Xfinity Internet is one of the country's largest internet providers. In addition to its multiple contract internet options, Xfinity also offers a prepaid internet plan. This $45/month plan offers unlimited data per month at 200Mbps. It’s a great way to score a data-heavy internet plan without worrying about the hassle of a long-term contract.
So, is Xfinity's prepaid plan worth the price? We analyzed its features, looked at its coverage, and compared it to competitors’ plans to find out.
Is Xfinity Prepaid internet for you? Pros and cons
If you are looking for a cheap, no-contract internet plan with a hefty amount of data, Xfinity’s Prepaid internet plan might be for you.
What we like
- Low price
- No contract
- Download speed
What could be improved
- Equipment costs
- No bundling
80/100
Xfinity Prepaid Internet Plan
Xfinity’s Prepaid internet plan costs $45/month. It includes unlimited data, with max download and upload speeds of 200Mbps and 10Mbps, respectively. Anyone can qualify for the plan if Xfinity offers your area service. You’ll have to purchase a specific Prepaid Starter Kit to hook up service at your home. The Prepaid Starter Kit comes with the Wireless Gateway (modem/router), all your cords, and 30 days of service. From there, you simply refill the data allotment whenever you need it.
There’s also no contract with this plan. That freedom makes it perfect for short-term needs. For example, let’s say you’re subletting an apartment for a few months. You can pay by the month instead of locking yourself into a year of internet service. Xfinity even takes that customization further, allowing you to pay by the week (though it is more expensive).
View planWhat we like: Low price
Xfinity’s standard internet plan prices stretch from $40 to $100 per month, making the $45 Prepaid internet plan one of its cheaper options. Not only is the price low by Xfinity standards, but it’s also lower than similar plans by competitors like Cox. This price difference makes Xfinity Prepaid internet a friendly option for customers on a budget.
What we like: No contract
There’s no lengthy contract with Xfinity Prepaid internet. Instead, you pay for what you need by the month or week. For 30 days of service, you’ll pay $45, while seven days costs $15. You can refill your data on Xfinity’s website, in physical stores, or on its app.
What could be improved: Internet speed
Because this is one of Xfinity’s cheapest plans, it's also one of its slowest. We recommend most homes have internet speeds of at least 100Mbps, so the 50Mbps offered on this plan falls short. Additionally, Xfinity does not guarantee your actual speeds will always be at 50Mbps. Instead, the plan specifies speeds reach “up to” that mark.
If you frequently stream HD videos, play video games, or work from home, you’ll probably need a faster speed to be happy. Higher speeds are especially relevant if your family is doing these tasks at the same time.
What could be improved: Equipment costs
You must purchase a Wireless Gateway directly from Xfinity to join the Prepaid internet plan. The old router you’ve been hanging on to for years just won’t work with it. While the gateway is yours to own, it does come with a $35 price tag tacked onto your first month of service. So, your first month of service will actually cost around $80, combined with the equipment price and internet service.
What could be improved: No bundling
One of the big benefits of Xfinity’s contract plans is the ability to bundle your internet with its other services, like cable TV. Because prepaid internet is a no-contract plan, that’s not an option.
What about data?
Xfinity’s Prepaid internet plan comes with unlimited data . This cap should be plenty of data for most households, even if you frequently stream live gaming or have multiple people working from home. It’s an excellent benefit, especially on a prepaid internet plan.
Check out our internet usage guide to determine how much data you might use in a month.
Xfinity Internet Availability
Xfinity is one of the largest land-based internet service providers (ISPs) in the United States, so there is a good chance you’ll have access to coverage. AT&T is the only non-satellite internet company with a larger footprint. The majority of Xfinity's coverage consists of cable internet (including the prepaid internet plan); its fiber internet coverage is much smaller.
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Enter your zip code to see if Xfinity prepaid internet is available in your area.
Xfinity Prepaid Internet vs. Competitors
Xfinity’s Prepaid Internet plan comes at a better price than comparable plans. It’s important to remember that you have fewer options with prepaid internet plans than with long-term contracts. Not all internet providers offer prepaid internet plans, so it can be difficult to compare options.
Cox StraightUp Internet
Cox Internet’s prepaid entry is its StraightUp Internet plan. It includes 1.25TB of data and a top speed of 100Mbps. That's comparable data to the Xfinity prepaid plan, but it is much slower. It’s also more expensive than the Xfinity plan, coming in at $50/month. A benefit of this plan, though, is the lack of equipment costs—Cox gives you a router and modem for free, so your first month costs just $50.
Ting Internet
Ting internet offers three prepaid plans, but we’re going to highlight two. Its 10Mbps Plan is closest to Xfinity’s offering and includes unlimited data for $29/month, but speeds cap out at 10Mbps. So while there are no data caps, and it’s cheaper than Xfinity, your speeds are incredibly slow.
Equipment fees are also much steeper with Ting and come in at $198. Why so expensive? Ting uses fiber internet, while Xfinity and Cox use cable. Fiber is more expensive to set up but offers speeds that are impossible for cable to match. The real question is why you would pay for fiber technology but limit yourself to 10Mbps.
We’ve complained about slow speeds in this review, so we wanted to mention that incredibly fast internet speeds are possible with prepaid plans. Ting’s Home Gigabit plan is one example. This plan comes with unlimited data, and its speed tops out at 1,000Mbps. That’s incredibly fast. To use a real-world example, the new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 video game is a 151GB download. On Ting’s Home Gigabit plan, it would take about 20 minutes.
Of course, the major drawback to a faster plan is paying higher prices. Ting’s plan comes in at $89/month, so it’s basically double the price of Xfinity. However, the Home Gigabit plan is a good option if you want incredible speeds and don't mind the high price.
Other Xfinity internet plans
Remember that Xfinity has a ton of plans. If you know you’ll be living somewhere for more than a year, it might be worth looking at its contract options. Some plans are close to the price of the prepaid internet plan while including better speeds and perks. Check out our Xfinity internet review or the most popular Xfinity plans below:
Recap: Is Xfinity Prepaid Internet Right for You?
Xfinity’s Prepaid Internet service is a solid option if you want a simple, no-contract internet plan. While this plan doesn’t include incredible speeds, 50Mbps is better than some comparable options. Finally, coming in at $45/month, it’s a good price point for the speeds and data cap.
However, it does require new equipment, isn’t eligible for bundled phone and internet plans, and has one of the slowest speeds that Xfinity offers. If any of these factors make you think twice, it is probably worth looking into other offerings.
Methodology
When analyzing Xfinity’s Prepaid internet plan, we compared it to other internet providers with similar offerings. We looked at plan options and prices to determine which providers offer the most value. We also dove into the features included with each plan, including coverage, data caps, and speeds. We will update our findings as necessary.
Xfinity Prepaid Internet: FAQs
Is Xfinity Prepaid internet unlimited?
Xfinity Prepaid internet is not unlimited. It has a 1TB data cap.
Does Xfinity Prepaid internet have a contract?
Xfinity Prepaid internet does not have a contract.
Are there hidden fees for Xfinity Prepaid internet?
Xfinity Prepaid internet does not include hidden fees. However, you must pay an equipment fee of $35 to purchase the modem for Xfinity's network.
Are Xfinity Mobile and Xfinity Internet the same?
Xfinity Mobile and Xfinity internet are different plans and technology. The same company offers both services. One uses a grounded internet network, and the other piggybacks off major cellular networks. Billing charges stay separate for customers who have both services. Currently, you must also be an Xfinity Internet subscriber to purchase a plan with Xfinity Mobile.
What is Xfinity Mobile?
Xfinity Mobile is Xfinity's cell phone service. It operates as an MVNO wireless carrier that uses Verizon's network to provide phone service to customers. Check out our Xfinity Mobile review to learn more.
Who owns Xfinity?
Comcast owns Xfinity, allowing the company to offer internet, phone, and cable TV bundles.
Is Xfinity Prepaid Internet eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program?
Xfinity Prepaid internet service is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program. This program helps people under the federal poverty level qualify for discounts on Xfinity internet and mobile plans.
Max McCaskill
Sr. Staff Writer
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