Xfinity vs. Optimum Internet

Lauren Hannula Managing Editor

Updated 28 January 2026

In this Guide

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

Article Summary

When it comes to comparing Xfinity and Optimum, Xfinity is the clear winner when you consider the availability of services (Optimum is only offered in 3 states vs Xfinity's 40), value for money, and speeds. Optimum has the competitive edge when it comes to speed, offering lightning fast fiber internet at 8Gbps, while Xfinity's speeds max out at 1.2Gbps. Both Xfinity and Optimum get similar customer reviews with common complaints being about unreliable service and high cost of plans.

Xfinity vs Optimum

Provider	Speed	Cost	Coverage	Reviews	Bundles
Xfinity	5	3	3	2.5	3	Go
Optimum	4	3	0.5	2.5	3	Go

Xfinity vs Optimum: Internet Speeds

Winner: Xfinity

When it comes to internet speeds, there's a clear winner when looking at Xfinity vs Optimum. While Optimum's plans hit a respectable max speed of 8Gbps, Xfinity offers a fiber internet plan with speeds up to 1.2Gbps. Not everyone is going to need the extra speed; in fact, 25Mbps is generally all most households need to stay connected.

If you don't live in an area where Xfinity's fiber internet is available, the provider still offers cable internet plans with speeds starting at 500Mbps.

In terms of speed variety, Xfinity also beat out Optimum in this category, offering a significantly larger number of plan options with speeds starting at 300Mbps on a cable plan. Whether you are a light or heavy internet user, Xfinity are sure to have a plan for you, although availability will depend on where you're located.

Cost, Data, and Value

Winner: Xfinity

Monthly Cost

Xfinity offers a range of affordable plans for the budget-conscious, although they do come with lower internet speeds. Pay just a little bit extra a month and you could bump up your speeds by quite a bit with Optimum's lowest tier plan, Internet 300Mbps. If you're comparing the monthly cost between Xfinity and Optimum, Xfinity comes out slightly cheaper, however, Optimum provides more value for money here.

Both Xfinity and Optimum will lock your monthly price in for a year, but then your fees are subject to a price increase. The good thing about both internet providers is that you're only locked into a 12-month contract or no contract at all, so you're free to switch providers once your rates go up. This is only for cable plans, however—if you sign up to an Xfinity fiber internet plan, you'll be locked in for 24 months.

Installation and Other Fees

Optimum has pretty pricey installation fees—$99 or $149.99 for premium installation. Xfinity's installation fees are much cheaper (depending on where you're located) and can range from around $60-$90 for cable internet installation. If you're confident in your tech skills, you may even select self-installation which will only set you back $15.

Where Xfinity's installation fees are a little more for its fiber internet plans—you'll be facing a one-time installation fee of $100.

Data Allowance

Looking at data alone, it's a tie. All of Optimum's and Xfinity's internet plans give you unlimited data.

Although both ISPs offer unlimited data, it's not that common for households to need more than 1,000GB of data each month. Either way, both providers offer uncapped data.

Availability: Xfinity vs Optimum

Winner: Xfinity

When it comes to comparing availability between Xfinity and Optimum, Xfinity is the clear winner. Optimum only offers service in New Jersey, Connecticut and New York—just three states total. Whereas Xfinity offers coverage in 40 different states (though very patchy), including Utah, Colorado, California, Oregon, and Maryland.

Customer Reviews: Xfinity vs Optimum

Winner: Xfinity

Xfinity and Optimum both receive their fair share of negative reviews. The most common complaints for both internet providers have to do with unreliable service (including dropped signals and slow speeds) and cost of service. Xfinity do have additional complaints about their customer service, however the provider does have their fair share of positive reviews.

Bundle Packages: Xfinity vs Optimum

Winner: Optimum

Xfinity and Optimum both offer bundle packages for internet, TV and/or home phone. Optimum's bundle plans are generally cheaper and the provider offers a larger variety of TV channel packages (7 TV packages vs Xfinity's 3).

If you're adding home phone to your internet and TV package, Optimum's plans still come out cheaper than Xfinity's bundles.

Winner: Xfinity vs Optimum

Xfinity

Xfinity's coverage and value for money are two of the main deciding factors when it comes to Xfinity vs Optimum. Both providers offer similar plans, but Xfinity offers cheaper pricing.

If you want to do some comparing on your own, see for yourself how Xfinity's plans compare to Optimum's internet plans below.

Xfinity Internet Plans

#1	Xfinity	Xfinity 300 Mbps Cable 300/35 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get simple, seamless WiFi with 99% reliability. $40/mo for 5 years. No contracts, no data caps + equipment included. $40/mo 5 year price guarantee 5 year price guarantee View Plan	$40/mo 5 year price guarantee 5 year price guarantee	View Plan
#2	Xfinity	Xfinity 500 Mbps Cable 500/35 Mbps Unlimited Data $45/mo 5 year price guarantee 5 year price guarantee View Plan	$45/mo 5 year price guarantee 5 year price guarantee	View Plan
#3	Xfinity	Xfinity 1 Gig Fiber 1100/35 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $50/mo for the most reliable, fiber-powered Gig speed WiFi for 5 years. Get Peacock Premium included with your plan. $50/mo 5 year price guarantee 5 year price guarantee View Plan	$50/mo 5 year price guarantee 5 year price guarantee	View Plan
#4	Xfinity	Xfinity 300 Mbps + Unlimited Cable 300/35 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get simple, seamless WiFi with 99% reliability. $40/mo for 5 years. No contracts, no data caps + equipment included. $80/mo 5 year price guarantee + FREE mobile line for 12 months 5 year price guarantee + FREE mobile line for 12 months View Plan	$80/mo 5 year price guarantee + FREE mobile line for 12 months 5 year price guarantee + FREE mobile line for 12 months	View Plan
#5	Xfinity	Xfinity 500 Mbps + Unlimited Cable 500/35 Mbps Unlimited Data $85/mo 5 year price guarantee + FREE mobile line for 12 months 5 year price guarantee + FREE mobile line for 12 months View Plan	$85/mo 5 year price guarantee + FREE mobile line for 12 months 5 year price guarantee + FREE mobile line for 12 months	View Plan

Optimum Internet Plans

#1	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
#2	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
#3	Optimum	Optimum 500 Mbps Internet Fiber 500/500 Mbps Unlimited Data $35/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	$35/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
#4	Optimum	Optimum 500 Mbps Internet Fiber 500/500 Mbps Unlimited Data $35/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	$35/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	Optimum	Optimum 1 Gig Internet Fiber 940/940 Mbps Unlimited Data $45/mo with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. View Plan	$45/mo with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.	View Plan

Lauren Hannula

Managing Editor

Lauren is WhistleOut's Managing Editor. With over 14 years of digital writing and publishing experience, she's developed a passion for breaking down overly complex topics to offer easy, affordable solutions that help make the most of the tech you already have in your pocket. Her work has appeared in industry stalwarts such as CNET, Yahoo! News, and Forbes.

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