Home page Home icon for breadcrumb Providers Xfinity vs. Spectrum

Xfinity vs. Spectrum internet

By Robin Layton Last updated: December 11, 2024

Compare Xfinity and Spectrum Internet® and TV services to see how they stack up.

Check availability
Or call us today: (844) 451-2720
Xfinity logo

Allconnect Rating

4.02 / 5

Spectrum logo

Allconnect Rating

3.82 / 5

Is Xfinity or Spectrum better for you?

We’ve done the research on Xfinity and Spectrum, so you can easily compare and choose the best cable provider for your home. Check out a full comparison of Spectrum and Xfinity bundles, cable TV and internet plans to find the best services for your home.

The key difference between Xfinity and Spectrum is that while Xfinity offers more affordable plans and better customer satisfaction, Spectrum’s service is slightly more reliable and an overall better value.

xfinity
  • Speeds – 150 – 6,000 Mbps
  • Prices starting at – $19.99/mo.
View featured plans
Check plans with Xfinity
Or give us a call
spectrum
  • Speeds – 500 – 1,000 Mbps
  • Prices starting at – $50.00/mo.*
View featured plans
Check plans with Spectrum
Or give us a call

*Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2024 Charter Communications, all rights reserved. As of 12/11/24.

Main differences between Spectrum and Xfinity internet

  • Speeds – Xfinity offers some of the fastest maximum residential download speeds, up to 6,000 Mbps in some areas, but Spectrum internet is also plenty fast with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary).
  • Data caps – Xfinity data caps may vary by plan and location, but are typically around 1 TB/mo. All Spectrum internet plans come with unlimited data.
  • Contract – Xfinity has no term agreement options, but signing a one- or two-year agreement may get you better pricing. All Spectrum internet plans come with no contract requirements.
  • Price increase – Expect a price increase from Xfinity and Spectrum internet after one year of service. The size of the increase varies by plan, but the biggest price increases are likely to come with Xfinity plans.

Xfinity and Spectrum both offer high-speed cable internet. The two providers differ most in speed and pricing consistency. Xfinity internet speeds and prices vary quite a bit by region. For instance, you can expect entirely different plans depending on whether you live in the Central and Southern or the Northeastern and Western regions of the U.S. Spectrum internet, on the other hand, offers fewer speed options, but has better price consistency across the country.

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.

Xfinity internet plans

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 12/11/24.
*Pricing from Xfinity West region.

Spectrum internet plans

*Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2024 Charter Communications, all rights reserved. As of 12/11/24.

Xfinity vs. Spectrum hidden costs and contracts

Another factor to consider when choosing internet service is additional costs for equipment, installation and data caps. You’ll also want to consider contract length before you commit to either provider.

Xfinity

  • Equipment: $15/mo.
  • Free self-installation
  • Professional installation fee: $40
  • Data cap: 1.25 TB
  • Contracts: None required

Spectrum

  • Equipment: $10/mo.
  • Self-installation up to $24.99
  • Professional installation up to $59.99
  • Data cap: None
  • Contracts: None

Xfinity vs. Spectrum cheapest internet plans

If you’re shopping for the absolute cheapest internet plan, Xfinity will likely be your best option as the starting price for their cheapest plan is less than half the cost of Spectrum’s. After the first year of service, however, monthly pricing for each provider’s lowest plan is about the same. 

Xfinity

  • Speeds up to 150 Mbps
  • $19.99/mo.*
  • Cable internet
  • 1.25 TB data cap

Spectrum

  • Speeds up to 500 Mbps*
  • $50.00/mo.*
  • Cable internet
  • No data cap

*Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2024 Charter Communications, all rights reserved. As of 12/11/24.

Xfinity vs. Spectrum fastest internet

Xfinity currently offers some of the fastest internet speeds available in residential markets — the Gigabit Pro Internet plan goes up to 6,000 Mbps in some areas. However, the high speeds are expensive and availability is highly limited. Xfinity also offers internet plans with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps where available.

Spectrum’s fastest plan is Spectrum Internet® Gig with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Xfinity is likely the better option for Gig speed internet as its starting price is significantly lower and the lock-in price is two years compared to one year with Spectrum. 

Xfinity Gigabit

  • Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
  • $70.00/mo.**
  • Cable internet
  • 1.25 TB data cap

Spectrum Internet®

  • Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps*
  • $70.00/mo.***
  • Cable internet
  • No data cap

*Wireless speeds may vary.
**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 12/11/24.
***Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2024 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.

Xfinity vs. Spectrum TV

Spectrum and Xfinity both offer cable TV service. Spectrum offers three main TV packages, plus an array of sports, premium and international channel add-ons. Xfinity offers three to five channel packages, depending on location, and similar add-on packages to Spectrum.

Xfinity also offers a “basic” TV package, an economy package that has little more than local channels for a low monthly cost. In select locations, this package is not available as a standalone package and must be bundled with Xfinity internet. Spectrum does not have a similar “basic” cable package.

Available channels for Xfinity TV and Spectrum TV services will vary by location. Use our Xfinity channel guide and Spectrum channel guide to find and compare channels in TV packages from each provider.

Xfinity

  • Plans starting at $20.00/mo.*
  • 10 – 260+ channels available
  • Record up to six shows at once
  • No contract required for standalone TV

Spectrum

  • Plans starting at $45.00/mo.**
  • 85+ channels available
  • Record up to two or six shows at once, depending on device
  • 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 12/11/24.
**Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. SPECTRUM TV STREAM/SPECTRUM TV STREAM LATINO: Price subject to change. Spectrum Internet required. Channel availability based on level of service and not all channels available in all markets or locations. Additional equipment may be required to access PEG channels. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. ©2024 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.

Xfinity vs. Spectrum bundle packages

Xfinity and Spectrum both offer cable internet, TV and home phone bundles. Xfinity offers more ability to mix and match internet speed options with TV channel plans. Its starting prices are also fairly lower.

Xfinity Connect Internet + Choice TV

  • Starting at $45.00/mo.*
  • Internet speeds up to 150 Mbps
  • Data cap varies by location
  • 10+ channels

Spectrum Internet® + TV Stream

  • Starting at $70.00/mo.**
  • Internet speeds up to 500 Mbps
  • No data cap
  • 85+ channels

*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 12/11/24.
**Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. Mobile devices excluded from offer. Standard rates apply after promo period or if qualifying services not maintained. Offer subject to qualifying services being ordered on the same day. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. SPECTRUM TV: TV equipment may be required, charges apply. Channel availability based on level of service and not all channels available in all markets or locations. XUMO STREAM BOX: Spectrum Internet required. Separate subscriptions are required to view content through various paid applications. Xumo Stream Box and all other Xumo product names, logos, slogans and marks are the trademarks of Xumo or its licensors. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. © 2024 Charter Communications, all rights reserved.

What shoppers should consider in different regions

Both providers’ pricing and package options vary across the country. For instance, Xfinity offers different internet speeds, TV packages and pricing for its bundles in different regions. Spectrum also offers varying internet speeds with starting speeds at 300 Mbps.

Xfinity vs. Spectrum customer satisfaction

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) takes feedback from real customers of major internet and TV providers and gives annual customer satisfaction for those providers. Here’s how Xfinity and Spectrum scored over the past two years for their internet and TV services.

Xfinity vs. Spectrum FAQs

Are Xfinity and Spectrum the same company?

No, Xfinity and Spectrum are not the same company.

Internet speeds can vary, but Xfinity has faster plan options than Spectrum.

Spectrum surpassed Xfinity as the top U.S. TV provider since it lost fewer subscribers at the end of 2023.

Yes, both Xfinity and Spectrum offer no-contract plans. None of Spectrum’s plans have contracts, but you can get discounts with Xfinity if you commit to a one- or two-year contract.

Yes, Xfinity and Spectrum usually have internet deals for new customers. Explore Xfinity and Spectrum’s internet deals in our best internet deals of the month page.

We value your feedback

Was this page helpful?

We value your feedback

We’re glad! Tell us what helped most on this page.

We value your feedback

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your insight helps, and we’ll do our best to improve your experience.

Robin Layton

Written by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

Robin Layton is an editor for the broadband marketplace Allconnect. She built her internet industry expertise writing and editing for four years on the site, as well as on Allconnect’s sister site MYMOVE.com. … Read more

What to read next Read more

Latest