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AT&T vs. Xfinity 2022: Which Internet Provider is Best for You?

By Ari Howard Last updated: June 15, 2022

Compare internet and TV services from AT&T and Xfinity to find the best plans for your home.

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AT&T vs. Xfinity fees, data caps and contracts  

Fees – AT&T waives equipment and installation fees

AT&T includes the cost of equipment, including the previous extra $10/mo. router fee, in your one monthly price. Installation fees can cost $99, but it’s currently being waived.

Xfinity charges $14/mo. for its xFi Gateway device. You also have the option with Xfinity to buy your own equipment. There is a $40 professional installation free, but you also have the option of self-installation. 

Data caps – AT&T fiber offers unlimited data

If you have DSL service from AT&T, you’ll have a data cap of 1TB/mo. Exceeding your data cap can result in a $10 additional charge for each 50GB block needed to compensate for your overage, with a max fee of $50. AT&T Fiber customers, on the other hand, can enjoy unlimited data with any plan.

Xfinity internet plans come with a 1.2TB/mo. data cap. Exceeding your limit will result in added fees similar to AT&T’s, or you can sign up for unlimited data for an extra $30/mo.

Contracts – Both AT&T and Xfinity offer no-contract options

You won’t have to sign a contract with AT&T internet plans. Term agreements for Xfinity are less black and white. Some regions, such as the West and Northeast, may not require a contract to get the lowest pricing on select plans. The Central region may require a one or two-year contract to get the lowest monthly pricing. If you have a contract and cancel before it expires, you will be charged an early termination fee. The termination fee will be prorated based on the internet plan you choose.

Final verdict: AT&T fiber has simpler pricing than Xfinity

With no data caps, contracts or equipment fees, AT&T fiber offers a better deal.

AT&T vs. Xfinity: Which is better?

By Ari Howard Last updated: June 15, 2022

If you’re looking for the best provider for high speed internet, AT&T fiber is the one you want. If you only have AT&T’s DSL service to pick from in your area and Xfinity is also available, pick Xfinity.

  • AT&T has faster speeds: Xfinity’s fastest plan comes with speeds up to 3,000 Mbps and plenty of sticker shock with a starting price of $299.99/mo.* AT&T, meanwhile, has a 4,700 Mbps plan in some areas for $180 Mbps.
  • AT&T fiber offers the best value overall: With plans starting at 300 Mbps, AT&T fiber offers a superior deal to Xfinity. AT&T’s DSL service, conversely, does not offer as good a value as AT&T fiber or Xfinity.
  • AT&T boasts slightly higher customer satisfaction ratings: The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) scored AT&T higher than Xfinity for internet service in 2021. AT&T received a 71/100 while Xfinity came in at 67/100. However, Xfinity’s score increased seven points over the past four years, so it is making big improvements.

Compared to AT&T, Xfinity internet has a lower starting price, but if you’re looking for top speeds, AT&T fiber is likely to be the cheaper option as their higher-tiered plans are likely to come at a lower monthly price than similar Xfinity plans. Additionally, Xfinity increases its prices after the first 12 months, which means AT&T plans are often cheaper long-term even if its starting price is higher than Xfinity’s.

If you are trying to decide between AT&T or Xfinity services for your home, looking at their plans side by side is a good idea. AT&T fiber is the best value overall; however, if only AT&T DSL is in your area, you will want to go with Xfinity instead.

Take a look at all the research or skip right to the info you need:

Our ratings for AT&T and Xfinity internet

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

AT&T fiber vs. Xfinity internet prices

AT&T fiber and DSL internet plans

AT&T offers two service types: fiber optic and DSL. AT&T’s fiber optic pricing and speeds are consistent throughout all of its locations; however, AT&T’s DSL’s speeds vary based on location and do not reach the same speed levels as AT&T’s fiber optic service. AT&T fiber offers some of the best valued packages compared to any major provider. 

*Prices for 12 mos + taxes. Price includes $5/mo. AutoPay & Paperless billing discount (within 2 bills).
**Prices for 12 mos + taxes after $5/mo. AutoPay & Paperless billing discount (within 2 bills). Incl. 1TB data/mo.; overage chrgs apply. Prices updated 05/20/22.

Xfinity internet plans

Xfinity internet is one of the largest cable providers and offers a wide range of speed plans. Although you can expect multiple internet plans to choose from no matter your location, Xfinity’s speeds and pricing changes based on the region you live in (West, Central/South or Northeast).

Xfinity internet plans: West region

*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. Last updated 05/20/22.

Xfinity internet plans: Central region

*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. Last updated 05/20/22.

Xfinity internet plans: Northeast region

*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. Last updated 05/20/22.

Final verdict: AT&T fiber is the best internet plan

You can’t beat AT&T fiber for speed, so if it is available in your area, this is the one you need.

Which internet plan should you choose?

Best overall internet plans: AT&T Fiber 300 and AT&T Fiber 500

Overall, Xfinity cannot compete with AT&T’s value. For just $55/mo. for 300 Mbps or $65/mo. for 500 Mbps, AT&T offers incredible speeds for a relatively low price. These two plans are the best deals for the average household.

Xfinity offers the overall cheapest internet plan of 25 Mbps for $19.99/mo. In some locations the cost is $25/mo. for 25 Mbps but that is still cheaper than any of AT&T’s plans.

AT&T offers the overall fastest plan of 4,700 Mbps but at $180/mo., this is overkill for most households. While both Xfinity and AT&T offer 1,000 Mbps plans, Xfinity’s Gig plan offers slightly faster download speeds since it reaches 1,000 Mbps and AT&T’s only reaches 940 Mbps. AT&T’s Gig plan is likely the better option, however, because its upload speeds are considerably faster.

FAQs

Does AT&T or Xfinity have the cheapest internet plan?

In many areas, Xfinity has lower introductory pricing than AT&T for similar services, but AT&T is likely to give you a better deal on faster internet speeds.

Which provider has the fastest speed for your home depends on where you live. In many places, Xfinity has the fastest max advertised speeds. Their Gigabit Pro plan has download speeds up to 3,000 Mbps, while AT&T’s fastest plan has download speeds up to 940 Mbps. However, AT&T recently launched speeds up to 4,700 Mbps in many areas.

Comcast is Xfinity’s parent company. The Xfinity product name covers the internet and TV division of the company. AT&T and Comcast/Xfinity are separate entities. Comcast did purchase AT&T Broadband in 2002, which was AT&T’s TV division at that time. AT&T’s current TV line of products, which includes DIRECTV, AT&T TV and AT&T TV NOW, are not affiliated with Comcast or Xfinity.

*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 05/20/22.

AT&T Fiber vs. Xfinity availability

If you are trying to decide between AT&T and Xfinity service at your home, you are probably in an area where both services are available. And you’re not alone, because AT&T and Xfinity are two of the largest internet providers in the U.S. 

Xfinity’s main serviceable areas: the Great Lakes areas, the Northwest and Eastern U.S.

AT&T’s main serviceable areas: the South and Northeastern U.S., most of California and select areas of Nevada.

AT&T and Xfinity coverage overlaps in many metro areas in the South, such as Atlanta, Houston, Little Rock, Miami and Nashville. Residents of select areas in the Midwest, including Chicago, Detroit and Kansas City, may also have access to AT&T and Xfinity. Coverage also overlaps in parts of California, including Fresno, Sacramento and San Francisco.

AT&T vs. Xfinity: Recap

Pricing: Xfinity has lower starting prices, but AT&T’s cheapest plan comes with more speed.

TV + internet bundles: Only Xfinity offers TV service, so if you are looking for bundle deals and easy billing for internet and TV, Xfinity is the way to go.

Speed: AT&T has the fastest max speed (up to 4,700 Mbps) and is likely to have faster upload speeds. It also has lower pricing on its gigabit plan than Xfinity.

Customer service and satisfaction: AT&T has consistently received higher customer satisfaction scores from the ACSI for both TV and internet service over the past three years.

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Ari Howard

Written by:

Ari Howard

Associate Writer, Broadband & Wireless Content

Ari is an Associate Writer for the Allconnect team. She primarily writes about broadband news and studies, particularly relating to internet access, digital safety, broadband-related technology and the digital d… Read more

Robin Layton

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

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