Best Internet Providers in Bellevue, Washington for 2026
Compare the Best Internet Service Providers in Bellevue, WA
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.).
Bellevue may sit in the shadow of Seattle’s skyline, but when it comes to connectivity, it’s a heavyweight in its own right. This Eastside city hums with innovation, including Microsoft engineers coding in their apartments near Downtown Park, families streaming movies across Clyde Hill, and entrepreneurs who live and die by their internet speed. And with so many remote-first workers, poor Wi-Fi isn’t going to benefit anyone. It’s an inconvenience that threatens people’s livelihoods, so there’s a crucial need for a strong connection that you can rely on.
When you start talking about such specific use cases, you have to remember that there’s not a one-size-fits-all thing going on here. You have to be intentional when you select an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Also, don’t just go for the flashiest option, as what a provider claims in their marketing often looks different in real life.
Download speeds may look amazing, but keep in mind that they’re not the only consideration. Upload speeds and latency can make or break your experience—especially if you’re uploading projects to the cloud, video conferencing daily, or gaming online. The best internet provider in Bellevue is going to depend on your household’s specific daily needs.
How much speed do you really need? This is a good question, and there’s really no universal answer, as it comes down to how you live and work. If you’re a hybrid worker (or you’re always on-site) who mostly streams Hulu and shops online, you more than likely don’t need much more than 25 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload. Those figures can change if you live alone but your whole life operates through your device, attending meetings, taking classes, running a business, creating content for your YouTube channel, etc.
Then, all of a sudden, being just one person doesn’t matter because you need the internet constantly. Or, a family with multiple remote workers, smart TVs, and a couple of kids in online classes will need far more than that. You can think of internet bandwidth like I-405 at rush hour; the more cars (or devices) merging onto it, the more congestion you’ll feel. For the scenarios above, or any environment where streaming, gaming, and cloud backups reign supreme, 100–300 Mbps is the safe starting lane.
Low latency (the time it takes data to travel between you and a server) also matters here. If your job involves daily Zooms or you game competitively, a connection with low latency, at least below 20 ms, will feel like night and day compared to a sluggish line.
What’s Coming Down the Pipeline?
Bellevue’s digital future is looking brighter than ever, thanks to several initiatives:
- NoaNet Open Access Network—Bellevue Integration: The city has been working to expand broadband accessibility and close any lingering digital divide, ensuring more equitable access across all neighborhoods.
- Washington State Broadband Office Grants: State and federal funding are helping expand high-speed infrastructure throughout Washington, including projects improving connectivity across the Eastside corridor.
- Washington “Benefit of the Bargain” Broadband Awards: Bellevue-based entities submitted applications to the state’s “Benefit of the Bargain” program, which allocates broadband funding to shovel-ready projects. While final awards haven’t been announced, Bellevue is listed among high-interest zones.
Efforts like these hopefully contribute to faster speeds, wider availability, and fewer dead zones for Bellevue residents in the coming years.
How to Choose the Right Internet Plan in Bellevue
The main thing when making your final decision is not to get sucked into the hype. Of course, that’s not to say that every ISP is exaggerating what they can offer, but you can’t just go off of promises for high speeds across the board.
Ideally, you’d pick a plan based entirely on how you use the internet, and what’s enough for your particular needs. The basic tips are that users who mostly stream and scroll social media can stick with cable or 5G wireless. But if you’re part of the tech scene, work remotely, or run a small business from home, fiber is the way to go, as symmetrical speeds will save you time (and headaches).
Before signing anything, scrutinize the fine print. Data caps, contract requirements, and equipment fees can make a great deal not-so-great. Also, because Bellevue’s mix of old and new infrastructure means availability can differ from zone to zone, always confirm what’s offered at your exact address.

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 Bellevue, WA
Bellevue’s reputation for tech infrastructure holds up. According to Speedtest Intelligence®, as of January 2026, the city shows median fixed broadband download speeds of 347.51 Mbps, upload speeds around 47.61 Mbps, and latency near 12 ms. That’s a strong showing even by national standards.
Based on Speedtest data collected in the second half of 2025, let’s break down how major ISPs perform across Bellevue:
- Astound Broadband: Posts the fastest speeds in Bellevue with median downloads of 410.33 Mbps, uploads of 331.14 Mbps, and an impressively low latency of just 6 ms. The downside is limited availability at 18% of the city, but if you’re in their coverage zone, it’s hard to beat.
- Ziply Fiber: A local favorite and one of the fastest-growing fiber providers in the Pacific Northwest. Customers see downloads averaging 350.66 Mbps, uploads at 280.60 Mbps, and latency around 8 ms. These symmetrical speeds are a dream for people who use the internet all day long. The downside of this otherwise solid internet package is that it’s currently only available to 9% of the city.
- Xfinity: Ubiquitous throughout the Eastside, Xfinity posts median downloads of 319.84 Mbps, uploads around 41.44 Mbps, and latency at 21 ms. Great for streaming and general browsing, but upload speeds can frustrate hybrid workers and heavy uploaders. Coverage extends to 99% of Bellevue households.
- CenturyLink: Expanding across King County with downloads averaging 209.44 Mbps, uploads at 175.95 Mbps, and latency around 9 ms. Upload and download parity gives it an edge for cloud-based workflows. This ISP stretches to 72% of the city.
In short, Bellevue’s best connections appear to come from its fiber providers. Cable still dominates availability, but fiber is rapidly expanding neighborhood by neighborhood.
Bellevue 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.
Home Internet in Bellevue
Life in Bellevue is equal parts suburban calm and digital hustle. Parents in Bridle Trails work in their home offices while their kids stream classes, movies, and games; business owners in Eastgate run Shopify stores from home; and gamers in Crossroads rely on consistent ping rates to stay competitive. For all these reasons, stable internet is the glue holding it all together.
Astound Broadband, Ziply Fiber, and CenturyLink lead the pack for those who need upload speeds that match downloads. Astound posts the fastest overall speeds where available, while CenturyLink has the advantage of being available in more areas at 72% coverage. That means in most instances, a Bellevue graphic designer sending massive image files to clients won’t miss deadlines waiting for uploads to crawl through. Similarly, tech professionals using cloud environments benefit from symmetrical speeds that keep their workflow smooth.
For casual users or smaller households, Xfinity still offers wide coverage and suitable speeds for streaming and browsing. However, its slower upload speeds can be limiting if your job involves large file transfers or frequent virtual meetings.
At the time of this writing, most residents can expect to pay around $30–$35/month for entry-level cable and $70–$95/month for gigabit fiber. As usual, be cautious of promotional rates; they often jump significantly after 12 months. And don’t overlook extra costs like modem rentals ($10–$15/month) or installation fees.
What About Wireless and Satellite Options?
Wireless home internet has taken off in Bellevue, especially among renters and those avoiding traditional installations. T-Mobile and Verizon both offer 5G home internet here, typically averaging 200–400 Mbps downloads with no data caps. It’s a convenient solution for apartments near downtown or households that prioritize portability.
Satellite coverage, while available, is more of a last resort. Starlink offers up to 250 Mbps downloads and 20–40 Mbps uploads, but latency averages 40–60 ms. It’s best suited for outskirt areas toward the foothills or lakefront properties where wired connections are spotty.
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.








