Spectrum vs. Kinetic by Windstream: Which Internet Provider Is Better for Your Home?

Shopping for home internet service in your area often comes down to two options: a cable internet provider or an alternative to cable, like DSL or fiber. For many, those options are Spectrum and Kinetic by Windstream. If that's you, you're likely wondering which is the better choice for your home internet.

A good rule of thumb is that cable internet is better -- faster, more reliable, greater value -- than DSL, but fiber optic service often trumps cable for the same reasons. So, given a choice between Spectrum or Kinetic DSL service, Spectrum will typically be the best option for speed and value. On the other hand, if fiber is available at your address, you'll find Windstream tough to beat by any cable provider, Spectrum included. There's a lot more to it than that, though, so let's look at what separates Spectrum and Kinetic.

Spectrum

Your standard cable connection

Our take - Spectrum offers three speed tiers -- 300, 500 and 1,000Mbps -- available throughout nearly all Spectrum markets. Pricing is also fairly consistent in service areas but slightly higher than some internet providers. A low equipment rental fee helps offset the relatively high starting prices, as does unlimited data and no contract requirements, but look out for a $30 price increase on all plans after 12-24 months.

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Kinetic by Windstream

A mixed bag, but more good than bad

Our take - A DSL connection can't deliver the same speed stability as a cable connection, so speeds will vary, anywhere from 10 to 200Mbps, with Kinetic DSL. Fiber service is more consistent with 200, 400, 500Mbps and gigabit speed tiers available in most areas. Starting pricing on Kinetic DSL and fiber plans is lower than Spectrum and has a lower price increase after the promo period. Like Spectrum, all Kinetic plans come with unlimited data and no contracts.

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Spectrum vs. Windstream on availability and internet type

Spectrum is the second-largest cable internet provider in the US, next to Xfinity, and extends coverage to more than a third of the population through the service areas shown above in blue. The network is 100% cable, which enables Spectrum to deliver fast download speeds -- gigabit service is available in 99% of Spectrum markets -- but the limited bandwidth of coaxial cables limits upload speeds to a max of 35Mbps. 

Despite the seemingly vast coverage area shown above in orange, Kinetic is available to less than 3% of US residents, mostly because Windstream covers large rural areas via its DSL network. Speeds are often less than impressive over DSL, but Kinetic is considerably faster than most DSL providers, with speeds of 100Mbps or higher available throughout 64% of service areas. 

Windstream's fiber service is available to roughly a quarter of households serviceable for Kinetic, nearly all eligible for gigabit speeds. Kinetic fiber offers faster speeds than DSL, but it also comes with the perk of symmetrical download and upload speeds, an advantage you won't get with cable internet service from Spectrum.

Spectrum vs. Windstream plans and pricing

As mentioned above, starting prices will be a little cheaper with Kinetic than Spectrum, but that doesn't mean Kinetic will always be the better value. Kinetic DSL speeds and pricing varies by market and even by address, which means Kinetic could have you paying around the same or more than Spectrum's cheapest internet plan but for less speed. Here's a look at each provider's plans.

Spectrum internet plans and pricing

Regardless of your Spectrum service area, the plans listed above will likely be available with the same speeds and price. The same cannot be said for Kinetic plans, however. Those vary by price and speed depending on the market.

Kinetic Internet plans and pricing

The Kinetic pricing structure is a bit weird in that customers start with a "base" plan (listed above), then can upgrade that plan to faster speeds, if available, for an added cost. 

As a potential Kinetic customer, you may be eligible for any three base plans. Then, if faster speeds are available, you can upgrade your plan for an extra $10 to $30 per month. For example, your address qualifies for the fiber Kinetic 200 base package, but you want gig service. You'll start with the 200 base plan, then "upgrade" to gig service for an additional $30 per month for $67.

It's also important to note that Kinetic 50, the base DSL plan, may come with speeds below 50Mbps. Around 15% of Windstream service areas are below 25Mbps, which is lower than what is considered "broadband" internet, but plan pricing still falls in that $27-$60 per month range. 

The better deal? Spectrum's value beats Windstream's pricing

It all comes down to the Kinetic connection type available at your address and the pricing in your area. Even in the fastest Kinetic DSL markets, speeds will be slower with DSL service than Spectrum, which starts at 200Mbps. Though Kinetic DSL may be cheaper per month, especially if the $27 price point is available in your area, Spectrum will give you more speed for the money, which makes it the better value. 

Then there's fiber service from Windstream, which starts at $37 per month for speeds up to 200Mbps. That's $13 less per month than Spectrum for the same download speeds, plus you get the advantage of symmetrical upload speeds. Kinetic 400 is available at $37 per month in select areas, which is a significantly better deal than Spectrum's 400Mbps plan. As for gigabit service, you'll pay around $67 per month for the first year with Kinetic compared to $90 with Spectrum.

Both Spectrum's and Windstream's pricing is straightforward

The advantage for best speeds and monthly rates could go either way depending on the service type, but the two providers are more evenly matched regarding added costs and the fine print.

Spectrum has a slightly lower equipment rental fee at $5 per month, whereas you'll be paying $7 to $10 per month with Windstream. Another advantage for Spectrum is that your modem is included for free. You could use your own high-performance router and skip the $5 monthly fee altogether. Windstream also lets you use your own equipment, but you'll have to provide the modem and router. 

Neither provider enforces data caps, which means no threat of overage fees added to your bill. Additionally, neither provider requires you to sign a service contract. Spectrum takes no contracts a step further with a contract buyout offer, which gives new customers up to $500 to help them out of an existing contract with another provider, but you'll have to sign up for an internet and TV bundle to qualify.

Spectrum edges out Windstream in customer satisfaction

The American Customer Satisfaction Index scores from Spectrum and Windstream were consistent from 2020 to 2021, with 63 and 61 out of 100, respectively. Spectrum also fared better with J.D. Power in 2021, earning a 725 out of 1,000 compared to Windstream's 682. In both cases, I attribute Windstream's slightly lower score to the difference in technology. If Windstream DSL and Windstream fiber separated the numbers, I'd bet Windstream fiber would fare better than Spectrum.

Spectrum vs. Windstream recap

Speed and value come down to the internet connection type available at your address. Like Spectrum, cable service is often a better option than DSL, though Kinetic DSL service is impressive compared to other DSL providers. If Kinetic's fiber service is available, it's likely faster and cheaper than cable internet from Spectrum. Both providers offer unlimited data, low equipment fees and no contract obligations, but Spectrum also comes with the comfort of a slightly better customer satisfaction rating. Just be wary of outages should you choose Spectrum over Windstream.