Which is better, Brightspeed or Rainbow?

Rainbow is faster where you can get it, but Brightspeed reaches 487 times as many people, so at most addresses Brightspeed is the one on offer (and it is cheaper to start). Where both are offered (about 11,773 people), Rainbow has the faster top speed for 85% of homes.

FasterRainbowFaster for 85% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startBrightspeedFrom $49 a month, vs $72.50.

Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (76 and 0).

Available to more peopleBrightspeed13.5 million people in 20 states, vs 27,629 in 1 state.

Brightspeed
Price: $39.99 - $109.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 2,000 Mbps
Internet Type: DSL, fiber, and fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): (76)
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Rainbow
Price: $72.50 - $104.50 / mo.
Speed: 350 - 2,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber and cable
Rating (Reviews): (0)
View Plans

Brightspeed vs. Rainbow at a glance

Measure	Brightspeed	Rainbow
Available to	13.5 million people in 20 states	27,629 people in 1 state
Main technology	DSL 88%, fiber 43%, fixed wireless 4%	Fiber 88%, cable 39%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	2,000 Mbps	2,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	2,000 Mbps down, 2,000 Mbps up	2,000 Mbps down, 2,000 Mbps up
Starting price	$49 a month	$72.50 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$1,176 (200 Mbps plan)	$1,740 (150 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	3.1 of 5 (76 reviews)	No reviews yet
Rated for speed	3.0 of 5	No reviews yet
Rated for price	3.4 of 5	No reviews yet
Where both are offered	About 11,773 people (43% of Rainbow's area); Rainbow is faster for 85% of them

Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.

Where Brightspeed and Rainbow are available

Brightspeed and Rainbow have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

Brightspeed currently offers internet service in 7,784 cities and 827 counties across 20 states, reaching approximately 13,910,106 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Raleigh, NC; St. Louis, MO; and New York, NY. By comparison, Rainbow serves 27,786 residents in 34 cities and 6 counties in 1 state, with a presence in population centers such as Atchison, KS; Hiawatha, KS; and Sabetha, KS.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: Brightspeed coverage map and Rainbow coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether Brightspeed, Rainbow or both are offered at your home.

Brightspeed vs. Rainbow Speeds and Technology

Brightspeed and Rainbow utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Rainbow offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,520 Mbps compared to Brightspeed’s average speed of 779 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Brightspeed’s premium Fiber service reaches 41.3% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Rainbow’s top-tier Fiber is available to 87.4% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Brightspeed vs. Rainbow Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Brightspeed and Rainbow, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

Brightspeed vs. Rainbow Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate Brightspeed and Rainbow based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

Brightspeed vs. Rainbow Pros and Cons

Brightspeed

From 52 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Good value: praised in 15 of 52 written reviews (6 call it overpriced). "the price point is great"
• Easy installation: praised in 5 of 52 written reviews (4 had install trouble). "installation technician was courteous and professional"
• No data caps: praised in 4 of 52 written reviews. "I have no Data caps either"

Cons

• Outages and drops: a complaint in 17 of 52 written reviews (9 call it reliable). "Our internet continues to fail. We have outages frequently."
• Slower than promised: a complaint in 16 of 52 written reviews (10 call it fast). "that 5% of the time where speeds have been quite slow"
• Poor customer service: a complaint in 15 of 52 written reviews. "The wait time for repair on their faulty lines is atrocious."

Rainbow

No written reviews yet; these lines come from our data.

Pros

• Faster where both are offered: the faster top speed for 85% of those homes.

Cons

Brightspeed vs. Rainbow Top Cities

Brightspeed serves 7,784 cities while Rainbow is available in 34 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.