High-speed internet has become an integral part of today’s digital world. Can you guess what the new normal in the post-pandemic era is? Work from home & study from home!
Was it possible through mobile data? Well, to some extent but not sustainable. If you have also gone through this new normal then you must have faced this issue too. Mobile data is neither stable nor cost-effective. So what solution did you opt for? Wifi from optical fiber cable. Apart from studying and working, wifi offers streaming services and online gaming too!

So when it comes to internet fiber cable, two giants rule at the top, namely- Jio Fiber and Airtel Xstream. Both offer affordable and good quality internet that perfectly fits the majority of households in India. Eventually, it led to a highly anticipated comparison i.e. Jio Fiber vs Airtel Xstream.
In this article, we will delve into the comparison of Jio Fiber vs Airtel Xstream.
Let’s begin!
Jio Fiber vs Airtel Xstream: A Brief Comparison
All of us are aware of the fact that both companies offer high-speed internet along with unique features. Reason? Obviously to expand its user base and profits. Let’s have a brief comparison of Jio Fiber vs Airtel Xstream-
Features of Broadband | Jio Fiber | Airtel Xstream |
Speed | 30 Mbps to 1Gbps | 40 Mbps to 1Gbps |
Starting Price (Basic Plan) | Rs.399 | Rs.499 |
Data Limits | 100 GB to Unlimited | 150 GB to 3.3 TB |
Additional Services | OTT platforms, Unlimited Voice Calls (Can be used with a mobile phone and Jio SIM Card) | Free OTT platforms, Security Features, Home Networking Services (Apollo 24/7), Wynk Music |
User Reviews | Average | Good |
You can consider the factors described above to determine which one is better. If you are looking to purchase any of these telecom companies’ optical fiber internet then you must dig deeper into the comparison.
Sounds like a tedious task! Isn’t it?
Don’t worry, we have presented a detailed comparison too! Go through the upcoming sections. Because they will help you to make a better decision.
Jio Fiber vs Airtel Xstream: A Detailed Comparison
Even though this comparison may not be very straightforward due to the different kinds of plans of both companies. But we have described them in the simplest way possible. The comparison is made based on four crucial criteria viz.-
- Speed
- Plans
- Prices
- Installation Charges
- User Reviews
(1) Plans & Speed
Let’s look at the plans of both companies based on the price and speed-
Type of Plan | Speed | Jio Fiber | Airtel Xstream |
Basic Plan | 30Mbps | Rs.399 | – |
40 Mbps | – | Rs.499 | |
Standard | 100 Mbps | Rs.699 | Rs.799 |
Entertainment Plan | 150 Mbps | Rs.999 | – |
200 Mbps | – | Rs.999 | |
Professional Plan | 300 Mbps | Rs.1499 | Rs.1498 |
500 Mbps | Rs.2499 | – | |
Infinity Plan | 1 Gbps | Rs.3999 (up to 3300 GB) Rs.8499 (up to 6600 GB) | Rs.3999 (limit not defined) |
(1.1) Who performs better in the plans?
Jio Fiber comes with seven different plans whose speeds range from 30 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Hence you get more options to opt for the plans as per your usage. Contrarily, Airtel Xstream comes with just 5 different plans. You see a massive jump from 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
If you want internet speed higher than 300 Mbps but don’t want to spend on 1 Gbps speed, then you can go for Jio fiber. Because in the latter you get a mid-price option for 500 Mbps at the price of Rs.2499.
(1.2) Who performs better in speed?
It is Airtel Xstream! Reason? Due to a 20% speed boost in Airtel Xstreme fiber. What’s that? Even at the basic plan of 40 Mbps, you will get the speed to over 50 Mbps. Really? Yes. This is the highly sought feature of Airtel Xstream. That’s why the majority of folks prefer Airtel Xstream despite its high prices (higher than Jio Fiber).
What about Jio Fiber? You may ask. Well, as per the reviews given by existing users, the speed of Jio reaches up to the mark only in certain areas. Its speed is comparatively slow in both mobile data and optical fiber.
So, in terms of speed, Airtel Xstream is the winner!
2. Installation Charges
This is the most crucial aspect of Jio Fiber vs Airtel Xstream. The installation charges determine how willing the user is to try the wifi of the respective company.
Let’s compare the installation charges of both companies-
Particulars for Installation | Jio Fiber | Airtel Xstream |
Installation Fee (Non-refundable) | Rs.1000 | Nil |
Router Fee (Refundable) | Rs.500 | Nil |
Set-Top Box Fee (Optional & Refundable) | Rs.1000 | Rs.1,500 |
Wire Cost | Nil | Free up to 100m; Rs.10 per meter for extra wire |
Total Installation Charges | Rs.1500 to Rs.2500 | Rs.1500 |
Minimum Recharge Plan | Rs.799 | Rs.499 |
Plan Duration | 3 months | 6 months |
From the above comparison, you can see that Airtel Xstream is more cost-effective. Apart from the optional cost of the wire, you can opt for a short recharge plan of Rs.499. And that too for a long duration i.e.3 months.
3. Additional Services
When it comes to additional services, both companies perform well. However, for receiving these services you must recharge for min. 150 Mbps and 200 Mbps for Jio & Airtel respectively.
Let’s look at some of the significant additional benefits of wifi for both telecom companies-
Additional Services | Jio Fiber | Airtel Xstream |
OTT Platforms | Netflix (Basic &/ Standard), Amazon Prime, Disney + Hotstar, Zee5, Hoichoi, Eros Now, + 11 more | Netflix Premium, Disney+Hotstar, Wynk Music, Xstream Premium, and Amazon Prime. |
Other Benefits | – | Apollo 24/7 (e-medicine), FASTag (Indian electronic toll collection system) |
Both of them are equally good when it comes to OTT services. However, you get Apollo 24/7 services in Airtel Xstream. It is an exclusive e-medicine platform. Also, you get FASTag in Airtel Xstream to make toll payments directly.
That’s why Airtel Xstream is a winner in terms of additional services too!
4. User Reviews
What do you do when you can’t figure out which product to buy? You ask those individuals who have already used that product. This is called “User Reviews.” This is the best way to end all of your bewilderment. Similar is the case with Jio Fiber vs Airtel Xstream!
On several public discussion forums, folks have highlighted their honest views on Jio Fiber and Airtel Xstream. What did they say? They were absolutely satisfied with the service and speed of Airtel Xstream. This was the ideal wifi for gaming purposes.
Contrary to popular belief and hype of Jio Fibre, the users called it a bit lagging in speed. And you know quite well that internet speed is the most crucial factor that determines the quality of the internet. So, if an internet source lacks good speed, it gets a thumbs down from the users.
As per the users, Airtel Xstream is better in terms of speed and seamless experience.
Conclusion: Who is the winner?
Now here comes the part of the judgment of Jio Fiber vs Airtel Xstream. The winner has been declared based on your usage. If you carefully observe all the comparison factors described above, you will understand the concept. And that is “Which of the two offers a better value for money to ordinary users?” Also, the speed and function of your internet connection depends on your location too! As of now, Airtel Xstream seems to be the winner mainly due to the speed and services. But if you are looking for more affordable plans with diverse options then Jio Fiber outshines Airtel Xstream.
Thus, the winner is determined based on your preferences!
I would say Airtel is the winner. So because its Internet connection can be easily accessible from any part of India or from any small area. Their network is strong and holds a good identity in people’s minds. Although it has high prices as compared to Jio plans. But a smart consumer will choose Airtel because it offers a better value over the money. Also must to watch for in upcoming years Airtel will come along with more attractive plans with more add on feature.