Google Fiber vs. Xfinity: Which Internet Provider is Best For You?
Google Fiber vs. Xfinity: How does Google Fiber measure up to Xfinity? Compare plans, prices, download speeds and more. HighSpeedteck.com uses our proprietary data and expert insights to compare these internet service titans.
Best speeds
- Price: $70.00–$100.00/mo.*
- Speed: 1,000–2,000 Mbps (1–2 Gbps)
- Internet type: Fiber
- Equipment fees: None
- Installation fee: None
Most options
- Price: $24.99–$84.99/mo.†
- Speed: 15–2,000 Mbps
- Internet type: Cable
- Equipment fees: Up to $15.00/mo.
- Installation fee: Up to $125.00‡
*Terms and Conditions: Plus taxes and fees. Service not available in all areas. If you live in an apartment or condo, Google Fiber’s ability to construct and provide Fiber is subject to the continued agreement between Google Fiber and the property owner. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.
†Excludes Xfinity Gigabit Pro (see below). For the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement.
‡Free for self-installation with standard shipping
Compare Google Fiber and Xfinity head to head
With its fast and reliable fiber-optic network, Google Fiber has pushed the limits of what customers expect from their internet service providers (ISP) since the first Google Fiber city was announced in 2011. But the catch is there’s a good chance it’s not available in your area. Xfinity’s sprawling cable network, on the other hand, makes it one of the largest and most available ISPs in the country. It’s also one of the fastest options in areas where fiber isn’t available, but its cable-based network is more prone to slowing during busy internet times than fiber is.
Pros and cons: Google Fiber vs. Xfinity
Pros:
Pros:- Wide availability
- Reliable connections
- Robust customer service
Cons:
Cons:- Monthly equipment rental
- Extra monthly fee for unlimited data
Pros:
- Gigabit and multigigabit speeds (1,000–2,000 Mbps)
- No contracts
- No hidden fees
Cons:
- Limited availability
Plans and pricing: Google Fiber vs. Xfinity
Xfinity offers a much wider range of plan options than Google Fiber, which offers only two. If you’re looking for higher speeds, however, Google Fiber offers more speed for the monthly cost.
Google Fiber plans and pricing
| Package | Price | Speed | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber 1 Gig | $70.00/mo. | 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) | |
| Google Fiber 2 Gig | $100.00/mo. | 2 Gbps (2,000 Mbps) |
Data as of 5/10/21. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Plus taxes and fees. Service not available in all areas. If you live in an apartment or condo, Google Fiber’s ability to construct and provide Fiber is subject to the continued agreement between Google Fiber and the property owner. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc
Google Fiber offers incredibly fast speeds for a very reasonable price. Despite its limited availability, Google Fiber has had a huge impact nationwide, popularizing fiber home internet and pushing other ISPs to improve their services to keep up.1 It has only two options for plans, but both have straightforward pricing and offer a great value. The 2 Gbps plan isn’t available in all Google Fiber locations, but like the 1 Gbps plan, its availability is slowly expanding.
Xfinity plans and pricing
| Package | Price | Speed | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance Starter | $20.00–$49.95/mo.* | 25 Mbps | View Plan |
| Performance Select | $34.99/mo.* | 100 Mbps | View Plan |
| Performance | $40.00–$77.95/mo.* | 60–100 Mbps | View Plan |
| Performance Pro | $39.99/mo.* | 200 Mbps | View Plan |
| Performance Pro Plus | $49.99/mo.* | 200 Mbps | View Plan |
| Blast! | $50.00–$59.99/mo.* | 200–300 Mbps | View Plan |
| Extreme | $60.00/mo.* | 300 Mbps | View Plan |
| Extreme Pro | $69.99–$70.00/mo.* | 600 Mbps | View Plan |
| Extreme Pro Plus | $74.99/mo.* | 600 Mbps | View Plan |
| Gigabit | $79.99–$84.99/mo.* | 1,000 Mbps | View Plan |
| Gigabit Pro | $299.95/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | View Plan |
Data as of 8/4/21. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*For the first 12 months with 1-year contract.
Xfinity offers a wide variety of plans. Not every plan is available in every location, but most locations offer a range of plans from basic but affordable to fairly robust. While Xfinity’s plans do reach into the higher speeds, these tend to be more expensive than similar plans offered by Google Fiber.
Xfinity’s biggest advantage is its wide availability. Xfinity is one of the largest ISPs in the US, and because its entire network is based on cable connections, it can offer higher speeds and more reliable connections than ISPs that operate DSL networks.
Xfinity has some fiber-to-the-home options similar to Google Fiber, but Xfinity has barely dipped its toes into the world of fiber. While Xfinity boasts one of the largest cable networks in the US, it’s fiber footprint is less than 1% of that of Google Fiber’s, which means it’ss incredibly small, even compared to Google Fiber’s already limited availability.
Following Google Fiber’s introduction of its 2 Gigabit internet plan, Xfinity upped its max advertised download speed with the introduction of its Gigabit X3 plan, which has a max speed of 3,000 Mbps (3 Gbps) and once again placed the cable giant’s fiber plan in first place when it comes to speed. The catch is the plan has limited availability: you can get it only if you live in the Central region of Xfinity’s nationwide network. While we’re always excited when providers push to offer better speeds to their customers for the same price, it’s not yet clear if this is a sign that Xfinity is moving to invest in its fiber network in the same way that Google Fiber is.
In any case, Xfinity’s 2 Gbps fiber plan is also three times the price of Google Fiber’s 2 Gbps fiber plan, so even if you’re one of the few people who has access to Xfinity’s fiber network, we suggest going with a less expensive option.
Deals and promotions: Google Fiber vs. Xfinity
Xfinity Deal: $30 Internet + Streaming
Get Xfinity internet and streaming for as low as $30/mo. when you add a regularly priced Xfinity Mobile plan (starting at $45/mo.). Plus, get extra perks like unlimited data and no-cost equipment for plans with speeds 300 Mbps and above.
| Plan | Speed | Price | Bundle Discount | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connect | 50 Mbps | $30/mo. | $10 | Order Online |
| Connect More | 100 Mbps | $40/mo. | $10 | Order Online |
| Fast* | 300 Mbps | $50/mo. | $20 | Order Online |
| Superfast** | 600 Mbps | $65/mo. | $25 | Order Online |
| Ultrafast** | 900 Mbps | $70/mo. | $25 | Order Online |
| Gigabit Extra** | 1200 Mbps | $80/mo. | $30 | Order Online |
See disclaimers at the bottom of the page.
Get the 1 Gig plan for $70 per month to have 1,000 Mbps speeds with no data caps and free installation.
Get a discount on your internet service when you add an Xfinity Mobile phone line to go with it. Depending on the plan, you can get a discount ranging from $10 to $30 per month if you sign up for both services.
Extra fees: Google Fiber vs. Xfinity
| Equipment Fee | Installation Fee | Other Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber | Free | Free | None |
| Xfinity | Up to $15.00/mo. | Up to $125.00 (Free for self-installation with standard shipping) | $10.00 late payment fee $10.00/50 GB overage fee $30.00/mo. for unlimited data |
Data as of 9/7/21. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
While Xfinity offers many plans priced lower than Google Fiber’s, it does have equipment fees and upfront installation costs that cut into your savings. If you’re going with an Xfinity plan to save some money on your monthly bill, make sure you take fees into account so you don’t end up paying more for less. You can also purchase your own router to save on equipment rental fees.
Google Fiber doesn’t have any fees beyond your normal monthly bill, including late fees. The ISP gives you a free router and free installation when you sign up. If your outstanding balance is unpaid for more than 40 days, your account will be suspended.3 Fortunately, there are no additional fees to reinstate a suspended account, either. You just have to pay your remaining balance in full.
Internet types: Google Fiber vs. Xfinity
| Internet type | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber | Fiber | |
| Xfinity | Cable, Fiber | View Plans |
Google Fiber operates an all-fiber network, so you’re always going to get the same high speeds and reliable connection, no matter where you are.
Xfinity’s network mostly delivers cable internet, which gives you good download speeds with slower upload speeds. Xfinity also offers fiber connections for it’s 2,000 Mbps plan that’s available in some locations, but the availability is extremely limited.
Data caps: Google Fiber vs. Xfinity
| Data cap | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber | None | |
| Xfinity | 1.2 TB–Unlimited | View Plans |
Google Fiber doesn’t have any data caps, which means you can use it as much as you need without worrying about throttled speeds or overage fees.
Xfinity cable plans have a data cap of 1.2 TB (1,200 GB) in most of its coverage areas except the Northeast region, where data caps have been delayed until 2022.2 This might seem like a lot of data to go through in a month, but a terabyte of data can go by surprisingly fast if you stream video on a regular basis.
If 1.2 TB isn’t enough monthly data for you, you can get unlimited data for an additional monthly fee of $30. Those who sign up for Xfinity’s rare Gigabit Pro fiber plan get unlimited data included, just like Google Fiber customers.
Contracts: Google Fiber vs. Xfinity
| Contract length | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber | No contract | |
| Xfinity | Up to 2 yrs. | View Plans |
Google Fiber doesn’t require a contract, so you simply pay on a month-to-month basis. Most Xfinity plans require a 12- or 24-month contract; however, it does offer no-contract internet plans as well if you don’t want to be locked in with one provider or think you might move soon.
Installation: Google Fiber vs. Xfinity
| Installation options | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber | Free professional installation | |
| Xfinity | $39.99 professional installation Free for self-installation with standard shipping | View Plans |
Google Fiber offers free professional installation to new customers, and its technicians do an amazing job, keeping all the cables neat and tidy.
Xfinity offers professional installation for $39.99, which is still a very low price. If you don’t want to pay even that much, Xfinity offers a free self-installation option as well, which it makes easy with an app that gives you step-by-step instructions.
Availability: Google Fiber vs. Xfinity
When it comes to availability, few ISPs can match Xfinity, which has a network that runs from coast to coast and covers over a third of the US population.4 Its reach doesn’t extend very far into rural areas, but if you live near a big city and have cable hookups at your house, there’s a good chance you have access to Xfinity internet.
Availability is the main weakness of Google Fiber. Its network is available in only a few Google Fiber cities, bringing access to less than 1% of the US population.4 Although its network is expanding, Google Fiber is still a relatively small ISP and faces an uphill battle when it comes to increasing its coverage.
Final call: Google Fiber vs. Xfinity
If you have access to both Google Fiber and Xfinity in your area, we recommend going with Google Fiber to get the most speed and reliability for the cost. Those with very basic internet needs might save some money by going with a cheaper Xfinity plan, but be aware of extra fees and potential contracts so you don’t end up paying more for less.
Methodology
Our HighSpeedteck.com editorial team bases our analyses on customer input from our annual customer satisfaction survey, results from our speed test tool, and proprietary internet provider data on speeds and pricing. To strengthen our research, we look closely at provider contracts to get hard-to-find information on price hikes, data caps, and extra fees, and we keep tabs on the latest news reports and online reviews. When applicable, we also rely on our personal experiences testing these services.
More about Google Fiber and Xfinity
- Cable vs. Fiber: Which Internet Type Is Right for You?
- Self-Install or Go Pro? Your Guide to Xfinity Installation
- What You Need to Install Fiber-Optic Internet
- How Fast Is Fiber?
Sources
- Blair Levin and Larry Downes, Harvard Business Review, “Why Google Fiber Is High-Speed Internet’s Most Successful Failure,” September 7, 2018. Accessed May 10, 2021.
- Comcast. “We’re Giving Our Northeast Customers More Time,” February 18, 2021. Accessed August 5, 2021.
- Google Fiber Help. “Pay Your Outstanding Balance.” Accessed August 5, 2021.
- Federal Communications Commission. “Fixed Broadband Deployment,” June 2020. Accessed August 5, 2021.
Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. HighSpeedteck.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
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Xfinity Deal: $30 internet + streaming disclaimers
Disclaimer for Xfinity Fast internet deal w/ mobile
* Limited time offer. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Limited to Fast Internet for new customers. Pricing requires enrollment in both automatic payments and paperless billing. Mobile discount limited to new Xfinity Mobile customers. Xfinity Mobile requires residential post-pay Xfinity Internet. xFi Gateway, Unlimited Data and Flex device included for 24 mos. Additional devices extra. After 24 mos. regular rates apply to all services and devices. Streaming subscriptions not included. All devices must be returned when service ends.
For Xfinity Superfast, Ultrafast, and Gigabit Extra internet plans w/ mobile deals
**Offer ends 06/26/2022. Limited time offer. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. New residential customers only. Paperless Billing and Automatic Payments with bank account required, otherwise monthly service charge automatically increases by $10 (or $5 if enrolling with credit or debit card information). Discount will appear on statement within 45 days of enrollment. Equipment, installation, taxes and fees, and other applicable charges extra, and subject to change during and after the promo. After promo, or if any service is canceled or downgraded, regular rates apply (subject to change). Service limited to a single outlet. May not be combined with other offers. Internet: Actual speeds vary and are not guaranteed. For factors affecting speed visit www.xfinity.com/networkmanagement. Flex: Not available in all areas or to current Xfinity Video customers. Requires post-paid subscription to Xfinity Internet, excluding Internet Essentials. Pricing subject to change. Limited to 3 devices. 1 device included, additional devices $5/mo. per device. All devices must be returned when service ends. Separate charges apply to On Demand and certain streaming services. Viewing will count against any Comcast data plan. Mobile discount: Must sign up for Xfinity Mobile and activate a new line within 90 days of order and maintain the line to receive mobile discount for 24 months. Discount applied to Internet bill and will appear on statement within 30 days of Xfinity Mobile line activation. If Xfinity Mobile or Xfinity Internet is canceled, or Internet service is changed to a tier lower than the Xfinity Internet tier in this order within the 24 months, the multi-product discount will be removed.
For Xfinity Mobile Broadband Disclosures visit: www.xfinity.com/mobile/policies/broadband-disclosures. 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee applies to one month’s recurring service and standard installation charges up to $500. ©2022 Comcast. All rights reserved.