competitive pricing.

CenturyLink’s DSL options, which are more affordable and widespread, reach up to 100 Mbps — enough to truly be considered “high speed.” Its fiber alternatives go up to 940 Mbps. That may not be the fastest fiber connection on the market, but it comes at a lower cost than many fiber packages.

Getting internet from CenturyLink involves no contracts or data caps. As a result, you can easily switch to another ISP if you decide to later on or enjoy lower costs while sticking with CenturyLink.

6. Hughesnet

In many rural areas, satellite connections are the only way to get a reliable internet signal. In such cases, Hughesnet deserves your consideration.

As a satellite internet service, Hughesnet is available everywhere throughout the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. It even covers several Latin American nations. While satellite has a reputation for being slow, you can get speeds up to 100 Mbps from this company. That may not be anything out of the ordinary today, but it’s more than sufficient for most users.

Hughesnet is also more affordable than many satellite options, starting at around $50 per month. It does require a contract with early termination fees, but that’s not an issue if you plan on sticking with the provider for at least a few years.

7. Viasat

The second satellite provider on this list, Viasat, is another good pick for the best high-speed internet provider for small towns. Like Hughesnet, it’s available across the country, regardless of how remote you are.

Viasat plans start at 25 Mbps and can get as fast as 150 Mbps. There are also no data caps or contracts. In most areas, it even provides free installation, which is not common for a satellite internet service.

The only thing holding Viasat back is that it’s slightly more expensive than Hughesnet. Of course, promotional pricing may be a factor, and costs often vary between areas, so be sure to compare rates between ISPs before making a decision.

8. EarthLink

EarthLink claims to be the most widely available ISP in the U.S. It’s a unique company in that instead of providing service through its own infrastructure, it uses a mix of other providers’ networks.

This setup may be unusual, but it means EarthLink can reach a wider audience than most competitors and offers a greater variety of services. It has 4G and 5G cellular, satellite and fiber packages, so there’s an option for you regardless of what connection type you prefer.

EarthLink’s pricing is also affordable, starting at around $40 per month. However, because it relies on other companies’ infrastructure, its speeds, reliability and pricing vary widely between locations.

9. Kinetic

Windstream’s Kinetic internet service is another popular choice for rural connections. Originally a DSL provider, Kinetic has since expanded to offer fiber internet in some areas, although this coverage is less widely available in small towns.

Kinetic covers 18 states and offers fiber plans in all of them. It’s also one of the most affordable options available, with plans starting around $20 monthly. The company boasts 99.9% network reliability, indicating you can enjoy its high speeds and low costs without many, if any, interruptions.

Unfortunately, Kinetic’s prices tend to jump after an initial service period. While that’s a fairly common practice among ISPs, Windstream’s increases are particularly severe, making its marketed prices feel misleading.

10. Starlink

Elon Musk’s Starlink is another one of the best high-speed rural internet companies. As with other satellite ISPs, it’s available in even the most remote regions. It also delivers faster speeds than many satellite connections, reaching up to 220 Mbps.

Starlink plans are relatively low-latency, especially for a satellite network. They’re also fairly reliable, thanks to how extensive the infrastructure is. The company has a staggering number of satellites in orbit, giving you more coverage than you’d normally expect from an ISP.

The most notable downside to Starlink is its cost. Plans start at $80 per month with a one-time $349 hardware purchase. It’s considerably more expensive than many other rural providers, but it still may be worth it to you in light of its speeds and relative reliability.

High-Speed ISPs for Small Towns Compared

Here’s another look at how these 10 high-speed rural internet providers stack up against one another along several key categories.

Honorable Mentions for High-Speed Rural Internet

These 10 ISPs are the overall best high-speed internet providers for small towns. However, they are not the only options, and what constitutes the “best” is largely situational. Consequently, you may want to look at some other alternatives.

Fixed wireless and fiber provider Rise Broadband is a good low-cost but high-speed option. Its plans start around $55, and its speeds reach up to 1 Gbps. Still, data caps on some plans and less availability than other options may hold it back.

Another honorable mention is Frontier, which is known for its fiber internet but also offers DSL connections. Frontier’s DSL is more widely available than its fiber, reaching at least 28 states. However, its best plans are not as accessible in rural areas.

Finally, Straight Talk Wireless may be worth consideration for some users. It uses Verizon’s 4G LTE and 5G networks to reach most of the nation and boasts lower costs than many conventional ISPs. Unfortunately, its speeds can be inconsistent, and its unusual pricing structure can be difficult to navigate at times.

How to Choose a High-Speed Internet Provider

Availability should be your first concern when selecting an ISP. Even in today’s hyperconnected world, internet coverage can be inconsistent, especially in rural areas. Consequently, you should always enter your specific address on an ISP’s website to confirm it covers you before narrowing down your list.

Next, compare available speeds and costs. A higher monthly rate may be worth it for higher downloads, but the speed you need can vary. The FCC defines high-speed internet as 100 Mbps for downloads and 20 Mbps for uploads. However, 25 Mbps downloads may be enough if you live alone and don’t use the internet much. Similarly, you may want 200 Mbps or more if you do a lot of online gaming.

The connection type is also worth considering. Generally speaking, fiber is the fastest and most consistent but often the most expensive and least available. Satellite options are everywhere but can be slow. Cellular and cable connections are good middle-of-the-road alternatives, and you should go with cellular for coverage but cable for reliability.

Methodology

The rural high-speed internet options on this list earned their place through a combination of their availability, speed, cost, reliability and customer service. No one factor is more important than the other, so the higher-ranking ISPs excel in multiple categories, while lower-ranking ones may lead in one area but fall short in others.

Bear in mind that pricing, coverage and reliability often vary between locations. This list reflects general trends between many areas, but these factors may differ in your specific area.

Find the Best High-Speed Internet Provider for Your Small Town

The best high-speed internet provider for small towns depends on your needs, budget and area. Still, you’ll likely find an ISP that works for you among these 10 options.

Whether you’re considering a switch in providers or looking for one to start internet coverage, you can begin your search here. Compare these ISPs to your case-specific considerations to decide on your ideal plan.