The best home internet plans in Canada are available from oxio, Altima, VMedia, Bell, and Virgin Plus, but the best internet plan for you depends on where you live, what speeds you need, and (most importantly) how much you’re willing to spend.
Whether you want the fastest internet possible, the cheapest deal on the market, or are simply just looking to compare internet plans, this guide will help you navigate the many options available for Canadians. Along the way, we’ll also break down a few easy ways to find the best internet plan for your unique needs.
Here are some crucial things to look for when shopping for a new home internet plan:
Read on to learn about the best home internet plans in Canada for June 2024.
How we picked the best internet plans in Canada
-
Price & value
We ensured you’re getting the most bang for your buck without sacrificing on the essentials to keep you connected. -
Speeds & data
We looked at whether the upload and download speeds were reasonable for the plan price, and flagged if you’re being overcharged for services and data you likely don’t need. -
Coverage & network reliability
We evaluated the ISPs' coverage maps to see how they stacks up against other ISPs in Canada. -
Plan extras and perks
If you get a free modem or streaming subscription, we factored those in relative to the cost of the plan.
You can read more about our detailed methodology below.
Best internet plans in Canada for 2024
Provider | Plan | Download speed | Availability | Shop this plan |
---|---|---|---|---|
Internet 100 | 100Mbps |
AB, BC, MB, SK (similar plans available in ON and QC) |
$45/month | |
100/30Mbps | 100Mbps | ON | $49/month | |
Internet 25 | 25Mbps | AB, BC, MB, SK, ON | $34.95/month | |
Gigabit Fibe 3.0 | 3Gbps | ON, QC | $84/month | |
60Mbps | 60Mbps | QC | $45/month |
Find the best internet provider for your province
We've collected the best internet plans in Canada below, but if you're looking for the best internet service providers in your particular neck of the woods, we recommend checking out our province-specific guides for British Columbia, Ontario, Ottawa, and Quebec.
Want to get more specific? We've also got guides for Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg.
Best home internet
plan in Canada
oxio | Internet 100 | $45/month
- Cheap monthly payment
- No hidden costs
- Prices and speeds vary by location
We were impressed with oxio’s internet service in our review of the provider, awarding them the high score of 95/100. This cable internet plan is among the best they offer, with 100Mbps downloads that will allow for smooth browsing and streaming. In addition, you get unlimited data and a free Wi-Fi modem.
We also appreciate oxio’s commitment to transparency and fairness: unlike most other internet service providers, oxio doesn’t lock you into term contracts or raise your monthly payment after a preliminary period. What you see is what you get, and we like what we see.
Best budget home
internet plan
Altima | 100/30Mbps | $49/month
- Low monthly payment
- Unlimited data
- Two-year contract
- Limited to Ontario
Altima offers fibre and cable internet, with their best deals reserved for Ontario and Quebec. We love the value of the 100/30Mbps plan, which offers 100Mbps downloads, unlimited data, and a bill credit and free modem/router rental with the activation of a two-year contract.
While there are much faster options on the market, most households don’t need more than 100Mbps for basic internet use, including using streaming services like Netflix or Crave. If you’re looking for the best option for your wallet, this plan is the right choice.
Best cheap
home internet plan
VMedia | Internet 25 | $34.95/month
- Free modem rental
- Low monthly payment
- Slow speeds
- More expensive in Ontario
Bargain hunters rejoice: VMedia’s Internet 25 plan offers cheap monthly payments and basic internet service that’s perfect for small households looking to keep things simple. The plan’s 25Mbps download speed is slower than what the Canadian government deems “good internet speed,” but it’s still enough to browse the web and answer your emails.
Vmedia also includes unlimited data, 24/7 technical support, and the ability to bring your own modem. For a limited time, they’ll also include a free modem rental if you don’t already have one, along with complimentary installation.
The plan is just $34.95/month in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. It’s more expensive in Ontario, at $49.95/month, a price hike we don’t recommend.
Fastest home
internet plan
Bell | Gigabit Fibe 3.0 | $84/month
- Fastest internet available
- 24/7 technical support
- High monthly payment
- Excessive speeds
If you’re looking for the fastest speeds possible, then Bell has you covered: the Gigabit Fibe 3.0 plan is the fastest in Canada, with blistering 3Gbps downloads and uploads. We should warn you, though: most people don’t need speeds this fast. Even remote workers and hardcore gamers would be more than satisfied with under 1Gbps downloads. More importantly, most folks’ routers and modems can’t actually deliver speeds this fast because many of them are capped at 1Gbps.
Still, if you’re looking to avoid latency issues (also known as “lag”) or drops in service, Bell’s reliable network and the premium features of the GIgabit Fibe 3.0 will all but guarantee a high-grade high speed internet experience.
What about Starlink internet?
Starlink internet, the high speed satellite internet provider powered by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, recently expanded their coverage map in Canada. If you’re looking for high speed service in rural areas, Starlink is your best bet, with straightforward plans that give you speeds comparable to what you can find in urban centres.
Best internet plan
for students
Virgin Plus | 60Mbps | $45/month
- Low monthly payment
- Fibre connection
- Limited to Ontario and Quebec
The best internet plans for students offer low monthly payments without skimping on service or speed. This Virgin Plus plan is the perfect example: $45/month gets you fibre internet with 60Mbps downloads, unlimited data, and a free modem.
The plan also includes a few perks ideal for students, including referral credits, which can save you up to $300 a year, and Virgin Plus’ Member Benefits, which offer awesome everyday deals and discounts on food, fashion, and entertainment.
How to choose your internet plan
Choosing an internet plan requires some research, some basic knowledge, and, most importantly, an understanding of how you use the internet. The “best internet plan” all depends on what you’re looking for; rather than focusing too much on any one factor, you should aim to find the best internet plan for you.
Below, we’ll answer some of most common questions people ask when they compare internet plans.
What's a good internet speed?
The CRTC has deemed 50Mbps downloads and 10Mbps uploads the minimum for what qualifies as “a good internet speed.” 50Mbps might be suitable for some folks, but for others it won’t be enough—it all depends on how you use the internet.
Basic internet users, like those who primarily use their devices for browsing and streaming, will do well with 50Mbps or less. Gamers and larger households should seek out plans with at least 50Mbps; if they want to ensure uninterrupted service, they should aim for something over 150Mbps.
While it’s tempting to jump at the fastest speed available, keep in mind that the speed of your internet depends on your hardware as much as it does on your plan. Most household routers are capped at 1Gbps, meaning that will be the fastest speed you experience, no matter what your plan promises.
Recommended internet speeds based on household
Household | 1 person | 2-4 people | 4+ people |
---|---|---|---|
Web browsing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Streaming | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Gaming | No | Yes | Yes |
Minimum speed | 15Mbps | 50Mbps | 150Mbps |
Want to get a sense of what all these numbers actually mean? Use our internet speed test to check the speed of your current plan.
Which internet connection type is best?
The type of internet connection that is best, at least in terms of speed, is fibre. The fastest fibre internet plan in Canada is almost eight times faster than the fastest cable plan. As mentioned above, though, it’s important to remember that the fastest speeds in the country will give you fast internet, but they might not reach the maximum speed advertised.
Fibre vs. cable vs. satellite vs. DSL speeds
Technology | Download speed range | Upload speed range |
---|---|---|
Fibre | 250-8,000Mbps | 250-8,000Mbps |
Cable | 10-1,500Mbps | 5-50Mbps |
Satellite | 10-150Mbps | 1-20Mbps |
DSL | 5-75Mbps | 1-30Mbps |
Methodology: How WhistleOut rates internet plans
WhistleOut evaluates internet plans based on the following criteria:
- Price & value: Not all cheap plans are “bad,” and not all expensive plans are worth it. We look at everything a plan includes and compare it to other plans from the same provider, as well as similar plans from competitors in the market, to determine whether the value is consistent with the price.
- Speed & data: Faster upload and download speeds usually mean a better user experience, but not every household needs the fastest plan available. Additionally, the more guaranteed high-speed data the plan includes, the better the plan—but there’s also usually a limit to how much you actually need, and we ensure that you’re not overpaying for services or data that will go unused.
- Coverage & network reliability: The breadth of an ISP’s network determines your reception and service. We value ISPs with large coverage maps who can provide quality internet to more Canadians.
- Plan extras and perks: In addition to the basics—speeds and data—some plans throw in freebies like modems, installation, entertainment subscriptions, or service discounts.
Our internet experts leveraged proprietary data and real-world customer feedback to evaluate the best internet plans in Canada, analyzing their coverage, cost, and plan options. We considered plan-specific elements, including perks, premium data allowances, and upload/download speeds. After performing extensive research, including customer feedback, we compared the services to others on the market to ensure they're the best plans available.
Looking for more options for your next internet plan? Be sure to check out our guides to the best internet service providers and the best internet plans in Canada.
Related Articles
Find Better Internet and Phone Plans
Hundreds of internet plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.
Internet Providers by Provinces and Territories
- Internet in Alberta
- Internet in British Columbia
- Internet in Manitoba
- Internet in New Brunswick
- Internet in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Internet in Northwest Territories
- Internet in Nova Scotia
- Internet in Nunavut
- Internet in Ontario
- Internet in Prince Edward Island
- Internet in Quebec
- Internet in Saskatchewan
- Internet in Yukon Territory