Maryland may have a small footprint, but it’s known for big ideas. The “Free State” is one of the nation’s most fiercely independent. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was born there, and Maryland was a critical station for the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. Today’s Marylanders continue to represent freedom, tolerance and equal opportunity.

Still, those big ideas aren’t the only important matters for modern-day Maryland residents. Whether for work or entertainment, they also need to get online with reliable home Wi-Fi. Even in the Free State, fast internet is a high priority.

Fortunately, there are several options for reliable internet plans . Read on to learn about the top internet service providers in Maryland.

Best internet providers in Maryland

Maryland doesn’t have an especially long list of internet providers, but there are many recognizable names on the list below. Verizon and Xfinity offer the fastest home Wi-Fi plans in the state, while Astound Broadband has some of the most affordable options. There are also a few smaller local providers, which offer limited coverage in specific cities within Maryland.

Whether you’re looking for multigigabit fiber plans for online gaming or just need basic satellite coverage in rural areas, Maryland internet providers have you covered. Here are the most popular providers in the Free State.

Internet technology in Maryland

Internet speed, performance and availability vary by the type of connection each provider uses. Depending on where you live in Maryland, you may have access to high-speed fiber, gigabit cable internet , satellite or even 5G fixed wireless . Fiber will give you the best overall experience, with symmetrical upload and download speeds. But cable and 5G can offer fairly fast, reliable connections, too. Meanwhile, satellite is widely available but much slower than other connection types.

Here’s how each technology stacks up in terms of price, speed and availability in Maryland.

Top Maryland cities

Provider availability and connection speeds vary by region, so a city on one side of the Chesapeake Bay may have a different list of internet options than a town on the other side. Internet providers in Baltimore may not be the same as those in Annapolis, for instance. Enter your address to see which providers offer service near you.

Cheap internet options in Maryland

Maryland offers several options for cheap internet plans , so you don’t have to break the bank on home Wi-Fi in the Free State. Plans from Astound Broadband, Xfinity, T-Mobile and Breezeline all start at or below $30/mo. — a far cry from the national average of $89/mo. for home internet . Many Maryland internet providers even offer bundling deals and other discounts to help residents save.

Fast internet options in Maryland

The cheapest internet plans in Maryland aren’t the fastest ones, but providers offer plenty of bandwidth for users who need it. Verizon Fios plans offer symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 2 GB in some areas, while Xfinity and Astound offer cable internet download speeds of over 1 GB. These high-speed internet plans are more than enough for most online activities, from 4K streaming to video-conferencing.

If you’re unsure how much speed you need to get by, read our internet speed guide .

Rural internet options in Maryland

Although much of Maryland has access to high-speed cable internet, wired connections aren’t available everywhere in the state. Fixed wireless providers cover some of these gaps, but satellite internet is usually your best bet for rural internet coverage . Providers like Hughesnet and Viasat have 100% coverage in Maryland, while Starlink reaches 95% of the state. Keep in mind that you’ll need to install a satellite dish on your property to gain access.

Maryland internet FAQs

This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct . The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.

Hannah Whatley is an editor who enjoys collaborating with writers to offer readers the most relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information for their home purchases. She has previously edited for The Motley Fool, The Modest Wallet, Grammarly, JoinCake.com and SaveOnEnergy.com, gaining expertise in several industries. Hannah has a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State University. When she isn’t editing, she enjoys studying linguistics and languages.