USI: Best fiber internet provider in Minneapolis
USI Internet pros and cons
Pros
Fiber plans with speeds from 500Mbps up to 10Gbps!
No contracts, data caps, or set-up fees
Good customer support and advocacy
Cons
Not available everywhere
Not the cheapest provider
Minneapolitans are very lucky when it comes to internet service. They have not just one, but two local fiber internet providers: US Internet (USI) and Quantum Internet. Both companies are well loved by their customers and offer powerful internet plans at great prices.
We prefer USI because it has better coverage throughout the Mini Apple. As you can see in the company’s service map, basically all of Central Minneapolis is covered, as well as Northeast, Calhoun-Isles, University, and Phillips, Powderhorn, and Longfellow. Unfortunately, if you live in more suburban Twin Cities’ neighborhoods, you’re out of luck.
People come to USI for its superfast plans that come with no contracts, no set-up fees, and no data limits. But they tend to stay with USI because they feel like the local Minnesota company has their back. It is well known for its commitment to corporate transparency and net neutrality, as well as its responsive customer service department.
Best USI internet plan for most people in Minneapolis: 1,000Mbps internet for $75/mo.
This might not be the cheapest plan on the market, but it will give you peace of mind. With 1,000Mbps of fiber-optic internet speed, you won’t need to worry about buffering when you’re streaming 4K video or lagging when you're playing the new Warzone.
Because it's a fiber plan, you’ll get symmetrical download speeds, which are important for things like online gaming and video conferencing. You can easily power a huge house full of devices with this plan and never experience any internet slowdowns.
Xfinity: Best value internet provider in Minneapolis
Xfinity internet pros and cons
Pros
Fast cable internet speeds
Availability all over the Twin Cities
Great introductory prices and no contracts
Cons
1.2 TB data limit
Price increases
If you’re looking for superfast internet in the City of Lakes but don’t want to pay more than $50 a month, then Xfinity is the way to go. While Xfinity’s cable internet plans will never be as powerful as fiber plans, they can give you 400Mbps or faster speeds.
Since Xfinity’s internet runs through the same lines as its cable TV, many houses in Minneapolis are already set up for the service. That means you can get Xfinity pretty much anywhere in the Twin Cities’ area, from Bloomington to Brooklyn Park and Woobury to Shakopee.
Best Xfinity internet plan in Minneapolis: 200Mbps plan for $35/mo
With its low introductory prices, Xfiinty offers a lot of bang for your buck. You can get 200Mbps, which is plenty of internet for most couples and small families, for just $35 a month. Just watch out for price increases after the first 12 months!
Verizon 5G Home Internet: Best wireless home internet service in Minneapolis
Verizon 5G Home Internet pros and cons
Pros
Great speeds
Easy, wireless connection
3-year price guarantee on Plus Plan
Cons
Not available in every part of Minneapolis
Pricier for non-Verizon Wireless customers
Verizon claims that its 5G speeds are 25 times faster than 4G technology and 10 times faster than “some other 5G networks”. While that may be a bit of exaggeration, it’s true that the company does have the best 5G Home Internet in Minneapolis, beating out T-Mobile.
Verizon’s 5G home internet service can get you speeds that rival cable and fiber internet plans, but the service doesn’t require any wires or professional installation. All you need is a receiver/router device that Verizon provides. Plus, at $35-45 a month for current Verizon Wireless customers, the company’s plans are very affordable.
The biggest downside to Verizon 5G Home Internet in Mill City is that it isn’t available in every neighborhood. That said, the service is already available in many areas, like Phillips, Longfellow, Uptown, Powderhorn, Uptown, and North Loop.
Best Verizon 5G Home Internet plan for most Minneapolitans: 5G Home Plus plan for $45/mo. with up to 1,000Mbps
We prefer the Plus plan from Verizon because it gives you speeds up to 1,000Mbps. That’s more than enough for remote workers, serious gamers, and big families full of people who want to binge different Netflix shows. Plus, the Plus plan (see what we did there?) comes with a ton of perks, including a free router and “whole home” Wi-Fi setup. The biggest flaw with the plan is that it will cost a full $20 more for those who aren’t on an eligible Verizon Wireless plan.
CenturyLink: Best DSL internet provider in Minneapolis
CenturyLink Internet pros and cons
Pros
Decent prices
Availability in places where other internet plans are not
Fiber plans available in certain areas
Cons
Slower speeds
Data caps on DSL plans
Most people in Minneapolis will find a great plan from one of the providers above. But, if none of those options are available in your area, then CenturyLink is a good plan B. The company offers DSL service in places where fiber and other, higher-speed plans may not be available. And, in certain areas, Centurylink actually has a very reasonably priced fiber plan.
CenturyLink’s DSL plans will only get you speeds up to about 100Mbps in Minneapolis. But, that’s still plenty for basic activities like online gaming, streaming the new season of The House of the Dragon, and endlessly scrolling through Insta.
CenturyLink doesn't require pesky contracts, but you may have to pay a $99 installation fee, depending on where you live. You may also want to consider buying your own equipment to save on rental fees.
Best CenturyLink plan for most people: DSL service with up to 100Mbps for $55/mo
We’re not going to say that $55 a month for internet with 100Mbps speeds is an amazing deal. But it’s fair enough in areas of Minneapolis where there aren’t other options. Most students, couples, and small families should do fine with this DSL service from CenturyLink, at least until better options show up in your neighborhood.
