AT&T vs. Spectrum

Is AT&T or Charter Spectrum better for you?

Ari Howard Last updated: June 10, 2021

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. Overall, AT&T fiber optic is a better deal than Spectrum. However, if AT&T DSL is available to you instead of AT&T fiber optic, your best bet is to go with Spectrum.  

• 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%)
• Best cheap internet: Not only does AT&T’s cheapest plan cost less than Spectrum’s but it also provides faster speeds
• 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
• 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 ratings

We broke down the most important considerations when buying internet and ranked each internet provider based off of 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.

Our methodology

We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction.

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 one to five, 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 three and four. 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. Spectrum internet service

AT&T fiber and DSL plans

*Prices for 12 mos + taxes & equip fee. Price includes $5/mo. AutoPay & Paperless billing discount (within 2 bills). $10/mo. equip. fee applies. Prices updated 05/07/21.
**Prices for 12 mos + taxes & 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 06/04/21.

Spectrum internet plans

Which internet plan should you choose?

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. Spectrum, therefore, is a more reliable option if you want to ensure contract-free internet service. 

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. If you require professional installation, then you will save a little money going with Spectrum over AT&T. 

AT&T Fiber vs. Spectrum bundles

AT&T and Spectrum offer bundle packages with varying combinations of internet, TV and home phone services. Overall, Spectrum offers cheaper bundle options and a higher channel count but AT&T offers faster internet speeds. Here are the lowest-priced bundles from each provider:

• AT&T TV + AT&T Fiber 300

  • Starting at $94.99/mo.*
  • Speeds up to 300 Mbps
  • No monthly data cap with select bundles
  • 65+ live streaming TV channels
    

• 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 06/04/21.

AT&T vs. Spectrum TV service

Both AT&T and Spectrum offer a wide range of TV plan options. If you are looking for the highest channel count, then bundling with Spectrum may be a better option with you. Spectrum also offers the lowest starting prices for 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 06/04/21.

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.

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 and 2020 consumer reports scores based on a scale from 1-100, for both internet and TV services. Overall, AT&T scored slightly higher for customer satisfaction than Spectrum.

Source: ACSI, Consumer Reports

AT&T and Spectrum coverage areas

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 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: