Advertiser Disclosure
DecisionData.org presents information collected independently from official provider websites. We regularly update the site in an effort to keep this information up-to-date and accurate at all times. The offers that appear on this site are from companies from which DecisionData.org receives compensation.
Cox Communication has been a leader in the communications industry for more than 50 years. The provider employs around 20,000 workers, who support six million cable TV, cable internet and home security customers in 18 states.
Windstream provides cable TV, internet, home security and voice services through its Kinetic brand. The provider began as a spinoff of Alltel’s phone service in 2006 and today provides services in 18 states.
| Provider | Internet Type | Starting Price | Data Caps | Speeds | Contracts | Availability |
 | Cable | $29.99 | 1TB | Up to 940 Mbps | 1 year | Check Availability |
 | Cable, DSL, Fiber Optic | $25.00 | None | Up to 1 Gbps | None | Check Availability |
Cox Cable vs. Windstream DSL data comparison
Cox Cable
Cox’s internet plans include 1 TB of data per month. If you exceed 1 TB, Cox will charge you $10 for each additional 50 GB you use. However, 1 TB of data is more than enough for most households. For example, if you send and receive 1,500 emails, stream music 240 hours, surf the web 240 hours, post 200 photos on social media, stream 4K videos for 60 hours and play online games for 200 hours each month, you’ll only use around 365 GB of data. That’s less than half of Cox’s monthly allowance.
Windstream DSL
Windstream internet plans offer unlimited data usage, so you’ll never pay overage charges.
Data Comparison Winner
Windstream
Cox Cable vs. Windstream DSL: Internet speeds
Cox Cable
Cox offers internet plans with download speeds ranging from 10 to 940 Mbps. 10 Mbps is an adequate speed for light internet use, such as sending emails, reading social media pages and streaming music and videos on one device at a time. For enjoying 4K videos and online gaming, you should select a plan that offers download speeds in the 150 Mbps to 300 Mbps range. If you have a large household, you may need Cox’s 940 Mbps plan, which will allow you to stream music and video on multiple devices at the same time and operate smart home devices such as garage doors, locks, security systems and thermostats.
Windstream DSL
Windstream offers plans with download speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Windstream’s Kinetic Internet 100 plan provides download speeds from 73 Mbps to 125 Mbps, enough bandwidth for average web surfing, uploading photos and streaming music and video on one device at a time. If you want to stream music and video on several devices at the same time, consider Windstream’s 500 Mbps plan. Windstream’s Kinetic GIG plan provides download speeds up to 1 Gbps, the perfect bandwidth for operating smart home devices and connecting multiple devices at the same time.
Cox Cable vs. Windstream DSL: Availability
Cox Cable
Cox services 607 areas in 19 states. Cox doesn’t provide service in all locations. For instance, in California, Cox offers services in Laguna Beach and Santa Barbara, but not in Los Angeles. Check our coverage map to see if Cox is available to you.
Windstream DSL
Windstream operates in 18 states. Windstream primarily operates in towns, mid-sized cities and rural areas. For example, the provider offers services in Northeast Georgia, but not in Atlanta. Check our coverage map to see if Windstream is available to you.
Availability Winner
Cox
Cox Cable vs. Windstream DSL: Customer service
Customer Service Winner
Cox
Cox Cable vs. Windstream DSL: Bundled services
You don’t have to do just internet with either Comcast or Verizon. It’s possible to bundle your internet with other options, too. In some cases, doing so also gets you access to higher internet speeds.
Cox Cable Bundled Services
Cox Bronze Bundle with Homelife
- Up to 150 Mbps download speeds
- 140+ TV channels
- Homelife Smart Home Security
- Free installation
- Two-year contract
- $100 per month for the first 12 months
Cox Silver Bundle with Gigablast and Homelife
- Up to 940 Mbps download speeds
- 170+ TV channels, including Cinemax, HBO, SHOWTIME and STARZ
- Homelife Smart Home Security
- Free installation
- Two-year contract
- $140 per month for the first 12 months
Cox Gold Bundle with Homelife
- Up to 300 Mbps download speeds
- 250+ TV channels, including Cinemax, Epix, HBO, SHOWTIME and STARS
- Free installation
- Two-year contract
- $140 per month for the first 12 months
Windstream DSL
Check your zip code to see which Windstream DSL bundles are available to you.
Cox Cable vs. Windstream DSL affordability
Cox Cable
Cox offers internet-only plans ranging in price from $30 per month for 10 Mbps service to $100 per month for 940 Mbps service. Bundled internet and TV packages start at $100 per month for 150 Mbps service. Bear in mind that these introductory prices only apply to the first 12 months of service, after which they increase.
Windstream DSL
Windstream provides internet-only service starting at $25 per month for download speeds of 100 Mbps.
Affordability Winner
Windstream
Cox Cable vs. Windstream DSL: Which is right for you?
Cox and Windstream offer internet-only plans starting at $25-$30 per month. That’s a great price for anyone who simply needs to surf the internet and enjoys streaming music and videos. Both companies offer cable TV and home security services, which you can bundle with an internet plan. For quality service and support, Cox wins the Cox Cable vs. Windstream DSL competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which internet service provider is best for residential use?
Cable and fiber-optic internet services deliver the fastest, most stable internet speeds. Cox offers cable internet in its service areas, while Windstream provides fiber-optic connections in just 150 communities.
In the 2019 ACSI internet service provider benchmark survey, Cox ranked just below the national average, while Windstream came in close to the bottom of the pack. While producing this review, we found it difficult to obtain information about Windstream’s services and prices. Which may indicate the type of customer support the provider might deliver.
For residential internet users, we recommend Cox Cable.
Which internet service provider is best for business use?
Cox’s “A” BBB rating and its higher ACSI benchmark score make it the clear winner for business internet users, too. Cox can deliver the service and customer support businesses need to keep their networks online and their employees productive. Cox’s Gigablast plan delivers download speeds up to 940 Mbps, which is ample bandwidth for most small businesses.
We supplied the data; now, the decision is yours.
Check Availability