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WOW vs. Frontier Internet Providers Compared

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WOW Vs Frontier

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Rosslyn Elliott

Written by Rosslyn Elliott - Pub. Jul. 27, 2023 / Updated Jan. 31, 2026

You are currently comparing:

WOW Vs Frontier

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Plans starting at: $25

Popular Package: Fiber 5 Gig

Download speeds up to: 5 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber & Cable

Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Plans starting at: $29.99

Popular Package: Fiber 7 Gig

Download speeds up to: 7 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber & DSL

Call today & find the best Frontier internet deals
1-844-534-0520

WOW Staff rating

4.0

WOW! delivers fast, reliable internet with attractive pricing

WOW! (WideOpenWest) serves customers in 6 states—Michigan, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida [1]—and is the smallest cable internet provider on our list [2]. WOW! serves over 2 million residential, business, and wholesale consumer subscribers, which is still a smaller base compared to industry cable internet giants like Xfinity and Spectrum [3]. Notably,  it serves 470,400 high-speed data subscribers as of December 31, 2024 (down from 490,100 in 2023). But WOW! provides a model of good internet performance, operational success, and general customer satisfaction. In August 2025, WOW! (WideOpenWest) agreed to be acquired by DigitalBridge Group and Crestview Partners in a $1.5 billion transaction valued at $5.20 per share [4]. WOW! uses a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network, like the biggest national cable providers. WOW! also features very low introductory plan prices, far lower than most cable internet providers. Though prices will rise after the first year, you’ll still pay about $20 less for most WOW! plan speeds than you would with Spectrum or Xfinity.  And WOW! scores above average for customer satisfaction, too.

PROS

Best prices for cable service Good customer satisfaction Gigabit download speeds

Cons

Limited area of coverage Slower upload speeds
Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Frontier Staff rating

3.8
Frontier has the same split profile as other internet providers that offer both fiber and DSL. Frontier's fiber internet offerings are outstanding across the board for both performance and pricing. But their DSL internet speed and cost will be mediocre compared to Frontier Fiber. Nearly 70% of Frontier customers can now access fiber internet, with average speeds of 6,394 Mbps for both download and upload [1]. In September 2024, Verizon announced a definitive agreement to acquire Frontier in an all-cash transaction valued at $20 billion [2]. The deal received FCC approval in May 2025 and is expected to close by February 2026 [3]. Currently, Frontier has 7.2 million fiber locations and 2.2 million fiber subscribers across 25 states, with plans to build out an additional 2.8 million fiber locations by the end of 2026. All these fiber connections are FTTP (fiber-to-the-premises), meaning all fiber-optic line, all the way to your home. That's good news, because the difference between DSL and fiber is night and day. Fiber internet will be much faster and more reliable, and you'll get much more internet speed for the price you pay. The pending Verizon acquisition is expected to accelerate fiber expansion and bring Frontier's fiber services into Verizon's broader network of approximately 7.4 million Fios connections.

PROS

Some of the best fiber prices in the country No data caps, Wi-Fi router included Strong customer satisfaction for fiber

Cons

DSL is more expensive DSL is slower Fiber is not available to all customers at present
Call today & find the best Frontier internet deals
1-844-534-0520

WOW Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
Visa $300 Rewards Card
Fiber 5 GigFiber InternetUp to 5,000 Mbps Only $185
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
Visa $300 Rewards Card
Fiber 3 GigFiber InternetUp to 3,000 Mbps Only $100
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
Internet 1 GigCable InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $50
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
Internet 600Cable InternetUp to 600 Mbps Only $30
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
Internet 300Cable InternetUp to 300 Mbps Only $25
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Frontier Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
3-Year Price Guarantee! Claim a $200 Visa® Reward Card!
Fiber 7 GigFiber InternetUp to 7,000 Mbps Only $109.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
Claim a $200 Visa® Reward Card!
Fiber 5 GigFiber InternetUp to 5,000 Mbps Only $89.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
Claim a $150 Visa® Reward Card*
Fiber 2 GigFiber InternetUp to 2,000 Mbps Only $64.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
Claim a $100 Visa® Reward Card!
Fiber 1 GigFiber InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $49.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
Claim a $50 Visa® Reward Card!
Fiber 500Fiber InternetUp to 500 Mbps Only $29.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read more
Fiber 200Fiber InternetUp to 200 Mbps Only $39.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Frontier InternetDSL InternetUp to 100 Mbps Only $64.99
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best Frontier internet deals
1-844-534-0520

WOW Pricing

4.0

WOW’s prices are so low they’ll WOW you

If there’s any way that WOW! can claim to have truly earned its name, it’s with low pricing. The first-tier plan will give you 300 Mbps download speed for only $25 a month. That's on the very low end of cable ISP pricing. A lightning-fast, 5000 Mbps speed from WOW! will run you $185. This plan comes from their fiber internet offerings. WOW! has no data caps, contracts, or hidden fees. Additionally, they offer a price lock, so your monthly rate won't go up as long as you stay with the same speed plan.
Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Frontier Pricing

4.0
Frontier will give you a good deal on fiber, but DSL varies widely Frontier's main distinction among fiber internet providers is competitive pricing on high-speed plans. Fiber internet plans range from $19.99 to $109.99 per month with Auto Pay and Paperless Billing [4]. Current promotional pricing includes Fiber 200 at $39.99/month, Fiber 500 at $29.99/month, and Fiber 1 Gig at $49.99/month—all offering symmetrical upload and download speeds.  With router rental included and no data caps, Frontier Fiber offers the kind of simple, clear pricing that earns high ratings from us. Frontier offers significant sign-up incentives, some of which has included a $300 Visa Reward Card with Fiber 5 Gig and 7 Gig plans, a $200 Visa Reward Card with Fiber 2 Gig, and $10/month off YouTube TV for 12 months. Be sure to check Frontier’s official website for current promotions. The only drawback is that Frontier Internet (the name for their DSL plans) does not provide the same kind of bargain. Frontier's single DSL plan costs $64.99 per month with variable speeds depending on your location. Plus, the DSL speed you will be able to get at your address will vary depending on infrastructure, with customers receiving average download speeds of 30 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 Mbps [5]. Average DSL pricing in the industry is not a great deal for customers compared to cable and fiber pricing. That's why Frontier and many other providers are moving away from copper-based service in favor of fiber.
Call today & find the best Frontier internet deals
1-844-534-0520

WOW Reliability and Performance

4.0

WOW! cable delivers gigabit downloads but asymmetrical upload speeds; fiber offers symmetrical multi-gigabit service

WOW's hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) cable network delivers download speeds comparable to those of national cable providers such as Spectrum and Xfinity. Upload speeds on cable plans are capped at 50 Mbps regardless of download tier. This asymmetrical speed structure is standard for cable internet technology and sufficient for typical household activities, including streaming multiple 4K devices and online gaming.

WOW's cable plans provide adequate performance for households with average internet usage patterns. The highest tier plan offers top speeds on cable, supporting simultaneous streaming, video conferencing, and gaming across multiple devices. However, the 50 Mbps upload limitation presents constraints for specific use cases. Users who regularly upload large files (such as video content creators), operate cloud-based backup systems, or require symmetrical bandwidth for enterprise-grade applications will experience performance bottlenecks with cable service.

In select Greenfield expansion markets, WOW offers all-fiber service with symmetrical speeds up to 5,000 Mbps for both downloads and uploads. Fiber service is currently available within 5.7% of WOW's total coverage footprint [8], concentrated in newer markets including Central Florida, Hernando County (Florida), Greenville County (South Carolina), and select areas in Michigan and Alabama [9]. The symmetrical nature of fiber service eliminates the upload speed constraints present in cable plans, making fiber suitable for bandwidth-intensive applications, heavy content creation, and households with 10+ simultaneous high-bandwidth users.

Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Frontier Reliability and Performance

4.0
Frontier Fiber offers speed and reliability, but their DSL lags behind Just like pricing, performance for Frontier plans is heavily split depending on whether you get fiber or DSL. With Frontier Fiber, you can get multi-gigabit speeds up to 7,000 Mbps. That's right up there with the top few providers in the fiber internet business, with Frontier customers receiving average fiber speeds of 6,394 Mbps for both downloads and uploads. Frontier's fiber network delivers true symmetrical speeds—meaning your upload speed matches your download speed—which is particularly valuable for video conferencing, cloud backups, and content creation. These multi-gigabit speeds will be more than sufficient for very large households with many devices all streaming or gaming simultaneously. Even 500 Mbps is still a lot of speed and will be more than capable of supporting a five- or six-person home and all the devices in it. The pending Verizon acquisition commits to completing Frontier's planned expansion to 10 million fiber homes by 2026, ensuring continued network investment and reliability improvements.

DSL performance will be unpredictable, with customers receiving average download speeds of just 30 Mbps and upload speeds of only 2 Mbps. The only constant is that it will not deliver fiber-like performance. If you're lucky, you'll get a speed above 25 Mbps download. With that speed, you'll be able to do most standard internet activities such as streaming and browsing, though you'll have to watch how many devices are online at once. But if you get a speed that's 10 Mbps or lower, you may find your service glitching or freezing during heavy-data tasks. Frontier is actively phasing out DSL in favor of fiber networks, with former CEO Nick Jeffery indicating full copper decommissioning is expected within a three- to five-year timeframe [6].

Call today & find the best Frontier internet deals
1-844-534-0520

WOW Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

4.0

Equipment rental fees are optional, self-installation is free for WOW!

All WOW! plans come with a free self-installation kit. If, for any reason, you’re not comfortable with self-installation, you can get pro installation for $50. WOW! now offers a free WiFi modem with your plan. You also have the option to supply your own equipment--just make sure you check with WOW! to be sure your router has compatible specs.
Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Frontier Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

4.0
Installation fees waived for fiber, included router varies by plan Frontier currently waives installation fees entirely for all fiber plans, while DSL plans have a $100 installation fee that you can avoid by doing self-installation. Every Frontier Fiber plan includes a premium Wi-Fi router at no charge, with the specific model depending on your speed tier. Plans from Fiber 200 through Fiber 2 Gig come with a free Amazon eero Pro 6E router, while Fiber 5 Gig and Fiber 7 Gig plans include the more advanced TP-Link Archer AXE300 6E router. For customers choosing the top-tier 5 Gig plan, Frontier also includes a three-year new tech upgrade guarantee. However, there are some important fees to be aware of if you decide to cancel service. Frontier charges a $100 early termination fee if you cancel within the first 12 months for all fiber plans except the Fiber 2 Gig plan, which has no early termination fee. Additionally, if you fail to return equipment after terminating service, Frontier may charge for non-return equipment fees. There's also a $50 restocking fee if you decide you no longer want your Frontier Fiber service.
Call today & find the best Frontier internet deals
1-844-534-0520

WOW Experience & Support

4.0

WOW! maintains above-average customer satisfaction despite declining subscriber base

WOW scored 733 out of 1,000 in J.D. Power's North Central region study [10] and outperformed larger ISPs including Cox in the 2023 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study [11]. This positions WOW above the cable industry average of 68 out of 100 on the ACSI scale [12], though below top fiber providers like AT&T Fiber (80) and Verizon Fios (77) [13].

Despite these satisfaction ratings, WOW's subscriber base declined 5% year-over-year from 490,100 to 470,400 as of December 2024, with revenue decreasing 8.1% to $630.9 million. These declines reflect competitive pressure from expanding fiber networks and 5G wireless alternatives rather than service quality issues.

WOW provides 24/7 telephone support and online chat daily from 7:00 AM to 11:45 PM EST [14], plus an online account management portal, and has been named a "Best & Brightest Company to Work For in the Nation" 12 times, including 8 consecutive years as of 2025.

Ultimately, WOW's regional focus enables more personalized service than national cable giants.

Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Frontier Experience & Support

3.0
Frontier Fiber shows strong performance in customer satisfaction Frontier's reviews have improved greatly with increased fiber service. In the 2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) report, Frontier scored 71/100 for its fiber service—a significant improvement over its 58/100 score for non-fiber internet [7]. While fiber ISP satisfaction scores tend to run lower industry-wide, with AT&T leading at 78/100, Frontier's fiber performance places it competitively among major providers. Recent customer feedback reinforces these improvements. One Reddit user wrote that their “newly installed 2 Gig fiber [is an] awesome experience so far” [8]. That said, reliability might depend on where you reside, as another Reddit thread had commenters praising their service in Plano, TX, but also reporting outages and inconsistencies in speeds [9]. Frontier's sharp rise in rankings is a promising sign that if you get Frontier Fiber, you will be happy with your choice. The fiber service has earned an overall rating of 3.83 stars specifically, compared to just 2.55 stars for DSL service, highlighting the dramatic difference in customer satisfaction between the two technologies.
Call today & find the best Frontier internet deals
1-844-534-0520

WOW FAQ's

WOW! does not provide a static IP address for your home internet account. But WOW! does offer home business accounts that can provide you with a static IP address.
WOW! offers security on a network level, which means you don’t have to manage it yourself. Network Security helps guard your internet connection against phishing, viruses and malware.
WOW! Internet and WOW! Whole-Home Wi-Fi can be self-installed.
Yes, you can. As long as a technician has completed the outside installation or there is an existing WOW! connection, you will be able to install and activate service using your own modem.
Take our internet speed test to find your actual upload and download speed.
The eero devices that support your Whole-Home Wi-Fi provide up to 1500 square feet of coverage per device.
Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Frontier FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit BuyFrontierNow.com.
Fiber-optic internet is the most advanced type of internet service offered by Frontier. Fiber-optic cables transmit data with light signals, providing faster and more reliable internet speeds compared to traditional DSL connections. Fiber-optic internet is ideal for customers who require high-speed internet for activities like streaming, gaming, and large file downloads.
Yes, Frontier offers DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) internet service. DSL uses existing copper telephone lines to provide internet connectivity to customers. DSL is a reliable option in rural areas for those who prefer a wired internet connection.
Opting for Paperless Billing with Frontier offers several benefits. First, you will not be charged the Printed Bill Fee. You will also contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing paper waste. Finally, all your bills will be organized in one place and easily accessible online.
When you sign up for Frontier Internet, a professional technician will be scheduled to install the service at your home. They will ensure that the necessary equipment is properly set up and connected, allowing you to start using Frontier Internet.
Yes, you can usually keep your current email address when you switch to Frontier Internet. However, it's important to check with Frontier's customer support to confirm the details and requirements for email address migration.
No, Frontier does not enforce data caps on their internet plans. Frontier provides customers with unlimited data usage, allowing you to stream, browse, and download without worrying about exceeding any data limits or incurring additional charges.
Call today & find the best Frontier internet deals
1-844-534-0520

WOW Customers Review

4.0
Pricing
4.0
4.0
Reliability & Performance
4.0
4.0
Equipment, Installation & Features
4.0
4.0
Customer Experience & Support
4.0
4.0
Overall Rating
4.0
ROMARIO M
1.3
on January 2026
SU INTERNET SE CAE LA VELOCIDAD CONSTANTEMENTE, DURANTE CUALQUIER HORARIO, NO SE CUMPLE LO QUE DICE QUE GARANTIZA EL 70% DE LA VELOCIDAD Y EL APLICATIVO DGO IIGUAL DE TERRIBLE, EMPRESAS DE MAL SERVICIO. PESIMO
Ann Enghardt
4.0
from Warren, MI on August 2025
I pay $64 for internet per month. I would like the $30/month plan.
Vickie Eller
2.5
from Charlotte, MI on April 2025
Prices go up every month started at 50 then it went to 64.99 now it's at 83.99 I need different internet in my area
Jocelyn Peck
3.3
from Atlanta, GA on March 2022
Sonia Fry
2.8
from Warren, MI on January 2022
Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

Frontier Customers Review

4.0
Pricing
4.0
4.0
Reliability & Performance
4.0
4.0
Equipment, Installation & Features
4.0
3.0
Customer Experience & Support
3.0
3.8
Overall Rating
3.8
Pierre De La Gorce
1.3
from Monroe, NC on March 2026
Installed and left a cable running through my yard, can't mow the lawn. Then the system crashed about a week after installation. Called immediately. Promised tech support would come out, never came. Called 24 hours later, promised tech support would come out. Never came. Support is populated by people who can only read scripts and cannot listen to the customer's issues and have no problem telling you anything other than when the issue will be fixed. AVOID FRONTIER
Dwight Wycherley
3.0
from Garland, TX on March 2026
Ping test may show the 2 Gig service, but once you try to go online, the latency (lag) is horrible. Any MMO is unplayable with 10+ second freezes. Frontier provided equipment and brand new cabling. Called tech support multiple times, all ended the same, pay more $$ a month to get their Pro Level Support, otherwise they saw "no issues". Don't waste your time, go with 2 cans and a string for better service.
lydia velez
2.3
on March 2026
I was very satisfied with the service until I ran into a problem. I tried more than several times to get help. Unfortunately my every attempt was very disappointing. I was not able to contact a person to speak with. Frontier only has chat and no possible way to get the help one needs. I am probably switching to another internet company that has offices with a human person that are available to help. There is a building with the name Frontier in Old Saybrook but when I got to the front door and tried to open the door it was locked. The building is stocked with many boxes and other things, but no office. Very disappointing.
RON N
1.0
from Warne, NC on January 2026
worst customer service ever
Lynne B
1.5
from Carland, MI on December 2025
I'm paying almost $100.00 a month for WiFi! And my bill states it's going up another $10.00 next month!! Ridiculous. I'm currently looking for another provider.
Call today & find the best Frontier internet deals
1-844-534-0520