Provider comparison
Optimum vs Spectrum
An honest side-by-side on speed, pricing, coverage, and the real-world tradeoffs between Optimum and Spectrum.
Side-by-side
| Feature | Optimum | Spectrum |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | cable, fiber | cable |
| Top speed (download) | 5,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps |
| Symmetric upload? | Yes (fiber) | No |
| Starting price | $40/mo | $50/mo |
| Footprint | Largest in NY, NJ, CT, and PA, with growing fiber footprint in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. | 41 states; strongest presence in the Carolinas, Texas, New York, Ohio, and the Pacific Northwest. |
Pricing reflects each carrier's current promotional retail and may differ at your address.
Optimum
Optimum, owned by Altice USA, blends fiber and cable internet across the Northeast and parts of the South Central US.
See full Optimum plansSpectrum
Spectrum, owned by Charter Communications, is the second-largest US cable internet provider, offering uncapped cable plans across 41 states.
See full Spectrum plans