Compare Xfinity vs. CenturyLink

Is Xfinity or CenturyLink better?

Is CenturyLink better than Xfinity? The answer is a pretty easy one for most people. If CenturyLink or Quantum Fiber’s fiber internet service is available at your address, you should get it. But if all you can get is DSL from CenturyLink, Xfinity is a better choice. The cable internet that Xfinity uses is a much faster and more reliable option than DSL, but it’s not quite as strong as fiber. 

Quick comparison

• Fastest speeds: In most areas, Xfinity has much better speeds than CenturyLink. Both providers both offer gig speeds, but Xfinity also offers multi-gig speeds in select locations. In many places, all CenturyLink offers is slower DSL service.
• Most affordable: CenturyLink’s internet plans could increase in price after a year, but you’ll pay a flat $55/mo. for all of its DSL plans up to 100 Mbps. In most areas, Xfinity internet prices increase significantly after 12 – 24 months, but there are a variety of cheap plan options available.
• Contracts and hidden fees: CenturyLink has no contracts, but Xfinity has 12- to 24-month agreements based on your service region. Xfinity also includes a gateway device for the first year or two of service, then you’ll have to pay a $15/mo. equipment fee.
• Best in customer service: According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), CenturyLink scored a 76/100 in customer satisfaction among fiber providers in 2024, and Xfinity scored a 67/100. Keep in mind that fiber providers generally score higher due to the quality of fiber internet.

Xfinity vs. CenturyLink ratings

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. 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 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.

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Xfinity vs. CenturyLink internet

Xfinity and CenturyLink both offer a range of internet plans, and prices and speeds might vary by location. In general, this is what you can expect from each provider.

Xfinity internet plans

Xfinity has three service regions, the Northeast, West and Central divisions. Pricing and speed vary by region, but we’ve included Xfinity’s Western region plans below. 

Allconnect Rating

3.53 / 5

*Rate requires paperless billing. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Offer Details. Speed may not be available in your area. Maximum download/upload speed of up to 940 Mbps via a wired connection. As of 09/16/24.

CenturyLink internet plans

CenturyLink offers a DSL plan and two fiber plans with speeds from 500 – 940 Mbps. Quantum Fiber is CenturyLink’s fiber-only service. Right now, CenturyLink areas are being upgraded to Quantum Fiber in select cities. If you want the fastest fiber speeds, check to see if Quantum Fiber is available to you. Quantum Fiber offers fiber internet starting at $50/mo. with speeds from 500 – 8,000 Mbps.

Allconnect Rating

3.46 / 5

*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 09/16/24.

Which internet plan should you choose?

Best overall internet plans: Xfinity

For most people, Xfinity internet hits the sweet spot between best speeds at the most affordable prices. It’s widely available and offers more plans than CenturyLink, so no matter what you’re looking for, Xfinity has a plan for you.

Cheapest internet plan: CenturyLink Fiber 200

Xfinity offers some of the cheapest starting prices available, with some plans starting at less than $25/mo. in certain service regions. CenturyLink’s cheapest plan is $50/mo.

Fastest internet plans: Xfinity

Xfinity’s Gigabit Pro plan ranges from 3,000 – 6,000 Mbps depending on your service region. These speeds are probably more than the average household needs, but if you’re looking for the fastest speeds out of these two providers, Xfinity is your winner unless you’re also looking at Quantum Fiber plans.

Equipment, installation, contracts and data caps

The sticker price isn’t the only thing you should pay attention to when comparing internet providers — there are often a number of extra fees that get added onto your bill. Here’s how CenturyLink and Xfinity compare when it comes to some of the extras:

• Equipment: CenturyLink charges $15/mo. for equipment rental, but it’s free on the Fiber Gigabit plan. Xfinity is slightly cheaper at $14/mo., but it doesn’t include it for free on any plans. For both providers, you also have the option of purchasing your own modem and router. 
• Installation: Xfinity doesn’t have any installation fees. For CenturyLink, you may have to pay a one-time installation fee of either $129 or $149 based on the internet technology at the address. 
• Contracts: Neither provider has contracts. You can cancel service any time without getting hit with early termination fees. 
• Data caps: CenturyLink has unlimited data, while Xfinity’s are 1.23 TB (1,229). Most people aren’t likely to come close to that, but if you live in a bigger household with heavy gamers or streamers, it’s worth considering. Xfinity will give you one freebie month per year to go over, but after that, it’ll cost $10 for every 50 GB you exceed the cap. 

CenturyLink vs. Xfinity internet and TV bundles

Xfinity offers savings for bundling internet with TV while CenturyLink does not. Xfinity bundles cable internet, TV and digital phone plans, while CenturyLink offers DSL or fiber internet and home phone services. If you’re looking for TV service with CenturyLink, you can get satellite through DIRECTV and DISH Network or streaming through DIRECTV STREAM, but they aren’t discounted. Overall, Xfinity gives customers more ability to mix and match internet speed options with TV channel plans than CenturyLink does. 

*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 09/16/24.

Who is better for customer satisfaction? Xfinity vs. CenturyLink

Customers tend to be much more satisfied with their service from Xfinity than with CenturyLink. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) scores internet providers based on feedback from customers and gives them an annual customer satisfaction score.

In the past, Xfinity outscored CenturyLink. But recently, CenturyLink has pulled ahead. J.D. Power also previously gave Xfinity a better score in every region where they overlapped internet service. Consumer Reports readers rated Xfinity higher, too, with better scores for both reliability and speed. This tracks with complaints about CenturyLink on Reddit and the Better Business Bureau: Its DSL plans are often slower than expected, and some customers have experienced frequent outages.

Xfinity Customer Reviews:

4,114 customer reviews

Read Xfinity reviews

In our 2024 customer satisfaction survey, Xfinity scored highest in the speed and reliability categories. Read more Xfinity customer reviews.

CenturyLink Customer Reviews:

388 customer reviews

Read CenturyLink reviews

CenturyLink customers rated the provider lower in the speed category but scored the provider the same for reliability, price and customer service. Read more CenturyLink customer reviews.

Xfinity vs. CenturyLink FAQs

Does Comcast own CenturyLink?

No. Comcast owns the Xfinity brand, but is separate from CenturyLink.

Does a CenturyLink modem work with Xfinity internet?

No. CenturyLink internet uses either a DSL or fiber-optic network, whereas Xfinity uses a cable network. The equipment required for each network type will vary.

How fast should my CenturyLink internet be?

Ideally, your CenturyLink internet speeds should be 80% or higher of your plan’s advertised speeds. If you are consistently getting slower speeds, check out these ways to boost your Wi-Fi speeds.

How fast should my Xfinity internet be?

Your Xfinity internet may be slower than advertised on their website, but this is normal since advertised speeds are based on a wired connection. Take our Xfinity speed test to compare your actual internet speeds to the advertised speeds of your plan.

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Written by:

Camryn Smith

Camryn Smith Writer I since July 2022 About Camryn: Camryn Smith started writing for Allconnect in 2022 and has developed broadband expertise across the landscape, including home internet providers, plans, p… Read more

Edited by:

Anine Sus

Editor I

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