Compare Cox vs. Windstream

Is Cox or Windstream better for you?

You don’t have to spend too much time comparing Windstream and Cox because at Allconnect®, we’ve already done the research 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.

As ranked by Reviews.com as of 7/13/18,  8/7/18 and 8/10/18.

• Best for flexible DSL internet service: Windstream offers no-contract plans without data caps or phone plan requirements. You can get internet-only with few strings attached.
• Best for internet plan variety: Cox offers more standalone internet plans and speeds than Windstream. Cox has 10 Mbps, 30 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 300 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps plans where available.
• Best for high cable TV customer satisfaction: Cox ranks higher than other cable companies according to the ACSI subscription television service 2018 ratings. Cox received a 60 out of 100 rating in 2018.

Reviews.com is owned and operated by an affiliate of Allconnect, Inc. However, Allconnect, Inc. is not involved in or responsible for the production of Reviews.com content, including the rankings cited on this page.

Cox vs. Windstream quick comparison

Cox is a cable company that offers internet speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and TV with a variety of add-on TV Paks. Windstream offers DSL internet with speeds up to 100 Mbps, home phone and fiber-optic internet with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Windstream may be the better option for you if you’re looking for the cheapest option 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 10/4/18.

 

To learn more about how Windstream and Cox services compare, check out a full comparison of their internet plans, TV bundles, phone packages and more.

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Cox vs. Windstream availability

Cox offers internet, TV and home phone services in select areas of 18 states while Windstream advertises internet and phone service in select areas of 19 states.

Regions where the two providers overlap include eastern Nebraska, northern Florida, southern Georgia, parts of Arkansas and regions of some other states.

Areas where service availability differs significantly include Arizona, Louisiana, Minnesota and Ohio. For instance, Cox only offers service in the Cleveland area of Ohio, but Windstream offers service in small towns and rural areas throughout the whole state.

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Cox vs. Windstream packages

Where available, Cox provides cable internet, TV and digital phone services. Windstream offers high-speed DSL internet, home phone and, in select areas, fiber internet plans. If you want TV service with Windstream internet, you can add a DIRECTV package to create a custom bundle.

In many areas of the country, Cox gives customers more internet speed package options while Windstream only offers one or two internet speed options. However, Windstream has more TV package choices through DIRECTV.

*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 10/4/18.

What shoppers should consider

If you already plan to get Cox TV services, a Cox bundle could definitely save you money. Bundling Cox internet with TV lets you essentially add internet service for $25 instead of its standalone price of $50. But most DIRECTV plans give you more sports options than Cox.

Additionally, Windstream internet speeds vastly vary by address. A Windstream bundle costs about the same as a Cox bundle, but may have speeds anywhere from 1.5 Mbps all the way to 200 mbps.

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Cox vs. Windstream internet

Compare internet speeds based on lowest starting price

	Starting price	Starting speeds	Fastest speeds	Data caps	Included equipment	Contract	Wi-Fi hotspots
	$29.99/mo.*	10 Mbps	1,000 Mbps	1 TB	None, equipment available to rent	No contract & 1-year term agreements available	Access to 500,000+ with qualifying plans
	$35/mo.*	1.5 Mbps to 200 Mbps	1,000 Mbps	No data cap	None, equipment available to rent	None required	None 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 10/4/18.

One thing to note is how much Windstream’s starting internet speeds vary. If both Cox and Windstream are available in your area, check to see what Windstream plans you can get at your address. Cox’s starting price may be cheaper, but you may be able to get faster speeds for just $5 more with Windstream.

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Cox vs. Windstream cheap internet plans

Where Cox and Windstream are both available, the cheapest internet plan is probably a Cox internet plan. For $29.99/mo.*, you can get Cox internet speeds up to 10 Mbps. In certain regions of the country though, like Lincoln, NE, Windstream may offer cheaper internet deals.

Remember that the cheapest plan doesn’t mean best value.

In select areas, you can get Windstream internet speeds up to 200 Mbps for $35/mo.*, a much better value than Cox’s next cheapest plan, 30 Mbps for $39.99/mo.* In other areas, you can Windstream internet speeds up to 50 Mbps for $35/mo.*, still a better value than Cox’s next cheapest plan.

Plus, Windstream offers free professional installation for select internet plans while Cox charges for both self-installation and professional installation. Check your address with Allconnect to see what plans and deals are available in your area.

 *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 10/4/18.

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Cox vs. Windstream fastest internet plans

Cox and Windstream both offer gig speed internet plans. Cox 1 Gbps internet plans have more availability than Windstream 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 10/4/18.

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Cox vs. Windstream TV

Windstream offers TV options through DIRECTV. As you compare Cox TV to DIRECTV, consider the following:

Evaluating each provider’s features and options may help you choose the best TV provider and plan for you.

 

Cox vs. Windstream/DIRECTV TV costs

If your TV choice comes down to cost, DIRECTV may be the best choice for you because of the following factors:

• DIRECTV plans and equipment cost less than Cox Contour TV. DIRECTV equipment and installation cost less as well.
• Windstream offers an additional $5 off your monthly TV plan when you bundle DIRECTV XTRA or DIRECTV ULTIMATE.
• The Cox Contour add-on Economy Pak gives you 23 additional channels for $15/mo.*, but many of these channels are already included with DIRECTV’s cheapest TV package.

*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 10/4/18.

 

Cox vs. Windstream/DIRECTV TV channel packages

Cox offers 1 standalone channel package. However, if you bundle TV with other Cox services, you can choose from additional TV plan options such as Cox Contour TV Ultimate. Cox’s highest channel count is more than 250 channels.

In contrast to Cox's single, standalone TV plan, DIRECTV offers 4 channel packages with Windstream, and you can add on channel packs if you want specific sports channels, international channels or other premium options.

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.

 

Is Cox or DIRECTV better for watching sports?

DIRECTV is the better option for watching sports at home.

Cox Contour TV includes some sports channels that DIRECTV SELECT does not such as ESPN, ESPN 2, FOX Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Golf Channel, Outdoor Channel and Spectrum Sportsnet. However, DIRECTV CHOICE costs $45/mo.* with Windstream, and it offers many of those channels.

You’ll also get the following channels with DIRECTV CHOICE that Cox Contour TV does not have:

*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 10/4/18.

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Cox vs. Windstream customer satisfaction

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) ranked Cox 3 points ahead of Windstream in the 2018 internet service providers rankings. Cox received a 59 out of 100 and Windstream received a 56 out of 100.

 

ACSI internet service providers ranking

	2017	2018
	62	59
	57	56

Cox has a 1.6 star rating on ConsumerAffairs while Windstream has a 1.2 star rating.

Last updated 10/4/18.