Metronet’s fiber service offers faster plans, but Xfinity is much more widely available.
Metronet vs. Xfinity: Compare Plans, Prices, and Speeds
Fiber connectivity
Overall Quality ⁃ 3.8/5
4.0/5 - Speed and reliability
3.5/5 - Dollar value
4.0/5 - Customer experience
Wide availability
Overall Quality ⁃ 3.8/5
3.5/5 - Speed and reliability
3.8/5 - Dollar value
3.3/5 - Customer experience 
10 min readIf you’ve seen our scores, you already know that Metronet and Xfinity are neck and neck. Both services have a lot to offer customers, and they both have their own individual strengths and weaknesses. Metronet might seem like the better option at first glance thanks to its fiber connectivity that delivers higher speed plans. But, Xfinity is much more widely available and can offer better value for money.
That’s especially true depending on how much you’re willing to spend for your internet plan. At the higher end, Metronet offers faster plans than Xfinity can possibly offer given its lack of widespread fiber-to-home connectivity. But at the lower end, Xfinity has cable internet figured out.
Ultimately, the better service for you largely depends on your location and whether or not you have access to Metronet’s fiber plans. Curious about which one is better for your needs? Read on to find out.
“The speed is fast. We have one TV, three phones, and two computers going right now.” – Kristy Borboa, a Metronet customer
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Metronet vs. Xfinity—: Plans, pricing, and speed
| Provider | | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per month |
$29.95-$109.95
|
$9.95-$75
|
| Download speeds | 100-5000 Mbps | 50-1200 Mbps |
| Upload speeds | 100-5000 Mbps | 10-35 Mbps |
| Details | View Plans | View Plans |
Data as of 04/05/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
There are some pretty stark differences between Metronet and Xfinity’s plans and pricing, and it’s important to consider them before making a final decision. Metronet offers fiber-to-the-home internet, which essentially allows it to offer plans with faster speeds and symmetrical download and upload speeds. That means that if you pay for a plan with 5Gbps download speeds, you’ll get something approaching that in upload speeds as well. Metronet’s entry-level plan offers 100Mbps speeds for $29.95 per month. Metronet’s fastest plan caps out at 5 Gbps for $109.95.
Xfinity takes a different approach. Xfinity doesn’t rely on fiber for its internet plans, instead largely using cable infrastructure. However, cable connections are more than capable of delivering fast speeds. And as such, Xfinity’s entry-level plan offers 150Mbps download speeds for $30. Of course, considering the fact that Xfinity uses cable, it can’t deliver the same upload speeds as download speeds. Most customers can expect to get between 10–20Mbps in upload speeds on Xfinity. Xfinity’s plans range up to 1,200Mbps for $75.
“I knew Xfinity was one of the best cable internet providers. We’ve never experienced throttling or outages.” —Chantel Bushi, an Xfinity customer in Salt Lake City
Metronet vs. Xfinity: fees for modem and installation
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 Metronet and Xfinity customers to get their firsthand 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 Metronet vs. Xfinity
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 Metronet review and Xfinity review.
Speed and reliability
Metronet: 4.0/5.0 | Xfinity: 4.3/5.0
Metronet and Xfinity both have some pros and cons when it comes to speed and reliability. At face value, Metronet is obviously faster. Metronet relies on fiber-to-home connectivity for its plans, and that’s why it can achieve speeds of up to 5Gbps. This applies to both upload and download speeds, with symmetrical speeds being a hallmark of fiber-to-home connections. In fact, Metronet ranked second in our report on the fastest internet providers, coming in right behind Google Fiber, which is an impressive feat for a smaller company that doesn’t have the same resources as the likes of Xfinity.
But Xfinity is fast too, and in fact, Xfinity came in third, right behind Metronet in our report on the fastest internet providers. So why does Xfinity get a higher score in this category? Well, our scoring metric is a little more robust than simply looking at advertised speeds, and Xfinity excels especially in lower price plans. For example, on Xfinity, you can get download speeds of 150Mbps for $30, while a plan at the same price on Metronet gets you only 100Mbps.
All that said, if you’re looking for the fastest speeds you can get, or you want symmetrical speeds for things like uploading video, Metronet might provide a better service. However, if you’re looking for a lower cost plan, you can find fast download speeds from Xfinity.
Dollar value
Metronet: 3.5/5.0 | Xfinity: 3.8/5.0
Metronet’s growing fiber network offers fast speeds for great prices. However, there are some fees to keep in mind. All of Metronet’s plans start with 12 months of promotional pricing, after which they’ll increase by $10 every year for the next one to three years. Those price hikes are a little frustrating, but most still consider Metronet’s final pricing relatively reasonable. Metronet does impose other fees too, though. The most confusing of these is the so-called TechAssure fee, which costs $12.95 per month. Metronet argues that this is for 24/7 technical support, and it includes repairs to Metronet equipment. That means that if you accidentally damage a Metronet fiber line, repairs are covered.
Xfinity’s pricing is decent too, though. As mentioned, you’d pay less for a lower speed Xfinity plan than you would for a Metronet plan. And even its fastest plan with 1,200 Mbps download speeds costs a reasonable $75 per month. But Xfinity imposes fees too. Xfinity customers also start with a promotional rate, which generally goes up after a year or two of service – and the bill usually goes up by $20 or $30. Typically, Xfinity charges a $15 per month modem rental fee for those who need one. And considering Xfinity’s plans have data caps, the company charges data overage fees of $10 per 50 GB. That can get expensive if you go over by a lot, and it’s a fee that Metronet doesn’t charge as a provider without data caps. Xfinity customers can pay a monthly fee to do away with the data caps, though.
Customer experience
Metronet: 4.0/5.0 | Xfinity: 3.3/5.0
Internet service providers have notoriously terrible customer service, but thankfully neither of these two providers is all that bad. Generally, however, Metronet offers a better customer service experience. According to HighSpeedInternet.com’s 2023 Customer Satisfaction Survey of internet service providers, Metronet scores a 3.9/5 for customer service, which is above the average of 3.6. Xfinity is above average too, but with a score of 3.7.
Our findings are similar. However, Metronet isn’t perfect. Customers report that professional installation takes a few days, which can be a little frustrating if you’ve just moved into a new place and are waiting for internet service. Installation can take a few hours, and a person 18 years or older needs to be present. That said, once service is up and running, customers generally find Metronet reliable and customer service responsive and helpful. Metronet offers customer service through phone calls or chat on the company’s website. When using the chat service, you have to start by interacting with a bot. But if needed, you eventually reach an actual technician.
Xfinity’s customer experience is a little more mixed. Cable connectivity is generally less reliable than fiber, and as such, it makes sense that the customer experience of Xfinity wouldn’t be quite as good as Metronet. Xfinity’s customer service can be hit or miss, and we spoke to some customers who found that it was perfectly fine, and others who had problems with it. It can sometimes take a few minutes to reach a representative when you call Xfinity customer service, and that can be frustrating. Not only that, but Xfinity’s chat service, while convenient, isn’t necessarily very reliable. Again, most customers are perfectly fine with the experience of using Xfinity, but some may have issues.
Overall quality: Which internet provider should you pick?
If you live in an area with access to both Metronet and Xfinity, congratulations, you’re one of the lucky few. Metronet service is still relatively unavailable, considering the fact that it’s a regional provider. But, while Metronet is a small company, it generally offers a better service to those who want higher speed plans.
If you’re simply looking for the basics, like a lower speed plan that comes at a lower monthly cost, then Xfinity is probably the best option for your needs. But, if you want faster plans that are more reliable and don’t mind spending a little more to get it, Metronet is the way to go.
Metronet vs. Xfinity: What deals and promotions can you get?
Both Metronet and Xfinity offer some deals and promotions to customers, helping make their services a little more appealing. Metronet offers promotional pricing that can help get you started with the provider at a lower cost. Metronet provides an Eero wireless router at no additional cost, though you have to return it if you cancel your Metronet plan. Xfinity has some plans of its own. That’s largely thanks to the fact that it runs the Xfinity Mobile service, and if you bundle your internet plan with an Xfinity Mobile line, you save on costs.
Get the 200Mbps Connect More plan for $30 to $35 per month for two years.
Sign up to a 200Mbps Connect More plan.
Metronet add-ons and perks
Sign up for the 2Gbps internet plan, and get a $9.95/mo. Discount to cover Metronet’s WholeHome WiFi for one year.
Sign up and pay for two months of 1Gbps services. You must remain a customer without downgrading for at least one year.
If you get an unlimited residential phone plan with your internet plan, you get the phone plan for only $15/mo. For one year.
Xfinity add-ons and perks
Pay a monthly fee to get unlimited data on your plan. Pricing and availability varies by region.
Sign up for the X1 add-on
Download the Xfinity Stream app after you sign up to Xfinity service
Sign up to Xfinity Rewards through your Xfinity account after you sign up for Xfinity service
Metronet vs. Xfinity: What do customers think?
Metronet customers generally reported having a reliable and fast internet service, and found that the pricing for that service was reasonably fair. We spoke to multiple customers who appreciated the fast speeds on offer by the company, and found that even with many devices connected to the internet, they experienced no slowdowns.
“We’re in 2024. We shouldn't have to wait for things to buffer,” says Kristy Borboa, a Metronet customer in Bryan, Texas. “The speed is fast. We have one TV, three phones, and two computers going right now."
Borboa was also happy with the process of installing the fiber line. “When they did install it in the neighborhood, it was pretty quick and easy. And they didn't make a big mess, which I appreciate. They weren't sloppy.”
Not everyone was completely happy with the installation process, and some found that there were some growing pains associated with it. We spoke to one customer, PJ Villaflor, who found that someone in the neighboring apartment had mowed over his fiber line on the second day of having his service. The repair took a few days, and after that repair, the line was still not properly buried. When Villaflor came back from his honeymoon two weeks after the repairs, he found that the neighbor’s landscapers had mowed over the line once again. To Metronet’s credit, it says that it may run temporary lines on top of the ground while completing repairs, and that lines will be buried within a few weeks. And even after this back and forth, Villaflor is still sticking with Metronet.
“I’m willing to put up with a little hassle for the goal of having reliable, faster internet.” —P.J. Villaflor
Customers have a bit more of a love-hate relationship with Xfinity. Much of that boils down to the fact that in many regions, Xfinity is the only option, so customers often feel like they’re locked into using Xfinity even if they don’t really want to. Others, however, love Xfinity’s fast speeds and promotional prices.
“My parents had Xfinity Internet, and there were no problems,” says Chantel Buchi, an Xfinity customer in Salt Lake City. “So when we got our own place, Xfinity was the first internet service I thought of ordering. Also, based on reviews, I knew Xfinity was one of the best cable internet providers. We’ve never experienced throttling or outages.”
Rachel Marsden, who works remotely, says that she did have a good experience with Xfinity but ran into a series of technical issues after moving to another city a few miles away.
"Since moving to Farmington, it has been awful. Not sure why, but in this area, the internet is going out pretty often,” she says. “We have an outage at least once or twice a month, which impacts my ability to work from home."
Other customers have had downright poor experiences. Rachel Mabey, a customer in the city of Bountiful, Utah, says that she’s only an Xfinity customer because her alternative is a slow DSL provider. But as an Xfinity customer, she was one of the victims of an October 2023 data breach.
Mabey is an IT worker with a deep understanding of network security, and as such, the breach is even more frustrating. She told us that hackers had gained access to sensitive information, including the last four digits of her social security number and answers to her security questions. From there, the hackers tried to gain access to her and her fiancé’s email accounts but were thankfully stopped by two-factor authentication being enabled on those accounts.
“[Xfinity] didn't do anything while it was happening. I reached out to customer service and they acted like everything was fine. I, however, knew it wasn't,” Mabey said. “About a week later, they put a message on their website talking about the breach.”
“The area I live in only has two choices, Xfinity and Centurylink. Otherwise I would go with someone else in a heartbeat.” – Rachel Mabey
Want Metronet or Xfinity? Find it in your area
If you have access to both Metronet and Xfinity and want higher speed plans, then Metronet is the internet service provider for you. If, however, you’re looking for a cheap plan that offers reasonable value and you don’t need those super fast speeds, then Xfinity is the better provider.
View internet plans from Xfinity, Metronet, and every other provider in your area by putting your zip code below.
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