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AT&T vs. Cox: Internet and bundling options

By Robin Layton Last updated: August 19, 2024

AT&T’s Fiber plans are the best deal out there, but if you can’t get AT&T Fiber, Cox is a better option than AT&T’s DSL service.

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Cox plans

  • Go Fast
    Speeds up to
    100 Mbps
    Contract length
    12 mos.
    Connection type
    Fiber
    Rating
    High
    Plan cost
    $50/mo.
    for 12 mos.
    Pricing breakdown
    Check with Cox
    Or give us a call
  • Go Faster
    Speeds up to
    250 Mbps
    Contract length
    24 mos.
    Connection type
    Fiber
    Rating
    High
    Plan cost
    $70/mo.
    for 24 mos.
    Pricing breakdown
    Check with Cox
    Or give us a call
  • Go Super Fast
    Speeds up to
    1000 Mbps
    Contract length
    24 mos.
    Connection type
    Fiber
    Rating
    High
    Plan cost
    $109.99/mo.
    for 24 mos.
    Pricing breakdown
    Check with Cox
    Or give us a call

AT&T plans

  • AT&T Fiber 500Mbps
    Speeds up to
    500 Mbps
    Contract length
    12 mos.
    Connection type
    Fiber
    Rating
    High
    Plan cost
    $65/mo.
    for 12 mos.
    Pricing breakdown
    Check with AT&T
    Or give us a call
  • AT&T Fiber 1 GIG speed
    Speeds up to
    1000 Mbps
    Contract length
    12 mos.
    Connection type
    Fiber
    Rating
    High
    Plan cost
    $80/mo.
    for 12 mos.
    Pricing breakdown
    Check with AT&T
    Or give us a call
  • AT&T Fiber 2 GIG speed
    Speeds up to
    2000 Mbps
    Contract length
    12 mos.
    Connection type
    Fiber
    Rating
    High
    Plan cost
    $145/mo.
    for 12 mos.
    Pricing breakdown
    Check with AT&T
    Or give us a call

ATT vs Cox: Overview

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?”

AT&T offers DSL and fiber, with gigabit service available in more areas than Cox and for a lower price. AT&T ranked considerably higher in customer satisfaction and AT&T Fiber offers the best value of any internet provider with pricing starting at $55/mo. If fiber isn’t available in your area, AT&T’s DSL speeds are slow, and remember, there are no discounts for bundling AT&T internet and TV services.

Cox offers plans starting at $49.99/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. After 12-24 months of service, Cox will increase plans by $20–$34/mo.

Compare ATT vs Cox

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.

ATT vs Cox internet plans

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

AT&T internet

*Plus, taxes. Autopay & Paperless Bill req’d. †Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds & based on wired connection to gateway. 1GIG speeds require the latest router & recommended setup. Actual customer speeds may vary and are not guaranteed. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101. 08/19/24.

Cox internet

*Pricing per month plus taxes. 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 08/19/24.

Which plan should you choose?

Lower-budget internet options

Cox’s main selling point over AT&T is its cheaper internet plans. Its cheapest internet plan provides 100 Mbps for $49.99/mo. depending on your location. 

Through Access from AT&T, qualifying participants can access speeds up to 10 Mbps for $30/mo. Cox offers a similar but cheaper deal through its program Connect2Compete. It offers a $9.95/mo. plan for low-income internet customers. 

Higher performance internet plans

Fiber plans are your best bet for high-performance internet. Both AT&T and Cox offer Gig-speed internet plans. We recommend going with AT&T since AT&T offers Gig speeds for a cheaper price and provides faster upload speeds than Cox. For instance, while Cox offers a Gig plan of 1000/35 (download/upload) Mbps for $109.99/mo., AT&T offers a Gig plan of 1000/940 Mbps for $80/mo. You can also go up to 4,700 Mbps in some areas with AT&T for $250/mo.

Middle-value internet plans

If you have two or three people at home working and learning, you may want to consider the next tiers in pricing and speed. AT&T’s 500 Mbps plan for $65/mo. is best for households with four or more people who use the internet heavily. If AT&T Fiber isn’t available to you, however, we recommend going with the Cox Internet Preferred 150 plan for $49.99/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 the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. Through Access from AT&T, qualifying participants can access speeds up to 10 Mbps for $30/mo. With the ACP $30/mo., the AT&T plan is free. Cox offers a similar deal through its program Connect2Compete, in conjunction with the ACP. It also offers a $9.95/mo. plan for low-income customers. 

Learn more about low-income internet options

ATT vs Cox pricing

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.

Plan pricing

AT&T’s pricing tiers are cheaper per Mbps than Cox. For example, AT&T offers 500 Mbps for $65/mo. while Cox’s 500 plan is $90/mo. For the lower speed tiers, Cox charges $50/mo. for up to 100 Mbps and AT&T’s lowest plan up to 300 Mbps is $55/mo.

Equipment fee

AT&T: AT&T charges no equipment fee. It offers the Wi-Fi Gateway, a modem and router combo. AT&T’s $99 professional installation charge is also currently being waived.  

Cox: Cox’s Panoramic Wifi Gateway – a modem and router all-in-one – is free with all the available plans. Cox also allows you to purchase your own modem and router.

Contracts and promotional pricing

Cox doesn’t require a contract on any plans.

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.

ATT vs Cox bundling

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. *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 08/19/24.

ATT vs Cox final takeaways

Cox’s bundles start at $147.99/mo. for 100 Mbps and 140+ channels, while AT&T Internet and DIRECTV bundles start at $129.99/mo. for 300 Mbps and 65+ channels. Even though neither provider offers bundling discounts, you’re better off going with AT&T.

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: Final verdict

If you can get AT&T Fiber at your address, you should do it. It rates as the top internet provider in our scoring, and it also takes the number one spot in the American Customer Satisfaction Index’s rankings. You’ll get the top speeds for some of the best prices around.

But if you can’t get AT&T Fiber, Cox is a better option than AT&T’s DSL service. You’ll get much faster speeds with Cox’s cable connection than DSL, and the prices are about the same.

AT&T vs. Cox FAQs

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.

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. $109.99/mo.* for Cox.

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 08/19/24.

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Robin Layton

Written by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

Robin Layton is an editor for the broadband marketplace Allconnect. She built her internet industry expertise writing and editing on the site since January 2020, as well as on Allconnect’s sister site MYMOVE.com… Read more

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