GoNetspeed and Frontier are both fiber-based internet service providers that offer fast speeds and competitive pricing. Depending on your needs and what you value most, you may find one provider to be preferable over the other.
Comparison of ISPs
- GoNetspeed is generally less expensive after the end of Frontier’s promo period
- Frontier offers faster speeds of up to 5 Gbps download and upload.
- Both services offer low latency, which is suitable for gaming.
- Frontier offers perks such as a Visa gift card for signing up for select plans.
- GoNetspeed is contract-free, whereas contracts are optional with Frontier.
| GoNetspeed | Frontier | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Technology | Fiber | Fiber |
| Download Speeds | 300 – 1000 Mbps | 500 – 5000 Mbps |
| Upload Speeds | 300 – 1000 Mbps | 500 – 5000 Mbps |
| Latency (Ping) | 8 ms – 20 ms | 6 ms – 13 ms |
| Ping Stability | Very Good | Very Good |
| Ease of Setup | Easy | Easy |
| Upfront Cost | $0 | $0 |
| Monthly Service Cost | $55 – $90 | $40 – $200 |
| Contracts | No | Optional |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Data Caps | No | No |
| Publicly Routable IP Address | Extra $10 per month | Included |
Pricing
Pricing is an important factor to consider when choosing an ISP. In addition to advertised pricing, it is also important to factor in costs such as taxes and equipment rental fees.
Depending on your plan and what is included, taxes and equipment fees can add $20 or more per month to your bill.
GoNetspeed Pricing
GoNetspeed is widely known for having straightforward pricing without any promo rates that expire after 6 – 12 months.
They offer no contract plans at $55, $65, and $70 per month. This is less expensive than many of their competitors and a great value, especially without any data caps. These plans offer 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, or 1 Gbps.
Frontier Pricing
Frontier, on the other hand, offers a 500/500 plan for $40 per month with a 12-month contract, but the price increases to $60 after the first year.
Frontier also offers a gigabit plan for $60 per month for the first year. If you need even higher speeds, Frontier offers 2 Gbps and 5 Gbps plans as well.
Speed and Reliability
Both GoNetspeed and Frontier use fiber optic-based technology to deliver internet services. Generally, fiber is the gold standard for reliability and stability.
GoNetspeed and Frontier subscribers generally report stable and fast internet speeds.
GoNetspeed Speed and Reliability
Users with GoNetspeed generally receive at least 95% of their advertised bandwidth at all times. During off-peak hours, sometimes speeds will actually exceed advertised levels for short periods.
Given that GoNetspeed is a fiber-based internet connection with symmetrical upload and download speeds, most users will get great performance even with their lowest 300 Mbps plan.
Data from Ookla’s Speedtest service shows similar results to the data I collected hands-on.
Based on my testing using Net Uptime Monitor for 90 days, I found that GoNetspeed was 99.83% reliable. This is a decent reliability level for a best-effort residential service.
Most people would be perfectly satisfied with this level of reliability. When the service was up, it was also highly stable and did not fluctuate very much in terms of performance.
Users on Twitter and Reddit report similar levels of reliability with short and infrequent service outages.
Frontier Speed and Reliability
Frontier speeds also tend to perform well during all hours of the day. I was pleased to find that I was consistently getting my advertised speeds, even during peak hours.
There were no noticeable performance hits during my 90-day testing period, even with multiple people streaming 4K video.
Data from Ookla is consistent with my findings. Ookla shows that most people are getting advertised speeds or higher from Frontier.
However, there are a fair number of Frontier users on Reddit who report only getting their advertised speeds during off-peak hours or never getting them at all.
Reliability with Frontier was higher than with GoNetspeed in my testing using Net Uptime Monitor for 90 days. Average reliability was measured at 99.93%, which is above the 99.9% threshold that is considered to be the industry standard for residential service.
Customer Service
Internet service providers are infamous for offering a poor customer service experience. They generally rank near the bottom of the list in terms of customer support rankings across all utilities.
In my testing of GoNetspeed and Frontier customer support, I was pleasantly surprised by their responsiveness. Frontier was more what I have come to expect from a residential ISP.
GoNetspeed Customer Service
GoNetspeed generally receives better-than-average reviews for customer support, with many subscribers praising their quick response times and generally helpful support staff.
I only needed to call GoNetspeed a couple of times during my testing. Both times, I got through to an agent within 15 minutes, and that agent was helpful and able to resolve my issue.
Frontier Customer Service
Frontier, on the other hand, has a history of poor customer service, with many users reporting long wait times and unhelpful support. I did not have a need to call their customer service, so I can’t comment on it firsthand.
However, one of my coworkers has Frontier and reports that it is painful trying to get any level of support out of them. Based on the dozens of threads on Reddit blasting their support, it looks like customer service is less than ideal with Frontier.
Installation Process
Both internet services will require having a fiber optic cable run from the nearest utility pole or pedestal to your home.
It will also require the placement of an optical termination box on the side of your building. Generally, installation is fast and takes less than half a day.
GoNetspeed Installation Process
The installation process for GoNetspeed is generally reported as being smooth, with proactive communication and timely service.
Based on my experience, the entire installation process took a little over an hour from start to finish.
This time could be longer if the fiber needs to be pulled through an underground conduit rather than being run overhead.
Either way, the installation process is easy, and the service tech handles everything, including showing you how to connect to your router for the first time.
Frontier Installation Process
Based on feedback from Twitter and Reddit, Frontier subscribers report a greater number of hiccups in the installation process.
These ranged from techs never showing up, utilities not being properly marked in advance, and unexpected issues related to dead fiber.
In my case, the installation went reasonably smoothly despite the service tech not having a router with him in his van.
He did the fiber termination and then left and came back about an hour late with the router. Overall, the experience was okay but slower than with GoNetspeed.
Contract and Terms
Depending on your needs, you may wish to choose an ISP that doesn’t require committing to a 12 or 24-month contract. For other people, a contract may be a desirable way to lock in your pricing for a number of months.
GoNetspeed Contract and Terms
GoNetspeed plans are no contract plans. This means that you can cancel at any time without any early termination fees. On the flip side, this means that pricing is month to month and can go up at any time for any reason.
Frontier Contract and Terms
Contracts are optional but not required with Frontier. Getting the best pricing and getting any promo offers, such as streaming services or Visa gift cards, requires signing up for a 12-month contract.
For most people who intend to stay at their current service address for at least 12 months, signing up for a contract is likely the best option.
Not only does it get you the lowest pricing, it locks that pricing in for 12 months.
Additional Benefits
Additional benefits are something you may wish to consider when choosing between GoNetspeed vs Frontier. They handle additional benefits in different ways.
GoNetspeed Additional Benefits
GoNetspeed is free from contracts, hidden fees, or promotional pricing. According to a recent survey, pricing transparency is one of the most important things people look for in an ISP.
GoNetspeed offers simple pricing, which is relatively uncommon in the industry.
Frontier Additional Benefits
Frontier, tends to run promotions where you can get even lower pricing for the first 6 -12 months of service as well as other perks.
Currently, they have a Visa gift card promotion where you can get a Visa gift card when you sign up for select plans.
Customer Feedback
I collected feedback from users and also aggregated data from Twitter and Reddit. Based on the data I analyzed, I was able to reach a couple of conclusions.
- Pricing transparency is better with GoNetspeed.
- Support is better with GoNetspeed.
- Reliability and performance tend to be better with Frontier.
GoNetspeed Customer Feedback
When compared to the ISP industry as a whole, GoNetspeed stacks up favorably to the competition regarding customer feedback.
Many GoNetspeed subscribers praise the ISP for its reliable service, fair pricing, and excellent customer service.
Of course, there are also a fair number of critics who claim that they do not get their advertised speeds or experience frequent outages.
Frontier Customer Feedback
Many Frontier users report dissatisfaction with the customer service and price increases after the initial contract period.
Frontier’s fiber service generally receives positive feedback for its performance and reliability. However, based on thousands of reviews, the overall customer experience is lower than with GoNetspeed.
This largely stems from complaints about pricing and support.
Alternatives to GoNetspeed and Frontier
GoNetspeed and Frontier are both decent internet options to consider. However, there are also a few other choices that stand out as being worth your consideration.
Generally, it is good to make an informed decision based on all of your available ISP options.
Comcast (Xfinity)
Comcast is a very popular ISP available in many regions that also have Frontier and GoNetspeed. Comcast is widely criticized for billing practices that are similar to Frontier’s.
However, they are another option and generally offer solid performance at a similar price point.
Comcast is also ideal if you still subscribe to cable TV service. Their bundle pricing is generally less expensive than getting cable TV and internet separately.
Spectrum
Similar to Comcast, Spectrum has a giant footprint in the United States with service in many areas that are also served by Frontier and GoNetspeed. If you are looking for an alternative ISP, Spectrum is a good option to consider.
Download speeds are high, and latency for gaming is low. Upload speeds are lower than with a fiber-based service but fast enough for most people.
Like with Comcast, bundling TV service with Spectrum can make financial sense if you have not cut the cord yet.
Conclusion: GoNetspeed or Frontier Fiber
Based on my experience and the feedback from other users, GoNetspeed appears to offer a better overall experience for most people. Fair pricing, reliable service, and excellent customer support all set it apart from the competition.
Frontier is attractive if you are looking for a signup bonus or if you only need service for 12 months. After 12 months, your price will increase beyond the pricing of the intro rate.
Customer service is less than ideal with Frontier, but it is not that different from what you would experience with Xfinity or Verizon.
Also, let’s be real: When was the last time you contacted your ISP customer support anyway?
Ultimately, the better choice will depend on your specific needs, location, and priorities.
If customer support and consistent pricing are most important to you, GoNetspeed is likely the better option.
If you are looking for a signup promotion and are willing to sign a 12-month contract, Frontier may be worth considering.
FAQs
Can I cancel my service at any time without penalty?
- GoNetspeed is 100% contract-free so you can cancel at any time without penalty. Frontier generally requires a 12-month contract, and early termination fees apply.
Are there any sign-up bonuses?
- Frontier frequently offers sign-up bonuses such as Visa gift cards or Ring doorbells. GoNetspeed does not offer signup bonuses because it goes directly against its model of simple-to-understand pricing with no promotional rates.
Is the advertised speed guaranteed?
- No, both services are delivered on a best-effort basis. This means that neither service makes any guarantee about the speeds you will be getting. However, based on my own experience, both GoNetspeed and Frontier tend to deliver at least 95% of advertised speeds most of the time.