But you know what has expanded? That’s right, AT&T’s fiber optic internet service. So, which of these two internet service providers (ISPs) is better? The short answer is AT&T offers a wider variety of plans—including cheaper options—and is available in more areas. But, for those who need super-fast internet, Google Fiber is simply unbeatable. From prices and performance to perks and customer service, we’ll go over everything you need to know. So, those who are okay with a 100–500 Mbps plan should probably sign up with the A Team, but those who want speeds of 1,000+ Mbps should go with the Big G. We’ll take a closer look at each company’s plans and pricing right now, beginning with AT&T. Overall, we’re pleased with AT&T’s prices (which is one of the reasons it made it onto our list of the very best ISPs). They’re pretty similar to other great fiber providers, like Verizon Fios, and there aren’t any major red flags, like huge price hikes after the first few months. Big families, serious gamers, and those who work from home may find themselves eating through internet bandwidth at an alarming rate. This is when it makes sense to upgrade to a super-high-speed plan like those that Google Fiber offers. There is one other plan we should mention called Google Fiber Webpass. We didn’t put it in the chart because it’s kind of a unique one that’s only available in certain buildings in specific cities, like Austin, Denver, and San Francisco. Webpass gives you speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and costs up to $70. But the exact speed and pricing can vary by location.
Atlanta, GAAustin, TXCharlotte, NCHuntsville, ALKansas City, KS/MONashville, TNOrange County, CAProvo, UTSalt Lake City, UTSan Antonio, TXThe Triangle, NCWest Des Moines, IA
If you’re just looking at sheer speed, then Google Fiber is the clear winner. Not only does it offer an unbelievably fast 2,000 Mbps plan (that’s twice as fast as AT&T’s fastest plan), but the company also consistently scores the highest in independent speed tests like those on HighSpeedInternet.com.1 AT&T’s wider variety of plans—including cheaper 100, 300, and 500 Mbps options—might make it a better option for those who could want to upgrade (or downgrade) their internet in the future. So shopping for an internet plan is kind of like buying shoes for kids: go a size bigger so there’s room to grow. Unfortunately though, the TV service is no longer available to new customers. But you can learn about some great alternatives. That means you can do all kinds of ill-advised things, like game till 3 a.m., binge watch all of Succession in a single weekend, or download tons of totally legal torrents onto your computer without worrying about a data cutoff or hefty overage fee. That doesn’t mean AT&T is perfect. There are still some online complaints from customers about outages and billing errors. But, if you compare these complaints to other telecommunications companies, AT&T looks like a saint. What about Google Fiber? Unfortunately, the company is a bit too small to be included in the ACSI’s latest telecommunications report. But customer reviews and third-party evaluations are mixed. Some people are very happy, but there are a fair share of complaints about billing issues. If you need to get in touch with either company, you can reach them with the following contact info. Google Fiber:
Online chat Social media
AT&T:
Call 1-800-288-2020 Online chat Twitter: @ATTHelp
Check out our customer service tips if you’re having issues reaching your ISP.
Price: AT&T. AT&T offers plans for as low as $55 a month, and has four different speed tiers to choose from. Internet speed: Google Fiber. Google can take you to warp-speed with its incredible 1,000 and 2,000 Mbps plans. Data caps: Tie. Both companies will give you unlimited data! Nice. Customer service: AT&T. In an industry that’s known for its shoddy customer service, AT&T stands out for its truly helpful service team.
