Best Internet Providers in Baltimore, Maryland for 2025
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, the real-world Speedtest data highlights XFINITY as the fastest recorded internet service provider based on its median download speed of 244 Mbps. This remarkable speed, coupled with their technology and infrastructure commitments, positions XFINITY at the forefront of delivering high-speed internet services in the city.
When it comes to advertised maximum download speeds, XFINITY and Verizon stand out with their promises of up to 2 Gbps and 1 Gbps, respectively. Such advertised speeds only indicate the potential for high-speed internet access, though actual user experiences may vary. Notably, these providers, along with EarthLink Fiber and Astound Broadband Powered by RCN, include fiber as an option, which can often promise faster and more reliable internet connections.
A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps are widely considered fast enough to handle nearly any online activity, from streaming 4K high-definition videos to downloading large files and gaming. The key to selecting the right speed lies in understanding how your network will be used and the cumulative effect of multiple devices connected to it. Faster speeds become essential for those working from home or with multiple users on the same connection, but aren't as important for households that just browse the internet or only have a few devices.
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
- Laurel
- Lexington Park
- Linganore-Bartonsville
- 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, a hustle bustle city known for its busy harbor and rich cultural history, offers its residents a variety of internet options spanning 5G, fiber, cable, DSL, satellite, and fixed wireless types. Providers like XFINITY, Verizon, and EarthLink Fiber, showcase the diversity of internet types available, with fiber being a notable option for Baltimoreans to consider due to its reliability and speed.
Among the available ISPs, XFINITY and Verizon boast the highest availability scores across Baltimore when excluding satellite and fixed wireless providers from the data set due to the different metrics needed to measure these. The two ISPs widespread coverage ensures that a majority of residents have access to high-speed internet connections, particularly those offering fiber, a technology known for high performance.
The average starting price for all providers in Baltimore is $59.54. With plans ranging from as low as $20 to as high as $350, some options are more affordable than this citywide average. Those looking for the most economical plan might consider Astound Broadband Powered by RCN, which starts at a budget-friendly price point of $20/month, though its plans do scale up in price along with speeds to its maximum advertised speed of 1.5 Gbps. It's worth noting that advertised speeds and prices may vary from actual user experiences. When in doubt, check with neighbors to see which ISPs stand out in your specific neighborhood.
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.