What is the best internet provider in Winston-Salem?
recommends AT&T Fiber as the best internet provider in Winston-Salem. We’ve picked this fiber internet provider as our top pick because it offers the best selection of high-speed plans, including the two fastest options with speeds up to 2,000 megabits per second and 5,000Mbps. The ISP also has the highest customer satisfaction rating of any major internet provider in Winston-Salem. Furthermore, all fiber plans come with free equipment rental, unlimited data and no contract requirements. Prices for fiber plans start at $55 per month and can go up to $245 for the 5-gig plan.
Of course, if you’re looking for a cheaper option than AT&T Fiber, there are other internet service providers out there. Kinetic by Windstream offers the cheapest plan in the area at $25 for 100Mbps, and Spectrum has the second most affordable plans in the region, with service starting at $30 per month for speeds up to 100Mbps.
There are other cheap internet options for those wanting to browse without breaking the bank. Verizon 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile Home Internet both offer reasonable plans, especially if you qualify for their mobile bundle discounts. The plans start at $50 per month (before any discounts) and include equipment and unlimited data at no additional cost.
Winston-Salem internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Read full review |
Fixed wireless, fiber | $60 fixed wireless, $55-$245 fiber | 75-225Mbps DSL, 300-5,000Mbps fiber | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Kinetic | DSL, fiber | $25-$180 | 15-100Mbps DSL, 100-2,000Mbps fiber | $10 (optional) | None | None | 6.7 |
| Spectrum Read full review |
Cable | $30-$70 | 100-1,000Mbps | Free modem, $10 router rental (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 with eligible mobile plans) | 87-415Mbps | 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 |
Show more (0 item)
Source: analysis of provider data.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Winston-Salem?
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet Advantage Read full review |
$30 | 100Mbps | Free modem, $10 router rental (optional) |
| Kinetic 100 | $25 | 100Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| Spectrum Internet Premier Read full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | Free modem, $10 router rental (optional) |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 415Mbps | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | None |
| AT&T Fiber 300 Read full review |
$55 | 300Mbps | None |
Show more (1 item)
Source: analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Winston-Salem
The best internet deals and top promotions in Winston-Salem depend on what discounts are available during a given time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Winston-Salem internet providers, such as AT&T Fiber, may throw in bonus offers such as gift cards or streaming services for a limited time. Most, however, including Spectrum and Kinetic, run the same standard offers year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Fastest internet plans in Winston-Salem
| Plan | 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 |
| AT&T Internet 2000 Read full review |
$145 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| AT&T Internet 1000 Read full review |
$80 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Kinetic 1 Gig | $35 | 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 |
Show more (1 item)
Source: 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, 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 at the same time.
How chose the best internet providers in Winston-Salem
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. So 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 FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t end there. We use 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, 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. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as , Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet providers in Winston-Salem FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Winston-Salem?
AT&T Fiber is the best internet provider in Winston-Salem. A 100% fiber-optic network capable of delivering the fastest upload and download speeds in Winston-Salem, plus simple service terms and a record of high customer satisfaction, make AT&T Fiber the top choice for home internet in the area.
Is fiber internet available in Winston-Salem?
Yes. Approximately 47% of residences in Winston-Salem are eligible for fiber internet service, according to the FCC. Fiber internet is primarily available in the Buena Vista, Waughtown, Ardmore and Reynolda Park areas, though fiber service can be found in select neighborhoods throughout Winston-Salem. AT&T Fiber is the largest fiber internet provider in Winston-Salem, while Kinetic has a small fiber presence, mostly to the northwest.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Winston-Salem?
Kinetic’s 100Mbps plan is the cheapest in Winston-Salem at just $25 per month. Spectrum has the second cheapest internet plan in the area, with service starting at $30 per month for speeds up to 100Mbps. However, Kinetic’s availability is limited in the area, and a $10 equipment rental fee will bring the cost in line with other local providers should you opt to rent a Wi-Fi router.
For those who qualify for a mobile bundle discount, T-Mobile Home Internet or Verizon 5G Home Internet may be the cheapest internet option in Winston-Salem. Both offer eligible mobile customers a $10 to $20 discount on home internet, bringing the monthly cost down to $35 to $55.
Which internet provider in Winston-Salem offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber offers the fastest internet plan in Winston-Salem. AT&T Fiber 5000 advertises symmetrical upload and download speeds up to 5,000Mbps starting at $245 monthly. Other Winston-Salem internet providers, including Spectrum, Kinetic and Verizon 5G Home Internet, top out at 1,000Mbps.
