Metronet vs Xfinity (Comcast) – Which One is Better?

Metronet and Xfinity are going head-to-head in 12 states of the USA. While the former is a regional all-fiber internet service provider in the country’s Midwest, the latter boasts national coaxial cable coverage from the East to the West Coast and beyond. 

It is hard to determine which one of them is better unless we dissect their prices, perks, and performance and compare and contrast the two. So, in our Xfinity vs Metronet comparison blog, we will look at their range of plans, monthly internet fees, add-on costs, value-added benefits, online gaming capabilities, nationwide coverage, customer service scores, and more.     

Internet Service Comparison – Metronet vs Xfinity

Metronet

Metronet is a rapidly expanding, privately held fiber-optic internet service provider that offers 100% fiber-rich plans in over 200 communities within its 16-state footprint. They offer services mostly in the mid-west region, offering month-to-month broadband plans and fiber phone and TV streaming services at reasonable rates.  

Metronet Internet plans start at $29.95/month and offer download and upload speeds up to 5 Gbps (5,000 Mbps). While their plans seem inexpensive, there is no price guarantee. Customers can expect a rate hike after 12, 24, and 36 months.

However, Metronet offers some valuable features to its customers, like no data caps, no contracts, and no router fee. Additionally, Metronet hires and trains a team of local customer support agents who work round the clock to answer queries and troubleshoot technical glitches. 

Pros

• 100% fiber-optic network.
• Symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gigs.
• No long-term contracts.
• A free Eero router is included in the fee.
• 24/7 local customer support.

Cons

• Limited availability.
• Annual price hikes of up to $10.
• 5 Gig plan is available in select markets.

Xfinity by Comcast

Comcast, one of the five largest telecommunications companies in the USA, rebranded its internet service as Xfinity in 2010 to include phone, TV, Internet, and home security services. Xfinity primarily offers broadband connectivity and related services through coaxial cables, which ensures fast downloads. However, upload speeds are a little slower. 

Its vast cable network is accessible in 35 states, including Washington, D.C., connecting over 32.3 million customers to ultrafast broadband with speeds up to 6 Gigs.  

Some Xfinity internet plans require annual contracts, which can be helpful if you want price-lock guarantees for a maximum of three years. Most of their plans offer unlimited data, perfect for heavy gaming and streaming. However, there is a 1.2 TB data cap on some plans.

Pros

• Wide coverage area.
• Affordable multi-gigabit plans.
• A 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Above-average customer satisfaction.
• Low-cost internet plans for eligible customers.

Cons

• Data cap of approximately 1.2 TB
• Some plans require a contract
• Extra equipment fee

Plans & Pricing – Metronet vs Xfinity (Comcast)

Depending on your address, Xfinity offers up to at least eight different internet speeds, with prices usually starting from $9.95/mo. Additionally, Xfinity offers a multi-year price guarantee on various internet plans, usually for customers opting for a contract. 

As for Metronet, they offer the cheapest fiber internet plans in the regional broadband market. Metronet fiber internet plans start as low as $29.95/mo. However, the following table reflects the introductory prices valid for the first 12 months of service. After this period, their prices increase by at least $10 annually. The good thing about Metronet is that, unlike Xfinity, it offers unlimited data on all its plans.

Metronet Internet Plans

Xfinity (Comcast) Internet Plans

Additional Costs – Xfinity vs Metronet Internet 

Perks – Metronet vs Xfinity Internet

Both Metronet and Xfinity offer value-added perks to their home internet customers. With Xfinity Internet, you get a 30-day free trial. If you are unsatisfied with the service in 30 days, you can cancel the service and get a full refund. Moreover, most of Xfinity’s standard plans (Connect and higher) come with price guarantees of up to 2 years, and its Getting Started kit (self-installation kit) is delivered for free to your address. 

In contrast, Metronet customers get unlimited data and free cutting-edge Eero routers with every plan for uncapped and seamless wireless connectivity. Moreover, Metronet’s fiber-exclusive network transmits symmetrical upload and download speeds with optimal data security and 99.99% reliability. 

Better Option for Gaming – Metronet or Xfinity (Comcast)? 

Top performance for online gaming depends on high speeds, low latencies, and minimum jitter. In a comparison between Xfinity and Metronet, the gaming performance comes down to the type of internet connection. 

Metronet, being a 100% fiber internet provider, offers mirrored speeds of up to 5 gigs with ultra-low latency (averaging around 18 ms) and low jitter. Therefore, if you have both Metronet and Xfinity available at your location, opt for Metronet’s fiber plans for exceptional gameplay. 

However, if Metronet is yet to expand its coverage to your zip code, then Xfinity offers download speeds of up to 2 Gigs and upload speeds of up to 200 Mbps at most locations. Its latency averages between 14.2 ms and 20.9 ms, which is quite good for gaming.

Wider Coverage Area – Metronet or Xfinity (Comcast)?   

In terms of coverage, less than 50% of the USA has fiber internet. In contrast, cable internet is available to almost 85% of US households. Therefore, Metronet’s regional coverage area, limited to over 250 communities in 16 states, is just as justified as Xfinity’s 35-state footprint. 

We have compared the coverage areas of Metronet and Xfinity Internet in the following tables. 

States with Metronet Internet Coverage

States with Xfinity Internet Coverage

Better Customer Service – Metronet or Xfinity (Comcast)?  

Xfinity received an above-average customer rating in the non-fiber internet providers category in 2023. With a score of 68 out of 100, the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) has classified it as the fifth best for customer satisfaction.

Metronet’s regional status makes it difficult to be included in prominent nationwide customer satisfaction surveys. Nonetheless, the Better Business Bureau has awarded them an A+ rating, which is 97 out of 100 points based on their grading criteria.

Therefore, as per our analysis, both Xfinity and Metronet deliver superior customer service within their respective categories.

Winner: Metronet Internet

After extensive research, Metronet (if available in your area) is a far better internet option than Xfinity. Metronet provides more flexible features, like no contracts, unlimited data, free equipment, and cheaper internet plans with minimal additional charges.

Overall, both Xfinity and Metronet offer a multigigabit internet experience, and they are almost equal in terms of prices and customer satisfaction. However, Xfinity’s data caps, equipment fees, and contractual service can be a constraint for many users. 

Frequently Asked Questions