[TECH AND FINANCIAL]
What is the best internet provider in Portland?
Xfinity is CNET’s top recommendation for those looking for the best internet provider in Portland. We picked it because it covers over 99% of the city and offers flexible plans that don’t come with pesky contracts. If you’re among the few households that isn’t covered by Xfinity, don’t worry. Quantum Fiber, Starlink and T-Mobile are all solid alternatives. You can also consider cheaper options like Ziply Fiber.
For just $40 monthly, Xfinity Connect offers speeds up to 400Mbps, while Ziply Fiber has a 100Mbps plan for $20, which is officially the cheapest in the area. If you have a need for speed, both Ziply Fiber and Xfinity offer 2,000Mbps plans, and select neighborhoods also get Quantum Fiber’s 8-gig plan. If you’re looking to bundle internet with TV, you can opt for options from ISPs like Xfinity and Astound Broadband, plus they have speeds exceeding one gigabit.
Portland internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astound Broadband Read full review |
Cable | $20 | 300-1,000Mbps | None | Varies; 500GB-1TB or unlimited | None | 7 |
| CenturyLink Read full review |
DSL | $55 | 10-100Mbps | $15 modem | None | None | 6.7 |
| Quantum Fiber | Fiber | $30-$165 | 200-8,000Mbps (varies by location) | None | None | None | 6.7 |
| Starlink Read full review |
Satellite | $120 | 25-220Mbps | $249 one-time purchase | 40GB-5TB on some plans | None | 6.5 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 for eligible mobile customers) | 87-415Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 for eligible mobile customers) | 50-1,000Mbps (varies by location) | None | None | None | 7.2 |
| Xfinity Read full review |
Cable/Fiber | $40-$90 | 400-2,000Mbps | $15-$25 (included in most plans) | 1.2TB for some plans | 1 year for some plans | 7 |
| Ziply Fiber | Fiber | $20-$70 | 100-2,000Mbps | $15 | None | None | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Portland
The best internet deals and top promotions in Portland depend on the available discounts. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Portland internet providers, such as Xfinity, Starlink and Astound Broadband, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including CenturyLink, Quantum Fiber and Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide to the best internet deals.
How fast is Portland broadband?
Portland’s ISPs offer speeds ranging from 20Mbps to 50,000Mbps, despite the city’s ranking 81st for internet speeds among the 100 most populated cities in the US. A recent report published by Ookla shows that Xfinity has the fastest median data speed in Portland, coming in at around 254Mbps. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.) Yet Ziply Fiber offers several of the fastest plans: 2,000Mbps for $70 monthly.
Fastest internet plans in Portland
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Internet providers in popular cities near Portland
See all results for internet providers in Oregon.
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 user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming all at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Portland
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. What’s our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary database of pricing, availability and speed information that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data 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 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 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 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 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 Portland?
When choosing an internet service provider, you’re always better off choosing fiber internet over all other options if it’s available. Ziply Fiber and CenturyLink offer the best fiber internet plans in Portland. If fiber is unavailable in your neighborhood, cable internet or 5G fixed wireless providers offer fast and reliable connections. Just steer clear of data caps or any binding long-term contracts.
Internet providers in Portland FAQ
What is the cheapest internet provider in Portland?
Ziply Fiber’s 100Mbps plan is $20 a month with no contract. Astound Broadband has a $20 plan that offers 300Mbps. Also, Xfinity offers a base plan for $40, reaching up to 400Mbps.
Is fiber internet service available in Portland?
Yes. Most households in Portland will have access to fiber connectivity, the best internet connection you can get. Quantum Fiber, Ziply Fiber and (in some areas) Xfinity’s fiber service are Portland’s top ISPs offering fiber internet.
Which internet provider in Portland offers the fastest plan?
In some areas you can get 8,000Mbps with Quantum Fiber, but the availability is limited. Xfinity and Ziply both offer 2,000Mbps speeds in Portland and are priced at $90 and $70 a month, respectively.
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