Windstream vs. Brightspeed Internet Providers Compared

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Windstream Vs Brightspeed

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Rosslyn Elliott

Written by Rosslyn Elliott - Pub. Jul. 27, 2023 / Updated Oct. 9, 2024

You are currently comparing:

Windstream Vs Brightspeed

Change providers

Plans starting at: $19.99

Popular Package: 2 Gig

Download speeds up to: 2 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber & DSL

Call today & find the best Windstream internet deals
1-833-718-3922

Plans starting at: $29

Popular Package: Up to 2Gbps

Download speeds up to: 2 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber

Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Windstream Staff rating

4.2

Kinetic by Windstream offers fast, reliable fiber

Kinetic by Windstream currently serves about 1.2 million customers in 18 states [1]. Kinetic provides fiber internet with blazing-fast, symmetrical speeds that will equip you for anything you want to do online [2]. Kinetic’s fiber internet offerings regularly go to speeds  up to 2000 Mbps, which is far faster internet speed than most households need! In select areas, the speeds even rise to 8000 Mbps. Kinetic by Windstream also offers decent prices given the high speeds you will get from their fiber connection. Most customer reviews online indicate that users are pleased with their Kinetic fiber service.

PROS

Fast fiber at good prices No data caps, no contracts Kinetic is building out fiber infrastructure quickly

Cons

Fiber is less available in rural areas Extra fee for equipment rental Prices rise after promotional rates expire
Call today & find the best Windstream internet deals
1-833-718-3922

Brightspeed Staff rating

4.0

Brightspeed's large network offers customers a planned transition from DSL to fiber

Brightspeed is a brand-new ISP that started its internet service to customers in October 2022. Brightspeed bought out many networks previously owned by CenturyLink. That purchase instantly made Brightspeed the 12th-largest ISP in the U.S. [1] The company’s mission is to bring fiber internet to as many customers as possible, as soon as possible. Brightspeed currently has gigabit fiber service up and running in six states. The internet provider plans to build out fiber to an impressive 3 million locations in the next five years [2]. Brightspeed’s goal to provide fiber to underserved areas is a worthy one. By creating more lightning-fast fiber infrastructure for those who don’t currently have access, Brightspeed will bring opportunity to at least 20 states in the Midwest, South, and on the East Coast. Customers will have ample support for remote jobs and responsive, smooth access to thousands of educational options online. All Brightspeed customers get the advantages of unlimited data and no contracts. Brightspeed also offers competitive, transparent pricing for their fiber plans. If customers are still on DSL, they will have to be patient with slower speeds while they wait for the fiber to arrive. The good news is that fiber is coming soon, based on the buildout plans.

PROS

Attractive, transparent pricing for fast fiber speeds No data caps or contracts, free premium modem with fiber plans Rapid fiber buildout in progress

Cons

Some customers on DSL will wait for fiber buildout Slower speeds for DSL service New company still building operations
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Windstream Pricing

4.0

Pricing is simple and transparent for fiber plans from Kinetic by Windstream

Kinetic’s fiber internet prices are posted clearly for the whole world to see on their website. As soon as you click through to the state you live in, you will see prices posted, and those prices are consistent across states. We appreciate this transparency in pricing, which is not common among internet providers. Kinetic by Windstream does not set data caps or require you to sign annual contracts for internet plans. That means you will not face unexpected overage charges or early termination fees. The first tier plan starts at 19.99 for 100. Kinetic’s monthly plan prices are not as low as those offered by some other fiber providers, but many customers will be willing to pay for these symmetrical fiber upload and download speeds. There is an equipment rental fee, but you may use your own router instead. You also have the option to purchase an additional advanced internet security plan, but the purchase is not required.
Call today & find the best Windstream internet deals
1-833-718-3922

Brightspeed Pricing

4.0

Brightspeed offers a very good deal on fiber internet with simple and straightforward pricing

One of Brightspeed’s real strengths is transparent pricing. Currently, there are no data caps, and no required contracts, which means you won’t get hidden fees popping up on your monthly bills as you will with many other ISPs. Brightspeed internet plan prices are excellent for fiber internet. The best part is that there are no surprise price hikes after promotional rates, which is standard practice with other providers. With Brightspeed Fiber, you can count on consistent pricing that gives you a lot of speed for a very attractive monthly cost. Brightspeed DSL pricing is not quite as good a deal because a DSL user’s internet speed and performance will be so much lower. But Brightspeed DSL may still be your best option if you have no other available cable or fiber providers in your area. Brightspeed is an active supporter of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. If you qualify for the program, which offers payment assistance for lower-income households, Brightspeed will match your ACP payment assistance. This very unusual benefit will result in your internet service being free of charge or almost free.
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Windstream Reliability and Performance

4.5

Windstream offers multigigabit fiber speeds

Fiber internet will give you the fastest and most reliable internet connection on the market, hands down. Windstream even has an 8 Gigabit (8000 Mbps) option available to over 400,000 households [3]. The question is, who exactly needs 8 Gigs of symmetrical internet speed? Right now, 8 Gigs is excessive speed for most residential internet users. 1 Gig will more than supply all the bandwidth that most homes need. Even very large households with multiple devices all streaming or gaming simultaneously don’t usually need more than 1 Gig, thanks to the symmetrical speeds of fiber internet. For now, then, 8 Gigs may not be a speed that gets a lot of takers. But in the future, as virtual reality (VR) and assisted reality (AR) become more common, that massive bandwidth may be more useful.
Call today & find the best Windstream internet deals
1-833-718-3922

Brightspeed Reliability and Performance

3.8

Brightspeed Fiber will offer premium gigabit speed and reliability, but DSL performance will vary

If Brightspeed Fiber is available in your area, you will be getting fiber’s well-known gigabit speeds as well as a fiber connection that doesn’t slow down or glitch. Brightspeed Fiber will equip you for any internet activities you like, including online gaming, videoconferencing, and HD streaming on multiple devices. Like most fiber connections, Brightspeed will give you symmetrical upload and download speeds—an amazing advance over previous technologies. If Brightspeed is still offering DSL in your area, your performance and speed will vary depending on your location. Your download speed and your upload speed with a DSL connection will be slower than with fiber internet. You also may have higher latency than you will with fiber or cable. You can check your actual speed with our internet speed test. In many areas where Brightspeed offers DSL, there is no fiber or cable option yet. So Brightspeed may still be your best bet. You can order DSL and look forward to your turn on Brightspeed’s fiber installation list. And with the rapid pace of their planned fiber expansion, you might be next!
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Windstream Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

4.2

Equipment fee is optional, installation is free

Kinetic charges about $10 a month to rent a Kinetic router, with free installation included. But you can also use your own router if you want to skip the fee. Just make sure that if you buy your own, though, the router is compatible. Be aware that ISPs also cannot provide tech support for customers’ personal routers. Kinetic also offers a Wi-Fi management tool for their own gateway that will allow you to change your settings without all the hassle of logging in to your router online. A Whole Home Wi-Fi tech installation comes free with all the fiber plans.
Call today & find the best Windstream internet deals
1-833-718-3922

Brightspeed Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

4.3

Brightspeed offers advanced Wi-Fi in combo modem/router

If you order a Brightspeed Fiber plan, you will get free access to a premium Wi-Fi modem with Wi-Fi 6 technology. That advanced capability will give you 3 to 4 times faster connectivity. The modem will have greater data capacity and support extended battery life for in-home devices. (Your devices will need to be compatible with Wi-Fi 6 in order to perform at this higher level.) Modems that might come with your package would include the Actiontec C3000A, the Axon C4000, the Zyxel C4000, and the Zyxel C3000Z [3]. For some other Brightspeed plans, you may pay a $15/month equipment rental fee for your combo modem and router. Installation fees will also vary with your plan. You will get free installation for a DSL self-install or a technician installation of higher-speed fiber packages. A technician installation for DSL or a first-tier fiber plan will require a one-time $99 fee.
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Windstream Experience & Support

4.0

Kinetic by Windstream improves its customer experience

Kinetic scored just lower than average for customer satisfaction on the 2023 J.D. Power Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study [4]. However, the five-year trend for Windstream shows a general upward trend in customer reviews and scores. It’s not completely surprising that Kinetic by Windstream would rise rapidly in the ratings since they switched their technology to 100% fiber internet. In general, fiber providers rank highest in customer satisfaction. Kinetic by Windstream also offers all the usual amenities of a major ISP for customer service. Customers can chat online with a rep or call by phone for billing or technical support. Phone hours are open six days a week for billing support and seven days a week for tech support [5]. Overall, we recommend fiber internet from Kinetic by Windstream. This provider will give you a reliable, strong, and super-fast connection.
Call today & find the best Windstream internet deals
1-833-718-3922

Brightspeed Experience & Support

4.0

Brightspeed’s customer support is robust

Brightspeed receives 4 stars for Customer Service, with a promising beginning for a new company. Brightspeed provides a 24/7 chat interface for support as well as a helpline. The company also has a website with resources and FAQs to assist with simple questions. Some helpful features on the website include a troubleshooting & outage check, a tracker to tell you where your technician is, and a service appointment manager. A “quick bill pay” function will come in handy too. The Brightspeed Fiber network is very strong and is now producing a lot of customer satisfaction. With their rapid fiber buildout and commitment to customer service, we recommend Brightspeed as a good choice for your internet service, both now and for the future.
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Windstream FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit WindstreamOffers.com.
You can get Kinetic fiber internet in 18 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.
No, Kinetic does not place data caps on their internet plans.
Yes, you can use your own router. Just check in advance with Windstream to be sure your specs are compatible with your planned service.
Windstream is a large company, and Kinetic is the brand for Windstream’s high-speed internet service. When you are talking about internet service, Windstream and Kinetic could describe “the same thing” because Kinetic is a Windstream brand.
Call today & find the best Windstream internet deals
1-833-718-3922

Brightspeed FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit BrightspeedSavings.com.
Brightspeed does not impose data caps on its internet service. You can enjoy unlimited data usage without worrying about any restrictions or additional charges.
Brightspeed offers several no-cost modem options for fiber installations, including premium Wi-Fi 6-capable modems. These modems are optimized to deliver the fiber connection into your home and come with remote network support from the Brightspeed customer success team. Newer fiber installations may include the Calix Wi-Fi router and mesh Wi-Fi extenders at no additional charge.
Yes, you can choose to provide your own Wi-Fi router if it meets certain specifications, such as maximum bandwidth capability equal to your purchased internet speed, a 1 Gbps Ethernet WAN port, DHCP to obtain a WAN IP Address, the same or newer Wi-Fi technology as your connected devices, accurate auto-channel selection, and firewall support. However, by using your own router, you won't get the benefits of using a Brightspeed modem, such as built-in security features and technical support from the Fiber Customer Success Team.
Restarting your modem/router (gateway) is often the first step in troubleshooting connection problems. You can simply unplug it for 30 seconds and then plug it back in.
Brightspeed provides special programs to support low-income customers. They offer affordable internet options and participate in initiatives like the Affordable Connectivity Program to ensure that everyone has access to reliable and affordable internet service. Your customer support rep can help you set up your ACP benefit if you qualify.
Yes, Brightspeed is actively expanding its fiber infrastructure to provide high-speed internet access to more areas. They are committed to improving connectivity and delivering reliable fiber-optic internet service to customers. For specific information about the availability of fiber in your location, please contact the Brightspeed customer support team.
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Windstream Accolades

Call today & find the best Windstream internet deals
1-833-718-3922

Brightspeed Accolades

Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Windstream Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
$300 rewards card
2 GigFiber InternetUp to 2,000 Mbps Only $99.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
$300 rewards card
1 GigFiber InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $39.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
$200 rewards card
300 MbpsFiber InternetUp to 300 Mbps Only $39.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
High Speed InternetDSL InternetUp to 100 Mbps Only $19.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best Windstream internet deals
1-833-718-3922

Brightspeed Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
Three months free! $200 Reward Card. Free premium modem.
Up To 2GbpsFiber InternetUp to 2,000 Mbps Only $99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Three months free! $20 OFF for 12 months. No equipment fees.
Faster 600MbpsFiber InternetUp to 600 Mbps Only $45
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
$20 OFF for 6 months. No equipment fees
Fast 300MbpsFiber InternetUp to 300 Mbps Only $29
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Three months free! $100 Reward Card. Free premium modem.
Up To 1GbpsFiber InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $75
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123

Windstream Customers Review

4.0
Pricing
4.0
4.5
Reliability & Performance
4.5
4.2
Equipment, Installation & Features
4.2
4.0
Customer Experience & Support
4.0
4.2
Overall Rating
4.2
Paula Queen
3.3
from Irvona, PA on June 2025
+ 5
Glenda Chapman
1.8
from Versailles, KY on May 2025
I'm sick of the price gauging of every little thing including paper bill at $2 we practically have shoddy service and don't even have phone service only internet for $134.00. they wont even offer internet without phone but they will knock off 5 or 10 dollars for no long distance service. but tack on the service fees for that and you'll end up with $150 bill. I'm thoroughly disgusted with them after 30 years of the only rural service available and we have to have it for other services that need internet. I feel like a hostage.
James Chester
3.0
from Dawson, GA on March 2025
Price went from 29.99 to 102.00
FRANCES DiBenedetto
2.0
from Bloomingdale, OH on March 2025
The price here is NOT what I am billed. I pay $98.91/month.
Beverly Day
1.0
from Lexington, KY on February 2025
Horrible service, horrible connection, horrible prices, horrible customer service! Will be cancelling asap! A rip off!
Call today & find the best Windstream internet deals
1-833-718-3922

Brightspeed Customers Review

4.0
Pricing
4.0
3.8
Reliability & Performance
3.8
4.3
Equipment, Installation & Features
4.3
4.0
Customer Experience & Support
4.0
4.0
Overall Rating
4.0
Rachel F
1.0
from Fancy Gap, VA on July 2025
Had issues all month and throughout service repair appt is set for a week out or more.i live in a area where if you don't have your wifi then my cell service does not work (us cellular) it's a bad situation
Sadie Mobley
5.0
from Wilson, NC on July 2025
Have good service 😜
Robert A
2.8
from Rogersville, TN on July 2025
Speed is very slow and is not covering as it should. Customer service has been very poor to say the least. Pricing is really good for fiber but there needs to be attention to detail with customer service for resolution to issues.
Cynthia Riley
5.0
from Jefferson City, MO on July 2025
The technician installed my equipment quickly and answered all my questions. He cleaned up after himself and didn’t disrupt my day. The connection has worked perfectly since installation and is lightning fast! The price is a fraction of what I was paying for conventional cable and far more reliable. So glad I found Brightspeed!
Cody W
1.0
from Spring Hope, NC on July 2025
Your internet in a joke. It was sold on June 13th and told it would be buried on the 27th. It is now july 17th I have 0 internet and the cable is not buried. I sure hope you have a 3rd party manage your facebook. If this is you guys you probably don't even see it lmao
Call today & find the best Brightspeed internet deals
1-833-970-4123