Choosing the right ISP for your home is crucial when you want a seamless internet experience. If you have a work-from-home setup, you have all the more reason to go for the better one. For most US customers, the choice is between Xfinity and Google Fiber. Both providers bring high-speed internet via fiber-optic internet for residential and business users. But, how do you know which is better? This in-depth Xfinity vs. Google Fiber guide will help.
Xfinity vs. Google Fiber: the Better Choice
If both Xfinity and Google Fiber are available in your area, Google Fiber is indeed the better choice. Even though you have to pay a little extra, the service provides incredible download and upload speeds, better reliability and one of the great customer service teams as well.
Xfinity vs. Google Fiber: the Basics
Xfinity is an internet, TV and security service provider from Comcast. While it is mainly known for its internet connection services, other options such as TV are also popular. The company is also known for bundling these services, thus providing a single package for home users.
Xfinity has been an active ISP for more than a decade, and it has expanded its serviceable area territory by a long shot. Users can also benefit from the company’s cellular service through bundles (more about them, later). Long story short, Xfinity is a go-to ISP for many US households.
Google Fiber is also as old as Xfinity as an ISP brand. Since its beginning in 2010, this internet and IPTV service from Alphabet Inc. has gained attention for its fiber-only infrastructure. For the same reason, Google Fiber has been the go-to choice for Gigabit-speed internet connections.
While the serving area is relatively smaller, Google Fiber has been enhancing this aspect gradually. In the markets where it is available, Google Fiber has also been offering some affordable plans for those who want the best speed. It also combines the power of some Google services to make its offering more attractive.
Differences Between Google Fiber and Xfinity
Before we go in-depth about the different aspects of Xfinity and Google Fiber, it is important to understand the core differences between these internet service providers.
Aspect | Google Fiber | Xfinity |
|---|---|---|
Network Type | Fiber-only internet service | Combination of coaxial cables and Fiber cables |
Speed | Up to 8Gbps, high-quality Fiber optics | Moderate to high speeds, Fiber-only options available |
Connection Symmetry | Offers symmetrical connections (equal download and upload speeds) | Typically asymmetrical, depending on the plan |
Contracts | No contract limitations, cancel anytime without penalties | Uses contracts with fees for cancellation |
Data Caps | No data caps, unlimited internet access | Data caps in many plans, varying by plan |
Service Availability | Expanding globally, but more limited compared to Xfinity | Wide availability across the United States, backed by Comcast |
I should mention at this point that these differences are from the overall outlook. To understand whether these differences matter to you at a personal level, you have to understand each of these aspects. Therefore, in the following sections, I have compared the plans, pricing, performance, and availability aspects of both Google Fiber and Xfinity.
Xfinity Plans and Pricing
First, we will consider the internet service plans from Xfinity. As you can guess, the company offers several plans depending on the area and the network configuration. For now, we have considered all the available internet plans from Xfinity, and we will compare them based on the value proposition.
Here are the entry-level connection plans from Xfinity:
Plan | Download Speed (Mbps) | Upload Speed (Mbps) | Monthly Price Range | Data Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Xfinity Connect | Up to 75 | Up to 10 | $19.99 – $30.00 | 1.2TB |
Xfinity Connect More | 200 | 10 | $25.00 | 1.2TB |
Xfinity Fast | 400 | 10 | $39.99 | 1.2TB |
The high-speed plans from Xfinity are:
Plan | Download Speed (Mbps) | Upload Speed (Mbps) | Monthly Price | Data Cap | Equipment Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xfinity Superfast | 800 | 15 | $59.99 | No Data Cap | Xfinity Equipment Required |
Xfinity Gigabit | 1000 | 20 | $69.99 | No Data Cap | Not Specified |
Xfinity Gigabit Extra | 1200 | 35 | $79.99 | No Data Cap | Xfinity Equipment Required |
Xfinity Gigabit Pro | 6000 | 6000 | $300.00 | No Data Cap | Not Specified |
Google Fiber Plans and Pricing
Compared to the internet plans from Xfinity, Google Fiber plans are pretty straightforward.
Plan | Download Speed (Gbps) | Upload Speed (Gbps) | Monthly Price | Data Cap | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1Gig | 1 | 1 | $70 | No Data Cap | 1 TB of free cloud storage |
2Gig | 2 | 1 | $100 | Not Specified | Wi-Fi 6E router, two Mesh Extenders |
5Gig | 5 | 5 | $125 | No Data Cap | Not Specified |
8Gig | 8 | 8 | $150 | Not Specified | Multi-gig network hardware included for optimal speed |
While these plans are pretty impressive, availability is a concern. Even in places where Google Fiber is available, the availability of 5Gig and 8Gig plans is a different affair. You might have to check whether these plans are particularly available in your area.
Xfinity vs. Google: Availability
I have to remind you that internet service is a very growing industry and all ISPs are trying to expand their coverage area daily. Therefore, you cannot take the statistics at face value. However, I can, of course, give you an overview of the availability aspect of Xfinity Internet and Google Fiber.
Xfinity Internet is known for its wider coverage area, due to its reliance on Comcast infrastructure. Therefore, if you live in an urban, suburban or rural area with a Comcast connection, you will be able to access Xfinity Internet. However, you might not have access to all the bigger plans we have discussed earlier.
Xfinity is available in the following states:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia.
Google Fiber, on the other hand, is only growing in terms of coverage area. Therefore, you can find Google Fiber connections only in the following states:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah
Even then, you can find the connection in only the following cities:
Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Denver, Huntsville, Irvine, Kansas City (KS), Louisville, Miami, Nashville, Orange County, Portland, Provo, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, The Triangle
Xfinity Internet takes the win here. While these situations may change in the coming years, a typical customer may stay away from Google Fiber because it is unavailable in the area.
Contracts: Google Fiber vs. Xfinity
Feature | Google Fiber | Xfinity |
|---|---|---|
Contract Requirement | No contracts required | 12-month contract for most plans |
Subscription Flexibility | Subscribe or cancel anytime | Cancellation incurs fees |
Equipment Rental | Included in the monthly fee | Not specified |
Additional Fees | No cancellation fees | Early Termination Fee: $10 per each month remaining |
Special Considerations | Ideal for flexible situations | ETF waiver for active military duty |
Recommended For | Maximum flexibility, no worry about fees | Consider if you can commit to 12 months |
Installation Options
Installation and professional courtesy are areas where Google Fiber ultimately soars.
For one, Google Fiber offers free professional installation services with every plan you subscribe. Sometimes they may ask for a $10 deposit, but you can easily use the same to pay future bills. Similarly, the technicians from Google Fiber seem more proficient and courteous in general. I have seen multiple reviews of these good experiences.
Nevertheless, they mention that Google Fiber appointments are a little difficult to set up, but once you get it, you are good to go, and the technician will also help you do away with the existing internet cables.
Xfinity, on the other hand, does not offer free installation. Instead, you have to pay a hectic fee of $89.99 if you need a professional technician to set up Xfinity services for you. Or you can go for self-installation, which is always free. In this case, Xfinity will send all the equipment to your address, and you can follow various guides to proceed with the installation.
The lack of free professional installation could be a problem for the less tech-savvy people out there, and it is always good to have a professional set things up in the first place than to figure out all the infrastructure designs. So, this is a clear win for Google.
Speed and Performance Comparison
Now, I will move on to one of the most important points of discussion: speed and performance. Before I begin, let me tell you something about most of the internet and speed and performance comparisons that you find on the web.
We have to understand that internet speeds are dependent on many things. So by judging one of the speed tests from one of the computers in the network, you cannot judge the entire performance of the internet service provider.
Instead, what I have gone through as many instances as possible and come up with an understanding of how reliable these connections are, not in just terms of the internet speed, but also the transparency.
Download and Upload Speeds
As you may guess, Google Fiber is the clear winner regarding the speed and performance of the internet connection.
We have to understand that, one, Google is a technology-oriented company that uses fiber optic networks. Two, the USP of Google Fiber is high speed itself. Therefore, I find it not surprising that you can reach almost the same speeds as they claim. For instance, if you have a 2-Gig plan from Google Fiber, you can reach a download speed of 1900 Mbps and an upload speed of close to 1900 Mbps.
With Xfinity, though, the numbers are a little less from what they claim. For instance, according to many tests, the 120 Mbps plan from Xfinity could only offer a download speed of around 1000 Mbps. Similarly, even though it claims to have a high upload speed, it could clock at only 35 Mbps, which is very low. The total reliability of Xfinity service is also contested in many areas.
We also have to address the asymmetrical nature of the Xfinity internet service. Unless you go for the most expensive plan, you cannot have high upload speeds. These low upload speeds may not matter to everyone, but if you regularly upload content or play games, they are essential.
Therefore, if you are looking for the maximum value from the price you pay in terms of speed, you should definitely go for Google Fiber and that is when the service is available.
Performance
As you know, the quality of an internet service is not just about the upload and download speeds. This becomes more crucial when you are into multiplayer gaming or streaming. In these instances, the high-speed internet plans should also focus on latency, ping and the lack of network jitter.
For one, I have not faced any outage issues with either Google Fiber or Xfinity Internet. However, I have noticed that Xfinity is likely to have network outages more often than Google Fiber. And it would be a concern if you are looking for the maximum uptime regularly. Similarly, during multiple tests of multiplayer gaming, the ping offered by Google Fiber was significantly better than what Xfinity could offer.
And I believe this makes a difference for professionals. Therefore, if you are looking for an internet service provider that does not compromise network uptime and latency, I would recommend Google Fiber.
Customer Service: Google Fiber vs. Xfinity
If I were to give you an opinion based on my personal experiences, I would say Google Fiber and Xfinity Internet offer incredible support services. However, when I go through multiple reviews online, the scenario changes.
For one, both these internet service providers offer multiple ways to reach technical support. You can call one of their toll-free numbers and talk to the representative, or you can chat or email them for a more detailed response. However, it appears that the customer service from Xfinity is often critiqued for the lack of reliability. The company is also known for throttling the upload speeds, which is not a good practice for most people.
Therefore, if I had to make a choice, I would definitely go with Google. And Google’s position as an internet company with decades of experience definitely comes with what Xfinity can offer.
Extra Features: Bundles, TV, or Voice
As I mentioned earlier, Xfinity is known for its other services such as TV, voice and mobile. So there is an attempt to bundle all these services at a relatively lower cost when you try to purchase internet services from Xfinity. In all fairness, you can pay less if you get multiple services from Xfinity, but it also means you are locked into the ecosystem.
For instance, if you have a bundle that includes Xfinity internet and Xfinity mobile, things could get a little complicated when you get rid of the internet plan sometime later. So apart from these specificities, it is good that you have some options for bundling and the TV option and the voice option in particular add value to the entire package.
On the contrary, Google Fiber does not combine many services with its offerings. You can go for Google TV, which uses the same fiber optics network to bring you the benefits of TV entertainment, but that’s about it. The prices for this plan would vary, but then some bundles can help you save money.
But, where it lacks the availability of other services, Google Fiber plans always come with 1 TB of Google Drive storage and additional discounts for Google Nest devices. That is, if you want to go deep into the Google ecosystem, there is always something that Google Fiber can offer.
I do not want this section to affect your choice when choosing the best internet service provider. At the end of the day, you are looking for a reliable and fast internet connection. And you can always go for third-party services when you need TV or voice.
So, I would say that both options are great as far as basic additions are concerned.
Ideal Use-cases for Google Fiber
Let’s talk about situations where Google Fiber is a great choice.
Google Fiber is the best internet service provider for you if you want to prioritize speed and reliability. Even though the plans start at $70 a month, you can expect close to the offered speeds, which start at 1000 Mbps. More importantly, the package comes with professional installation and high-quality devices from Google, and you can bundle with services as you would like. It is also great that Google maintains high transparency when it comes to the speeds, and there are no instances of throttling that you should worry about.
Therefore, I would recommend Google Fiber if you wanted to build a high-efficiency walk-from setup in your home and an internet connection that you can easily share with your family. With a minimum speed of 1 Gbps, you do not have to worry about the number of devices in your network. All these devices will be able to enjoy high-quality data streaming and other internet features without interruption.
Ideal Use-cases for Xfinity
There are some instances when Xfinity is better.
Xfinity Internet is much appreciated for the wider network availability it offers. You cannot avoid this, especially considering that you can get the starting plan for as low as $15 a month. Even though the company makes use of contracts and there are instances of throttling, the customer experience from Xfinity Internet is satisfactory for most people. And with the right plan, you can have speeds up to 6Gbps, which is not at all small.
Therefore, if you live in a rural area and want a standard internet connection for your home or office, Xfinity is a good place to go. You might also find expensive and faster plans from the network, which could be suitable for an entry-level organization. However, you should be wary of upload speed throttling and reliability issues before you go in, and these might matter if you are into gaming or streaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you live in an area where Google Fiber is available, it could be worth switching to this internet service provider. Compared to other ISPs, Google Fiber offers better transparency in terms of speed and pricing. You do not have to worry about throttling or network outages as well. Furthermore, you get some other benefits, such as the free Google Drive storage space.
Xfinity and Google Fiber are two of the most popular internet service providers you can find in the market right now. Xfinity offers both coaxial and fiber-based internet connections. On the other hand, Google Fiber is a fiber-only network, which means it can offer better speed and reliability.
There are no hidden fees with Google Fiber as an ISP. The company is completely upfront about what it charges for the fiber connections, and you can even use the optional security deposit to pay for future bills. The lack of hidden fees is one of the reasons to choose Google Fiber over other internet service providers.
Conclusion
I have not been holding back when it comes to showing my inclination towards Google Fiber throughout the review. That is because I have experience with both of these ISPs first-hand.
I understand that $70 a month is a huge amount for many people, but you cannot ignore the additional value that it provides. For instance, you get an impressive speed of 1000 Mbps, and the Google network is so good that you would not have to face outages or speed reliability issues. Then again, I don’t want to say that Xfinity is a bad choice. Quite the opposite, it is a good choice, especially when we consider how wide the network area is.
But if you live in a place where the network availability doesn’t matter, and you have access to both Google Fiber and Xfinity Internet, it makes absolutely no sense to choose Xfinity over Google. Instead, you should go with Google Fiber, which is more transparent, reliable and offers value for money.
