Fast, reliable, and affordable internet is essential for most households. To achieve this, you need to choose an ISP that can provide you with a stable internet connection without signal buffering or drops. We’ve done a lot of research to outline the best internet in the area. Des Moines Recommendations, Mediacom.
Internet options in the city are rapidly increasing. Metronet We brought fiber optic internet to the city for the first time in fall 2022 and continue to bring symmetrical multi-giga speeds (equal upload and download speeds) to more neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Google Fiber is currently building a network to serve the Des Moines area.
According to Ookla data for April 2024median fixed broadband download speeds in the United States were 268 megabits per second for download speeds and 40 Mbps for upload speeds. (Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, the same parent company as CNET.) Considering the national average, having access to multi-gig internet in Des Moines is a big plus for residents.
Best internet options in Des Moines
Here are some of the best internet providers in Des Moines. What we evaluate is best internet provider Determined based on availability, price, and plan speed.
Note: Prices, speeds, and features detailed in the article body may differ from those listed on the product details card representing the provider’s national offering. Specific internet service options, including prices and speeds, vary by address and may differ from those detailed here.
Des Moines Internet Provider Comparison
| provider | internet technology | Monthly price range | speed range | Monthly equipment costs | data limit | contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| century link Read the full review |
DSL/Fiber | $55-$75 | 100-940Mbps | $15 (optional) | none | none | 6.7 |
| fuse net Read the full review |
satellite | $50-$125 | 25Mbps | One-time purchase of $15 or $450 | 15-100GB | 2 years | 5.7 |
| media com Read the full review |
cable | $15-$60 | 100～1,000Mbps | $14 | 400GB – unlimited | none | 6.4 |
| Metronet Read the full review |
fiber | $35-$110 | 150-5,000Mbps | $15 (optional) | none | none | 6.9 |
| The rise of broadband Read the full review |
fixed wireless | $35-$70 | 25-250Mbps | 12 | 250GB; Not available on some plans | none | 6.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
fixed wireless | $50 to $70 ($35 to $55 on eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | none | none | none | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
fixed wireless | $50 to $70 ($35 to $45 on eligible mobile plans) | 85-1,000Mbps | none | none | none | 7.2 |
See more (3 results)
buy provider with my address
All residential internet providers available in Des Moines
The list above shows the top internet providers available in Des Moines. There are several other options in this area, but you should check with your provider to see if they are available in your address.
- century link: Also known as quantum fiber in some areas, CenturyLink has fiber and DSL options. Fiber-optic internet service is a highlight, as you can get up to 940Mbps for a reasonable price of $75 per month. Data is unlimited, no annual contract is required, and the modem comes with a Gigabit fiber plan.
- The rise of broadband: This fixed wireless option starts at $35 per month. Most plans have a data cap of 250 GB, but there are also unlimited data options. No fixed term contract is required for the service.
- satellite internet: This type of internet connection is slower and often more expensive, so it tends to be a better choice in rural areas where there are no other options. fuse net Low starting prices make us the first name mentioned in the Des Moines area. Viasat Starting prices start at around $70 per month, but also include higher data allowances. star link is a new player in the satellite internet space and is a bit intriguing due to its fast speeds and no contract requirements. However, the high initial cost of nearly $600 for the equipment is enough to give you pause.
- US Cellular: Another fixed wireless option is a $50/month plan with AutoPay and paperless billing. There’s a $30/month promotion when you combine your home internet with new mobile service.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon has fixed wireless home internet options. Pricing is $50 per month for 85-300Mbps and $70 per month for 300-1,000Mbps. Both plans have no equipment fees, data caps, or contracts. Additionally, Verizon Wireless customers can receive 50% off their monthly bill when home internet is bundled with select mobile plans.
Des Moines Home Internet Service Pricing Information
Starting prices in cities where CNET has broadband coverage vary between $36 and $50. The average starting price in Des Moines is around $44, but it’s not as cheap as Des Moines. brooklyn ($36 per month), Los Angeles ($38/month) or denver ($39 per month), but does not reach the following ranges: charlotte, las vegas or st louis (about $50 per month).
Cheap Internet Options in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area
The lowest starting price in Des Moines is $15 per month for Mediacom’s Xstream Connect 100Mbps plan. CenturyLink offers a slightly better deal with a 100Mbps plan for $55 per month. Mediacom is currently worth more overall.
What are the cheapest internet plans in Des Moines?
| provider | starting price | maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee | contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediacom Xstream Connect Read the full review |
$15 | 100Mbps | $14 | none |
| Metronet Read the full review |
$35 | 150Mbps | $15 (optional) | none |
| The rise of broadband Read the full review |
$35 | 50Mbps | $12 | none |
| US Cellular | $50 | 100Mbps | One-time purchase of a router for $14 or $400 | 3 years |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible phone plan) | 300Mbps | none | none |
| fuse net Read the full review |
$50 | 25Mbps | One-time purchase of $15 or $450 | 2 years |
| century link Read the full review |
$55 | 100Mbps | $15 | none |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 on eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | none | none |
See more (4 results)
buy provider with my address
Fastest Internet Provider in Des Moines
You’ll find several internet providers in Des Moines that offer gigabit speeds and above. This includes CenturyLink, Mediacom, and Metronet. However, according to Ookla data for February 2024; Median download speed in Des Moines is just over 303MbpsThis would put the city among the top 15 cities in the United States.
have a considerable number high speed internet Des Moines Options. Metronet goes up to 5 gigs, CenturyLink and Mediacom go up to 1 gig. To see how this compares to providers in other cities, check out our guide to the best providers. multi giga internet plan.
What is the fastest internet plan in Des Moines?
See more (1 results)
buy provider with my address
What are your final thoughts on Internet providers in Des Moines?
If you need speeds above 1 Gig, you have several options. Generally, ISP plans can also be customized to suit a wide range of budgets. If you’re looking for symmetrical download and upload speeds and multi-gigabit speeds, Metronet is the way to go. But for mid-range speeds at a decent starting price, Mediacom’s cable internet will meet the needs of most households.
How CNET chooses the best internet providers in Des Moines
There are many Internet service providers and they vary by region. Unlike modern smartphones, laptops, routers, and kitchen tools, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a particular city. So what is our approach? First, we research pricing, availability, and speed information based on our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission. FCC.gov.
But that’s not the end. We go to the FCC’s website and check the data to make sure we’re considering all ISPs that serve an area. Also, enter your local address on the provider’s website to find specific options for residents. To assess customer satisfaction with an ISP’s services, look at sources such as the U.S. Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power. ISP plans and prices may change frequently. All information provided is accurate at the time of publication.
Once you have this localized information, ask three main questions:
- Does your provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are customers getting value for their money?
- Are your customers satisfied with your service?
The answers to these questions are often layered and complex, but the provider that comes closest to a “yes” to all three is recommended.
To find out more about our process, please visit our How We Test ISPs page.
Des Moines Internet Provider Frequently Asked Questions
Is fiber internet available in Des Moines?
yes. Des Moines residents have several fiber optic internet options available. CenturyLink and Metronet cover the Des Moines area with fiber internet, but CenturyLink only offers DSL options in some locations. Metronet is a fairly new service in the area, so you’ll need to check your address with your ISP to see if it’s available in your home.
See more
Which internet provider offers the fastest plans in Des Moines?
The fastest plan currently offered is from Metronet, with speeds of 5 gigs. It’s also worth noting that Google Fiber is expanding to Des Moines, starting construction in the fall of 2022. West Des Moines residents are already using Google Fiber. This service offers download speeds of up to 2 gigs.
See more
Which is better: Metronet or Mediacom?
Metronet and Mediacom offer gigabit speed plans, but only Metronet offers multi-gigabit plans. However, Mediacom tends to be more expensive. ISP Metronet doesn’t have data caps on its cheapest and most expensive plans, but it boasts unlimited data on all its plans, making it more value for money.
See more
