What is the best ISP in Berkeley?
CNET recommends Sonic Telecom as a top ISP in Berkeleyoffering symmetrical gigabit speeds (up to 1,000 Mbps) for just $50 per month — a rare bargain for such high performance. Although equipment is not included and the price increases by $10 after the first year, the Sonic remains the best overall choice.
For those looking for even higher speeds, AT&T fiber is an option in Berkeley, with plans offering symmetrical speeds of up to 5,000 Mbps. Unlike Sonic, AT&T includes equipment in the base price and offers five flexible plans starting at $55 per month.
If affordability is your priority, Xfinity delivers the cheapest starter plan at $20 per month for 150 Mbps, though prices increase after the first year or two. For a more predictable account, T-Mobile and Verizon 5G Home Internet offer price lock guarantees on all their plans.
The best internet in Berkeley, CA
Berkeley Internet Providers Comparison
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Agreement | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T fiber Read the full review |
Hair | $55-$245 | 300-5,000 Mbps | No one | No one | No one | 7.4 |
| AT&T Internet Read the full review |
DSL | 55 dollars | Up to 140 Mbps | No one | 1.5TB on some plans | No one | 7.4 |
| Sonic Telecom | Hair | 50 dollars | 1,000 Mbps | $5 (optional) | No one | No one | N/A |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 with eligible cellular plans) | 72-245 Mbps | No one | No one | No one | 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 | No one | No one | No one | 7.2 |
| Xfinity Read the full review |
Cable | 20-75 dollars | 75-1,200 Mbps | $15 (included in most plans) | 1.2 TB, unlimited on most plans | Optional | 7 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Berkeley?
| Provider | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly subscription for equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity 150Mbps Read the full review |
20 dollars | 150 Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Xfinity 300Mbps Read the full review |
35 dollars | 300 Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Xfinity 500Mbps Read the full review |
55 dollars | 500 Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Sonic Telecom | 50 dollars | 1,000 Mbps | $5 (optional) |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
$55 ($35 with eligible cell phone plans) | 245 Mbps | No one |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible cell phone plans) | 300 Mbps | No one |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find online deals and promotions in Berkeley
The best online deals and top promotions in Berkeley depend on the discounts available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we often look for the latest offers.
Berkeley ISPs, such as Verizon, may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many providers, including Sonic Telecom, AT&T Fiber, and T-Mobile Home Internet, have the same standard prices year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide to the best internet deals.
The fastest Internet plans in Berkeley
| Provider | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet 5000 Read the full review |
245 dollars | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | No one | Hair |
| AT&T Internet 2000 Read the full review |
145 dollars | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | No one | Hair |
| Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read the full review |
75 dollars | 1,200 Mbps | 35 Mbps | No one | Cable |
| AT&T Fiber 1 GIG Speed Read the full review |
$90 (currently $55) | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No one | Hair |
| Sonic Telecom | 50 dollars | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No one | Hair |
| Xfinity Gigabit Read the full review |
65 dollars | 1,000 Mbps | 20 Mbps | No one | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review |
$70 ($45 with eligible cell phone plans) | 1,000 Mbps | 75 Mbps | No one | Fixed wireless |
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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, streaming video, or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a stronger connection. Here's an overview of recommended minimum download speeds for different apps, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Note that these are guidelines only and that internet speed, service and performance will vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide to how much internet speed do you really need?.
- 0 to 5 Mbps lets you handle the basics: web browsing, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality video.
- From 5 to 40 Mbps, you can enjoy higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100 Mbps should give a user 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 1,000 Mbps allows three or more users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities.
How CNET picked the best ISPs in Berkeley
Internet providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest ones smart phone, laptop, router or kitchen toolit is impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What is our approach? We begin by researching pricing, availability, and speed information, drawing our own historical data from ISPs, provider locations, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission to FCC.gov.
It doesn't end there. We go to the FCC website to check our data and make sure we account for every ISP that provides service in a certain area. We also enter local addresses on supplier websites to find specific options for 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 publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are customers getting decent value for what they are paying for?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
The answer to those questions is often layered and complex, but the providers who 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 factors such as price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and look at real-world speed data from sources like Okla and The FCC reports. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more detail, visit our how we test ISPs page.
ISPs in Berkeley Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best internet service provider in Berkeley?
Sonic Telecom is the best internet service provider in Berkeley. It's available to 4 out of 5 homes in the city and provides fast upload and download speeds at a lower price than most competitors.
Is fiber optic internet available in Berkeley?
Yes, fiber optic internet is available to 81% of Berkeley homes, according to FCC data. Sonic Telecom and AT&T offer service in the city.
What is the cheapest ISP in Berkeley?
Xfinity is the cheapest ISP in Berkeley, with plans starting at $20 per month for speeds of 150 Mbps.
Which ISP in Berkeley offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber offers the fastest Internet plan in Berkeley, with upload and download speeds of up to 5,000 Mbps.