AT&T vs. Spectrum: Which ISP is right for you?

By Ari Howard Last updated: September 17, 2024

AT&T Fiber Internet has high-performance plans at a great value, but Spectrum’s plans beat AT&T’s DSL internet service.

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AT&T vs. Spectrum summary

If your address is serviceable for AT&T and Spectrum, take a look at what each has to offer to determine which is the better provider for your home. Spectrum beats AT&T’s 500 Mbps plan in pricing at $50/mo. vs $65/mo. AT&T is one of the top mobile providers in the country. With AT&T, you can bundle your internet plan with a mobile line to save. Spectrum’s TV plans can be bundled with internet. Spectrum TV comes with free HD, even if you don’t bundle. Overall, AT&T Fiber is a better deal than Spectrum. However, if AT&T DSL is available to you instead, your best bet is to go with Spectrum.

AT&T pros and cons

In terms of performance, AT&T Fiber is a 100% fiber optic network, delivering speeds of 300 to 4,700 Mbps where available. Although pricey, AT&T’s fiber plans don’t have any equipment fees, annual contracts or price increases. AT&T delivers some of the fastest speeds in the U.S., but its most expensive plan is $250/mo., far more than most people pay for internet.

Spectrum pros and cons

There are no contracts or data caps with Spectrum, so you will not incur extra charges. However, Spectrum has low upload speeds. Although Spectrum offers competitive starting prices, there is a considerable price increase after 12 months.

AT&T vs. Spectrum internet

  • DSL and fiber internet plans starting at $55.00/mo. 
  • Speeds from 10 – 4,700 Mbps 
  • No contracts or equipment fees 

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  • Cable internet plans starting at $50.00/mo. 
  • Speeds from 500 – 1,000 Mbps 
  • $10.00/mo. equipment fee

Read our full Spectrum review

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AT&T vs. Spectrum: Provider scores

We broke down the most important considerations when buying internet and ranked each internet provider based on these five factors. We considered promotional pricing, price increases, plan options, speeds, data caps, customer satisfaction ratings and more.

AT&T Fiber scored the highest overall except for affordability and number of plans (AT&T DSL has cheaper starting prices and more plan options). While Spectrum ranks well, it has a hard time competing against AT&T Fiber due to AT&T’s superior speeds and overall value.

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.

AT&T vs. Spectrum: internet speeds and pricing

The choice between AT&T internet plans and Spectrum internet comes down to the technology they use. Fiber is faster and more reliable than cable, which is much faster and more reliable than DSL.

If you can get AT&T Fiber at your address, you should stop reading now and subscribe; it’s both faster and cheaper than Spectrum’s cable internet. But if you’re picking between AT&T’s DSL service and Spectrum, you’re probably better off with Spectrum if you plan on using the internet on a few devices at a time.

AT&T DSL plans don’t offer you much choice. You’ll get the fastest speed available at your address — anywhere from 1 to 100 Mbps — and you’ll pay $55/mo. no matter what the speed is. Spectrum’s cheapest plan is a better deal than this in every case — at least for the first year.

AT&T vs. Spectrum deals

Promotional deals vary by provider, but in some cases, you could get free tech worth hundreds of dollars or a year-long streaming subscription for free. In other cases, the deals could be as simple as a price discount for a couple of months. View the latest deals.

AT&T fiber and DSL plans

AT&T logo

Allconnect Rating

4.43 / 5

*Prices + taxes. Price includes $5/mo. AutoPay & Paperless billing discount (within 2 bills). As of 08/28/24.
**Prices for 12 mos + taxes & equip fee after $5/mo. AutoPay & Paperless billing discount (within 2 bills). Incl. 1TB data/mo.; overage chrgs apply. As of 08/28/24.

Spectrum internet plans

Spectrum logo

Allconnect Rating

3.82 / 5

*Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2024 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.

The United States Median Speeds for fixed broadband in April 2022 show a download speed of 151.21 Mbps and an upload speed of 21.25 Mbps. Spectrum’s download speed average comes in at just below the median at 137.4 Mbps, according to Q1 2022 MLAB Provider Speed Test results. Their upload speed average is 15.5 Mbps.

In comparison, AT&T was the top provider scored, with a download speed of 177 Mbps and 137.8 Mbps in upload speeds. Viasat was at the bottom of that list with 19.2 down and 1.7 up.

Which internet plan should you choose?

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

When it comes to finding the best value for internet service, AT&T Fiber and Spectrum both offer the lowest cost/Mbps plans available, making their 300 Mbps or 500 Mbps options the best choice for most families.

Both AT&T and Spectrum offer Gig speed plans that reach download speeds of 940 Mbps with AT&T and up to 1,000 Mbps with Spectrum. The main difference between these two plans is that AT&T’s Gig speed plan offers upload speeds up to 940 Mbps and Spectrum’s Gig speed plan offers upload speeds of up to 35 Mbps. AT&T also offers 5 Gig plans in some areas, reaching speeds as fast as 4,700 Mbps.

If you’re looking for cheap internet plans in your area, Spectrum has plans starting at $50/mo. AT&T’s cheapest plan costs $55/mo. and gets you 300 Mbps. Spectrum charges $5/mo. for equipment, while AT&T includes it for free, so the cheapest plans from both providers come out to $55/mo.

AT&T vs. Spectrum: Additional considerations

Contracts

AT&T: AT&T internet plans do not require a contract.

Spectrum: Spectrum Internet plans are offered month-to-month, allowing subscribers to cancel service anytime without penalty. Potential Spectrum customers can also take advantage of their $500 contract buyout from a previous provider.* Learn more about the fees you’ll see on your monthly bill with each provider.

*To qualify for the Contract Buyout Program, a customer must order and install a qualifying Triple Play or limited Double Play promotion; offers not available in all areas. Offer available to qualifying customers only who have no outstanding obligations to Charter. Payment amount will be determined by the Early Termination Fee on the final bill from the previous provider, not to exceed $500. For Contract Buyout qualifications, go to Spectrum.com/buyout.

Installation

AT&T: AT&T’s professional installation fee costs up to $99, but the company is currently waiving it for online orders. Self-installation is also available in some areas.

Spectrum: Spectrum’s self-installation costs up to $24.99 and professional installation costs up to $59.99. 

Equipment

AT&T: AT&T used to have a separate fee for equipment, but now the ISP’s costs include that charge.

Spectrum: Spectrum charges an extra $5/mo. for equipment

Price increases

AT&T: None of AT&T’s plans have regular price increases built-in, but your bill could still go up at any time.

Spectrum: In year two, Spectrum’s prices increase by $25/mo. on every plan.

AT&T vs. Spectrum bundles

Bundling services used to be a good way to save money with ISPs, but neither provider offers discounts for bundling internet and TV, and Spectrum is the only one to offer real bundles at all. Cable TV packages are available with Spectrum, and the convenience of having your internet and TV bills in one place gives Spectrum the win by default.

You can add DIRECTV STREAM to your AT&T internet plan, but it won’t save you any money, either. If you’re looking to add TV service to AT&T internet, we recommend looking at other live TV streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, too.

  • DIRECTV STREAM ENTERTAINMENT + AT&T Fiber 300

    • Starting at $129.99/mo.*
    • Speeds up to 300 Mbps
    • No monthly data cap with select bundles
    • 165+ live-streaming TV channels


    Bundled savings: $0/mo.*

  • Spectrum TV® Select Signature + Internet Premier®

    • Starting at $125.00/mo.**
    • Speeds up to 500 Mbps** (Wireless speeds may vary)
    • No monthly data cap
    • 150+ cable TV channels

    Bundled savings: $20/mo.

*Wireless speeds may vary. For 12 months. 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. Wireless speeds may vary. As of 08/28/24.

**Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum TV® Select promotion price is $59.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Spectrum Internet® promotion price is $49.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges (broadcast surcharge up to $21.00/mo) extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: INTERNET: Speed based on wired connection and may vary by address. Wireless speeds may vary. TV: TV equipment required; charges may apply. Channel and HD programming availability based on level of service. Account credentials may be required to stream some TV content online. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability. ©2024 Charter Communications.

AT&T vs. Spectrum TV service

AT&T does not directly offer any TV service but you can choose to add DIRECTV STREAM or DIRECTV to any AT&T internet plan (or any other TV service). Just keep in mind your AT&T and DIRECTV bill will be separate. 

Spectrum, however, does offer its own cable TV service. If you are looking for the convenience of having both services on one bill, Spectrum is the better option for you. Spectrum also offers lower starting prices for TV service than DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM.

  • DIRECTV STREAM package options: Four
  • Channel range: 65+ to 140+
  • Starting price range: $69.99 to $149.99/mo.*
  • DVR service: Unlimited storage included
  • DVR recordings: No limit
  • Equipment cost: $5/mo. or use your own streaming device or smart TV
  • Contract: None
  • 1 Main streaming TV package** option and four cable plans with add-on options
  • Channel range: 85+ to 160+ plus add-on options
  • Starting price: $40/mo for 12 mos.**
  • DVR service: Starting at $10/mo.*
  • DVR recordings: 50 – 100 shows
  • Equipment cost: $10/mo. each*
  • Contract: None

*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. As of 08/28/24.

**Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum TV® Select promotion price is $59.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges (broadcast surcharge up to $21.00/mo) extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: TV: TV equipment required; charges may apply. Channel and HD programming availability based on level of service. Account credentials may be required to stream some TV content online. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability. ©2024 Charter Communications.

Use the Spectrum channel guide and our DIRECTV STREAM channel guide to find the channel and plan you need.

AT&T vs. Spectrum: Availability

Both AT&T and Spectrum availability will vary based on your location.

AT&T availability:

Spectrum availability

AT&T vs. Spectrum: Customer satisfaction

For 2022, AT&T ranks third in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) ratings with a score of 69/100 and Spectrum ranks fifth with a 63/100. 

AT&T vs. Spectrum: Final verdict

The bottom line: Spectrum is the only one with TV service, but AT&T is the better choice overall.

We recommend bundling AT&T internet with DIRECTV as they offer more options overall with five AT&T Fiber speed tiers and numerous package options from both DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM. AT&T’s starting price is slightly higher, but its fast fiber optic internet speeds make the extra cost worth the expense. If your address is only eligible for AT&T DSL, however, look to Spectrum for more internet options and faster speeds.

Spectrum bundles feature options starting at $49.99 for 12 mos. If you just want to have all your services on one bill, go with Spectrum.

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AT&T vs. Spectrum FAQs

Is AT&T or Spectrum Internet faster?

In areas where AT&T Fiber is available, it’s faster than Spectrum. However, AT&T’s DSL service is much slower.

No, NFL SUNDAY TICKET is only available with DIRECTV. You can get the next season of NFL SUNDAY TICKET included when you order DIRECTV’s CHOICE package or above.

AT&T offers significantly faster upload speeds than Spectrum. With AT&T fiber, you receive symmetrical upload/download speeds. Conversely, with Spectrum internet, upload speeds are significantly slower than the advertised download speeds.

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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 for four years on the site, as well as on Allconnect’s sister site MYMOVE.com. … Read more

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