AT&T vs Xfinity: Which Is the Best Internet Service Provider?
Selecting the right ISP can be challenging in an age where there are so many options available. Factors such as pricing plan, speeds, and reliability help you determine the best internet service for your home. If you find yourself stuck in the AT&T vs Xfinity debate, don’t worry. Both are two giants of the broadband internet market.
The AT&T vs Xfinity Debate
The versus debate has been going on since the dawn of mankind. Whether it’s about two people or two services, people never get tired of comparing things that are more or less the same. The ‘which service is better’ perspective allows customers to identify the best possible internet solutions. After all, everybody wants what’s best for them.
Both AT&T vs Xfinity are internet heavyweights. These companies cater to millions of customers across the nation. AT&T’s Verizon is the top wireless internet service provider in the U.S. It has more than 120 million subscribers. Xfinity, on the other hand, is the largest cable internet provider in the country. It also caters to millions of households.
What Are Their Pros and Cons?
As mentioned, AT&T provides its wireless services under the brand name Verizon. The company is widely popular among millions of users. Why? Because it offers great download and upload speeds. Also, its fiber plans are available at affordable rates. The reliability factor also accounts for another reason behind the provider’s popularity.
On the other hand, Xfinity offers great value for money. Xfinity customers get advertised speeds. Also, it is a much better option when it comes to availability. The company enjoys the distinction of being the largest provider of cable internet in the United States. This speaks a lot about their ability to provide quality cable internet solutions. Plus, they have cheap internet plans.
Now on to the cons part. A major drawback of AT&T is that its gigabit plan is quite expensive. There are much cheaper alternatives available. Also, the provider offers fiber internet in select locations. Despite being the fastest type of internet connection, fiber internet has yet to see widespread availability. The cons of Xfinity are that it has data caps on all its packages. Moreover, it has slow upload speeds compared to AT&T.
What Are the Pricing Plans?
Xfinity
Both providers offer internet plans at affordable rates. Xfinity internet plans start as low as around $19.99 a month. Longtime Xfinity subscribers cite affordability as the primary reason behind them staying loyal to the provider.
If you’re looking for cheap internet options, Xfinity is the provider you should opt for. Also, the speeds are pretty decent as far as the pricing is concerned. Please refer to the table below for more info on their pricing plans.
Name |
Price |
Download/Upload Speed |
Connect |
$19.99/mo* |
50 Mbps/5 Mbps |
Connect More |
$39.99/mo* |
100 Mbps/5 Mbps |
Performance Starter |
$29.99/mo*- |
50 Mbps/3 Mbps |
Performance |
$34.99–$40.00/mo*- |
100 Mbps/5 Mbps |
Performance Pro Plus |
$39.99/mo+ |
200 Mbps/5 Mbps |
Blast! |
$50.00–$59.99/mo+ |
300–400 Mbps/10 Mbps |
Fast |
$49.99/mo* |
300 Mbps/5 Mbps |
Superfast |
$59.99/mo* |
600 Mbps/10 Mbps |
Ultrafast |
$69.99/mo* |
900 Mbps/15 Mbps |
Extreme Pro Plus |
$60.00–69.99/mo*- |
800 Mbps/15–20 Mbps |
Gigabit |
$79.99–$94.99/mo++ |
1,000–1,200 Mbps/35 Mbps |
Gigabit Pro |
$299.95/mo++ |
2,000 Mbps/2,000 Mbps |
DISCLAIMER: **First 12 months with a 1-year agreement; $10 a month included as automatic payments; includes paperless billing discount
*- For the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement
+For the first 24 months with a 1-year agreement
++ With a 2-year agreement
Please note that these are standalone internet services. If you are looking for cable TV solutions, the provider has great Xfinity TV plans for you and your family. The cable TV solutions come with a voice remote and DVR.
AT&T
AT&T’s Verizon boasts blazing-fast download speeds, as well as great upload speeds. The reason lies in the extraordinary fiber technology that enables the provider to deliver advertised speeds. Another great thing about their fiber internet is reliability.
So, no more lags during gaming sessions or low speeds when multiple people are connected to the internet. The best thing, perhaps, about AT&T’s internet services is that they don’t come with data caps. Yes, you read that right. That means you can stream your favorite movies and TV shows or play games to your heart’s content.
Name |
Price |
Download/Upload Speed |
Internet 200/200 |
$39.99/mo* |
200 Mbps/200 Mbps |
Internet 300/300+ |
$39.99/mo* |
300 Mbps/300 Mbps |
Internet 400/400 |
$64.99/mo* |
400 Mbps/400 Mbps |
Internet 500/500+ |
$64.99/mo* |
500 Mbps/500 Mbps |
Fios Gigabit Connection |
$89.99/mo*- |
940 Mbps/880 Mbps |
DISCLAIMER: *AutoPay; taxes; equipment charges *-AutoPay; taxes +Only available in New York City metro area
Out of DSL and fiber, the latter is clearly the better option. It is worth mentioning that Verizon offers a DSL plan called Verizon High-Speed Internet. It is relatively cheaper than their fiber plans but it all comes down to your personal preferences. AT&T internet plans are undoubtedly better because they are affordable, reliable, and offer greater speeds compared to Xfinity.
What More to Know?
Some of the internet plans in the tables come with equipment rental. Verizon gives the option to avail rental equipment or a compatible router upfront. Buying is certainly the better option. Why? Because you won’t have to pay rental fees. Make sure to check out different routers and extenders on the internet.
You’ll be glad to know that both providers have great deals and promotions in store for new subscribers. Promotional discounts are what you should go for if you are looking for internet solutions at affordable rates. Also, did you know that there are great AT&T TV plans for customers who want the best of TV and internet for the price of one?
Are you team AT&T vs Xfinity? Share your thoughts in the comments below.