DISH vs. Comcast’s Xfinity TV: Comparison and review

Compare DISH Network vs. Comcast’s Xfinity TV service

Here’s our take on how DISH and Comcast’s Xfinity stack up against each other. Take a look at the main features of each service.

• Best cheap packages:

  Not only does Xfinity offer up to four low-tier packages, but these packages are also a better value than DISH’s cheapest package. 

• Best channel variety:

  DISH has the best channel variety, especially when it comes to sports and international channels.

• Best bundling deals:

  While DISH’s bundle plans don’t save you any money, Xfinity’s can save you up to $30/mo. 

DISH vs. Comcast’s Xfinity at a glance

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Xfinity vs. DISH plans and pricing

With the exception of Xfinity’s Basic TV package, which gives you 10+ channels, DISH and Xfinity packages are similarly priced and stacked with channels. Both providers also give you lots of add-on options for more premium channels, sports and international networks.

DISH TV packages

*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 01/04/23.

Xfinity TV packages

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of term agreement. 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 01/04/23.

Note that Xfinity TV packages, pricing and channel counts differ from one region to another. Xfinity’s packages vary whether you are based in the Northeast, Central/South or Western regions of the country.

Premium channels and add-ons

Dish

• Dish Movie Pack — EPIX®, Hallmark Movie Channel, STARZ® and more. 
• Sports pack – NFL RedZone, NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, Big Ten Network, PAC 12 Networks, Fox Sports 2, Fox Soccer Plus and more.
• Latino Bonus Pack – beIN Sports, Telemundo, Universo, ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, Cine Latino and more.
• Outdoor Package – Outdoor Channel, World Fishing Network, Sportsman Channel and Outside TV.
• International Language Packs – Arabic, Bangla, Bengali, Brazilian, Cantonese, Chinese, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Israeli, Japanese, Kannada Malayalam, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Taiwanese, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and Vietnamese.

Xfinity

• Sports – NFL RedZone, NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, ESPNU, NHL Network and more.
• International programming – French, German, Italian, Spanish and more.
• On-Demand subscriptions – Movies. music and special programming on-demand.
• Premium channels – HBO Max, STARZ, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, THE MOVIE CHANNEL and EPIX.

XFINITY TV package selection varies by region

DISH offers the same TV packages throughout their service areas. On the other hand, your location may determine which Xfinity packages are available.

Some addresses will be eligible for the Xfinity Basic, Extra and Preferred packages, while the Xfinity Digital packages are available in other locations. Also, some TV packages, such as the Basic and Digital Premier, may only be available when you bundle with Xfinity internet.

Check out our DISH channel guide and Xfinity channel guide for a full rundown of what channels come with each provider’s packages.

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Our favorite plans: DISH’s America’s Top 120 vs. Xfinity’s Digital Preferred

• DISH: America’s Top 120

  • $69.99/mo. starting price 
  • 190 channels 
  • Comes with your local channels and regional sports outlets
  • Popular channels include A&E, Cartoon Network, CNN, Discovery, Disney, ESPN, FOX News, HGTV, TBS, TLC, Travel Channel, TNT and USA.
  • Two-year contract 

• Comcast’s Xfinity: Digital Preferred

  • $69.99/mo. starting price
  • 185+ channels 
  • Comes with your local channels, ESPN, regional sports network, Sports Network, ESPNews, ESPNU, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network and NHL Network.
  • Popular channels include AMC, Cartoon Network, CBS, Cooking Channel, Disney, Food Network, Flix, HGTV, MTV, Nickelodeon, STARZ Encore, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel and more.
  • No contract 

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DISH vs. Comcast’s Xfinity hidden fees

You can expect added equipment and service fees from DISH and Xfinity, but DISH is a bit more straightforward with their pricing.

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of term agreement. 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 01/04/23.

DISH’s Hopper 3 DVR is the best DVR on the market. It supports up to seven TVs, records 16 shows at once and supports 4K viewing and streaming app access. However, you can opt for the less expensive DVR, the Hopper Duo Smart DVR for $5/mo. This DVR supports one to two TVs and allows you to record up to two shows at once. Each DVR and receiver you rent requires a $50 upfront fee. 

Xfinity’s X1 DVR allows you to record up to six shows at once and store up to 500 GB of content. However, you have the option to use your own compatible TV equipment. If you rent the X1 DVR, Xfinity will waive the extra $10/mo. HD technology fee and provide you with a free receiver that otherwise costs $15/mo.

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DISH vs. Comcast’s Xfinity equipment and accessories

Choosing one provider over the other will get you different TV equipment, features and accessories. Here are a few things that are exclusive to each provider to help decide which one you prefer.

DVR: DISH offers the Hopper 3 DVR and Xfinity offers the X1 DVR. The Hopper 3 is the better device as it allows you to record more shows at a time and greater storage capacity. 

Streaming: Netflix and Pandora are accessible right from DISH’s Hopper 3 TV box. The X1 DVR also has built-in access to streaming services and voice remote compatibility, similar to the Hopper 3 from DISH.

Apps: With the DISH Anywhere app, stream from any mobile device with Wi-Fi access. With the Xfinity Stream app, you can also access your shows and recordings on your mobile devices. 

Premium channels: With select DISH packages, STARZ and the DISH Movie Pack are included at no extra charge for three months. After three months, you will be billed $30/mo. unless you call to cancel. Xfinity’s highest-tier package, Digital Premier, includes HBO Max, SHOWTIME and EPIX. 

Additional features: DISH packages also come with over 36,000 free and rental On Demand titles.

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DISH vs. Comcast’s Xfinity availability

Satellite TV service is available virtually everywhere, an advantage DISH has over Xfinity. Xfinity is not lacking in availability, however, and is one of the largest cable providers, covering more than 35% of the U.S. population across 39 states, according to the FCC.

Primary service areas for Comcast’s Xfinity include the South, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest and Western U.S. It’s in these regions you’re most likely to find DISH and Xfinity services overlap.

Best availability: DISH

Xfinity is not as widely available in the central U.S. states including Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Oklahoma, which will be better served by DISH or another TV provider, such as DIRECTV, Spectrum or Mediacom.

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DISH vs. Xfinity TV and internet bundles

Interested in a bundle package that includes DISH or Xfinity TV? Xfinity offers TV, internet and home phone services, making bundling multiple services with the same provider simple and convenient.

DISH does not offer internet or home phone service, so you’ll have to add service from another provider like AT&T or Frontier if you choose to bundle. Available providers will vary by location, so DISH TV and internet bundles will vary in price, internet speeds and more, depending on your address.

• DISH America’s Top 120 + Frontier High-Speed Internet

  • Starting price: $124.98/mo.*
  • Channels: 190+
  • Internet speeds: Varies

  
  Bundle savings: $0/mo.*

• Xfinity TV Extra + Performance Internet

  • Starting price: $75/mo.*
  • Channels: 125+
  • Internet speeds: up to 60 Mbps
  • Data cap: varies by location

  
  Bundle savings: $20/mo.*

*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 01/04/23.

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Customer satisfaction

Each year, the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) takes feedback from real customers regarding service quality, cost of service and more from top TV providers and gives them a score out of 100. Here’s how DISH and Xfinity TV service scored over the past three years.

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Our final verdict on DISH and Xfinity TV

Overall, if you are looking for a cheaper TV package, then Xfinity is your best option as its low-tier packages are a superior value. Another perk of Xfinity is that it offers several low-tier packages and DISH only offers one. Xfinity is also the better option if you want a high-tier package that includes premium channels, such as HBO Max, SHOWTIME and EPIX. Additionally, if you want to bundle internet and TV, bundling with Xfinity will save you up to $30/mo. 

DISH is the better option when it comes to TV equipment and customer service, but not so much when it comes to saving money or getting the best deals. Although DISH’s additional fees are less complicated than Xfinity’s are, they still add-up to similar amounts.

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