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We’ve spent years reviewing the largest internet providers and vetting AT&T and Xfinity individually. Now we’re comparing their features directly. If both providers are available to you, consider today’s multi-gig speed options, total monthly cost (including equipment, data policies, and promo vs. everyday pricing), whether you want to bundle other services, and how much you value independently measured customer satisfaction from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) and J.D. Power.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly plan, Xfinity’s entry prices are often lower in many markets during promotional terms, but add-ons (like gateway rental and unlimited data) and post-promo increases can raise the real monthly cost. AT&T Fiber generally posts straightforward, nationally advertised pricing with equipment included, no annual contract, and no data caps on fiber plans, and bundling with DIRECTV can add promotional value. We recommend reflecting on which features you value most as we dive into a detailed comparison.
AT&T vs. Xfinity Overview
Customer service
One of the biggest pain points of internet service is customer service. Billing discrepancies, miscommunications, endless phone trees, price hikes, and unreliable connections all plague the industry. To compare providers on this aspect, we analyzed customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power and the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). ACSI reports scores on a 0–100 scale and J.D. Power reports on a 1,000-point scale; use each benchmark for like-to-like comparisons within its own framework.
AT&T often ranks well for its customer service. In the latest ACSI telecommunications/ISP cycle and recent J.D. Power ISP studies, AT&T’s fiber service typically performs at or above the ISP industry average, with strong marks in areas like value and customer care (ACSI; J.D. Power). Although everyone’s experience can vary, with AT&T you have a solid chance of experiencing smoother interactions and accurate billing.
While Xfinity by Comcast doesn’t rate quite as well as AT&T, it’s customer service isn’t as bad as you’d think. The company has earned itself a pretty public reputation for poor customer service — likely attributed to visibility (it’s widely available) and a few public incidents. Xfinity’s customer satisfaction results have generally improved in recent ACSI cycles, and J.D. Power reports call out ongoing gains tied to digital experience and perceived value (ACSI; J.D. Power). Though your experience may not be as seamless as it might be with AT&T, Xfinity is far from the worst internet service provider.
Speed packages
The actual speeds and plans available to you will vary depending on your address. One neighborhood could only have access to one provider and two speeds plans, while another might have three providers to choose from and six speeds plans from each. Use the providers’ address checkers and the FCC’s required Broadband Facts labels to confirm speeds, all-in monthly costs, fees, and terms for your location.
AT&T is available in 21 states and focuses on fiber-optic internet (AT&T Fiber) where available, with fixed wireless (AT&T Internet Air) and some legacy copper in other areas. AT&T reported roughly 26 million consumer locations passed with fiber at year-end 2023 and is targeting about 30 million by the end of 2025 (AT&T 2023 Annual Report). Fiber tiers commonly include symmetrical 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, and 5 Gbps, with equipment included and no annual contract (AT&T Fiber). AT&T Fiber plans have no data caps (AT&T support). This range covers casual browsing through multi-user, creator, and work-from-home needs.
Xfinity by Comcast offers predominantly cable internet service across 39 states, with multi-gig options expanding. In most markets you’ll see tiers from roughly 75–200 Mbps (Connect/Connect More) up through 400 Mbps (Fast), ~800 Mbps (Superfast), ~1,000–1,200 Mbps (Gigabit/Gigabit Extra), and up to ~2,000 Mbps on Gigabit X2 where available (Xfinity plans; multi-gig). Pricing is address-specific and often promotional; equipment rental and unlimited data can materially change the monthly total—use the FCC Broadband Facts label at checkout to see the full picture. Most regions enforce a 1.2 TB monthly data cap with paid unlimited options, including the xFi Complete bundle that includes the gateway and unlimited data (data policy). Contract options vary by market.
Bundling options
For those that want more than just internet service, considering the quality of a provider’s bundling options is important. If you can get TV, internet, and phone service from the same provider it will save you money and be simpler to manage. In 2025, bundles also increasingly include discounted streaming perks via wireless carriers and platform bundles, so weigh those against your household’s actual usage (Verizon myPlan perks; Disney Bundle; Apple One).
Bundling your services with AT&T can come with a lot of perks. Popular bundling promotions can help lower your combined monthly fees, reduce or even eliminate initial setup or installation charges, and in some cases even a visa gift card. Even without the promotional savings, AT&T’s satellite TV service, DIRECTV, is a great option. In our review of TV providers, DIRECTV was a clear fan favorite. DIRECTV has six channel packages to choose from, impressive sports programming, and a powerful DVR.
With Xfinity, you can bundle your internet and TV services with home security. In our review of Xfinity’s home security, we like how easy it was to customize your starting equipment package and the seamless integration with Xfinity’s other services. You can control the automation and security system from your TV with the remote, for example. Though not as impressive as DIRECTV, Xfinity’s TV service is pretty satisfactory. You’ll have plenty of channel packages to choose from and a perfectly standard DVR service.
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How to Compare Internet Companies
Check availability
Your very first step when searching for an internet provider is to find which ones actually service your address. Chances are you’ll have few options — the Institute for Local Self-Reliance reported that 39% have access to only one broadband provider. There’s no use in comparing internet companies that aren’t available to your address. To find the providers that service your home you can ask your neighbors, input your address directly into popular provider’s sites, use the FCC National Broadband Map, and consult resources like Allconnect.
Determine the speeds you need
Once you know which providers are options, you’ll need to compare the plans they offer. Internet plans are based on the speed and bandwidth you’ll purchase. To figure out how much speed your home needs, you’ll need to consider the demand of your home’s internet activity and the number of devices connecting to the internet (everything from computers to smart thermostats). We’ve consulted network experts, FCC reports, and online guides to build a chart that should help you find a potential baseline speed. Note: The FCC raised the fixed-broadband benchmark to 100/20 Mbps, which is a sensible floor for many households that stream and video conference (FCC).
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Light use: emails, web browsing, social media, SD video streaming
Moderate use: music streaming, occasional online gaming, streaming HD video on one or two devices.
High use: Multiple devices streaming HD video simultaneously, multiplayer gaming, video conferencing.
Very high use: Multiple devices streaming HD or 4K video simultaneously, large file downloading, multiplayer gaming, video conferencing.
Vet for value
Price alone won’t dictate the best deal. There are a few factors that will influence the value of an internet package. Installation and equipment fees, post-contract price hikes, and restrictive contracts can all influence how much you’ll actually pay. Enticing promotional offers and bundling opportunities should be considered too. Use the providers’ Broadband Facts labels to compare base price, term, typical speeds/latency, and data caps (for example, Xfinity enforces a 1.2 TB cap in most regions unless you add an unlimited option). Essentially, we recommend you take your time shopping around and compare the smaller details before signing up.
Internet FAQ
Who is the best internet service provider?
Most internet providers are actually pretty similar to each other in speed options, prices, and perks. The best ISP for you will depend on what features you prioritize. If you care more about customer service than price, for example, AT&T is probably a better fit than Xfinity. If you value symmetric uploads, predictable pricing, and no data caps, fiber (e.g., AT&T Fiber) is often the better overall experience; if fiber isn’t available, Xfinity offers broad coverage with a range of plan options (Xfinity internet). Check out our review of best internet providers for a comprehensive comparison of the most popular providers.
What type of internet connection is best?
There are a few different kinds of technology that can connect you to the internet. They each have different strengths. Fiber-optic internet uses glass cables to transmit data and typically delivers the best combination of speed, low latency, and reliability. Cable internet (HFC) is widely available and fast, and early DOCSIS 4.0 deployments are bringing much higher upload speeds and lower latency in select markets. DSL uses existing telephone wires, but many plans struggle to meet today’s 100/20 Mbps broadband benchmark (FCC). Satellite internet varies by orbit: low‑Earth orbit (LEO) services offer much lower latency than legacy geostationary (GEO) systems, making many online activities feasible that weren’t practical on GEO (satellite performance).
What internet speed is best for gaming?
Online gaming depends more on low latency, low jitter, and zero packet loss than raw download speed. As a baseline, a 100/20 Mbps plan aligns with the FCC’s updated benchmark and generally covers one or two gamers plus household streaming (FCC). If you cloud‑game, add bandwidth per stream: about 15–25 Mbps for 720p–1080p/60 fps and ~35–45 Mbps for 1440p/120–4K/60, per provider guidance (GeForce NOW; PlayStation cloud streaming). Fiber’s symmetric speeds and low latency make it ideal; modern cable can be very good, while fixed wireless can work but is more variable. We’ve built a full guide and digital calculator to help you find the best internet package for your gaming hobby.
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