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(877) 783-2597Southerners, it is time to put your minds at ease. We know you are conflicted between Windstream and Xfinity’s home internet service and would like an unbiased review from industry experts.
Well, today is your lucky day because we have done the research for you.
This Xfinity vs. Windstream comparison blog will give you the scoop on their plans, prices, gaming performance, add-on charges, and bundle deals to help you decide on a winner.
So, if you happen to live in one of the overlapping states in the South, then this one is for you.
Kinetic by Windstream is one of the nation’s best internet service providers (ISPs) and the largest distributor of 8 Gig upload and download speeds. Over 400,000 US households across 18 states can access Kinetic’s hyperfast 8 Gig speeds on its 100 percent fiber-rich network.
Kinetic also offers download speeds of up to 100 Mbps on its DSL network. New customers of Kinetic Internet can get this service for free for the first 3 months, including access to Kinetic Secure and a whole-home Wi-Fi setup. However, after the promotional period, regular rates are applied.
Kinetic’s fiber internet service includes four tiers of speeds, starting at $39.99 per month. You can get unlimited data, symmetrical internet speeds of up to 8 Gigs, a 30-day free trial, a $200 Mastercard Reward Card, and no-contract service.
Kinetic Fiber internet is best for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) gaming.
Xfinity, a brand of Comcast, is the biggest provider of coaxial cable networks in the country. Nearly 32.3 million subscribers are using Xfinity broadband for their online activities. Xfinity’s 35-state footprint covers the country’s northeast, central, and western regions, including Washington, D.C.
The provider uses a hybrid fiber-cable network to distribute speeds of up to 10 Gbps (in select few markets). The service starts at low introductory rates of just $20 per month, and customers can get unlimited data, a 30-day money-back guarantee, price guarantees, and contract-free plans.
However, service term agreements and data caps of 1.2 TB are applicable on some plans. Moreover, the speed availability and prices vary from location to location.
The best feature of Xfinity home internet is its new and improved 10G network. Customers can access ultrafast 10 Gig speeds on DOCSIS 4.0 technology.
Take a look at the side-by-side Windstream vs. Xfinity comparison table below to see how Kinetic’s home internet service fares against Xfinity’s.
| Features | Kinetic (by Windstream) | Xfinity (by Comcast) |
| Type of Internet | Fiber and DSL | Fiber and Cable |
| Price Range | $39.99/mo. to $299.99/mo. | $20.00/mo. to $300.00/mo. |
| Speed Range | 100 Mbps to 8,000 Mbps | 75 Mbps to 10,000 Mbps |
| Availability | 18 states | 35 states |
| Contracts | Not required | Required for some plans |
| Data Caps | Unlimited data | 1.2 TB data cap on some plans |
| Installation Fee | $35.00 for professional installation | $100.00 for professional installation |
| Equipment Fee | $10.99/mo. for whole-home Wi-Fi equipment | xFi Gateway: $15.00/mo. |
| xFi Complete: $25.00/mo. | ||
| Bundles | Available | Available |
| Perks | A $200 Reward Card | Promotional discounts |
| Customer Rating | 3.03 out of 5 stars | 3.45 out of 5 stars |
| Best For | AR and VR gaming | Streaming in ultra-HD |
Xfinity and Windstream both offer a variety of internet plans at affordable monthly rates. You can receive supremely fast multigigabit internet speeds at rates as low as $20 per month.
In the case of both, Windstream and Xfinity, you can get a broadband internet plan at prices lower than the market average, but these are introductory prices. After the promotional period, the monthly internet fees can be equal to higher than that of their competitors.
On average, Xfinity’s home internet service is $20 cheaper than Windstream’s, but negative aspects like data limitations, contracts, and exorbitant price hikes can bring down the overall value of the service.
Let’s look at Xfinity and Windstream’s plans and prices in detail to understand what the two providers have to offer.
Kinetic (powered by Windstream) has segregated its service into DSL and fiber internet offerings to ensure that everyone within its 18-state footprint, residents of urban and rural spaces, can receive broadband speeds and exciting perks at rates as low as $39.99 per month.
Currently, Windstream is running its must-grab, limited-time promos on Fiber 300 and 1 Gig plans. New customers of Kinetic Fiber can get upgraded speeds of up to 500 Mbps for the price of a 300 Mbps internet plan – $39.99 per month. Moreover, subscribers of the 1 Gig internet plan can enjoy the service for $39.99 per month instead of $69.99 per month (for the first 3 months).
And that’s not all. Kinetic Internet 100 Mbps customers can enjoy free internet for 3 months, including access to Kinetic Secure, a whole-home Wi-Fi system, and a $200 Prepaid Reward Card.
All Kinetic Internet and Fiber plans include unlimited data and non-contractual service.
| Windstream Internet Plans | |||
| Plans | Starting Price | Max Speed | Type |
| Kinetic Internet | $39.99/mo. | 100 Mbps | DSL |
| Fiber 500 | $39.99/mo. | 500 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 1 Gig | $69.99/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 2 Gig | $169.99/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 8 Gig | $299.99/mo. | 8,000 Mbps | Fiber |
Xfinity primarily offers cable internet service across the country. The lowest available speed and price varies based on your location within Xfinity’s coverage area.
On Xfinity’s coaxial cable network, the upstream capabilities top out at 35 Mbps whereas download speeds of up to 1,200 Mbps are readily available. For speeds of up to 10 Gbps, Xfinity uses its 10G network, harnessing the power of DOCSIS 4.0 technology.
At the moment, more than 60 million homes and businesses are connected to Xfinity’s 10G network.
| Xfinity Internet Plans | |||
| Northeast Region | |||
| Plan | Starting Price | Max. Speed | Type |
| Connect More | $25.00/mo. | 200 Mbps | Cable |
| Fast | $35.00/mo. | 400 Mbps | Cable |
| Superfast | $40.00/mo. | 800 Mbps | Cable |
| Gigabit | $60.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Cable |
| Gigabit Extra | $80.00/mo. | 1,200 Mbps | Cable |
| Gigabit X2 | $110.00/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | Cable |
| Gigabit Pro | $300.00/mo. | 10,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Central Region | |||
| Plan | Starting Price | Max. Speed | Type |
| Connect | $20.00/mo. | 75 Mbps | Cable |
| Connect More | $35.00/mo. | 200 Mbps | Cable |
| Fast | $55.00/mo. | 400 Mbps | Cable |
| Superfast | $70.00/mo. | 800 Mbps | Cable |
| Gigabit | $80.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Cable |
| Gigabit Extra | $85.00/mo. | 1,200 Mbps | Cable |
| Gigabit X2 | $100.00/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | Cable |
| Gigabit Pro | $300.00/mo. | 10,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Western Region | |||
| Plan | Starting Price | Max. Speed | Type |
| Connect | $19.99/mo. | 75 Mbps | Cable |
| Connect More | $30.00/mo. | 200 Mbps | Cable |
| Fast | $55.00/mo. | 400 Mbps | Cable |
| Superfast | $65.00/mo. | 800 Mbps | Cable |
| Gigabit | $75.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Cable |
| Gigabit Extra | $80.00/mo. | 1,200 Mbps | Cable |
| Gigabit X2 | $120.00/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | Cable |
| Gigabit Pro | $300.00/mo. | 10,000 Mbps | Fiber |
Customers of Xfinity and Windstream will have to pay for some add-on services and products like expert installation and compatible internet equipment.
On top of that, hefty cancellation fees may be charged if customers who entered a legally binding agreement choose to terminate their service before the contract expiration date.
Let’s discuss this in detail.
For a limited time, Windstream customers can get their whole-home Wi-Fi system for free for 3 months. But from the fourth month onwards, they are required to pay $10.99 per month for the leased equipment.
Similarly, renting an xFi Gateway from Xfinity costs $15 per month. The offer includes free access to the Whole-Home Wi-Fi Management app and Advanced Security Suite for protection against cyber attacks.
Xfinity Internet customers with bigger homes, needing wall-to-wall coverage, can upgrade to xFi Complete for $20 each month (for 12 months. Regular rate is $25 per month) and experience the best of interrupted wireless coverage around the house.
Both, Xfinity and Windstream, charge a service fee for professional installation. Xfinity charges $100 for same-day expert installation and service activation. Whereas, Windstream customers are asked to pay $35 for the technician’s visit and another $50 for service activation.
It is unclear whether Windstream sends its customers a free self-installation kit like Xfinity does (shipping charges of up to $29.95 may apply). However, some lucky customers may be eligible for free expert installation on online orders.
| Type of Service | Xfinity | Windstream |
| Self-Installation | FREE | N/A |
| Professional Installation | $100.00 | $35.00 |
| Activation Fee | N/A | $50.00 |
Windstream’s home internet service is non-contractual so customers can switch plans or cancel the service any time they wish, without paying an early termination fee.
In the case of Xfinity, some plans may have annual contracts so an undisclosed early termination fee will be charged if you cancel the service before the term ends. You can avoid hefty fines by speaking to a customer service agent and reading the contract thoroughly before service enrollment or termination.
Windstream and Xfinity Internet plans can be combined with TV packages for mega savings and convenient billing.
Customers can save up to $80 per month by stacking an Xfinity cable TV service on top of a broadband internet plan. For a starting price of $71.70 per month, they can enjoy download speeds of up to 1,200 Mbps and watch more than 185 channels, including popular networks like ABC, NBC, TBS, Nat Geo Wild, and more.
| Xfinity TV and Internet Bundles | |||
| Price | Internet | Television | Savings |
| $71.70/mo. | 200 Mbps | Choice TV (10+ channels) | $80.00/mo. |
| $119.10/mo. | 200 Mbps | Popular TV (125+ channels) | $80.00/mo. |
| $139.10/mo. | 200 Mbps | Ultimate TV (185+ channels) | $80.00/mo. |
Kinetic Internet plans can be bundled with DISH TV Network packages for as low as $124.98 per month. You can watch over 290 TV channels and 36,000+ On-Demand titles, record up to 2,000 hours of content, enjoy 2-year price guarantees and free installation service, and get a $300 Mastercard prepaid card with your Kinetic Internet and DISH TV bundles.
| Kinetic (by Windstream) Internet and DISH TV Bundles | ||
| Price | Kinetic Internet | DISH TV Plan |
| $124.98/mo. | 500 Mbps | America’s Top 120(190 channels) |
| $144.98/mo. | 500 Mbps | America’s Top 200 (240+ channels) |
| $154.98/mo. | 500 Mbps | America’s Top 250(290+ channels) |
Xfinity and Windstream both offer multi-gigabit internet speeds on their hybrid networks. However, Windstream’s 100 percent fiber-powered plans are more accessible compared to Xfinity’s fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) service.
Due to wider accessibility, equal upload and download speeds of up to 8 Gigs, and ultra-low latency of between 10 and 12 milliseconds (ms), Windstream’s fiber internet service is far better for gamers compared to Xfinity’s cable internet.
Windstream’s 99.99 percent reliable fiber-optic internet service can reduce lag times, support heavy downloading, and promise the response times needed for AR and VR gaming.
Both, Windstream and Xfinity, are among the country’s top internet providers, and their national footprint spans multiple states, covering two or three regions. Their wide-scale coverage overlaps in 11 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Kinetic by Windstream offers ultrafast fiber internet service in over 150 residential communities across 18 states. More than 3.3 million Americans or 400,000 households can connect to Kinetic broadband and enjoy blistering-fast upload and download speeds of up to 8 Gigs.
| All the States Where Kinetic (Windstream) Internet is Available | |||
| Alabama | Iowa | Missouri | North Carolina |
| Arkansas | Kentucky | Nebraska | Ohio |
| Florida | Minnesota | New Mexico | Oklahoma |
| Georgia | Mississippi | New York | Pennsylvania |
| South Carolina | Texas | ||
Xfinity’s coverage area is much wider and covers 35 states along with the District of Columbia. The Xfinity 10G Network, offering symmetrical internet speeds of up to 10 Gbps, passes 60 million homes and businesses.
The provider boasts 750,000 route miles of hybrid fiber-coaxial cable footprint, of which 150,000 route miles are fiber-optic cables.
| All the States Where Xfinity Internet is Available | |||
| Alabama | Georgia | Maine | Oregon |
| Arkansas | Illinois | Michigan | Pennsylvania |
| Arizona | Indiana | Minnesota | South Carolina |
| California | Kansas | Missouri | Tennessee |
| Colorado | Kentucky | Mississippi | Texas |
| Connecticut | Louisiana | New Hampshire | Utah |
| Delaware | Massachusetts | New Jersey | Virginia |
| Florida | Maryland | New Mexico | Vermont |
| Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin and… | District of Columbia |
Windstream and Xfinity offer round-the-clock technical support to their new and existing customers. Both employ voice and chat support agents to answer customers’ queries and troubleshoot problems in real-time. However, it is the customer service excellence that sets them apart.
Xfinity’s customer service is a few points above Windstream’s in J.D. Power’s 2023 customer satisfaction study for U.S. Residential Internet Service Providers. The two providers went head-to-head in the country’s south, and Xfinity scored 735 out of 1,000 points, whereas Kinetic scored 684 points.
Even in regions like North Central and the West, Xfinity’s customer satisfaction score was higher than the average. Surprisingly, the most recent American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) tells a different story.
| ACSI Rankings for Internet Service Providers – 2023 | ||
| Provider | Score out of 100 points | Industry Average |
| Kinetic by Windstream | 70 | 66 |
| Xfinity (Comcast) | 68 | 66 |
Windstream and Xfinity are paving the way for hyperfast internet connectivity at affordable monthly rates. Through their dual-cable networks, Xfinity and Windstream promise door-to-door internet coverage, connecting millions of Americans to speeds as fast as 10 Gigs.
If you are lucky to have both Xfinity and Windstream internet service available in your area, then metrics like price, add-on costs, perks, customer service, and gaming performance will help you select the best provider for your home.
Xfinity has wider coverage, lower introductory prices, cost-saving bundles, and better customer service. In comparison, Windstream mainly offers fiber-fast plans, a superior gaming experience, minimal additional fees, and overall better value for the money.
We hope our Windstream vs Xfinity comparison will help you pinpoint your preferences and choose the provider that best matches them.
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