Our Top Picks for the Best Internet Providers in San Francisco, CA
Xfinity
As with most metropolitan cities of the US, Xfinity by Comcast is one of the top providers in the Bay Area – San Francisco with speeds of up to 1000 Mbps. Although the company has somewhat pricier plans, it also offers users a selection of low-cost packages. A good example is the starter plan that costs $29.99 per month for 15 Mbps speeds.
Xfinity also has plans without the need to sign up for contracts, though they can cost you an extra $10 per month. This facility is suitable for users who expect to move before 12 months and would want to avoid paying an Early Termination Fee (ETF). The only downside is that customer service ratings are not satisfactory, and that affects popularity. Residents of the city areas off the San Francisco Peninsula up to Sausalito and surrounding locations can get Xfinity internet.
AT&T
AT&T is another of the top-ranking providers in the Bay City comparable to Xfinity. This company also serves most locations where Xfinity is available, and offers great value for money. You can expect 1-gigabit speeds provided over an extensive fiber-optic network. If you prefer more economical packages, you’ll go with the 100 Mbps fiber plan available at $50 per month. Expect to enter into a 12-month contract when signing up to get AT&T internet.
Sonic
Sonic offers users broadband speeds of up to 100 Mbps and is one of the leading companies with affordable internet services. Not only can you avail of 1000 Mbps speeds in specific areas, but the company also offers excellent customer service and consistency. Like Xfinity and AT&T, Sonic also expects you to enter into a 12-month contract with the possibility of incurring an Early Termination Fee (ETF) of $20 for each month remaining on the contract.
If you reside in downtown San Francisco, you can get speeds of up to 25 Mbps which is suitable for two to four users logging on multiple devices simultaneously. Bundled internet plans costing $40 per month are also available. Sonic coverage is available from Fisherman’s Wharf to Lands End to Daly City.
SuddenLink
SuddenLink is another of the smaller ISPs in San Francisco that provides users with affordable internet services with up to 100 Mbps speeds. An added advantage of getting SuddenLink is that the company offers you a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Race Communications
Race Communications is yet another of the local ISPs boasting speeds of 1000 Mbps with friendly customer service and reliability that users appreciate. Race provides connectivity over a fiber-optic network and also has 100 Mbps plans available in specific locations. Pricing structures start at $25 per month for a basic internet plan that includes 25 Mbps speeds. Do keep in mind that Race is not available citywide, so you may want to check for availability in your zip code.
Raw Bandwidth
Raw Bandwidth is ideal for users who are living in the city temporarily or trying different services before finalizing a suitable option. Raw offers you monthly internet plans, so you need not worry about early termination charges. Residents of Potrero Hill, SoMa, and South Beach can avail of 1000 Mbps internet speeds with excellent customer service.Other Providers
San Francisco has several local broadband providers with attractive prices that are available in specific areas only. Here are some of the options you can look at.
- EarthLink offers speeds of up to 1000 Mbps with differing service types.
- Viasat is a satellite internet service offering broadband through satellite links.
- HughesNet is ideal for remote locations not served by other ISPs.
- Etheric Networks provides users with 1-gigabit speeds.
- Sail Internet is notable for 1000 Mbps speeds
Internet Service Providers in San Francisco, CA
San Francisco has the distinction of being a technological, cultural, and economic hub with rapid advancements in various fields. The Bay Area is renowned worldwide for its selection of internet service providers (ISP) that enable innovations. When looking for the best options in the location where you live and work, you’ll compare and evaluate price points, speeds, efficient customer service, and reliability. But, considering that San Francisco is a tech-savvy city, you’re likely to find some great options. As for coverage, most of the town has access to super fast 1000 Mbps internet speeds. These areas include Berkeley, South San Francisco, Daly City, and Oakland.
How to Choose the Best Internet Speeds in San Francisco, CA
Subscribing to a fast 1-gigabit internet service, undoubtedly, has its advantages, but it is expensive. If you need internet for a household or roommate situation with five to seven members, internet speeds of 20 Mbps to 400 Mbps are adequate for streaming HD movies and videos, gaming, and surfing the web – on multiple devices simultaneously. A small business establishment will also find that these speeds are sufficient, so you won’t need to invest in high-speed internet. Several online tools are available that allow you to measure internet speeds to find the one that works best for you – at economical prices. Here are some of the options to check.
Frequently asked questions
Most internet providers in the U.S., and San Francisco in particular, require you to sign a 12 or 24-month contract. The list of such providers includes but is not limited to AT&T, Viasat, and Suddenlink. However, Xfinity has no-contract plans that are only slightly pricier than contract options. For instance, fiber gigabit internet is priced at $84.99 with a contract and $104.99 without it.
The cost of internet in rural areas may be frustrating, especially if you consider the difference in speeds between satellite and fiber internet. The reason for this is extremely expensive hardware. Unsurprisingly, satellites require large investments for them to be built and launched into space. This, in turn, affects the final cost of satellite bandwidth. Furthermore, the signal must travel for thousands of miles to get from the satellite to your device, as opposed to a signal going through regular cables.
Fiber gigabit internet is widely available in San Francisco and surrounding areas. It’s offered by AT&T, Xfinity, Suddenlink, and several other providers. However, you should check with each provider individually as to whether they provide the service in your area.