CenturyLink internet alternatives

Alternatives to CenturyLink: Which is better?

CenturyLink shares a footprint with a lot of cable internet providers. Its DSL can’t compete with most cable plans, but some cable providers offer similar speeds as CenturyLink fiber plans—and enough extras to make them compelling options.

CenturyLink vs. Xfinity: Xfinity and CenturyLink serve many of the same areas, especially in New England, the Great Lakes, and the Pacific Northwest. If you can get CenturyLink fiber, it’s probably a better option than Xfinity. But if all you can get is CenturyLink DSL, you’re probably better off with Xfinity internet, which is mostly cable internet.

Compare CenturyLink internet vs. Xfinity internet

CenturyLink vs. Spectrum: Spectrum and CenturyLink overlap the most in the eastern half of the US, and it’s a similar story as Xfinity. CenturyLink’s fiber service is better than Spectrum’s cable internet, but its DSL service can’t compete with Spectrum. The downside with Spectrum more generally is its lackluster customer service.

Compare CenturyLink internet vs. Spectrum internet

CenturyLink vs. Mediacom: Mediacom and CenturyLink overlap in the Midwest and in the South, especially near the Gulf Coast. Mediacom's cable internet plans are cheaper than CenturyLink’s fiber plans at nearly every speed level, but if you want faster upload speeds, CenturyLink could still be worth it. Compared to CenturyLink’s DSL plans, Mediacom will always be the better deal.

Compare CenturyLink internet vs. Mediacom internet

Where is CenturyLink available?

CenturyLink is very widely available. The main gaps are in California and the northeastern states. That said, the vast majority of this coverage is DSL. Fiber is available only in limited locations, the majority of which are big cities. 

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