Compare Xfinity vs. CenturyLink

Is Comcast’s Xfinity or CenturyLink better?

Is CenturyLink better than Xfinity? The answer is a pretty easy one for most people. If CenturyLink’s fiber internet service is available at your address, you should get it. But if all you can get is DSL from CenturyLink — any of its plans below 940 Mbps — Xfinity is a better choice. The cable internet that Xfinity uses is a much faster and more reliable option than DSL, but it’s not quite as strong as fiber. 

Quick comparison

• Fastest speeds: In most areas, Xfinity has much better speeds than CenturyLink. Both providers both offer gig speeds (940 Mbps), but Xfinity has it in more areas. In many places, all CenturyLink offers is slower DSL service.
• Most affordable: CenturyLink’s internet plans don’t increase in price after a year, and you’ll pay a flat $50/mo. for all of its DSL plans up to 100 Mbps. In most areas, Xfinity internet prices increase significantly after 12 months. If it’s available, CenturyLink’s 200 Mbps fiber plan is only $30/mo.
• Contracts and hidden fees: Neither provider locks you into a contract, but Xfinity has no installation fee and its equipment rental is slightly cheaper. 
• Best in customer service: Xfinity scored higher in customer satisfaction for internet service in 2022 with a 66/100 compared to CenturyLink’s 60, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index.

Comcast’s Xfinity vs. CenturyLink ratings

How we scored internet providers

We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. Each category contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to impact the provider’s overall score. For each sub-factor, we score all providers on a continuous scale of 1 to 5, relative to the industry as a whole. Because the average download speed in America is currently 180 Mbps, for example, we assigned all plans with download speeds between 100 and 299 Mbps a score between 3 and 4. Xfinity’s 200 Mbps plan received a 3.50 score for download speed, while Spectrum’s 400 Mbps plan got a 4.16.

We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. Each category contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to impact the provider’s overall score.

For each sub-factor, we score all providers on a continuous scale of 1 to 5, relative to the industry as a whole. Because the average download speed in America is currently 180 Mbps, for example, we assigned all plans with download speeds between 100 and 299 Mbps a score between 3 and 4. Xfinity’s 200 Mbps plan received a 3.50 score for download speed, while Spectrum’s 400 Mbps plan got a 4.16.

We only considered standardized data points in our scoring system. More abstract data like consistency of service and brand reputation is still part of our analysis, but we opted to let our writers address them in the context of each review.

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Comcast’s Xfinity vs. CenturyLink internet

Xfinity and CenturyLink both offer a range of internet plans, and prices and speeds might vary by location. In general, this is what you can expect from each provider.

Comcast’s Xfinity internet plans

Allconnect Rating

3.53 / 5

*Rate requires paperless billing. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Offer Details. Speed may not be available in your area. Maximum download/upload speed of up to 940 Mbps via a wired connection. As of 11/05/21.

CenturyLink internet plans

Allconnect Rating

3.46 / 5

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Last updated 8/22/22.

Which internet plan should you choose?

Best overall internet plans: Xfinity

For most people, Xfinity internet hits the sweet spot between best speeds at the most affordable prices. It has also received higher overall scores than CenturyLink from both the American Customer Satisfaction Index and Consumer Reports.

Cheapest internet plan: CenturyLink Fiber 200

Xfinity’s prices and speeds vary greatly depending on where you live, while CenturyLink gives you the fastest speed available (up to 100 Mbps) for the similar $50/mo. price. When CenturyLink’s speeds only go up to 3 Mbps, that probably doesn’t seem like a great deal. But if you can get 200 Mbps for just $30/mo. through CenturyLink in your area, it may be a better option than Xfinity’s internet plans. And unlike Xfinity, you’ll never have to worry about price hikes with CenturyLink internet.

Fastest internet plans: Xfinity

Xfinity has some of the fastest internet plans in the country, with speeds up to 2,000 Mbps. That’s far more than most people need, but its 1,000 Mbps plans are also available throughout much of the country, and it has faster plans on average than CenturyLink, which primarily offers slower DSL connections.

Equipment, installation, contracts and data caps

The sticker price isn’t the only thing you should pay attention to when comparing internet providers — there are often a number of extra fees that get added onto your bill. Here’s how CenturyLink and Xfinity compare when it comes to some of the extras:

• Equipment: CenturyLink charges $15/mo. for equipment rental, but it’s free on the Fiber Gigabit plan. Xfinity is slightly cheaper at $14/mo., but it doesn’t include it for free on any plans. For both providers, you also have the option of purchasing your own modem and router. 
• Installation: Xfinity doesn’t have any installation fees. For CenturyLink, you may have to pay a one-time installation fee of either $129 or $149 based on the internet technology at the address. 
• Contracts: Neither provider has contracts. You can cancel service any time without getting hit with early termination fees. 
• Data caps: CenturyLink has unlimited data, while Xfinity’s are 1.23TB (1,229). Most people aren’t likely to come close to that, but if you live in a bigger household with heavy gamers or streamers, it’s worth considering. Xfinity will give you one freebie month per year to go over, but after that, it’ll cost $10 for every 50GB you exceed the cap. 

CenturyLink vs. Xfinity internet and TV bundles

Xfinity offers savings for bundling internet with TV while CenturyLink does not. Xfinity bundles cable internet, TV and digital phone plans, while CenturyLink offers DSL or fiber optic internet and home phone services. If you’re looking for TV service with CenturyLink, you can get satellite through DIRECTV and DISH Network or streaming through DIRECTV STREAM, but they aren’t discounted. Overall, Xfinity gives customers more ability to mix and match internet speed options with TV channel plans than CenturyLink does. 

Xfinity vs. CenturyLink TV

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 8/22/22.

Who is better for customer satisfaction? Xfinity vs. CenturyLink

Customers tend to be much more satisfied with their service from Xfinity than with CenturyLink. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) scores internet providers based on feedback from customers and gives them an annual customer satisfaction score.

Xfinity has outscored CenturyLink every year since 2016. J.D. Power also gave Xfinity a better score in every region where they overlapped internet service. Consumer Reports readers rated Xfinity higher, too, with better scores for both reliability and speed. This tracks with complaints about CenturyLink on Reddit and the Better Business Bureau: Its DSL plans are often slower than expected, and some customers have experienced frequent outages.

Comcast’s Xfinity vs. CenturyLink FAQS

Does Comcast own CenturyLink?

No. Comcast owns the Xfinity brand, but is separate from CenturyLink.

Does a CenturyLink modem work with XFINITY internet?

No. CenturyLink internet uses either a DSL or fiber-optic network, whereas Xfinity uses a cable network. The equipment required for each network type will vary.

How fast should my CenturyLink internet be?

Ideally, your CenturyLink internet speeds should be 80% or higher of your plan’s advertised speeds. If you are consistently getting slower speeds, check out these ways to boost your Wi-Fi speeds.

Do you need a phone line for CenturyLink internet?

It depends on the type of CenturyLink service you get. For DSL service, you will need a phone line. For CenturyLink fiber-optic internet, a phone line is not required.

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Written by:

Joe Supan

Principal Writer, Broadband Content

Joe is a senior writer for CNET covering home technology and broadband. Prior to joining CNET, Joe led MYMOVE’s moving coverage and reported on broadband policy, the digital divide, and privacy issues for the br… Read more

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

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