Xfinity and Frontier are well-known internet service providers (ISPs) in the United States, providing high-speed internet over dual cable systems at reasonable rates.
Their service area includes over half the country, covering several major cities and towns. Hence, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Frontier and Xfinity’s availability intersects in 21 states. But while all these similarities make them top contenders in the highly saturated broadband market, their unique tech and features set them apart.
In this Xfinity vs Frontier comparison blog, we will zoom in on those unique features and assist you in selecting the best ISP for your home.
- Frontier
- Xfinity
- Internet Service Comparison – Frontier vs Xfinity
- Plans & Pricing Details – Frontier vs Xfinity Internet
- Additional Costs – Xfinity vs Frontier Internet
- Perks – Frontier vs Xfinity Internet
- Installation Options – Frontier vs Xfinity
- TV & Internet Bundles – Spectrum vs Xfinity
- Better Option for Gaming – Frontier or Xfinity?
- Wider Coverage Area – Frontier or Xfinity?
- Better Customer Service – Frontier or Xfinity?
- Final Verdict – Is Frontier Internet better than Xfinity?
Frontier
Frontier Communications started in 1935 as a telephone service provider. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Frontier offers internet, phone, and add-on services, including premium antivirus software, tech support, and identity theft protection, to over 3.14 million customers.
Frontier uses a blend of the old and new to offer varying internet speeds over its Fiber and DSL internet networks. Frontier DSL internet customers can receive download speeds of up to 115 Mbps for $64.99/mo. Whereas, Frontier’s fiber-rich plans start at $29.99 per month and offer symmetrical internet speeds of up to 5 Gigs (5,000 Mbps).
Pros
- Affordable fiber internet plans
- 2 Gig and 5 Gig plans are available throughout the fiber footprint
- Free professional installation
- Free equipment with every plan
- No data caps
Cons
- Contract required to get promotional benefits on DSL service
- Slow location-dependent DSL internet speeds
- Below-average customer service
Xfinity
The brand Xfinity was introduced in 2010 as the exclusive telecommunications arm of Comcast Corporation. Its diverse portfolio includes broadband, cable/ streaming TV, home phone, mobile phone, and home security services.
Xfinity has a combined footprint of 750,000 miles, of which 150,000 miles are entirely fiber-optic cables. Therefore, Xfinity uses fiber and coaxial cables to deliver high-speed internet to consumers’ homes. For as low as $19.99 per month, customers can get download speeds of up to 2,000 Mbps.
Pros
- 35-state coverage
- Best promotional pricing for 1-3 years
- Multi-gigabit plans
- A 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Above-average customer service.
Cons
- Data caps (1.2 TB) on some plans
- Some plans require a contract
- Extra equipment fee
Internet Service Comparison – Frontier vs Xfinity
| Features | Xfinity Internet | Frontier Internet |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $19.99/mo.* | $29.99/mo.* |
| Data Caps | 1.2 TB() | No |
| Contracts | Optional | Not required |
| Equipment Fee | $15.00 – $25.00/mo.** | Included |
| Internet Type | Cable | Fiber and DSL |
| Speeds | Asymmetrical speeds | Depends on internet type |
| Maximum Speed | Up to 2,000 Mbps | Up to 5,000 Mbps |
| Installation Fee | $100.00 | Free (on fiber plans) |
| Coverage Area | 35 states | 29 states |
| Bundles | Available | Available |
**Applied on some plans
Plans & Pricing Details – Frontier vs Xfinity Internet
Xfinity and Frontier provide affordably-priced monthly plans on their respective cable and fiber networks. Xfinity is a viable option if you are searching for low-cost internet. In most of its service locations, plans start at $20 to $30 per month and offer speeds up to 150 Mbps.
On the other hand, Frontier Fiber provides the best value for money with blazing-fast speeds, unlimited data, and complimentary equipment. Starting at $29.99 each month, you can get equal upload and download speeds of up to 5 Gbps.
Frontier Internet Plans
| Plans | Starting Price | Max Speed | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $64.99/mo. | 115 Mbps* | DSL |
| Fiber 200 | $29.99/mo. | 200 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 500 | $44.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 1 Gig | $64.99/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 2 Gig | $99.99/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 5 Gig | $129.99/mo. | 5,000 Mbps | Fiber |
Xfinity Internet Plans
| Plans | Starting Price | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
| West Region | |||
| Connect | $30.00/mo. | 150 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Connect More | $45.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Fast | $55.00/mo. | 500 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Superfast | $75.00/mo. | 800 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Gigabit | $75.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Gigabit Extra | $95.00/mo. | 1,200 Mbps | 200 Mbps |
| Gigabit X2 | $95.00/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | 200 Mbps |
| Central Region | |||
| Connect | $19.99/mo. | 150 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Connect More | $30.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Fast | $55.00/mo. | 500 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Superfast | $60.00/mo. | 800 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Gigabit | $65.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Gigabit Extra | $75.00/mo. | 1,200 Mbps | 200 Mbps |
| Gigabit X2 | $120.00/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | 200 Mbps |
| Northeast Region | |||
| Connect More | $25.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | 20 Mbps |
| Gigabit | $50.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | 20 Mbps |
| Gigabit Extra | $70.00/mo. | 1,200 Mbps | 35 Mbps |
Additional Costs – Xfinity vs Frontier Internet
| Additional Cost | Xfinity | Frontier |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment Fee | $15.00 – $25.00/mo. | Included |
| Expert Installation Fee | $100.00 | Free* |
| Early Termination Fee | Up to $110.00 | $100.00** |
**Prorated early termination fee if you cancel the service between 1 and 12 months.
Data Caps & Overage Fees
Frontier’s DSL and fiber internet plans include unlimited data, allowing you to download large files, stream non-stop, and enjoy competitive gaming on multiple devices without incurring extra charges.
In contrast, Xfinity imposes a data limit of 1.2 terabytes (TB) on some of its plans. Even though it is unlikely that ordinary households will exceed this data cap as the average monthly data consumption for home internet users is 641 GB, Xfinity allows its customers to purchase additional data. Customers must pay a data overage fee of $10 for every 50 GB of additional data consumed during the month.
Perks – Frontier vs Xfinity Internet
Xfinity Internet offers a 30-day free trial. You have 30 days to test drive the service and cancel it for a full refund if the service is unsatisfactory. Moreover, you can lock into the promo rates for up to 3 years thanks to its multi-year price guarantees. However, you may have to sign an annual contract to avail of these perks.
On the other hand, Frontier Fiber offers free professional installation and $10 off on YouTube TV. Moreover, you get the best routers with fiber plans. For example, the 5 Gig plan comes with an Eero Max 7 router worth $599.
Installation Options – Frontier vs Xfinity
Xfinity and Frontier charge $100 for professional installation. However, this fee is waived for Frontier Fiber customers on first-time installations, and it is unclear if customers can self-install the service.
Xfinity offers various installation options – Professional installation, Self Install Plus (self-installation with professional assistance), and complete self-installation (delivery of Getting Started Kit), on which shipping and handling costs may apply. For self-installation, Xfinity charges up to $39.99, and for expert installation, it charges $100 for all plans.
TV & Internet Bundles – Spectrum vs Xfinity
Both Xfinity and Frontier provide internet pairing with TV packages. Frontier TV & Internet bundles are offered with third-party collaboration. Frontier has partnered with DIRECTV, DISH Network, and YouTube TV to offer a range of exciting bundle deals, starting at $107.98 per month. You can watch over 290 live TV channels, save $120 in a year, or get 3 months of free premium access with Frontier bundles.
In contrast to Frontier, Xfinity has its own cable TV and streaming services. Xfinity TV & Internet Bundles start at $55 per month, and you can watch more than 185 channels. It also allows you to save $15 per month on live-streaming apps like Netflix, Apple TV, and Peacock Premium with ads.
Better Option for Gaming – Frontier or Xfinity?
A 100% fiber connection from Frontier Fiber is great for gaming. Intense gaming on several devices is supported by its ultrafast speeds, and the low latency ensures a lag-free connection. Therefore, Frontier Fiber guarantees a glitch-free gameplay.
Since Xfinity is a cable internet provider, it does not offer symmetrical speeds, and signal interference increases the latency rate. So, if the choice is between Frontier Fiber and Xfinity’s cable service, dedicated gamers must opt for the former for top gaming performance.
Wider Coverage Area – Frontier or Xfinity?
Frontier and Xfinity offer internet service in over 50% of the USA.
Being the largest cable internet provider in the USA, Xfinity’s availability includes 35 states and the District of Columbia. Its 32.3 million broadband customers are a testament to its wide coverage area.
Frontier Communications is one of the nation’s largest fiber internet providers. Frontier availability is widespread, covering 29 states, from Connecticut to California, and serving more than 3.14 million customers.
However, its fiber service is currently available in 15 states, with serviceability reserved for metro areas. Ongoing expansion could bring Frontier Fiber to more states and locations soon.
Following is the list of states in which the services of Xfinity and Frontier overlap.
| Alabama | Georgia | Minnesota | Tennessee |
| Arizona | Illinois | Mississippi | Texas |
| California | Indiana | New Mexico | Utah |
| Connecticut | Kansas | Pennsylvania | Virginia |
| Florida | Michigan | South Carolina | West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | |||
Better Customer Service – Frontier or Xfinity?
The most credible sources for analyzing the customer satisfaction levels for Frontier and Xfinity would be the J.D. Power and American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) surveys. While customer satisfaction remains low across the industry, scores on these two indices can offer valuable insights into how Xfinity and Frontier perform regarding their customer care.
The results are as follows.
| American Customer Satisfaction Index – 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Fiber Category | Non-Fiber Category |
| Xfinity | 75 | 67 |
| Frontier | 76 | 59 |
ACSI results reveal that customers favor Frontier’s fiber internet service over Xfinity’s. But its DSL internet service is no match for Xfinity’s high-speed cable internet.
| J.D. Power U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study – 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Provider | Region | Score | Region Average |
| Xfinity | East | 698 | 709 |
| Frontier | 685 | ||
| Xfinity | North Central | 707 | 701 |
| Frontier | 665 | ||
| Xfinity | South | 735 | 729 |
| Frontier | 738 | ||
| Xfinity | West | 712 | 710 |
| Frontier | 716 | ||
According to the J.D. Power survey, Xfinity fares better in the East and North Central regions. Whereas, Frontier is more popular with customers in the South and West regions.
Final Verdict – Is Frontier Internet better than Xfinity?
Choosing between Xfinity and Frontier can be a tricky affair. You really can’t go wrong with either option. But there are a few scenarios when selecting one over the other can be a piece of cake. For example, if the choice boils down to Frontier Fiber and Xfinity cable internet, always prefer Frontier Fiber. Its mirrored speeds, unlimited data, and free cutting-edge equipment will offer an unparalleled internet experience.
But if you are stuck with Frontier’s DSL service, then Xfinity would be far better with its multi-gig speeds, low latency, and up to 3-year-long promo rates.
