What are the best internet providers in Santa Ana, California?
AT&T Fiber is the best internet provider in Santa Ana. We have the fastest speeds in the city and the easiest and most affordable pricing of any internet service provider. We’re also the only fiber provider in the area, so you get the same upload and download speeds, perfect for working from home and gaming online.
If you are looking for the lowest price, Spectrum offers the cheapest internet plans in Santa Ana For $50/month. It’s not a huge price tag, only $5 a month cheaper than AT&T Fiber, but Spectrum is available almost everywhere in the city and is a solid option to have as your default. The main drawback is that Spectrum increases the price significantly after a year or two.
If you don’t want to worry about these built-in price increases, Verizon 5G Home Internet is the best wireless internet provider in Santa Ana. There’s no guarantee that prices won’t go up, but unlike Spectrum, it won’t happen on time, and it’s not likely to be that bad.
CNET recommends the best internet service in Santa Ana across several categories, considering speed, pricing, customer service, and overall value. Our evaluations include reference to a proprietary database built over many years of reviewing Internet services. Verify against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. He also carefully reads the provider’s terms and conditions, and if necessary, he calls the ISP to find out more.
While we strive to find the most up-to-date and accurate information, there are some limitations to our process that you should be aware of. Price and speed data is subject to change. Certain addresses may have different tiers of service, and monthly costs may vary even within the same city. The best way to identify a particular option is to enter the address on the provider’s website.
Additionally, the prices, speeds, and other information listed on the provider cards above and below may differ from what our research reveals. Based on a database of plan information provided directly by your ISP, the card displays the full range of rates and speeds from providers across the United States, but the text is specific to what’s available in Santa Ana. The prices referenced within the body of this article are based on our research and include discounts for setting up automatic monthly payments, an industry standard service. Other discounts and promotions may also be available, such as signing up for a fixed term contract or bundling multiple services.
For more information on how we vet internet providers, please see our full methodology page.
Best Internet in Santa Ana, California
300 – 5,000 Mbps
$55 – $250 per month
Our view – Approximately 3 in 10 homes in Santa Ana have access to AT&T Fiber, according to FCC data. If he’s one of the lucky few, you can stop searching now. Fiber is the gold standard for internet connectivity, and AT&T offers some of the most affordable fiber plans you’ll find anywhere (equipment pricing included). This is why AT&T has the highest customer satisfaction score on his JD Power and U.S. Customer Satisfaction Index. However, many homes in Santa Ana only have low-speed DSL plans from AT&T, which we recommend only as a last resort.
300 – 5,000 Mbps
$55 – $250 per month
100～1,000 Mbps
$30～$90 per month
Our view – Spectrum offers the cheapest internet plans in Santa Ana, but at $50 a month, it’s not exactly a basement bargain. Additionally, his rate increases to $85 per month in the second year. But Spectrum’s cable internet is available almost everywhere in Santa Ana, and for many families it’s the only option. That said, Spectrum received below-average customer satisfaction scores from both his JD Power and ACSI.
100～1,000 Mbps
$30～$90 per month
fixed wireless
85 – 1,000 Mbps
$50 – $70 per month
Our view – If you don’t have AT&T Fiber and don’t want to deal with Spectrum’s price increases, Verizon’s wireless internet is a great alternative. (T-Mobile Home Internet is similar, just a little more expensive.) Wireless Internet is a little less reliable than cable or fiber, but Verizon speeds are sufficient for small homes. We can accommodate you.
fixed wireless
85 – 1,000 Mbps
$50 – $70 per month
Santa Ana internet provider comparison
| provider | internet technology | Monthly price range | speed range | Monthly equipment costs | data limit | contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AT&T Fiber |
fiber | $55-$225 | 300-5,000Mbps | none | none | none | 7.4 |
|
AT&T Internet |
DSL | $55 | Up to 140Mbps | none | 1.5TB on some plans | none | 7.4 |
|
spectrum |
cable | $50-$80 | 300～1,000Mbps | $5 (optional) | none | none | 7.2 |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet |
fixed wireless | $60 ($40-50 for mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | none | none | none | 7.4 |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet |
fixed wireless | $50 to $70 ($35 to $45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 100-300Mbps | none | none | none | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What are the cheapest internet plans in Santa Ana?
| provider | starting price | maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
|
spectrum internet |
$50 | 300Mbps | $5 (optional) |
|
Verizon 5G Home Internet |
$50 ($35 on eligible mobile plans) | 100Mbps | none |
|
AT&T Internet 300 |
$55 | 300Mbps | none |
|
T-Mobile Home Internet |
$60 ($40 on eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | none |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to Find Internet Sales and Promotions in Santa Ana, California
The best internet deals and top promotions in Santa Ana depend on the discounts available during a particular period. Most sales have a short shelf life, but we check frequently for the latest offers.
Santa Ana internet providers like Verizon 5G Home Internet and AT&T Fiber may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, other services, including Spectrum, have the same standard pricing throughout the year.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide to the best internet deals.
Fastest Internet Plans in Santa Ana, California
| provider | starting price | maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | data limit | connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AT&T Internet 5000 |
$225 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | none | fiber |
|
AT&T Internet 2000 |
$125 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | none | fiber |
|
AT&T Internet 1000 |
$80 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | none | fiber |
|
spectrum internet gig |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | none | cable |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet connectivity plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that supports video conferencing, streaming video, and gaming, you’ll enjoy a better experience with a more robust connection. According to the FCC, here’s a summary of recommended minimum download speeds for various applications: Please note that these are just guidelines and internet speed, service and performance will vary depending on connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide to the internet speed you actually need.
- At 0-5Mbps, you can tackle basic tasks like browsing the Internet, sending and receiving emails, and streaming low-quality videos.
- 5-40Mbps allows for higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40-100Mbps provides a single user with enough bandwidth to meet the demands of modern work-from-home, video streaming, and online gaming.
- 100-500Mbps allows one or two users to simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
- 500-1,000Mbps allows three or more users to participate in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
How CNET chooses the best internet providers in Santa Ana
There are many Internet service providers in each region. Unlike modern smartphones, laptops, routers, and kitchen tools, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a particular city. So what is our approach? First, we research pricing, availability, and speed information using unique historical ISP data, provider sites, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC.gov).
But that’s not the end. We went to the FCC’s website and checked the data to ensure we considered all ISPs serving the area. Also, enter your local address on the provider’s website to find specific options for residents. Consult sources such as the US Customer Satisfaction Index and his JD Power to rate how satisfied customers are with their ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices may change frequently. All information provided is accurate at the time of publication.
Once you have this localized information, ask three main questions:
- Does your provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are customers getting value for their money?
- Are your customers satisfied with your service?
The answers to these questions are often layered and complex, but the provider that comes closest to a “yes” to all three is recommended. When choosing the cheapest internet service, look for the plan with the lowest monthly fee, although you also consider factors such as markups, equipment fees, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively easy. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider actual speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To find out more about our process, please visit our How We Test ISPs page.
Santa Ana Internet Provider Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best internet service provider in Santa Ana?
AT&T Fiber is the best internet provider in Santa Ana. We have the fastest speeds ever and are the only fiber internet provider in the city. Unlike Spectrum, AT&T Fiber won’t automatically raise prices after a year or two.
Is fiber internet available in Santa Ana?
Yes, 29% of Santa Ana households have access to fiber internet, according to FCC data. AT&T Fiber is the only internet provider offering fiber internet in the area.
Where is the cheapest internet provider in Santa Ana?
Spectrum is the cheapest internet provider in Santa Ana, with plans starting at $50 per month. However, after one year, the price increases to $85 per month.
Which internet provider offers the fastest plans in Santa Ana?
AT&T Fiber offers the fastest plans in Santa Ana with upload and download speeds of up to 5,000Mbps.
