I had been an Xfinity customer for years when it offered the fastest speeds for the best price in my area, but I switched to CenturyLink Internet immediately when they came to my area. While switching has worked out great for me, Xfinity may still be the better option for some homes and in some areas.
In this guide, I’ll explain why I switched to CenturyLink Internet and talk about some of its features that are superior to Xfinity. I’ll also explain cases when Xfinity is better than CenturyLink. Let’s dive in!
11 Ways CenturyLink is Better than Xfinity
If you can get CenturyLink fiber internet, I’d prefer it to Xfinity. It delivers faster and more consistent speeds for lower monthly rates. Here are specific ways CenturyLink Fiber is better than Xfinity.
1. Speeds
CenturyLink’s Fiber-optic cables use pulses of light to transmit data, enabling faster data rates than any other technology. This means faster downloads and uploads, making activities like streaming high-definition content or uploading large files much quicker. Xfinity Internet, while fast, uses copper coaxial cables to transmit data. The speed can be affected by the number of users in a specific area, leading to potential slowdowns during peak usage times.
2. Data
CenturyLink Internet doesn’t have a data cap. You can have unlimited data without having to pay any overage fees. Xfinity has 1.2 TB in some areas, which is enough for most people but certainly not ideal. Xfinity’s xFi Complete option includes unlimited data with WiFi service, but you have to pay $25 per month more for it.
3. Reliability
Fiber-optic cables are less prone to interference, signal loss, and distortion. This makes CenturyLink fiber internet more reliable with faster speeds even during peak usage times. Xfinity internet can suffer from interference, which may lead to reduced speeds or connection issues.
4. Symmetrical Speeds
CenturyLink fiber has symmetrical speeds symmetrical speeds, meaning the upload and download speeds are similar. High upload speeds can improve the experience for activities like video conferencing, online gaming, and uploading large files. While Xfinity plans to launch symmetrical speeds over cable, it currently has faster download speeds than upload speeds, which isn’t ideal for users who require fast uploads.
5. WiFi
CenturyLink fiber includes WiFi equipment at no additional monthly charge. With Xfinity, you can choose xFi for $15 per month or xFi Complete for $25 per month more if you don’t want to buy your own equipment.
6. Latency
Cable internet can have variable latency compared to fiber, which may impact activities that require quick response times. While Xfinity’s latency isn’t horrible, CenturyLink’s fiber performs much better. If you play competitive games online or take video calls a lot, CenturyLink Fiber will provide a more responsive experience.
7. Price
CenturyLink is cheaper for the same speed than Xfinity, giving it better value for the money. That said. Xfinity’s slowest plans with 75 Mbps, 200 Mbps, and 400 Mbps max speeds have lower standard rates than CenturyLink.
8. Durability
Fiber-optic cables are more durable and less susceptible to environmental factors like weather conditions and electromagnetic interference. This durability contributes to a more consistent and reliable performance. While Xfinity does a great job of maintaining its networks, copper cables used in its internet service are more prone to wear and tear over time, potentially leading to performance issues.
9. Contract
Xfinity required a term contract for some of its offers whereas CenturyLink fiber is free from term contracts. You can switch from CenturyLink without having to pay early termination fees but you can’t do that with Xfinity.
10.Security
Fiber is more secure because it’s difficult to tap into without being detected. Signals in fiber optic cables travel in the form of light, making it harder to intercept and providing a more secure transmission of sensitive data. Xfinity’s Cable signals can be more easily intercepted, posing potential security risks.
11.Longer Distances
Fiber-optic signals can travel longer distances without significant signal degradation. This allows CenturyLink fiber faster speeds and lower latency than other cable providers. Xfinity’s cable signals may experience more significant signal loss over extended distances. It may be less reliable if you live at a distance from the cable headend.
When Xfinity may be Better than CenturyLink
The bad news is that CenturyLink doesn’t have fiber service in all service areas. It instead uses DSL, which isn’t as fast or reliable as cable internet. Speeds may vary depending on the distance from the head office because telephone lines can’t deliver data as reliably at longer distances. If only CenturyLink DSL is available at your address, which you can verify through CenturyLink customer service, choose Xfinity.
CenturyLink vs. Xfinity Internet Plans: Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of the internet plans offered by CenturyLink and Xfinity
CenturyLink
Simply Unlimited Internet: $55/mo.
Pros: Affordable, widely available, unlimited data, no annual contract, 99.9% reliability
Cons: Not as fast as cable or fiber, slower speeds at greater distances
Fiber Internet: $75/mo.
Pros: Symmetrical speeds up to 940 Mbps, unlimited data, no term contract, free installation
Cons: Not available in all CenturyLink service areas.
Xfinity
Connect: $30/mo. for 12 months
Pros: Affordable pricing, no term contract, decent download speed at 75 Mbps.
Cons: Relatively lower speed compared to other plans, limited to 12 months at this price.
Connect More: $25/mo. for 24 months
Pros: Extremely affordable, WiFi equipment included, longer-term contract for price stability, faster download speed at 200 Mbps.
Cons: Limited to a 24-month contract, upload speed remains at 10 Mbps.
Fast: $50/mo. for 24 months
Pros: Good download speed at 400 Mbps, WiFi equipment included, 24-month contract for price stability.
Cons: Slightly higher cost, upload speed remains at 10 Mbps.
Superfast: $65/mo. for 24 months
Pros: Higher download speed at 800 Mbps, WiFi equipment included.
Cons: Requires a 2-year term contract, higher monthly cost.
Gigabit: $75/mo. for 24 months
Pros: Excellent download speed at 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps), WiFi equipment included.
Cons: The 2-year term contract may be a drawback for some customers, higher monthly cost.
Gigabit Extra: $80/mo. for 24 months
Pros: Top-tier download speed at 1200 Mbps (1.2 Gbps), WiFi equipment included.
Cons: Highest monthly cost, 2-year term contract, upload speed only slightly increased compared to lower-tier plans.
Pricing varies with speed, with the Gigabit and Gigabit Extra plans being the most expensive but offering the highest download speeds.
So, Should You Choose CenturyLink or Xfinity?
CenturyLink is overall better than Xfinity where it provides fiber connections, but its DSL service is not as fast or reliable as Xfinity’s cable internet You can talk to CenturyLink customer service to learn the service type available in your area. Here’s a summary of when to choose either internet service provider:
Choose CenturyLink if:
- CenturyLink Fiber is available in your area
- You want gig speeds at lower monthly rates
- You consume more than 1 TB of data per month and need unlimited data
- You want low latency and high upload speeds for online gaming, video calls, and cloud applications
Choose Xfinity if:
- Only CenturyLink DSL is available in your area
- You want the cheapest internet plan and don’t need high speeds
- You don’t consume more data per month than an average home
