Worst Internet Providers of 2025: Consumer Reports Findings

Home internet has grow an essential service, enabling remote work, education, and connection for families. However, not all internet providers deliver equal quality. Consumer Reports’ 2025 survey, based on over 73,000 responses, highlights several internet service providers (ISPs) that customers should consider avoiding.

Viasat Internet

Despite the advancements in satellite internet with companies like Starlink and Project Kuiper, Viasat ranks among the worst home internet providers according to Consumer Reports. Customers frequently report issues with service outages, speeds slower than advertised, and restrictive contracts with high termination fees. Consumer Affairs features over a thousand 1-star reviews detailing these problems. Customers have also reported difficulties with returning equipment, specifically the satellite dish installed by the company. Complaints on the Reddit forum echo these concerns, with users noting service slowdowns after 5 PM and challenges with customer service regarding equipment returns.

Hughesnet

Hughesnet also receives consistently negative reviews, particularly regarding billing and equipment return issues. Users on SiteJabber cite problems with delayed or incorrect bills, and being charged after service cancellation and equipment disconnection. Reddit users share similar experiences, with one user reporting a $500 charge after returning equipment, only to have the company initially claim non-receipt. Whereas a partial refund was eventually issued after disputing the charge, this appears to be a recurring issue, with some users advising others to keep their return receipts. Hughesnet experienced a loss of over 200,000 subscribers in 2023 as Starlink expanded its service offerings.

Brightspeed

Formed in 2021, Brightspeed serves customers in the Southeast and Midwest. Despite being a newer provider, numerous customers have voiced frustrations online. Complaints include aggressive sales tactics, with reports of representatives bothering existing customers to sign up for service and, in some cases, allegedly misrepresenting existing laws to secure a sale. Issues also center around poor customer service and inaccurate service availability information. One customer was told fiber optic service was available, signed up, and scheduled installation, only to be informed on the installation date that service was not actually available in their area. While Consumer Reports members ranked Brightspeed low, some positive reviews on TrustPilot praise the knowledge and professionalism of the installation technicians.

Optimum

Consumer Reports has previously identified Optimum as one of the worst phone carriers, and its internet service receives similarly low ratings. With over 1,700 reviews and a 1-star rating on TrustPilot, many current and former customers advise avoiding Optimum internet. Users report deceptive sales practices, including lies and bait-and-switch tactics. Other complaints include continued billing after multiple disconnection requests and unexpected add-ons to monthly bills. Optimum has experienced subscriber losses, with a loss of 114,000 paid internet subscribers in 2023, and continues to see quarterly declines. However, CEO Dennis Mathew stated the company will not pursue customers with discounted pricing or promotions.

GCI

GCI is the dominant internet provider in Alaska, offering cable, fiber, and fixed wireless service. However, customers frequently report poor service quality, including frequent outages and slower-than-advertised speeds. Some customers state that GCI’s service has declined since being sold to an out-of-state entity. One resident even indicated that GCI service availability is a deal-breaker when searching for a home in Alaska. Yelp reviews highlight the inconsistency of GCI’s service, even for customers who consistently pay their bills.

Methodology

The ISPs highlighted in this list are based on a 2025 survey conducted by Consumer Reports with over 73,000 members. These ISPs were ranked as the worst among the 54 companies included in the survey. This research was supplemented by investigating user complaints on review sites like TrustPilot, SiteJabber, and Yelp, as well as analyzing customer experiences shared on internet discussion boards such as Reddit.