Santa Cruz, CA Internet
Internet Providers in Santa Cruz, CA
Compare every internet provider in Santa Cruz, CA: coverage from FCC filings, plan prices checked monthly, and an address check for your street.
The 30-Second Verdict
UpdatedRoles count plans reaching at least 5% of Santa Cruz. Faster only in small pockets: Frontier Fiber 7 Gig up to 7,000 Mbps (~2% of the city).
Xfinity, cable up to 2,000 Mbps reaching about 14% of the city, is the best overall choice, with its broader cable network reaching about 95% overall. AT&T, fiber up to 5,000/5,000 Mbps reaching about 40% of the city, is the faster choice if it reaches your address.
The ZIP picture is more local than the citywide ranking suggests: AT&T leads Eastside Santa Cruz at about 72% and 95063 at about 90%, while Xfinity leads the University of California, Santa Cruz area at about 67% and 95065 at about 52%. Westside Santa Cruz is especially competitive, with AT&T fiber at about 50% and Xfinity at about 36%, while 95061 mixes Xfinity with Cruzio fiber at about 22%. Students near the University of California, Santa Cruz should check apartment infrastructure carefully, since some buildings may still rely on older copper or DSL, and reliable service matters for Zoom, streaming, and gaming. T-Mobile and Verizon offer fixed wireless where available, with Surfnet Communications another smaller local option. Coverage and technology can change street by street, so confirm the exact address before choosing.
Best Internet Providers in Santa Cruz, CA
Best plan here: 2 Gig — faster than 91% of all internet options in California
- 2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)Cable2,000 MbpsDownload91Our score$100Per month
- 1.2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)Cable1,200 MbpsDownload89Our score$100Per month
- 1 GigCable1,000 MbpsDownload81Our score$50Per month
- 500 Mbps$45/mo for 60 months, then $55/mo (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers)Cable500 MbpsDownload80Our score$45Per month
- 300 Mbps$40/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)Cable300 MbpsDownload72Our score$40Per month
Source: Xfinity official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Among the fastest advertised speeds in the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks near the top of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Good
Good
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Santa Cruz
Xfinity reaches 95.2% of Santa Cruz, giving most households a strong chance of qualifying for service. Its cable offering is a reliable choice, with the headline Speed Score of 91/100 above the city average of 60 and plans offering up to 1,200 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload. Availability still depends on your address: the top 2 Gig plan, with a score of 91/100, reaches only about 14% of the city.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Xfinity
Xfinity reaches 95.2% of Santa Cruz, so most local shoppers have a strong chance of getting its cable service. With options up to 1.2 Gig at 95.2% coverage and up to 2 Gig at about 14% coverage, it offers excellent speeds for most households, though the fastest plan is address-dependent, so check availability at your address before choosing.
Available Plans
Cable
Cable
Fiber
Best plan here: AT&T Internet 5 GIG speed — faster than 95% of all internet options in California
- AT&T Internet 5 GIG speed$90/mo for 12 months (new AT&T Fiber customers; up to $30 discount applies for 12 months on 1Gb+ plans) · $150 Visa reward cardFiber5,000 MbpsDownload95Our score$90Per month
- AT&T Fiber 1 GIG speed$50/mo for 12 months (new AT&T Fiber customers; up to $30 off for 12 months; full plan cost due until discount starts within 3 bills) · $150 Visa reward cardFiber1,000 MbpsDownload81Our score$50Per month
- AT&T Fiber 500Mbps$50/mo for 12 months (new AT&T Fiber customers, $15/mo discount for 12 months applies after up to 3 bill cycles) · $100 Visa reward cardFiber500 MbpsDownload80Our score$50Per month
- AT&T Fiber 300Mbps$35/mo for 12 months (new customers, with AutoPay & paperless bill discount, wired connection to gateway) · $200 AT&T Visa Reward CardFiber300 MbpsDownload72Our score$35Per month
- AT&T Internet Air 300 Mbps$40/mo for 12 months (new customers, no annual contract, AutoPay eligible for additional $5/mo discount)Fixed Wireless300 MbpsDownload72Our score$40Per month
Source: AT&T official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Among the fastest advertised speeds in the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks near the top of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Santa Cruz
AT&T’s $35/mo introductory Fiber 300Mbps plan offers excellent value, with up to 300 Mbps both ways, a 72/100 Speed Score, and a $200 reward card. For heavier households, the $90/mo Fiber 5 GIG plan provides up to 5000 Mbps both ways and a 95/100 Speed Score, well above Santa Cruz’s city average of 60. Fiber availability depends on your address, with the 300Mbps plan reaching about 44% of the city and the 5 GIG plan about 40%, while Internet Air offers fixed wireless speeds of up to 300/30 Mbps where fiber is unavailable.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About AT&T
AT&T offers strong value, from $35/mo for fiber with up to 300 Mbps both ways to $50/mo for up to 1,000 Mbps both ways and $90/mo for up to 5,000 Mbps both ways, with the fastest plan earning a 95/100 speed score. Fiber availability is address-dependent, covering about 44% of the city for the 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, and 1 GIG plans and about 40% for 5 GIG, while the fallback Internet Air option reaches about 16% and offers up to 300 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload, so check your address for fiber first.
Available Plans
Fiber
Copper
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Fiber
Copper
Copper
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Copper
Copper
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: Internet Gig 1 Gig — faster than 81% of all internet options in California
- Internet Gig 1 Gig$60/mo for 12 months (new residential customers only (no Spectrum service in past 30 days); limited-time offer; not available in all areas)Cable1,000 MbpsDownload81Our score$60Per month
- Internet Premier 500 Mbps$40/mo for 12 months (new residential customers only (no Spectrum service in past 30 days); limited-time offer; not available in all areas)Cable500 MbpsDownload80Our score$40Per month
- Internet 100$30/mo for 12 months (new residential customers only (no Spectrum service in past 30 days); limited-time offer; not available in all areas)Cable100 MbpsDownload21Our score$30Per month
Source: Spectrum official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Among the fastest advertised speeds in the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks near the top of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Good
Good
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Santa Cruz
Spectrum’s Internet Gig offers up to 1000 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload, enough for multiple people streaming, gaming, video calling, and handling large downloads at once. As a cable plan with a Speed Score of 81/100, it is a reliable choice and scores above Santa Cruz’s city average of 60, though Internet Gig is available to only 4.1% of the city, so confirm availability at your address.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Spectrum
Spectrum’s fastest plan offers up to 1000 Mbps download and 35 Mbps upload, easily handling multiple simultaneous streams, gaming, video calls, and large downloads. Its cable service is an excellent choice where available, with a 500 Mbps option as well, but these plans reach only 4.1% of Santa Cruz, so check your address first; the 100 Mbps plan is suitable for basic use but may feel limited for busy modern households.
Available Plans
Cable
Best plan here: Fiber 7 Gig — faster than 98% of all internet options in California
- Fiber 7 Gig$124.99/mo for 12 months (new customers, maintain service 365 days for Samsung credit) · $400 Samsung / Best Buy promo codeFiber7,000 MbpsDownload98Our score$124.99Per month
- Fiber 5 Gig$104.99/mo for 12 months (new customers, Fiber 1 Gig or higher, maintain service for 365 days) · $400 Samsung / Best Buy promo codeFiber5,000 MbpsDownload95Our score$104.99Per month
- Fiber 2 Gig$79.99/mo for 12 months (new customers, Fiber 1 Gig or higher) · $400 Samsung / Best Buy promo codeFiber2,000 MbpsDownload91Our score$79.99Per month
- Fiber 1 Gig$64.99/mo for 12 months (new customers, Fiber 1 Gig plan) · $400 Best Buy promo code for Samsung productsFiber1,000 MbpsDownload81Our score$64.99Per month
- Fiber 500$44.99/mo for 12 months (new customers, Fiber 1 Gig or higher for Samsung credit) · $400 Best Buy promo code for Samsung productsFiber500 MbpsDownload80Our score$44.99Per month
- Fiber 200$29.99/mo for 12 months (new customers, Fiber 1 Gig or higher for Samsung credit) · $400 Samsung / Best Buy promo codeFiber200 MbpsDownload59Our score$29.99Per month
Source: Frontier official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Among the fastest advertised speeds in the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks near the top of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Santa Cruz
Up to 7,000 Mbps both ways on Frontier’s Fiber 7 Gig plan can comfortably support heavy streaming, gaming, large downloads, and many connected devices, earning the provider a 98/100 Speed Score above Santa Cruz’s 60 city average. Fiber is a top-tier option, but availability is address-specific and this plan reaches only about 2% of the city, so confirm that Frontier fiber is offered at your address.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Frontier
Frontier’s top Fiber 7 Gig plan offers up to 7,000 Mbps both ways, excellent for large households, 4K streaming, gaming, and heavy uploads. Its fiber plans have strong speed scores and include options down to 200 Mbps, but fiber is available to only about 2% of Santa Cruz, so check your address first because Frontier may not be a practical choice where faster fiber service is unavailable.
Available Plans
Fiber
Copper
Copper
Copper
Copper
Cruzio
Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Price Not listed
Speed Score: Faster than 81% of all internet options in California
SPEED SCORE
Among the fastest advertised speeds in the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks near the top of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Santa Cruz
For the monthly price shown, Cruzio offers strong value with up to 1000 Mbps download and 1000 Mbps upload over fiber, earning a Speed Score of 81/100. That makes it a top-tier option and an excellent choice for demanding use, though availability is limited to 1.2% of Santa Cruz, so confirm that fiber service reaches your address.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Cruzio
At the monthly price Cruzio quotes, its local offering buys you excellent fiber value, with up to 1000 Mbps both ways and a Speed Score of 81/100. The catch is availability: this fiber plan reaches just 1.2% of Santa Cruz, so check your address carefully before choosing Cruzio.
Available Plans
Fiber
Best plan here: 5G Home — faster than 72% of all internet options in California
- 5G Home$60/mo for 12 months (w/ Auto Pay & postpaid mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband; requires bundle)5G Fixed Wireless300 MbpsDownload72Our score$60Per month
Source: Verizon official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Mid-pack advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks around the middle of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Santa Cruz
Verizon’s 5G fixed wireless service offers up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload, making it suitable for everyday streaming, video calls, and connected households, though performance can vary with wireless conditions. Its Speed Score of 72/100 is above Santa Cruz’s city average of 60, so it is a competitive option where available. This plan reaches about 33% of the city, so check your address to confirm eligibility and whether Verizon’s 5G signal is strong enough for your needs.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Verizon
Verizon’s 5G fixed wireless service offers up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload, which is a good fit for streaming, video calls, and everyday online use, though fixed wireless can be affected by signal and network conditions. This plan is available to about 33% of Santa Cruz, so check your address before counting on it, and compare any fiber or cable options first if you need the most consistent performance.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: T-Mobile Amplified Home Internet 500 Mbps — faster than 80% of all internet options in California
- T-Mobile Amplified Home Internet 500 Mbps$45/mo for 12 months, then $60/mo (new Internet line, qualifying credit, postpaid voice line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid MastercardFixed Wireless500 MbpsDownload80Our score$45Per month
- T-Mobile All-In Home Internet 500 Mbps$55/mo for 12 months, then $70/mo (new Internet line, qualifying credit, postpaid voice line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid MastercardFixed Wireless500 MbpsDownload80Our score$55Per month
- T-Mobile Rely Home Internet 400 Mbps$35/mo for 12 months, then $50/mo (qualifying credit, postpaid voice line, and new Internet line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid MastercardFixed Wireless400 MbpsDownload80Our score$35Per month
Source: T-Mobile official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Among the fastest advertised speeds in the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks near the top of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Santa Cruz
Households seeking affordable internet for streaming, work, and everyday use may find T-Mobile a competitive choice, with plans offering up to 500 Mbps download and 60 Mbps upload and a Speed Score of 80/100, above the city average of 60. Its fixed wireless technology can be more variable than wired service, and the 500 Mbps plans are available to about 43% of Santa Cruz, so confirm your address can receive the best option.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About T-Mobile
T-Mobile is a solid choice for households that want reasonably fast everyday service, with fixed wireless plans offering up to 500 Mbps download and 60 Mbps upload, plus a Speed Score of 80/100. Availability is address-dependent, reaching about 43% of Santa Cruz for these plans, and the required voice-line bundle means you should verify your address and total monthly cost before signing up.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Surfnet Communications
Speeds up to 100 Mbps
Price Not listed
Speed Score: Slower than 79% of all internet options in California
SPEED SCORE
Below-average advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks below most options filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed; faster plans are usually listed here.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Adequate
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Santa Cruz
Licensed fixed wireless offers up to 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, which can handle everyday browsing, video calls, and streaming but may be less consistent than wired connections. With a Speed Score of 21/100 and availability covering 8.2% of Santa Cruz, it has limited performance compared with alternatives, so check what other providers and technologies are available at your address first.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Surfnet Communications
Licensed fixed wireless can handle everyday browsing, streaming, and video calls with speeds up to 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, though performance may vary with local conditions. Surfnet Communications is an adequate option where this is the best available service, but fixed wireless is not as consistent as cable or fiber and its availability reaches only about 8% of Santa Cruz census blocks, so check your address for faster options first.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: Residential Max 400 Mbps — faster than 80% of all internet options in California
- Residential Max 400 MbpsSatellite400 MbpsDownload80Our score$130Per month
- Residential 200 MbpsSatellite200 MbpsDownload59Our score$85Per month
- Residential 100 MbpsSatellite100 MbpsDownload21Our score$55Per month
Source: Starlink official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Among the fastest advertised speeds in the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks near the top of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Adequate
Poor
Poor
Adequate
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Santa Cruz
Satellite internet can support everyday streaming and browsing with up to 400 Mbps download and 40 Mbps upload on Starlink’s Residential Max plan, but its higher latency can affect gaming, video calls, and other real-time uses. That plan is available to 100.0% of Santa Cruz and has an 80/100 Speed Score, above the city average of 60, making it competitive for a satellite service. Because performance varies by technology, check your address and other available options before choosing satellite if low latency is important.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Starlink
Satellite internet makes Starlink broadly available and suitable for streaming, video calls, and everyday browsing, with its fastest Residential Max plan offering up to 400 Mbps download and 40 Mbps upload for $130 per month. Satellite latency can still affect gaming and other real-time uses, so check your address for faster fiber or cable first, since those options may be better for modern households even though Starlink’s plans are available to 100.0% of Santa Cruz.
Available Plans
Ngso Satellite
Best plan here: Fusion — slower than 79% of all internet options in California
- Fusion$94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/moSatellite100 MbpsDownload21Our score$94.99Per month
- Select$49.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $74.99/moSatellite50 MbpsDownload13Our score$49.99Per month
- Lite$39.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $49.99/moSatellite25 MbpsDownload3Our score$39.99Per month
Source: HughesNet official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Below-average advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks below most options filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed; faster plans are usually listed here.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Santa Cruz
At $94.99 per month for the first 12 months, then $119.99, HughesNet’s Fusion plan buys you up to 100 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload, but its 21/100 Speed Score is below Santa Cruz’s city average of 60. Satellite offers limited performance compared to alternatives, so check what other technologies reach your address before choosing, since HughesNet’s plans are available to 100% of Santa Cruz but may not provide the best real-world experience for high-demand use.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About HughesNet
For $39.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $49.99/mo, HughesNet’s Lite plan buys up to 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, while Select costs $49.99/mo initially and Fusion costs $94.99/mo initially for up to 50 Mbps and 100 Mbps download, respectively. These are satellite plans with below-average performance, including Fusion’s Speed Score of 21/100, so check your address for fiber or cable first, especially if your household streams, games, works from home, or has several users.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Best plan here: Viasat Essentials — slower than 82% of all internet options in California
- Viasat EssentialsSatellite55 MbpsDownload18Our score$69.99Per month
- Viasat UnleashedSatellite34 MbpsDownload13Our score$99.99Per month
Source: Viasat Inc official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Below-average advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks below most options filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed; faster plans are usually listed here.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Santa Cruz
Viasat is a limited-performance option compared with alternatives, with its best plan scoring 18/100, well below Santa Cruz’s city average of 60. Viasat Essentials offers up to 55 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $69.99 per month, while Viasat Unleashed scores 13/100 and offers up to 34 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $99.99 per month. Satellite service reaches 99.9% of the city, but availability and performance at your specific address still matter, so check what other technologies are offered before choosing.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Viasat Inc
Viasat is mainly a fallback option, so check your address for fiber or cable before choosing it, especially for streaming, gaming, or other high-demand use. Its fastest plan, Viasat Essentials, offers up to 55 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $69.99 per month, while Viasat Unleashed offers up to 34 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $99.99, with satellite service available across nearly all of Santa Cruz.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Cheapest and Fastest Internet Plans in Santa Cruz
All 31 product lines from the 9 providers with published pricing here, showing the price you would be quoted today and what it reverts to.
Showing 10 of 31 plans
- Xfinity1.2 Gig$100/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)1,200 MbpsDownload89Our score$100Per month~95.2%CoverageCable
- StarlinkResidential Max 400 Mbps400 MbpsDownload80Our score$130Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- Xfinity1 Gig1,000 MbpsDownload81Our score$50Per month~95.2%CoverageCable
- Xfinity500 Mbps$45/mo for 60 months, then $55/mo (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers)500 MbpsDownload80Our score$45$55Per month~95.2%CoverageCable
- Xfinity300 Mbps$40/mo for 60 months (w/ AutoPay & paperless billing, new customers, 5-Year Price Guarantee)300 MbpsDownload72Our score$40Per month~95.2%CoverageCable
- StarlinkResidential 200 Mbps200 MbpsDownload59Our score$85Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- AT&TAT&T Internet 5 GIG speed$90/mo for 12 months (new AT&T Fiber customers; up to $30 discount applies for 12 months on 1Gb+ plans) · $150 Visa reward card5,000 MbpsDownload95Our score$90Per month~39.5%CoverageFiber
- AT&TAT&T Fiber 1 GIG speed$50/mo for 12 months (new AT&T Fiber customers; up to $30 off for 12 months; full plan cost due until discount starts within 3 bills) · $150 Visa reward card1,000 MbpsDownload81Our score$50Per month~43.8%CoverageFiber
- AT&TAT&T Fiber 500Mbps$50/mo for 12 months (new AT&T Fiber customers, $15/mo discount for 12 months applies after up to 3 bill cycles) · $100 Visa reward card500 MbpsDownload80Our score$50Per month~43.8%CoverageFiber
- T-MobileT-Mobile Rely Home Internet 400 Mbps$35/mo for 12 months, then $50/mo (qualifying credit, postpaid voice line, and new Internet line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid Mastercard400 MbpsDownload80Our score$35$50Per month~42.7%CoverageFixed Wireless
Prices are the current promotional rate where one is advertised. Sourced monthly from each provider’s own site; availability varies by address.
Best Fit by Household Type in Santa Cruz
Best Fit
Students & Roommates
Choose Xfinity 300 Mbps for $40/mo promotional pricing for 12 months, reaching about 95% of Santa Cruz.
Its broad cable footprint and 300 Mbps tier fit shared streaming, coursework, and video calls.
Check first: Verify your address because Xfinity 2 Gig reaches only about 14% of the city.
Best Fit
Remote Workers
Choose AT&T fiber where available, especially the 1 Gig tier reaching about 44% of Santa Cruz.
AT&T fiber offers symmetrical 1,000/1,000 Mbps service across its own fiber footprint.
Check first: AT&T fiber coverage is address-specific and its 5 Gig tier reaches only about 40%.
Best Fit
Gamers & Streamers
Choose AT&T 5 GIG where available; otherwise choose Xfinity 1 Gig reaching about 95% of Santa Cruz.
AT&T fiber reaches about 40% at 5,000/5,000 Mbps, while Xfinity provides broader high-speed coverage.
Check first: Do not assume either provider's fastest tier reaches its entire city footprint.
Best Fit
Rural & Edge-of-City Homes
Choose Starlink Residential 100 Mbps for $55/mo promotional pricing, available everywhere in Santa Cruz.
Starlink provides 100 Mbps service everywhere when wired options do not reach the address.
Check first: Compare the address first because wired coverage varies sharply by neighborhood and ZIP.
Internet Providers by ZIP Code in Santa Cruz
Westside Santa Cruz 95060
AT&T is currently the strongest option for Fiber-speed households.
AT&T 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber reaches about 50% of Westside Santa Cruz addresses.
Eastside Santa Cruz 95062
AT&T is currently the strongest option for Broad fiber availability.
AT&T 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber reaches about 72% of Eastside Santa Cruz addresses.
University of California, Santa Cruz 95064
Xfinity is currently the strongest option for Campus-area cable coverage.
Xfinity 1,200 Mbps cable reaches about 67% of ZIP 95064, while AT&T 5,000 Mbps fiber reaches about 30%.
ZIP 95061
Xfinity is currently the strongest option for Broad cable availability.
Xfinity 1,200 Mbps cable reaches about 31% of ZIP 95061, while Cruzio fiber reaches about 22%.
Internet providers near Santa Cruz
Coverage can change completely a few miles down the road. If you’re moving to or shopping just outside Santa Cruz, check the neighboring market directly.
Santa Cruz Internet FAQs
Who is the best internet provider in Santa Cruz, CA?
Xfinity is the best overall provider, with cable up to 2,000 Mbps reaching about 14% of Santa Cruz. If AT&T fiber reaches your address, its 5,000/5,000 Mbps service reaching about 40% is the faster choice.
What is the fastest internet in Santa Cruz, CA?
AT&T offers the fastest service where available: 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber reaching about 40% of Santa Cruz. Xfinity is the best overall provider, with 2,000 Mbps cable reaching about 14%, so address eligibility determines the faster option.
Which internet provider covers the most of Santa Cruz, CA?
Xfinity has the largest non-satellite footprint at about 95% of Santa Cruz. Satellite services from Starlink, HughesNet, and Viasat are available everywhere, but Xfinity offers the broadest wired coverage.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Santa Cruz, CA?
Frontier Fiber 200 is the cheapest plan at a promotional $29.99/mo for 200 Mbps, reaching about 2% of Santa Cruz. The offer is for 12 months for new customers, with Fiber 1 Gig or higher required for Samsung credit.
Can I get fiber internet in Santa Cruz?
AT&T 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber reaches about 40% of Santa Cruz, while its 1,000/1,000 Mbps fiber reaches about 44%. Frontier fiber reaches about 2% and Cruzio fiber about 1%, so availability depends on your exact address.
What internet speed do I need in Santa Cruz?
A 300 Mbps plan covers typical households, while 1,000 Mbps supports heavier streaming, gaming, and remote work. Xfinity's 300 Mbps plan reaches about 95% of Santa Cruz, while AT&T's 1 Gig fiber reaches about 44%.
What internet is available near the University of California, Santa Cruz?
ZIP 95064 has Xfinity 1,200 Mbps cable reaching about 67% and AT&T 5,000 Mbps fiber reaching about 30%. Check the exact address because ZIP-level availability does not guarantee service at every residence.
How We Analyze Internet in Santa Cruz
FCC Broadband Data
We use the FCC National Broadband Map, updated twice a year with provider-reported coverage at the census block level.
Speed Score
A state-wide percentile of each plan’s maximum advertised download speed against every option filed with the FCC in the state, all technologies on one scale. It is not a measured speed test.
Coverage Calculation
Provider coverage shows what percentage of census blocks in Santa Cruz report service availability from each provider.
Data Coverage for Santa Cruz
How We Calculate Speed Score
The Speed Score is a state-wide percentile from 0 to 100. It answers one question: of every internet option filed with the FCC in this state, across every technology, what share is slower than this plan’s maximum advertised download speed?
What goes in:
- The plan’s maximum advertised download speed, as the provider files it with the FCC and lists it for sale.
- Every other serviceable option in the state from the FCC Broadband Data Collection, counted by the census blocks it reaches.
Speed Score = share of the state’s filed options with a lower advertised download speed
A score of 85 means this plan’s advertised speed beats 85% of the options filed in the state. Fiber, cable, DSL, fixed wireless and satellite are all on the same scale, so a 1,000 Mbps plan scores the same whoever sells it.
What it is not: a measured speed test. It does not include latency, upload speed, reliability or congestion. Real throughput at an address varies with wiring, equipment and time of day.
How providers are ordered on this page: each provider’s tier scores are averaged across the census blocks it serves, then multiplied by the share of the city it reaches. Wired providers rank ahead of wireless-only ones, and satellite last, because their filings describe a signal footprint rather than a plant. The same rule sets the title and the 30-second verdict.
Data source: FCC National Broadband Map (Broadband Data Collection), republished roughly twice a year; provider plan lists checked monthly.
How We Calculate Capabilities
Estimated Capabilities predict how well each internet plan supports common household activities based on speed requirements and connection type.
Rating Scale:
- Excellent – Optimal performance, handles peak usage easily
- Good – Reliable performance with minimal issues
- Fair – Functional but may experience slowdowns during heavy use
- Poor – Not recommended; expect frequent buffering or lag
How We Rate Each Category:
Streaming
Based on download speed. 4K streaming requires 25+ Mbps per stream; HD requires 5+ Mbps. We account for multiple simultaneous streams.
Multi-device
Evaluates total bandwidth capacity divided by typical household device count (phones, tablets, smart TVs, computers). Fiber and cable handle many devices better than DSL or satellite.
Gaming
Considers both upload speed (for sending game data) and latency (ping time). Fiber and cable excel here; satellite connections struggle due to inherent signal delay.
Whole Home
Assesses whether the connection can reliably serve an entire household during peak evening hours. Factors in technology type (shared vs. dedicated bandwidth) and total speed capacity.
Note: Actual performance depends on your specific location, network congestion, and equipment quality.