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Brightspeed vs. Spectrum Internet Providers Compared

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Brightspeed Vs Spectrum

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Rosslyn Elliott

Written by Rosslyn Elliott - Pub. Jul. 27, 2023 / Updated May. 12, 2026

You are currently comparing:

Brightspeed Vs Spectrum

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Plans starting at: $29.99

Popular Package: Up to 8Gbps

Download speeds up to: 8 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber

Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Plans starting at: $30

Popular Package: Internet 2 Gig

Download speeds up to: 2 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber & Cable

Call today & find the best Spectrum internet deals
1-844-534-0545

Brightspeed Staff rating

4.0

Brightspeed's large network offers customers a planned transition from DSL to fiber

Brightspeed is a newer ISP that began offering internet services to customers in October 2022. Brightspeed bought out many networks previously owned by CenturyLink (Lumen's ILEC business) for $7.5 billion. That purchase instantly made Brightspeed the 12th-largest ISP in the U.S. [1]. The company's mission is to bring fiber internet to as many customers as possible, as soon as possible.

Brightspeed launched its first Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) network in March 2023 and has since made significant progress. The company has passed more than 2 million premises with fiber so far and expects to pass approximately 1 million additional homes in 2025 alone. With $575 million in new capital secured in June 2025 (expanding on $3.7 billion raised the previous year), plus more than $295 million in public broadband grants, Brightspeed is accelerating its fiber rollout to reach more than 5 million homes and businesses across its 20-state footprint in the coming years [4].

Brightspeed's goal to provide fiber to underserved areas is a worthy one. By creating more lightning-fast fiber infrastructure for those who currently lack access, Brightspeed is bringing opportunities to rural and suburban communities across 20 states in the Midwest, South, and on the East Coast. Customers will have ample support for remote jobs and responsive, smooth access to thousands of educational options online. The company's fiber network uses XGS-PON technology to deliver symmetrical multi-gig speeds across more than 530 communities [4].

All Brightspeed customers get the advantages of unlimited data and no contracts. Brightspeed also offers competitive, transparent pricing for its fiber plans. If customers are still on DSL, they will have to be patient with slower speeds while they wait for the fiber to arrive. The good news is that fiber is on the way, based on the aggressive buildout plans.

PROS

Attractive, transparent pricing for fast fiber speeds No data caps or contracts, free premium modem with fiber plans Rapid fiber buildout in progress

Cons

Some customers on DSL will wait for fiber buildout Slower speeds for DSL service New company still building operations
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Spectrum Staff rating

4.2

Spectrum offers gigabit speeds and great bundle deals

Spectrum is one of the two largest internet service providers in the country. Like its rival Xfinity, Spectrum is a cable internet company that uses hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) technology. HFC brings you much faster speeds than old-fashioned coaxial cable internet. In select areas, Spectrum offers gigabit speeds up to 2000 Mbps. Spectrum’s promotional prices for new customers are very good, and still remain reasonable when your 12-month promotion ends. The company also offers outstanding bundling deals, with cell phone lines currently only about $30/month with your internet plan. Spectrum has two big advantages over Xfinity. Spectrum’s pricing is much simpler, and Spectrum has no data caps. That’s why we give Spectrum the edge after comparing the two biggest cable internet providers head-to-head.

PROS

Gigabit download speeds and a reputation for reliability Spectacular bundling prices for internet/cell phone/TV combos 24/7 customer service

Cons

Hybrid fiber coaxial (cable) is not as fast as the top fiber plans Slower upload speeds than fiber Not available in some rural or remote areas
Call today & find the best Spectrum internet deals
1-844-534-0545

Brightspeed Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
Up to $300 in Reward Cards! Whole Home WiFi free for one month!
Up To 8GbpsFiber InternetUp to 8,000 Mbps Only $99.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Up to $300 in Reward Cards! Whole Home WiFi free for one month!
Up To 2GbpsFiber InternetUp to 2,000 Mbps Only $79.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Up to a $150 Reward Card!
Faster 500MbpsFiber InternetUp to 500 Mbps Only $44.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Up to a $100 Reward Card!
Fast 200MbpsFiber InternetUp to 200 Mbps Only $29.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Up to a $200 Reward Card!
Up To 1GbpsFiber InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $59.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Spectrum Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
High-Speed Internet + One Unlimited Mobile Line Included
Internet 2 GigFiber InternetUp to 2,000 Mbps Only $70
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
High-Speed Internet + One Unlimited Mobile Line Included
INTERNET GIGCable InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $50
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
High-Speed Internet + One Unlimited Mobile Line Included
Internet PremierCable InternetUp to 500 Mbps Only $40
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
High-Speed Internet + One Unlimited Mobile Line Included
INTERNET ADVANTAGECable InternetUp to 100 Mbps Only $30
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best Spectrum internet deals
1-844-534-0545

Brightspeed Pricing

4.0

Brightspeed offers a very good deal on fiber internet with simple and straightforward pricing

One of Brightspeed’s real strengths is transparent pricing. Currently, there are no data caps, and no required contracts, which means you won’t get hidden fees popping up on your monthly bills as you will with many other ISPs. Brightspeed internet plan prices are excellent for fiber internet. The best part is that there are no surprise price hikes after promotional rates, which is standard practice with other providers. With Brightspeed Fiber, you can count on consistent pricing that gives you a lot of speed for a very attractive monthly cost. Brightspeed DSL pricing is not quite as good a deal because a DSL user’s internet speed and performance will be so much lower. But Brightspeed DSL may still be your best option if you have no other available cable or fiber providers in your area. Brightspeed is an active supporter of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. If you qualify for the program, which offers payment assistance for lower-income households, Brightspeed will match your ACP payment assistance. This very unusual benefit will result in your internet service being free of charge or almost free.
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Spectrum Pricing

4.2

Spectrum offers great initial deals, but bundling may be the best deal ever

Spectrum is a major player in internet service, with 30 million broadband subscribers [1]. Spectrum offers attractive promotional pricing, especially their first-tier internet plan at $30/month for up to 100 Mbps.

Spectrum offers unlimited data without caps

Spectrum offers a big price advantage because it has no hard data caps, unlike many other cable and DSL providers. If you’re a heavy-data-usage household (including remote workers, real-time gamers and streaming binge-watchers), having no data caps may be crucial for your budget. If you’re living by yourself and you watch a movie once a week, the absence of data caps won’t matter as much. But for a larger household, having no data caps will offer you peace of mind and a more predictable bill without overage charges.

Spectrum One, the bundle deal of the year?

In late 2022, Spectrum introduced a new bundle deal called Spectrum One that may just change your mind about your preferred internet service provider [2]. If you are an existing Spectrum customer, Spectrum will bundle their Spectrum Mobile cell phone service with your internet and charge you only about $30/month for a line with unlimited data. You can add more mobile service at the same price. Here’s another little secret: Spectrum Mobile service is currently provided by Verizon networks. So, if you have two cell phones on your bundle, you will be getting major mobile power and coverage but saving over $80/month off the price of two typical cell phone plans. We’re betting that’s enough to send many of us to Spectrum.
Call today & find the best Spectrum internet deals
1-844-534-0545

Brightspeed Reliability and Performance

3.8

Brightspeed Fiber will offer premium gigabit speed and reliability, but DSL performance will vary

If Brightspeed Fiber is available in your area, you will be getting fiber’s well-known gigabit speeds as well as a fiber connection that doesn’t slow down or glitch. Brightspeed Fiber will equip you for any internet activities you like, including online gaming, videoconferencing, and HD streaming on multiple devices. Like most fiber connections, Brightspeed will give you symmetrical upload and download speeds—an amazing advance over previous technologies. If Brightspeed is still offering DSL in your area, your performance and speed will vary depending on your location. Your download speed and your upload speed with a DSL connection will be slower than with fiber internet. You also may have higher latency than you will with fiber or cable. You can check your actual speed with our internet speed test. In many areas where Brightspeed offers DSL, there is no fiber or cable option yet. So Brightspeed may still be your best bet. You can order DSL and look forward to your turn on Brightspeed’s fiber installation list. And with the rapid pace of their planned fiber expansion, you might be next!
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Spectrum Reliability and Performance

4.5

Spectrum internet will rise to unprecedented speeds in next few years with up to 10/6 Gbps

In 2023, Spectrum was named by Speedtest® as the fastest internet provider in the United States for providing the highest average speed to customers [3]. Spectrum’s hybrid fiber-cable technology is already supplying 2000 Mbps speeds in some areas. Either way, HFC will give you faster, more reliable internet service than anything but fiber. Spectrum customers tend to report reliable, speedy performance. You don’t get glitching or freezing or network slowdowns in most cases. You’ll be well-equipped for gaming, videoconferencing, and HD streaming. On a personal note, I have been a Spectrum customer for three years, and my experience with their service has proven to be very smooth and reliable. But there’s even more innovation coming from Spectrum that will boost HFC performance to fiber-like speeds. If you sign up for Spectrum now, you’re going to get a major bandwidth boost in the next couple of years. Here’s the technical explanation with the specs. Spectrum’s upgrade to the DOCSIS 4.0 standard over the next three years will deliver a maximum 10 Gbps download/ 6 Gbps upload, which can rival any current fiber speeds. By 2025, 85% of Spectrum’s service footprint will have speeds of 5 Gbps download/1 Gbps upload [4]. Fiber has received some great press in the last few years. But hybrid fiber/cable networks like Spectrum’s may be about to have their day in the sun too.
Call today & find the best Spectrum internet deals
1-844-534-0545

Brightspeed Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

4.3

Brightspeed offers advanced Wi-Fi in combo modem/router

If you order a Brightspeed Fiber plan, you will get free access to a premium Wi-Fi modem with Wi-Fi 6 technology. That advanced capability will give you 3 to 4 times faster connectivity. The modem will have greater data capacity and support extended battery life for in-home devices. (Your devices will need to be compatible with Wi-Fi 6 in order to perform at this higher level.) Modems that might come with your package would include the Actiontec C3000A, the Axon C4000, the Zyxel C4000, and the Zyxel C3000Z [3]. For some other Brightspeed plans, you may pay a $15/month equipment rental fee for your combo modem and router. Installation fees will also vary with your plan. You will get free installation for a DSL self-install or a technician installation of higher-speed fiber packages. A technician installation for DSL or a first-tier fiber plan will require a one-time $99 fee.
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Spectrum Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

4.3

Advanced WiFi and low equipment fees increase appeal for Spectrum

Spectrum will provide you with a free modem and either a Wave 2 router or an advanced, WiFi 6 compatible router [5]. The Charter Red-Dot Design award-winning router can support up to 200 devices simultaneously. User controls allow you to manage which devices are connected and when, and Security Shield automatically blocks online threats. You can even manage your router and your home wireless devices from the Spectrum app on your phone, with no complicated log-in. The router will automatically switch channels to optimize your internet performance.

Spectrum offers low equipment fees

Spectrum equipment fees are standardized, very low, and easy to understand. Spectrum modems come free with your service, and Spectrum routers rent for $5/month. Simple, straightforward pricing, unlike the complicated equipment fee charts you have to read for other providers.

Spectrum installation fees

Spectrum’s installation fees are middle-of-the-road for the industry. Professional installation by a technician costs $50. You can also choose the Spectrum Express Connect Kit for $0, with a $20 activation fee.
Call today & find the best Spectrum internet deals
1-844-534-0545

Brightspeed Experience & Support

4.0

Brightspeed’s customer support is robust

Brightspeed receives 4 stars for Customer Service, with a promising beginning for a new company. Brightspeed provides a 24/7 chat interface for support as well as a helpline. The company also has a website with resources and FAQs to assist with simple questions. Some helpful features on the website include a troubleshooting & outage check, a tracker to tell you where your technician is, and a service appointment manager. A “quick bill pay” function will come in handy too. The Brightspeed Fiber network is very strong and is now producing a lot of customer satisfaction. With their rapid fiber buildout and commitment to customer service, we recommend Brightspeed as a good choice for your internet service, both now and for the future.
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Spectrum Experience & Support

3.8

Spectrum Customer Service available 24/7

Spectrum provides customer service by phone or online chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Spectrum also provides an extensive online troubleshooting guide and how-to resource library. If you prefer in-person assistance, Spectrum supports brick-and-mortar stores across its coverage area. These physical locations can also be very handy when you want to exchange equipment. Your Spectrum plan will give you access to a helpful and comprehensive mobile app. The app allows you to check for outages, manage your account, and do almost anything you would do online or by phone. You can even manage your WiFi settings through the app.
Call today & find the best Spectrum internet deals
1-844-534-0545

Brightspeed FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit BrightspeedSavings.com.
Brightspeed does not impose data caps on its internet service. You can enjoy unlimited data usage without worrying about any restrictions or additional charges.
Brightspeed offers several no-cost modem options for fiber installations, including premium Wi-Fi 6-capable modems. These modems are optimized to deliver the fiber connection into your home and come with remote network support from the Brightspeed customer success team. Newer fiber installations may include the Calix Wi-Fi router and mesh Wi-Fi extenders at no additional charge.
Yes, you can choose to provide your own Wi-Fi router if it meets certain specifications, such as maximum bandwidth capability equal to your purchased internet speed, a 1 Gbps Ethernet WAN port, DHCP to obtain a WAN IP Address, the same or newer Wi-Fi technology as your connected devices, accurate auto-channel selection, and firewall support. However, by using your own router, you won't get the benefits of using a Brightspeed modem, such as built-in security features and technical support from the Fiber Customer Success Team.
Restarting your modem/router (gateway) is often the first step in troubleshooting connection problems. You can simply unplug it for 30 seconds and then plug it back in.
Brightspeed provides special programs to support low-income customers. They offer affordable internet options and participate in initiatives like the Affordable Connectivity Program to ensure that everyone has access to reliable and affordable internet service. Your customer support rep can help you set up your ACP benefit if you qualify.
Yes, Brightspeed is actively expanding its fiber infrastructure to provide high-speed internet access to more areas. They are committed to improving connectivity and delivering reliable fiber-optic internet service to customers. For specific information about the availability of fiber in your location, please contact the Brightspeed customer support team.
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Spectrum FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit SpectrumOnlineOffers.com.
Spectrum home internet is a reliable and fast internet service delivering high-speed internet connectivity to residential customers. Spectrum’s service uses hybrid fiber-coaxial technology (HFC). HFC is a broadband network that combines coaxial cable and fiber-optic line to create a connection that is faster than copper cable alone.
Spectrum Advanced WiFi is a feature offered by Spectrum that provides a stable and secure connection for all devices within your home network. It incorporates WiFi 6 technology, offering faster and more reliable wireless performance.
Installing Spectrum home internet is easy and convenient. You can pick up a self-install kit from a store or have it mailed to you. The kit includes a quick step-by-step guide to help you set up your Advanced WiFi.
You can manage your Spectrum home internet account, including your WiFi network, through the My Spectrum App. The app allows you to control connected devices, manage network settings, and access parental controls from anywhere.
No, Spectrum home internet does not impose data caps, monthly limits, or overage fees. You can enjoy unlimited internet usage without any additional charges.
Call today & find the best Spectrum internet deals
1-844-534-0545

Brightspeed Customers Review

4.0
Pricing
4.0
3.8
Reliability & Performance
3.8
4.3
Equipment, Installation & Features
4.3
4.0
Customer Experience & Support
4.0
4.0
Overall Rating
4.0
Dean M
4.0
from Newport, PA on May 2026
Everything is good, I'm just a little upset that you stayed giving out $200 gift cards right after I got my service.
V G
4.5
from Kinston, NC on May 2026
Great service the guys came and installed it in about 20 minutes very professional very neat and clean and the service works great and a few days later someone came out and buried the cable in the yard. I didn't even know they were here. Highly recommend.
Hanmi M
5.0
from Greenwood, SC on May 2026
The installation team was super quick and the installation manager was very professional. The price was great, I got a discount as a new customer. So far - I am very happy.
W B
3.0
from Ararat, VA on May 2026
Brightspeed internet is way too expensive every month. $84 a month
George G
2.5
from Lowell, AR on May 2026
I was promised a rate of $39.99 but repeatedly had to call customer service to get this resolved and I was told that the matter had been resolved. I received an email about the correct price being $39.99 and then would you freaking believe I received my bill for June and it showed _69.99. Why in the hell can't this billed correctly? I expect this to be done ASAP and I am sick and tired of billing and pricing discrepancies. I want a new email sent to me with the payment showing $39.99 or I will take other actions about this. Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Spectrum Customers Review

4.2
Pricing
4.2
4.5
Reliability & Performance
4.5
4.3
Equipment, Installation & Features
4.3
3.8
Customer Experience & Support
3.8
4.2
Overall Rating
4.2
Sharon H
1.0
from Los Angeles, CA on May 2026
Failed to transfer my service from Santa Monica, took 1 month to get services connected in Baldwin Hills, tried to tell me I had no prior service to transfer though had for 2 yrs. 3 mo. and talked to them about the transfer for months and followed every direction (also horrible service in SM, similar to here in Baldwin Hills), later admitted they lied. Inside cabling replaced 3 times, inside splitter 3 X, vault completely rebuilt 2X, full of water, equipment submerged, outdoor cables not waterproof. Cable boxes replaced 36X, modem 3X, router 5X but none of this has helped and a lot of it was done during Covid. I'm immunocompromised and Spectrum repeatedly coming into my home put my life at risk.(I don't blame the technicians, who were almost uniformly protective and considerate, I blame the company. The best field supervisors and techs told me they tell Charter/Spectrum all the time that they need to upgrade the infrastructure here but that the response is "We don't want to spend the money," so all the techs can do is try to patch it. Can't use streaming services due to intermittency, weak signal on Spectrum side and upstream and downstream noise on the old cable lines. T3 timeouts and packet loss. Cost for bundled services has gone from $154 a month to almost $225 and they tell me, on my bill, what a great deal I have even though my internet speed is all over the place and never what I'm paying for. They've moved most premium content I'm paying for to streaming, which I've already stated I can't do. When I turn the larger TV on, I get a black screen and "Please Wait" for about 16 " until the service engages, which in the film industry in which I worked is considered a LOT of lag time. Pixelation, particularly on PBS channels and in On Demand.. Guide and On Demand freeze constantly. Boxes don't always update or connect automatically...I was once told by phone tech support, while having multiple problems, that their records showed that box hadn't been used in 2 days and wasn't communicating with Spectrum, though I had used the box both days during that time. Once, the Field Manager, after monitoring my service and comparing it with that of my neighbours and finding nothing, brought out a crane with a sensing device on the end of it and finally found I was getting impedance from a vault nearby but not connected to me, and when they opened that vault it to was full of water to the brim and they had to rebuild it. Fixing that helped, but problems continued. Finally, remote team leaders and supervisors in both Repair and Internet SAW the issues happening in real time while they monitored and, after looking into the massive records of failure in my account, sent emails to my District with screenshots and even a voice recoding attached, documenting the problems that I'd repeatedly been told didn't exist. A Repair team leader and her 2 immediate supervisors took agency over my account and moved, remotely, to fix it, telling the local district what they needed to do. First Repair asked for copies of the emails that had been sent, but these mysteriously "couldn't be found." 5 Repair tickets were opened, but 3 of them were closed with no action and no notice. Repair was telling the local Field Manager that the peripheral cable that controls Guide, On Demand, and advertising placement (which, when initiated, would disconnect the channel, go dark, and then start buffering fragments of commercials or the same commercial repeated several times with dark screen in between. This was the cable box trying to do its job but was a failure of the DAI signal due to weak signal on the Spectrum side not giving the box the signal it needed to complete the process. I'd reported this for well over 2 years. . Repair was investigating the DOCSIS and the nodes when , first, I was told that the local district was impeding them from doing their work, and then the ticket was closed and Spectrum told them to cease and desist. The Team Leader called me and apologized. Then I got a letter from Charter/Spectrum's legal department informing me that I had "abused" and "over-used" their technical support and that IF I had further issues with my service and wanted tech support, I had to WRITE to their legal department in S. Carolina by SNAIL MAIL and request it and IF their monitoring system indicated I needed it ( which can miss the issue when it's intermittent and needs to be investigated while it's happening, not weeks later), they would WRITE ME BACK BY SNAIL MAIL and give approval, but I was warned that they could cancel my service at any time due to "their terms of agreement" and their threat was implied. My service still doesn't work and because Spectrum has the contract for the entire Village Green complex where I live, I have no other option. Their infrastructure here is underground and dates back to al LEAST when Time Warner was called Roadrunner, but the best techs that have been to my home have told me it's even older than that, possibly dating back 40-50 years to the inception of services in Los Angeles. I am starting the complaint process with the FCC and with the LA County District Attorney's Consumer Affairs Department for mediation, where I can bring my logs and the photos I've taken of my screens as evidence. I've been keeping a log for 5 years of the daily problems with dates, times, which box (I have 2), what channel and program, and any associated error codes. Recently I needed help with my Spectrum cell phone and was told that even my cell phone service would require me contacting their legal department, even though I had never asked for any technical support for the phone before. Spectrum is leaking customers rapidly across the nation, fully documented in the press, due to their pricing, slow internet speeds, and arrogant customer interface. My case is a particularly terrible outlier, I'm sure, but it's a good example of their treatment of their customers in general. My advice, if you're considering Spectrum as your provider, is to do your due diligence and go online to read about their reputation and performance before engaging with the company.
Notnew C
2.3
from Elgin, SC on May 2026
It's good but too expensive, they don't match competitors pricing if your not a new customer and it's more than double for established customers which is a ripoff.
Aaron G
2.8
from Morehead, KY on May 2026
Last I knew my internet was 40/month and my phone was 30/month, but back in January they bumped my internet to 70 and my phone to 40, so I went from 70 a month for both to 110 a month. I called them and they said that's the cheapest plan they have. Time to switch!
Kathleen P
2.8
from Colonial Heights, TN on April 2026
Terrible internet service, to get what would work from them the lowest payment $80 a month and then it drops out. When I call them “ well mamma you are on a low mp and to get more fast internet you have to pay more” NO
Ginny O
2.0
from Eagle River, WI on April 2026
Spectrum, like most other ISPs, give you a great deal in the beginning, but just wait -- it won't take long before they jack up your bill and make it impossible for you to afford it, especially with the economy so bad these days. I will have to cancel my internet for 4 months, before I can go back to Spectrum and get the cheaper pricing again. I'm thinking now that I shouldn't even give them my business any more. In any case, I will have to get my internet from someone else and get it fast, because who can live without internet these days? Not me, that's for sure. I'm in my "golden years" and count on the internet and my smartphone for my social contacts. If you haven't guessed by now, I'm beyond disappointed with Spectrum. Hope I can find something in the future that I can afford!
Call today & find the best Spectrum internet deals
1-844-534-0545