Frontier vs. Spectrum 2020 comparison

See how Frontier Communications and Spectrum internet and TV services stack up.

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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. Depending on your home TV and internet needs, you may find either Spectrum or Frontier to be a better fit for you.

  • Spectrum is available in 46 states, Frontier is available in 25 states with Frontier FiOS in four states: California, Texas, Florida and Indiana.
  • Spectrum offers cable internet and TV service, while Frontier offers DSL and fiber-optic internet and fiber-optic TV.
  • Frontier offers the cheaper internet with plans starting at $27.99/mo.*
  • Spectrum and Frontier both advertise gig internet with download speeds up to 940 Mbps.
  • Spectrum internet plans start at 60 Mbps; Frontier DSL internet plans start at 1 Mbps and Frontier FiOS internet speed tiers start at 50 Mbps.

Our pick: Spectrum has the best availability in the nation and therefore, has the best offering for subscribers in more areas. Spectrum offers speeds from 60 to 940 Mbps cable and gigabit internet connections.

*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 11/03/20.

Compare Spectrum vs. Frontier

  • Vantage Internet by Frontier

    • Available in 25 states
    • Internet and TV bundles starting at $62.99/mo.*
    • Speeds from 25 Mbps to 940 Mbps
    • Channel counts from 40+ to 500+
    • DVR up to four shows at once
    • No contract required

  • Frontier FiOS

    • Available in three states, FiOS TV available in six states
    • Internet and TV bundles starting at $64.99/mo.*
    • Speeds from 50 Mbps to 940 Mbps
    • Channel counts from 40+ to 500+
    • DVR up to 12 shows at once with Quantum TV Premium Service
    • No contract required

  • Spectrum

    • Available in 46 states
    • Internet and TV bundles starting at $89.98/mo.*
    • Speeds from 60 Mbps to 940 Mbps
    • Channel counts from 125+ to 200+
    • DVR up to two shows at once with standard DVR, up to six shows with Enhanced DVR
    • No contract, one-year price guarantee with select bundles
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*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 11/03/20.

Frontier bundles vs. Spectrum bundles

Frontier internet vs. Spectrum internet

Frontier TV vs. Spectrum TV

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Frontier vs. Spectrum service availability

Frontier availability spans select areas of 25 states with Frontier FiOS available in California, Florida and Texas. 

Depending on where you live, Frontier may offer DSL, Vantage Fiber (a fiber to the node product) or FiOS (a 100% fiber-optic product). Areas of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington formerly eligible for Frontier service are now served by Ziply Fiber. 

Spectrum is the second largest cable provider in the U.S. Spectrum coverage areas bring cable internet, TV and home phone services to select areas of 46 states. 

The two providers overlap in regions such as parts of New York, Ohio, southeast Tennessee, Minnesota, Southern California and other areas of the U.S.

Frontier vs. Spectrum bundles

Spectrum and Frontier offer comparable TV channel packages and premium channel promotions. They also offer similar internet speeds where Frontier Vantage and FiOS are available.

  • Frontier Premium Internet + Custom Essentials TV

    • Starting at $62.99/mo.*
    • Download speeds up to 25 Mbps
    • Unlimited data
    • 115+ channels
    • No contract

  • Frontier FiOS Custom Essentials TV + Internet 50/50

    • Starting at $64.99/mo.*
    • Download speeds up to 50 Mbps
    • Unlimited data
    • 200+ channels
    • No contract

  • Spectrum Double Play Select

    • Starting at $89.98/mo.*
    • Download speeds up to 200 Mbps
    • Unlimited data
    • 125+ channels
    • No contract
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*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 11/03/20.

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.

Contracts and equipment fees

Both Frontier and Spectrum offer their services free of contractual obligation to new subscribers. With Frontier, you won’t have to worry about big price jumps after a promotional period expires. Spectrum is a little different in that a promotional period will expire and your bill will increase after two years of service, but you’re free to come and go as you please.  

Additional fees will depend on the Frontier or Spectrum services you choose. Frontier internet plans automatically come with an additional fee of $10/mo.* for Wi-Fi router rental. Modem rental with Spectrum is included, but router rental will cost $5/mo.* You can thwart equipment fees with both providers, invest in your own.


Spectrum vs. Frontier internet packages

Internet service from Frontier and Spectrum come with no data caps and no contract requirements.

Available internet plans, pricing and speeds vary by location with Frontier and Spectrum. Because of Frontier’s diverse internet connection types, you will likely find their internet plans to have the most variations from location to location.

We’ve listed Frontier FiOS plans below as they are most similar to the internet plans you’ll find with Spectrum.

Frontier FiOS 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 940 Mbps. You’ll find details on Spectrum internet plans below.

Spectrum internet plans

Frontier internet plans
Spectrum internet plans

Spectrum vs. Frontier cheap 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.

Frontier High Speed Internet

  • $27.99/mo.* for up to 6 Mbps
  • $10/mo.* Wi-Fi router rental
  • $85 activation fee
  • No contract required

Vantage Internet cheapest internet plan

  • $24.99/mo.* for up to 9 Mbps
  • $10/mo.* Wi-Fi router rental
  • No contract required

Frontier FiOS and Vantage Fiber cheapest internet plans

  • $29.99/mo.* for up to 50 Mbps
  • $10/mo.* Wi-Fi router rental
  • No contract required

Spectrum cheapest internet plan

  • $49.99/mo.* for up to 200 Mbps
  • Internet modem included, $5/mo.* Wi-Fi rental
  • 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 11/03/20.

Spectrum internet plans are a bit pricier than Frontier, but their equipment costs are lower as Spectrum includes a free modem and Wi-Fi router rental for only $5/mo. Customers of Spectrum can cut monthly costs by using their own modem and router. For almost all plans, Frontier requires that you get a router from them for $10 per month

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Frontier vs. Spectrum fastest internet plans

Depending where you live, Frontier may offer internet speeds up to 940 Mbps, but gig internet availability is limited. More commonly, the fastest internet speeds available with Frontier’s two fiber brands are speeds up to 500 Mbps.

The fastest speeds for Frontier Broadband plans (DSL) are up to 24 Mbps.

Spectrum’s gig internet offers speeds up to 940 Mbps and are available in the majority of Spectrum service areas.

Frontier FiOS and Vantage Fiber fastest internet plans

  • Gigabit – up to 940/880 Mbps
  • $74.99/mo.*
  • 100% fiber-optic network internet

Vantage Internet

  • Vantage Gigabit – up to 940/880 Mbps
  • $150/mo.*
  • FTTN internet

Frontier High Speed Internet

  • Simply Broadband Elite – up to 24 Mbps
  • $35/mo.*
  • DSL internet

Spectrum fastest internet plan

  • Spectrum Internet GIG – up to 940 Mbps
  • $109.99/mo.*
  • Cable internet

*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 11/03/20.

Spectrum upload speeds range from 10 to 35 Mbps, depending on your plan. Gigabit plans with download speeds up to 940 Mbps have upload speeds up to 35 Mbps, plans from 300 to 400 Mbps carry upload speeds up to 20 Mbps and lower tier plans have upload speeds up to 10 Mbps. 

Frontier FiOS internet plans will include upload speeds that are almost equivalent to their download speeds (Upload speeds max out at 880 Mbps). Frontier DSL upload speeds won’t go over 10 Mbps for any plan.

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Frontier vs. Spectrum TV

Spectrum’s TV plan pricing starts lower than Frontier TV prices. Spectrum charges fewer monthly fees than Frontier and also charges less for installation and monthly set-top box rental. However, both providers frequently waive installation and setup fees for qualifying deals.

Frontier TV costs vs. Spectrum TV packages and costs

  • Frontier Vantage TV

    • Plans starting at $62.99/mo.* when bundled
    • 500+ channels
    • Record up to four shows at once
    • $15/mo.* Whole Home DVR fee

  • Frontier FiOS TV

    • Plans starting at $75.99/mo.*
    • 500+ channels
    • Record up to 12 shows at once
    • $15/mo.* Whole Home DVR fee

  • Spectrum TV

    • Plans starting at $44.99/mo.*
    • 200+ channels
    • Record up to two shows at once
    • DVR equipment and service fee varies
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*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 11/03/20.

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Frontier vs. Spectrum customer satisfaction

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) scores internet and TV providers based on feedback from customers in the areas of service quality, costs, customer service and more. Here’s how Spectrum and Frontier/Frontier FiOS TV and internet scored over the past three years for customer satisfaction.

Last updated 11/03/20.

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David Anders

Written by:

David Anders

Senior Writer, Broadband Content

David joined the Allconnect team in 2017, specializing in broadband and TV content. As a Senior Writer, David is passionate about making sure our broadband content provides vital information to consumers and hel… Read more

Shannon Ullman

Edited by:

Shannon Ullman

Editor, Broadband & Wireless Content

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