I Compared 5 Major ISPs: Here's What They Actually Deliver vs What They Advertise
So my partner and I have moved 5 times in the past 3 years (don't ask), which means I've had the pleasure of signing up with basically every major ISP. And you know what I noticed? The advertised speeds and the actual speeds are... well, let's just say there's creative math involved.
I kept all my speed test data because I'm apparently that person. Here's what I actually got vs what they promised.
The Testing Method
Before people start arguing in the comments - here's how I tested:
- Direct ethernet connection (not WiFi)
- Speed tests run at different times over 2-4 week periods
- Multiple test services (not just one)
- Same testing laptop for all ISPs
- Tests during both peak and off-peak hours
Yeah, I know different locations and infrastructure matter. But this is real-world data from actual residential service in mid-sized US cities.
The Results
Comcast Xfinity - 300 Mbps Plan ($80/month)
Location: Philadelphia suburb
Time period: March 2023 - August 2023
| Time | Average Speed | % of Advertised |
|---|---|---|
| Off-peak (2AM-7AM) | 287 Mbps | 96% |
| Daytime (9AM-5PM) | 268 Mbps | 89% |
| Peak (7PM-11PM) | 178 Mbps | 59% |
The Good: When it worked, it was fast. Installation was quick. Lots of availability.
The Bad: Peak hour slowdowns were brutal. Customer service was a nightmare when I had issues. Data caps are annoying (1.2TB/month).
Upload: Advertised 10 Mbps, got 8-11 Mbps consistently.
Verizon Fios - 500 Mbps Plan ($70/month)
Location: Northern Virginia
Time period: September 2023 - February 2024
| Time | Average Speed | % of Advertised |
|---|---|---|
| Off-peak (2AM-7AM) | 492 Mbps | 98% |
| Daytime (9AM-5PM) | 485 Mbps | 97% |
| Peak (7PM-11PM) | 478 Mbps | 96% |
The Good: Fiber is legit. Consistent speeds at all times. No data caps. Upload speeds matched download (500/500).
The Bad: Only available in certain areas. Installation took 3 weeks to schedule. Slightly more expensive equipment rental.
Upload: Advertised 500 Mbps, got 480-500 Mbps. This alone was life-changing for video calls.
Real talk:
Verizon Fios was hands down the best internet I've had. If it's available in your area and priced similarly to cable, just get it. The consistency alone is worth it.
AT&T Fiber - 300 Mbps Plan ($65/month)
Location: Nashville, TN
Time period: March 2024 - July 2024
| Time | Average Speed | % of Advertised |
|---|---|---|
| Off-peak (2AM-7AM) | 315 Mbps | 105% |
| Daytime (9AM-5PM) | 298 Mbps | 99% |
| Peak (7PM-11PM) | 285 Mbps | 95% |
The Good: Actually delivered more than advertised sometimes. No data caps on fiber. Good pricing. Symmetric upload/download.
The Bad: Had two outages during my 4 months (each lasted ~3 hours). Their router/modem combo is locked down - can't use your own easily.
Upload: Advertised 300 Mbps, got 290-310 Mbps.
Spectrum - 400 Mbps Plan ($75/month)
Location: Austin, TX
Time period: August 2024 - November 2024
| Time | Average Speed | % of Advertised |
|---|---|---|
| Off-peak (2AM-7AM) | 385 Mbps | 96% |
| Daytime (9AM-5PM) | 340 Mbps | 85% |
| Peak (7PM-11PM) | 245 Mbps | 61% |
The Good: No data caps (actually a big plus). Can use your own modem. Widely available.
The Bad: Peak hour congestion is real. Price went up $15 after year one (classic). Upload speeds are terrible.
Upload: Advertised 20 Mbps, got 15-22 Mbps. Still way too slow for modern needs.
Google Fiber - 1 Gig Plan ($70/month)
Location: Salt Lake City (friend's place, stayed 3 weeks)
Time period: June 2024
| Time | Average Speed | % of Advertised |
|---|---|---|
| Off-peak (2AM-7AM) | 940 Mbps | 94% |
| Daytime (9AM-5PM) | 935 Mbps | 94% |
| Peak (7PM-11PM) | 920 Mbps | 92% |
The Good: Ridiculously fast and consistent. Symmetric upload/download (1000/1000). Simple pricing, no equipment fees. Amazing customer service.
The Bad: Only available in like 19 cities total. If you don't live there, you're out of luck.
Upload: Advertised 1000 Mbps, got 920-950 Mbps. Uploading a 4K video took literally seconds.
What I Learned
Fiber > Cable, Always
Every single fiber provider (Verizon, AT&T, Google) delivered more consistent speeds than cable providers (Comcast, Spectrum). The technology just works better.
Peak Hour Performance Varies Wildly
Cable internet can drop to 60% of advertised speeds during evening hours. Fiber stays at 90%+ basically all the time.
Upload Speeds Are the Real Differentiator
Cable gives you garbage upload speeds (10-20 Mbps). Fiber gives you symmetric speeds. If you work from home with video calls, this alone justifies fiber.
\"Up To\" Is Doing Heavy Lifting
ISPs advertise "up to" speeds, which legally covers them when you get 60% of that. Read the fine print.
Which Should You Choose?
If fiber is available: Get it. Doesn't matter which provider - Verizon, AT&T, Google, or local fiber. They all performed way better than cable.
If only cable is available:
- Spectrum if they're available (no data caps)
- Comcast if Spectrum isn't there (but watch for data cap overages)
- Upgrade to a higher tier than you think you need, because peak hours will be slower
If you work from home: Fiber is non-negotiable if possible. The upload speeds make a massive difference for video calls.
The Honest Rankings
- Google Fiber - Best overall but limited availability
- Verizon Fios - Excellent performance, good availability in certain regions
- AT&T Fiber - Solid choice, good pricing
- Spectrum - Best cable option (no data caps)
- Comcast - Works but peak hours suck and data caps are annoying
Bottom line: If fiber is available at your address, get fiber. If not, set a calendar reminder to check every 6 months because fiber is expanding pretty quickly.
Test your actual speeds:
Run a speed test and see if you're getting what you're paying for. Test at different times to see the full picture.