Best Internet Providers in Madison, Wisconsin for 2026
Compare the Best Internet Service Providers in Madison, WI
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 Madison, Wisconsin, 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 Madison, Wisconsin, 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 | 369.63 | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | 333.68 | 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 Madison, Wisconsin, 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 | 332.91 | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | 21.89 | Mbps |
| Latency | 36 | 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 Madison, Wisconsin, 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 | 288.81 | Mbps |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | 202.14 | Mbps |
| Latency | 10 | 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 Madison, Wisconsin, 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 Madison, Wisconsin, 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 Madison, Wisconsin, 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 Madison, Wisconsin, 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 Madison, Wisconsin, 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 Madison, Wisconsin, 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 Madison, Wisconsin, 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 Madison, Wisconsin, 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 Madison, Wisconsin, 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 Madison, Wisconsin, 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.).
Slow connection? Don’t be left in the dark, wondering what’s going on. Find the answer with Speedtest. With one quick test, Speedtest gives you instant, unbiased insight into how your internet is really performing. You’ll see your speeds in real time and find out whether it’s your Wi-Fi, device, or provider slowing things down. But Speedtest isn’t just about personal results. Each test contributes to a global dataset that reveals internet performance across regions and providers.
Three metrics impact your online experience: download speed, upload speed, and latency. When one of these metrics isn’t performing as it should, you’ll feel it. Speedtest gathers each metric to give you a snapshot of what’s happening behind the scenes. Once you know what’s going on, you can work to fix it.
You can get your internet connection in two types: wired or wireless. Fiber and cable are wired connections that are the most widely available and offer the best speed and reliability. Households lean on these wired technologies for streaming, working from home, and gaming online. DSL is an older wired technology that won’t match the performance of fiber or cable, but is relied on in rural areas without newer technology. Remote and rural areas also use wireless options like satellite and fixed wireless to fill the gaps where wired internet isn’t an option.
A strong internet connection in Madison should feel as smooth as a Saturday morning bike ride along the Lakeshore Path or a coffee run on State Street before the crowds roll in. Most Madison households can get by with download speeds around 100 Mbps and upload speeds near 10 Mbps. For smaller households, this should be plenty of speed for streaming, gaming, and video calls. That said, every household has its own needs. A student renting an apartment near UW–Madison might need less bandwidth than a family in Westmorland juggling multiple devices, streaming shows, and working remotely at the same time.
Internet plans don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, households need to figure out exactly how much speed they use and need to sign up for the best plan for their needs. Our complete guide helps you narrow down how much internet speed you need, but this short guide can give you an idea of what to expect.
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 Madison, WI
For Mad City residents looking to take advantage of fiber internet, AT&T Fiber is available to 82% of the city. Residents on the west side of the city, like Glen Oak Hills, Shorewood Hills, and Arbor Hills, as well as neighborhoods east of downtown, such as Eastmorland, Rolling Meadows, and Ridgewood, can all take advantage of AT&T Fiber’s network. TDS covers 35.1% of the city, with most of its service available to the northwest of Lake Mendota. Select areas in Shorewood Hills, downtown Madison, and Carpenter-Ridgeway can access TDS’s service.
Spectrum’s service offers the widest coverage in Madison with 90.94% availability. The cable provider offers plenty of availability along the borders of both Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. Other options in the Mad City include 5G Home Internet from T-Mobile (69.19% coverage). Satellite internet from Starlink, Viasat, and HughesNet remains available to 100% of residents. It’s worth noting that accessing satellite internet does require ample outdoor space for equipment setup.
In Madison, the average starting price for internet is approximately $52 per month. As of January 2026, wired internet providers have an average monthly starting rate of $48, and wireless internet in Madison costs $54 per month on average. These average starting rates represent the lowest speed option offered by providers. For example, AT&T Fiber’s internet starts at $34 for 100 Mbps. Spectrum’s plans start at $30 per month for 100 Mbps. While these rates are accurate as of January 2026, they are subject to change. Reach out to your local ISP to access the most current pricing and take advantage of any limited-time promotions.
Madison 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.
Home Internet in Madison
A couple working from home in a Downtown Madison apartment, a group of UW–Madison students sharing a house near campus, or a family of four using the internet simultaneously in Maple Prairie all have different internet needs. Madison residents need an internet provider with plenty of options to get their ideal internet plan. In Mad City, households can get symmetrical internet speeds from two fiber internet providers: AT&T Fiber and TDS. As of January 2026, AT&T Fiber has speed plans up to 5 Gbps. While marketed at high speeds, real-world data from July through December 2025 shows AT&T Fiber users in Madison saw a median download speed of 369.63 Mbps.
TDS has similar plan options to AT&T Fiber, with plans reaching up to 8 Gbps. Between July and December 2025, TDS delivered a median download speed of 288.81 Mbps to its Madison customers. For cable internet, Spectrum is the sole provider in Madison. Spectrum offers plans up to 2 Gbps. Between July and December 2025, Spectrum delivered a median download speed of 332.91 Mbps to its Madison customers. Satellite internet is another wireless option for residents, provided by Starlink, Viasat, and HughesNet. Of the three, Starlink offers the highest-speed plan, reaching up to 350 Mbps, which provides a reliable alternative for households where wired infrastructure is limited.
Logging on in Madison should be as easy as catching a breeze off Lake Mendota. Internet plans in the 100–300 Mbps range are perfect for most households, with enough speed to stream a show after grabbing fresh produce at the Dane County Farmers’ Market or finishing up remote work at a downtown apartment. Families in Glen Oak Hills or Nakoma might want to bump up to 500 Mbps or higher to keep everyone connected smoothly while kids game, scroll, or binge movies at the same time. Creatives living in Greenbush or Brentwood Village who upload design files or edit videos of a kayak trip on Lake Monona benefit from gigabit speeds, making lightning-fast uploads a reality.
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.