What is the best ISP in Syracuse?
CNET recommends Verizon Fios as the top choice for an internet service provider in Syracuse. If Verizon Fios is not available at your address, Spectrum is another solid option. Spectrum provides fast and reliable internet, but comes with a significant price increase after the first year. Plans start at $40 per month and go up to $70 for the gig plan.
T-Mobile is an additional alternative, with a price lock as long as you stay subscribed, though its wireless connection can be more susceptible to network congestion compared to Spectrum or Verizon. You can also get a good discount when you bundle it with a mobile plan.
Best Internet in Syracuse, NY
If Verizon Fios is available in a city, there's a good chance it's going to be our top choice for internet there, and Syracuse is no different. Even if you can't get Verizon at your address, you'll likely have at least one good option. According to data from the Federal Communications Commission100% of households in Syracuse have access to 100 megabits per second download and 10 Mbps upload speeds.
Syracuse ISPs compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Agreement | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Read the full review |
Cable | 40-70 dollars | 500-1,000 Mbps | $10 (optional) | No one | No one | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 with eligible cellular plans) | 87-415 Mbps | No one | No one | No one | 7.4 |
| Verizon Fios Read the full review |
Hair | $50-$90 (with automatic payment discount) | 300-940 Mbps | No one | No one | No one | 7.6 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with eligible phone plan) | 50-1,000 Mbps | No one | No one | No one | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Other available ISPs in Syracuse
Many cities have several local ISPs to consider in addition to the nationwide providers. Unfortunately, there aren't many other options available in Syracuse. Here's everything else you can get in town:
- Satellite internet: We usually only recommend satellite internet when you can't get anything else, and this rule applies to Syracuse. HughesNet and Viasat both offer service up to 100% of the city, but like all satellite providers, they come with high prices, low data caps and slow speeds. Starlink is a faster satellite option, but the equipment costs $349 up front and plans start at $120 per month.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Like T-Mobile Home Internet, Verizon is using its 5G network for home Internet in Syracuse. You can get speeds of 300/10Mbps for $50 a month or 1,000/50 for $70 in some areas. There are no equipment fees or data caps on either plan.
Cheap internet options in Syracuse
Starting Internet prices in Syracuse average $45 per month, which is slightly higher than nearby Albany ($43). Low-income households in Syracuse also have the option of using Spectrum's Internet Assistance plan, which gives you 50 Mbps for $25 a month.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Syracuse?
| Provider | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly subscription for equipment | Agreement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Read the full review |
$40 ($80 after one year) | 500 Mbps | $10 (optional) | No one |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 318 Mbps | No one | No one |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible phone plan) | 300 Mbps | No one | No one |
| Verizon Fios Read the full review |
50 dollars | 300 Mbps | No one | No one |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data
How to find online deals and promotions in Syracuse
The best online deals and top promotions in Syracuse depend on what discounts are available at that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we often look for the latest offers.
Syracuse ISPs, such as Spectrum, may offer lower introductory rates or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including Verizon Fios and T-Mobile, have the same standard prices year-round.
For a more extensive list of deals, check out our guide to the best internet deals.
How fast is broadband in Syracuse?
There are three internet plans that offer gig speeds in Syracuse – about average for a city of its size. There are no ultra-fast plans above 1,000 Mbps, most households will be fine with the speeds available. Verizon Fios is the only provider that offers symmetrical speeds in Syracuse.
The fastest internet plans in Syracuse
| Provider | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Starting price | Data cap | Agreement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet gig Read the full review |
1,000 Mbps | 35 Mbps | $70 ($100 after one year) | No one | No one |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review |
1,000 Mbps | 50 Mbps | $70 ($45 with eligible Verizon 5G cellular plans) | No one | No one |
| Verizon Fios 1 Gig Read the full review |
940 Mbps | 911 Mbps | 90 dollars | No one | No one |
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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 FCC. 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 5Mbps lets you handle the basics: web browsing, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality video.
- From 5 to 40 Mbps, you can enjoy video streaming and video conferencing with higher quality.
- 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 allow 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 such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
How CNET picked the best ISPs in Syracuse
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 start by researching price, availability and speed information based on our historical data from ISPs, provider locations and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
It doesn't stop 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 the time 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 it comes to 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 also consider real-world speed data from sources like Okla and The FCC reports. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
What's the final word on Syracuse ISPs?
There is a clear winner when it comes to internet in Syracuse. Verizon Fios offers the fastest speeds, the best value, and has the happiest customers. No matter where you live in the country, if Verizon Fios is available, it's almost always the best choice. If you can't get Fios, Spectrum and T-Mobile are both worthy backup options, but each has notable drawbacks — big price hikes for Spectrum and slower speeds for T-Mobile.
Syracuse ISP FAQs
What is the cheapest ISP in Syracuse?
Spectrum, T-Mobile, Verizon Fios and Verizon 5G offer plans starting at $50 ($40 per Spectrum currently), the cheapest options in Syracuse.
What is the best internet service provider in Syracuse?
Verizon Fios is the best ISP for most people in Syracuse. It has symmetrical speeds of up to 940Mbps, no contracts and unlimited data on all plans. T-Mobile Home Internet is another good option, with download speeds of up to 415Mbps and no data caps. Spectrum's cable internet plans are available almost anywhere in the city, but you'll pay a lot once the promotional discounts expire after a year or two.
Is fiber internet available in Syracuse?
Yes, fiber optic internet is available in Syracuse. Verizon Fios offers fiber internet in the city with no contracts or data limits and speeds up to 940/911Mbps.
Which ISP in Syracuse offers the fastest plan?
The fastest Internet plan available in Syracuse is offered by Verizon Fios, with download speeds of 940 Mbps and upload speeds of 911 Mbps. Spectrum also offers a gigabit Internet plan in Syracuse with a speed of 1,000/35Mbps.