Best Internet Providers in San Diego, California for 2025

Compare the Best Internet Service Providers in San Diego, CA

Real-world Speedtest results

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 San Diego, California, 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.

AT&T Fiber
Real-world Speedtest results

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 San Diego, California, 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.

Download339.53Mbps
Upload274.95Mbps
Latency14ms
Cox
Real-world Speedtest results

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 San Diego, California, 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.

Download269.82Mbps
Upload47.86Mbps
Latency20ms
Spectrum
Real-world Speedtest results

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 San Diego, California, 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.

Download275.53Mbps
Upload16.90Mbps
Latency25ms
Viasat Internet
Real-world Speedtest results

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 San Diego, California, 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
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
Real-world Speedtest results

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 San Diego, California, 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
EarthLink 5G Home Internet
Real-world Speedtest results

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 San Diego, California, 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
Hughesnet
Real-world Speedtest results

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 San Diego, California, 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
San Diego Broadband
Real-world Speedtest results

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 San Diego, California, 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
Starlink
Real-world Speedtest results

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 San Diego, California, 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
Verizon
Real-world Speedtest results

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 San Diego, California, 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.).

At Speedtest, our commitment is to provide accurate and reliable data that forms the foundation of our recommendations for internet service providers (ISPs). We gather real-world data from millions of global users participating in Speedtest, offering authentic and current insights into ISP performance. Our goal is to deliver a transparent and unbiased evaluation of ISP capabilities.

Understanding an ISP's performance relies on evaluating three key metrics: download speed, upload speed, and latency. Download speed is crucial for tasks such as streaming and downloading, indicating how quickly data can be received. Upload speed is important for uploading content and online interactions, showing how fast data can be sent. Latency, or ping, is vital for real-time activities like online gaming and video calls, affecting how responsive a connection is. With a detailed understanding of these aspects, you can select an ISP that best matches your internet usage needs.

The underlying technology of an ISP greatly influences the quality of your online experience. Fiber optics generally offer the fastest speeds, ideal for bandwidth-intensive activities, whereas cable internet provides solid download speeds but may lag in uploads. DSL is adequate for basic browsing and streaming, and satellite internet, often the only choice in remote areas, tends to have higher latency and lower 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 San Diego, CA

Based on our Speedtest data gathered from real users in San Diego, AT&T Fiber offers San Diego the fastest median download speed of approximately 340 Mbps. This is significant as it not only provides a superior online experience but you can also expect the reliability that comes with the Fiber Optic technology.

In terms of promised download speeds, AT&T Fiber stands out once again, promoting speeds of up to 5 Gbps, which is a considerable leap over other providers. However, don't forget that your mileage may vary - promised speeds don't always reflect real world performance. At speeds of 5Gbps, the home network hardware might be the true bottleneck. Cox and Verizon also offer gig internet speeds, up to 2 Gbps and 1 Gbps respectively, so if its top speed you're after in San Diego, your needs will almost certainly be met.

A good rule of thumb is that download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps are generally considered sufficient for nearly any online activity. Whether for streaming 4K videos on multiple devices, downloading large files for work, or playing online games across various gadgets, these speeds meet most needs. When considering internet speed requirements, don't forget to factor in your specific online activities and the number of users and devices connected, which can really bog down an internet experience. Internet usage is cumulative in the household, so the number of connected devices may be the most important factor in speed requirements. As households continue to add devices, you might consider bumping up those requirements.

San Diego Fixed Speeds

Download Mbps

284.85

Median download speed

Upload Mbps

32.26

Median upload speed

Latency ms

13

Median latency

Historical Data

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.

Expected Speed Range

Expected speed range by Provider refers to the interquartile range of median download speed.

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

Home Internet in San Diego

San Diego is known for its beautiful beaches, incredible weather, and awesome night life, but it also happens to provide its denizens with quite a few internet service options. Providers in the city offer various types of internet services including: fiber, which is known for its multi-gig top speeds and reliability, cable, a popular option due to its widespread availability, and 5G home internet, which offers fast speeds without the need for traditional cabling.

Among the ISPs with the highest availability in San Diego, AT&T Fiber is available in 95.2% of residential areas. It offers not just wide coverage but the added benefit of fiber-optic speeds. Cox follows with overall coverage of 64%. It provides both cable and fiber services, and represents a significant portion of the market. With AT&T and Cox, most San Diegans can expect to have access to high-speed and reliable internet services. With the inclusion of satellite and fixed wireless providers, it's safe to say 100% of the San Diego market can access broadband speeds. San Diego is home to a sizable and growing tech scene and the infrastructure seems to be in place to meet that expanding demand.

The average starting price for all internet service providers in San Diego is $60.49, which is right in the middle of the pack as far as metropolitan areas go. Prices range widely from Cox's low starting plan at $30, offering a budget-conscious path to connectivity, to significantly higher tier priced plans based on the maximum advertised download speed of the same provider. While consumers are encouraged to seek plans that meet their budget and speed requirements, it's important to also consider that advertised speeds may not always reflect real-world experience due to a host of factors like network congestion and suboptimal home hardware. We highly recommend speaking with neighbors and consulting review sites if you're torn between two options. Either way, San Diego will still have those beaches!

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.

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