Best Internet Providers in Joplin, MO (2024)

Joplin may be a small city in southwest Missouri, but it has more than enough history, culture and spirit to make locals proud and invite new residents. Situated on Route 66 in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks, Joplin has many claims to fame, including Langston Hughes, Mickey Mantle and George Washington Carver. In recent decades, the city has become known for its resilience after rebuilding from one of the most devastating tornado disasters in U.S. history.

Whatever draws you to Joplin, you can’t get by without reliable home internet in today’s world. As with other smaller cities, Joplin doesn’t have as many options for home Wi-Fi as larger areas, but there are a few strong options to choose from. Home internet in Joplin starts as low as $25/mo.

Read on to compare and learn more about your choices from the top internet service providers in Joplin.

Best internet providers in Joplin, MO

• Sparklight: Best overall
• Wisper Internet: Best local fixed wireless
• T-Mobile Home Internet: Best 5G coverage
• Viasat: Best satellite internet

Joplin internet comparison

Locals may have fewer options for home internet in Joplin, but that doesn’t mean they’re stuck with poor-performing providers. Joplin features several good choices for home Wi-Fi, with download speeds of up to 940 Mbps in some areas. You won’t find fiber internet in Joplin, but you can choose from cable, fixed wireless and satellite plans.

The following table gives an overview of our top four choices for Joplin internet providers.

How to choose a provider in Joplin, MO

Even when you are comparing only a few options for home internet, it’s important to understand the critical factors that define your experience. We recommend paying close attention to the following:

• Added fees: Internet plans often come with hidden costs that aren’t advertised upfront. Equipment fees, taxes and installation charges can add up, so it’s important to review the fine print carefully when comparing internet providers in Joplin.
• Your internet habits: Speed is obviously a critical factor for home internet. It’s also one of the best ways to save on price. Before you buy a gigabit internet plan, tally your typical household usage. Review our guide to internet speed to determine your bandwidth needs based on internet habits and the number of connected devices.
• Special deals: Joplin internet providers may offer other ways to save on your internet plan, such as bundling discounts or tacking on free subscriptions to other services. Look for provider deals to make sure you’re getting the most value out of your plan.

Joplin internet provider reviews

Sparklight – Best overall

Sparklight (formerly Cable One) offers affordable cable internet in 21 states. Pricing starts as low as $39.95/mo., and the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Service is available for almost every home in Joplin, and there are no contracts, data caps or early termination fees. Note, however, that Sparklight’s promotional pricing expires after the first year, which can lead to some big price hikes fairly quickly.

Overall score: 3.7 out of 5.

Read our full Sparklight review.

Wisper Internet – Best local fixed wireless

If you’re looking for fast fixed wireless, Wisper is your best option in Joplin. With download speeds of up to 400 Mbps, Wisper beats out some of the top national providers for cellular home internet. However, plan pricing can get quite expensive, with monthly fees starting at $65 and going up after only six months. Plus, Wisper tacks on equipment fees on top of its standard monthly rates.

T-Mobile Home Internet – Best 5G coverage

T-Mobile may not offer as much download speed as Wisper, but it comes with the largest 5G network in the country. Plus, T-Mobile plans are quite a bit cheaper than Wisper’s, with prices starting as low as $40/mo. for existing cellular customers. The company also keeps things simple with one plan, built-in equipment costs and a one-time $35 setup charge.

Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.

Read our full T-Mobile review.

Viasat – Best satellite internet

No satellite internet provider boasts incredibly fast internet in Joplin, but Viasat offers the best bang for your buck. It’s available everywhere in the area — both in the city and surrounding rural communities — but you’ll need a satellite dish on your property to get service. Download speeds can reach 150 Mbps but often top out under 100 Mbps in Joplin.

Overall score: 2.1 out of 5.

Read our full Viasat review.

Cheap internet in Joplin, MO

The cost of home internet can add up, especially when you consider all the different home services you need to pay for. Fortunately, internet service providers in Joplin offer affordable starting prices for basic home Wi-Fi plans. Sparklight features the best deal, with download speeds of up to 100 Mbps for only $25/mo. T-Mobile cellular customers can also add home Wi-Fi to get $20/mo. off.

Fastest internet in Joplin, MO

Joplin may not have fiber internet, but locals aren’t stuck with slow connections. According to Ookla, the median download speed from Joplin internet providers is around 250 Mbps. However, Sparklight and Wisper Internet both offer even faster options of up to 940 and 400 Mbps, respectively.

The following table details the fastest options for home internet in Joplin.

Joplin internet technology

In most cases, home internet speed and performance come down to the type of technology your provider uses. Internet service providers in Joplin offer the following connection types, each with its pros and cons.

• Cable: Cable internet is available everywhere in Joplin, with download speeds up to 940 Mbps. This is your best bet for high-speed internet within the city —just beware that cable can lag if you have 10 or more devices connected for streaming and gaming simultaneously.
• Fixed wireless: Looking for a fast alternative to wired internet? You’ve got several choices for fixed wireless connections in Joplin. Download speeds reach up to 400 Mbps in the city, making this a competitive choice for those who want to leave cable behind. Note, however, that fixed wireless/5G internet can be even laggier than cable when network traffic increases.
• DSL: Phone-based internet has been phasing out for a while, but AT&T still offers DSL in some parts of Joplin. Although it’s much slower than the above choices, it may be one of the few options in rural areas outside the city.
• Satellite: Joplin residents have several choices for satellite internet connections in the area. Joplin internet providers like Hughesnet, Viasat and Starlink all offer service throughout the region, but download speeds don’t typically get above 100 Mbps.

Joplin internet FAQs

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