Switchful Logo

Optimum internet alternatives

Optimum brand
Staff rating
4.1
Customer rating
3.8
(70)
Price: $15.00 - $195.00/moSpeed: 100 Mbps - 940 MbpsChannels: 420+DVR storage hours: 150
We're committed to rigorous research, first-hand experience, and transparency in our rating methodology. We don't accept sponsored placements or allow partner compensation to impact our ratings. Learn more about how we rate providers.

Rebecca Palmer smiles for the camera
Headshot of Dave Schafer
Researched by
Headshot of Bri Field
Reviewed by
Bri FieldAssigning Editor
Updated 2/7/23

We’re committed to transparency. We may earn money when you follow our recommendations, but compensation doesn’t affect our ratings. Learn more.

Alternatives to Optimum: Which is better?

Optimum mostly competes with other fiber providers, but you might see another cable company or a DSL provider that serves your area.

Optimum vs. Frontier: Frontier and Optimum compete mostly in New England, Texas, West Virginia, and California. However, only Frontier’s fiber plans are worth comparing to Optimum. Optimum’s fiber plans are better, but you’ll find these only near New York City and New Jersey. If you upload a lot of files, Frontier’s fiber plans will be better than Optimum’s cable internet. Otherwise, Optimum has better customer service and free installation that could make it the better choice.

Compare Optimum internet vs. Frontier internet

Optimum vs. Spectrum: Spectrum and Optimum don’t share a large footprint, but you might run into them both in Connecticut, Texas, Missouri, California, and a few other places around the country. Most of Spectrum’s plans are priced competitively with Optimum’s, but Spectrum has more hidden fees that could result in a bigger bill. Spectrum also has worse customer service and more reliability issues, so Optimum is usually the better choice.

Compare Optimum internet vs. Spectrum internet

Optimum vs. Verizon Fios: Verizon Fios and Optimum share a footprint in the New York City and New Jersey area. You’ll pay about $10 per month more for Verizon than Optimum. However, if you’re fed up with Optimum’s customer service, Verizon could be a relief. In fact, Verizon may have the best customer service of any brand we’ve reviewed. In all other criteria, Verizon Fios and Optimum are neck and neck.

Compare Optimum internet vs. Verizon Fios internet

Where is Optimum available?

The biggest issue with Optimum is that it’s just not an option for most people. The service is available mostly in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and parts of Pennsylvania. You can also find this provider in West Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, and a few other states.

city map lines pattern
See internet providers available in your area
See all options in your area within seconds.

Alternative providers

Spectrum
Charter Spectrum brand logo
Staff rating
3.5
Customer rating
4.0

  • Plans starting at $29.99 - $169.97
  • Download speeds up to 1 Gbps
  • Upload speeds up to 35 Mbps

Click below for all current Spectrum deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers

Verizon Fios
Verizon Fios brand
Staff rating
4.2
Customer rating
4.3

  • Plans starting at $49.99 - $110.00
  • Download speeds up to 940 Mbps
  • Upload speeds up to 880 Mbps

Click below for all current Verizon Fios deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply.

Frontier Communications
Frontier Communications brand
Staff rating
4.1
Customer rating
3.9

  • Plans starting at $49.99 - $164.99
  • Download speeds up to 5000 Mbps
  • Upload speeds up to 5000 Mbps

Click below for all current Frontier Communications deals

Disclaimer: Subject to availability. Cannot be combined with other offers. Other restrictions, Frontier policies and service terms apply. For a list of terms, view disclaimers

AT&T
AT&T logo
Staff rating
4.5
Customer rating
4.1

  • Plans starting at $55.00 - $180.00
  • Download speeds up to 5000Mbps
  • Upload speeds up to 5000Mbps

Click below for all current AT&T deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers

Sparklight
Sparklight
Staff rating
3.2
Customer rating
4.0

  • Plans starting at $35.00 - $214.75
  • Download speeds up to 940 Mbps
  • Upload speeds up to 60 Mbps

Click below for all current Sparklight deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply.

Starry
Starry
Staff rating
3.6
Customer rating
4.0

  • Plans starting at $15.00 - $80.00
  • Download speeds up to 1000 Mbps
  • Upload speeds up to 500 Mbps

Click below for all current Starry deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply.

Google Fiber
Google Fiber brand
Staff rating
4.3
Customer rating
4.6

  • Plans starting at $70.00 - $100.00
  • Download speeds up to 2000 Mbps
  • Upload speeds up to 1000 Mbps

Click below for all current Google Fiber deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply.

Cox Communications
Cox
Staff rating
3.6
Customer rating
4.1

  • Plans starting at $20.00 - $218.99
  • Download speeds up to 2 Gbps
  • Upload speeds up to 2 Gbps

Click below for all current Cox Communications deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers

WOW!
WOW! brand
Staff rating
4.0
Customer rating
3.9

  • Plans starting at $9.99 - $199.98
  • Download speeds up to 1200 Mbps
  • Upload speeds up to 50 Mbps

Click below for all current WOW! deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers

Xfinity
Xfinity brand
Staff rating
3.8
Customer rating
4.2

  • Plans starting at $19.99 - $600.00
  • Download speeds up to 6000 Mbps
  • Upload speeds up to 6000 Mbps

Click below for all current Xfinity deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, visit the provider's website.

CenturyLink
CenturyLink brand
Staff rating
4.0
Customer rating
4.0

  • Plans starting at $30.00 - $110.00
  • Download speeds up to 940Mb
  • Upload speeds up to 940Mb

Click below for all current CenturyLink deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers

Astound Broadband
Astound Broadband
Staff rating
4.1
Customer rating
4.0

  • Plans starting at $19.99 - $135.89
  • Download speeds up to 1200 Mbps
  • Upload speeds up to 50 Mbps

Click below for all current Astound Broadband deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers

Starlink
Starlink
Staff rating
2.6
Customer rating
4.7

  • Plans starting at $120.00 - $250.00
  • Download speeds up to 100 Mbps
  • Upload speeds up to 10 Mbps

Click below for all current Starlink deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply.

EarthLink
EarthLink brand
Staff rating
3.7
Customer rating
4.2

  • Plans starting at $59.95 - $149.95
  • Download speeds up to 100 Mbps
  • Upload speeds up to 1 Gigabit

Click below for all current EarthLink deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply.

HughesNet
HughesNet brand
Staff rating
2.1
Customer rating
3.1

  • Plans starting at $49.99 - $174.99
  • Download speeds up to 25 Mbps
  • Upload speeds up to 3 Mbps

Click below for all current HughesNet deals

The HughesNet Gen5 service plans are designed to deliver download speeds of 25 Mbps and upload speeds of 3 Mbps, but individual customers may experience different speeds at different times of the day. Speeds and uninterrupted use are not guaranteed and may vary based on a variety of factors including: the configuration of your computer, the number of concurrent users, network or Internet congestion, the capabilities and content of the websites you are accessing, network management practices as deemed necessary, and other factors. When you connect to the HughesNet service using Wi-Fi, your experience will vary based on your proximity to the Wi-Fi source and the strength of the signal.

WOW!
WOW! brand
Staff rating
4.0
Customer rating
3.9

  • Plans starting at $9.99 - $199.98
  • Download speeds up to 1200 Mbps
  • Upload speeds up to 50 Mbps

Click below for all current WOW! deals

Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers

city map lines pattern
Providers near you
Check out all your options!