Best Internet Providers in Helena, Montana

Montana is known for its wide-open spaces, big-sky country and Wild-West mentality. Fast internet? Not so much. It might be a good thing that so many of Montana’s amenities are found outdoors — because it’s harder to stay inside and stream here than in most places. 

Despite Montana’s speed challenges, its capital city, Helena, gives you some internet options with a little pep. You can choose between satellite, 5G, cable and fiber internet. Recently, telecommunications company TDS announced that it’s expanding its fiber coverage to Helena, projected to cover about 27,000 customers. 

Shopping for the right internet in Helena should focus on how to get the speed you need, since Ookla data reveals that Montana ranks in 49th place in internet speed across all US states and Washington, DC (with only Wyoming and Alaska trailing). That said, price and coverage are also important factors. Some internet service providers in Helena cover 60% or more of the area. Your choices include Spectrum, T-Mobile and Viasat. 

Best internet providers in the Queen City of the Rockies

We’ve compared speed, availability and other important factors to identify some of Helena’s best internet service providers. 

Spectrum

Best overall among internet providers in Helena

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Product details

Price range

$50 – $90 per month

Speed range

300 – 940Mbps

Connection

Cable

Highlights

Unlimited data, simple pricing, no contracts, modem included, free access to nationwide Wi-Fi hotspots

Availability: Ookla data has identified Spectrum as the fastest internet provider in Montana. While the median download speed in Montana is just 103 megabits per second, Spectrum’s median speed in Montana is just over 210Mbps. That being said, speeds in Helena may vary. Spectrum is widely available in the city. 

Plans and pricing: The most affordable plan in Helena starts at $50 per month, with download speeds up to 300Mbps. For $90 per month, customers can enjoy speeds up to 1Gbps. 

Fees and service details: No caps, contracts or equipment fees are required. Your modem is included, but Wi-Fi is an additional $5 monthly.

Read our Spectrum home internet review.

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T-Mobile Home Internet

Best fixed wireless service among internet providers in Helena

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Product details

Price range

$50 per month ($30 for eligible T-Mobile Magenta Max customers)

Speed range

33 – 182Mbps

Connection

Fixed wireless

Highlights

Unlimited data, equipment included, no contracts, no additional fees

Availability: If you’re already a T-Mobile customer, leveraging the company’s 5G service may be the right choice. T-Mobile home internet has coverage across central Helena and south across Montana City and Clancy. There’s also some coverage to the north.

Plans and pricing: Internet costs $50 per month with autopay. If you have certain cell phone plans with T-Mobile, the monthly price drops to $30. 

Fees and service details: There’s a $35 activation fee, but beyond that, there are no additional monthly fees and no contract is required. 

Read our T-Mobile Home Internet review.

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Viasat

Best satellite coverage among internet providers in Helena

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Product details

Price range

$70 – $300 per month

Speed range

12 – 150Mbps

Connection

Satellite

Highlights

Nationwide availability, no hard data cap

Availability: Some rural customers can’t connect to cable or fiber lines. Satellite internet can help fill that gap, and Viasat is the more affordable satellite option in Helena. Viasat has coverage in Libby, Helena Valley Northwest, Dillon, Miles City and other surrounding areas. 

Plans and pricing: Plans start at $70 per month after an introductory three-month promotional price, and speeds can reach up to 50Mbps.

Fees and service details: The equipment costs are on par with HughesNet, at $15 per month. Contracts are 24 months. 

Read our Viasat internet review.

Check Viasat availability

All available Helena residential internet providers

Helena offers other ISPs besides our top picks. If you’re looking to compare and contrast even more options, you may want to consider some of the following alternatives in Helena. 

• CenturyLink: This company offers DSL/fiber connections across 67% of Helena. Monthly plans start at $50, and you can get pretty fast speeds by Helena standards — at least 100Mbps in most locations and up to 940Mbps in areas with fiber service. 
• HughesNet: HughesNet is a satellite provider that might be a good option for people in rural areas who can’t get fiber or cable. The company has plans starting at $65 per month. It does charge an equipment fee of $15 per month and requires a two-year contract. 
• Montana Internet: You can find fixed and fiber internet from Montana Internet, which specifically caters to rural customers who want Wi-Fi. Plans begin at $65 per month, and the monthly router fee is just $8.
• Starlink: Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite internet offering. It promises high-speed broadband, but you must pay a hefty one-time equipment fee to access coverage. Download speeds are up to 100Mbps. Though you get unlimited data, Starlink says it prioritizes business and mobile customer data over residential plans, so you may not get maximum speeds with standard residential service.  

Helena’s internet details at a glance

Helena internet providers offer limited coverage outside the city center, given the rural nature of Montana. But the city is growing its fiber availability, and cable options are available in the more urban parts of the city. 

Pricing details on Helena home internet service

Most internet plans in Helena start at $50-$65 per month. You may need to pay close to $100 monthly if you require fast download speeds, however.

Cheap internet options in the general Helena area

To get the most bang for your buck, it’s worth checking out fiber coverage at your address. If it isn’t available now, the TDS expansion may soon bring fiber to your neighborhood in Helena. Additionally, the Affordable Connectivity Program could enable an internet subsidy that brings down your monthly costs. 

Here are the internet speeds you can find in Helena

Montana doesn’t have particularly fast internet speeds as a whole, but there are still speeds in Helena that make it possible to browse and work at home. Even a few internet service providers in Helena reach gig speeds. 

Fastest internet providers in Helena

Spectrum offers an Internet Gig plan with up to 940Mbps, while other providers in the area top off at much slower speeds. Still, you can find enough speed in Helena to complete most online tasks. Spectrum’s top plan — and CenturyLink’s fastest fiber option — may be the only ones that work for you if you’re a gamer. 

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

The best internet providers in Helena when it comes to speed are Spectrum and CenturyLink, while the satellite providers may offer more consistent coverage for rural customers. Keep your eye on the fiber expansion coming to Helena, as this will surely provide residents with speedier downloads than most current plans offer. 

Internet providers in Helena FAQs