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SPECTRUM vs. CENTURYLINK

A Side-by-Side Comparison of Spectrum and CenturyLink Internet Service in 2020

Spectrum and CenturyLink are reliable internet providers known for their high-speed internet options and diverse coverage availability. Spectrum offers cable and fiber broadband networks at speeds up to 940 Mbps whereas CenturyLink offers DSL, fiber, copper, and fixed wireless networks with speeds up to 1000 Mbps. Review the details below to compare the different plans and pricing options between Spectrum and CenturyLink.

Spectrum Info

(855) 347-5741

$49.99-109.99/mo.

CenturyLink Info

(855) 272-5033

$49-65/mo.

Spectrum vs. CenturyLink Comparison Charter Spectrum CenturyLink
ProviderSpectrumCenturyLink
Speed100-940 Mbps10-940 Mbps
Pricing$49.99-109.99/mo.$49-65/mo.
Service TypeCable or FiberDSL, Fiber, Copper, or Fixed Wireless
Spectrum vs. CenturyLink Feature Comparison Charter Spectrum CenturyLink
ProviderSpectrumCenturyLink
High-Speed PlansYesYes
Unlimited DataYesSelect Plans
Contract-Free PlansYesYes
TV ServiceYesNo
Phone ServiceYesYes

Spectrum Internet Deals †

Last updated on 5/21/2020
  • $49.99 for 100 Mbps Cable
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 10 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $69.99.
    • Spectrum prices their plans regionally. We do our best to collect these regions and zip codes, but always verify pricing via phone or online in your specific zip code.
    • Setup: $9.99 (Includes self-installation activation.)
    • Call (855) 347-5741 to setup service.
  • $69.99 for 400 Mbps Cable
    • 400 Mbps ↓ and 20 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $94.99.
    • Spectrum prices their plans regionally. We do our best to collect these regions and zip codes, but always verify pricing via phone or online in your specific zip code.
    • Setup: $9.99 (Includes self-installation activation.)
    • Modem included.
    • Call (855) 347-5741 to setup service.
  • $109.99 for 940 Mbps Cable
    • 940 Mbps ↓ and 35 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $129.99.
    • Spectrum prices their plans regionally. We do our best to collect these regions and zip codes, but always verify pricing via phone or online in your specific zip code.
    • In-Home WiFi included.
    • Setup: $199.99 (Includes professional installation. WiFi activation is free.)
    • Modem included.
    • Call (855) 347-5741 to setup service.
Show All Deals (7)

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with Spectrum.

CenturyLink Internet Deals †

Last updated on 5/21/2020
  • $49 for 15 Mbps DSL
    • 15 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • Paperless billing required.
    • Call (855) 272-5033 to setup service.
  • $49 for 20 Mbps DSL
    • 20 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • Paperless billing required.
    • Call (855) 272-5033 to setup service.
  • $49 for 80 Mbps Fiber
    • Speeds up to 40-80 Mbps w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • Paperless billing required.
    • Call (855) 272-5033 to setup service.
  • $49 for 100 Mbps Fiber
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • Paperless billing required.
    • Call (855) 272-5033 to setup service.
  • $65 for 940 Mbps Fiber
    • 940 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • Paperless billing required.
    • Call (855) 272-5033 to setup service.
Show All Deals (5)

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with CenturyLink.

Spectrum vs. CenturyLink Performance Overview

With the greatest coverage reported in California, Texas, and New York, Spectrum is the second largest cable provider in the United States and services an estimated 102.7 million people. Spectrum is a contract-free provider that offers cable and fiber internet plans in select areas without any data cap restrictions. They also have different triple play and double play bundles available.

With the greatest coverage reported in Arizona, Colorado, and Washington, CenturyLink provides internet service to over 59 million people in the United States. CenturyLink supplies reliable and high-speed DSL, fiber, copper, and fixed wireless internet services to select areas. CenturyLink also provides the option to bundle internet with television and/or phone services.

Spectrum Installation

Spectrum offers both self-installation and professional installation options.

When choosing professional installation, Spectrum will send out a technician for a one-time fee of $49.99. With the self-installation option, there is a one-time Wi-Fi activation fee for $9.99 and a one-time fee to pick up or have the cable modem mailed for $9.99.

CenturyLink Installation

CenturyLink offers customers a self-installation option that may cost up to $50 for shipping and handling of equipment.

While self-installation is available, CenturyLink also provides professional installation for customers at a one-time fee of $125. For homes that have not been wired with fiber, a professional installer will run outside wires into the home.

Spectrum
Contracts, Equipment Fees & Fine Print

Contracts are not required when signing up with Spectrum’s internet plans.

As a contract-free provider, Spectrum does not employ early termination fees or cancellation penalties when customers choose to end their services. Spectrum also offers a free modem with their plans and the option to rent a router for $5/month.

CenturyLink
Contracts, Equipment Fees & Fine Print

Like Spectrum, CenturyLink provides customers with contract-free plans.

CenturyLink also offer contracts ranging from 12-36 months that may have lower monthly rates in the first year of the agreement. CenturyLink may also waive installation fees during promotional periods. Early termination fees vary when cancelling a contract with CenturyLink. When it comes to equipment, CenturyLink customers have the option to purchase the equipment for $150 or rent equipment for $10/month.

Spectrum Data Caps

There are no data caps on any of Spectrum’s internet plans.

CenturyLink Data Caps

Most CenturyLink plans have a 1 TB data cap. In select areas, CenturyLink provides 50 GB for $10 if customers go over the data cap limit.

Service Review

5.00 Stars

on October 29, 2019

Charter Spectrum

5 Stars all the way! Front desk scheduling any time of the day or night. Tech support calls no time limits, smart and always helpful, invested in your problem all the way. Thank you all so much for your kind attitude and willingness to help us.

Featured Review IP Not Verified La Habra, California
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Excellent Tech Support and Service Appointment

5.00 Stars

on May 19, 2020

Charter Spectrum

We were experiencing very poor internet and wifi-signal after installing new equipment so I made an appointment for tech support. I got a confirmation by e-mail, text, and voicemail the day before, and day of the appointment to let me know he was on his way. He walked me through his troubleshooting process and figured out that my wiring/cable needed to be replaced. He checked the connection in every room to ensure that we had a strong signal from every room in the house. I have 5 cable boxes, there are 6 people who use wifi daily, this is a 5 BR house, and he was done in 2 hours. My connection is running perfectly.

IP Not Verified Los Angeles, California
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100 Mbps CenturyLink Internet

5.00 Stars

on September 19, 2019

CenturyLink

We switched to CenturyLink and could not be happier. It is so much faster, has never cut out and had the best installation customer service. The price is also great.

Featured Review IP Not Verified Hopkins, Minnesota
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CenturyLink is great

5.00 Stars

on March 23, 2020

CenturyLink

I have unlimited internet (no overage bills). My internet is now 2 1/2 times faster on download and 9 times faster on upload than others with a boost. I have one bill that is guaranteed to be the same price for life with my phone and internet bundle. The phone we have in the bundle from CenturyLink will still work in a power outage and is 40% cheaper than others and 911 knows immediately where I am calling from. If the power goes out with VOIP, you are done. 911 may also not be as effective on VOIP. But on fiber from Centurylink, it is a hard line. Also, with this bundle, I got a free modem/router. No rental, just outright free. It's mine! And the installation was free! All that money we saved and all that extra speed on the internet is wonderful! I am winning in multiplayer games. My pings are insane! Downloads go too fast compared to others. No throttling, I don't "compete for bandwidth from neighbors". I don't "share my bandwidth with people passing by our house". The speeds are always the same, super fast. Support responds fast. I get to speak to a rep in less than 5 minutes with CenturyLink on the phone. Or I can tweet or email or chat. Anyway, I've gone for the support and it's been great. Install was 30 minutes. The rep was awesome. Also should mention that I put a poll, 84% voted CenturyLink as good. Many people posting the same pain I had with our previous ISP and how much they love CenturyLink. That said, I can't believe all these negative reviews.

IP Verified Seattle, Washington
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Spectrum vs. CenturyLink Coverage Availability

Spectrum Coverage & Availability

Charter Spectrum Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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CenturyLink Coverage & Availability

CenturyLink Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Spectrum & CenturyLink Internet Services

  • Is Spectrum cheaper than CenturyLink?

    Currently, Spectrum has a single internet-only plan with speeds up to 100 Mbps at $49.99/month while CenturyLink offers their 100 Mbps plan at $65/month. CenturyLink offers a wide variety of internet-only plans with more affordable rates but with slower speeds. Depending on the area, there are different plans available to each customer.

  • Who has faster speeds? Spectrum or CenturyLink?

    CenturyLink offers internet plans with speeds up to 1000 Mbps while Spectrum has speeds reported up to 940 Mbps.

  • Do Spectrum and CenturyLink have unlimited data?

    Spectrum offers no data caps for all of their internet plans. Most of CenturyLink’s internet-only plans have a data cap of 1 TB, with the exception of their 1 Gig plan which offers unlimited data.

  • Do Spectrum and CenturyLink require a contract?

    Both Spectrum and CenturyLink offer contract-free options.

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Last updated on 5/21/2020.