Windstream vs. Cox: How these two providers compare

Is Cox or Windstream better for you?

Check out how Windstream and Cox stack up when it comes to internet plans, TV channel options, customer service ratings and more. Depending on where you live and what you need at home, you may find that either Cox or Windstream is a better provider for you.

• Best for internet plan variety: Cox offers more standalone internet plans and speeds than Windstream. Cox has 50 Mbps, 150 Mbps, 500 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps plans where available.
• Best for no-contract, unlimited data plans: Windstream offers internet plans without data caps or contract requirements.
• Best for internet customer satisfaction: According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Cox scored a 63/100 and Windstream scored a 61/100 for internet service in 2021.

Pros and cons of Cox and Windstream

• Allconnect Rating

  3.47 / 5

  Cox

  • Cheap starting prices

  • Fast internet speeds

  • High customer satisfaction

  • 1.25TB data cap on cheapest plan

  • Contract required for cheapest price on 50 Mbps plan

• Allconnect Rating

  3.95 / 5

  Windstream

  • Great value

  • Affordable Gig plan

  • No contracts or data caps

  • Slow DSL plans

  • Price increases after 12 months

How we scored internet providers

We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. Each category contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to impact the provider’s overall score.

We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. Each category contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to impact the provider’s overall score.

For each sub-factor, we score all providers on a continuous scale of 1 to 5, relative to the industry as a whole. Because the average download speed in America is currently 180 Mbps, for example, we assigned all plans with download speeds between 100 and 299 Mbps a score between 3 and 4. Xfinity’s 200 Mbps plan received a 3.50 score for download speed, while Spectrum’s 400 Mbps plan got a 4.16.

We only considered standardized data points in our scoring system. More abstract data like consistency of service and brand reputation is still part of our analysis, but we opted to let our writers address them in the context of each review.

Learn more about our methodology

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Cox vs. Windstream internet plans compared

Cox internet plans and pricing

 *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 03/02/22.

Windstream internet plans and pricing

 *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 03/02/22.

Between Cox and Windstream: Which internet plan should you choose?

Best overall internet plan: Windstream Kinetic Internet 400 

If you are looking for an internet plan under $50/mo. that offers reliable, high-speed internet, Windstream’s 400 Mbps plan for $47/mo. is the plan for you. Speeds up to 400 Mbps are ideal for households of 4+ people who use the internet heavily. If Windstream fiber is not available to you, however, go with Cox’s 150 Mbps internet plan for $49.99/mo. or Cox’s 500 Mbps internet plan for $69.99/mo. 

Cheapest overall internet plans: Cox Internet Essential 50

Cox offers the cheaper starting prices with its 50 Mbps plan for $39.99/mo. That said, prices increase by $26/mo. after the first year. Windstream fiber’s cheapest plan is $37/mo. for 200 Mbps and the price will increase to $57/mo. after the first 12 months. If you are looking for the best cheap internet deal, Windstream’s 200 Mbps plan is the way to go. 

Fastest overall internet plans: Cox Gigablast and Windstream Kinetic Gig 

Both Cox and Windstream fiber offer gig speed plans with speeds reaching up to 1,000/1,000 (download/upload) Mbps with Windstream and up to 940/35 Mbps with Cox. Windstream’s Gig plan is significantly cheaper than Cox’s and you will get faster upload speeds as well. 

Additional costs associated with Windstream and Cox internet service

Overall, Windstream and Cox are about equal when it comes to extra fees. The biggest difference is data caps, which only Cox has. That said, you’ll only incur data fees if you go over 1TB, which is a high bar to reach for most households.

Equipment

Cox: Cox charges $13/mo. for a gateway modem and router device, but the fee is waived on its three fastest plans. You always have the option of purchasing your own equipment, too.

Windstream: Windstream requires customers to rent their own equipment. You can expect an additional $9.99/mo. on your bill, therefore. 

Data caps

Cox: Cox only has data caps on its cheapest plan. It charges $10/mo. for every 50GB exceeded over 1.25TB/mo.

Windstream: Windstream does not impose data caps. 

One-time charges 

Cox: Cox does not charge an activation fee and installation fees vary by region but is often free. 

Windstream: Customers will have to pay $35 for professional installation and $50 to activate your internet. 

Cox vs. Windstream bundles

Windstream doesn’t offer TV service, but you can add a DIRECTV package to your internet plan. Unfortunately, it’s not discounted, so there’s no real benefit to adding DIRECTV over any other TV service.

Cox, on the other hand, does offer several TV packages and you can save significantly by bundling TV and internet. If you’re looking to save on a TV and internet bundle, Cox is the clear winner.

• Cox Internet Preferred 150 + Contour TV Preferred

  • Starting at $147.99/mo.*
  • Speeds up to 150 Mbps
  • No data cap
  • Contour TV 140+ channels
  • No contract required
    

  
  Bundled savings: $0/mo.*

• Windstream Internet + DIRECTV Entertainment

  • Starting at $101.99/mo.*
  • Speeds up to 200 Mbps
  • No internet data cap
  • DIRECTV Entertainment 160+ channels
  • No internet contract required. Two-year contract for DIRECTV.
    

  
  Bundled savings: $0/mo.*

*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 03/02/22.

Cox vs. Windstream TV

Cox offers cable TV service and Windstream offers satellite TV options through DIRECTV. Consider provider features, DVR options, installation fees and more before choosing your plan. 

Cox vs. Windstream/DIRECTV TV packages and costs

• Cox Contour TV starts at $53/mo.*
• 75-250+ channels
• $75 setup and installation, $20 for self-installation
• 1 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.*
• 160-2330+ channels
• Free professional installation available
• 1 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 03/02/22.

Cox offers four standalone TV packages. However, if you bundle Cox TV with other services, you can only get a Cox’s channel count of 140+ channels.

Windstream doesn’t offer TV service itself, but you can add DIRECTV to any plan. Unfortunately, there’s no discount, so there’s no real benefit to doing so over any other TV service.

Because Windstream doesn’t actually have TV plans, Cox is the winner for TV service by default.

Cox vs. Windstream customer satisfaction

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) ranks internet providers based on feedback from actual customers. The scores take into account service quality, customer service experiences, pricing and more. Here’s how Cox and Windstream internet scored over the past three years.

Provider	2021 score	2020 score	2019 score	Avg. past four years
	63/100	61	60	61.3
	61/100	61	57	59.7

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Written by:

Taylor Gadsden

Writer, Broadband Content

Taylor is a veteran member of the Allconnect content team and has spearheaded a number of projects, including a data piece on the top fiber cities in the U.S. and a troubleshooting guide on how to connect your p… Read more

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband Content

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