AT&T vs. Spectrum
Compare AT&T and Spectrum internet, TV and bundle services.



At Allconnect, we work to present quality information with editorial integrity. While this page may contain offers from our partners, our opinions are our own. Here’s how we make money.
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 Fiber vs. Spectrum bundles
AT&T and Spectrum offer bundle packages with varying combinations of internet, TV and home phone services. Here are the lowest-priced bundles from each provider:
AT&T TV + AT&T Fiber 100
- Starting at $84.99/mo.*
- Speeds up to 100 Mbps
- No monthly data cap with select bundles
- 65+ live streaming TV channels
Bundled savings: $10/mo.*
Spectrum Double Play Select
- Starting at $89.98/mo.*
- Speeds up to 200 Mbps
- No monthly data cap
- 125+ cable TV channels
Bundled savings: $5/mo.*
*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.
The bottom line: AT&T offers better bundling options
We recommend AT&T bundles as they offer more options overall with three AT&T Fiber speed tiers and numerous package options from TV services AT&T TV and DIRECTV. Plus, AT&T bundles have a slightly lower starting price. However, if your address is only eligible for AT&T DSL, look to Spectrum for more internet options and faster speeds.
Spectrum bundles feature at most three internet speed tiers and three TV package options in most areas. Starting prices are similar to AT&T bundles, with the added benefit of more channels in the Spectrum basic TV plan.
AT&T vs. Spectrum internet overview
Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Data cap | Tech type |
AT&T Fiber 100 | $35.00/mo.** | 100 Mbps | Unlimited | Fiber optic |
AT&T Internet | $40.00/mo.*** | 75 Mbps | 1TB | DSL (fiber/copper hybrid) |
AT&T Internet 300 | $45.00/mo.** | 300 Mbps | Unlimited | Fiber optic |
AT&T Internet 1000 | $60.00/mo.** | 940 Mbps | Unlimited | Fiber optic |
Spectrum Internet | $49.99/mo.* | 200 Mbps | Unlimited | Cable |
Spectrum Internet Ultra | $69.99/mo.* | 400 Mbps | Unlimited | Cable |
Spectrum Internet Gig | $109.99/mo.* | 940 Mbps | Unlimited | Cable |
**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 cheapest internet plans
If you’re looking for cheap internet plans in your area, AT&T and Spectrum both have plans starting at less than $50 per month. Here’s a look at the cheapest AT&T DSL and fiber plans compared to Spectrum’s cheapest internet plan.
AT&T Internet
- Plane name: Internet 100
- Starting price: $35/mo.*
- Download speed: 100
- Data cap: None
- Equipment fee: $10/mo.
- Contract: None
- Professional installation: $49
Spectrum Internet
- Plan name: Spectrum Internet®
- Starting price: $49.99/mo.*
- Download speed: Up to 200 Mbps
- Data cap: None
- Equipment fee: $5/mo.
- Contract: None
- Professional installation: $49.99
*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.
The bottom line: AT&T has cheaper internet plans
AT&T beats Spectrum when it comes to cheap internet plans. Depending on your area, you can get up to 100 Mbps for $35/mo. with AT&T. That’s $15/mo. cheaper than the lowest price you will get with Spectrum.
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.
The bottom line: Spectrum has more TV channels for cheaper
Spectrum outshines AT&T when it comes to TV services due to a broader channel line-up for a lower starting price. For example, AT&T TV’s basic plan will get you about 65 channels for $60, but you’ll get more for your money with Spectrum TV Select plan – nearly double the amount of channels for $15 less per month.
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:


AT&T vs. Spectrum recap
Spectrum is a nice balance of price and speed, but may not present as many options as AT&T. If you want to bundle AT&T TV or DIRECTV, or if your family is big into streaming or gaming and requires faster speeds, AT&T is the only way to go.
- Pricing: Plan-for-plan, AT&T is cheaper than Spectrum.
- TV & internet bundles: Thanks to AT&T TV and DIRECTV, AT&T offers more bundle options with better savings than Spectrum.
- Speed: Spectrum and AT&T’s download speeds max out at 940 Mbps, but AT&T Fiber has faster upload speeds than Spectrum.
- Customer service: AT&T ranks higher than Spectrum, but internet customer service is never pretty.
AT&T vs. Spectrum FAQs
Is AT&T cable?
AT&T delivers internet either over phone lines (DSL) or fiber optic cables. No traditional copper cables are used, unlike with Spectrum internet, which uses copper cables to deliver service.
Is AT&T or Spectrum internet faster?
In areas where Spectrum internet and AT&T’s DSL internet are available, Spectrum internet is typically faster. However, AT&T Fiber, where available, has faster internet than Spectrum in most areas.
Can I get NFL SUNDAY TICKET with Spectrum?
No, NFL SUNDAY TICKET is only available with DIRECTV. You can get the next season of NFL SUNDAY TICKET included with your order when ordering the CHOICE package or above.
Are AT&T and Spectrum the same provider?
No. AT&T and Spectrum are different providers and offer services independent of one another in unique coverage areas.
Does AT&T or Spectrum have faster upload speeds?
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.
Last updated 03/05/21.
We value your feedback
Was this page helpful?
We value your feedback
We’re glad! Tell us what helped most on this page.
We value your feedback
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your insight helps, and we’ll do our best to improve your experience.
Written by:
Taylor GadsdenWriter, Broadband & Wireless 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 LaytonEditor, Broadband & Wireless Content
Related pages
What to read next
Read more- FeaturedHow much Spectrum really costs: What you’ll pay for internet and TV Sarah Harris — 4 min read
- FeaturedDIY alert ― How to set up AT&T internet yourself Sarah Harris — 6 min read
- FeaturedAll you need to know about streaming TV — A beginner’s guide Joe Supan — 7 min read
Latest
Sunday, April 11, 2021
Does this Tennessee city have the blueprint to solve the digital divide?Ari Howard — 8 min read
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Top connected college towns in 2021Ari Howard — 5 min read
Friday, April 2, 2021
Allconnect’s broadband news updatesAri Howard — 6 min read
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for internet news and promos
By subscribing, you agree to receive Allconnect newsletter and promotional emails. Your privacy is important to us.