Spectrum vs. Astound: Which Internet Provider is Better?

Chris Holmes Staff Writer

Updated 19 December 2023

In this Guide

Internet Speeds
Cost, Data and Value for Money
Availability
Customer Reviews
Bundle Packages
Winner: Spectrum vs Astound

Article Summary

Spectrum and Astound are two U.S. internet providers with very distinct national footprints. Whereas Spectrum is a household name with services in 46 states, Astound is a smaller company, offering plans in 7 northeastern and midwestern states (albeit with key markets in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago). In this guide we'll compare the two companies' costs, internet speeds, customer reviews and bundles to help you decide which is right for you.

Spectrum vs Astound

Provider	Speed	Cost	Coverage	Reviews	Bundles
Spectrum	5	4	3	2.5	4	Go
Astound	5	3	2	4	2.5	Go

Spectrum vs. Astound : Internet Speeds

Winner: Astound Broadband Powered by RCN

If you're looking for lightning-fast internet speeds, Spectrum and Astound deliver. Both providers offer up to 1.5Gbps speeds via their respective fiber networks, though availability is limited to certain areas.

That's way more horsepower, of course, than the average family needs; if you simply want reliable and snappy video streaming, gaming, and browsing capability, Spectrum and Astound's cable internet plans should give you what you need. Spectrum's plans top out at 100Mbps, which is sufficient for the vast majority of households, while Astound's cable plans go all the way up to 1Gbps—the same as their fiber plans!

Based on this disparity, we have to give Astound the nod in the speed category.

Cost, Data and Value for Money

Winner: Astound

Monthly Cost

Many of us shop for internet plans with one thing in mind: price. If cost is the biggest determinant in your ISP decision, Astound is probably the way to go. The company offers 300Mbps service for $30, 600Mbps service for just $45, and even 1,000Mbps for only $60/month. Plus, their upfront fees are reasonable. That's some great bang-for-the-buck.

Spectrum's cable plans are comparatively expensive, starting at $44.99 for a 30 Mbps plan. This price also extends to the provider's 60 and 100 Mbps plans, likely because speeds vary by location. Spectrum's upfront fees are a bit pricier than Astound's at $64.99. Both offer professional installation for about $50.

All things considered, we'll have to give Astound to advantage when it comes to monthly cost.

Data Allowance

To their credit, neither Astound nor Spectrum's internet plans come with data cap limits. That means you'll be able to stream, browse and play away to your heart's content without having to worry about incurring overage charges or forced slowdowns.

Availability: Spectrum vs. Astound

Winner: Spectrum

In terms of availability, it's not really a fair fight, since Spectrum is a nationwide internet provider whereas Astound's service is limited, specifically servicing the northeast and midwest. As such, Spectrum clearly wins this category with offerings in 46 states, as opposed to Astound's offerings in 7.

Customer Reviews: Spectrum vs. Astound

Winner: Astound

If online customer reviews are to be believed, Spectrum has some room for improvement when it comes to pleasing their subscribers. Common complaints about the ISP include price increases, slower-than-advertised internet speeds, frequent outages, and unhelpful customer service.

Astound , while servicing a far smaller area of the U.S. than Spectrum, seems to attract fewer scathing reviews. Folks sound generally pleased with the company's "mom & pop" approach to keeping their customers happy, whether it's issuing refunds, helping with setup, and notifying subscribers of better plans.

This round goes to Astound.

Bundle Packages: Spectrum vs Astound

Winner: Spectrum

Both Spectrum and Astound offer a wide array of double and triple play bundles, i.e. internet + phone or TV. A cursory browse through WhistleOut's internet comparison engine would seem to suggest Astound has more bundling options, until you read the fine print that most of these are only available in specific cities or areas (like Boston, Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia and so on). Spectrum's bundles, are generally available nationwide, meanwhile. The win here goes to Spectrum.

Winner: Spectrum vs Astound

Astound

We declare Astound the victor due to its superiority in the key categories of speed, cost and customer reviews. Maybe Spectrum can learn something from one of the little guys.

Want to learn more? We put Astound against Verizon to see how the two providers match up. Check out the results in our guide to Verizon versus Astound.

Astound Internet Plans

#1	WOW!	WOW! Internet 300 Cable 300/20 Mbps Unlimited Data $20/mo with AutoPay + $10 Upfront with AutoPay View Plan	$20/mo with AutoPay + $10 Upfront with AutoPay	View Plan
#2	Breezeline	Breezeline Internet 100 Cable 100/10 Mbps Unlimited Data $20/mo for 24 months then $45.00/month. Includes $10/mo EcoSave/ AutoPay discount. for 24 months then $45.00/month. Includes $10/mo EcoSave/ AutoPay discount. View Plan	$20/mo for 24 months then $45.00/month. Includes $10/mo EcoSave/ AutoPay discount. for 24 months then $45.00/month. Includes $10/mo EcoSave/ AutoPay discount.	View Plan
#3	Kinetic	Kinetic 100 Mbps Fiber 100/100 Mbps Unlimited Data $24.99/mo for 12 months. This advertised price includes a $5.00 credit for AutoPay enrollment. for 12 months. This advertised price includes a $5.00 credit for AutoPay enrollment. View Plan	$24.99/mo for 12 months. This advertised price includes a $5.00 credit for AutoPay enrollment. for 12 months. This advertised price includes a $5.00 credit for AutoPay enrollment.	View Plan
#4	Optimum	Optimum 300 Mbps Internet Cable 300/300 Mbps Unlimited Data $25/mo with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. View Plan	$25/mo with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.	View Plan
#5	Mercury Broadband	Mercury Broadband Mercury Foundation Fixed Wireless 30/10 Mbps Unlimited Data Contract (24 mths) $25/mo with AutoPay + $45 Upfront with AutoPay View Plan	$25/mo with AutoPay + $45 Upfront with AutoPay	View Plan
#6	Frontier	Frontier Fiber 500 Internet Fiber 500/500 Mbps Unlimited Data $29.99/mo with AutoPay with AutoPay View Plan	$29.99/mo with AutoPay with AutoPay	View Plan
#7	Brightspeed	Brightspeed 200 Mbps Fiber 200/200 Mbps Unlimited Data $29.99/mo Limited availability/areas. Taxes and fees extra. Autopay required. Pricing Subject to change. Limited availability/areas. Taxes and fees extra. Autopay required. Pricing Subject to change. View Plan	$29.99/mo Limited availability/areas. Taxes and fees extra. Autopay required. Pricing Subject to change. Limited availability/areas. Taxes and fees extra. Autopay required. Pricing Subject to change.	View Plan
#8	Astound	Astound 300 Mbps Internet Fiber 300/20 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get one line of Unlimited Mobile FREE for 12 months $30/mo Observed speeds may vary \| One-time fees extra \| Restrictions apply \| Not available in all areas \| New residential customers only + $14.99 Upfront Observed speeds may vary \| One-time fees extra \| Restrictions apply \| Not available in all areas \| New residential customers only View Plan	$30/mo Observed speeds may vary \| One-time fees extra \| Restrictions apply \| Not available in all areas \| New residential customers only + $14.99 Upfront Observed speeds may vary \| One-time fees extra \| Restrictions apply \| Not available in all areas \| New residential customers only	View Plan

Spectrum Internet Plans

#1	Spectrum	Spectrum Internet Premier Cable 500/20 Mbps Unlimited Data $50/mo ($40 plan + $10 modem) for 1 year + $20 Upfront for 1 year View Plan	$50/mo ($40 plan + $10 modem) for 1 year + $20 Upfront for 1 year	View Plan
#2	Spectrum	Spectrum Internet Premier + Spectrum Unlimited Plus Cable 500/20 Mbps Unlimited Data $60/mo ($40 plan + $20 modem) for 1 year + $20 Upfront for 1 year View Plan	$60/mo ($40 plan + $20 modem) for 1 year + $20 Upfront for 1 year	View Plan
#3	Spectrum	Spectrum Internet Gig Cable 1000/35 Mbps Unlimited Data $70/mo ($60 plan + $10 modem) for 1 year + $20 Upfront for 1 year View Plan	$70/mo ($60 plan + $10 modem) for 1 year + $20 Upfront for 1 year	View Plan
#4	Spectrum	Spectrum Internet Gig + Spectrum Mobile Cable 1000/35 Mbps Unlimited Data $70/mo ($60 plan + $10 modem) for 1 year + $20 Upfront for 1 year View Plan	$70/mo ($60 plan + $10 modem) for 1 year + $20 Upfront for 1 year	View Plan

Chris Holmes

Staff Writer

Chris Holmes is a Contributing Writer for WhistleOut, where he covers the cell phone and internet industries. His work has been cited in publications like The Verge, The New York Times, and WIRED.

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