Which is better, AT&T or Surf?

Surf is faster, better rated and cheaper to start where you can get it, but AT&T reaches 320 times as many people, so at most addresses AT&T is the one on offer. Where both are offered (about 665,050 people), Surf has the faster top speed for 97% of homes.

FasterSurfTop speed 8,000 Mbps vs 5,000 Mbps; faster for 97% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startSurfFrom $30 a month, vs $40.

Better ratedSurf4.0 of 5 from 24 reviews, vs 3.6 from 1,032.

Available to more peopleAT&T249.3 million people in 49 states, vs 780,026 in 3 states.

AT&T
Price: $55.00 - $245.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless, DSL, and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (1,051)
View Plans

Surf
Price: $30.00 - $95.00 / mo.
Speed: 25 - 8,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber and fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): (25)
View Plans

AT&T vs. Surf at a glance

Measure	AT&T	Surf
Available to	249.3 million people in 49 states	780,026 people in 3 states
Main technology	Fixed wireless 90%, DSL 45%, fiber 30%	Fiber 98%, fixed wireless 3.9%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	5,000 Mbps	8,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	5,000 Mbps down, 5,000 Mbps up	1,000 Mbps
Starting price	$40 a month (promotional), then $55	$30 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	Not listed	$720 (100 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	3.6 of 5 (1,032 reviews)	4.0 of 5 (24 reviews)
Rated for speed	3.8 of 5	3.7 of 5
Rated for price	3.5 of 5	3.7 of 5
Where both are offered	About 665,050 people (85% of Surf's area); Surf is faster for 97% of them, the same top speed for 0.8%

Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.

Where AT&T and Surf are available

AT&T and Surf have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

AT&T currently offers internet service in 40,799 cities and 2,919 counties across 49 states, reaching approximately 252,920,477 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Los Angeles, CA; Chicago, IL; and Dallas, TX. By comparison, Surf serves 786,177 residents in 371 cities and 58 counties in 3 states, with a presence in population centers such as Chicago, IL; Grand Rapids, MI; and Detroit, MI.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: AT&T coverage map and Surf coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether AT&T, Surf or both are offered at your home.

AT&T vs. Surf Speeds and Technology

AT&T and Surf utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Surf offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 5,488 Mbps compared to AT&T’s average speed of 1,352 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. AT&T’s premium Fiber service reaches 29.1% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Surf’s top-tier Fiber is available to 97.4% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

AT&T vs. Surf Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for AT&T and Surf, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

AT&T vs. Surf Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate AT&T and Surf based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

When comparing customer satisfaction, AT&T earns an overall rating of 3.65 / 5 stars from 1051 customer reviews, while Surf maintains a 4.00 / 5 rating from 25 reviews. Surf outperforms AT&T by 0.4 points in overall satisfaction. AT&T’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.87 / 5 stars, compared to Surf’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 4.30 / 5 stars.

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

AT&T vs. Surf Pros and Cons

AT&T

From 593 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Fast speeds: praised in 236 of 593 written reviews (122 call it slow). "they are the best in network speed"
• Reliable connection: praised in 211 of 593 written reviews (98 report outages). "They are very reliable and accountable"
• Good value: praised in 157 of 593 written reviews (107 call it overpriced). "overall, it's been worth it for the quality"

Cons

• Bills that go up: a complaint in 64 of 593 written reviews; its starting price rises from $40 to $55 after the promotion. "my rates increased dramatically"
• Equipment problems: a complaint in 34 of 593 written reviews (15 praise the equipment). "issues with our Wifi connection not being strong enough"
• Weak or patchy service: a complaint in 33 of 593 written reviews (24 praise the signal). "connectivity issues, especially when it rains"

Surf

From 17 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Reliable connection: praised in 7 of 17 written reviews (5 report outages). "Service is very stable, 99+% of the time"
• Fast speeds: praised in 6 of 17 written reviews. "lightning fast speeds that never drop"
• Good value: praised in 6 of 17 written reviews. "the price is a lot more reasonable than the cable provider in my area"

Cons

AT&T vs. Surf Top Cities

AT&T serves 40,799 cities while Surf is available in 371 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.