| Best for most homes High Speed Internet 200 Mbps |
| High Speed Internet 300–400 Mbps |
| Best for speed Kinetic Gig |
| Price* | Download speeds up to | Data cap | |
| $28.99–$75.00/mo. | 200 Mbps | Unlimited | View plans |
| $39.00–$80.00/mo. | 400 Mbps | Unlimited | View plans |
| $59.00–$90.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Unlimited | View plans |
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 to check the Windstream speeds and prices in your area before you make any decisions.
You’ll also want to find out if there are any other providers in your area that offer a better deal—especially if you live in an expensive or slow Windstream region. Enter your zip code below to see all your internet options.
| Package | Price* | Download speeds up to | Data cap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for most homes High Speed Internet 200 Mbps | $28.99–$75.00/mo. | 200 Mbps | Unlimited | View plans |
| Best for speed Kinetic Gig | $59.00–$90.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Unlimited | View plans |
Data as of 07/21/20. 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’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.
Additionally, we found that Windstream has some wild hidden fee tactics.
On its webpage, Windstream advertises $19.99 per month plans. Then at checkout, it requires you to choose a security plan, which ranges from $9.99 to $14.99 per month—there’s no opting out.
Adding this separate page for security plans seems like part security theatrics to scare users into upgrading their security plan and part upsell, as if the difference between $9.99 and $14.99 will cost you less than $0 included security and $5 upgraded security.
(But it’s still $5 more per month however they write it.)
In the end, the flashy $19.99 Windstream leads with, plans in these areas become at least $28.99. And while $28.99 per month is still a great deal on any download speed of 50 Mbps or more, this all seems like a weird tactic to get you to upgrade security for a few extra bucks.
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.
| Package | Price* | Download speeds up to | Data cap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Speed Internet 25 Mbps | $28.99–$60.00/mo. | 25 Mbps | Unlimited | View plans |
| High Speed Internet 50–100 Mbps | $28.99–$70.00/mo. | 100 Mbps | Unlimited | View plans |
| High Speed Internet 200 Mbps | $28.99–$75.00/mo. | 200 Mbps | Unlimited | View plans |
| High Speed Internet 300–400 Mbps | $39.00–$80.00/mo. | 400 Mbps | Unlimited | View plans |
| High Speed Internet 500 Mbps | $49.00–$80.00/mo. | 500 Mbps | Unlimited | View plans |
| Kinetic Gig | $59.00–$90.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Unlimited | View plans |
Data as of 07/21/20. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*for 12 months
We recommend at least 100 Mbps for most homes, but 50 Mbps isn’t too bad if that’s the fastest speed you can get. Try to stay under specific price points for a good deal on internet, and pass on Windstream if it offers you a more expensive plan.
If you have competing internet service providers (ISPs) in your area, they may offer better prices. Check out your options by entering your zip code below.
| Package | Price* | Download speeds up to | Phone plan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Mbps Internet + Phone | $39.99–$75.00/mo. | 25 Mbps | Unlimited nationwide calls | View plans |
| 50–100 Mbps Internet + Phone | $39.99–$85.00/mo. | 100 Mbps | Unlimited nationwide calls | View plans |
| 200 Mbps Internet + Phone | $39.99–$90.00/mo. | 200 Mbps | Unlimited nationwide calls | View plans |
| 300–400 Mbps Internet + Phone | $50.00–$95.00/mo. | 400 Mbps | Unlimited nationwide calls | View plans |
| 500 Mbps Internet + Phone | $60.00–$95.00/mo. | 500 Mbps | Unlimited nationwide calls | View plans |
| Kinetic Gig + Phone | $70.00–$105.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Unlimited nationwide calls | View plans |
Data as of 07/21/20. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*for 12 months
If you’d like to add a home phone to your Windstream service, it will cost you about $11 to $15 per month. That’s a lot better deal than Windstream’s stand-alone phone plan, which is $44.99 per month. Yikes.
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 deal up.
One of the coolest things about getting a Kinetic Gateway is that it pairs up nicely with Windstream’s app. The app, MyWIN, makes it easy to manage your connected devices, change your Wi-Fi password, and even restart your gateway.
You can get MyWIN 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.
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 it. Otherwise, don’t be afraid to look for greener pastures.
To see if there are more internet providers near you, enter your zip code below. We don’t record your zip code or send it to anyone else, so your info is safe.
Windstream internet prices vary drastically by plan and location, ranging from $28.99 to $90.00 per month.
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.
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.
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.
Rachel has spent the past two years at CableTV.com writing articles that demystify hidden fees, DVRs, sound systems, and more. She makes door-to-door DISH and DIRECTV salespeople uncomfortable with her in-depth questions—but if that’s what it takes to get you the best TV experience, she’s happy to do it. In addition to writing for CableTV.com, Rachel’s work has been featured on Roku.com, TechGuySmartBuy.com, HowtoWatch.com, and SatelliteInternet.com.
Stay updated on the latest products and services anytime anywhere.
