Cox vs. CenturyLink 2023 comparison

Is Cox or CenturyLink better for you?

By Ari Howard Last updated: June 27, 2023

We’ve researched Cox and CenturyLink for you so you can easily compare and choose the best provider and services for your home. Overall, CenturyLink is the best value if you have fiber available and its gigabit plan is cheaper.

• Cheapest internet: CenturyLink offers the cheapest internet plans available, with prices starting at $30 to $70/mo. for up to 940 Mbps, depending on where you live. 
• Best Gig plan: CenturyLink offers a more affordable Gigabit internet plan than Cox, with pricing starting at $70/mo. for speeds up to 940 Mbps. 
• Best customer satisfaction: Cox internet scored slightly higher than CenturyLink over the past three years, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index.

On this page: Click the category below to learn more about what sets these two providers apart.

Cox vs. CenturyLink internet overview

Cox gives customers more plan options with up to five plans available in nearly all service areas. 

CenturyLink customers are limited by the available connection type in their area. If their DSL service is available, you can pick the Simply Unlimited plan with max speeds up to 100 Mbps. If CenturyLink Fiber is available, they offer 200 and 500 Mbps plans, as well as their gigabit plan.

Provider
Price range	$49.99/mo. – $149.99/mo.*	$30/mo. – $70/mo.*
Speed range	100 – 2,000 Mbps	Up to 940 Mbps
Data cap	1.25TB/mo.	Unlimited
Allconnect score	3.47/5	3.95/5

*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 06/27/23. Rate requires paperless billing and excludes taxes. Additional fees apply. Get the fastest internet speed available at your home (max speed is up to 100 Mbps).

Cox internet plans

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Pricing, packages, and policies are subject to change, including when adjusting or removing services or equipment. Prices do not include applicable taxes, surcharges, usage-based charges (such as data, toll usage, pay-per-use service), and other fees. After any promotional period, regular rates apply (see www.cox.com). Prorated charges may appear on your bill if you change services before the billing cycle is complete. Rates, and/or when applicable, term agreements, may differ from those presented here as a result of customer’s account features, such as existing discounts, bundles, term agreements, or service address. Other restrictions may apply. All services and plans subject to Cox Residential Customer Service Agreement (including mandatory arbitration provisions), Acceptable Use Policy (including Cox’s right to terminate service for abuse of network), and other policies at: cox.com/policies. Gig plans not available in all areas. Last updated 06/27/23.

CenturyLink internet plans

*Rate requires paperless billing. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Updated 06/27/23.

CenturyLink vs. Cox equipment, data caps and contract details

Speed and price are the two main considerations when comparing internet services, but you’ll also want to take into account other factors that can affect costs and service quality.

Equipment rental – Cox is cheaper

Cox waives their $13 fee on its four plans. Both providers give you the option to use your own compatible equipment. Find out which CenturyLink and Cox compatible modems you can use.

Data caps – CenturyLink offers unlimited data

While Cox imposes a data cap of 1.25TB/mo., CenturyLink offers unlimited data. Exceeding your data limit with Cox will likely result in a $10 fee for every 50GB required to satisfy your overage, up to $50.

Contract – CenturyLink does not require contracts

CenturyLink does not require a contract with any internet service. Contract requirements with Cox can vary by plan and location.

Cox vs. CenturyLink cheap internet plans

The cheapest internet plan in your area will likely be a Cox internet plan unless you are looking for gig speeds. If you want gigabit speeds, CenturyLink offers a better deal.

• Cox cheapest internet plan

  • $49.99/mo.* for up to 100 Mbps
  • $13/mo. fee waived for Panoramic Wi-Fi router rental (optional)
  • $75 professional installation, $20 for self-installation
  • One-year term agreement

• CenturyLink cheapest internet plan

  • $30/mo.** fiber plan up to 300 Mbps
  • Internet modem lease $15/mo.* (optional)
  • $60 setup and installation fee
  • No contract

*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 06/27/23.

**Not available in all areas. Rate requires paperless billing and excludes taxes. Additional fees apply. Get the fastest internet speed available at your home (max speed is up to 200 Mbps).

Low-income internet options 

Both Cox and CenturyLink offer ways to connect low-income households to the internet. Cox offers its own plan, known as Connect2Compete, which provides 15 Mbps for just $9.95/mo. Cox and CenturyLink also provide $30/mo. off customers’ internet bill through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). CenturyLink does not offer its own internet plan but it also offers discounts through ACP.

Cox vs. CenturyLink fastest internet plans

Cox and CenturyLink both offer gig speed internet plans. CenturyLink 1 Gbps internet plans cost less than Cox 1 Gbps internet plans.

Though both providers offer gig connections, you’re likely to get better speed reliability and faster upload speeds over a fiber connection vs. cable. CenturyLink Gigabit uses a fiber connection, whereas Cox uses a cable network in most locations.

• Cox Super Fast Gig

  • Cox Super Fast Gig – 1,000 Mbps
  • Starting at $109.99/mo.*
  • Cable internet connection
  • Unlimited data
  • No speed throttling

• CenturyLink Gigabit

  • CenturyLink Fiber Internet – 940 Mbps**
  • Starting at $70/mo.*
  • Unlimited data
  • Fiber internet connection
  • No speed throttling

*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 06/27/23.

**Speed may not be available in your area. Maximum download/upload speed of up to 940 Mbps via a wired connection.

Cox vs. CenturyLink bundle packages

Cox provides cable internet, TV and digital phone packages while CenturyLink offers high-speed DSL internet, home phone and fiber internet plans. If you want a CenturyLink TV package, CenturyLink partners with DIRECTV to offer satellite TV bundles.

Cox gives customers more internet speed package options, but CenturyLink offers more TV package choices through DIRECTV. While Cox standalone TV services cost more than DIRECTV plans, Cox packages offer customers higher savings and lower overall prices when you bundle.

• Cox bundles

  • Starting at $148.99/mo.*
  • Speed range: 100-1000 Mbps
  • Unlimited data on most plans
  • Channel range: 140+ 
  • No contract required
  • Add-ons: Home phone and security
    

  Bundled savings: $0/mo.

• CenturyLink + DIRECTV bundles

  • Starting at $113.99/mo*
  • Speed range: up to 940 Mbps
  • Unlimited data 
  • DIRECTV channel range: 165-340+ 
  • No internet contract required, two-year contract required for TV
  • Add-ons: Home phone
    

  Bundled savings: 0/mo.*

*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 06/27/23.

Cox vs. CenturyLink TV

CenturyLink partners with DIRECTV to offer internet and TV bundles. DIRECTV is great for sports fans and gives customers more channel package choices compared to Cox’s main TV plan, Cox Contour TV.

Cox vs. CenturyLink/DIRECTV TV packages and costs

• Cox Contour TV starts at $56/mo.*
• 140-250+ channels
• $75 setup and installation, $20 for self-installation
• HD receiver included, $8.50/mo.* per additional receiver
• Record two shows at once with basic DVR, up to six shows at once with whole-home DVR

• Packages starting at $74.99/mo.*
• 165-340+ channels
• Free professional installation available
• DVR device included, $7/mo.* for each additional receiver
• Record up to five shows at once

*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 06/27/23.

Cox vs. CenturyLink customer satisfaction

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) scores internet providers based on feedback from actual customers on the topics of service quality, cost, call center experience and more. Here’s how Cox and CenturyLink ACSI scores compare over the past three years.

Which provider is better? Cox scored slightly higher in 2022

Provider	2022 score	2021 score	2020 score	Avg. past three years
	61	63	61	61.6
	60	62	63	61.6