Metronet vs Spectrum Internet – Which One is Better?

Several internet service providers (ISPs) are available in the market. It is tough to select one from so many options. We will examine Spectrum and Metronet, two of the most well-known providers in the broadband industry. One is a cable network provider, while the other offers a 100% fiber connection.

The difference between the two providers is that Metronet offers fast and symmetrical speeds, while Spectrum offers asymmetrical speeds up to 1 Gig. Unfortunately, you cannot access Metronet’s fiber connections in every city or state due to its limited availability.

To get a better understanding of Metronet and Spectrum’s service, plans, pricing, additional costs, availability, and customer service, continue reading this comprehensive blog.  

Metronet

Metronet was founded in 2005 as a family-run business to provide high-speed fiber internet services in and around Greencastle, Indiana. Today, several private equity firms manage Metronet.  

The company offers multigigabit internet to over 300 communities in 17 states and is expanding its fiber-optic network to 90 more communities. 

Metronet offers some of the most reasonably priced fiber internet plans in the market. The monthly rates start at $29.95 with speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. Every plan includes unlimited data and an Eero router. 

Pros

• No data caps
• No annual contracts
• Symmetrical speeds
• 100% fiber internet
• Equipment included

Cons

• Limited availability
• Price hikes after 12, 24 and 36 months

Spectrum

Charter Communications is a telecommunications company, offering cable internet, TV, and phone services to over 32 million consumers in 41 states under the Spectrum brand.

Spectrum’s internet service is not entirely fiber-based because it delivers connection over a hybrid fiber-cable (HFC) network. For this reason, Charter Communications is upgrading its network infrastructure to install more than 100,000 miles of additional fiber-optic cable. This move will provide symmetrical gigabit speeds across the country.

Spectrum offers affordable and all-inclusive internet plans starting at $49.99/month, and the maximum download speed is 1,000 Mbps, without any data caps or contracts.

Pros

• No data caps or contracts
• Free modem 
• Free antivirus software 
• Affordable plans

Cons

• Price increases after 12 or 24 months
• Non-fiber internet

Internet Service Comparison – Metronet vs Spectrum 

Plans & Pricing Details – Metronet vs Spectrum Internet

Spectrum and Metronet offer different internet plans through various types of connections. Metronet’s internet plans are 100% fiber, delivering equally fast upload speeds. Spectrum delivers internet through a hybrid fiber-cable network. Therefore, the speeds are asymmetrical and may vary during network congestion. 

Metronet offers five fiber internet options, starting at $29.95/month, with the highest speeds reaching 5,000 Mbps. On the contrary, Spectrum offers only three internet options with plans starting at $49.99/month and download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. 

Metronet Internet Plans

Spectrum Internet Plans

Additional Costs – Metronet vs Spectrum Internet

Data Caps & Overage Fees 

To ensure the fair use of the internet, many service providers place monthly restrictions, or limits, on the amount of data you can use with your chosen plan. Data limits prevent you from using more data than what is allowed under your specific plan.

Spectrum and Metronet offer unlimited data without any hard or soft data caps. It ensures you don’t run into a data cap and incur overage fees when engaging in various data-intensive online activities, such as downloading huge files, continuous video streaming, competitive multiplayer gaming, and cloud-based content production.  

Installation Options – Spectrum vs Metronet Internet 

It is a common practice among internet service providers to impose an installation cost at initial enrollment. That extra installation cost usually goes up to $100. Spectrum and Metronet both charge minimal installation costs.

Metronet offers free first-time installation. However, their standard professional installation cost is $75. Considering the installation fees of other ISPs, this is more reasonably priced.  

In contrast, Spectrum charges $65 for expert installation, which is less than Metronet’s installation fee. A self-installation option is also available with Spectrum, but you will have to pay a $30 service activation charge. 

Perks – Spectrum vs Metronet Internet 

No internet service provider can come close to Spectrum and Metronet in terms of perks. Spectrum provides a free modem and antivirus software with its internet service. You also get a 30-day free trial to test drive the service. 

Moreover, Spectrum allows its customers to use free WiFi in selected spots. Nearly 530,000 secure and free WiFi access points are located around the country. So, you can use the internet while you are away from home. 

Metronet provides $5–$15 monthly student discounts, based on the plan. In addition, Metronet provides a complimentary Eero wireless router, which comes with extra safety and security features, such as parental controls, ad blocking, internet backup, and more.

In addition, Metronet provides a range of limited-time discounts with different plans. A $100 Amazon.com gift card is available on online orders of 1Gig internet and higher. 

TV & Internet Bundles – Spectrum vs Metronet

With Spectrum Bundles, you can save up to $42 each month. Add a TV package to your Spectrum One internet plan and get a Xumo Stream Box free for the first 6 months. 

It means that for monthly rates as low as $74.98, you get up to 1,000 Mbps of download speed, an Unlimited Spectrum Mobile line, a free advanced WiFi home system, and more than 170 live TV channels. 

Metronet bundles allow customers to combine home phone and whole-home WiFi services with their internet plans if they sign up for the 2 Gbps plan. Metronet doesn’t offer a traditional TV service like other internet providers. However, it encourages users to pair streaming services with fiber internet for the best TV experience.

Better Option for Gaming – Metronet or Spectrum?

Fiber internet will always stand better than any other type of internet connection for gaming. Fiber internet connection delivers symmetrical download and upload speeds, leading to low latency. Those internet connections that come with low latency provide a seamless gaming experience. 

Below, we have compared the latencies of Spectrum and Metronet. 

If we look at Metronet and Spectrum for a better gaming experience, Metronet’s fiber connection will outshine Spectrum’s hybrid fiber-coax cables. However, Spectrum, being a hybrid fiber-cable internet, offers latency close to Metronet’s. 

Wider Coverage Area – Metronet or Spectrum?  

There is no doubt that Spectrum wins in terms of more coverage. Spectrum’s availability is widespread. It provides internet connection to almost 32 million customers in 41 states. 

On the contrary, Metronet’s availability is quite limited. However, it provides gigabit internet in more than 250 communities across 17 states. Metronet is one of the fast-growing internet providers, serving more than two million homes and businesses. 

Despite having limited coverage, there are few states where Spectrum and Metronet compete with each other. Below is the list of states where both providers are offering their services.

Better Customer Service – Metronet or Spectrum? 

If we compare the customer service of Spectrum and Metronet, the latter has higher customer satisfaction ratings than Spectrum based on the trusted American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

ACSI has not mentioned Metronet in its survey (by name) because it is a regional and comparatively small internet provider. However, if you want to check Metronet’s customer satisfaction score, you can refer to the ‘All Others’ row in the ‘ Fiber Internet Service Providers’ category. 

Since Metronet did not make it into the top US customer satisfaction surveys, we will refer to the Better Business Bureau. Based on their grading criteria, Metronet has an A+ grade or 97 out of 100 points.

Spectrum did not perform well in customer satisfaction and has secured average points in the ACSI. Therefore, there is great room for improvement in terms of call center service and the variety of internet plans. 

Overall Winner: Spectrum Internet

In the race between Spectrum and Metronet, we will declare Spectrum as the winning internet service provider because of its wider availability. There is a higher chance that Spectrum’s hybrid fiber-coaxial cable will be available at your zip code than Metronet’s restricted fiber internet service. 

Moreover, Spectrum delivers greater value for the price through its unique perks, like included equipment, antivirus software, and access to thousands of WiFi hotspots. You can also save over $400 in the first year with bundle offers like Spectrum One and Spectrum One Stream. 

So, Spectrum is a better option if you are looking for cost-effective and widely accessible internet plans.