Windstream Internet Plans and Deals Review 2024

Q: Can you use your own modem or router with Windstream?

Windstream doesn’t maintain a list of compatible modems, so we suggest renting equipment directly from Windstream to avoid compatibility issues. You can, however, connect a separate router to your Windstream equipment if you need more from your Wi-Fi network than the rental equipment can provide. For example, adding a long-range router or mesh system to your equipment can help you connect to the internet, even in huge buildings.

Our Windstream internet review

Windstream offers a wide range of plans and prices, with reasonably-priced gigabit fiber in many locations. It reaches a wide and ever-growing area by making use of DSL, cable, and fixed wireless networks, but its service really shines in areas where Windstream has expanded its fiber-optic network.

Pros

Wide range of plans
Coverage in rural areas
Affordable fiber plan

Cons

Limited fiber availability
Monthly equipment fees

Are you a current Windstream customer wanting to leave a review?

Write a Review

Jump to:

Plans and pricing
Speed and data caps
Fees
Installation, equipment, and contracts
Customer ratings
Windstream vs. the competition
Bottom line
Faq

Compare Windstream internet plans and pricing

Package	Price	Speed	Type	View on Windstream site
Kinetic Internet Basic	$39.99/mo.^* ^{w/ Auto Pay}	Up to 50Mbps	DSL	Shop Plans
Kinetic Internet by Windstream 100	$50.00/mo.* ^{w/ Auto Pay}	Up to 100 Mbps	DSL	Shop Plans
Kinetic Internet by Windstream 100 Mbps	$24.99/mo.* ^{w/ Auto Pay}	Up to 100 Mbps	Fiber	Shop Plans
Kinetic Internet by Windstream 300 Mbps	$34.99/mo.* ^{w/ Auto Pay}	Up to 300 Mbps	Fiber	Shop Plans
Kinetic Internet by Windstream 1 Gig	$59.99/mo.^† ^{w/ Auto Pay}	1,000 Mbps	Fiber	Shop Plans
Kinetic Internet by Windstream 2 Gig	$99.99/mo.^‡ ^{w/ Auto Pay}	2,000 Mbps	Fiber	Shop Plans

Data effective 10/21/2024. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

*With $5 Auto Pay for each month the customer is enrolled in AutoPay throughout the life of the customer. Available to new and existing customers. Promotional period pricing ending after 12 months.

†With $5 Auto Pay for each month the customer is enrolled in AutoPay. Limited-time, non-transferable offer for residential customers that may not be combined with other promotions. Credit restrictions may apply. Subject to availability.

‡With $5 Auto Pay for each month the customer is enrolled in AutoPay. Limited-time, non-transferable offer for residential customers that may not be combined with other promotions. Credit restrictions may apply. Subject to availability, price duration for 24 months.

Windstream Broadband Label available at: https://www.windstream.com/support/labels/

Find out if Windstream is available in your area.

Windstream’s speeds: What’s best for you?

Windstream’s options depend heavily on location, especially in rural areas where only certain types of network are available. The relatively low cost of Windstream’s fiber option means it’s likely the best value if it’s available in your area. Slower plans can nearly cut your bill in half, but make sure the plan you choose has enough speed to meet your household needs.

How fast are your Windstream speeds?

Click below for a quick speed test and find out.

Download speed
000 Mbps

Upload speed
000 Mbps

Latency (ping)
00 ms

Jitter
00 ms

Windstream’s data caps

Windstream has no data caps, and we think that’s great. No provider with a wired network needs data caps in this day and age, so hopefully more companies follow Windstream’s lead.

Is Windstream internet available where you live?

Enter your zip code below to see a listing of the top internet providers available in your area.

Our favorite plan: Kinetic Internet by Windstream 1 Gig. It’s one of the least expensive gigabit plans you can get and Windstream is continually expanding its reach.

Windstream only has two price tiers, which simplifies choices considerably. If you’re not going with the fiber plan, make sure you know how much speed you’re getting. Windstream’s budget plan is a good value for 300 Mbps.

If you can only get 100 Mbps in your area, there might be a better option with another provider.

Windstream ongoing deals and promotions + bundles

Get a reward card worth up to $200 when you sign up for a 1 GIG or 2 GIG fiber plan.
Get professional home Wi-Fi evaluation and optimization during installation when you sign up for any internet plan.

Get the Deal

Windstream internet fees

	Cost
Equipment Fee	$9.99/mo.
Installation Fee	$35.00 professional installation Free self-installation option for DSL plans
Other Fees	$50.00 activation fee $65.00 phone jack installation fee

Data effective 10/4/2022. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Windstream has a few substantial fees that you should be aware of. There’s an extra $65 fee to install a new phone jack for DSL (if you don’t want to use an existing one). One fee you don’t have to worry about is an early termination fee, which is where sneaky providers get ya.

Windstream internet installation, equipment, and contracts

Windstream is one of the best providers when it comes to the nitty gritty details, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected surprises when making the switch.

Windstream installation and equipment

Windstream offers professional installation at an affordable price, though you can also opt to self-install if you’re signing up for a DSL plan. Windstream’s monthly fee for equipment rental is pretty standard, though more providers are offering free equipment these days.

Windstream internet contracts

Windstream doesn’t require any long-term contracts, which is how it should be. By eliminating contracts and data caps, Windstream has also removed some of the biggest frustrations that customers have to deal with.

See what other Windstream customers are saying

We’re huge data nerds and we especially like collecting our own data around customer experience. If you have something to say about your experience, let us know with our Customer Review form and check out what others have said.

Read Reviews

How Windstream compares to the competition

Provider	Plan price range	Speeds (range)	User rating*	Order online
Windstream	$24.99–$99.99/mo.^†	50–2,000 Mbps	3.5	View Windstream Plans
Spectrum	$49.99–$89.99/mo.^‡	300–1,000 Mbps	3.7	View Spectrum Plans
Cox	$50.00–$150.00/mo.^§	100 Mbps–2,000 Mbps	3.6	View Cox Plans

Data effective 10/21/2023. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

*According to our annual customer satisfaction survey.

^† Windstream

With $5 Auto Pay for each month the customer is enrolled in AutoPay throughout the life of the customer. Available to new and existing customers. Promotional period pricing ending after 12 months.
With $5 Auto Pay for each month the customer is enrolled in AutoPay. Limited-time, non-transferable offer for residential customers that may not be combined with other promotions. Credit restrictions may apply. Subject to availability.
With $5 Auto Pay for each month the customer is enrolled in AutoPay. Limited-time, non-transferable offer for residential customers that may not be combined with other promotions. Credit restrictions may apply. Subject to availability, price duration for 24 months.

Windstream Broadband Label available at: https://www.windstream.com/support/labels/

^‡ For the first 12 months. Wireless speeds may vary.

^§ for 12 months with 1-yr. term agreement.

Windstream has lower prices overall than most of its big competitors. Combined with its lack of data caps or contracts, Windstream beats most big competitors hands-down when it comes to cost and fees. The biggest advantage that big cable networks like Spectrum and Cox have is more consistent plan offerings across their networks. Of course, big cable networks can’t reach as deep into rural areas as Windstream’s more piecemeal approach, and slow internet is definitely better than no internet.

Read our full reviews of Windstream vs its main internet competitors

Windstream vs. Spectrum

Is Windstream internet right for you?

Windstream offers affordable internet service without the contracts and data caps that make finding an internet provider such a frustrating experience. Windstream’s gigabit fiber plan is an especially good value, if you can get it in your area.

Shop Windstream Internet

FAQ about Windstream

Can you use your own modem or router with Windstream?

Methodology

Our HighSpeedInternet.com editorial team bases our analyses on customer input from our annual customer satisfaction survey, results from our speed test tool, and proprietary internet provider data on speeds and pricing. To strengthen our research, we look closely at provider contracts to get hard-to-find information on price hikes, data caps, and extra fees, and we keep tabs on the latest news reports and online reviews. When applicable, we also rely on our personal experiences testing these services.

Windstream Internet Review

This fast-growing provider could bring more high-speed options to your area.