What is the best internet provider in Dayton?
CNET recommends AT&T Fiber as the best internet provider in Dayton, Ohio. As the city’s only widely available fiber option, it offers fast speeds, free equipment with every plan and the highest customer satisfaction ratings among local providers.
If AT&T Fiber isn’t available at your address, Spectrum is a solid alternative, with widespread coverage and budget-friendly plans starting at $30 a month — though prices jump after the first year and equipment rental typically adds $10 monthly.
Elsewhere, T-Mobile Home Internet delivers download speeds between 72 and 245Mbps, making it ideal for small to medium-sized households. Plus, T-Mobile guarantees no price hikes.
Best internet in Dayton, Ohio
Dayton internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altafiber | Fiber | $40-$80 | 400-2,000Mbps | $11 (optional) | None | None | N/A |
| AT&T Fiber Read full review |
Fiber | $55-$245 | 300-5,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| AT&T Internet Air Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $60 | Up to 140Mbps | None | 1.5TB on some plans | None | 7.4 |
| Spectrum Read full review |
Cable | $30-$70 | 100-1,000Mbps | $10 (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Dayton?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet Advantage 100 Read full review |
$30 | 100Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| Altafiber Fioptics 600 | $40 | 600Mbps | $11 (optional) |
| Spectrum Internet Premier Read full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| Altafiber Fioptics 1000 | $60 | 1000Mbps | $11 (optional) |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Dayton
The best internet deals and the top promotions in Dayton depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Dayton internet providers, such as Verizon 5G Home Internet, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including AT&T Fiber, Spectrum and T-Mobile Home Internet, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Fastest internet plans in Dayton
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet 5000 Read full review |
$245 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Altafiber Fioptics 2 Gig | $80 | 2,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| AT&T Internet 2000 Read full review |
$145 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Altafiber Fioptics 1 Gig | $60 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| AT&T Internet 1000 Read full review |
$80 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review |
$70 ($45 with eligible mobile plans) | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s 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 videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should give one person sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two people to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more people to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Dayton
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate 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?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
The answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also take into account real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet providers in Dayton FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Dayton?
AT&T Fiber is Dayton’s best internet service provider, offering the best combination of availability, speed and value. Prices start at $55 a month, and all plans have symmetrical upload and download speeds, which is valuable for people who game online and make many video calls.
Is fiber internet available in Dayton?
Yes, fiber internet is available to 53% of Dayton households, according to FCC data. Fiber is primarily offered by AT&T Fiber, but Altafiber also has a fiber presence in neighborhoods on the south side, like Oakwood and Belmont.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Dayton?
Spectrum is the cheapest internet provider in Dayton, with plans starting at $30 a month for 100Mbps download speeds. Prices increase significantly after a year.
Which internet provider in Dayton offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber offers the fastest plan in Dayton, with upload and download speeds up to 5,000Mbps.
