CenturyLink vs. Cox, which is better? Well, the answer is rarely that simple, is it?

CenturyLink and Cox both offer internet plans at standard rates with no term contracts. But that’s about everything the two have in common. 

CenturyLink is a DSL internet provider which also provides fiber internet in some areas under the brand name “Quantum Fiber”. Cox, on the other hand, is a cable internet provider that uses fiber in its middle-mile infrastructure to offer gigabit speeds. It also offers 2 Gbps internet in some areas which you can check for via Cox customer service.

As for now, it doesn’t look like DSL can keep you with cable or fiber, and CenturyLink is gradually switching to fiber. Cox is in a more stable position and is exploring both fiber and cable technologies to improve its services everywhere.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to the type of internet service each provider offers in your area. Here’s what we mean:

CenturyLink vs. Cox: Internet Connection Types

CenturyLink DSL Internet

Digital Subscriber Line is a type of internet connection that’s provided via conventional telephone lines. It’s available even in rural areas, but max speeds with DSL internet are much lower than cable internet. Still, it’s superior to satellite internet in terms of speed and cost.

Pros:

• Available even in rural areas
• Faster and cheaper than satellite internet
• Max speeds ranging from 25 to 100 Mbps 

Cons:

• Slower than cable internet
• High cost per Mbps

CenturyLink Fiber Internet (Quantum Fiber)

CenturyLink’s parent company, Lumen Technologies, also operates as a fiber internet service provider under the brand name Quantum Fiber. Unlike fiber-powered internet which uses cable for the last mile, Quantum Fiber internet uses fiber all the way to your home. As a result, you get the full spectrum of the benefits of fiber including symmetrical speeds (the same speed for uploading and downloading) and improved reliability.

However, unlike cable, you will need to have fiber installed from the hub to your home. If the construction costs are lower than $1500, CenturyLink will cover it entirely. However, you may have to pay any construction charges to the extent they exceed $1500. But, this is a one-time expense that will increase your home value.

CenturyLink Internet powered by fiber (Quantum Fiber) has symmetrical speeds of up to 940 Mbps. This can mean an upload speed up to 20 times higher than you can typically get with the fastest cable internet plans. Quantum Fiber internet may not be available in your area, contact CenturyLink customer service to see if it is.

Pros:

• Fiber-to-the-home internet
• Symmetrical speeds (upload speeds as high as download speeds)
• Superior to all other types of internet in terms of speed and reliability
• The most future-proof option
• Includes a modem at no additional cost 
• Free Installation 

Cons:

• Not widely available
• May require one-time construction charges

Cox Cable Internet

Cox has been using fiber in its backbone infrastructure to increase the total bandwidth and support higher speeds. It has also switched entirely to DOCSIS 3.1 to improve its existing cable networks. Cox offers its 1 Gbps internet plan (Cox Go Super Fast) everywhere it operates—something few other ISPs can claim. It has also introduced a 2 Gbps internet plan in some areas.

Cox fiber-powered internet covers many urban and suburban areas where fiber isn’t available. It’s superior to DSL and satellite in terms of speed, reliability, and cost per Mbps, which makes it a better option than CenturyLink’s 100 Mbps plan.

Cable internet doesn’t have symmetrical speeds yet. Generally, the highest upload speed you can get is 50 Mbps with Cox Beyond Fast being the exception with 100 Mbps. However, unless you’re a live steamer or upload exceptionally large files for work, you won’t need upload speeds higher than 50 Mbps anytime soon.

Pros:

• Available in more urban and suburban areas than fiber
• Faster than DSL and satellite internet
• Speeds up to 1000 Mbps offered in all service areas
• 2000 Mbps speeds available in some areas
• Doesn’t require paperless billing or autopay 
• Doesn’t require high upfront construction fees

Cons:

• Doesn’t have symmetrical speeds yet
• Speeds may vary depending on the network load

Cox Fiber Internet

Cox is building fiber networks to bring all-fiber internet in some areas. However, we don’t know how long it’ll be before Cox officially becomes a fiber internet provider. Where Cox isn’t able to bring fiber soon, it will improve the network with DOCSIS 4.0 among other technologies to increase speeds and reliability. In most areas, Cox offers fiber-powered internet which isn’t all-fiber but features many of its benefits.

Pros:

• All-fiber internet 
• Symmetrical speeds (upload speeds as high as download speeds)
• Faster than all other types of internet
• The most future-proof option 

Cons:

• Not available in most areas
• Limited details announced

CenturyLink vs. Cox: Which Should You Choose?

If you need a starter high-speed internet plan with a max download speed of 100 Mbps, Cox is the better option. Cox’s 100 Mbps internet plan (Go Fast) includes Panoramic WiFi Gateway at no additional cost. You just have to pay $49.99 a month for internet, modem, and router.

If you want gigabit speeds, CenturyLink is the superior choice. CenturyLink Fiber internet features max symmetrical speeds of up to 940 Mbps for $70 a month. This is an all-fiber internet plan with no installation fees and a modem included at no additional cost. You may have to pay part of the construction fee depending on location, but fiber internet is future-proof and worth the investment.

If you want these speeds but CenturyLink Fiber internet is not available in your area, Cox isn’t a bad option either. Cox’s 500 Mbps and 1 Gbps plans have promotional offers that bring the price down to $69.99 and $99.99 respectively. Both of these plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee which allows you to cancel within a month even if there’s a term contract. 

CenturyLink Internet Plans

CenturyLink Simply Unlimited (up to 100-140 Mbps)

CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet is a DSL-based plan with a max download speed of 100 Mbps for a standard price of $50 a month. You may need to lease a modem from CenturyLink for $15 per month or purchase it for a one-time fee of up to $200 + tax. This plan doesn’t have an annual contract but you need to enroll in paperless billing to get the plan at the advertised rates.

CenturyLink Fiber Internet (up to 940 Mbps)

This is a fiber-to-the-home plan with 940 Mbps upload and download speeds for a standard price of $70 per month. This plan includes a modem at no additional monthly fee. The installation is free, but you may have to pay construction charges depending on your location. There’s no term contract but paperless billing is required to get the plan at the advertised rates.

Cox Internet Plans

Go Fast (up to 100 Mbps)

This is a starter internet plan from Cox that’s powered by fiber but delivered via cable. It features max speeds of 100 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up and includes Panoramic WiFi at a standard price of $49.99 a month. There’s no annual term contract with this plan.

Go Faster (up to 250 Mbps)

Go Faster has a standard price of $69.99 a month for a max download speed of 250 Mbps and a max upload speed of 5 Mbps. This plan also doesn’t require an annual term contract so there’s no termination fee. 

Go Even Faster (up to 500 Mbps)

Go Even Faster features a max download speed of 500 Mbps and a max upload speed of 10 Mbps. The everyday price of this plan is $89.99, but you can get it at $69.99 a month for 12 months with a limited-time promotion. There are no term contracts or termination fees, so you’re free to downgrade or cancel after 12 months.

Go Super Fast (up to 1000 Mbps)

Go Super Fast has a max download speed of 1000 Mbps and a max upload speed of 35 Mbps. With Cox’s fiber-powered network, this speed tier is now available in all Cox service areas. 

The everyday price is $119.99 a month, but this plan also has a promotion that brings the price down to $99.99 a month for 12 months with a 1-year term contract. You also have the option to go without a term contract and pay $109.99 a month for the first 12 months. The price will be $129.99 a month during the second year if you choose this option. But again, you can cancel or downgrade at any time as there’s no term contract.

Also, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee with all Cox internet plans, so you have time to decide if you want to continue even when you’re in a term contract.

Go Beyond Fast (up to 2000 Mbps)

In areas where Cox has built denser fiber networks, it’s offering speeds up to 2000 Mbps with the new Go Beyond Fast plan. This plan costs $149.99 a month. 

To Sum Up…

CenturyLink Fiber Internet (aka Quantum Fiber) is the best option if it’s available in your area. But if it’s not or you don’t want to pay the construction charges, Cox is the better option. Century’s DSL internet may be costlier and slower than Cox Go Fast, but it’s still far superior to satellite internet.