AT&T Vs. Cox: Major Differences, Pros And Cons (2023)

We picked AT&T as the best overall internet provider in 2022 because of its affordable price points, variety of plans and speeds. AT&T doesn’t have expansive coverage but it covers nearly half the country and provides quality service to subscribers.

AT&T has a variety of plans available, including fiber plans in locations where available. AT&T has coverage in 21 states and participates in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides internet coverage at lower rates for those who qualify. Plus, if you want to bundle internet with phone and TV, AT&T has some great deals that can include DirecTV and HBO Max.

For $55 a month, you can get 300 Mbps download speed or if fiber is available you can get the fastest speed available — five gigabytes per second — for $180 a month, which can allow you to connect 12 or more devices without slowing speeds.

Pricing

AT&T has a variety of price points, including ones at lower rates through the Affordable Connectivity Program. AT&T also offers fixed wireless internet connections in rural areas where subscribers can connect to the internet with an outdoor antenna. Some of the most common plan pricing are included below.

AT&T offers 24/7 internet security with AT&T ActiveArmor, a free app, or you can purchase AT&T ActiveArmor for $3.99 a month and additional features. AT&T also has a smart home manager app with a compatible AT&T Wi-Fi gateway. The AT&T Wi-Fi gateway is a modem/router hybrid that brings the internet to your house and uses mesh technology.
You can add Wi-Fi extenders for an additional cost to make sure you have a strong connection to the internet throughout your home.

AT&T promotions for new customers can include a $150 Visa Reward Card, if you can find them.

Fine Print

The $55 a month price means you must subscribe to paperless billing and autopay to receive a $5 a month discount. Plus, installation fees can cost $99, but you can forgo installation fees by doing installation on your own. After 12 months, non-fiber plans will increase by $15 a month. If you bundle DirecTV, the price will increase $10 a month after a year. AT&T also has a $49.99 activation fee for new customers.

Cox Internet offers high speed internet at affordable prices throughout 19 states and participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program where those who qualify can receive internet service for reduced rates or even for no cost.

Cox’s Essential 100 plan even includes Panoramic Wi-Fi, all-in-one modem and router that provides wall-to-wall Wi-Fi coverage in the home. If you choose another plan, you can purchase your own equipment, but it must be a Cox-approved cable modem.

Cox uses a cable/fiber hybrid connection, which means that you can connect to fiber if it’s available in your area, but you can also use cable.

Cox might get a bad rap for having data caps but the data cap is 1.25 terabytes, which is pretty tough to use up in a month. Cox does, however, limit the amount of connected devices to its hotspots. Cox provides suggestions as to how many connected devices you can have at certain speeds, but it doesn’t limit the number of connected devices with your home internet.

Pricing Monthly

With Cox you can add streaming TV for an additional $5 a month with its Essential 100 and Preferred 250 plan as part of its bundling options. Cox has eight total bundle options, plus you can create your own bundle.

Cox does offer a Security Suite through McAfee and a 30-day money back guarantee if you don’t like your service with Cox.

You can also bundle home security with Cox Homelife where you can view camera footage, use voice commands and control devices through an app on your phone.

Fine Print

If you need to boost your Wi-Fi signal, you’ll have to purchase a Panoramic Pod. If you should exceed 1.25 TB of data in a month, Cox will charge $10 per 50 GB of data that you go over.

• AT&T has faster speeds available than Cox with its 2 Gbps and 5 Gbps plans, but those speeds are offered in areas where AT&T has fiber available.
• Cox offers a home security and automation bundle, which AT&T does not offer.
• Cox has slightly lower prices for its Essential 100 and Preferred 250 than AT&T’s Internet 25, 50 and 100 plans.

• Both AT&T and Cox have a variety of bundle options where you can add TV and phone service, plus you can customize some plans.
• They rank similarly in customer reviews and customer support.
• Both companies have a similar number of states they serve and provide similar speeds until you reach 1 Gbps or more.

AT&T edges Cox as the best internet provider overall because it has a slightly larger coverage area, has faster plans along with similarly priced plans. AT&T doesn’t have data caps and doesn’t require a contract. AT&T also ranked higher than Cox in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index rankings. AT&T also ranked the highest in the south region and west region in JD Power’s 2022 Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study.