Frontier Internet vs Spectrum

McCall Martin
McCall Martin | Senior Editor
Frontier and Spectrum are two service providers  ranked closely on our site, neck and neck in several categories. Customers might be juggling their options in a zip code where Frontier and Spectrum's service overlaps.

And both companies have common features. Spectrum and Frontier bundles can combine TV, internet, and phone service for a lower overall price. Both have plans with decent speeds at least up to 100 mbps.

However, you'll see that they have more differences than similarities.

In coverage area alone, Spectrum dwarfs Frontier. Charter Spectrum is the second largest ISP in the United States, offering coverage to 41 states, while Frontier hovers around fifth place by providing service to 29. 

If you take a look at the ratings in our side-by-side comparison of these companies and read our notes in the wrap-up, you might feel more confident declaring the winner of your business.
Frontier Internet logo
#20 Frontier Internet
3.9 Overall Score
1.2
star star_border star_border star_border star_border
(433)
Spectrum logo
#2 Spectrum
7.2 Overall Score
3.7
star star star star_half star_border
(1,225)

Overview

Frontier Internet

Monthly Price

Varies

Minimum Contract Length

No Contracts

Time in Business

89 Years

Spectrum

Varies

No Contracts

31 Years

Ratings

Frontier Internet

Overall Score
3.9 of 10
Review Score
1.2
star star_border star_border star_border star_border
Value for Money
1.6
star star_half star_border star_border star_border
Quality of Product or Service
1.6
star star_half star_border star_border star_border
Company Trustworthiness
1.5
star star_half star_border star_border star_border
Likely to Recommend
1.3 of 10

Spectrum

7.2 of 10
3.7
star star star star_half star_border
3.2
star star star star_border star_border
3.5
star star star star_half star_border
3.4
star star star star_half star_border
6.0 of 10

Reviews

Frontier Internet

Number of Reviews
433
Review Breakdown
1.2
star star_border star_border star_border star_border
1 star
77%
2 star
6%
3 star
7%
4 star
4%
5 star
6%

Spectrum

1,225
3.7
star star star star_half star_border
1 star
14%
2 star
9%
3 star
21%
4 star
25%
5 star
30%

Reviews for Frontier Internet

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star_border star_border

Thomas Heck

December 26th, 2022

DETAILS

Product: 1Gbps Fiber Up/Down Pros: Fast and affordable No Contract if you have good credit Equipment included. Cons: When service goes down you have to wait 4-5 days for a service tech visit. Network is not reliable, at least at my location. Service has gone down twice within 6 months, both times were network configuration options that were changed that knocked me offline. Will need to find more reliable option as I work from home.

Helpful Critical Review

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

Mac

April 15th, 2024

DETAILS

Thieves! Do not subscribe to this service. Service is shotty at best. Super expensive and when you finally get fed up and cancel, they will charge you for service afterwards. I paid for service through April 06, 2024 on March 10,2024. I then canceled service just 1 week later on March 18th. I received a bill for service from April-May and was basically told that it was because I went with another provider, that they expected to get paid. I was with them for 20 years, paid $305 a month and they still want to rob me for another $356. Never use this company! Thieves and crooks

Reviews for Spectrum

Helpful Favorable Review

star star star star star_border

Greg Page

April 9th, 2024

DETAILS

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Review Source

I like that the service is near rock solid. Interruptions are minimal and normally no fault of Spectrum. I do not like the cost of just basic connectivity it is on the high end compared to some others. They have good customer service reps and tech help is usually great , have gotten a rep or two that just weren't at a high tech skill level (likely new) I'm pretty tech savy so I want someone that is at least on the same level and we'll solve the issue together

Helpful Critical Review

star star_border star_border star_border star_border

jebbie cart

April 15th, 2024

DETAILS

lying agents with fail service that frequently goes out, and we are expected to pay for their failure to provided After years or them nickel and diming me to death for failed service I FIRED THEM AND WENT T MOBILE WHICH IS FAR CHEAPER, AND DOESNT GO OUT WHEN THE POWER DOES

The Final Word

Some factors jump out at you in the comparison. And beyond the data comparison itself, you should consider a few additional factors when choosing your ISP, including plans, contracts, and fees. We'll help you weigh some pros and cons.

Overall, Frontier has a much lower customer satisfaction rating. Keep in mind that customer satisfaction is low for the ISP industry as a whole.

Another important factor to consider when reading Frontier's negative reviews is that the company made it a point to expand into rural areas with few internet service options. In these less populated regions, DSL is usually the only choice, and so service is slower and customers are more likely to complain. See if these complaints apply as often to areas where Spectrum and Frontier are competing, particularly if Frontier is offering Fiber. DSL complaints may not apply to you.

And that brings us to another key difference between Frontier and Spectrum: the connections they offer. Spectrum offers cable service, and Frontier offers DSL and fiber optic connection. Fiber is praised as the fastest available type on the market. You can find plans up to 500 mbps in download speeds with Frontier's fiber. Meanwhile, Spectrum's fastest download speed is 100 mbps.

If you're on a tight budget, Frontier has the cheapest plan at $29.99 per month for 50 mbps upload, 50 mbps download. Spectrum's packages are limited to one; their plan starts and ends at $44.99 per month for 60 mbps.

But the consistency and customer service of Spectrum may be worth it to you. Its competitor, Frontier, has its fair share of complaints about reliability and customer support. If it boils down to a battle between DSL and cable for your region, you’ll likely be better off picking Spectrum’s cable internet.

Both companies can have month-to-month plans, but some promotional packages will require a contract. The two can offer customers a modem and router for no additional monthly fee, so there's no clear winner in this regard.

Overall, both companies have something for different types of customers. If you have other options, you could consider looking at top-ranked ISPs by state. Xfinity, CenturyLink, Cox, and AT&T all offer internet plans that, if available in your region, might also be worth your time.

Top Choice

Spectrum Logo
Spectrum

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