Choosing the best internet providers in California can feel overwhelming. With so many options – from big national brands to local fiber companies – how do you know who really offers the best service for your needs?

In this friendly guide, we’ll break down the top internet service providers (ISPs) in California and what they offer.

From Northern California hubs like Chico and Yuba City, through the Central Valley’s Colusa and Sutter Counties, all the way down to Southern California spots including Desert Hot Springs, Lancaster, and Ridgecrest, we’ll show you who’s delivering the best internet in 2025.

What to expect in this guide:

A quick list of California’s major ISPs and their pros/cons
A side-by-side comparison table of plans, speeds, prices, and extra fees
Honest insights on misleading marketing tactics (so you won’t be caught off guard by promo rates or data caps)
Handy tips and a free “ISP cheat sheet” you can download to compare providers at a glance

Let’s dive in and find you the best ISP in California for 2025!

👉 Check your address now to see if Race Communications is available in your area.

1. Race Communications

If you’re looking for the best internet provider in California, Race Communications is hard to beat. Unlike many big-name ISPs, Race is a local company focused on bringing fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) to communities across California, even in places larger providers often overlook.

What you get with Race:

Symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps. Perfect for streaming, gaming, video calls, and working from home, all at once, on multiple devices.
Transparent pricing. Fiber internet plans start at just $44.95 per month, and home phone is $10.
Free installation and equipment. Every plan includes professional installation and a premium-quality GigaSpire router at no extra cost.
No data caps or contracts. Browse, stream, and game as much as you want without worrying about limits, overage charges, or early termination fees.
Race CommandIQ®. A complementary mobile app helps you manage your home Wi-Fi from your phone with easy parental controls, device monitoring, and built‑in cybersecurity that blocks threats automatically.
Local customer support from real people right here in California, not outsourced call centers.

Race Communications offers flexible plans for different needs:

Internet 300 – $44.95 → Perfect for smaller households and everyday streaming.

Internet 500 – $59.90 → A balanced choice for families with multiple devices online at once.

Gigabit Internet – $69.90 → Ideal for gamers, professionals, and busy households that need top speeds.

10 Gigabit Internet – $129.95 → For power users and businesses that want the fastest residential internet available today.

Race Communications is a California‑grown company on a mission to bridge the digital divide. We bring true fiber‑to‑the‑home to rural and underserved communities, working hand‑in‑hand with local leaders, chambers of commerce, and residents to make high‑speed internet accessible for everyone.

Our team is made up of Californians, too. We hire local technicians and support staff who understand your community and your needs. Beyond reliable fiber internet, every Race plan includes built‑in cybersecurity, expert help finding the best router placement in your home, and a premium Wi‑Fi experience that rivals national providers — often at a lower cost.

With transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and support you can actually count on, it’s no wonder more families and businesses are making the switch to Race.

2. AT&T Internet

AT&T is one of the largest internet providers in California, with a mix of technologies depending on where you live. In many cities and suburbs, AT&T Fiber delivers ultra-fast, reliable service with no data caps.

However, if fiber hasn’t reached your area yet, you may only be offered DSL or AT&T Air (5G home internet), which can be slower and less reliable.

What you get with AT&T:

Up to 5 Gbps speeds on fiber. Excellent for streaming in 4K, heavy gaming, and working from home.
No data caps on fiber plans. Unlimited browsing, gaming, and streaming without limits.
AT&T Smart Home Manager app. Manage your Wi-Fi, set screen time limits, and keep your network secure.
No contracts required. Stay flexible with month-to-month service.

AT&T Fiber pricing:

500 Mbps – $65/month

1 Gbps – $80/month

2 Gbps – $145/month

5 Gbps – $245/month

If you’re offered AT&T Air (5G; $60/month) instead of fiber, speeds are often much lower, and performance can vary depending on your signal strength and network congestion.

In California, AT&T Fiber is available in communities like Chico, Chowchilla, Lodi, Marysville, Merced, Olivehurst, Palmdale, Porterville, and Tulare. In these areas, fiber delivers excellent reliability and speed.

However, many communities only have access to AT&T Air (5G home internet) — including Colusa, Farmersville, Golden Hills, Lancaster, Mojave, Nevada City, Ridgecrest, Sutter, Tehachapi, Turlock, and Yuba City.

While AT&T Air can be a good option where fiber isn’t built yet, performance can vary depending on location, terrain, and network congestion.

👉 Further reading: Race Communications vs. AT&T Fiber: Which Fiber Internet Provider Should You Choose?

3. Spectrum

Spectrum is one of the largest cable internet providers in California, covering both big cities and smaller towns. Many families choose Spectrum because it’s widely available and doesn’t come with data caps — which means you can stream, game, and work without worrying about overage fees.

What you get with Spectrum:

Up to 1 Gbps download speeds. Great for households that stream, work remotely, and game online.
Upload speeds are much lower — often under 35 Mbps. Video calls, file uploads, and gaming may not run as smoothly as with fiber providers.
No contracts and no data caps. Change plans or providers without early termination fees.
Self-installation costs $30. Professional install fee is $65.
Router rental is $10/month. Unless you bring your own router.

Spectrum plans and pricing:

100 Mbps – $30/month (entry plan; may not meet new FCC speed standards)

500 Mbps – $40 to $50/month

1 Gbps – $70/month

When it comes to Spectrum, the advertised price is rarely the price you actually pay. Their Wi-Fi router costs an extra $10 every month, adding up to $120 a year unless you bring your own.

Installation isn’t free either — self-installation runs $30, while professional installation costs $65.

And perhaps the biggest sting comes after the first year or two, when Spectrum’s so-called “introductory rates” expire and your bill jumps by $20 to $30 a month. Over time, these hidden costs make Spectrum far more expensive than it first appears.

Spectrum is available in communities like Desert Hot Springs, Farmersville, Lancaster, Palmdale, Phelan, Porterville, and Tehachapi. In many of these areas, if fiber service isn’t available at your address, Spectrum is often the only high‑speed option left.

This lack of alternatives is a big reason so many households end up with Spectrum, even though the long‑term costs and slower upload speeds leave much to be desired.

👉 Further reading: Race Communications vs. Spectrum: Which Internet Provider Should You Choose?

4. unWired Broadband

unWired Broadband is a Fresno‑based provider focused on bringing internet to rural and semi‑rural parts of California that larger companies often skip.

Their service is delivered via fixed wireless technology, which uses radio signals from towers to connect a small antenna at your home.

More recently, they launched NextGen Fiber, a fiber‑to‑the‑home brand available in select Central Valley cities.

unWired Broadband plans and pricing:

unWired Broadband (fixed wireless)

400 Mbps – $149.99/month

NextGen Fiber

250 Mbps – $69.99/month

500 Mbps – $89.99/month

1 Gbps – $99.99/month

2 Gbps – $149.99/month

5 Gbps – $249.99/month

unWired serves rural communities in Butte County, Colusa County, and Sutter County, with its new NextGen Fiber expanding into cities like Coalinga, Parlier, Gustine, and Wasco. For households without access to fiber or reliable cable, unWired often provides the only high‑speed option.

👉 Read our in‑depth Race Communications vs. unWired Broadband comparison.

4. Xfinity

Xfinity (Comcast) is one of the biggest internet providers in California. They’re known for offering fast speeds and wide coverage. But while the speeds are impressive, customers often run into surprises in the form of price hikes and extra fees.

What you get with Xfinity:

Download speeds up to 2.1 Gbps. Upload speeds up to 35 Mbps, which can make video calls laggy, uploading large files slow, and online gaming frustrating.
Pricey installation. The “self‑install” kit costs $39.99. If you need a technician, it jumps to $100.
Data isn’t truly unlimited. Most plans include a 1.2 TB cap, and going over means $10 charges per 50 GB. To avoid that, you’ll need to pay $30 extra per month for unlimited data or sign up for their costly xFi Complete add‑on.

Xfinity pricing:

300 Mbps – $55/month

500 Mbps – $60/month

1 Gbps – $65/month

1.2 Gbps – $85/month

2.1 Gbps (select areas) – $105/month

Upload speeds top out at just 35 Mbps, and many plans include a 1.2 TB monthly data cap unless you pay extra. For households that rely on video calls, cloud storage, or online gaming, these limits can quickly become frustrating.

Xfinity is available in California communities like Atwater, Chico, Chowchilla, Colusa, Lodi, Marysville, Merced, and Tulare. While it offers gigabit‑level download speeds in these areas, customers often find the experience less appealing once the hidden fees and price hikes set in.

👉 Read our in‑depth Race Communications vs. Xfinity comparison.

5. Frontier

Frontier has been working hard to rebuild its reputation in California. In areas where Frontier has rolled out fiber internet, the service is fast, reliable, and a strong alternative to cable. But in regions still served by Frontier’s older DSL network, speeds can feel outdated and unreliable.

What you get with Frontier:

Fiber plans up to 7 Gbps. Among the fastest speeds offered by a major provider.
No data caps. Stream, work, and game without limits.
Free installation and router. Included with most fiber plans.
MyFrontier app. Manage billing, appointments, and even connect directly with technicians.

Frontier pricing:

500 Mbps – $29.99/month

1 Gbps – $49.99/month

2 Gbps – $62.99/month

5 Gbps – $89.99/month

7 Gbps – $109.99/month

Frontier’s prices look great at first, but they are introductory rates. Expect increases after the first 12 months. For example, the 1 Gbps plan jumps to $59.99 after 12 months.

In Desert Hot Springs, Lancaster, Phelan, and Ridgecrest, Frontier has rolled out plans up to 7 Gbps. On paper, that sounds great. But Frontier’s customer service is notorious for being hard to reach and slow to resolve problems. Many customers complain that even getting their own billing errors fixed can take multiple calls.

👉 Further reading: Race Communications vs Frontier: Which Fiber ISP is Better? [2025]

Best Internet Providers in California (2025)

Provider
Technology	Fiber-to-the-Home	Fiber / 5G	Cable	Cable (HFC)	Fiber / DSL	Fixed Wireless	Fiber-to-the-Home
Max Speed	10 Gbps	5 Gbps	1 Gbps	2.1 Gbps	7 Gbps	400 Mbps	5 Gbps
Price for 1 Gbps	$69.90	$80	$70	$65	$49.99	N/A	$99.99
No Data Caps	✔	✔	✔	✘	✔	✔	✔
No Contracts	✔	✔	✔	✔	✘	✘	✔
Early Termination Fees	None	None	Possible with bundles	Possible with bundles	Up to $100 if cancel early	If 2-yr price lock	None
Free Router	✔	✔	✘ $10/mo	✘ $15–$25/mo	✔	✘ $5–$8/mo	✘
Free Installation	✔	✔ (fiber)	✘ $30–$65	✘ $39.99–$100	✔ (promo only)	✘	✘

Final Thoughts on the Best ISPs in California

When it comes to internet service in California, not all providers are created equal.

Race Communications stands out as the only local, California‑grown provider offering true fiber‑to‑the‑home, symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps, and no hidden fees. With free professional installation, a premium Wi‑Fi router included, and local customer support, Race gives families and businesses the performance they need without the headaches.
AT&T Fiber is a strong contender where it’s available, but coverage is patchy. In many communities, customers are stuck with AT&T Air, which can’t match fiber for speed or reliability.
Spectrum and Xfinity may look affordable at first, but hidden fees, router rentals, and price hikes after the promo period often make them much more expensive than expected — with slower uploads that hurt video calls, gaming, and cloud work.
Frontier delivers solid fiber where it has rolled out, but its availability is limited, and its reputation for poor customer service hasn’t gone away.
unWired Broadband and NextGen Fiber are vital options for rural communities, especially where cable and fiber providers haven’t built out. But speeds and availability vary widely, and fixed wireless can’t match the reliability of fiber.

At the end of the day, if you live in a Race‑served community, the choice is simple: Race Communications offers the fastest, most reliable internet in California with transparent pricing and support you can trust.

Check your address for Race today and see who is the best Californian internet provider for yourself.