Frontier vs. Spectrum

Is Frontier or Spectrum a better fit for you?

We’ve done the research on Frontier and Spectrum, so you can compare and choose the best internet, TV and home phone provider for you in one convenient spot. Here are some key points to consider:

• Frontier Fiber plans cost $49.99-$154.99/mo.**
• Spectrum internet plans cost $49.99- $89.99/mo.*
• Frontier Fiber plans have download/upload speeds of 500/500, 1000/1000, 2000/2000 and 5000/5000 Mbps.**
• Spectrum plans have download/upload speeds of up to 300/10, 500/20 and 1000/35 Mbps.* (Wireless speeds may vary)
• Spectrum has higher customer satisfaction scores than Frontier.

*Pricing per month plus taxes. 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 08/22/22.

**w/Auto Pay and Paperless Bill per month. Exclusive offer for qualified addresses. For new residential Internet customers only. Max speeds are wired, Fiber 1 Gig location dependent. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary. Max speed capable range for Fiber 500 (450-500 Mbps download/upload), Fiber 1 Gig (846-1000 Mbps download, 792-1000 Mbps upload), Fiber 2 Gig (1800-2000 Mbps download/upload) and requires 2 Gbps capable devices and wiring. Fiber 5 Gig (4500-5000) and requires 5 Gbps capable devices and wiring. Performance details: frontier.com/internetdisclosures. Requires Auto Pay or $10/mo fee applies. Printed bill available for $2.99/mo. Fee does not apply to select customers. $50 expert installation fee applies. A $50 equipment restocking fee per household applies when Internet is disconnected. A fee up to $150 per device for Fiber 500, 1 Gig, and 2 Gig, and up to $400 for Fiber 5 Gig also applies if equipment is not returned. Other applicable charges and additional services are extra. Subject to availability. Price and terms subject to change. Cannot be combined with other offers. Other restrictions, Frontier policies and service terms apply. 03/13/23.

How we scored internet providers

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.

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 1 to 5, 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 3 and 4. 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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Frontier vs. Spectrum internet

The choice between Frontier and Spectrum internet really comes down to which connection type is available at your address. Frontier Fiber will get you the fastest speeds and best value, while Spectrum’s cable internet is a little slower and more expensive. Still, Spectrum is much faster than Frontier DSL service, which should be viewed as a last resort for most people.

Frontier Fiber internet plans

*w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill per month. Max speeds are wired. Location dependent. Wi-Fi, actual & average speeds vary. One-time charges apply. 03/13/23.

Frontier DSL plans

Frontier’s DSL internet plans use your phone line to deliver an internet connection. You’ll automatically get the fastest speeds available at your address. Speeds vary depending on location.

Spectrum internet plans

Spectrum offers up to three internet plans — Spectrum Internet, Internet Ultra and Internet Gig — in most areas with available speeds ranging from 60 to 1000 Mbps. You’ll find details on Spectrum internet plans below.

*Wireless speeds may vary.

Frontier internet plans

Spectrum internet plans

Which internet plan should you choose?

Which provider offers the cheapest internet plans?

In areas where Spectrum and Frontier are both available, Frontier will likely present the lowest-priced internet options. Depending on the plan you choose, however, Spectrum plans may come with more speed for the price, making it a better value.

Spectrum’s cheapest plan offers a bit more speed than Frontier, but you’ll also get an added equipment fee of $5/mo. Frontier internet plan pricing already includes the cost of equipment rental.

Which provider offers the fastest internet plans?

Depending on where you live, Frontier may offer fiber internet speeds up to 5000 Mbps, but this availability is limited.

Spectrum’s gig internet offers speeds up to 1000 Mbps* and is available in most Spectrum service areas.

Frontier Fiber internet plans will include upload speeds equivalent to their download speeds.

*Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum Internet® Gig promotion price is $89.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. Speed based on wired connection. Available Internet speeds may vary by address. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit spectrum.net/modem. General Terms: INTERNET: Speed based on wired connection and may vary by address. Wireless speeds may vary. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability. ©2022 Charter Communications.

Additional things to consider

The price you see when shopping for internet is rarely the same as what shows up on your first bill. In addition to taxes, most providers charge extra fees for equipment rental, installation and data overages. Here’s how Frontier and Spectrum compare when it comes to those extra considerations.

Equipment fees

Both providers are pretty generous in this category. While you can typically expect to pay between $10 and $15/mo. to rent a modem and router from your internet provider, Spectrum only charges $5/mo. and Frontier doesn’t charge anything.

Winner: Frontier

Installation fee

Frontier charges a flat $85 fee for DSL professional installation and $50 for fiber professional installation while Spectrum is up to $59.99 for a professional installation.

Winner: Spectrum

Data caps

You won’t have to worry about data caps on any of Spectrum’s or Frontier’s plans. All of them come with unlimited data.

Winner: Tie

Contracts

Neither Spectrum nor Frontier require you to commit to a contract when you subscribe, so you won’t have to worry about early termination fees if you move or switch providers.

Winner: Tie

What shoppers should consider in different regions

Both providers’ pricing and package options vary across the U.S., especially Frontier’s. Frontier offers different internet speeds in separate regions. Frontier also tends to offer higher internet speeds with bundles than with standalone internet plans.

Spectrum and Frontier both have select availability with TV services, too. In different areas, each provider may only offer TV service as part of a bundle. Because internet speed pricing changes so much and standalone options aren’t comparable in certain regions, potential “bundle savings” can differ across the U.S.

Frontier vs. Spectrum bundles

Spectrum and Frontier offer comparable TV channel packages and premium channel promotions. Because Spectrum is a cable provider, it offers cable TV to bundle with its internet plans. Spectrum bundles start at $109.98/mo. in most areas.

Frontier, on the other hand, doesn’t offer TV plans itself, so you’ll have to add a TV service like DISH or DIRECTV STREAM separately. Unfortunately, these aren’t discounted at all, so there’s no real advantage to bundling with Frontier.

• Frontier Fiber 500 + DIRECTV STREAM ENTERTAINMENT

  • Starting at $108.98/mo.
  • Download speeds up to 500 Mbps
  • Unlimited data
  • 65+ channels
  • No contract

• Spectrum Internet + TV Select

  • Starting at $109.98/mo.**
  • Download speeds up to 300 Mbps*
  • Unlimited data
  • 125+ channels
  • No contract

*Wireless speeds may vary. 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 08/22/22. Spectrum: Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum Internet ® promotion price is $49.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: INTERNET: Speed based on wired connection and may vary by address. Wireless speeds may vary. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability.  ©2022 Charter Communications.

**Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum TV® Select promotion price is $59.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Spectrum Internet® promotion price is $49.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges (broadcast surcharge up to $21.00/mo) extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: INTERNET: Speed based on wired connection and may vary by address. Wireless speeds may vary. TV: TV equipment required; charges may apply. Channel and HD programming availability based on level of service. Account credentials may be required to stream some TV content online. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability.  ©2022 Charter Communications.

Frontier vs. Spectrum customer satisfaction

Generally, customers are happier with Spectrum than Frontier. We looked at three sources when comparing customer satisfaction between providers: The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Consumer Reports and J.D. Power. In each one, Frontier received a significantly lower score. Frontier has been improving steadily over the past few years, but so has Spectrum, so there’s still a significant gap.

Because the majority of Frontier’s service area is limited to DSL connections, complaints about service typically center around slow speeds. If you can get Frontier Fiber at your address, this shouldn’t be an issue. Still, that doesn’t explain its “poor” score for technical support from Consumer Reports readers, or the thousands of complaints with the Better Business Bureau about Frontier’s customer service and sales issues.

Frontier filed for bankruptcy in April 2020, and went public again in May 2021. With new leadership and a focus on building out its fiber optic network, it’s possible that Frontier’s service will look a lot different going forward. But so far, that hasn’t been reflected in its customer satisfaction scores.

Our verdict

If you live in an area with Frontier Fiber service, we think that’s the best option for most people. It offers the fastest speeds, and its price is actually a bit cheaper than Spectrum. But if you can only get Frontier DSL, Spectrum’s cable internet will be far more reliable. It’s also worth noting that customers are overwhelmingly more satisfied with their service from Spectrum, but it’s safe to assume that many of the bad experiences with Frontier are with its DSL service.

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Written by:

Joe Supan

Principal Writer, Broadband Content

Joe Supan is a principal writer for CNET and Allconnect. He has helped build the proprietary metrics used on Allconnect’s review pages, utilizing thousands of data points to help readers navigate these complex… Read more

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

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