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With so many players and internet service providers, how do you choose the right ISP?
If you are looking for a comparison of Xfinity vs Centurylink internet then you are on the correct page.
Complicating the process is the improvement in technology and infrastructure.
Today, you can find several service providers that offer almost identical services and at slightly different price points.
Some internet companies offer the same price but with slightly different package offerings.
In short, shopping for your next ISP is not a walk in the park.
It requires research and an understanding of the available suppliers in the market.
For this review, weโll take a look at two popular service providers in the United States: Xfinity and CenturyLink.
For our review and comparison, we will take a look at the speed, price, and quality of technical support and services that you can get.
Other factors shall be discussed below to help you make an informed selection.
Table of Contents
What are the Differences between Xfinity vs CenturyLink services?
To make an informed choice in the market, you should have access to information.
Letโs take a look at the basic inclusions in the service package of both service providers.
Xfinity by Comcast
The company offers two types of connection, cable, and fiber.
The price for the service starts at $29.99 with speeds ranging from 25 Mbps to 1Gbps.
Aside from the base fee, you will also cover other fees like a one-time activation and installation and rentals.
Also, a contract with the company runs for 1 year.
Centurylink
You have the option to choose between DSL and Fiber and a contract starts at $49.
Aside from this price, you also need to pay for a one-time installation cost of $60.
In terms of speed, the company delivers a minimum of 1.5 Mbps up to 940 Mbps.
For a clearer comparison, letโs compare the two service providers in terms of speed, price, availability, and customer support.
Internet Speed
Both companies offer you lightning-fast internet speed.
If you check out the published speed, both providers offer up to 1 Gbps, with the Xfinity offering a slightly higher speed limit than Centurylink which internet speed tests have shown that with higher speeds you get lower disruptions for streaming web video like streaming Netflix and Hulu.
And if you pay attention to the specific innet whereas Centurylink falls slightly short by offering VDSL to fiber.
When you compare the plans, Xfinity offers much higher internet speeds of 150 to 350 Mbps while CenturyLink struggles to offer those competing speeds that are widely available.
Monthly Cost, Data Allowance, and Value for Money
Xfinity and CenturyLink offer you a wide range of plans that can suit your budget and they have affordable entry-level prices that donโt break the bank.ย Xfinity wins the Monthly cost and Value for money comparison thanks to their low cost internet deals that starts at $29.99 which is a bargain.
Also, the great thing about Xfinity is that it offers you several internet plans that are offered at various price points.
So if youโre looking for options and flexibility, then Xfinity can provide you competitive pricing on whats needed for your internet usage needs.
Great for:
- Gamers who need high speeds
- Hig-speed web browsing
- Web streaming that requires higher bandwidths for faster downloading
- Multiple device connection that never slows down, even when someone is downloading on the network
One important note that many discounts from Xfinityโs internet deals is the increase in price after 1 year or two years.
This same practice can be seen CenturyLinksโ internet packages, except for one offer, their โPrice for Lifeโ which offers a fixed monthly price as a guarantee for life, which is great for people who need reliable internet
Under this service arrangement, you pay $65 for a 1Gbps plan which is a great deal for many customers.
All plans under CenturyLink have a data cap, and the majority of the plans for Xfinity also boasts these caps.
Both providers offer a limit of 1,000 GB monthly.
In terms of deals, both providers provide their customers with seasonal deals.
Availability
This is one of the important considerations in finding the best supplier of internet service in the US.
And in our review, we noted that Xfinity offers a wider reach and its service is available in 2 states more than its competitor.
More than this slight advantage, Infinity boasts a larger coverage area in terms of population.
As of the last count, CenturyLink serves 48,160,969 individuals in 37 states.
Infinity, on the other hand, has double the customers: they serve more than 111 million users in more than 39 states.
In terms of availability, Xfinity is one that offers wider coverage of the market and thereโs a big chance that you can sign up for their service.
Just to be sure, you can always check out its availability online.
Centurylink vs Xfinity Customer Support
When it comes to choosing the best internet service provider, sometimes the quality of customer support matters.
Aside from the speed and price, you need to pay attention to its support channels for its customers.
Based on many surveys and even the American Consumer Satisfaction Index or ACSI, Infinity consistently ranks high on the list.
During our last check of the list, Infinity has a score of 61.
CenturyLink, on the other hand, is not far behind with an index score of 59.
Conclusion- Which is the Better ISP?
How do Xfinity and Centurylink compare, and who offers the best internet service?
Both companies are well-known in the US and offer high-speed internet services backed by an above-average customer and technical support.
This does not mean that both companies are perfect and If you do your research and read the online reviews, these two companies are at the receiving end of many complaints and the reason why is that they have millions of customers between them all living in different service areas.
With internet infrastructure constantly improving with the help of 5G internet and satellite, cable internet is not always ideal for the job based on the servicable areas.
Itโs important to call up to check your service area and get a quote by both companies to see if they are worth the money.
TIP: Ask neighbors and friends who live in your postcode for their experience and get an idea of the proโs and cons of each.
The Aircard alternative for mobile internet offers reliable and stable internet may be the better option, so be sure to check all offers and connections.
But if we pay attention to the details of the head-to-head comparison, itโs safe to say that Xfinity has the slight edge over CenturyLink for their price and speed packages.
With Xfinity, it offers a wide range of options at different price points that can work with many households.
Also, in terms of speed for gaming, web streaming, and speedy browsing, Xfinity gets the slight edge but this difference is not that significant for the average user.
