Best Internet Providers in Appleton, Wisconsin

What is the best internet provider in Appleton?

TDS Telecom offers fast fiber speeds at competitive introductory prices, making it the top internet service provider for many in Appleton. For those who aren't in a TDS service area, Spectrum or AT&T are reliable alternatives.

That said, if you're on the lookout for the lowest prices or the speediest of speeds for your ISP, our CNET experts have highlighted the very best options for you to take advantage of. The cheapest internet in Appleton is Spectrum's 100Mbps cable connection for $30 monthly. Another solid option is TDS Telecom's 300Mbps fiber plan, which starts at $50 per month. That price is reasonable for two years. Appleton's fastest internet speed is the 8,000Mbps fiber plan from TDS for $295 monthly. TDS has plenty of other speed tiers, offering 600Mbps and 1,000Mbps.

Best internet in Appleton, Wisconsin

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Other available internet providers in Appleton

• AT&T Internet:AT&T no longer offers DSL services, but don't fret: AT&T Internet Air is a fixed wireless connection offering up to 225Mbps at $55 monthly. Plans are simple: no data restrictions and no contracts. If cable and fiber are not available at your address, then this might be worth a look.
• Bertram Internet: Fixed wireless internet may be an option for homes in rural areas around Appleton. Bertram specializes in rural connections where fiber, cable or DSL don't reach. Prices start at $60 per month. For specifics on available plans and speeds for your address, you'll need to contact Bertram. Customers can choose either a no-contract or a one to two-year term agreement, depending on their chosen plan. Here's how fixed wireless compares to other internet connection types.
• Satellite internet:  If you're in a remote spot and have exhausted other internet options, check into satellite from Starlink, Viasat or Hughesnet. Pricing can be high, and you may not be able to get great speeds, but it's worth looking into when cable, fiber, DSL or fixed wireless don't work out at your home.
• Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband coverage across Appleton is strong north of the Fox River but slightly patchier to the south. As an ISP, Verizon delivers up to a gig speed in some cities in the country, but you'll hit 300Mbps as the limit in Appleton. There are two plans to choose from: 5G Home with a max of 100Mbps downloads for $50 a month or 5G Home Plus with a max of 300Mbps downloads for $70 per month. Bundle with an eligible phone plan to lower those home internet prices to $35 or $45 per month. There are no data caps, contracts or equipment fees. 

Cheap internet options in Appleton

Spectrum makes a splash with its affordable $30 a month 100Mbps cable plan. Pricing is good for 12 months. The current standard price for that plan is $50 a month. TDS Telecom is the next closest competitor with a $50-a-month 300Mbps fiber plan. Provide your own router to avoid the optional $12-a-month equipment rental. The two ISPs have Appleton well covered, so you'll have access to cheaper plans than many providers' typical $50 to $55 starting points.

What's the cheapest internet plan in Appleton?

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

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How to find internet deals and promotions in Appleton

The best internet deals and top promotions in Appleton depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers. 

Appleton internet providers, such as Spectrum, T-Mobile Home Internet and TDS Telecom, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, others, including AT&T Fiber, run the same standard pricing year-round. 

For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals. 

How fast is Appleton broadband?

With fast fiber options and the widespread availability of Spectrum’s gig plan, Appleton tends to fare well in speed tests. A recent Oookla report (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis) shows the city pulling down a 285Mbps fixed median download speed. That’s slightly slower than the 306Mbps of nearby Green Bay. Titletown has a similar selection of ISPs. Your home’s speed test performance may vary depending on your ISP, the plan you’ve chosen, your Wi-Fi equipment, and whether network congestion comes into play. Overall, Appleton residents can access fast, sometimes super-fast, internet all across town.

Fastest internet plans in Appleton

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 Appleton

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it's impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. So what's our approach? We tap into a proprietary pricing, availability and speed information database that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov. 

But 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 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? 

While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though 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 consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.

To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.

What’s the final word on internet providers in Appleton?

Fiber is the pinnacle of home internet in Appleton. That means either TDS Telecom or, in some scattered areas, AT&T Fiber. If you work with big files, are a hard-core gamer or have a lot of internet users in your household, check into the multi-gig fiber plans. If budget is a concern, Spectrum's 100Mbps plan is a good deal for the first 12 months for those who have access. If cable or fiber doesn’t reach your home, you’ll be looking at fixed wireless options. T-Mobile or Verizon can be a functional alternative that’s more attractive when you bundle it with a phone plan for added savings.

Internet providers in Appleton FAQs