Best Internet Providers in Kansas City, Missouri for 2026
Compare the Best Internet Service Providers in Kansas City, MO
Not all plans are available in all areas. Provider plan, availability, and speed tier data provided by BroadbandNow.com. Speedtest real-world data is only present where sample size has reached significance within a region. Additionally, averages may include aggregated tests across multiple Internet Types (Fiber, DSL, Cable, etc.).
Kansas City is one of those rare places that mixes Midwestern charm with modern innovation. It’s the home of barbecue that could start a family feud, neighborhoods full of local pride, and a football team led by Patrick Mahomes—who’s as much a part of KC culture as burnt ends and fountains. Between fans streaming Chiefs games, remote workers Zooming from Crossroads lofts, and gamers holding down tournaments in River Market apartments, it’s clear that this is a city that lives online as much as it lives for game day.
Fortunately, Kansas City’s no stranger to connectivity. It was one of the first major metro areas to get gigabit internet thanks to Google Fiber, and that early tech momentum never really stopped. Today, residents can choose from multiple high-speed internet service providers (ISPs) offering reliable performance; the kind that lets you stream, upload, and multitask without breaking a sweat.
How much speed do you really need? The right internet speed depends on how digital your life is. If you live alone and your idea of “heavy usage” is watching Netflix and scrolling X and TikTok during halftime, 25 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload will get you through.
The thing is, people use the internet at different levels. So if your household runs on three or four (or ten) devices, you’re going to need a good amount of bandwidth. A family in Waldo might have two remote workers, a gamer in the basement, and a smart TV streaming replays of Mahomes’ TD passes. In that case, 200–300 Mbps is a realistic starting point.
And if you’re running a home business, livestreaming your art, or working in any field where you actually upload content, you’ll probably want fiber speeds of 1 Gbps or more. Symmetrical uploads and downloads make a huge difference when you’re sharing large files or on constant video calls. Latency (the delay between your device and the server) matters too, and under 20 ms is ideal for real-time activities like gaming or online meetings.
The bottom line is simple; the more devices, streamers, and snack-fetchers in your house, the more bandwidth you’ll need to keep the peace.
What’s Coming Down the Pipeline?
Kansas City keeps finding ways to stay ahead of the connectivity curve, and it’s not slowing down. Here are a few initiatives they have in the works:
- Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD): A $42M NTIA grant funds the Free State Network, a middle-mile fiber backbone stretching from Kansas City to southwest Kansas. It supports future last-mile builds and anchors public institutions.
- Digital Life Exchange (DLX) — Device and Skills Expansion (2025): DLX is distributing 575 devices to underserved households in Wyandotte County and offering digital literacy support through nonprofits like Literacy KC and Workforce Partnership.
- Kansas BEAD Construction Prep — KC Metro Census Blocks (2025): Kansas received $451M in BEAD funding. Kansas City, KS census blocks are included in the challenge process, with construction expected to begin in 2026.
With so much ongoing investment, Kansas City’s internet future looks fast. Maybe not Patrick-Mahomes-scrambling-out-of-the-pocket fast, but close.
How to Choose the Right Internet Plan in Kansas City
Picking an internet plan in Kansas City is a little like picking your favorite barbecue joint … It depends on your taste and tolerance for inconsistency.
If you’re mostly streaming shows, scrolling socials, or checking scores, cable or 5G home internet will do the job. But if you’re uploading content, working remotely, or running multiple devices around the clock, fiber is the obvious winner. The symmetrical speeds make everything smoother, from sending files to livestreaming your next big idea.
Always check for data caps, rental fees, and those sneaky “introductory rates” that disappear after 12 months. Providers like Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber may avoid those traps, but it’s still smart to read the fine print.
And if you’re stuck choosing between two great options — well, that’s a good problem to have.

How Much Speed Do I Need?
Download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 10 Mbps are widely considered fast enough to handle nearly any online activity. A quick guide to what speeds you need for different online activities is below, and you can read our full guide to internet speeds and performance for more information. Keep in mind that the numbers below are the bare minimum for one device at a time. If you’re trying to use multiple devices on a network at the same time, you’ll want higher speeds.
0–5 Mbps (Slow)
- Stream SD video
- Connect on Slack
- Use Microsoft Teams
- Write and read email
- Scroll social media
- General web browsing
5–20 Mbps (Better)
- Stream HD video at 1080p
20–40 Mbps (Solid)
- Stream 4K video
- Play games online
40–100 Mbps (Good)
- Stream HD games
100+ Mbps (Fast)
- Engage in multi-player gaming
- Download huge files
1+ Gbps (Very fast)
- Do anything you want on multiple devices
ISP Speeds in Kansas City, MO
Kansas City’s internet landscape benefits from being an early adopter of gigabit access since Google Fiber planted its flag here. According to Speedtest Intelligence®, as of January 2026, the city shows median fixed broadband downloads of 227.59 Mbps, uploads around 40.10 Mbps, and latency of 18 ms. While these city-wide numbers reflect a mix of connection types, fiber customers enjoy significantly better performance.
Based on Speedtest data collected in the second half of 2025, here’s how the main players compare:
- Google Fiber: The OG of gigabit in KC. It delivers downloads averaging 408.00 Mbps, uploads at 327.98 Mbps, and latency around 6 ms. Symmetrical speeds mean it’s a favorite among creatives, gamers, and anyone tired of waiting for uploads to finish. Coverage extends across 66% of the metro area, including KCK.
- AT&T Fiber: Another powerhouse with downloads averaging 393.14 Mbps, uploads at 317.06 Mbps, and latency near 25 ms. It competes head-to-head with Google Fiber for reliability and consistency. Plus, you get 90% coverage. That’s hard to beat.
- Spectrum: One of the most widely available providers in KC with 89% coverage, offering median downloads around 301.25 Mbps, uploads near 22.26 Mbps, and latency around 43 ms. It’s dependable for streaming and general use but can’t match fiber’s upload strength.
- Starlink: Available city-wide with 100% coverage, Starlink delivers median downloads of 150.52 Mbps, uploads of 25.09 Mbps, and latency around 34 ms. It’s a solid backup option or primary choice for areas outside fiber range.
With two major fiber players (Google Fiber and AT&T) covering wide portions of the city, Kansas City residents have something most metro areas envy, and that’s real competition.
Kansas City Fixed Speeds
Download Mbps
Median download speed
Upload Mbps
Median upload speed
Latency ms
Median latency
To be added to this list for mobile or fixed broadband, 75% of a city's monthly unique user totals over a 13-month period must have a minimum of 200 monthly unique user results. To be updated for mobile or fixed broadband, 75% of a city's monthly unique user totals over a 13-month period must have a minimum of 100 monthly unique user results.
An operator or ISP must account for 3% or more of total test samples in the market to be on this list. We display data if at least two operators or ISPs meet this threshold in a designated region or city.
Internet Providers in Nearby Cities
Missouri
Minnesota
Home Internet in Kansas City
Kansas City’s internet habits are varied, and that’s why you can’t base your choice off of the next man. You’ve got tech professionals working remotely in Midtown, families streaming Disney+ in Brookside, and gamers in North KC putting their low latency to the test on weekends. Even small businesses — from online boutiques to food truck owners managing mobile orders — depend on reliable Wi-Fi.
Google Fiber was a game-changer when it arrived, and its symmetrical speeds still make it the top choice for high-traffic homes and creative professionals. AT&T Fiber matches that performance in most areas, and it also covers more neighborhoods in the city. For casual users who mostly download and stream, Spectrum is affordable and solid, even if uploads take a bit longer.
At the time of this writing, pricing in Kansas City starts at around $30–$35/month for basic cable tiers, with gigabit fiber running between $65–$90/month. Promo rates typically jump after the first year, so check the fine print. Equipment rental or installation fees can add another $10–$15 monthly, though some fiber providers now include them.
The real key in all of this is to know your ZIP code. Connectivity quality in KC can be different from one block to the next, especially between the Kansas and Missouri sides.
What About Wireless and Satellite Options?
If you’re allergic to installation appointments, 5G home internet is your friend. T-Mobile and Verizon both offer it across much of KC, delivering average speeds between 200 and 400 Mbps downloads. It’s an easy pick for renters, digital nomads, or anyone who doesn’t want to commit long-term.
Satellite internet is also an option for rural edges of the metro area, like north of Smithville Lake or south toward Belton. Starlink leads the charge with median downloads of 150.52 Mbps, uploads of 25.09 Mbps, and 100% coverage. It’s not ideal for pro-level gaming due to higher latency, but it’s a lifesaver for homes outside fiber range.
How we test the speed of ISPs
Speedtest is the definitive way to test the performance and quality of an internet connection. Millions of users like you use Speedtest.net and our Android and iOS apps every day to test internet performance (including bandwidth, latency, coverage, video metrics, and more) in real world situations. We then use rigorous scientific approaches to aggregate and anonymize those results to empower people like you with content like this so you can understand and optimize your internet experience.

The data found within has not been subjected to the rigorous Speedtest marketing claims and data methodology, and therefore cannot be used in commercial applications. Additionally, promised speeds and plans offered are always subject to change.
How to test your internet speed
Speedtest can help you test the speed and overall performance of your internet for free from any device. Click here to open a new page and take a Speedtest. You can then compare your results with what you’ve learned about internet performance near you. If you aren’t getting the results you expect, you can either use this guide to use your Speedtest results to talk to your internet provider or you can shop for a new provider.
















