Mediacom vs Optimum: Our Verdict
Mediacom and Optimum serve entirely different regions of the United States — Mediacom covers rural and suburban communities across the Midwest and Southeast including Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Missouri, Minnesota, and Mississippi, while Optimum serves the dense Northeastern corridor across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and Colorado. Mediacom offers cable internet starting at $29.99/mo for 100 Mbps with data caps on lower tiers (60 GB-400 GB), whereas Optimum prices its plans from $40/mo for 300 Mbps with no data caps on any tier. Optimum has also begun selectively deploying fiber, giving some customers access to symmetrical speeds that Mediacom's pure cable network cannot match.
Our Pick
Optimum
Recommendation
Optimum is the stronger provider with faster base speeds, no data caps, mobile bundling through Optimum Mobile at $30/mo, and selective fiber deployment that is gradually improving its network quality. Mediacom remains a viable option for budget-conscious users in its rural and suburban service areas where $29.99/mo for 100 Mbps provides an affordable entry point.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Mediacom | Optimum |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $30.00/mo | $15.00/mo |
| Max Internet Speed | 2000 Mbps | 8000 Mbps |
| Available Plans | 6 plans | 13 plans |
| Internet | ||
| TV | ||
| Mobile | ||
| View Mediacom Plans | View Optimum Plans |
Featured Plans
Mediacom
Optimum
Optimum Fiber 1 Gig
Optimum TV Select
Optimum Mobile Unlimited
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mediacom or Optimum have data caps?
Mediacom imposes data caps on its lower-tier plans ranging from 60 GB on the cheapest plan to 400 GB on mid-tier plans, with overage charges applying when you exceed your monthly allotment. Optimum currently does not have data caps on any of its internet plans, allowing unlimited data usage regardless of which speed tier you subscribe to. This makes Optimum significantly more forgiving for households that stream video frequently or download large files.
Which is cheaper — Mediacom or Optimum internet?
Mediacom has a lower entry price at $29.99/mo for 100 Mbps compared to Optimum's starting plan of $40/mo for 300 Mbps. However, Optimum delivers three times the speed for only $10 more per month, making it the better per-megabit value at the entry level. At the gigabit tier, Mediacom's $59.99/mo is $20 cheaper than Optimum's $80/mo, though Mediacom's cable upload speeds and data cap policies may diminish that savings advantage.
Can I get Optimum Mobile if I have Mediacom internet?
No, Optimum Mobile at $30/mo for unlimited data is exclusively available to Optimum internet subscribers and cannot be purchased independently or paired with Mediacom service. If you are a Mediacom customer seeking affordable mobile service, you would need to use a separate carrier such as T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, or another MVNO.
Do Mediacom and Optimum serve any of the same areas?
Mediacom and Optimum have virtually no geographic overlap. Mediacom serves primarily rural and smaller suburban communities in Midwestern and Southeastern states like Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Missouri, Minnesota, and Mississippi. Optimum's footprint covers parts of the Northeastern United States including the New York tri-state area, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, with select markets in New Mexico and Colorado.
Is Optimum Fiber available and how does it compare to Mediacom cable?
Optimum has been selectively upgrading portions of its network to fiber-to-the-premises, which delivers symmetrical upload and download speeds that far exceed what Mediacom's cable network can provide. Where Optimum Fiber is available, customers can enjoy upload speeds matching their download speeds — for example, 1 Gbps up and 1 Gbps down — compared to Mediacom's cable technology which typically delivers upload speeds of 50 Mbps or less.