2020 DISH vs. Xfinity comparison
Compare DISH Network and Comcast Xfinity TV packages, pricing and more.
Compare DISH Network vs. Comcast Xfinity TV service
DISH and Xfinity are among the most available TV providers in the U.S., so chances are one or both services are available for your home. How do you choose between the two?
DISH offers satellite TV service and boasts an impressive DVR that can record up to 12 shows at once and store up to 500 hours of HD content.
Comcast Xfinity is a cable TV service that offers bundle discounts and flexible contract options. Xfinity also offers a low-cost, basic TV package with little more than your local channels. DISH does not have a similar basic TV package.
Want to know more about how DISH and Xfinity stack up? Here’s a quick look at the main features of each service.
DISH vs. Xfinity quick comparison
- Available throughout all 50 states
- Four basic TV packages
- Price range starting at $59.99-$89.99/mo.*
- Channel range 190-290+
- Record up to 12 shows at once
- Two-year contract required
- Available in 39 states
- Three to six basic TV packages depending on location
- Price range starting at $20-$80/mo.*
- Channel range 10-290+
- Record up to six shows at once
- One-year and no-contract options available
*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 07/10/19.
DISH vs. Xfinity availability
Satellite TV service is available virtually everywhere, an advantage DISH has over Xfinity. Comcast is not lacking in availability, however, and is one of the largest cable providers, covering more than 35% of the U.S. population across 39 states, according to the FCC.
Primary service areas for Xfinity include the South, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest and western U.S. It’s in these regions you’re most likely to find DISH and Xfinity services overlap.
Xfinity is not as widely available in the central U.S. states including Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Oklahoma will be better served by DISH or another TV provider, such as DIRECTV, Spectrum or Mediacom. Click below to check availability in your area.
DISH vs. Xfinity TV package options and pricing
With the exception of Xfinity’s Basic TV package, which gives you 10+ channels, DISH and Xfinity packages are similarly priced and stacked with channels.
Both providers also give you lots of add-on options for more premium channels, sports and international networks. If you’re hoping to add HBO® or Cinemax® to your package, Xfinity will be your best choice as the two networks are currently unavailable with DISH.
*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 07/10/19.
DISH offers the same TV packages throughout their service areas. On the other hand, your location may determine which Xfinity packages are available.
Some addresses will be eligible for the Xfinity Basic, Extra and Preferred packages, while the Xfinity Digital packages are available in other locations. Also, some TV packages, such as the Basic and Digital Premier, may only be available when you bundle with Xfinity internet.
Check out our DISH and Xfinity channel guides for a full rundown of what channels come with each provider’s packages.
DISH vs. Xfinity fees
You can expect added equipment and service fees from DISH and Xfinity, but DISH is a bit more straightforward with their pricing.
While both providers include one TV receiver at no extra cost, additional devices can range from $7 to $10/mo. for each provider. If you want DVR equipment and service from Xfinity, you may have an added fee for equipment (starting at $19.95/mo.*) and DVR service (another $9.95/mo*). DISH is also likely to charge you for DVR service with fees ranging from $10 to $15/mo.* depending on your equipment.
Xfinity may also charge a $10/mo.* fee for HD service, whereas HD service is included with all DISH packages.
DISH vs. Xfinity special features and offers
Choosing one provider over the other may get you special features or offers that you could get with the other. Here are a few things that are exclusive to each provider.
DISH special features and offers
- Hopper 3 DVR – The best DVR device on the market, and only available with DISH. The Hopper 3 lets you record up to 12 shows at once, store up to two TB of content, access streaming services like Netflix and Pandora from the box and much more.
- Premium channels included – Select DISH packages include Showtime, Starz and the DISH Movie Pack for three months at no extra charge.
- 36,000+ On Demand titles – DISH packages come with thousands of free and rental On Demand titles.
Xfinity special features and offers
- X1 DVR and Xfinity Stream – The X1 DVR lets you record up to six shows at once and store up to 500 GB of content, which is all accessible on your mobile devices with the Xfinity Stream app. The X1 DVR also has built-in access to streaming services and voice remote compatibility, similar to the Hopper 3 from DISH.
- HBO® and Cinemax® – These networks aren’t exclusive to Comcast Xfinity, but they aren’t currently available with DISH. If you want to add these premium networks to your package, you’ll be better off choosing Xfinity over DISH.
- No-contract options – Comcast Xfinity does not require a contract with all TV offers. DISH requires a two-year agreement with all packages.
DISH vs. Xfinity TV and internet bundles
Xfinity offers TV, internet and home phone services, making bundling multiple services with the same provider simple and convenient.
DISH does not offer internet or home phone service, so you’ll have to add service from another provider if you choose to bundle. Available providers will vary by location, so DISH TV and internet bundles will vary in price, internet speeds and more, depending on your address.
*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 07/10/19.
DISH vs. Xfinity customer satisfaction
Each year, the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) takes feedback from real customers regarding service quality, cost of service and more from top TV providers and gives them a score out of 100. Here’s how DISH and Comcast Xfinity TV service scored over the past three years.
| Provider/service | 2019 score | 2018 score | 2017 score | Avg. past three years |
| DISH | 67/100 | 67 | 67 | 67 |
| Comcast Xfinity | 57 | 57 | 58 | 57.3 |
DISH vs. Xfinity frequently asked questions
Is DISH better than cable?
Is DISH better than cable?
DISH offers better availability and a higher-performing DVR device than cable companies such as Xfinity, Spectrum or Cox. However, new DISH service comes with a two-year contract and may not offer the TV and internet bundle savings you’d get from cable providers.
Can you get DISH and Xfinity?
Can you get DISH and Xfinity?
You can get DISH television service and Xfinity internet service. Xfinity internet is compatible with Hopper 3 devices and will support On Demand streaming as well as services such as Netflix and Pandora that are accessible from the Hopper 3 DVR.
Is Xfinity cheaper than DISH?
Is Xfinity cheaper than DISH?
Xfinity does offer a low-cost TV package in select areas that gives you 10+ channels including locals. DISH does not offer a similar package. Other Xfinity packages are comparable in pricing and channel counts to DISH packages.
Does DISH or Xfinity have more channels?
Does DISH or Xfinity have more channels?
DISH packages range from 190 to 290+ channels, whereas Xfinity packages range from 10 to 260+ channels where available. Available channels from each provider are similar, but Xfinity may offer more premium channel options.
Last updated 07/10/19.
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