Best Internet Providers in San Diego, California for 2026
Compare the Best Internet Service Providers in San Diego, CA
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in San Diego, California, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in San Diego, California, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | 345.40 | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | 286.03 | Mbps |
| Latency | 15 | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in San Diego, California, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | 341.83 | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | 22.62 | Mbps |
| Latency | 25 | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in San Diego, California, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | 296.76 | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | 55.61 | Mbps |
| Latency | 23 | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in San Diego, California, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in San Diego, California, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in San Diego, California, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in San Diego, California, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in San Diego, California, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in San Diego, California, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
Speedtest aggregates all of the millions of daily tests across our website and apps by users just like you. We’ve filtered those tests down to those taken in San Diego, California, to give you a real sense of what performance is like across the top providers, and to help you make a more informed ISP decision.
| Download | - | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | - | Mbps |
| Latency | - | ms |
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.).
San Diego strikes a balance that few cities can match. The city hosts near-perfect weather, a thriving food scene, and easy access to the ocean, desert, and mountains, all wrapped in a laid-back culture that still gets things done. Yes, slow traffic and high housing costs are part of the deal, but most residents see them as the price of admission for life in a place that feels like a permanent vacation.
Even so, sunshine alone doesn't keep things running. Reliable internet is essential for working remotely, streaming, gaming, and staying in touch across San Diego's sprawling neighborhoods. So who provides the fastest connections in America's Finest City? According to Speedtest data from January through June 2025, AT&T Fiber holds the lead within the city with median download speeds of 343.52 Mbps, followed by Spectrum at 300.23 Mbps and Cox at 279.74 Mbps. Across the city, fixed connections average 300.86 Mbps down, enough for households to handle streaming, gaming, and remote work on multiple devices.
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 San Diego, CA
The average starting price for internet in San Diego is $46.13 per month, based on entry-level plans from major providers such as Cox ($30), Spectrum ($30), AT&T Fiber ($42), and 5G home internet options from Verizon and T-Mobile ($50). Prices can increase sharply for higher-speed or bundled plans, but basic packages offer decent value for individual users and smaller households.
Top Internet Providers in San Diego
Here are the largest internet providers in San Diego based on coverage, speed, and consumer value.
AT&T Fiber
- Type: Fiber, IPBB, 5G Internet
- Max speeds: Up to 5,000 Mbps symmetrical
- Best for: Households needing high upload speeds for work or creative projects
- Availability: 95%
- Price range: $42-$194/month
AT&T Fiber dominates in both coverage and performance, leading with real-world median speeds of 343.52 Mbps down and 247.79 Mbps up. Fiber connections are widely available in central and northern neighborhoods, while some southern areas may still rely on AT&T's IPBB service.
Cox
- Type: Cable, Fiber
- Max speeds: Up to 2,000 Mbps symmetrical
- Best for: Balanced performance with strong cable infrastructure
- Availability: 66%
- Price range: $50-$150/month
Cox is a major player across San Diego County, combining cable and limited fiber availability. Median speeds reach 279.74 Mbps down and 52.01 Mbps up, making it a dependable choice for multi-user households and remote workers alike.
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- Type: 5G Internet
- Max speeds: Up to 415 Mbps download / 56 Mbps upload
- Best for: Renters or mobile households wanting simple setup
- Availability: 55%
- Price range: $50-$70/month
T-Mobile's 5G Home Internet offers a plug-and-play alternative to wired service. Performance can vary based on signal strength and network congestion, so speeds aren't guaranteed at a given address. Plans are straightforward, include equipment, and don't require annual contracts, which makes T-Mobile a practical option where 5G coverage is strong or wired choices are limited.
Spectrum
- Type: Cable
- Max speeds: Up to 1,000 Mbps download / 35 Mbps upload
- Best for: Households prioritizing affordability and coverage
- Availability: 50%
- Price range: $30-$70/month
Spectrum's affordable entry tiers and consistent download speeds (300.23 Mbps median) make it an appealing option for families. While upload speeds (20.25 Mbps median) and latency (25 ms median) are lower than fiber competitors, Spectrum offers broad accessibility and no data caps on most plans.
EarthLink 5G Home Internet
- Type: 5G Internet
- Max speeds: Up to 100 Mbps download / 20 Mbps upload
- Best for: Flexible, no-contract wireless internet
- Availability: ~46%
- Price range: $39.95-$49.95/month
EarthLink's 5G Home Internet is a solid alternative for those outside fiber or cable zones. It uses the same underlying networks as major carriers but provides additional customer support and transparent pricing.
Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Type: 5G Internet
- Max speeds: Up to 1,000 Mbps download / 75 Mbps upload
- Best for: Mobile-first users seeking fast, no-cable setups
- Availability: 33%
- Price range: $50-$75/month
Verizon's 5G Home Internet performs best in lower-density areas with strong signal coverage. It's ideal for renters or smaller households that don't need wired connections, though speeds can fluctuate during peak hours.
San Diego Broadband
- Type: Fixed Wireless
- Max speeds: Up to 500 Mbps download / 100 Mbps upload
- Best for: Homes without wired infrastructure or in hilly areas
- Availability: 20%
- Price range: $59.95-$119.95/month
San Diego 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
California
Home Internet in San Diego
Who has the fastest internet in San Diego?
AT&T Fiber provides the fastest speeds in San Diego, with a median download speed of 343.52 Mbps, based on Speedtest data.
Who offers the cheapest internet plans in San Diego?
Spectrum and Cox both offer entry-level plans starting around $30 per month, though rates may rise after the first year.
Is fiber internet available in San Diego?
AT&T Fiber offers extensive coverage across most of the city (95%), while Cox provides limited fiber availability in select areas (66% overall coverage).
Where can I find free Wi-Fi in San Diego?
The City of San Diego provides access to free public WiFi at more than 300 locations including libraries and parks and recreation facilities as well as at bus stops in the San Diego Promise Zone. More information about the program can be found here.
Speedtest TL;DR
San Diego's internet landscape mirrors its lifestyle: fast, reliable, and flexible for how people live and work. AT&T Fiber tops the charts for speed (343.52 Mbps median download) and coverage (95%), and will likely be the go-to ISP for many people in the city, followed by Spectrum (300.23 Mbps median download) and Cox (279.74 Mbps median download). Meanwhile, 5G and fixed wireless options fill in the gaps for renters, coastal residents, and suburban households. San Diegans can count on a solid mix of high-speed options to stay connected, from within beachside studios to inland homes.
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.