Compare Spectrum vs. Windstream

Compare Spectrum and Windstream internet and TV services to see how they stack up.

Is Spectrum or Windstream the provider for you?

Considering Spectrum or Windstream internet for your home? Compare provider features like pricing, internet speeds and more to get the right service for your home. Take a look at our breakdowns of both providers.

Best for availability: Spectrum

Spectrum is available in far more areas than Windstream, covering 33% of the U.S. population compared to Windstream at 3%.
Cheapest internet packages: Windstream

Windstream has cheaper internet plans than Spectrum, but Spectrum will probably give you more speed options.
Highest customer satisfaction: Spectrum

Spectrum internet scored slightly higher than Windstream in customer satisfaction in 2020, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index.

Spectrum vs. Windstream quick comparison

Available in 46 states
Bundles starting at $89.98/mo.*
Speeds from 100 Mbps to 940 Mbps
TV channel range of 125-200+ channels
Record up to two shows at once
No contact required
Modem rental included

Available in 18 states
Bundles starting at $90/mo.*
Speeds from 25 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps
TV channel range of 155-250+ channels
Record up to five shows at once with DIRECTV
No-contract internet plans 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 11/05/20.

Charter Spectrum vs. Windstream bundles

Charter Spectrum vs. Windstream internet

Charter Spectrum vs. Windstream TV

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Spectrum vs. Windstream availability

Spectrum is available in more than twice as many states as Windstream and offered in more major metropolitan areas nationwide. Windstream serviceability covers a mix of rural and more densely populated areas primarily in the South and Midwest.

Some of the primary cities Spectrum and Windstream are available include Birmingham, AL, Twin Cities area of MN, Lincoln, NE, Syracuse, NY and Charlotte, NC. Spectrum and Windstream are also available throughout Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio and central Texas.

Spectrum nationwide availability- 33%

Windstream nationwide availability- 3%

Source: FCC

Which internet providers and plans are available in your area? Click “Check availability” below to see if Spectrum, Windstream or other internet providers are available in your ZIP code.

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Spectrum vs. Windstream internet

$49.99/mo.* starting price
100 Mbps starting speeds
940 Mbps max speeds
No data caps
500,000+ hotspots nationwide

$37.00/mo.* starting price
25 Mbps starting speeds
1,000 Mbps max speeds
No data caps
No Wi-Fi hotspots

Starting internet speeds from Spectrum or Windstream will mostly depend on where you’re located even though the starting price tends to remain the same. Spectrum speeds start out at 100 to 200 Mbps, while Windstream’s range all the way from 25 to 200 Mbps. A gig-speed internet service option is also available from both providers, although availability varies.

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Spectrum vs. Windstream cheapest internet plans

Since the starting speeds of either provider vary so greatly from region to region, you won’t have much say in what speeds you’ll get with the most basic internet plan. Price point, installation options and equipment included will be the biggest points of comparison between Spectrum and Windstream’s cheapest plans.

- Starting at $49.99/mo.* for up to 200 Mbps
- $0.25 per Mbps (with cheapest plan and highest available speed)
- Modem rental included, router rental starting at $5/mo.*
- Free self-installation
- No contract required
- Starting at $37.00/mo.* for up to 25 Mbps
- $1.48 per Mbps (with cheapest plan and highest available speed)
- Standard modem rental $5.99/mo.*
- Free professional installation
- No contract required

Windstream’s cheapest internet plan is half the price of Spectrum’s cheapest plan, but Spectrum generally offers higher speeds with its lowest plans. When you consider cost per Mbps, Spectrum is likely to offer the better deal with its cheapest internet plan.

Spectrum vs. Windstream fastest internet plans

- Up to 940 Mbps
- Starting at $109.99/mo.*
- Cable connection
- Unlimited data
- Up to 1,000 Mbps
- Starting at $67/mo.*
- Fiber optic connection
- Unlimited data

.*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 11/05/20.

Spectrum and Windstream both offer gig speed internet options in some areas. However, if gig-speeds from both providers are available to your home, you’ll save about $40/mo.* with Windstream internet. Windstream also uses a fiber optic connection to provide these higher speeds, which is known for reliability as well as speed.

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Spectrum vs. Windstream bundles

Spectrum and Windstream have similar bundle offerings, making it easy to compare monthly savings.

Spectrum Double Play Select
- Starting at $89.98/mo.*
- Speeds up to 200 Mbps
- 125+ channels
- No contract required
Bundled savings: $5/mo.*
Windstream Internet + DIRECTV Choice
- Starting at $101.99/mo.*
- Speeds up to 25 Mbps
- No internet data cap
- DIRECTV Choice 160+ channels
- No internet contract required. Two-year contract for DIRECTV.
Bundled savings: $0/mo.

Although bundling is convenient, it won’t always save you money. Spectrum, however, has more packages that will allow you to save each month.

For more information on bundles from Spectrum or Windstream in your area, click below to see available packages.

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Spectrum vs. Windstream TV

Spectrum offers three main cable TV packages and Windstream lets you bundle with your choice of five DIRECTV packages. You’ll have a greater TV selection with DIRECTV, but the service requires a two-year contract and satellite installation, something you wouldn’t have to worry about with Spectrum.

Spectrum vs. Windstream TV packages and pricing

Packages starting at $44.99/mo.*
125-200+ channels
Free self-installation available
DVR service starting at $12.99/mo.* and $6.99/mo.* for DVR/HD box rental
Record up to two shows at once
No contract required

Packages starting at $64.99/mo.*
160-330+ channels
Free professional installation available
DVR device included, $7/mo.* for each additional receiver
Record up to five shows at once
Two-year contract required

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Spectrum vs. Windstream customer satisfaction

According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Spectrum internet ranks slightly higher in customer satisfaction than Windstream. In 2020, Spectrum received a 63/100 and Windstream received a 61/100. Although Spectrum scored slightly higher than Windstream, both internet providers ranked below the average customer satisfaction rating (65/100).

	Spectrum	Windstream	Average internet service provider rating
2018	60	56	62
2019	59	57	62
2020	63	61	65

Spectrum vs. Windstream FAQs

Is Spectrum internet cable or DSL?

Spectrum internet uses a cable network. Unlike with DSL, you do not need a phone line to get internet with Spectrum.

What internet speeds does Spectrum offer?

Spectrum internet speeds start at up to 100 Mbps. In select areas, starting speeds may be up to 200 Mbps, with higher tiers offering speeds up to 400 Mbps and 940 Mbps.

Is Spectrum or Windstream better for internet?

In areas where only Windstream DSL is available, Spectrum is likely to offer faster speeds and a more reliable connection. In areas where Windstream’s fiber optic service is available, Windstream may have plans with faster speeds and lower pricing than Spectrum.

Does Windstream have free anti-virus?

Windstream includes McAfee Multi-Access with select Windstream packages. This software offers anti-virus and anti-spyware protection on up to three devices. If the service is not included with your Windstream package, you can add it for an additional monthly fee.

Last updated 11/05/20.

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Written by:

Joe Supan

Senior Writer, Wireless & Streaming Content

Joe oversees all things wireless and streaming for Allconnect. His work has been referenced by McAfee, Fox network and more. He has utilized thousands of data points to build a library of metrics to help users n… Read more