Compare Spectrum vs. CenturyLink
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Is CenturyLink or Spectrum the provider for you?
Our TV and internet experts at Allconnect® have done the research so you don’t have to. Compare pricing, channel lineups, availability of affordable plans and more when selecting the provider that’s right for you. Are CenturyLink and Spectrum service available near you? Check out some ways in which these providers compare and contrast when it comes to internet speeds, bundle savings and customer satisfaction.
As ranked by Reviews.com as of 09/24/2018.
- Best for bundle deals: Spectrum offers the best bundle deal with $20/mo.* in savings for a Triple Play internet, TV and phone bundle.
- Best for fastest internet plans: CenturyLink offers the fastest internet plan with 1,000 Mbps for $75/mo.*
- Best for cheap internet plans: Spectrum offers the with up to 200 Mbps for $44.99/mo.*
- Best for TV channel packages: CenturyLink partners with DIRECTV the widest range of channel options with a channel range of 155-250+ and 5 sports add-on options.
Take a look at our full analysis on bundle, TV and internet deals and features you’ll enjoy with CenturyLink or Spectrum service.
CenturyLink vs. Spectrum quick comparison
- Available in 35 states
- Bundles starting at $120/mo.*
- Speeds from 3 Mbps to 1 Gbps
- TV channel range of 155-250+ channels
- Record up to 5 shows at once
- No contract internet and home phone plans
- 1 Genie HD DVR receiver included
- Available in 45 states
- Bundles starting at $89.97/mo.*
- Speeds from 60 Mbps to 940 Mbps
- TV channel range of 125-200+ channels
- Record up to 2 shows at once
- No contact req’d
- Free router and modem
*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 09/24/18.
CenturyLink vs. Spectrum availability
As the second-largest cable internet provider in the country with 45 states nationwide, consumers are more likely to be in a Spectrum serviceable area. CenturyLink home services are available in 35 states, including most major metropolitan areas.
Top service areas for each provider include:
CenturyLink vs. Spectrum bundles
Bundle deals can be a great way to simplify your monthly bill and get more than one service for a discounted price. However, the provider and bundle deal you select will greatly affect the amount of monthly savings you receive.
CenturyLink Internet + Home Phone + DIRECTV Select
- Internet 10 Mbps – $45/mo.* standalone
- DIRECTV Select 155+ channels – $35/mo.* standalone
- Phone – $85/mo.* must be bundled with internet
- Internet, home phone and DIRECTV – $120/mo.* bundled
Bundled savings: $0/mo.*
Spectrum Triple Play Select
- Internet 200 Mbps – $44.99/mo.* standalone
- TV 125+ channels – $44.99/mo.* standalone
- Phone – $29.99/mo.* standalone
- Internet, TV and phone – $99.97/mo.* bundled
Bundled savings: $20/mo.*
*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 09/24/18.
Similar bundles from either provider do not necessarily yield similar savings. Bundling Spectrum high-speed internet, TV and home phone service can save you up to $20 on your monthly bill. Bundling these same services with CenturyLink will cost the same amount as it would to purchase them as standalone services, unless you’re purchasing a top tier plan. Spectrum would be the best option for households that are interested in multiple home services from a single provider. If you’re more interested in one or two home services, CenturyLink may be your best bet, since bundle savings are low to nonexistent based on your selections.
CenturyLink vs. Spectrum internet
| Providers | Starting price | Starting speeds | Fastest speeds | Data caps | Wi-Fi hotspots | Buy now |
|
$45/mo.* | 40 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | DSL, 1 TB; Fiber, None | N/A | Shop |
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$44.99/mo.* | 60 Mbps | 940 Mbps | None | 500,000+ hotspots nationwide | Shop |
*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 9/24/18.
High-speed internet service from CenturyLink or Spectrum starts at around the same speed and price point. Both providers also have similar maximum speeds, although the fastest speeds available with either provider are only offered in limited areas. If service without data limits is your top priority, Spectrum or CenturyLink fiber internet is the best option for you. CenturyLink DSL plans have data caps up to 1 TB/mo.* before speed throttling. If you like to use free Wi-Fi on the go, you’ll want Spectrum internet, which comes with access to over 500,000 hotspots across the the country.
CenturyLink vs. Spectrum cheap internet plans
A basic internet plan from CenturyLink or Spectrum is simply the first-tier internet plan, instead of the standard, cheap internet plan that is popular with other providers. You’ll start off paying about $45/mo.* with either provider but you’ll get way more speed and therefore, way more bang for your buck. CenturyLink does offer it’s first couple low-speed plans at the same price point of $45/mo.*, but even then you’ll only get speeds up to 40 Mbps for the same price as 200 Mbps with Spectrum.
- Starting at $45/mo.* for up to 40 Mbps
- $15 per Mbps (with cheapest plan)
- $10/mo.* equipment rental fee
- Free self-installation
- No contract required
- Starting at $44.99/mo.* for up to 200 Mbps
- $0.23 per Mbps (with cheapest plan)
- Wi-Fi router/modem rental included
- Free self-installation
- 1-year agreement
*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 09/24/18.
CenturyLink vs. Spectrum fastest internet
You can get gig speeds from either provider, but the price point and availability will vary greatly. CenturyLink’s gig-speed internet will cost you about $30 less per month and will likely be available in more areas, despite CenturyLink’s smaller service area. To learn more about the fastest speeds in your area, call Allconnect today.
- Up to 1,000 Mbps
- Starting at $75/mo.*
- Fiber-optic connection
- Unlimited data
- Up to 940 Mbps
- Starting at $104.99/mo.*
- Cable connection
- Unlimited data
*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 09/24/18.
CenturyLink vs. Spectrum TV
Depending on the entertainment habits of your household, your TV provider and plan selection may be based on affordability, channel selections, customization or DVR capabilities.
CenturyLink vs. Spectrum costs
A basic TV plan with CenturyLink will cost $10 less per month and start with more channels in addition to your local channel lineup. Options for free installation are available with either provider, but you’ll pay a fee for professional installation from Spectrum. With CenturyLink or Spectrum, one DVR box rental will be included at no additional cost in your service.
- Starts at $35/mo.*
- 155+ channels
- Free professional installation available
- 1 Genie HD DVR box rental included, $7/mo. for each add’tl device
- Broadcast TV fee up to $8/mo.*
- Starts at $44.99/mo.*
- 125+ channels
- Free self-installation available
- DVR service starting at $12.99/mo.* and $6.99/mo.* for DVR/HD box rental
- $8.85/mo.* broadcast TV fee
*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 09/24/18.
CenturyLink vs. Spectrum channel packages
Although Spectrum and CenturyLink have similar channel ranges, you’ll choose from more packages thanks to CenturyLink’s partnership with DIRECTV. You’ll also get 4 premium channels for your first 3 months of service. CenturyLink also seems to have DVR service with the best storage capacity as well, with enough room for up to 200 hours of your favorite content. Spectrum has a limited selection of channel packages but makes up for it with additional add-ons and opportunities for lineup customization.
- 155-250+ channels
- 5 channel packages available
- Movies Extra Pack, DOGTV, Outdoor channel, Mediaset Italia and 6 sports add-on options available
- 4 premium channels for first 3 months
- Record up to 200 hours of content
- 125-200+ channels
- 3 channel packages available
- Premium, digital, sports and 9 international add-on packages available
- Record up to 2 shows at once
Unique provider services
Both CenturyLink and Spectrum offer skinny bundle options for users who would rather pay for the channels they enjoy instead of a standard price for everything that’s available. With options from CenturyLink via DIRECTV and Spectrum TV Choice, you’ll start with a limited amount of base channels and then personalize your channel lineup from there.
DIRECTV NOW
Starting at $40/mo.*, you’ll get over 65 live channels with no annual contract required. Customize your plan with premium channel add-ons for starting at $8/mo.*, or get more live channels for an additional charge.
Spectrum TV Choice
Looking to strip your cable plan down to the basics? Spectrum TV Choice includes your local channels and 10 networks of your choice for $21.99/mo.* Add premium channels for $7.50 each or get five for $15/mo.* Spectrum TV Choice is available in select areas.
If you’re truly interested in a channel lineup that’s built for you, Spectrum TV Choice is your best and most affordable option. Take advantage of the Spectrum Premium Pack and get the most premium channels (HBO, Showtime, STARZ, STARZENCORE and The Movie Channel) for the lowest monthly cost of $15/mo.*
Skinny bundle availability with Spectrum or CenturyLink will depend on your location, so give Allconnect a call today for options in your area.
*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 09/24/18.
CenturyLink vs. Spectrum customer satisfaction
J.D. Power gives service providers an annual power circle score rating of 1-5 based off real consumer feedback. Rating factors include: overall satisfaction, performance and reliability, cost of service, programming, communication, billing and customer service.
J.D. Power gives DIRECTV an average score of 4 out of 5 in the northern central, southern, eastern and western regions. DIRECTV also earned the top spot in the western region out of 8 major providers. Spectrum received an average score of 3 across regions and in all ratings categories. Learn more about J.D. Power Ratings and how they are calculated.
Last updated on 09/24/18.
Shop CenturyLink or Spectrum today
Still on the fence? Call our internet and TV experts today for more information on CenturyLink and Spectrum deals near you.
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