Windstream Review 2022: Plans, Prices, and More
Windstream’s plans are different everywhere you go, but that could be good for you—or very bad.
| Best for most homes High Speed Internet 200 Mbps |
| Best for speedKinetic Gig |
| Price* | Download speeds up to | Data cap | |
| $37.00–$75.00/mo. | 200 Mbps | Unlimited | View plans |
| $57.00–$90.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Unlimited | View plans |
Is Windstream internet good?
Windstream’s Kinetic High-Speed Internet can be a joy when it offers well-priced plans backed by fiber technology. But Windstream also offers shady DSL internet with prices that will leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Call Windstream’s customer service to check the Windstream speeds and prices in your area before you make any decisions.
Windstream pros and cons
Pros
- Unlimited data
- Month-to-month plans
- Affordable modem
Cons
- Shockingly high prices in some areas
- Hidden fees
- Unreliable technology
Best Windstream packages
| Package |
| Best for most homes High Speed Internet 200 Mbps |
| Best for speed Kinetic Gig |
| Price* | Download speeds up to | Data cap | |
| $37.00–$75.00/mo. | 200 Mbps | Unlimited |
View plans |
| $57.00–$90.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Unlimited |
View plans |
Data as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*for 12 months
If you won the Windstream lottery by occupying an area where Windstream internet doesn’t cost an arm and a leg—rejoice! Windstream packages are remarkable when they’re on the lower end of its ludicrously wide range of prices.
High Speed Internet 200 Mbps comes with plenty of download speed to support most homes, and its unlimited data allowance is a sweet bonus. Should you want to upgrade to Kinetic Gig, paying anything less than $80 per month is a sweet deal for gig speeds.
Windstream internet plans and bundles
Windstream’s unpredictability means only a few people can expect to come away fans of the service.
For example, we found that one home in Lincoln, Nebraska had access to an affordable Windstream 100 Mbps plan. About eight miles over, another home could get only 4 Mbps—slower than most 4G phones—and Windstream charges the same as the 100 Mbps plan for it. We call foul.
Fair warning, Windstream needs every Washington it can get right now. It filed for bankruptcy back in 2019, and it’s trying to get out of the hole by August 2020. It’s still operating, though, so you can get one of the internet packages below—if you want to.
Windstream internet plans and prices
| Package |
| High Speed Internet 25 Mbps |
| High Speed Internet 50–100 Mbps |
| High Speed Internet 200 Mbps |
| High Speed Internet 500 Mbps |
| Kinetic Gig |
| Price* | Download speeds up to | Data cap | |
| $27.00–$60.00/mo. | 25 Mbps | Unlimited | View Plans |
| $37.00–$70.00/mo. | 100 Mbps | Unlimited | View Plans |
| $37.00–$75.00/mo. | 200 Mbps | Unlimited | View Plans |
| $47.00–$80.00/mo. | 500 Mbps | Unlimited | View Plans |
| $57.00–$90.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Unlimited | View Plans |
Data as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*for 12 months
Deals on Windstream internet
Windstream’s best deals can include price discounts, free equipment, and prepaid Visa gift cards. Check out Windstream’s plans to see current deals for your address.
Windstream internet plus TV bundles and pricing
Windstream no longer offers cable TV service, but you can bundle a YouTube TV, DIRECTV, or DIRECTV STREAM subscription with your Windstream internet plan during the checkout process.
If you’d like to add a home phone to your Windstream service, it will cost you about $20 per month. That’s a lot better deal than Windstream’s stand-alone phone plan, which is $44.99 per month. Yikes.
Windstream internet equipment
We’re often advocates for buying your own modem and router because it’s a great way to save money in the long run. But Windstream’s Kinetic Gateway is a modem and router all in one for just $5.99 per month. We say snatch this Windstream deal up if you don’t want to deal with your own Wi-Fi router or cable modem.
One of the coolest things about getting a Kinetic Gateway is that it pairs up nicely with Windstream’s app. The app, Go Kinetic, makes it easy to manage your connected devices, change your Wi-Fi password, and even restart your gateway.
You can get Go Kinetic on the Apple App Store or Google Play, depending on your smartphone type. Windstream’s users are huge fans of the app, so you should check it out if you get Windstream service.
Final take: Is Windstream worth it?
Windstream’s erratic pricing sets us on edge, but its unlimited data allowance and competitive speeds are noteworthy. If Windstream offers reasonable prices and speeds where you live, go for Windstream’s internet packages. Otherwise, don’t be afraid to look for greener pastures.
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Methodology
To find out how Windstream stacks up versus the competition, we evaluated the ISP on factors including availability, value, and download speeds. We also relied on our annual customer satisfaction survey to see how real customers felt about Windstream’s service and reliability.
For more information about our methodologies, feel free to peruse our How We Rank page.
Windstream internet FAQ
How much is Windstream internet monthly?
Windstream internet prices vary drastically by plan and location, ranging from $27.00 to $90.00 per month.
Does Windstream internet require a phone line?
Most Windstream plans are DSL based, which use the phone wires in your home to send internet, so you’ll need a phone line. However, if you don’t want home phone service, it’s not required for Windstream internet.
How does Windstream internet work?
Most of Windstream’s networks have a fiber backbone to carry internet signals over long distances quickly and then use DSL lines to deliver internet from a local hub to your home.
What is Windstream Kinetic Internet?
Kinetic High-Speed Internet is a Windstream brand that refers explicitly to its fiber-backbone networks. The Kinetic internet plans are some of Windstream’s fastest packages, and they’ll get you the best bang for your buck.
Does Windstream have Wi-Fi?
Windstream offers a combo modem/Wi-Fi router that costs $5.99 per month.
Why is Windstream so slow?
Windstream’s DSL plans may have slow internet speeds depending on your area. Windstream may also be dealing with weather or network issues—contact Windstream’s customer service at +1-800-347-1991 if you’re having consistent internet speed problems.
