AT&T vs. Spectrum
Compare AT&T and Spectrum internet, TV and bundle services.
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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.
- 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%)
- Both providers offer gigabit internet with speeds up to 940 Mbps or higher, but AT&T’s gigabit service is available in more cities than Spectrum.
- Spectrum offers greater discounts for bundling.
- AT&T ranks higher in TV and internet than Spectrum in customer satisfaction, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index
We’ve done the research on AT&T and Spectrum for you, so you can easily compare and choose the better internet, TV and home phone provider for your home.
AT&T vs. Spectrum quick comparison
- Available in 21 states for internet
- Internet and TV bundles starting at $89.98/mo.*
- Standalone internet starting at $49.99mo.*
- Internet download speeds range 5 to 940 Mbps
- AT&T TV channels range 70+ to 130+
- No internet contract required, two-year TV contract required
- Available in 46 states
- Internet and TV bundles starting at $89.98/mo.*
- Standalone internet starting at $44.99/mo.*
- Internet download speeds range 60 to 940 Mbps
- TV channels range 125 to 200+
- No contract 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 04/16/20.
Click the category below to learn more about what sets these two providers apart.
AT&T 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 gigabit availability
Both AT&T and Spectrum offer gigabit internet, with download speeds up to 940 Mbps, but AT&T currently offers it in more areas.
Available internet speeds from AT&T, Spectrum and other internet providers will vary by location. Click the button below to see which internet speeds are available at your address.
AT&T 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:
*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 04/16/20.
Spectrum bundles feature varying internet speeds where available, but some locations currently have only one internet speed option, typically either 60, 100 or 200 Mbps. Gig-speed plans are also available in select areas. Additionally, only three Spectrum TV package options are available to choose from.
In short, AT&T offers more bundle options overall. Spectrum gives you fewer options to choose from, but you may be eligible for faster internet speeds than you’d get with AT&T DSL service, plus you get the freedom of no contract.
AT&T vs. Spectrum internet
AT&T offers DSL and fiber-optic internet in select areas. Spectrum delivers internet over a cable network. The difference in internet type results in a few key differences, including availability, pricing and speeds.
AT&T vs. Spectrum internet costs
AT&T offers cheaper internet plans than Spectrum, but AT&T may require you to bundle to get their lowest pricing. Spectrum’s lowest-priced internet plan is the same price regardless of whether you choose to bundle.
For internet-only service, Spectrum may be the better deal if you’re looking for cheap internet with decent speeds. If you want faster internet, however, AT&T is likely to give you a better deal as their 1,000 Mbps plan is cheaper than Spectrum’s 940 Mbps plan.
As for equipment costs, AT&T internet offers wireless gateway router rental with all internet plans for $10/mo. Spectrum includes equipment at no extra cost, but may charge an additional fee for home Wi-Fi service.
AT&T vs. Spectrum internet speeds
Spectrum’s lowest speed, up to 60 Mbps, is faster than AT&T’s lowest speed, up to 5 Mbps. However, AT&T offers slightly faster speeds than Spectrum (up to 1,000 Mbps compared to Spectrum’s 940 Mbps). Additionally, AT&T’s fastest speeds are available in many more locations than Spectrum’s fastest speeds.
AT&T vs. Spectrum data caps
AT&T applies a monthly data cap of 1 TB on most internet plans. You may be eligible for unlimited data with select plans, like the AT&T Fiber 1000, or when you bundle internet and TV. Spectrum includes unlimited data on all of their internet plans.
AT&T vs. Spectrum contracts and fees
AT&T internet comes with no contract, however you will incur an early termination fee (up to $180) if your new service is canceled after the first 30 days of service. 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.
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 (DSL)
- Starting price: $49.99/mo.*
- Download speed: Up to 100 Mbps
- Data cap: 1 TB/mo.
- Equipment included: None
- Contract: None
- Professional installation: $99 (not required)
AT&T Fiber
- Starting price: $49.99/mo.*
- Download speed: Up to 1,000 Mbps
- Data cap: 1 TB/mo.
- Equipment included: None
- Contract: None
- Professional installation: $0 (required)
Spectrum Internet
- Starting price: $44.99/mo.*
- Download speed: Up to 940 Mbps
- Data cap: None
- Equipment included: Modem
- Contract: None
- Professional installation: $49.99 (not 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 04/16/20.
Considering the starting price for standalone and bundled internet services, both providers offer comparable pricing. Among the lowest-priced plans, Spectrum offers faster internet speeds in most areas.
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: 60+ to 125+
- 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: $64.99 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 04/16/20.
Use our AT&T TV review, as well as our all-inclusive Spectrum, DIRECTV and AT&T TV channel guides 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 scores based on a scale from 1-100, for both internet and TV services.
| Service | 2019 score | 2018 score | 2017 score | Avg. past three years |
AT&T internet | 69/100 | 68 | 69 | 68.7 |
Spectrum internet | 59/100 | 60 | 65 | 61.3 |
AT&T TV | 69/100 | 70 | 70 | 69.7 |
Spectrum TV | 59/100 | 58 | 63 | 60 |
Source: ACSI
AT&T vs. Spectrum recap
Spectrum is a nice balance of price and speed, but doesn’t have 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, Spectrum is cheaper than AT&T.
- TV + internet bundles: Thanks to AT&T TV and DIRECTV, AT&T offers more bundle options with better savings than Spectrum.
- Speed: Spectrum’s internet speeds max out at 940 Mbps, while AT&T’s go up to 1,000 Mpbs.
- Customer service: AT&T ranks better, but internet customer service is never pretty.
Taylor is a veteran member of the Allconnect content team and has spearheaded a number of projects, most notably our holiday tech gift guide. Among her other top trafficked pieces is Best… Read more
AT&T vs. Spectrum frequently asked questions
Get answers to common questions about AT&T and Spectrum services. Call for more information.
Is AT&T cable?
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?
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?
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?
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.
Last updated 04/16/20.
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