Xfinity vs. Frontier Internet Review 2021
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Comparing Xfinity and Frontier FiberOptic internet is tricky: you really can’t go wrong with either option. But Frontier FiberOptic is a slightly better choice thanks to its unlimited data and lack of contracts.
But if you’re stuck with Xfinity versus Frontier DSL internet, Xfinity is the better internet service provider (ISP).
Read on to learn more about how these two internet providers differ on prices, internet speeds, data caps, and customer service. Let’s dig in and find out which one is the best choice for you.
Comcast Xfinity vs. Frontier internet pros and cons
Xfinity
Pros
- Reliably fast download speeds
- Competitive promo prices
- Wide availability
Cons
- Prices change depending on location
- Iffy customer service
Frontier
Pros
- Great fiber internet prices
- Unlimited data for all plans
- No contracts
Cons
- Slow speeds with DSL service
- Awful customer service
Xfinity vs. Frontier: Prices
Choose Xfinity over Frontier unless you can get Frontier FiberOptic.
Xfinity and Frontier internet prices seem to play leapfrog. Depending on what speed you’re looking at, one or the other might offer a better promotional price.
That said, we think Frontier’s FiberOptic internet service is the best deal thanks to its low cost, fast speeds, and unlimited data—not to mention its newer and generally more reliable fiber technology.
But not everyone can get Frontier’s fiber internet service. And if you’re stuck with its DSL service, Xfinity internet is the clear winner. Here’s what Xfinity’s promotional prices look like for the Central part of the US:
| Plan | Price | Download speed | Connection type | Details |
| Gigabit | $80* | 1200 Mbps | Fiber | View Plan |
In today’s world, DSL internet doesn’t quite cut it. Frontier’s lowest speed of 6 Mbps is barely enough to surf the web and send a few emails. We imagine you’ll hear dial-up noises in your head while trying to load Gmail or other sites.
And the 25 Mbps and 45 Mbps speeds aren’t much better—but they’ll at least connect you to a Zoom call if you’re the only person online in your home.
So if it’s a tossup between Xfinity and Frontier DSL internet, go with Xfinity.
But, like we said, if you can grab Frontier’s FiberOptic internet, go for it. It comes with no contracts and unlimited data (Xfinity caps data at 1.2 TB), plus the prices are pretty low for the speeds you get.
| Plan | Price | Download speed | Connection type | Details |
| Frontier Basic Internet | $32.99† | Up to 6 Mbps | DSL | View Plans |
| FiberOptic 500 Mbps Internet | $49.99‡ | 500 Mbps | Fiber | View Plans |
| FiberOptic Gig Service | $74.99^ | 940 Mbps | Fiber | View Plans |
Xfinity vs. Frontier: Internet speed and data caps
Xfinity and Frontier FiberOptic get great speeds, but only Frontier has unlimited data.
Xfinity and Frontier’s fiber internet service are pretty much neck and neck when it comes to promised download speeds.
We recommend at least 50 Mbps for one person to stream, game, and take Zoom calls, and both ISPs offer these speeds plus faster download speeds for larger families.
But, as we said previously, Frontier’s DSL internet speeds leave a lot to be desired. We don’t recommend these speeds for anyone—unless you absolutely have no other choice. (Frontier’s DSL prices and unlimited data are still a better deal than satellite internet.)
| Provider | Download speeds | Upload speeds |
| Xfinity Internet | 50–1200 Mbps | 5–35 Mbps |
| Frontier FiberOptic Internet | 500–940 Mbps | 500–880 Mbps |
| Frontier High Speed Internet | 6 Mbps |
Looking at our latest report on internet speeds, Xfinity gives you the most bang for your buck when it comes to the actual download speeds you’ll get. It ranked seventh out of 38 total ISPs that we analyzed, while Frontier ranked twelfth.
That said, Frontier’s speed score is likely brought down by its DSL internet service. We analyzed download speed, upload speed, and latency from over a million speed tests taken in 2019, and DSL’s slower download and upload speeds automatically put it at a disadvantage.
Our spidey sense tells us that Frontier’s fiber internet speeds probably match Xfinity’s speeds.
| Provider | Overall rank | Rank by connection type |
| Comcast Xfinity | 7th out of 38 ISPs | 2nd out of 22 cable ISPs |
| Frontier | 12th out of 38 ISPs | 7th out of 20 fiber ISPs |
Data effective 1/28/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
Xfinity vs. Frontier: Data caps
There’s no hemming and hawing here: Frontier takes the win with unlimited data on all of its internet plans. Even its DSL internet.
Xfinity, on the other hand, caps your data at 1.2 TB. While most of us probably won’t go near that data cap, it definitely starts to loom large by the end of the month if you’re working from home or need to download a boatload of video games.
- Xfinity data cap: 1.2 TB
- Frontier FiberOptic data cap: Unlimited
- Frontier DSL internet data cap: Unlimited
Xfinity vs. Frontier: Customer service
Neither ISP is great, but we’d rather deal with Xfinity than Frontier.
Okay, let’s start this chat by saying that no internet provider offers amazing customer service. It’s the sad truth, and we wish it would change.
That said, Frontier’s customer service is the lowest of the low. It scored 55 out of 100 points in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) report and made no improvements from the year before.1 Yuck.
On the other hand, Xfinity scored 66 out of 100, putting it right in the middle of the pack. That’s also an improvement from its score of 61 out of 100 the previous year. Sure, we’ve all heard the horror stories about Xfinity customer service, but we’d rather deal with Xfinity than Frontier.
| Rating | Xfinity rating | Frontier rating |
| ACSI 2019–2020 | 66 out of 100 | 55 out of 100 |
If you do need to call your ISP’s customer service center, be not afraid. You can take these steps before you call to make your life easier.
- Xfinity customer service: 1-800-XFINITY (1-800-934-6489)
- Frontier customer service: 1-800-921-8101
Xfinity vs. Frontier: Which is better?
Xfinity and Frontier are pretty evenly matched. But if you can get Frontier’s FiberOptic internet plans where you live, the prices are lower, you won’t need a contract, and you’ll get unlimited data.
But if you’re comparing Frontier DSL service with Xfinity, go with Xfinity.
- Price: Frontier FiberOptic. Both Xfinity and Frontier FiberOptic internet offer great promo prices. But Frontier’s no contracts and unlimited data push it into the lead. That said, Frontier’s DSL internet prices aren’t good for the speeds you get.
- Internet speed: Xfinity. Xfinity scored well in our fastest ISPs report, but it’s hard to say how Frontier performs. We think its FiberOptic internet matches Xfinity, but its DSL service isn’t worth writing home about.
- Data caps: Frontier. You get unlimited data on every Frontier internet plan—including its DSL service. But Xfinity puts a 1.2 TB limit on your data.
- Customer service: Xfinity. Internet customer service isn’t great, but at least Xfinity improved. That said, Frontier’s rock-bottom score is scarier than a Stephen King novel.
Best speeds and promo prices: Comcast Xfinity
Data effective 1/28/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
*For the first 12 months. Some packages require a 1- or 2-year contract.
Best for unlimited data and no contracts: Frontier
Data effective 1/28/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
*One-time charges apply. Maximum speeds are wired speeds. Wi-Fi, actual and average speeds vary. Service performance details at frontier.com/internetdisclosures.
Compare internet prices and speeds in your area.
Sources
- American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), “ACSI Telecommunications Report 2019–2020,” June 2020. Accessed January 28, 2021.