Table of Contents
- CenturyLink Internet at a Glance
- Other Benefits
- Cox Internet at a Glance
- Other Benefits
- Key Differences Between CenturyLink and Cox
- Key Similarities Between CenturyLink and Cox
- How CenturyLink Stands Up Against Cox
- Bottom Line: Internet Providers Roundup
- Is CenturyLink or Cox Right for Your Home?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If CenturyLink and Cox both operate in your area, you might want to take a closer look at the two internet service providers. CenturyLink and Cox may share some similarities when it comes to service, but there are some stark differences. Learn more about CenturyLink and Cox, including the pros and cons of each company to help you decide which one will work for your home.
CenturyLink Internet at a Glance
CenturyLink offers affordable internet rates, though you’ll have to deal with variable download speeds. The company offers speeds of up to 20 Mbps, 80 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 500 Mbps and 940 Mbps. The actual speeds vary greatly, however, depending on the state. While CenturyLink offers fiber connections, the availability remains limited. DSL connections are more widely available.
Pricing
PLAN | MONTHLY COST | SPEED |
---|---|---|
Up to 20 Mbps | $55 | Up to 20 Mbps |
Up to 80 Mbps | $55 | Up to 80 Mbps |
Up to 100 Mbps | $55 | Up to 100 Mbps |
Fiber Internet | $50 | Up to 500 Mbps |
Fiber Internet | $75 | Up to 940 Mbps |
CenturyLink State Availability
STATE AVAILABILITY | |
---|---|
Arizona | Nevada |
Colorado | New Mexico |
Florida | North Dakota |
Idaho | Oregon |
Iowa | South Dakota |
Minnesota | Utah |
Montana | Washington |
Nebraska | Wyoming |
Other Benefits
CenturyLink internet can be bundled with phone service for $95 a month. The bundling option allows nationwide and local calls with up to 100 Mbps internet speed. You can also bundle DIRECTV or Dish Network service. Dish Network packages start at $84.99 a month for 24 months with a free Google Voice remote and DVR for 190 channels. Customers can also choose the America’s Top 200 plan which has more than 240 channels for $104.99 a month for 24 months. The America’s Top 250 plan costs $114.99 a month for 24 months and allows customers to enjoy more than 290 channels.
With DIRECTV, you can choose the DIRECTV Entertainment package for $69.99 a month for 24 months and enjoy more than 75 channels. The DIRECTV Choice plan offers more than 105 channels for $84.99 a month for 24 months. The DIRECTV Ultimate plan has more than 140 channels for $114.99 a month for 24 months. Finally, the DIRECTV Premier plan has more than 340 channels for $159.99 a month for 24 months.
Fine Print
You can save money by purchasing a modem from CenturyLink for a total cost of $200. If you choose not to purchase, CenturyLink leases the device at a rate of $15 a month. You can use your own modem, but it has to be on CenturyLink’s list of approved devices.
CenturyLink offers a discount for those who enroll in paperless billing.
CenturyLink’s DSL connections do have a monthly 1 TB data limit, but that restriction doesn’t apply to Simply Internet Unlimited, fiber plans or customers who receive discounted internet service through an internet affordability plan.
Cox Internet at a Glance
Cox is a top internet provider because the company has affordable rates, fast speeds and no long-term contracts. Cox plans typically do not have annual contracts, but prices can increase after two years, depending on the plan you choose. Cox primarily offers cable connections but does have fiber in select locations. Additionally, the company has a monthly data cap of 1.25 TB, which is typically more than enough for most homes. Cox provides a Panoramic Wi-Fi Gateway, which is a modem and router combo. You can add Wi-Fi extenders for improved signal strength throughout your home for $129.99 per pod.
Pricing Monthly
PLAN | MONTHLY COST | SPEED |
---|---|---|
ConnectAssist | $30 | Up to 100 Mbps |
Connect2Compete | $9.95 | Up to 100 Mbps |
StraightUp Internet | $50 | Up to 100 Mbps |
Go Fast | $35 with Cox mobile for 24 months, $49.99 without Cox mobile | Up to 100 Mbps |
Go Faster | $55 with Cox mobile for 24 months, $69.99 without Cox mobile | Up to 250 Mbps |
Go Even Faster | $75 with Cox mobile for 24 months, $89.99 without Cox mobile | Up to 500 Mbps |
Go Super Fast | $95 with Cox mobile for 24 months, $109.99 without Cox mobile | Up to 1 Gbps |
Go Beyond Fast | Prices depend on availability | Up to 2 Gbps |
Cox State Availability
STATE AVAILABILITY | |||
---|---|---|---|
Arizona | Georgia | Massachusetts | Ohio |
Arkansas | Idaho | Missouri | Oklahoma |
California | Iowa | Nebraska | Rhode Island |
Connecticut | Kansas | Nevada | Virginia |
Florida | Louisiana | North Carolina |
Other Benefits
If you’re looking to bundle internet, TV and phone, Cox has one of the best bundle internet deals available. Adding Cox mobile can save you $14.99 a month. The company also has around 4 million Wi-Fi hotspots customers can access to stay connected while away from home to save on their mobile data use.
If you don’t want Cox mobile, you can get the Panoramic Wi-Fi for $14 a month which comes with 24/7 advanced tech support.
Fine Print
Cox’s low prices last two years when you bundle internet service with a mobile service. Upload speeds vary between plans, too. The Go Fast plan has 5 Mbps upload speeds, while the Go Faster and Go Even Faster plans have 10 Mbps upload speeds. Upload speeds increase to 35 Mbps with the Go Super Fast plan. As for installation fees, professional installation with Cox costs $100.
Key Differences Between CenturyLink and Cox
The biggest difference between CenturyLink and Cox is the connection they use. CenturyLink relies on a DSL connection while Cox uses cable. The different connection types can mean a difference in download speeds. CenturyLink’s download speeds tend to vary as DSL usually can’t match the speed of cable.
Data caps rarely get exceeded in residential settings, but they can make a difference in selecting an internet provider. CenturyLink sets its data cap at 1 TB per month with most plans, though not with fiber connections or with some discounted plans. Cox sets its monthly data cap at 1.25 TB per month with all plans.
Key Similarities Between CenturyLink and Cox
CenturyLink and Cox have several similarities when it comes to bundling options, equipment fees and customer service. If you’re looking to add phone and television, you can do so with both providers at reasonable rates. Cox offers cable TV while CenturyLink partners with DISH and DIRECTV for television service.
CenturyLink and Cox both rent their modems and routers. Both cost between $10 and $15 a month. With Cox, if you bundle internet with mobile service, you can save $14 a month, which is the same as paying for home Wi-Fi. If you choose CenturyLink you have the option to purchase a modem for $200 to help you save on the cost of internet service in the long run.
Unfortunately, CenturyLink and Cox aren’t always well-regarded for their customer service. Cox scored 64 out of 100 in the 2023 American Customer Satisfaction Index while CenturyLink trailed closely with 62 out of 100. Cox ranks higher than CenturyLink in overall Wi-Fi quality with a 71, compared to a 67 for CenturyLink.
How CenturyLink Stands Up Against Cox
Bottom Line: Internet Providers Roundup
Cox provides more reliable and faster connection speeds than CenturyLink. But if you live in an area where CenturyLink offers a fiber connection, CenturyLink may be a better pick. CenturyLink fiber connections are available primarily in the Pacific Northwest.
Is CenturyLink or Cox Right for Your Home?
Picking CenturyLink vs. Cox comes down to what’s available where you live. If both internet service providers have coverage in your area, Cox may be the better bet. Both ISPs have similar pricing, speeds and bundling options. Cox’s cable internet connection surpasses CenturyLink’s DSL connection. DSL is considered a slower, antiquated connection compared to cable and other connections.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are CenturyLink and Cox the same?
CenturyLink and Cox are not the same despite several similar services and prices. CenturyLink used to have a larger coverage area before the company sold off several parts of the business to other ISPs across the country. Now, both companies cover roughly the same amount of states. CenturyLink mostly serves the western half of the U.S. while Cox covers more of the eastern half.
Is CenturyLink really fiber?
CenturyLink has one fiber plan in select cities in Colorado, Minnesota, Florida, Idaho, Nebraska, Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Missouri. Its fiber connection is up to 940 Mbps for between $65 and $75 a month, depending on where you live.
Who has the better cable and internet service?
CenturyLink does not provide cable TV service, but Cox does. Cox provides better cable and internet service than CenturyLink. However, CenturyLink partners with DISH and DIRECTV for television service.
Which internet connection is better for your home?
CenturyLink uses a DSL connection while Cox uses a cable connection. Cable internet typically provides more reliable service and faster speeds than a DSL connection.