Cox vs. CenturyLink 2020 comparison

Cox vs. CenturyLink packages

Cox provides cable internet, TV and digital phone packages while CenturyLink offers high-speed DSL internet, home phone and fiber internet plans. If you want a CenturyLink TV package, CenturyLink partners with DIRECTV to offer satellite TV bundles.

Cox gives customers more internet speed package options, but CenturyLink offers more TV package choices through DIRECTV. While Cox standalone TV services cost more than DIRECTV plans, Cox packages offer customers higher savings and lower overall prices when you bundle.

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 06/17/20.

What shoppers should consider in different regions

CenturyLink’s pricing is pretty consistent across the U.S., but the highest speed ranges may not be available depending on your address. Cox doesn’t have as much availability as CenturyLink, but where both providers are available, Cox will likely offer a better package deal.

Cox vs. CenturyLink internet

Compare speed options based on lowest starting price.

Provider	Starting monthly price*	Starting speeds	Fastest speeds	Data caps	Included equipment	Contract	Wi-Fi hotspots
	$19.99*	10 Mbps	1,000 Mbps	1 TB/mo.	None, equipment available to rent	No contract & 1-year term agreements available	Access to 500,000+ with qualifying plans
	$49.00**	15 Mbps to 40 Mbps	940 Mbps	1 TB with DSL, no limit with Gigabit	None, equipment available to rent	None required	Not available

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 06/17/20.Rate requires paperless billing and excludes taxes. Additional fees apply. Get the fastest internet speed available at your home (max speed is up to 100 Mbps).

**Rate requires paperless billing. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Offer Details
Speed may not be available in your area. Maximum download/upload speed of up to 940 Mbps via a wired connection.

Cox internet plans

Cox pricing for plans may vary by location, but similar speeds are offered in all serviceable areas.

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 06/17/20.

CenturyLink internet plans

CenturyLink pricing and plan offerings are similar throughout serviceable areas, however, fiber-optic service is only available in select locations.

*Rate requires paperless billing. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Offer Details

One thing to note is that Cox gives you the option to get standalone internet plans without a contract. No-contract, standalone internet plans cost slightly more, but even with the higher prices, most Cox internet plans cost less than CenturyLink internet plans with similar speeds. However, CenturyLink’s fastest internet plan comes at a lower price than Cox’s, even though the two plans offer similar max speeds.

Cox vs. CenturyLink fastest internet plans

Cox and CenturyLink both offer gig speed internet plans. CenturyLink 1 Gbps internet plans cost less than Cox 1 Gbps internet plans.

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 06/17/20.

**Speed may not be available in your area. Maximum download/upload speed of up to 940 Mbps via a wired connection.

Cox vs. CenturyLink TV

CenturyLink partners with DIRECTV offer internet and TV bundles. DIRECTV is great for sports watchers and gives customers many more channel package choices compared to Cox’s main TV plan, Cox Contour TV.

Cox vs. CenturyLink/DIRECTV TV packages and costs

• Cox Contour TV starts at $64.99/mo.*
• 140-250+ channels
• $75 setup and installation, $20 for self-installation
• HD receiver included, $8.50/mo.* per additional receiver
• Record two shows at once with basic DVR, up to six shows at once with whole-home DVR

• Packages starting at $64.99/mo.*
• 160-250+ channels
• Free professional installation available
• DVR device included, $7/mo.* for each additional receiver
• Record up to five shows at once

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 06/17/20.

DIRECTV plans and equipment cost less than Cox Contour TV. Not only do DIRECTV packages start at a lower cost than Cox Contour TV options, equipment and installation cost less too.

Cox doesn’t offer as many packages as DIRECTV, but as a cable TV provider, you’re less likely to experience service interruptions. Cox also doesn’t tie you up in a contract. However, DIRECTV offers more package options, lower prices and better sports channel lineups.

Cox vs. CenturyLink customer satisfaction

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) scores internet providers based on feedback from actual customers on the topics of service quality, cost, call center experience and more. Here’s how Cox and CenturyLink ACSI scores compare over the past three years.

ACSI internet service providers ranking

Provider	2020 score	2019 score	2018 score	2017 score	Avg. past three years
	61	59	58	59	58.7
	63	60	59	62	60.3