Best Internet Providers in Buffalo, New York for 2024
Compare the Best Internet Service Providers in Buffalo, NY
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.).
At Speedtest, we take pride in delivering precise and reliable data, forming the cornerstone of our ISP recommendations. This data, amassed from millions globally through our Speedtest apps, assures that our insights into ISP performance are not only trustworthy but also up-to-date, allowing us to provide a transparent, impartial snapshot of ISP capabilities.
Three pivotal metrics to ascertain an ISP's efficacy are: download speed, upload speed, and latency. Download speed is paramount for activities such as streaming and downloading, dictating the speed at which data is transferred to your device. Upload speed underpins online content sharing and interactions, indicative of the speed at which data travels from your device to the internet. Latency, or ping, is crucial for online gaming and video calls, influencing your connection's responsiveness. Armed with this detailed understanding of ISP performance, you're equipped to make an informed decision tailored to your unique internet needs.
The technology underpinning your ISP is crucial in shaping the quality of your online experiences. Fiber optics, for instance, generally deliver the fastest speeds, catering well to high-demand online activities. Cable internet, more readily available, tends to offer commendable download speeds, though upload speeds might not match up. DSL technology, delivering moderate speeds, is adequate for basic web browsing and streaming, whereas satellite internet, often the sole option in remote locations, usually exhibits higher latency and slower speeds.
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 Buffalo, NY
Spectrum, according to our proprietary real-world Speedtest data, claims the title for the fastest recorded median download speed in Buffalo at 221.09 Mbps. Spectrum outpaces the competition, offering strong access to high-speed internet in the city.
When scrutinizing advertised maximum download speeds, discrepancies between expected and real-world speeds may arise. Verizon stands out with an advertised peak download speed of 1,000 Mbps and notably, an even more impressive max upload speed of 2,000 Mbps. Other high-speed options include Spectrum and EarthLink Fiber, offering advertised max download speeds of 1,000 Mbps and 940 Mbps, respectively, signaling robust offerings for high-speed aficionados. Notably, EarthLink Fiber, with its focus on Fiber technology, promises a premium online experience.
A useful guideline suggests that download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps should suffice for most online endeavors. With 100 Mbps, streaming 4K Ultra-HD videos, downloading hefty files, or enjoying high-definition gaming on various devices concurrently should become effortless. Your household’s internet demands can significantly influence your actual speeds, especially with the escalating number of devices vying for connectivity. Consequently, placing importance on the bandwidth your lifestyle necessitates is paramount for an optimal online experience.
Buffalo 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
- Albany
- Amsterdam
- Auburn
- Babylon
- Baldwin
- Batavia
- Bay Shore
- Beacon
- Bellmore
- Bethpage
- Binghamton
- Bohemia
- Brentwood
- Briarcliff Manor
- Brighton
- Bronxville
- Buffalo
- Centereach
- Central Islip
- Chappaqua
- Cheektowaga
- Cicero
- Commack
- Copiague
- Coram
- Corning
- Cortland
- Croton-on-Hudson
- Deer Park
- Delmar
- Depew
- Dix Hills
- Dobbs Ferry
- East Farmingdale
- East Hampton North
- East Hills
- East Islip
- East Meadow
- East Northport
- East Patchogue
- Elmira
- Elmont
- Elwood
- Fairport
- Farmingville
- Floral Park
- Fort Drum
- Franklin Square
- Freeport
- Garden City
- Gardnertown
- Gates-North Gates
- Getzville
- Glen Cove
- Glens Falls
- Gloversville
- Grand Island
- Great Neck
- Great Neck Plaza
- Greece
- Greenlawn
- Hampton Bays
- Harrison
- Hartsdale
- Hauppauge
- Hempstead
- Henrietta
- Hicksville
- Holbrook
- Holtsville
- Huntington
- Huntington Station
- Irondequoit
- Islip
- Ithaca
- Jamestown
- Jefferson Valley-Yorktown
- Jericho
- Kingston
- Lackawanna
- Lake Grove
- Lake Ronkonkoma
- Lancaster
- Larchmont
- Latham
- Levittown
- Lindenhurst
- Lockport
- Long Beach
- Lynbrook
- Mahopac
- Mamaroneck
- Manhasset
- Manorville
- Massapequa
- Massapequa Park
- Mastic
- Medford
- Melville
- Merrick
- Middle Island
- Middletown
- Miller Place
- Mineola
- Monroe
- Mount Kisco
- Mount Sinai
- Mount Vernon
- Myers Corner
- Nanuet
- Nesconset
- New Cassel
- New City
- New Rochelle
- New York
- Niagara Falls
- North Babylon
- North Bellmore
- North Hills
- North New Hyde Park
- North Tonawanda
- North Valley Stream
- Oceanside
- Olean
- Oneida
- Ossining
- Oswego
- Pearl River
- Peekskill
- Plainview
- Plattsburgh
- Port Chester
- Port Washington
- Poughkeepsie
- Queensbury
- Rhinebeck
- Ridgemont
- Riverhead
- Rochester
- Rockville Centre
- Rome
- Ronkonkoma
- Roslyn Heights
- Rotterdam
- Rye
- Rye Brook
- Saint James
- Salisbury
- Saratoga Springs
- Sayville
- Scarsdale
- Schenectady
- Selden
- Setauket- East Setauket
- Shirley
- Smithtown
- South Huntington
- Spring Valley
- Stony Brook
- Stony Point
- Syosset
- Syracuse
- Tarrytown
- Terryville
- Troy
- Uniondale
- Utica
- Valley Stream
- Wantagh
- Water Mill
- Watertown
- West Babylon
- West Hempstead
- West Islip
- West Seneca
- Wheatfield
- White Plains
- Woodbury
- Woodmere
- Yaphank
- Yonkers
Home Internet in Buffalo
Buffalo, a city boasting a diverse range of internet types, offers its residents access to Cable, Fiber, DSL, 5G Internet, and Satellite options. This variety ensures that regardless of one's specific needs or location within the city, there is likely a fitting internet service option available.
Spectrum's Cable service, with nearly 97% coverage, should not be overlooked, especially with its enticing advertised max download speed of 1,000 Mbps, attracting those in search of high-speed cable options. Viasat Internet and HughesNet offer nearly 100% coverage across Buffalo and stand out for their comprehensive service footprint. With Viasat specializing in Satellite internet and advertising a max download speed of 50 Mbps, and HughesNet following with its Satellite service promising 25 Mbps, residents are privy to multiple connectivity options.
While providers' maximum advertised speeds offer a glimpse into potential service capabilities, it's important to keep in mind that actual user experiences may diverge. Various factors including network congestion, hardware capabilities, and more can influence the speeds customers ultimately receive, underscoring the importance of considering both advertised speeds and real-world performance metrics.
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.