Xfinity is one of the most popular internet service providers in the country, and that’s for a reason.

First, they’ve got your back when it comes to the stability of your connection. We’ve heard only very few reports of outages, and should there be some, Xfinity is able to restore the connection quickly.

They also offer a wide range of plans with varying download speeds that fit different kinds of people. There are plans that are internet-only and plans that include mobile and TV.

Another thing we like about them is that you don’t have to be locked in a contract to avail of their services. They also offer prepaid services if that’s what you prefer.

However, we have heard multiple complaints about Xfinity, especially regarding its customer service. Many of their customers have said that the customer service representatives they’ve spoken to were unable to help them with their complaints.

These customers have also stated that they were put on hold for a long time when they called the customer service hotline, so it might be better to visit an Xfinity Store to get quicker service.

Others have also reported linemen or technicians arriving later than the time or date they arranged to fix issues in their homes, which has caused them inconveniences.

Lastly, some have also said that they found hidden charges in their bill after a few months of usage. So if you’re set on getting a plan with Xfinity, we encourage you to be patient when you have to deal with customer service.

CenturyLink may be the best option for those who are on a tight budget. They’ve got great plans starting at $50, and there are multiple plans available below $100 per month.

They also have a quick and easy process for setting up your internet service. You can either order from their website or call on the phone, and you’ll be attended to immediately.

Their customers also liked how personable the staff of CenturyLink were. Even if the team wasn’t able to get their problems fixed right away, they appreciated the staff for being polite all the way.

While most customers said they were overall satisfied with the speed of their connection, some have complained of the actual speed not matching up to the speed indicated in the contract. 

These aren’t common reports, however, and customer service was able to assist them in a timely manner.

Another factor you will have to consider is that CenturyLink does have a 1TB data cap every month. This is a large data cap, but if you’re a gamer or will consume a lot of data, this might be a hindrance to you.

The consolation to this is that they don’t have overage charges. So if you do go past the 1TB data cap, you’ll experience slowed connection but won’t pay additional charges.

In conclusion, we think that CenturyLink is a reputable internet service provider, but we recommend that you check if they’re available in your zip code before purchasing any service from them.

HughesNet is a satellite internet service provider, which makes them a good pick for those in rural areas.

All of their plans come with a basic download speed of 25 Mbps, but this can be increased depending on the plan you get. They also have a bonus zone of 50 GB per month but only if you use your internet between 2 AM and 8 AM.

We like their free standard installation and their option to rent equipment instead of buying it. You’ll pay $15 per month for rental equipment on top of your internet fees.

They don’t have a hard data cap, which means that if you reach your data cap for the month, you’ll have reduced speeds instead of overage charges. If you wish to have more data, you can purchase data tokens ranging from 3 GB to 25 GB.

However, satellite internet service has its downsides. One is slower internet speeds that may be lower than the 25 Mbps HughesNet promised to all its plans. 

Many have reported that they encounter buffering when they stream videos online. Should you have more data-heavy activities, you may have inconveniences due to the speed.

We’ve also heard complaints about customer service being unhelpful and service requests being delayed. Some noted that they have had to call multiple times to ensure that their requests were being processed.

Lastly, we’re wary of their expensive cancellation fee, which can go up to $400. So if HughesNet may be the only option available in your area, we encourage you to read the contract before signing on.

Viasat is another satellite internet service that’s great for areas where traditional cable lines don’t reach.

They promise faster speeds compared to other satellite internet services, with speeds reaching up to 150 Mbps in certain areas. Their lowest data allowance is 300 GB, which is adequate for browsing and some streaming.

If that’s too little, they have unlimited data plans for you to choose from. The download speeds vary based on the plan you choose and also your service area.

We also like the prices they have, which are competitive compared to other satellite internet service providers. Not only that, but they also have a two-year price lock guarantee, saving you the stress from price increases.

The main doubt we have with Viasat is their mixed reviews on speed. Some have said that they get the speed they signed up for, but others complained about their internet speed never reaching the promised speed.

This most likely is due to the service areas, as satellite internet will still vary based on the location you’re at. This has also led to some complaining about having intermittent connections.

We’re also concerned about the complaints we heard about the data allowance unexpectedly running out. The customers who’ve reported this said their usage doesn’t match up to how quickly their data ran out.

However, to many, Viasat is the only internet provider available to them. So if you’re one of them, it’s best to check Viasat’s speed reports in your area.

EarthLink offers both fiber and satellite internet, giving you the option to choose between which one you prefer.

Their plans start at $55 with a starting speed of 25 Mbps that can go up to 5,000 Mbps for their most premium plan. They’re also flexible on their contracts, and after your first 12 months, you can either choose to renew or pay month to month.

We like how the billing is pretty transparent as well. Their online account portal is user-friendly, and you can access all essential account information there, other than your monthly bills.

They also offer products for cyber safety, online backup, and parental control. This is great if you’re concerned about the privacy of your data or your children’s online usage.

Should you need to contact them about your concerns, we’ve heard mixed reviews about their customer service. This mostly boils down to luck on the customer service representative you’ll get on the call.

Some have said that their concerns were addressed quickly without much fuss, while others were irritated at having been left on hold for long periods. A few have even reported that they’ve had to call daily to get someone on the line.

We were also worried about some reports of linemen or the technical staff not showing up to the set times. Customers who’ve complained of this said no one arrived to fix their devices or to install their connection.

A big redeeming factor about EarthLink, however, is their very few reports of outages or lost connections, so they’re a good pick if reliability is your main priority.