Best Internet Service Providers in Canada for 2024

By Kevin Kearney

Last updated 10 October 2024

Contents

In this guide:

Best internet providers
Fastest internet
Best low-cost internet
Good internet speed
Best internet providers by city
Frequently asked questions

Finding good internet in Canada isn’t an easy task. With so many providers, speeds, and connection types, searching for a new plan can feel like a full-time job. But here’s the thing: that is our job. We’ve filtered through hundreds of plans, scouring the fine print to bring you the best internet providers in Canada, including oxio, Eastlink, Bell, and TekSavvy.

In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about selecting an internet provider and what distinguishes these ISPs from the rest of the pack. We’ve also highlighted cheap, low-cost options so you can enhance your service without depleting your savings.

Read on to find our list of the best internet providers in Canada.

Best internet service providers in Canada

Max download speed	Availability	Shop this ISP
1Gbps	AB, BC, MB, SK, ON, QC	View at oxio
940Mbps	AB, BC, NB, NS, NL, ON, PE	View plans
3Gbps	ON, QC	View plans
1.5Gbps	AB, BC, ON	View plans

Best internet providers

5 out of 5 overall

oxio—Starting at $35/month

Pros:

Cheap monthly payments
No hidden costs

Cons:

Prices and speeds vary by location

Canadians often assume the internet market is controlled by the Big Three of Bell, Rogers, and Telus, but the secret to scoring excellent service and a low price is looking beyond those behemoths. The perfect example is oxio, whom we consider the best internet provider in Canada. oxio provides no-nonsense cable and fibre plans for reasonable monthly prices. Even better, they provide free installation, a free modem, and don’t lock you into contracts.

The best oxio plan for Ontario (especially because Fido recently closed its internet division) and Quebec is the Internet 150, which offers 150Mbps downloads, 10Mbps uploads, and unlimited data.

Provider	oxio
Speed	Up to 150 Mbps
Data	Unlimited
Connection	Cable
Type	No Term Contract
Total Price	$71 per month
	View Plan

Unlike most other internet providers, though, oxio isn’t limited to Ontario and Quebec. Their offerings in other provinces do differ from their Ontario and Quebec plans–but only slightly. In general, you pay a bit more, but you also get faster speeds.

#1	oxio	oxio 15 Mbps Cable 15/2 Mbps $20/mo Go	$20/mo	Go
#2	oxio	oxio 15 Mbps Cable 15/2 Mbps $20/mo Go	$20/mo	Go
#3	oxio	oxio 40 Mbps Cable 40/10 Mbps $25/mo Go	$25/mo	Go
#4	oxio	oxio 100 Mbps Cable 100/10 Mbps $30/mo Go	$30/mo	Go
#5	oxio	oxio 40 Mbps Cable 40/10 Mbps $30/mo Go	$30/mo	Go

Download vs. upload speed: What’s the difference?

Download speed measures how quickly data travels from your provider to your home. Upload speed is how fast your connection moves from your computer to your provider’s servers. Posting to Instagram, starting video chats, and playing online video games require you to send information to your server, so they require higher upload speeds.

Want to learn more about finding the right internet speed for you? Learn everything you need to know in our guide.

4.5 out of 5 overall

Eastlink—Starting at $54.95/month

Pros:

Low monthly payments
Available in overlooked regions

Cons:

Price hikes after 24 months

If you’re outside of oxio’s coverage area or simply looking for something faster, we recommend Eastlink. The provider provides internet service to the oft-overlooked provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. The provider offers high-speed internet plans, along with 24/7 technical support and the option to choose a month-to-month plan or an annual service agreement.

The best Eastlink internet plan is the 350 Fibre Link, which offers 350Mbps downloads, 10Mbps uploads, and unlimited data. Those speeds are more than enough for a household of streamers, gamers, and work-from-home professionals to operate multiple devices without slowdowns or drops in service.

Provider	Eastlink
Speed	Up to 350 Mbps
Data	Unlimited
Connection	Mobile Broadband
Type	No Term Contract
Total Price	$69.95 per month for 24 months then $89.95/month
	View Details

Looking for more providers? You can check out our list of the best internet plans in Canada to find even more great deals from the country’s best ISPs. You can also check out the most popular plans in Canada below.

#1	Diallog	Diallog Plus Cable 75/10 Mbps $25/mo Go	$25/mo	Go
#2	Diallog	Diallog Gigabit Cable 1000/30 Mbps $42.50/mo Go	$42.50/mo	Go
#3	Diallog	Diallog Extreme Cable 500/20 Mbps $37.50/mo Go	$37.50/mo	Go
#4	oxio	oxio 100 Mbps Cable 100/10 Mbps $30/mo Go	$30/mo	Go
#5	oxio	oxio 1000 Mbps Cable 1000/50 Mbps $85/mo Go	$85/mo	Go

Fastest internet in Canada

4.5 out of 5 overall

Bell—Starting at $50/month

Pros:

Fastest fibre plans
Unmatched speeds

Cons:

High prices
Too fast for most homes

If you’re looking for the fastest speeds in Canada, then you won’t do any better than Bell. The ISP’s Gigabit Fibe 3.0 plan promises blazing fast internet speeds, with downloads reaching up to 3Gbps.

While Bell’s speeds are impressive, they’re also a bit misleading…at least for the average consumer. Most households’ routers are capped at 1Gbps, meaning they can’t provide speeds beyond that, even if an ISP is advertising a much faster plan. The Gigabit Fibe 3.0 advertises downloads up to 3Gbps, but that doesn’t mean your household will experience 3Gbps downloads.

Still, if you’ve got a heavy-duty modem and the need for more bandwidth, you can’t find a faster plan than the Fibe 3.0. Unfortunately, it’s limited to Ontario and Quebec, though you can grab 3Gbps plans in Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec through Telus.

Provider	Bell
Speed	Up to 3000 Mbps
Data	Unlimited
Connection	Fibre
Type	No Term Contract
Total Price	$85 per month for 2 years then $95.00/month. Price may increase during subscription. + $100 Upfront
	View Details

Interested in seeing how Bell’s speeds stack up against the competition? Check out the top five fastest internet plans in Canada below.

#1	Telus	Telus PureFibreX 5 Gigabit Internet Fibre 5000/5000 Mbps Contract (24 mths) $145/mo Go	$145/mo	Go
#2	Bell	Bell Gigabit Fibe 3.0 Fibre 3000/3000 Mbps $85/mo Go	$85/mo	Go
#3	Bell	Bell Gigabit Fibe 3.0 Fibre 3000/3000 Mbps $120/mo Go	$120/mo	Go
#4	Telus	Telus PureFibre X 3.0 Gigabit Internet Fibre 3000/3000 Mbps Contract (24 mths) $120/mo Go	$120/mo	Go
#5	BellMTS	BellMTS Gigabit Fibe 3.0 Fibre 3000/3000 Mbps Deal: $50 Visa prepaid card for new customers! $130/mo Go	$130/mo	Go

Best low-cost internet

4.5 out of 5 overall

TekSavvy—Starting at $24.95/month

Pros:

Cheap basic plans
24/7 technical support

Cons:

Limited availability

Sometimes the best options are the cheapest ones. TekSavvy offers low-cost internet plans without skimping on service quality, offering customers 24/7 technical support, month-to-month pricing, and the ability to BYO modem.

If you’re in Ontario, the provider’s best plan is the Cable 40 Unlimited, which offers 40Mbps downloads, 10Mbps uploads, and unlimited data. That’s not fast enough for gamers or a crowded household, but it’s ideal for more casual internet users, even if they’re operating multiple devices.

Provider	TekSavvy
Speed	Up to 40 Mbps
Data	Unlimited
Connection	Cable
Type	No Term Contract
Total Price	$29.95 per month for 12 months then $59.95/month
	View Details

If you’re in Alberta or British Columbia, we recommend the Cable 100 Unlimited plan, which offers 100Mbps downloads, 10Mbps uploads, and unlimited data.

Provider	TekSavvy
Speed	Up to 100 Mbps
Data	Unlimited
Connection	Cable
Type	No Term Contract
Total Price	$45.95 per month for 12 months then $77.95/month
	View Details

Looking for other cheap internet providers? Read our guide to the best cheap internet plans or check out a list of the cheapest plans in Canada below.

#1	Diallog	Diallog Basic ADSL 6/0.8 Mbps $12.50/mo Go	$12.50/mo	Go
#2	oxio	oxio 15 Mbps Cable 15/2 Mbps $20/mo Go	$20/mo	Go
#3	TekSavvy	TekSavvy 15 Mbps Unlimited Cable 15/2 Mbps $24.95/mo Go	$24.95/mo	Go
#4	VMedia	VMedia Internet 15 ADSL 15/1 Mbps $32.95/mo Go	$32.95/mo	Go
#5	Distributel	Distributel Unlimited Internet 25 Mbps Cable 25/2 Mbps Deal: Limited Time Offer: FREE installation & activation when you join DistribuTel on a 1 year term $34.95/mo Go	$34.95/mo	Go

What is a good internet speed?

According to the CRTC, a “good internet speed” is, at minimum, 50Mbps downloads and 10Mbps uploads. That definition, of course, all depends on how you use the internet. Households full of gamers and bingewatchers might find 50Mbps/10Mbps to be a bit slow, even though the government has determined it to be “good.” If you’re in a household of more than four people, we recommend a plan with at least 150Mbps downloads to avoid frustrating slowdowns.

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

Not sure of your current speed? We recommend using our internet speed test and then consulting our guide to finding the right internet speed for you.

Best Canadian internet providers by city

The best internet provider in Canada depends on where you live. Some ISPs are available in select cities, while others offer nationwide service. In order to simplify your options, we’ve broken down our guides to the best internet providers by major metropolitan areas. Check out the guide to your local market below:

Methodology: Picking the best internet providers in Canada

Our experts analyze the available plans from 26 providers when compiling this list of the best internet providers in Canada. We evaluated each ISP's plan costs, availability, speeds, and data, as well as additional perks like technical support and installation.

Best internet providers: FAQs

What is the best internet in Canada?

The best internet in Canada is available from oxio, who provides fast, affordable, no-frills plans to most of the country. We recommend the Internet 120 plan, which offers 120Mbps downloads, 10Mbps uploads, and unlimited data.

Which internet connection is best in Canada?

The best internet connection is fibre, with speeds that can reach up to 8Gbps. But most people won’t notice the difference between fibre and cable internet, which can also provide high-speed service. Want to learn more about the differences between internet connections? Read about it in our guide to selecting the best internet speed for you.

What is the best internet provider in BC?

The best internet provider in BC (British Columbia) is oxio. We recommend the Internet 150 plan, which offers 150Mbps downloads, 10Mbps uploads, and unlimited data.

What is a good internet speed for home?

According to the CRTC, a good internet speed for home is a plan with 50Mbps downloads and 10Mbps uploads. If your household has four or more people in it, though, we recommend a plan with at least 150Mbps downloads. Learn more in our guide to choosing the best internet speed for you.

Kevin Kearney

Kevin is an experienced journalist and writer whose musings on tech, education, and culture have appeared in Stereogum, InsideHook, The Millions, and elsewhere. As Deputy Editor for WhistleOut, he offers unique expertise on the inner workings of the mobile industry, and has a particular passion for emerging efficiencies within smartphone apps. When he’s not researching the telecom market, he enjoys reading, running, and playing music.