The Top 10 Internet Providers in Washington

Key Points

• When choosing an internet provider, there are several factors to consider, including speed, price, connectivity, and support, among others.
• Washington state is home to many large technology companies and is known for having fast internet.
• Xfinity and T-Mobile are both popular internet providers in Washington.

If you’re planning to move to the “Evergreen State” or are lucky enough to live in this beautiful part of the U.S. already, we’ve got a list of the top Internet providers in Washington to help you choose the one that fits your needs.

Top Internet Providers in Washington: Overview

1. Xfinity

This ISP is a brand of Comcast, the largest media company in the world. This also helps Xfinity hold the number one spot in the U.S. for Internet coverage. If you’re looking for fast and reliable Internet service, Xfinity is a great choice. In Washington state, Xfinity is available in all the largest population centers, including Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and more. According to Highspeedinternet.com, Washington state is the 7th most connected state in the U.S., with 94% of the population having access to broadband.

2. Ziply Fiber

Although most of Ziply’s coverage focuses on Oregon, they do have a fair amount of Washington covered as well. With their fiber service, this ISP can give symmetrical download and upload speeds to cover even the most connected Internet households.

Ziply is a Washington native, founded in Kirkland in 2020, focusing on the northwestern states of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. It provides residential and business fiber Internet, as well as home phone services, to over half a million customers in these four states. In addition, Ziply provides fiber to 85% of these customers and serves many rural communities.

3. CenturyLink

From Walla Walla to the Canadian border and some of the major population areas, CenturyLink is a good bet for many “Toners.” It’s available in some of the more rural areas of the state, too. North of Spokane, CenturyLink is available on the Kaniksu Indian Reservation, the Grand Coulee Dam area, and towns like Tonasket and Okanogan.

CenturyLink has many benefits on all their packages, including no contract and unlimited Internet with no data caps. This ISP also has excellent customer service, easy installation, and Wifi accessibility. As part of Lumen Technologies, a company founded in 1930 and headquartered in Monroe, Louisiana, CenturyLink offers Internet as well as bundles including phone and TV.

4. Astound Broadband

If you’re really on a budget and still need the Internet, Astound Broadband has an option for you. They have plans starting at just $14.99/mo. Now, let’s be honest, you’re not going to get lightning-fast speeds at that price, but if money is tight, you can still get Internet service. Astound’s next step up will run between $35 to $50 a month and has some great speeds to offer.

If you live in one of the larger cities in Washington, then Astound Broadband is definitely worth taking a look at for all your Internet needs. It was originally Washington-based and served the San Francisco Bay area, but after some restructuring in 2018, the company expanded its service areas and move its headquarters to New Jersey, USA.

5. Starlink

Starlink’s Internet satellite constellation is the new game in town and is still in the growth stages. Interestingly, Washington state is one of the places that is getting Starlink Internet service right out of the gate. In general, the northern parts of the U.S. are great spots to jump in and try Starlink; especially if you don’t have access to other types of service like cable or fiber.

Starlink is continuing to add additional satellites to the constellation, and most reviews we’ve looked at are pretty good. So, if you live in one of the many remote areas of Washington, then Starlink is a great choice as your ISP.

6. Spectrum

Spectrum serves mostly the southern portion of Washington, from Walla Walla to Yakima. It also offers service in the Lewiston area, as well as Wenatchee and the Colville Indian Reservation. If you have access to Spectrum Internet, you can expect fast speeds and competitive pricing. Spectrum is also highly rated for its reliability.

This ISP is a subsidiary of the telecommunications giant Charter, which offers service to 41 U.S. states and over 30 million people nationwide. With affordable, no-contract plans, Spectrum is a good choice for some of the out-of-the-way spots in Washington.

7. HughesNet

This ISP has been around a lot longer than Starlink. Officially named HughesNet in 2012, the company serves 1.3 million Americans in hard-to-reach locations with its satellite Internet.

Like Starlink, HughesNet has the same satellite service issues we’ve all come to know and understand. The bottom line is if you don’t have another choice, satellite Internet is much better than no Internet at all. HughesNet also has a reputation as the largest satellite provider in the U.S.

8. Verizon Home Internet

This ISP is available in most of Washington state, excluding the Cascade Mountains region and areas just along the Canadian border. If you already have a good Verizon phone service, then this is a good choice, as their Internet uses cell towers and will give you reliable connections. You can also get some good deals by combing your phone and Internet as an existing customer.

9. T-Mobile Home Internet

Like Verizon, T-Mobile brings 5G Internet to the residents of Washington using existing cell towers, connecting 93% of the state to high-quality, reliable online capabilities. T-Mobile may not be the fastest or the cheapest on our list, but it offers competitive services.

It’s also a good ISP for many Washingtonians that lack access to other providers or are looking for alternatives. T-Mobile’s Download speeds of 182 Mbps are more than enough for most users, and with such a huge percentage of the state covered, chances are that you can use T-Mobile if it has the right plan for you.

10. Sparklight

Cable One officially became Sparklight in 2019. And, as the 9th largest provider in the U.S., it has some of the fastest Internet speeds around. In Washington state, Sparklight’s service is limited to a small area in the southeast corner as of 2022, stretching from Lewiston south to the Oregon border and into Idaho and the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. As with a lot of states like Arizona and Washington, Sparklight brings cable Internet service to some very remote areas.

Things to Consider Before Choosing an Internet Provider

There are a few things you have to consider before choosing the right Internet provider for you.

Availability

The first step in deciding on the right ISP is which companies you have access to. There is no need to check any other features or specs until you know what’s in your area. A list like this is a good place to start, and all the ISPs we’ve seen have search-by-zip-code on their sites. Don’t forget to just talk to your friends and neighbors, as there’s nothing like a good testimonial from someone you know.

Personal Use

Take an honest look at what you’re going to be using your Internet for and how many devices are going to be connected at once. If you’re going to check email, surf the web, and connect with friends on Facebook, your needs will be different than if you’re streaming movies or gaming. This will all determine what speeds you need, which in turn will determine the price you’re going to pay.

Speed and Price

Now that you’ve decided what your needs are, you can determine the exact package you will need. In general, the more performance you get in download and upload speeds, the more your service will cost per month.

Connection Type and Reliability

There is nothing worse than a connection that drops constantly or is slow. And honestly, there is no reason to have this problem for most people in the U.S. today.

The subject of reliability hinges on connection type in 2022. If you have access to fiber, then by all means that’s what we recommend. Next on the list is cable, followed by satellite. This takes us full circle back to availability as the number one concern.

Up Next

• Top 10 Internet Providers in Texas
• Starlink vs Fiber Internet: What’s the Difference?
• Top 10 Internet Providers in Colorado

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Aleksandr Kukharskiy/Shutterstock.com.