Which is better, Metronet or HBC Internet?

Metronet is faster, cheaper to start and available to more people. Where both are offered (about 123,073 people), Metronet has the faster top speed for 100% of homes.

FasterMetronetTop speed 5,120 Mbps vs 5,000 Mbps; faster for 100% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startMetronetFrom $39.95 a month, vs $62.99.

Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (76 and 1).

Available to more peopleMetronet8.3 million people in 21 states, vs 294,998 in 2 states.

Metronet
Price: $39.95 - $109.95 / mo.
Speed: 1,000 - 5,120 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber
Rating (Reviews): (74)
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HBC Internet
Price: $62.99 - $139.99 / mo.
Speed: 100 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless, fiber, and cable
Rating (Reviews): (1)
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Metronet vs. HBC Internet at a glance

Measure	Metronet	HBC Internet
Available to	8.3 million people in 21 states	294,998 people in 2 states
Main technology	Fiber 100%	Fixed wireless 69%, fiber 34%, cable 9.9%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	5,120 Mbps	5,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	5,000 Mbps down, 5,000 Mbps up	5,000 Mbps down, 5,000 Mbps up
Starting price	$39.95 a month	$62.99 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$959 (100 Mbps plan)	$1,512 (200 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	3.9 of 5 (76 reviews)	5.0 of 5 (1 reviews)
Rated for speed	4.1 of 5	4.0 of 5
Rated for price	3.6 of 5	4.0 of 5
Where both are offered	About 123,073 people (42% of HBC Internet's area); Metronet is faster for 100% of them

Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.

Where Metronet and HBC Internet are available

Metronet and HBC Internet have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

Metronet currently offers internet service in 746 cities and 169 counties across 21 states, reaching approximately 8,333,057 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Indianapolis, IN; Chicago, IL; and Des Moines, IA. By comparison, HBC Internet serves 304,391 residents in 156 cities and 14 counties in 2 states, with a presence in population centers such as Rochester, MN; Minneapolis, MN; and Winona, MN.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: Metronet coverage map and HBC Internet coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether Metronet, HBC Internet or both are offered at your home.

Metronet vs. HBC Internet Speeds and Technology

Metronet and HBC Internet utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Metronet offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 4,624 Mbps compared to HBC Internet’s average speed of 1,763 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Metronet’s premium Fiber service reaches 100.0% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, HBC Internet’s top-tier Fiber is available to 33.1% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Metronet vs. HBC Internet Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Metronet and HBC Internet, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

Metronet vs. HBC Internet Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate Metronet and HBC Internet based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

When comparing customer satisfaction, Metronet earns an overall rating of 3.93 / 5 stars from 76 customer reviews, while HBC Internet maintains a 5.00 / 5 rating from 1 reviews. HBC Internet outperforms Metronet by 1.1 points in overall satisfaction. Metronet’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.95 / 5 stars, compared to HBC Internet’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 5.00 / 5 stars.

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

Metronet vs. HBC Internet Pros and Cons

Metronet

From 50 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Fast speeds: praised in 21 of 50 written reviews (8 call it slow). "Metronet is cheaper, faster and has better customer service"
• Reliable connection: praised in 19 of 50 written reviews (6 report outages). "My service been stable with only one outage that lasted about an hour"
• Helpful customer service: praised in 19 of 50 written reviews (7 fault the service). "Their customer service is surprisingly pretty great"

Cons

• Installation problems: a complaint in 10 of 50 written reviews (6 praise the install). "Installation did not go smooth with Vexus"
• Bills that go up: a complaint in 6 of 50 written reviews. "the price randomly increases from time to time with no warning"
• Equipment problems: a complaint in 3 of 50 written reviews. "The minor equipment issue"

HBC Internet

Too few written reviews to sum up yet (1); these lines come from our data.

Pros

Cons

Metronet vs. HBC Internet Top Cities

Metronet serves 746 cities while HBC Internet is available in 156 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.