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Mediacom – Best overall among internet providers in Des Moines
- Prices from $20 – $60 per month
- Speeds from 100 – 1,000Mbps
- Low introductory rates
Metronet – Best fiber service among internet providers in Des Moines
- Prices from $55 – $115 per month
- Speeds from 200 – 3,000Mbps
- Unlimited data
T-Mobile Home Internet – Best for fixed wireless among internet providers in Des Moines
- Prices from $50 per month
- Speeds from 72 – 245Mbps
- Unlimited data
Finding a decent internet service provider can be a way to save on your monthly budget. A good internet provider can also make sure you have stable internet connectivity. Nobody has time for endless buffering or routinely dropped signals. We’ve outlined the best internet in the area, including our top pick for Des Moines, Mediacom.
Faster internet services are becoming more widely available in Des Moines. Metronet connected the first customers to its fiber optic internet in the fall of 2022 and continues to expand in the area. The service offers multi-gig symmetrical speeds, meaning the upload and download speeds are the same. Google Fiber is also coming to the Des Moines area, and the infrastructure is in the building stage.
According to Ookla data from April 2023, the average download speed for fixed broadband in the US was 202 megabits per second for download speeds and 23Mbps for upload speeds. Given national averages, accessing multi-gig internet in Des Moines is a huge positive for residents.
Best internet options in Des Moines
Here are our top picks for internet providers in Des Moines. We rate the best internet providers based on availability, pricing and plan speeds.
Mediacom
Best overall among internet providers in Des Moines
Product details
Price range
$20 – $60 per month
Speed range
100 – 1,000Mbps
Connection
Cable
Highlights
Low introductory rates, up to 6TB monthly data allowance, no contracts
Mediacom stood out for its fast speeds and affordable rates. You might also see this ISP listed as Xtream powered by Mediacom.
Availability: Mediacom is available throughout Des Moines, though you may have to check that your address can get the service. The FCC lists it as available in the Capitol East, Grays Lake and Kirkwood Glen areas, as a few examples.
Plans and pricing: Mediacom advertises the Internet 100, Internet 300 and 1 Gig plans. Speeds match the plan name. For example, Internet 100 offers 100Mbps in download speeds. Prices for those three plans range from $25 to $55 a month.
Fees and service details: Mediacom does have a $13 monthly equipment rental fee but no contract. It also has a 200 to 6,000GB data cap depending on your chosen plan tier.
Read our Medicom home internet review.
Metronet
Best fiber service among internet providers in Des Moines
Product details
Price range
$55 – $115 per month
Speed range
200 – 3,000Mbps
Connection
Fiber
Highlights
Unlimited data, no contracts, no equipment fee
As mentioned earlier, Metronet is a new service to Des Moines. We picked it as one of the best due to the multi-gig speeds.
Availability: Availability is still limited and is mostly to the north of the West Des Moines area, as it just entered the market fall of 2022. If you search many addresses on the website for availability, a message tells you that service may be more than three months off, but residents can sign up early for construction updates.
Plans and pricing: Plans go by speed tiers, including 200 Mbps, 1 Gig, 2 Gig and 3 Gig service plans. Prices run from $55 to $115 a month.
Fees and service details: Metronet has a $12 monthly Tech Assure fee, an additional, unavoidable charge. On the plus side, it does not have data caps, contracts or equipment fees.
Read our Metronet home internet review.
T-Mobile Home Internet
Best for fixed wireless among internet providers in Des Moines
Product details
Price range
$50 per month ($30 for eligible T-Mobile Magenta Max customers)
Speed range
72 – 245Mbps
Connection
Fixed wireless
Highlights
Unlimited data, equipment included, no contracts, no additional fees
T-Mobile is a no-fuss wireless option with fairly affordable pricing and no fees or contracts.
Availability: T-Mobile Home Internet is widely available across Des Moines, with the FCC map stating 94% coverage. You’ll need to enter your address with T-Mobile to see if it is available at your address.
Plans and pricing: T-Mobile Home Internet offers one $50 monthly plan. That can help anyone who wants a straightforward internet experience with simplified choices. You can also get $20 off monthly if you pair the internet service with a Go5G, Go5G Plus or Magenta Max line.
Fees and service details: Continuing the no-fuss theme, T-Mobile Home Internet has no equipment charges, data caps or contracts.
Read our T-Mobile Home Internet review.
Internet providers in Des Moines overview
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink | DSL/fiber | $30-$70 | 10-940 Mbps | $15 (optional) | None | None | 6.7 |
| HughesNet | Satellite | $50-$125 | 25Mbps | $15 or $450 one-time purchase | 15-100GB | 2 years | 5.7 |
| Mediacom | Cable | $25-$55 | 100-1,000Mbps | $13 | 200GB-6000GB | None | 6.4 |
| Metronet | Fiber | $55-$115 | 200-3,000Mbps | None | None | None | 6.9 |
| Rise Broadband | Fixed wireless | $35-$70 | 25-250Mbps | 12 | 250GB; none on some plans | None | 6.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | Fixed wireless | $50 ($30 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet | Fixed wireless | $50-$70 (50% off with eligible mobile plans) | 85-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
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All available Des Moines residential internet providers
The list above notes the top available internet providers in Des Moines. You have a few other choices in this area, though you will need to check with the provider to see if it is available at your address.
- CenturyLink: Also known as Quantum Fiber in some areas, CenturyLink has fiber and DSL options. The fiber internet service is the highlight because it goes up to 940Mbps at a reasonable $70 a month. There is unlimited data, no annual contract and the modem is provided on the gigabit fiber plan.
- Rise Broadband: This fixed wireless option starts at $35 a month. Though most plans have a data cap of 250GB, it also has unlimited data options. There’s no term contract required for service.
- Satellite internet: This internet connection type offers slower speeds, often at higher prices, so it tends to be a better pick for rural areas that don’t have other options. HughesNet gets the first mention in the Des Moines area due to its lower starting price. Viasat is also in the mix, with a starting price of around $70 per month but a higher data allowance. Starlink is a newer player in the satellite internet space and is a bit more intriguing with faster speeds and no contracts. However, a steep upfront cost of nearly $600 for equipment is enough to make one pause.
- UScellular: Another fixed wireless option, plans are $50 a month with AutoPay and paperless billing. There is a promotion for $30 monthly when you pair home internet with a new mobile service.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon has a fixed wireless home internet option. It runs $50 a month for speeds of 85 to 300Mbps and $70 monthly for 300 to 1,000Mbps. Both plans have no equipment fees, data caps or contracts. Plus, Verizon Wireless customers can get 50% off the monthly price when home internet is bundled with select mobile plans.
Des Moines internet details at a glance
Internet providers in Des Moines offer various connection options, including 5G fixed wireless, fiber, satellite and cable. Speeds can run from a dozen megabits to multi-gig packages. Prices can also fit a wide variety of budgets.
Broadband availability
N/Apeople have access to broadband internet of any type
No provider data available
Most available internet technology
Pricing details on Des Moines home internet service
Of the cities CNET has covered for broadband, starting prices are between $36 and $50, give or take. The average starting price for Des Moines is approximately $42, which is not as low as Brooklyn ($36 per month), Los Angeles ($38 monthly) or Denver ($39 a month), but also not up in the range of Charlotte, Las Vegas or St. Louis (all around $50 a month).
Cheap internet options in the Des Moines metro area
The lowest starting price in Des Moines is $25 a month through Mediacom for its 100Mbps plan. CenturyLink offers a 200Mbps plan for just a bit more at $30 a month. While it’s a touch more expensive, it’s a better value at 15 cents per Mbps than Mediacom’s 25 cents per Mbps.
Additionally, low-income households should check into the Affordable Connectivity Program, a federal subsidy set up to help all Americans be able to get online. In some cases, you may be able to get connected for free.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Des Moines?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediacom 100 | $25 | 100Mbps | $13 | None |
| CenturyLink | $30 | 200Mbps | $15 | None |
| Rise Broadband | $35 | 50Mbps | $12 | None |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | $50 ($30 with eligible mobile plan) | 245Mbps | None | None |
| UScellular | $50 | 100Mbps | $14 or $400 one-time router purchase | 3 years |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet | $50 ($25 with eligible phone plan) | 300Mbps | None | None |
| HughesNet | $50 | 25Mbps | $15 or $450 one-time purchase | 2 years |
| Metronet | $55 | 200Mbps | None | None |
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Des Moines internet speed details
You can find several Des Moines internet providers that offer gigabit speeds or more. That includes CenturyLink, Mediacom and Metronet. That said, according to Ookla data from April 2023, the median download speed for Des Moines is just over 145Mbps, which would put the city just a notch above Chicago, which is in the bottom ten of the top 100 cities in the US.
Fastest internet providers in Des Moines
You have a decent number of high-speed internet options in Des Moines. Metronet goes up to 3 gigs, while CenturyLink and Mediacom go up to 1 gig. To see how this compares to providers in other cities, check out our guide on the best multi-gig internet plans.
What are the fastest internet plans in Des Moines?
| Provider | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Starting price | Data cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metronet 3 Gigs | 3,000Mbps | 3,000Mbps | $115 | None | None |
| Metronet 2 Gigs | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | $95 | None | None |
| Metronet 1 Gig | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | $75 | None | None |
| Mediacom 1 Gig | 1,000Mbps | 50Mbps | $60 | 6,000GB | None |
| CenturyLink Gigabit | 940Mbps | 940Mbps | $70 | None | None |
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What’s the final word on internet providers in Des Moines?
You have several options if you want 1 gig or higher speeds. In general, plans from the ISPs are also customizable to fit a wide range of budgets. Metronet is your answer if you’re looking for symmetrical download and upload speed, along with some multi-gigabit speeds. But for midrange speeds at decent starting prices, the cable internet of Mediacom will meet most households’ needs.
Internet providers in Des Moines FAQs
Is fiber internet available in Des Moines?
Yes. Des Moines residents have a couple of fiber internet options. CenturyLink and Metronet cover areas of Des Moines with fiber internet, though CenturyLink supplies only DSL options in some places. Metronet is fairly new to the area, so you’ll have to check your address with the ISP to see if it’s available for your home.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Des Moines?
Currently, Mediacom has the cheapest price at $25 a month. However, it’s important to note that it is for a 100Mbps speed. If you need faster speeds, CenturyLink offers a 200Mbps fiber plan for just a little bit more at $30 a month, a better value at 15 cents per Mbps.
Which internet provider in Des Moines offers the fastest plan?
The fastest plan currently offered comes from Metronet, with 3 gigs of speed. It’s also worth noting that Google Fiber is expanding into Des Moines and started construction in the fall of 2022. Residents of West Des Moines already have Google Fiber. The service offers download speeds of up to 2 gigs.
Is Metronet or Mediacom better?
Metronet and Mediacom offer gigabit speed plans, though Metronet is the only one offering multigigabit plans. Metronet tends to be more expensive, however. Cable provider Mediacom offers cheaper rates but has data caps, whereas the fiber ISP Metronet boasts unlimited data.
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