Xfinity vs. Windstream Internet

Xfinity and Windstream Internet Service in 2023

19 Plans Available
Xfinity internet
price range
$35 - $299.95/month
*Prices may vary depending on the plan.

PROVIDER DETAILS

  • 200 Mbps - 10 Gbps
  • Cable, Fiber
  • $15 a month equipment fees
  • Unlimited Data
8 Plans Available
Windstream internet
price range
$39.99 - $179.99/month
*Prices may vary depending on the plan.

PROVIDER DETAILS

  • 50 Mbps - 2 Gbps
  • DSL, Fiber, Copper, Fixed Wireless, Cable
  • $10 a month equipment fees
  • Unlimited Data

Learn more about Xfinity and Windstream:

Learn more about Xfinity and Windstream

Xfinity and Windstream are popular internet service providers that offer various high-speed internet plans at affordable rates. If you’re looking for TV bundles, Xfinity has multiple options with hundreds of channels. Windstream is best known for its availability in rural areas where high-speed internet is hard to find. Below, we take a closer look at how Xfinity and Windstream compare so you can choose the one that’s right for you.

Xfinity mainly offers cable internet plans with one fiber plan, whereas Windstream offers several connection types, including DSL, fixed wireless, cable, and fiber. The former’s download speeds go up to 3 Gbps, making it one of the fastest internet providers in the U.S. Windstream’s download speeds reach up to 1 Gbps on a fixed wireless or fiber connection. If gigabit speeds are your top concern, both Xfinity and Windstream are premium choices.

Xfinity vs Windstream: Best Deals

Internet Deals

Xfinity isn’t short on deals, which typically include monthly discounts, free streaming service subscriptions, price guarantees, and free equipment. On the other end, Windstream’s deals are usually a certain value of credit and free months of fiber internet service. Check back on the providers’ websites for current deals as they usually change on a monthly basis.

Pros and Cons By Provider

Pros and Cons By Provider

Xfinity Pros

  • Ongoing promotions
  • Extensive bundle options
  • Ultra-fast gigabit speeds
  • Nationwide coverage
  • Excellent customer service

Xfinity Cons

  • Contracts required for best deals
  • Expensive fiber plan

Windstream Pros

  • No data caps
  • No required contracts
  • Multiple connection types
  • Available in rural areas
  • Gigabit speeds

Windstream Cons

  • Unreliable customer service
  • Plans vary by location

Xfinity excels in its customer service and bundle options but could improve in offering deals for non-contract internet plans and lowering the price for its fiber plan. That said, its download speeds are reliable and lightning-fast.

Windstream has no data caps or required contracts for its internet-only plans. Also, because it has extensive rural coverage, it serves residents who don’t always get access to fast download speeds. Its pitfalls are that its customer service doesn’t have the best reputation and not all plans are available in the areas that it covers.

All in all, Xfinity and Windstream have their strengths and flaws, so depending on what you prioritize, one could be the better provider over the other.

Xfinity vs. Windstream: Packages Compared

Xfinity is probably best known for its bundle options, which include internet, TV, and phone services. Prices are also more affordable than what other leading ISPs offer, and each package with an internet plan has download speeds up to 3 Gbps.

Windstream also offers packages with internet, TV, and phone services, and prices are much cheaper than Xfinity’s. However, download speeds for its internet plans only reach up to 2 Gbps for bundles. It also partners with DIRECTV to provide TV service, whereas Xfinity has its own TV service.

Xfinity vs. Windstream: Extra Fees and Contracts

Xfinity doesn’t require contracts, but if you want monthly discounts, you’ll have to sign one. Plus, you get a two-year price guarantee under a contract. Windstream also doesn’t require contracts, but you’ll end up paying a higher monthly rate after the first 12 months.

Installation

Both Xfinity and Windstream charge a one-time professional installation fee but it’s cheaper than other competitors. Customers can opt for self-installation from both providers, depending on the plan, but you might have to pay extra for a kit. Also, be aware of activation fees.

Data cap

Xfinity’s fiber plan doesn’t have data caps, but its cable plans have a 1.2 TB data cap. Windstream doesn’t have data caps on any of its internet plans, giving you unrestricted access to the internet.

Xfinity vs. Windstream: Customer Satisfaction

Xfinity has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau for its reliability, superior speeds, and durable equipment. Meanwhile, Windstream falls behind Xfinity significantly and has received numerous complaints from customers about connection slowdowns and billing issues.

Xfinity vs. Windstream Internet Review

We asked BroadbandNow users to review Xfinity based on four core attributes: Customer Service, Reliability, Speed, and Value.

BroadbandNow readers submitted 6012 for Xfinity. Xfinity earned an average score of 3.45 out of 5.

We asked BroadbandNow users to review Windstream based on four core attributes: Customer Service, Reliability, Speed, and Value.

BroadbandNow readers submitted 1389 for Windstream. Windstream earned an average score of 3.03 out of 5.

Frequently Asked Questions About Xfinity and Windstream

  • Is Xfinity cheaper than Windstream?

    Xfinity’s cheapest, non-fiber internet-only plan costs $35 per month, whereas Windstream’s lowest-priced, non-fiber internet-only plan is $39.99 per month. Prices and plans may vary by location.

  • Who has faster speeds — Xfinity or Windstream?

    Xfinity offers download speeds up to 3 Gbps, which is faster than Windstream’s fastest speed of 1 Gbps.

  • Do Xfinity and Windstream have unlimited data?

    Xfinity has a monthly cap of 1.2 TB for its cable internet plans but has unlimited data for its fiber plan. Windstream doesn’t impose data caps on any of its internet plans.

  • Do Xfinity and Windstream require a contract?

    Xfinity and Windstream offer contract-free plans, but you won’t be able to take advantage of monthly discounts and deals unless you sign a contract.