Who is our top ranked provider in Tacoma WA? [Updated]

Tacoma, WA High Speed Internet Service

Broadband is defined as internet service with a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps. There are 5 choices for service in Tacoma, WA that meet this minimum speed threshold. Of course, many households will find this minimum speed is not sufficient for their needs, especially if they often have multiple downloads occurring simultaneously.
We aim to help you find the best choice when shopping for high speed internet service in Tacoma by using our ranking algorithm that takes into consideration the upload speed, download speed, coverage area and overall value. A summary of our results is as follows:

Rank	Provider	Tech	Max Download Speed	Max Upload Speed	Availability
1	Xfinity	Cable	987 Mbps	35 Mbps	99.1%
2	CenturyLink	DSL, Fiber	940 Mbps	940 Mbps	80.8%
3	Mashell	Cable	100 Mbps	10 Mbps	96.3%
4	ViaSat	Satellite	100 Mbps	3 Mbps	100%
5	HughesNet	Satellite	25 Mbps	3 Mbps	100%

Tacoma WA Internet Access Options

Studies have shown that the competition from having two or more broadband internet providers in a community leads to lower prices and better overall service.
The chart below graphs the segment of the population which has a choice of internet providers at four different ranges of download speeds.

Broadband Internet Speeds

How does the average download speed for broadband internet in Tacoma compare to Pierce County? The average speed in Tacoma is 27.16 Mbps which is faster than Pierce County overall.
On a statewide basis this download speed is faster than the Washington average of 24.42 Mbps.

Tacoma Internet Access Facts

The average upload speed in Tacoma is 6.08 Mbps. This is 20.2% faster than the Pierce County average and 47.6% slower than the national average of 11.56 Mbps
Cable internet is available to 96.3% of Pierce County residents
Fiber optic internet is available to 34.2% of Pierce County residents
The average internet download speed in Pierce County is 19.25 Mbps based upon 1956216 samples taken in the past year
The average download speed in Tacoma is 11.2% faster than the average in Washington and 16.2% slower than the national average of 32.4 Mbps
The average internet download speed in Tacoma is 27.16 Mbps based upon 880280 measurements taken in the last 12 months

Internet Access Technologies

DSL, Cable, Fiber and Fixed Wireless are four common types of technology used to provide internet access. The following chart shows the percentage of Tacoma residents who have access to each of these technology types.

Internet Service FAQs

Who has the best internet service near me?

Our proprietary algorithm that takes into consideration download speed, upload speed, availability and overall value ranks Xfinity as the top provider for Tacoma, Washington.

How do the internet speeds in Tacoma compare to other cities in Washington?

Click through to see how the Tacoma broadband speeds compare to these other cities throughout the state: Bothell, Clarkston Heights Vineland, Forks, Kelso, Maple Heights Lake Desire, Mead, Monroe

What download speed do I need to stream movies?

For HD movies and shows Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu all recommend a minimum of 5 Mbps. Streaming 4K/UHD content requires a minimum of 25 Mbps for Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu.

What locations were used in calculating broadband internet coverage for Tacoma, Washington?

The following zip codes were used: 98401, 98402, 98403, 98404, 98405, 98406, 98407, 98408, 98409, 98411, 98413, 98415, 98416, 98417, 98418, 98419, 98421, 98422, 98424, 98430, 98438, 98444, 98445, 98448, 98450, 98455, 98460, 98465, 98466, 98467, 98471, 98477, 98481, 98490 and 98499

Who has the fastest internet service in Tacoma?

Xfinity with a download speed of 987 Mbps provides the fastest internet service in Tacoma.

Is there DSL internet service near me?

Yes, there is 1 DSL provider in Tacoma - CenturyLink.

What is an internet data cap?

Some internet providers on their lowest end plans limit the amount of data that can be downloaded in a month. Like cellular phone plans, when that usage limit is hit, an additional charge is added to the customer's bill. Data caps are typically 1TB or more. In a month you could send 40,000 emails, streaming music 24 hours a data, surf the web 24 hours a day plus stream HD video 12 hours a day and still not hit a 1TB limit. Fewer than 10% of customers hit their data caps in a month.

What is fixed wireless internet service?

Fixed wireless internet is typical used in rural areas where there are no buried telephone or cable lines. An antenna is attached to the home or business which transmits and receives data from access point towers. Download speeds are typically much better than with satellite.

Tacoma Cable TV, Satellite TV and Streaming Services

Our ranking of internet service plans can make choosing a new provider fairly easy. Selecting a TV provider is more difficult as additional variables are involved. If you are a heavy TV viewer and/or watch in multiple rooms at the same time, a traditional cable TV package or satellite TV provider may be the best option for you. However, if you live in a rental property or a heavily wooded area, satellite TV may not be a viable option. Streaming TV packages can be a good option for many, especially if your internet plan does not have a data limit. Read through the pros and cons of the various TV packages available to you and chose the best match to your viewing needs.