Best Internet Providers in Lincoln, Nebraska

Lincoln, Nebraska's internet options shine bright like its nickname: Star City. Home to the stunning Sunken Gardens and a fantastic collection of museums, Lincoln isn't just stuck in the past. It's also got some of the fastest and most reliable internet connectivity options for its residents. In most cases, that would be a pick between Allo, Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream.

CNET's pick for the best internet service provider in Lincoln is Allo. The company's widespread fiber network and straightforward pricing make it the obvious choice. Don't forget to shop around, as Spectrum and Windstream might have better plans for your needs, too. Let's run through the pros and cons of Lincoln's best internet service providers.

Best internet in Lincoln in 2024

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

Other available internet providers in Lincoln

Although Allo, Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream are our top three in Lincoln, there are a few other options to consider, especially if you live in a more rural area. Fixed wireless or 5G home internet are alternatives for folks who can’t get fiber or cable or aren’t happy with the options available. 

• Nextlink Internet: Nextlink offers a fixed wireless service in Lincoln with no data caps. Prices start at $45 for 25Mbps to $90 for 100Mbps for standard plans. The ISP has enhanced plans in some places, costing $140 for 500Mbps. You can get better pricing by agreeing to a two-year contract rather than going month-to-month. There’s a $250 installation fee but watch for a free installation deal. The pricing means Nextlink is most likely to be considered by residents who don’t have access to more affordable or faster plans.  
• Rise Broadband: Rise is a rural fixed wireless internet specialist with plans starting at $45 per month. Rise offers up to 250Mbps in some areas, but you’ll most likely find speed options between 25-100Mbps around Lincoln. The 100Mbps plan runs $65 per month. There’s a $10 modem rental fee required, so calculate that into your budget. Keep an eye out for a deal that includes unlimited data and free installation. Rise can be a solid option for rural households that don’t have much choice in ISPs and want a more affordable alternative to satellite internet.
• T-Mobile Home Internet: When wired internet options aren’t satisfactory, check into T-Mobile Home Internet. You can get an idea of availability by looking at T-Mobile’s coverage map and looking for the dark-purple areas indicating the ISP’s 5G Ultra Capacity network. There’s pretty solid coverage across Lincoln, but open slots for home internet service may be limited. The price is $50 per month for typical speeds of 72-245Mbps, with no contract or data cap. Equipment is included. Bundling with an eligible phone plan can save $20 off your monthly bill. 
• Satellite Internet: Starlink, Viasat or Hughesnet all provide satellite internet service, but for a price that’s usually higher than other options. Upfront fees can be hefty, and speeds may be slower than you like. Think of satellite internet as a fallback if you don’t have a more affordable or faster ISP at your location. 

Lincoln broadband at a glance

Everyone in Lincoln can access broadband speeds, according to FCC data. To the FCC, that means at least 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload. Fortunately for Lincoln residents, gigabit speeds are widely available through Allo, Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream. There are some good deals, at least when you look at introductory pricing for new customers.

Pricing details on Lincoln home internet service

Low-cost promotional prices from Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream mean you can get online at decent speeds for $40 per month. If you’re looking at Windstream, see if you can access the ISP’s fiber network rather than its DSL network. You’ll also need to figure in a monthly $10 equipment fee or provide your own hardware. Allo’s initial pricing is higher, with a $73-per-month 500Mbps plan, but equipment is included, and the ISP has a strong reputation for customer service.   

Cheap internet options in the Lincoln area

Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream lead the price war for Lincoln broadband, with $40-per-month entry-level plans. If you’re looking at Windstream, check if you can get a faster fiber network rather than the outdated DSL. The catch with these ISPs is that your price will increase after your initial promotional period. After that, compare with Allo or be prepared to try to negotiate your way back to a lower fee. 

What's the cheapest internet plan in Lincoln?

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

How fast is broadband in Lincoln?

Thanks to Allo, Kinetic by Windstream and Spectrum, a good chunk of Lincoln’s population can access gigabit internet. A recent Ookla ranking of internet speeds for the 100 most populated cities in the US placed Lincoln in the eighth spot, with a median download speed of 269Mbps. Only Raleigh, North Carolina, was faster. Ookla highlighted Allo as Lincoln’s fastest provider, with a median download speed of nearly 308Mbps. Lincoln’s strong showing in the city ranking is a testament to the availability of gig speeds across the area.

Fastest internet providers in Lincoln

The gigabit internet dream is alive and well in Lincoln, but when it comes to equally fast upload speeds, look to Allo or Kinetic by Windstream’s fiber offering. Spectrum’s uploads top out at 35Mbps. You won’t find multi-gigabit offerings, but you can read up on the best multi-gig plans available in other parts of the country.

What are the fastest internet plans in Lincoln?

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Lincoln

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it's impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. So what's our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary database of pricing, availability and speed information that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov. 

We then go to the FCC's website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication. 

Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions: 

• Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds? 
• Do customers get decent value for what they're paying? 
• Are customers happy with their service? 

Although the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also take into account real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.

To explore our process in more depth, you can visit our how we test ISPs page.

What’s the final word on internet providers in Lincoln?

I’m always a champion of fiber internet, so I recommend prioritizing Allo's or Kinetic by Windstream’s fiber plans when shopping for home internet in Lincoln. Spectrum has wide availability and affordable introductory prices but slower uploads. T-Mobile Home Internet is a no-fuss alternative for anyone dissatisfied with the wired options.  

Internet providers in Lincoln FAQ