AT&T vs. Spectrum

Is AT&T or Charter Spectrum better for you?

AT&T and Spectrum offer comparable internet, TV and home phone services and plans in areas where both services are available. 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.

• Best availability: Spectrum internet is available in more states (46 to AT&T’s 21), but AT&T internet is available to more households (40% U.S. coverage to Spectrum’s 33%)
• Fastest speeds: Both providers offer gigabit internet with download speeds up to 940 Mbps, but AT&T Fiber boasts much faster upload speeds than Spectrum internet.
• Most bundle options: AT&T offers more bundle options and greater discounts for bundling.
• Highest customer satisfaction: AT&T ranks higher than Spectrum for internet and TV customer satisfaction, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index.

AT&T vs. Spectrum quick comparison

• Available in 21 states for internet
• Internet and TV bundles starting at $84.99/mo.*
• Standalone internet starting at $35/mo.**
• Internet download speeds range 5 to 940 Mbps
• AT&T TV channels range 65+ to 140+
• No internet contract required, two-year TV contract required

• Available in 46 states for internet
• Internet and TV bundles starting at $89.98/mo.*
• Standalone internet starting at $49.99/mo.*
• Internet download speeds range 200 to 940 Mbps
• Spectrum TV channels range 125+ to 200+
• No contracts required

*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 03/05/21.
**$10/mo. equip. fee applies. Ltd. avail/areas.

On this page: Click the category below to learn more about what sets these two providers apart.

AT&T vs. Spectrum internet overview

**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 03/05/21.
**Per mo for 12 mos + taxes & equip fee.$10/mo equip fee applies. Incl unlimited internet data allowance ($30 value). Ltd avail/areas; speeds vary.
***Per mo for 12 mos + taxes & equip fee. $10/mo equip fee applies. Incl 1TB data/mo. $10 chrg for each add’l 50GB (up to $100/mo)

AT&T vs. Spectrum contracts and installation

Contracts

AT&T: AT&T internet plans do not require a contract, however, if you select a plan with a term agreement, you will incur an early termination fee (up to $180) if your new service is canceled after the first 14 days of service. 

Spectrum: Spectrum internet plans are offered month-to-month, allowing subscribers to cancel service at any time 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.

Installation

AT&T: AT&T’s professional installation fee costs up to $99. However, you can get this fee waived if you opt for self-installation or if you bundle internet and TV services. 

Spectrum: Spectrum’s professional installation is $49. If you opt for self-installation with Spectrum, however, it’s only $9.99. 

AT&T vs. Spectrum TV service

While AT&T and Spectrum offer comparable internet services, TV service is one category where AT&T has the clear advantage. AT&T offers AT&T TV and DIRECTV across all 50 states. Here’s how AT&T TV compares to Spectrum TV service:

• AT&T TV package options: Four
• Channel range: 65+ to 140+
• Starting price range: $59.99 to $134.99/mo.*
• DVR service: Included
• DVR recordings: Up to five shows at once
• DVR equipment cost: One device free, then starting at $7/mo. each*
• Contract: Two years

• Main TV package options: Three
• Channel range: 125 to 200+
• Starting price range: $44.99 to $104.99/mo.*
• DVR service: Starting at $12.99/mo.*
• DVR recordings: Up to two shows at once
• DVR equipment cost: Starting at $6.99/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 03/05/21.

Use our AT&T TV review, as well as our Spectrum channel guide and AT&T TV channel guide to find the channel and plan you need.

What about AT&T U-verse TV vs. Spectrum?

After acquiring DIRECTV in 2015 and launching their new streaming service, AT&T TV, in February 2020, AT&T has largely curtailed AT&T U-verse TV service. Consequently, AT&T U-verse TV is no longer available to new customers.

U-verse TV is an IPTV service, meaning that TV signals come to the home via the internet, opposed to Spectrum’s traditional cable TV service which uses a coaxial cable. Customers who currently have AT&T U-verse TV will find the service to offer similar pricing, channel lineups and DVR capabilities to that of Spectrum TV.

AT&T vs. Spectrum customer satisfaction

Customer satisfaction is another category where AT&T consistently outshines Spectrum. Here are their most recent American Customer Satisfaction Index scores based on a scale from 1-100, for both internet and TV services.

Service	2020 score	2019 score	2018 score	Avg. past three years
AT&T internet	68/100	69	68	68.3
Spectrum internet	63/100	59	60	60.7
AT&T TV	70/100	69	70	69.7
Spectrum TV	61/100	59	58	59.3

Source: ACSI

AT&T Fiber vs. Spectrum availability

Much of AT&T’s internet coverage spans 21 states, with service primarily in the southern states, areas of the Midwest and select areas of California and Nevada. Spectrum’s availability includes select areas of 46 states, making it the second-largest cable internet provider in the U.S. Top service areas for each provider include: