Amelie CameronBack in the day, internet connection used to be a want, but now, it’s definitely become a need. As someone who works from home, I know that fact all too well. A fast and reliable internet connection is needed to keep me housed and well-fed!
So, it’s not a surprise that when it comes to internet service providers (ISPs), I’m very picky. I need to find the best. This means fast speeds, low latency, and affordable prices.
I’ve tried a bunch of ISPs, so I have some recommendations. Here are trustworthy ones in Toronto.
How much does an internet connection cost in Toronto?
Internet connection cost in Toronto usually averages around C$65 every month.
Depending on the service provider, the price can dip as low as C$20 or get as high as C$300 monthly.
How We Chose the Top Internet Services in Toronto
Beanfield
Address: 67 Mowat Ave Suite 418
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +14165321555
Even before I officially switched to Beanfield two years ago, I’d already heard about them. It’s hard not to, as a Torontonian. After all, this company has been offering internet services for over 35 years, and they’re also the preferred provider for free public Wi-Fi at areas like The Bentway, the Distillery District, Stackt Market, and HarbourFront Center.
Needless to say, I was happy to switch to this ISP. Right off the bat, this company impressed me with their 30-day risk-free guarantee.
It’s essentially a free trial of their service; if I don’t like their internet connection, I can stop within 30 days after the installation. The best part is I don’t have to pay anything if this happens! How convenient!
Thankfully, I didn’t need to use this guarantee. I kept my connection because it’s ridiculously fast, thanks to the premium fibre optic cables.
Seriously, the “slowest” option they have is 1 Gbps, which is already the max for many internet providers. As for their fastest option, it’s a whopping 8 Gbps!
As if that wasn’t good enough, all plans include unlimited data and symmetrical speeds (meaning, the upload speed is the same as the download speed). So, I don’t have to worry about buffering or sudden connection interruptions.
In fact, I once had my apartment full of people using the internet at the same time, and not once did the connection stutter.
Another great thing about this ISP is that they offer other services, like TV and home phone services. They cater to business entities as well.
As for the pricing, I find it pretty reasonable. Currently, the cheapest is C$58 a month, while the most expensive is at C$90 per month.
That said, you have to pay a termination fee if you relocate and have to cancel your internet before your contract ends. The fee is quite hefty, too—75% of your plan multiplied by the number of months remaining in your contract.
Customer Reviews
Amazing price for the service and quality
“Amazing internet. Customer service is also outstanding. For the price and service and quality, Beanfield cannot be beat. I am so glad the building I am living in has Beanfield as an option. Better than the competition- if you have the option to go with Beanfield…why go anywhere else?”
-Marby Guiao, Google Review
Reliable internet speed, transparent pricing
“Beanfield has been excellent to deal with. They were the only company that promised high speed internet and actually delivered high speed in the financial district in downtown Toronto. Their pricing structure is straightforward and transparent and the company is very responsive to any issues you may face. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.”
-Rupal Raja, Google Review
Netcrawler
Address: 7030 Woodbine Ave #500, Markham
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—9 am to 9 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—9 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +18889487873
Netcrawler isn’t actually based in Toronto—it’s in Markham—but it’s right by the city’s border, so they have served many Torontonians. I think the fact that they have many Torontonian customers is proof that their internet service is fantastic.
According to their customers, this ISP has won them over, thanks to the zero-commitment feature. In other words, you won’t have to deal with contracts telling you that you need to keep the service for a specified amount of time.
You also won’t have to pay any sort of termination fee! This makes it perfect for people who are always on the move or who just prefer a flexible arrangement.
Once you’ve decided to go with them, installation is prompt and thorough.
The pricing is also pretty fair and transparent. No need to worry about any mysterious hidden fees. The only price you have to pay is the number you see on your plan.
As for their internet speed, it usually ranges between 25 and 300 Mbps. Admittedly, for me, this speed range seems to be on the lower end, but it’s not too shabby.
In fact, Netcrawler’s customers are happy about their experience. According to them, the connection is stable and reliable, which is more than enough.
The only thing that most customers have a problem with is the customer support.
Netcrawler claims that you can contact them anytime via text, email, chat on the website, or DM on any of their social media. And it’s true, you can do that—except they don’t exactly reach out to you in a prompt manner.
Odds are you’ll have to wait some time before they get back to you, and that’s annoying.
Customer Reviews
Quick service and reasonable prices
“We recently moved into a new apartment in Toronto and needed to bring a cable into the apartment to initiate internet service. The customer service technician Lee was prompt without any waiting and rapidly scheduled a technician to come out. The prices are also reasonable for the internet service. We have been very impressed!”
-Susan Harrell, Google Review
Streamlined process
“I could not believe how easy it was to switch over from Rogers to Netcrawler!! Their website is streamlined, and the box arrived in two days, and I had it hooked up in five minutes. I was given the opportunity by Netcrawler to cancel my Rogers account, sparing me the ordeal of talking to a Rogers representative, trying to convince me to stay. I cut my monthly fee by 50% for the same speed. Wish I had switched over sooner.”
-Julie Hunter, Google Review
TNEXT Communication Inc
Address: 155 Rexdale Blvd #502a, Etobicoke
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—9 am to 10 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—10 am to 8 pm
Contact Number: +18554778181
If you’re in Etobicoke or Scarborough, then the ISP you might want to check out is TNEXT Communication Inc. When I asked Reddit for more recommendations of ISPs in the GTA, this name kept popping up, and after doing a bit more research into this ISP, I can see why it’s a popular choice in the area.
The great thing about TNEXT Communication is that communication is truly their primary goal, so they offer a great array of internet plans. Internet connection is their bestseller, but they also offer home phone services and cybersecurity. They even have web hosting services, which I totally didn’t expect.
When it comes to their internet connection, you can choose from their slew of packages.
The cheapest package lets you enjoy a 50 Mbps download speed and a 10 Mbps upload speed, while their second package—which is also their most popular—has a similar upload speed, but the download speed is much faster, at 100 Mbps.
Their most expensive option boasts a 300 Mbps download and a 20 Mbps upload, and it also accommodates an unlimited number of users.
Their internet speed range isn’t the most impressive, but you can trust the connection to be consistent and stable, so you can still enjoy doing 4K or even 8K video streams without any problem.
Real-time data backup is also available for all plans, which is greatly appreciated.
Another thing that a lot of customers love is the 24/7 customer service. The staff is friendly and accommodating, and they provide technical support in a clear and cohesive manner.
That said, keep in mind that sometimes, wait times for customer service can get pretty long. This doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it can be frustrating.
Customer Reviews
Reliable internet speed
“I am pleased with the quality of your services. The internet speed has been reliable, and I appreciate the consistent connectivity I receive both at home and on the go with your mobile network. Have been able to get issues fixed right away. I’d 100% recommend TNEXT to anyone looking out for great quality service.”
-Fathima fathima, Google Review
Great value for money
“I recently signed up for Bell Internet and couldn’t be happier with the experience. The deal I received was fantastic, offering great value for money. The service has been exceptionally fast and reliable, with no interruptions. Additionally, their customer service is top-notch, providing quick and efficient solutions to any issues. Overall, I highly recommend Bell Internet for anyone looking for a high-quality, dependable internet service provider.”
-Chānuka Palliyaguruge, Google Review
RALLY
Address: 23 Railside Rd Unit 4, North York
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact Number: +14163603000
RALLY is another ISP I keep hearing about because they’ve been operating in Toronto for a long time (going on for over 20 years now). They’ve also topped lists of best ISPs in the city by local papers and websites, so yeah, I’ve definitely seen this name around.
The main reason why RALLY is an established name is that they offer some of the fastest internet connections in the city. To be specific, their internet can get as fast as 1 Gbps, and it doesn’t have a cap limit. So, you can work, stream, and play all you want!
That said, some customers have told me that the speed isn’t consistent. Sometimes, it can dip randomly.
But these dips aren’t too big of a problem, especially if you’re just a casual internet user. You might only notice the speed issue if you’re doing something intensive, such as playing and streaming an online game.
This ISP offers other internet-adjacent services. For example, you can get a home phone from them, which lets you enjoy unlimited calls within Canada. Or you can avail any of the TV packages. Doing so will let you watch TV channels on your mobile devices!
Another thing that many customers love about this ISP is the fact that you can get your first month for free! Oh, and there’s no need for a contract, too, so if you have to cancel just a few months after you’ve had your connection installed, you’re free to do so.
The prices are also amazing. In fact, they’re probably some of the most affordable options. Their cheapest package is at C$34.95! Considering all the perks you can enjoy, their internet services provide great value for your buck.
Customer Reviews
Friendly and professional installers
“5 stars for the gentlemen who installed the services. They were very friendly and professional. Internet is a bit slower overall but definitely worth the price. Thanks to Khalil and his colleague for the great service!”
-Salah Jabri, Google Review
Quick support
“I used Rally’s internet service for about 2 years and it was great. Support was quickly available when I needed it. If you’re in Toronto I would definitely recommend them. Their pricing was more competitive than the larger internet providers for the same speed packages.”
-Christopher Corvese, Google Review
FibreStream
Address: 530 Adelaide St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—9 am to 9 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—10 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +18883165813
Even though FibreStream has been in the business for some time (since 2009), I hadn’t heard about it until a co-worker mentioned it to me. Apparently, this is an independent ISP, hence why it often falls under the radar, but it’s definitely garnered a pretty robust clientele.
One reason that many of their customers have remained loyal is the fact that their prices haven’t risen astronomically in the more than 15 years they’ve been operating.
I asked some of their earliest customers, and they told me their starting price back in 2009 was just C$52, and now, halfway through the 2020s, the current price is around C$55. Having the price stay basically the same is impressive and greatly appreciated.
Right now, their internet connection is somewhere between 100 and 750 Mbps, which is pretty fast.
I said “right now” because I’ve heard that they’re planning to release a package that offers an internet connection with a speed of up to 10 Gbps! If this is true, then FibreStream will be the first ISP to offer such a service.
If you choose to go with FibreStream, you can enjoy a risk-free first month. If the service falls under your standards, you’re free to cancel within the month, and you won’t pay anything. If you do choose to continue, you can still cancel at any time because you’re not beholden to any contract.
The only downside I hear about this ISP is regarding their customer service. Their customers reported that it takes a long time before they get connected with a person to help them with technical issues, and if they do get through, they still have to wait for the issues to be resolved.
Customer Reviews
Fast speed and overall solid service
“I’ve been using their service for over four years now, and honestly, it’s been super reliable. Fast speeds, barely any downtime, and just overall solid service… Definitely recommend!”
-Arash, Google Review
Excellent service and affordable rates
“Excellent service and very affordable. I’ve been using FibreStream for 14 months now, I recently had to cancel the service as I’m moving cross-border and they were very responsive [<12h hr response time], very efficient [scheduling service termination for the night right after my move], and very reasonable, charging my last bill the prorated amount [given that I will not be around for the full month] vs the full amount. Can only say good things, highly recommended.”
-Terry Jung, Google Review
