Spectrum internet is a solid cable internet provider with top-notch perks, while AT&T Fiber offers faster speeds, excellent customer reviews, and a lot of value.
AT&T vs. Spectrum Internet: Which One Is Worth Your Money?
7 min readAT&T is currently the largest fiber provider in the United States and offers significantly faster speeds than 5G or cable internet services. Its fiber service offers excellent speed, reliability, and trustworthiness, and AT&T also offers a 5G-based Internet Air plan for rural areas. Here’s a breakdown of what you get from an AT&T internet plan:
- Gigabit and multi-gigabit fiber speed options
- Free self-installation
- No monthly equipment fees
- No contracts
- $20/mo. wireless mobile bundle discounts
- Multiple availability pockets
Spectrum is a popular cable internet provider, widely available in 41 states. While it’s not as fast as fiber, it offers a fast and consistent connection that is more stable than competing 5G internet providers. Spectrum offers speeds up to 1,000Mbps, and is a solid alternative to fiber internet if you don’t get fiber on your block. This is what you get with Spectrum:
- Up to a gigabit in cable and fiber speeds
- Unlimited data
- No annual contract or early termination fees
- No extra fee for modem rental
- Unlimited mobile line for 12 months at no cost with a qualifying internet plan
- Availability in most states
Both internet providers get positive reviews from customers, and both offer amazing discounts on internet when you bundle with its mobile services. However, AT&T delivers greater value because it’s faster while still affordable. Fortunately, neither provider locks you into an annual contract, which allows you the flexibility to take advantage of limited-time deals and a robust range of plan options.
Want to know if AT&T Fiber or Spectrum are available where you live? Run a search with your zip code below to find out.
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AT&T vs. Spectrum: Plans, pricing, and deals
AT&T Fiber plans and prices
Provider | Plan | Price | Download speed | Details |
 AT&T Fiber | AT&T Fiber Internet 300 |
$55/mo.
| Up to 300 Mbps | View Plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber | AT&T Fiber Internet 500 |
$65/mo.
| Up to 500 Mbps | View Plans |
| AT&T Fiber | AT&T Internet Fiber 1 GIG |
$65/mo.
| Up to 1000 Mbps | View Plans |
| AT&T Fiber | AT&T Internet Fiber 2 GIG |
$125/mo.
| Up to 2000 Mbps | View Plans |
| AT&T Fiber | AT&T Internet Fiber 5 GIG |
$155/mo.
| Up to 5000 Mbps | View Plans |
Spectrum internet plans and prices
Provider | Plan | Price | Speed | View plans |
 Spectrum | Spectrum Internet Premier | $50/mo. 1 yr price guarantee* | Up to 500 Mbps | View Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | Spectrum Premier w/ Spectrum Advanced WiFi | $60/mo. for 12 mos. | Up to 500 Mbps | View Plan |
| Spectrum | Spectrum Internet® GIG | $70/mo. for 12 mos.† | Up to 1000 Mbps | View Plan |
*
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. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.
†
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.
AT&T primarily offers fiber internet across 21 states, and also operates a 5G-based service called Internet Air. AT&T sells five fiber plans, ranging from $55 a month for 300Mbps to $155 for 5,000Mbps (as long as you enroll in autopay and wireless billing).
All fiber plans come with free equipment, free self-installation, and an opportunity to have AT&T cover any and all cancellation fees (literally the full amount) from your current provider.
AT&T also offers a 5G fixed wireless internet plan, called Internet Air, which costs a flat $60 per month for 225Mbps download speed. There are no installation or equipment fees required. You install the equipment yourself and don’t even pay to activate it. Like with AT&T Fiber, there are no contracts or data limits, and it often offers new customer deals.
Spectrum offers four cable internet packages, with plans starting at $30 to $70 per month and providing download speeds of 100 to 1,000Mbps. For qualifying low-income households, a smaller number of customers could pay $30 a month for download speeds of 100Mbps. See if you qualify in this Spectrum assistance internet plan guide.
Equipment is included when you sign up for Spectrum Internet, but there are a few more fees to consider including an activation fee, a $10 monthly Wi-Fi fee, and either a $30 self-installation kit or a $65 professional installation fee. Check out a full list of Spectrum's hidden costs.
AT&T vs. Spectrum: Fees for modem and installation
Both AT&T and Spectrum offer extra incentives to snag you as a new internet customer. Add as little as a wireless plan or as much as a TV entertainment package for extremely affordable prices.
Some appealing AT&T deals include:
- $20/mo. off any internet plan if you already have an AT&T mobile service
- Add AT&T Wireless to your AT&T Fiber plan and get the first six months of AT&T Fiber free
- AT&T covers your full cancellation fee when you switch from a different provider
Alternatively, consider these stand-out deals when you pay for a Spectrum internet plan:
- Add a TV entertainment package for $100 that includes streaming apps like Paramount+ and HBO Max, as well as over 150 channels
- Discounted internet as low as $25 per month for eligible low-income households and seniors over the age of 65
AT&T Fiber add-ons and perks
Sign up on the AT&T website starting at $69.99/mo.
Add ActiveArmor to your monthly AT&T Fiber bill for $7.00/mo.
Download the app to access your smart home equipment
Sign up for autopay
Spectrum internet add-ons and perks
Get 150+ channels for just $100/mo.
Sign up for Autopay
What makes this review legit?
Our fact-based research process centers on interviews with internet customers across the country, helping us understand how internet services hold up against diverse needs and challenges.
To put together this review, we looked at results from our speed test, pulled data from customer satisfaction surveys, and pored over the fine print to compare prices and speeds between the two providers. To flesh out our analysis, we also interviewed Spectrum and AT&T customers to get their first-hand insights. We let their experiences guide our research and shape our conclusions. We also speak with ISP spokespeople and industry experts to get insights into connection types, speed capabilities, and other technical issues related to internet service.
The matchup: How we rate AT&T vs. Spectrum
For all our internet reviews, we give a rating based on three main criteria—speed and reliability, dollar value, and customer experience—which we then average to make an overall score.
Here, we compare those ratings face to face. We then offer some analysis and context for important factors to keep in mind.
Want to know more? Read our full-length Spectrum review and AT&T review.
Speed and reliability
AT&T
4.3/5
Spectrum
4.0/5
AT&T is faster and more reliable than Spectrum. With Spectrum, though its download speed averages over 200Mbps in speed tests, your speeds are slower, and you (most likely) have a less reliable cable connection. Spectrum has fiber in some areas and plans to expand the offering, but if you already have Spectrum cable service, an update to fiber is not in your future.
"The company installs it in 'green' markets not claimed by other fiber providers," Kevin Parrish, a Spectrum customer who also works for HighSpeedInternet.com, says of Spectrum fiber. "What it doesn't do is install FTTH in areas it already delivers cable internet."
AT&T charges less than Spectrum for each Mbps even though its fiber network is much faster and more reliable than cable. AT&T also has symmetrical speeds for most of its plans, meaning that its download and upload speeds are the same—something Spectrum lacks.
What’s AT&T Internet Air?
AT&T offers one non-fiber plan: AT&T Internet Air. This wireless plan isn't as fast, reliable, or cost-effective as the fiber options, but it's great if you can't get fiber service.
Dollar value
AT&T
3.8/5
Spectrum
3.8/5
AT&T offers a better dollar value than Spectrum.
Although AT&T’s installation fees are higher, its equipment fees are included, and you get a faster and more stable fiber connection through AT&T. And although AT&T’s prices are technically higher, when calculated by cents per Mbps, they’re actually lower.
Plus, we also compiled some great tips to lower your AT&T internet bill and lower your Spectrum internet bill as much as possible.
However, if you’re looking for an internet bundle, Spectrum has your back with its many spectacular deals.
Customer experience
AT&T
4.0/5
Spectrum
4.0/5
Spectrum and AT&T have some customer service similarities: No contracts, data overages, or cancellation fees.
Spectrum has a wider availability across the U.S., which is a bonus, but overall, customers are happier with AT&T's customer service than with Spectrum's. Part of that definitely seems to be because AT&T customers encounter fewer issues, which in turn leads to fewer rendezvous with customer service representatives. AT&T also offers several more plans than Spectrum, providing more variety to fit more needs.
Overall quality: Which internet provider should you pick?
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
AT&T
4.3/5
Spectrum
3.9/5
AT&T trumps Spectrum in speed, reliability, dollar value, and customer service, making it the better service provider for most people.
That's not to say that Spectrum is a bad option—it's an outstanding cable internet provider. If you don't live in an area with AT&T service, you should consider Spectrum.
Customers are overall positive about AT&T internet service.
Customers are overall positive about AT&T internet service.
“I like how fast and reliable it is. I’ve only had one outage in the 5-plus years I’ve had AT&T, and it was resolved within a couple of hours,” Lauren Hannula says.
“I like that I haven’t had any major outages so far,” says Mike Hayden of Oak Park, Illinois. “It was really easy to set up without needing a tech to come out, and the security app is pretty good.”
AT&T customers mostly have good things to say about the customer service department—in large part because their service has been so good that they rarely even have to contact customer service. Even Hayden, who was more critical of the service quality than other customers we spoke with, says that AT&T service reps "do seem to fix things quickly."
AT&T's biggest red flag is its lack of robust response to data breaches. The ISP has had multiple data breaches in recent years, with the last occurring as recently as March 2024.
“Fantastic service and experience.” —Danny Flanagan, an AT&T customer in Eastlake, Ohio
Customers generally find Spectrum to be reliable with few connectivity issues.
While cable isn't our preferred internet type, Spectrum is a much steadier option than a DSL or satellite internet setup—and even some other cable providers.
The service also has a wide coverage area, making it easy for potential customers to sign up. Its extensive coverage means Spectrum is the only ISP option in some places, leading customer Sean Huntley in Glendale, California, to joke that "Spectrum is competent—and compulsory."
Spectrum’s biggest issue is unpredictable customer service. Many customers are disgruntled with how Spectrum handles outages and other snafus.
A Spectrum service agent once bombarded Sakia Anwar with upsell attempts while she was trying to get her internet service back up for a work call. “I told him three or four times, ‘No, I am not interested,’ and he just would not stop,” Anwar says of the customer service agent she spoke with.
Another Spectrum customer, Robyn Straw of St. Cloud, Minnesota, experienced frequent outages while trying to work in the summer of 2023. She experienced multiple hours of downtime each time before her Spectrum service got back online.
“It’s fast, and we’ve never had an outage.” —Anna Harsanyi, a Spectrum customer in New York City
FAQ
Is Spectrum or AT&T better for internet?
AT&T Fiber is the clear winner over Spectrum, with faster fiber speeds and significantly more lauded customer service. But if you can’t get AT&T Fiber, Spectrum Internet is still an excellent cable and fiber provider.
What is the downside of Spectrum Internet?
The main downside of Spectrum Internet is that its fiber service is limited, and it’s unknown when and where additional service areas will be available.
What are the best AT&T TV and internet bundles?
The best AT&T TV and internet bundle is adding DIRECTV to your AT&T internet service for $69.99 a month.
What are the best Spectrum TV and internet bundles?
The best Spectrum TV and internet bundle is adding TV Select Service to your Spectrum internet service for $100 a month.
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