Best Internet Providers in Baltimore, Maryland for 2024
Compare the Best Internet Service Providers in Baltimore, MD
Not all plans are available in all areas. Provider plan, availability, and speed tier data provided by BroadbandNow.com. Speedtest real-world data is only present where sample size has reached significance within a region. Additionally, averages may include aggregated tests across multiple Internet Types (Fiber, DSL, Cable, etc.).
At Speedtest, we pride ourselves on delivering accurate and credible data that serves as the foundation of our ISP recommendations. This data is gathered from millions of global users who perform Speedtests, ensuring that our insights into ISP performance are not only reliable but also reflect the most current trends. This enables us to offer a clear, unbiased view of ISP performance benchmarks.
Key metrics for evaluating an ISP include download speed, upload speed, and latency. Download speed is crucial for streaming and downloading content, upload speed is important for uploading content and online interactions, and latency affects online gaming and video calls.
The technology underpinning your ISP is crucial in shaping the quality of your online experiences. Fiber optics, for instance, generally deliver the fastest speeds, catering well to high-demand online activities. Cable internet, more readily available, tends to offer commendable download speeds, though upload speeds might not match up. DSL technology, delivering moderate speeds, is adequate for basic web browsing and streaming, whereas satellite internet, often the sole option in remote locations, usually exhibits higher latency and slower speeds.
How Much Speed Do I Need?
Download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 10 Mbps are widely considered fast enough to handle nearly any online activity. A quick guide to what speeds you need for different online activities is below, and you can read our full guide to internet speeds and performance for more information. Keep in mind that the numbers below are the bare minimum for one device at a time. If you’re trying to use multiple devices on a network at the same time, you’ll want higher speeds.
0–5 Mbps (Slow)
- Stream SD video
- Connect on Slack
- Use Microsoft Teams
- Write and read email
- Scroll social media
- General web browsing
5–20 Mbps (Better)
- Stream HD video at 1080p
20–40 Mbps (Solid)
- Stream 4K video
- Play games online
40–100 Mbps (Good)
- Stream HD games
100+ Mbps (Fast)
- Engage in multi-player gaming
- Download huge files
1+ Gbps (Very fast)
- Do anything you want on multiple devices
ISP Speeds in Baltimore, MD
In Baltimore, Maryland, XFINITY stands out as the fastest internet service provider based on our exclusive Speedtest data, boasting the city's highest recorded median download speeds at 221.41 Mbps. This figure showcases XFINITY's capability to offer fast and reliable internet services to its residents.
When examining the fastest ISPs through the lens of the providers' advertised maximum download speeds, XFINITY leads the way, offering max download speeds up to 2,000 Mbps. Verizon and Believe Wireless Broadband also impressed, each promising up to 1,000 Mbps, with Verizon offering Fiber as part of its service. However, it's essential for consumers to be aware that there might be differences between advertised and actual speeds.
A useful guideline suggests that download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps should suffice for most online endeavors. With 100 Mbps, streaming 4K Ultra-HD videos, downloading hefty files, or enjoying high-definition gaming on various devices concurrently should become effortless. Your household’s internet demands can significantly influence your actual speeds, especially with the escalating number of devices vying for connectivity. Consequently, placing importance on the bandwidth your lifestyle necessitates is paramount for an optimal online experience.
Baltimore Fixed Speeds
Download Mbps
Median download speed
Upload Mbps
Median upload speed
Latency ms
Median latency
To be added to this list for mobile or fixed broadband, 75% of a city's monthly unique user totals over a 13-month period must have a minimum of 200 monthly unique user results. To be updated for mobile or fixed broadband, 75% of a city's monthly unique user totals over a 13-month period must have a minimum of 100 monthly unique user results.
An operator or ISP must account for 3% or more of total test samples in the market to be on this list. We display data if at least two operators or ISPs meet this threshold in a designated region or city.
Internet Providers in Nearby Cities
- Aberdeen
- Adelphi
- Annapolis
- Arnold
- Aspen Hill
- Ballenger Creek
- Baltimore
- Bel Air North
- Bel Air South
- Beltsville
- Bennsville
- Bethesda
- Bowie
- Cambridge
- Carney
- Catonsville
- Chevy Chase
- Chillum
- Clarksburg
- Clarksville
- Clinton
- Cloverly
- Cockeysville
- Colesville
- College Park
- Columbia
- Crofton
- Cumberland
- Damascus
- Dundalk
- Easton
- Eldersburg
- Elkridge
- Elkton
- Ellicott City
- Essex
- Fort Meade
- Fort Washington
- Frederick
- Friendly
- Gaithersburg
- Germantown
- Glen Burnie
- Great Mills
- Greater Landover
- Greenbelt
- Hagerstown
- Halethorpe
- Havre de Grace
- Hollywood
- Kemp Mill
- Laurel
- Lexington Park
- Linganore-Bartonsville
- Lochearn
- Lutherville-Timonium
- Middle River
- Milford Mill
- Montgomery Village
- North Bethesda
- North Kensington
- North Laurel
- North Potomac
- Ocean City
- Odenton
- Olney
- Owings Mills
- Parkville
- Parole
- Pasadena
- Perry Hall
- Pikesville
- Potomac
- Randallstown
- Redland
- Reisterstown
- Rockville
- Saint Charles
- Salisbury
- Seabrook
- Severn
- Severna Park
- Silver Spring
- Towson
- Travilah
- Urbana
- Waldorf
- Westminster
- Wheaton-Glenmont
- White Marsh
Home Internet in Baltimore
Baltimore residents have a variety of internet types at their disposal, including Fiber, DSL, 5G Internet, Cable, Satellite, and Fixed Wireless, offering a diverse range of options to suit different needs and preferences.
Among the ISPs, Viasat Internet, HughesNet, and Starliink offer nearly 100% coverage across the city with their satellite offerings, while XFINITY provides coverage of 97.45% with its Cable internet. Another notable provider, Verizon, covers over half of the city with its Fiber, DSL, and 5G Internet services. When selecting an internet provider, residents should consider coverage, internet type, and how the advertised maximum speeds align with their usage needs.
It's important for consumers to remember that a provider's advertised maximum speeds might not always match the real-world speeds experienced by users. Various factors, including network congestion and the quality of in-home equipment, can affect actual internet performance.
How we test the speed of ISPs
Speedtest is the definitive way to test the performance and quality of an internet connection. Millions of users like you use Speedtest.net and our Android and iOS apps every day to test internet performance (including bandwidth, latency, coverage, video metrics, and more) in real world situations. We then use rigorous scientific approaches to aggregate and anonymize those results to empower people like you with content like this so you can understand and optimize your internet experience.
The data found within has not been subjected to the rigorous Speedtest marketing claims and data methodology, and therefore cannot be used in commercial applications. Additionally, promised speeds and plans offered are always subject to change.
How to test your internet speed
Speedtest can help you test the speed and overall performance of your internet for free from any device. Click here to open a new page and take a Speedtest. You can then compare your results with what you’ve learned about internet performance near you. If you aren’t getting the results you expect, you can either use this guide to use your Speedtest results to talk to your internet provider or you can shop for a new provider.