Which is better, Brightspeed or Surf?

Surf is faster, better rated and cheaper to start where you can get it, but Brightspeed reaches 17 times as many people, so at most addresses Brightspeed is the one on offer. Where both are offered (about 111,544 people), Surf has the faster top speed for 88% of homes.

FasterSurfTop speed 8,000 Mbps vs 2,000 Mbps; faster for 88% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startSurfFrom $30 a month, vs $49.

Better ratedSurf4.0 of 5 from 24 reviews, vs 3.1 from 76.

Available to more peopleBrightspeed13.5 million people in 20 states, vs 780,026 in 3 states.

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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Surf
Price: $30.00 - $95.00 / mo.
Speed: 25 - 8,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber and fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): (25)
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Brightspeed vs. Surf at a glance

Measure	Brightspeed	Surf
Available to	13.5 million people in 20 states	780,026 people in 3 states
Main technology	DSL 88%, fiber 43%, fixed wireless 4%	Fiber 98%, fixed wireless 3.9%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	2,000 Mbps	8,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	2,000 Mbps down, 2,000 Mbps up	1,000 Mbps
Starting price	$49 a month	$30 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$1,176 (200 Mbps plan)	$720 (100 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	3.1 of 5 (76 reviews)	4.0 of 5 (24 reviews)
Rated for speed	3.0 of 5	3.7 of 5
Rated for price	3.4 of 5	3.7 of 5
Where both are offered	About 111,544 people (14% of Surf's area); Surf is faster for 88% of them, the same top speed for 4.3%

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 Surf are available

Brightspeed and Surf 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, Surf serves 786,177 residents in 371 cities and 58 counties in 3 states, with a presence in population centers such as Chicago, IL; Grand Rapids, MI; and Detroit, MI.

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

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

Brightspeed vs. Surf Speeds and Technology

Brightspeed and Surf 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, Surf offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 5,488 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, Surf’s top-tier Fiber is available to 97.4% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Brightspeed vs. Surf Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Brightspeed and Surf, 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. Surf Customer Ratings and Reviews

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

When comparing customer satisfaction, Brightspeed earns an overall rating of 3.09 / 5 stars from 76 customer reviews, while Surf maintains a 4.00 / 5 rating from 25 reviews. Surf outperforms Brightspeed by 0.9 points in overall satisfaction. Brightspeed’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.84 / 5 stars, compared to Surf’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 4.30 / 5 stars.

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. Surf 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."

Surf

From 17 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Reliable connection: praised in 7 of 17 written reviews (5 report outages). "Service is very stable, 99+% of the time"
• Fast speeds: praised in 6 of 17 written reviews. "lightning fast speeds that never drop"
• Good value: praised in 6 of 17 written reviews. "the price is a lot more reasonable than the cable provider in my area"

Cons

Brightspeed vs. Surf Top Cities

Brightspeed serves 7,784 cities while Surf is available in 371 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.