Cable internet is one of the most reliable and fastest connections after fiber optic. However, most areas in the USA still don’t have access to fiber. Therefore, cable internet is the most popular choice. There are many cable ISPs but the biggest rivalry might be Spectrum vs Xfinity. The Charter and Comcast subsidiaries are widely available throughout the country and many users trust their services.

There are many differentiating factors between the two ISPs. However, the most distinguishing differences might be data caps, prices, and contracts. For example, when you get Spectrum TV plans you don’t have to sign any contracts, however, the other makes you sign one. The pricing and data caps are also different for each plan and ISP. This guide will talk about the two ISPs and their major differences in detail.

Spectrum vs Xfinity Plans Overview

The providers are two of the most reliable ISPs in the country and the coverage extends to different areas. So, when you’re deciding between Spectrum vs Xfinity, the first thing you should check is the coverage area. Both providers have their primary presence in the Northeast, the Midwest, and the South.

However, there could be areas where one of these has better coverage than the other.

Then, you should also consider the price points, speeds, and data caps. Both ISPs have different policies on minimum contracts. And they also have separate fees other than the monthly plan charges.

 

Company	Download Speeds (Up to)	Additional Fees	Internet Type	Contract Length
Spectrum	1000 Mbps	Installation fee, equipment rent.	Cable	No contracts
Xfinity	1200 Mbps	Installation fee, early termination fee, equipment rent.	Cable	1 and 2 years

A Detailed Comparison of Services

The above table offers a great overview of Spectrum internet plans and the competition. You shouldn’t base your entire decision on minimal information, though. Read on to find out more details about the two providers and their services.

Data Caps

One of the most important factors to consider when deciding on Spectrum vs Xfinity is the data cap. Whether you want a new home connection or one for your office, data caps can be important. The more users there are on a network, the more relaxed the data cap you would need.

Xfinity packages are usually less expensive, but they place a data cap on them. The cap is set at 1 TB for most plans which could be enough for most household users. However, there are no data caps on the competitor ISP’s plans. And if you are getting an internet plan for your office, you should consider one without a cap.

If you exceed your 1.2 TB data cap with Xfinity internet for the first time, there are no extra charges. However, you will have to pay a fee for every 50 GB after the first time. If you don’t want to pay for the additional data over your cap you can upgrade your plan and equipment.

Internet Plans for Both ISPs

Both ISPs have different plans and packages and the choices can get confusing. To make an informed decision, you should know all your options. The following tables can help you choose the right internet package for you.

Spectrum Internet Plans

Internet Plan	Upload Speed (Mbps)	Download Speed (Mbps)
Internet Gig	35	1000
Internet Ultra	20	400
Internet	10	200

Xfinity Internet Plans

Gigabit	1200	35
Extreme Pro	900	20
Extreme	600	20
Blast!	300	10
Performance	100	5
Performance Starter	50	5

Customer Service

Many people can ignore this when choosing between Spectrum vs Xfinity. However, this can be a major make or break factor for a good/bad service.

You should compare Spectrum customer service with the competition by reading online reviews for both. You can also ask your neighbors who already have the service which one is better for them. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) is a reliable measure of customer service standards for businesses. In this survey, Xfinity ranks slightly higher than Spectrum.

However, these are just numbers and the ground realities may differ. You should always get in touch with the provider yourself and judge their service standards. Personal experiences can be arbitrary and are different for each user.

Contract Termination Fees and Buyouts

There are no contracts for Charter’s ISP and therefore you won’t have to pay any early termination fee (ETF) either. You can cancel your subscription any time with the provider and shift to another one whenever you like. Moreover, the provider is the only one to offer a contract buyout for new potential customers. So, if you switch from your old ISP to Spectrum mobile, the provider will cover up to $500 of your ETF. This can be a great motivator for people who are on the fence to change their ISP due to the additional fees.

On the other hand, Xfinity has a one-year or two-year contract depending upon the plan you choose. So, if you want to call it quits before your plan expires, you may have to pay a fee.

Bundle Offers

Both ISPs offer remarkable bundle offers that can help you save some money on your internet, TV, and voice services. You can call the Spectrum bill pay number to get a breakdown of your bill and then decide which bundle plan will suit you best.

Spectrum Bundle Plans

Packages	TV Channel Count	Home Phone	Free HD Channels	Download Speed
Internet + TV Select + Voice	125+ channels	Unlimited calling	Included	Up to 200 Mbps
Internet + Voice		Unlimited calling		Up to 200 Mbps
TV Select + Voice	125+ channels	Unlimited calling	Included
TV Select + Internet	125+ channels		Included	Up to 200 Mbps

Xfinity Bundle Plans

Packages	Phone Plan	Channels	Download Speed
Premier Triple Play	Unlimited local calling	185+	1200 Mbps
Popular Double Play	&	125+	600 Mbps
Choice Double Play	&	10+	100 Mbps

So, it can be less expensive to get the bundle plan instead of the Xfinity TV plans, internet or phone separately. Choose the one that suits your needs best from the table above.

Availability

The two providers differ vastly in their coverage area and the number of available hotspots. So, the final decision can depend upon where you live. The spectrum covers 41 States while Xfinity covers 40 States in the USA. Moreover, the former has over 500,000 free Wifi hotspots. That may sound like a lot but the competition has over 18 million free hotspots.

So, you can put your service area zip code in their online availability checker. It is best to choose the ISP that has a strong presence in your area so that you can get the best service standards. Look for online reviews and customer satisfaction surveys specific to your location. This can greatly affect your run with the ISP you choose.

Conclusion

Choosing the right ISP can be daunting because there are so many things to consider. The price, internet speed, data caps, and additional service charges may only be a few of the deciding factors. It is important to know what you’re looking for before you make a decision. So, this guide can help if you are confused about choosing between Spectrum vs Xfinity. You should make a list of pros and cons based on your personal preference and needs. The best ISP can be different for everyone and you should make an informed decision.