As someone enthusiastic about home networking, I want to help others optimize their home internet. I put together this guide to determine whether Performance Pro (Fast) offers decent value as an internet plan.
To determine whether it does, I’ll cover:
- What is Performance Pro/Fast?
- Who’s Performance Pro/Fast best for?
- What can you do with 400 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds?
- Where is it available?
- Plans and fees
- Features
- Contract
- Data cap
- How Performance Pro/Fast compares to other Xfinity plans
- How Xfinity Performance Pro/Fast compares to competitors
We have a lot to explore. So let’s get going.
What Is Comcast Xfinity Performance Pro/Fast Internet?
Both plans offer 400 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds. The only differences between these plans are the regions Xfinity offers them. They offer Performance Pro to customers in the Northeastern United States.
While they provide Fast to every other area they support.
Who’s Comcast Xfinity Performance Pro/Fast Best For?
This plan is ideal for homes with eight users simultaneously performing online tasks. What they can do online will differ. For instance, over six people can watch 1080p content on Netflix at the same time.
You could have a couple of devices watching content in 4K while several other people play games online (casually).
But not much so with tasks that require more upload speeds. Like live streaming. I’ll cover this later.
What Can You Do With 400 Mbps Download Speeds and 10 Mbps Upload Speeds?
Before diving into each of these sections, let’s take a look at recommended download speeds for things most of us will do online [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]:
| Task | Download Speed (Mbps) | Upload Speed (Mbps) |
| Casual Gaming (PC) | 3 | 0.5 |
| Competitive Gaming | 50 | 10 |
| Cloud Gaming (Stadia) | 1080p: 10 4K: 35 | NA |
| High-definition Audio Streaming (Lossless) | 2 | 0.5 |
| *Live Streaming on Twitch | 720p 60 FPS: 4.5 | Video: 2.5–4 Audio: 1.6 |
| Online Gaming While Streaming | 24.5 | 9.24 (with speed buffer) |
| Watching Netflix | Standard Definition: 1 1080p HD: 5 4K Ultra HD: 25 | NA |
| Web Surfing | 2 | 1 |
| Zoom Video Conferences | Group calling 1080p: 3.8 1:1 calling 1080p: 3.8 | Group calling 1080p: 3.8 1:1 calling 1080p: 3.8 |
| **4G Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) | 1 concurrent call: 5 | 1 concurrent call: 5 |
This table shows different internet speed requirements for online tasks.
* Some websites recommend having a 35–40% buffer to account for speed fluctuations.
** Speeds remain the same until 50 concurrent calls. Afterward, you’ll need 20 Mbps upload and download speeds.
Console, PC, and Cloud Gaming Plus Live Streaming
Upload and download speeds don’t make a difference in gaming. Unless you’re downloading background updates or running background videos. With 400 Mbps, you could have over 12 devices simultaneously watch videos and game online.
With 10 Mbps upload speeds, you now have more access to cloud gaming platforms. Both Amazon Luna and Vortex have 10 Mbps recommended speeds [6]. You still can’t use Shadow’s service, though.
That requires 15 Mbps to play without lag or losing your connection.
Keep in mind that you can only use a single device to stream cloud gaming content without excessive buffering. The same goes for live streaming on websites like YouTube or Twitch. That’s because of the low upload speeds.
If you were to have multiple devices simultaneously live streaming, each user might see dropped streams or sluggish connections.
When it comes to competitive gaming, you’ll notice something’s off on the chart above. I think the claim I found is off as well.
A Major League gamer claims you need 10 Mbps upload speeds for competitive online gaming. From my understanding, ping is the metric that matters most for online gaming. But he MAY have the right thought.
I’m not claiming that it’s a legitimate source. Or that it’s accurate information. It’s something for you to consider.
Because with 10 Mbps upload speed requirements, you could only have a single device running without background tasks (like automatic updates).
Watching Netflix, Disney+, Or Other Streaming Platforms
You have a lot of flexibility with 400 Mbps speeds. If you have a single 4K TV that your family only uses once in a while, you could have that running. Meanwhile, several other people in your home could watch 1080p content in their rooms.
Or they can ignore the movie everyone else is watching and browse the internet on their phone.
Work From Home
With Performance Pro (Fast), you’re still in Xfinity’s lower upload speed range. So you can only run Zoom calls on a few devices simultaneously.
I’d usually have a separate section for what you can do regarding downloading files. That’s not necessary for this scenario.
If you want to download a 150 GB file, it’ll take you over an hour. I recommend choosing a different plan if you constantly have multiple devices simultaneously downloading large files.
When combining these factors, I wouldn’t recommend this plan for freelance (or remote) video editors, graphic designers, or other positions that deal with massive file sizes. Because I’d imagine that you want to upload and download multiple large files fast.
You can’t do that with this plan.
Where Is Comcast Xfinity Performance Pro/Fast Available?
Xfinity offers Fast to every state it supports except those in the Northeast. In those areas, they’ll provide Performance Pro.
But:
Xfinity doesn’t specify what cities they support. As much as it hurts me to write this, you’re going to have to do some investigating. I can help you, though.
Follow this link to their Offers page. Once there, type your address and filter the internet speed for 400 Mbps.
If you don’t see a search result, then Comcast Xfinity doesn’t offer Fast or Performance Pro in your area.
How Much Does Comcast Xfinity Performance Pro/Fast Cost?
Depending on your location, you’ll pay $30–50 per month for Performance Pro or Fast. That’s with the new customer price. Once your term agreement passes, you’ll pay $70–89 (33–99% increase).
These prices also include the $10 discount from enabling the paperless billing and auto-pay features.
Other fees you can expect to pay with Fast (or Performance Pro) include:
- Data overage charge: $10 per 50 GB block of data they add to your account ($100 max)
- Equipment rental: $14 per month
- Unlimited Data (optional): $30 per month
- xFi Complete (modem/router combo): $25 a month, optional, and it gives you unlimited data
- Professional installation (optional): $89.99; you can install your modem yourself and save yourself the installation fee
- Late bill payment fee: $10 after a two-week grace period
- *Early Termination Fee (12-month agreement): $110; price lowers by $10 per month until the contract ends
- *Cancellation fee (24-month agreement): $230; they’ll lower the fee by $10 each month until your 24-month contract ends
* Even though an Xfinity team member posted these fees on a forum, they’re still susceptible to change [7]. Always check ahead of time before canceling.
Comcast Xfinity Performance Pro/Fast Features
Other than 300 (download) and 10 (upload), you’ll get these things when going with the Fast (Performance Pro) plan:
- Getting Started installation kit: an Xfinity gateway with all the cables to connect it
- Xfinity Wi-Fi: access to a bunch of Wi-Fi hotspots around the nation (that won’t contribute to your data cap)
- Flex 4K streaming TV box (optional): it does what a smart TV can do
- Constant Guard: Comcast’s version of Norton’s AntiVirus
- Cloud services: 7 email addresses and 10 GB of Cloud Storage
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Voice Remote (optional): talk to your Xfinity devices like it’s Alexa
Peacock Premium is a streaming service owned by NBC. I never used it, but it’s worth trying (maybe) if you’re looking for a Netflix alternative. That’s IF you want the Flex streaming box.
Like every other platform, Peacock has original series like MacGruber and the Saved by the Bell reboot. Other shows and movies you’ll find include The Office (US), Battlestar Galactica, and Friday Night Lights.
As with any streaming platform, its lineup of shows and films can change whenever. Due to licensing issues and such.
Comcast Xfinity Performance Pro/Fast Contract
You can choose 12, 24, or 36-month contracts in some locations. You could also go with a no-term plan, but I don’t recommend doing so. Because you won’t save money.
Before going into an Xfinity contract, try to plan ahead. Think whether anything could pop up that could force you to cancel your plan. Because they’re going to charge you an arm and a leg for the Early Termination Fee (ETF).
In some scenarios, they’ll reimburse the ETF as a credit. But you have to meet one of these criteria:
- An active service person who’s relocating
- Forced to cancel your Xfinity service because of a natural disaster
- You reactivate Xfinity within 90 days of canceling
- The account holder died
And life’s unpredictable. You can’t look into a magic ball and have it tell you whether you should subscribe to a contract. But if you’re feeling at least somewhat confident about life in the next 1, 2, or 3 years, I say go for it.
Comcast Xfinity Performance Pro/Fast Data Cap
Comcast Xfinity has a 1.2 terabyte (TB) data cap with their Fast and Pro internet plans. They give you a one-month grace period if you’re a new customer. That means you can use as much data as your heart desires for the first month.
If you pass the 1.2 TB limit again, they’ll add 50 GB blocks of data to your account. For each block they add, they’ll bill you $10. They won’t charge you more than $100 (no matter how much data you use).
It’s difficult to reach 1.2 TB of data use.
I watch YouTube in the background all day every day and still don’t use that much data. But here are some examples of how much mileage you’ll get:
| Task | Hours |
| 4G Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) | 60+ |
| 4K video streaming | 204 |
| 1080p video streaming | 350 |
| Online gaming | 1,650+ |
| *Googling stuff | 2,000+ |
| Music streaming | 8,500 |
This table displays how many hours you can perform specific online tasks before reaching 1.2 TB in data usage.
* AT&T’s calculator says we only use 15MB per hour when spending time on the internet. That’s not true. These numbers will vary by task.
Do you (or everyone in your home) use this much bandwidth?
Xfinity gives you a couple of options to avoid their bandwidth cap. Both involve money.
You can use their Unlimited Data add-on if you prefer using your own modem and router. It’s $30 per month. On top of your existing bill.
Or you can rent Comcast Xfinity’s xFi Complete. It’s a modem/router combination that’s $25 per month. And $300 per year.
Don’t waste your money on these add-ons.
Yet:
Utilize your grace period first. Periodically check how much data you’re using to see whether you need unlimited data.
If you have the Xfinity My Account app, you can use it to check your monthly data use. Or you can log in with your browser.
How Performance Pro/Fast Compares to Other Xfinity Plans
Here’s how Fast (Performance Pro) fares against other Xfinity internet plans:
| Plan | Price* | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connect/Performance Starter | $20-$40/mo | 75 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| Connect More/Performance | $40-$60/mo. | 200 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| Fast/Performance Pro | $50-$60/mo. | 400 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| Superfast/Blast Pro! | $65-$70/mo. | 800 Mbps | 20 Mbps |
| Extreme Pro/Ultrafast | $70-$80/mo. | 1000 Mbps | 20 Mbps |
| Gigabit | $80-$110/mo. | 1200 Mbps | 35 Mbps |
| Gigabit X2 | $120/mo. | 2000 Mbps | 200 Mbps |
| Gigabit Pro | $299.95/mo. | 6000 Mbps | 6000 Mbps |
This table compares speeds, along with the price for new customers and price after a year among different Xfinity internet plans.
* These prices don’t account for state and local taxes. They do include the $10 discount you get for enabling auto pay and paperless billing.
Comcast Xfinity Performance Pro/Fast vs. Competitors
Do you even need Xfinity? You should explore your options before deciding on a provider. Here’s a chart:
| Provider and Plan | Download Speeds (Mbps) | Upload Speeds (Mbps) | *Price (New Customer) | Data Cap (TB) |
| Performance Pro/Fast | 300 | 10 | $30–50 | 1.2 |
| AT&T (Fiber 300 Mbps) | 300 | 100-300 | $55 | NA |
| Optimum (Cable 300) | 300 | 20 | $39.99 | NA |
This table compares the new customer price, data caps, and internet speed (download/upload) among Optimum, AT&T, and Xfinity’s 300-400 Mbps plans.
* These prices don’t include taxes or additional fees. They also only show promotional prices. So these prices will vary. Some prices in this chart also include discounts by enabling account features like ‘Auto Pay.’
AT&T is the clear winner in this category because of its higher upload speeds and lack of a data cap. Optimum doesn’t have a data cap, only costs a bit more, and has more upload speed.
But both plans are fiber plans. That means they may have limited availability. In this scenario, I’d shop around or consider upgrading to a different Xfinity plan.
Wrapping Up
Xfinity Performance Pro (or Fast) is a great plan for 5–7 light users simultaneously using the internet. It’s an excellent plan for one or two users who need more bandwidth. But it doesn’t have the best upload speeds.
If you don’t need high upload speeds, check whether Xfinity offers Fast or Performance Pro in your area.
