Xfinity and Google Fiber are top-shelf internet providers in the US. While Google is Fiber Optic, Comcast mostly offers cable internet. Both fiber and cable internet have their own dominance and flaws, which I'll discuss in this detailed comparison.
Both providers differ in most aspects, be it internet plans, availability, down & up speeds, and associated costs. In this article, I'll compare Xfinity and Google Fiber head-to-head, and help you choose the right ISP.
Key Differences Between Google Fiber and Xfinity
Choice of Plans: Xfinity offers a range of plans and bundles, including internet, TV, and phone services. In contrast, Google Fiber has 4 plans — 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, 5 Gbps, and 8 Gbps.
Download & Upload Speed: Google Fiber uses fiber-optic technology, which allows for faster and more reliable speeds. Xfinity, on the other hand, uses a hybrid fiber-coaxial network, which may not be as fast as fiber-optic, especially in uploads.
Data Cap: Google Fiber doesn’t have a data cap, whereas some Xfinity plans may have it, which can result in additional fees if customers exceed their allotted bandwidth.
Availability: Google Fiber is available in limited cities. Xfinity, on the other hand, has a lot wider coverage with availability in most major cities and towns.
Contract Length: Google Fiber has no-contract options, meaning customers can cancel it at any time without any penalties. Comcast typically requires customers to sign a contract for a specific period, such as one or two years, which can result in early termination fees if you cancel Xfinity Internet.
Cost: Fiber internet is generally more expensive than cable internet, and there’s no exception to it when it comes to Xfinity vs Google Fiber. Also, prices can vary depending on the location and the plan selected.
Installation: Google Fiber provides professional installation by a technician, which is included in the subscription. In contrast, with Comcast, you can either opt for Xfinity self-install or Pro installation at an additional cost.
Customer Service: Google is known for better customer service while Xfinity has mixed reviews in this regard, with occasional delays.
Internet Plans Comparison
Google Fiber Plans
| Speed Tier | Price | Equipment Included |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Gig | $70/mo | Nest Wifi Pro with Wi-Fi 6E |
| 2 Gig | $100/mo | Multi-gig Wi-Fi 6E router, up to 2 Mesh Extenders |
| 5 Gig | $125/mo | Multi-gig Wi-Fi 6E router, up to 2 Mesh Extenders |
| 8 Gig | $150/mo | Multi-gig Wi-Fi 6E router with 4 ports, 2 Mesh Extenders |
At a reasonable cost, Google Fiber provides incredibly fast speeds. There are only two plan options, but both have transparent pricing and provide excellent value.
They come with unlimited data, no contract requirements, and no equipment fees. They are suitable for households that prioritize fast speeds and have no hidden pricing. Overall, it's one of Homeowner's top picks for cheap internet that still works.
Xfinity Internet Plans
| Plan | Download | Upload | Price | Data Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connect | 75 Mbps | 10 Mbps | $19.99–$30.00/mo. | Yes (1.2TB) |
| Connect More | 200 Mbps | 10 Mbps | $25.00/mo. | Yes (1.2TB) |
| Fast | 400 Mbps | 10 Mbps | $39.99/mo. | Yes (1.2TB) |
| Superfast | 800 Mbps | 15 Mbps | $59.99/mo. | None if using Xfinity Equipment |
| Gigabit | 1000 Mbps | 20 Mbps | $69.99/mo. | None if using Xfinity Equipment |
| Gigabit Extra | 1200 Mbps | 35 Mbps | $79.99/mo. | None if using Xfinity Equipment |
| Gigabit Pro | 6000 Mbps | 6000 Mbps | $300/mo. | No |
From affordable basic plans to more advanced ones, Xfinity offers varying internet plans. However, compared to Google Fiber, Xfinity's faster plans tend to be pricier.
Now you may ask, does Xfinity have fiber internet?
Well, yes but a single plan named Gigabit Pro which offers a maximum download speed of 6,000 Mbps. However, unlike Google Fiber, you need to pay installation charges, equipment fees, and other charges.
Google Fiber vs Xfinity: Detailed Comparison
Google Fiber uses fiber-optic technology for faster and more reliable internet, while Xfinity uses hybrid fiber-coaxial technology with wider coverage and more packages.
I used both service providers for over 3 months and have compiled all the crucial information about my experience. So let's start without any further ado.
Note: I have also compared Google Fiber with Spectrum, a close rival of Xfinity.
Speeds and Latency
In real life speed test with Google Fiber 2 Gig plan, my ASUS GT-AX11000 clocked 1951 Mbps in download and over 1839 Mbps in upload. The speed test was performed at 25 feet distance from the internet setup.
These are excellent and close to the advertised speed. The latency was as low as 2 ms, which is great for gaming and data intensive activities.
As far as Xfinity internet speed is concerned, with the highest speed, 1200 Mbps plan, my MacBook Air M2, clocked 1038.91 Mbps in download and 35.17 Mbps in upload. The latency was also quite low at about 9 ms.
Winner: If you prioritize higher speed and lower latency, Google Fiber is for you. If you seek affordability and multiple choices, Xfinity is better.
👉 The Ultimate Guide To Speed Up Your Internet.
Performance & Reliability
Well, both offer great speeds, but who is more reliable? I did the speed test multiple times and while Google Fiber was delivering consistent speeds, Xfinity was showing different download and upload speeds every other time.
I tried playing some multiplayer games like Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Valorant on both networks and both of them did a great job. There were no lags or latency issues from either of them.
I was able to stream 4K movies and shows on multiple screens, make video calls, and play games all together on both the ISPs without any issues.
Google Fiber is generally considered more reliable than Xfinity. Xfinity's network is also reliable but may be more prone to outages in certain areas or during extreme weather conditions. Nonetheless, I did not face any issues with either of them.
Winner: Both the providers are good in this, however, if I had to pick one, I'd pick Google Fiber.
Availability / Coverage
Google Fiber is available in select cities across 18 states. However, within each state, the coverage is limited to specific cities, so not all residents within a state will have access to Google Fiber.
Below is a list of states where Google Fiber is available:
States:
| Arizona | Idaho | Missouri | South Carolina |
| California | Illinois | North Carolina | Texas |
| Colorado | Iowa | Ohio | Utah |
| Florida | Kansas | Oklahoma | |
| Georgia | Kentucky | Oregon |
Cities:
| Atlanta | Irvine | Orange County | San Francisco |
| Austin | Kansas City | Portland | Seattle |
| Charlotte | Louisville | Provo | The Triangle |
| Denver | Miami | Salt Lake City | |
| Huntsville | Nashville | San Antonio |
Xfinity Availability
In contrast, Xfinity is available in almost all 50 states and has a much wider coverage than Google Fiber. However, the availability of specific plans and speeds may vary by region.
Below is a list of states where Xfinity by Comcast is available:
States:
| Alabama | Iowa | Nebraska | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Kansas | Nevada | South Carolina |
| Arkansas | Kentucky | New Hampshire | South Dakota |
| California | Louisiana | New Jersey | Tennessee |
| Colorado | Maine | New Mexico | Texas |
| Connecticut | Maryland | New York | Utah |
| Delaware | Massachusetts | North Carolina | Vermont |
| Florida | Michigan | North Dakota | Virginia |
| Georgia | Minnesota | Ohio | Washington |
| Idaho | Mississippi | Oklahoma | West Virginia |
| Illinois | Missouri | Oregon | |
| Indiana | Montana | Pennsylvania |
Winner: Xfinity may be a more practical choice due to its wider coverage area.
Pricing & Other Costs
Google Fiber offers two main plans – the 1 Gbps plan and the 2 Gbps plan, with the former priced at $70 per month and the latter at $100 per month. They do not charge anything extra for the equipment.
Google also offers free installation as well and there are no hidden charges.
On the other hand, Xfinity offers a range of plans with varying prices depending on the speed and location. The fiber plans start at about $70 a month and goes up to $300 a month. Some of their plans come with one/two-year contracts. Xfinity also has a TV and streaming service and various bundles you can explore.
They also charge equipment rental fees. In addition to the base price, Xfinity also charges a variety of fees, such as installation fees and early termination fees if the customer cancels their contract early.
Xfinity also frequently offers promotional deals and discounts for new customers, which can provide significant savings. And switching to Xfinity xFi can potentially help you bundle and save even more.
Winner: Google Fiber has a more transparent pricing. Additionally, Google Fiber offers unlimited data usage on all of its plans, whereas Xfinity may charge extra fees for exceeding data usage limits.
Installation & Setup
New Google Fiber customers can benefit from a free professional installation. You may be required to make a $10 deposit, but it can be used towards your future bill payments.
On the other hand, Xfinity offers professional installation for a fee of $89.99. But they also offer self-installation for free.
The professional installation includes a technician who will install and set up the equipment, test the connection, and ensure that everything is working correctly.
I feel that Google Fiber installation is better as it's included in the subscription. I felt that the Google technician was a bit more friendly and helpful when I asked him to remove the old ISP cable.
Winner: Google Fiber offers better installation than Xfinity by Comcast.
Pros and Cons of Google Fiber
Pros
- Reliable and fast internet speeds
- Affordable cost
- No hidden fees
- Easy plan selection
- No data caps
- No early terminations fee
Cons
- Limited availability
- No budget plans
Pros and Cons of Comcast Xfinity
Pros
- Fast internet speeds
- Widely available
- Pricing is competitive
- Budget plans
- Various bundle options
Cons
- Slower plans come with data caps
- Inconsistent speed
- Poor customer service
Customer Service & User Reviews
Both Google Fiber and Xfinity offer customers multiple options to reach their customer support team for assistance.
Customers can call Google support at (866) 777-7550 to speak directly with a representative for support. They also have the option to chat online or send an email to the support team and receive a response within 24-48 hours.
Xfinity users can call the support team at 1-800-391-3000 and speak with an agent. They also have the option for live chat. Or you can also download the Xfinity app to get help.
Xfinity has mixed reviews regarding their customer service, in contrast, Google Fiber has one of the best ratings when it comes to customer satisfaction.
Also, Comcast has received criticism for its average customer service and internet throttling. I personality didn't face any issues, but something I found while going through Xfinity internet reviews.
User Reviews
Here's what Google Fiber users have to say about the service:
Here's what Xfinity users have to say about the service:
Frequently Asked Questions
In terms of internet speed and reliability, Google Fiber generally offers faster and more consistent speeds than Xfinity. However, its availability is limited to select cities, while Xfinity has wider coverage across the country.
Furthermore, Xfinity may offer more package options, including bundle deals with television and phone services, whereas Google Fiber focuses solely on internet service.
Google Fiber offers limited internet plans at different price points, depending on your location. It starts at $70 for a 1 Gig connection and goes up to a $100 plan where you get a 2 Gig connection speed.
Xfinity offers multiple plans to fit almost every budget of the user. The plan starts at just $19.99–$30.00/month for a 75 Mbps speed and goes all the way up to $300/month for a 6,000 Mbps speed.
Some Xfinity internet plans come with data caps, which can limit the amount of data you can use each month. Xfinity has a reputation for not-so-good customer service, with long wait times and difficulty resolving issues like slow Xfinity internet.
Conclusion
Nowadays, selecting an ISP involves factors like availability, package speeds, contract terms, and monthly fees, in addition to the price.
- Xfinity is ideal for users who prioritize fast internet speeds, require bundled services, and have a limited budget.
- Google Fiber is a better option for users who prioritize reliability and consistency in internet speeds and have a more flexible budget
Hopefully, this Xfinity vs Google Fiber breakdown helps you decide what's best for you.
And if you're looking for even more cost-saving tips, check out our ultimate guide on ways to save money around the home for even more ideas.
