AT&T vs. Cox

Is AT&T or Cox better?

AT&T and Cox offer comparable internet and TV services in many of the same areas. If your home is eligible for both services, you may be wondering, “Is AT&T or Cox better?”

• • AT&T offers DSL and Fiber, with gigabit service available in more areas than Cox and for a lower price.

  • AT&T ranked considerably higher in customer satisfaction.

  • AT&T Fiber offers the best value of any internet provider with pricing starting at $55/mo.

  • If Fiber isn’t available in your area, AT&T’s DSL speeds are on the slow side.

  • There are no discounts for bundling AT&T internet and TV services.

• • Cox offers plans starting at $49.99/mo. depending on where you live.

  • Cox is more likely to offer a wider variety of internet plan options in your area.

  • Cox has a 1.25TB data cap.

  • After 12-24 months of service, Cox will increase plans by $20–$34/mo.

AT&T vs Cox internet: How they scored for Allconnect

Overall, if AT&T Fiber is in your area, that is almost always your best option for internet service. AT&T offers a great value for high-speed internet and is one of the most reliable internet providers available. 

Cox internet is a good option, but because it uses cable internet instead of fiber internet, it’s not as reliable with its service and you won’t get the same value you can get with AT&T Fiber. If you are choosing between AT&T DSL and Cox, however, Cox is your better option.

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AT&T vs. Cox internet packages

Learn more about AT&T and Cox  internet packages to find out which plan will best match your needs.

AT&T internet

*PABP & Paperless billing + taxes. Price includes $5/mo. AutoPay & Paperless billing discount (within 2 bills). Prices updated 01/24/22.
**ABP & Paperless billing + taxes and equip fee after $5/mo. AutoPay & Paperless billing discount (within 2 bills). $10/mo. equip. fee applies. Incl. 1TB data/mo.; overage chrgs apply. Prices updated 03/29/22.

Cox internet

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Pricing, packages, and policies are subject to change, including when adjusting or removing services or equipment. Prices do not include applicable taxes, surcharges, usage-based charges (such as data, toll usage, pay-per-use service), and other fees. After any promotional period, regular rates apply (see www.cox.com). Prorated charges may appear on your bill if you change services before the billing cycle is complete. Rates, and/or when applicable, term agreements, may differ from those presented here as a result of customer’s account features, such as existing discounts, bundles, term agreements, or service address. Other restrictions may apply. All services and plans subject to Cox Residential Customer Service Agreement (including mandatory arbitration provisions), Acceptable Use Policy (including Cox’s right to terminate service for abuse of network), and other policies at: cox.com/policies. Gig plans not available in all areas. Last updated 06/27/23.

Which plan should you choose?

Best overall internet plans: AT&T Fiber Internet 300 and 500 

AT&T offers the best internet plans overall. If you are looking for cheaper internet, go with the 300 Mbps plan for $55/mo. However, if you want the best deal overall, we would recommend choosing the AT&T 500 Mbps plan for $65/mo. The 500 Mbps plan is best for households with 4+ people who use the internet heavily. If AT&T Fiber isn’t available to you, however, we would recommend going with the Cox Internet Preferred 150 plan for $49.99/mo. 

Cheapest internet plan: Cox Go Fast 100 

Cox’s main selling point over AT&T is that it offers cheaper internet plans. Its cheapest internet plan provides 100 Mbps for $49.99/mo. depending on your location.

Fastest internet plans: AT&T Fiber Internet 5 Gig and Cox Gigablast 

Both AT&T and Cox offer Gig-speed internet plans. We would recommend going with AT&T since AT&T offers Gig speeds for a cheaper price and it provides faster upload speeds than Cox. For instance, while Cox offers a Gig plan of 1000/35 (download/upload) Mbps for $109.99/mo., AT&T offers a Gig plan of 1000/940 Mbps for $80/mo. You can also go up to 4,700 Mbps in some areas with AT&T for $250/mo.

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Does Cox or AT&T offer better low-income internet options? 

Both Cox and AT&T offer cheap internet plans for low-income households through the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. Through Access from AT&T, qualifying participants can access speeds up to 10 Mbps for $30/mo. With the ACP $30/mo., the AT&T plan is free. Cox offers a similar deal through its program Connect2Compete, in conjunction with the ACP. It also offers a $9.95/mo. plan for low-income customers. 

Learn more about low-income internet options

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Additional costs to consider with AT&T and Cox

In general, you’ll pay a little more for the extra fees with Cox than AT&T. AT&T has a slightly cheaper equipment fee, and its price won’t increase as much in the second year.

Equipment fee

AT&T: With AT&T there is no fee for equipment. AT&T offers the Wi-Fi Gateway, which is a modem and router combo. AT&T’s $99 professional installation charge is currently being waived, too.  

Cox: Cox’s Panoramic Wifi Gateway – a modem and router all-in-one – is free with all the available plans. Cox also allows you to purchase your own modem and router.

Contracts and promotional pricing

Cox doesn’t require a contract on any plans.

AT&T doesn’t have contracts, so there are no early termination fees. For Cox, all plans may be canceled within the first 30 days of service at no cost to the subscriber. After 30 days, a termination fee of up to $120 will be charged to your account.

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Bundling TV and internet

AT&T no longer offers any TV services. However, customers looking to bundle can still choose to bundle AT&T Internet and DIRECTV together. You won’t receive any bundle deals or even receive a joint bill, but you will be able to receive high-quality internet and TV service. Cox does offer bundles, but there are no discounts.

AT&T Internet and DIRECTV bundles

Limited availability. May not be available in your area. Call to see if you qualify.

*$19.95 ACTIVATION, EARLY TERMINATION FEE OF $20/MO. FOR TV FOR EACH MONTH REMAINING ON AGMT., EQUIPMENT NON-RETURN & ADD’L FEES APPLY. Price incl. Internet after $5/mo. autopay & paperless discount and TV Pkg., monthly service & equip. fees for 1 HD DVR & is after $5/mo. autopay & paperless bill discount for up to 12 mos. Discounts start w/in 3 bills. New approved residential customers only. Equipment lease and credit card req’d. Restr’s apply. *With 24-mo. agmt and [CHOICE or ULTIMATE/OPTIMO MAS or MAS ULTRA] Package (min. $69.99/mo. for 12 mo. before discounts. Price higher in 2nd year. Regional Sports Fee up to $9.99/mo. applies). HBO Max, Cinemax®, SHOWTIME®, STARZ®, and EPIX® are included for 3 months and auto-renews thereafter at then prevailing rates (currently $14.99/mo. for HBO Max, $10.99/mo. each for Cinemax, SHOWTIME and STARZ and $5.99/mo. for EPIX), unless you call to change or cancel. Req’s you to select offers.

Cox internet and TV bundles

*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. Speeds may vary. As of 06/27/23.

AT&T vs. Cox TV service

AT&T does not offer its own TV service anymore, but DIRECTV is still available. DIRECTV offers both a satellite TV service and a new streaming service, known as DIRECTV STREAM. DIRECTV STREAM doesn’t offer as many channels as DIRECTV, but it also doesn’t require contracts or installation. 

Cox TV, on the other hand, is a cable TV service. Cox TV provides four main TV plans with channels ranging between 75+ and 250+ channels.