AT&T vs. Cox

When it comes to internet providers, is AT&T or Cox better for you?

AT&T and Cox offer comparable internet and TV services in many of the same areas. If your home is eligible for both services, you may be wondering, “Is AT&T or Cox better?” Depending on what you’re looking for, either service could prove to be the better one for your home.

• Allconnect Rating

  4.43 / 5

  AT&T

  • AT&T’s gigabit service is available in more areas and for a lower price.

  • AT&T ranked considerably higher in customer satisfaction.

  • AT&T Fiber offers the best value of any internet provider.

  • If Fiber isn’t available in your area, AT&T’s DSL speeds are on the slow side.

  • There are no discounts for bundling AT&T internet and TV services.

• Allconnect Rating

  3.47 / 5

  Cox

  • Cox offers the cheapest plans overall, starting at just $19.99-$29.99/mo. depending on where you live.

  • Cox is more likely to offer a wider variety of internet plan options in your area.

  • Cox has a 1.25TB data cap on its 50 Mbps plan.

  • After 12-24 months of service, Cox will increase plans by $20–$34/mo.

AT&T vs Cox internet: How they scored for Allconnect

Overall, if AT&T Fiber is in your area, that is almost always your best option for internet service. AT&T offers a great value for high-speed internet and is one of the most reliable internet providers available. 

Cox internet is a good option, but because it uses cable internet instead of fiber internet, it’s not as reliable with its service and you won’t get the same value you can get with AT&T Fiber. If you are choosing between AT&T DSL and Cox, however, Cox is your better option.

How we scored internet providers

We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. Each category contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to impact the provider’s overall score.

We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. Each category contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to impact the provider’s overall score.

For each sub-factor, we score all providers on a continuous scale of 1 to 5, relative to the industry as a whole. Because the average download speed in America is currently 180 Mbps, for example, we assigned all plans with download speeds between 100 and 299 Mbps a score between 3 and 4. Xfinity’s 200 Mbps plan received a 3.50 score for download speed, while Spectrum’s 400 Mbps plan got a 4.16.

We only considered standardized data points in our scoring system. More abstract data like consistency of service and brand reputation is still part of our analysis, but we opted to let our writers address them in the context of each review.

Learn more about our methodology

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AT&T vs. Cox internet packages

Learn more about AT&T and Cox  internet packages to find out which plan will best match your needs.

AT&T internet

*PABP & Paperless billing + taxes. Price includes $5/mo. AutoPay & Paperless billing discount (within 2 bills). Prices updated 01/24/22.
**ABP & Paperless billing + taxes and equip fee after $5/mo. AutoPay & Paperless billing discount (within 2 bills). $10/mo. equip. fee applies. Incl. 1TB data/mo.; overage chrgs apply. Prices updated 03/29/22.

Cox internet

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Last updated 03/29/22.

Which plan should you choose?

Best overall internet plans: AT&T Fiber Internet 300 and 500 

AT&T offers the best internet plans overall. If you are looking for cheaper internet, go with the 300 Mbps plan for $55/mo. However, if you want the best deal overall, we would recommend choosing the AT&T 500 Mbps plan for $65/mo. The 500 Mbps plan is best for households with 4+ people who use the internet heavily. If AT&T Fiber isn’t available to you, however, we would recommend going with the Cox Internet Preferred 150 plan for $49.99/mo. 

Cheapest internet plan: Cox Internet Essential 50 

Cox’s main selling point over AT&T is that it offers cheaper internet plans. Its cheapest internet plan provides 50 Mbps for $19.99-$29.99/mo. depending on your location. This plan is best for light internet users who want the cheapest internet plan they can get while still receiving broadband speeds. 

Fastest internet plans: AT&T Fiber Internet 5 Gig and Cox Gigablast 

Both AT&T and Cox offer Gig speed internet plans. We would recommend going with AT&T since AT&T offers Gig speeds for a cheaper price and it provides faster upload speeds than Cox. For instance, while Cox offers a Gig plan of 1000/35 (download/upload) Mbps for $99.99/mo., AT&T offers a Gig plan of 940/940 Mbps for $80/mo. You can also go up to 4,700 Mbps in some areas with AT&T for $180/mo.

Does Cox or AT&T offer better low-income internet options? 

Both Cox and AT&T offer cheap internet plans for low-income households. Through Access from AT&T, qualifying participants can access speeds up to 25 Mbps for $10/mo. Cox offers a similar package deal through its program Connect2Compete. Through Cox Connect2Compete, qualifying participants can access speeds up to 15 Mbps for $9.95/mo. 

Learn more about low-income internet options

Additional costs to consider with AT&T and Cox

In general, you’ll pay a little more for the extra fees with Cox than AT&T. AT&T has a slightly cheaper equipment fee, and its price won’t increase as much in the second year.

Equipment fee

AT&T: With AT&T there is no fee for equipment. AT&T offers the Wi-Fi Gateway, which is a modem and router combo. AT&T’s $99 professional installation charge is currently being waived, too.  

Cox: Cox’s equipment rental fee is more expensive at $13/mo. for the Panoramic Wifi Gateway – a modem and router all-in-one. However, equipment is currently included for free on Cox’s three fastest plans. Cox also allows you to purchase your own modem and router, which can help save you money if you go with the Essential 50 plan.

Contracts and promotional pricing

Cox doesn’t require a contract on any plans, but you’ll need to commit to one year with Essential 50 if you want the $39.99/mo. price.

AT&T doesn’t have contracts, so there are no early termination fees. For Cox, all plans may be canceled within the first 30 days of service at no cost to the subscriber. After 30 days, a termination fee of up to $120 will be charged to your account.

AT&T vs. Cox bundling TV and internet

AT&T no longer offers any TV services. However, customers looking to bundle can still choose to bundle AT&T Internet and DIRECTV together. You won’t receive any bundle deals or even receive a joint bill, but you will be able to receive high-quality internet and TV service. Cox does offer bundles, but there are no discounts.

AT&T Internet and DIRECTV bundles

Limited availability. May not be available in your area. Call to see if you qualify.

*$19.95 ACTIVATION, EARLY TERMINATION FEE OF $20/MO. FOR TV FOR EACH MONTH REMAINING ON AGMT., EQUIPMENT NON-RETURN & ADD’L FEES APPLY. Price incl. Internet after $5/mo. autopay & paperless discount and TV Pkg., monthly service & equip. fees for 1 HD DVR & is after $5/mo. autopay & paperless bill discount for up to 12 mos. Discounts start w/in 3 bills. New approved residential customers only. Equipment lease and credit card req’d. Restr’s apply. See details. *With 24-mo. agmt and [CHOICE or ULTIMATE/OPTIMO MAS or MAS ULTRA] Package (min. $69.99/mo. for 12 mo. before discounts. Price higher in 2nd year. Regional Sports Fee up to $9.99/mo. applies). HBO Max, Cinemax®, SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, and EPIX® are included for 3 months and auto-renews thereafter at then prevailing rates (currently $14.99/mo. for HBO Max, $10.99/mo. each for Cinemax, SHOWTIME and STARZ and $5.99/mo. for EPIX), unless you call to change or cancel. Req’s you to select offers.

Cox internet and TV bundles

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of 03/29/22.

AT&T vs. Cox TV service

AT&T does not offer its own TV service anymore, but DIRECTV is still available. DIRECTV offers both a satellite TV service and a new streaming service, known as DIRECTV STREAM. DIRECTV STREAM doesn’t offer as many channels as DIRECTV, but it also doesn’t require contracts or installation. 

Cox TV, on the other hand, is a cable TV service. Cox TV provides four main TV plans with channels ranging between 75+ and 250+ channels.

Expert tip: If you’re looking for a traditional TV service, go with DIRECTV

DIRECTV and Cox TV are your most traditional TV options as DIRECTV is a typical satellite service and Cox TV is a typical cable service. DIRECTV is a better value than Cox TV. For instance, to receive 250+ channels, you would pay $130/mo. with Cox vs. $84.99/mo. with DIRECTV. If you’re looking to cut the cord, however, go with DIRECTV STREAM. 

AT&T vs. Cox FAQs

Can I get NFL SUNDAY TICKET with Cox?

NFL SUNDAY TICKET is a DIRECTV exclusive through the 2022 NFL season. Therefore, NFL SUNDAY TICKET is not currently available with Cox TV service.

Can I bundle Cox internet and DIRECTV?

You can order both services together but getting internet from one provider and TV from another may disqualify you for savings you would get for bundling with the same provider.

Is AT&T or Cox internet cheaper?

Internet pricing varies by location, but Cox offers cheaper standalone internet with plans starting at $19.99/mo.* AT&T does, however, offer gigabit internet for a lower price, starting at $80.00/mo.* vs. $99.99/mo.* for Cox.

Is AT&T or Cox internet faster?

AT&T’s Fiber 5 Gig plan gives users download speeds up to 4,700 Mbps. Cox’s Gigablast internet gives users download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. AT&T has faster upload speeds as well, and brings their fastest internet plan to more areas.

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of 03/29/22.

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Written by:

Taylor Gadsden

Writer, Broadband Content

Taylor is a veteran member of the Allconnect content team and has spearheaded a number of projects, including a data piece on the top fiber cities in the U.S. and a troubleshooting guide on how to connect your p… Read more

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

Read bio