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Brightspeed vs. WOW!

Whether you’re researching Brightspeed vs. WOW! internet service at your current address, comparing internet options for potential locations, or just researching alternatives, this detailed comparison will help you understand which provider best suits you.

Brightspeed
Price: $49.00 - $109.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 2,000 Mbps
Internet Type: DSL and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (64)

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WOW!
Price: $40.00 - $105.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable, fiber, and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (25)

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Brightspeed and WOW! compete directly in approximately 0.54% of their service areas, with Brightspeed covering 13,397,700 people nationwide and WOW! serving 5,135,482. Brightspeed primarily delivers internet through a DSL connection; WOW! specializes in cable connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of Brightspeed and WOW!'s availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

Jump to: Availability | Speeds | Plans & Pricing | Customer Reviews | Fees

Brightspeed vs. WOW! | Pros & Cons

Brightspeed Logo

Pros:

  • Fast upload speeds
  • Service available in rural areas
  • Up-front month-to-month pricing
  • Wide range of plan options

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Performance depends on local infrastructure
  • Higher speeds require premium pricing

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WOW! Logo

Pros:

  • Gigabit speeds available
  • Up-front month-to-month pricing
  • Wide range of plan options
  • No contracts required

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Limited fiber availability
  • Installation fees apply

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Brightspeed vs. WOW! | Availability

Brightspeed and WOW! 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.

Both Providers Available | Brightspeed Available | WOW! Available | No Coverage

Brightspeed currently offers internet service in 7,239 cities and 798 counties across 20 states, reaching approximately 13,397,700 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Raleigh, NC; St. Louis, MO; and New York, NY. By comparison, WOW! serves 5,135,482 residents in 322 cities and 49 counties in 6 states, with a presence in population centers such as Detroit, MI; Tampa, FL; and Charleston, SC.

Brightspeed has particularly strong coverage nationwide, where they serve 0 cities and 0 zip codes. Their Rural Coverage Ratio of 52 indicates they offers a balanced distribution of coverage across urban and rural areas..

WOW! is prominent in nationwide with service to 0 cities and 0 zip codes. With a Rural Coverage Ratio of 5, WOW! focuses heavily on urban areas, with limited service available in rural communities.

Internet availability can vary significantly even within specific cities and zip codes. For the most accurate information about Brightspeed and WOW! at your location, use our address search tool:

Brightspeed vs. WOW! | Speeds & Technology

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

Across their service areas, Brightspeed primarily delivers internet through DSL, available to 86.1% of their customers. They also offer fiber to 36.1% of their coverage area. WOW! relies on cable technology, which comprises 93.2% of their network, with fiber available in 6.9% of their service locations.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, WOW! offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,433 Mbps compared to Brightspeed's average speed of 673 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, WOW! delivers faster speeds in 79.23% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 0.00%, and slower speeds in 20.77%.

The availability of each provider's fastest technology varies significantly by location. Brightspeed's premium Fiber service reaches 36.1% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, WOW!'s top-tier Fiber is available to 6.9% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Brightspeed vs. WOW! | Plans & Pricing

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Brightspeed and WOW!, sourced directly from FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband labels to ensure transparency and accuracy. We've included both promotional and standard rates for each provider to give you a complete picture of what you'll pay over time. Plan availability and exact pricing may vary by location.

Brightspeed Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Brightspeed Fiber Internet 200$49.00216.1 Mbps215.3 MbpsFiber
Brightspeed Fiber Internet 1 Gig$79.00944.5 Mbps935.6 MbpsFiber
Brightspeed Fiber Internet 500$79.00527.6 Mbps531.7 MbpsFiber
Brightspeed Fiber Internet 2 Gig$109.002000 Mbps2000 MbpsFiber

Note: These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas.

Brightspeed Plans

WOW! Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Internet 200$40.00210 Mbps10 MbpsFiber
Internet 300$40.00301 Mbps22 MbpsFiber
Internet 600$55.00585 Mbps41 MbpsFiber
Internet 1 Gig$70.001,100 Mbps51 MbpsFiber
Internet 1 Gig Symmetrical$70.00941 Mbps936 MbpsFiber
Fiber 1Gbps$80.001,060 Mbps1,005 MbpsFiber
Internet 2 Gig$105.002,207 Mbps232 MbpsFiber

Note: These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas.

WOW! Plans

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. WOW! | Customer Ratings & Reviews

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

When comparing customer satisfaction, Brightspeed earns an overall rating of 3.31 / 5 stars from 64 customer reviews, while WOW! maintains a 3.04 / 5 rating from 25 reviews. Brightspeed outperforms WOW! by 0.27 points in overall satisfaction. Brightspeed's best-rated service is their fiber offering at 4.03 / 5 stars, compared to WOW!'s highest-rated service, cable, at 3.00 / 5 stars.

Brightspeed Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 4.03 of 5 stars

29

Cable

Cable: 3.67 of 5 stars

3

DSL

DSL: 2.52 of 5 stars

29

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless: 3.00 of 5 stars

2

Brightspeed has an overall rating of 3.31 out of 5, with a total of 64 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Brightspeed's ratings, their fiber service (45% of reviews) averages 4.03 / 5 stars, lower than their overall company rating. This difference suggests that customers have notably different experiences with their various service types, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our Brightspeed Internet Reviews page.

WOW! Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 3.00 of 5 stars

1

Cable

Cable: 3.00 of 5 stars

22

DSL

DSL: 4.00 of 5 stars

1

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless: 3.00 of 5 stars

1

WOW! has an overall rating of 3.04 out of 5, with a total of 25 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into WOW!'s ratings, their cable service (88% of reviews) averages 3.00 / 5 stars, higher than their overall company rating. This similarity suggests that customers tend to have consistent experiences across their different service offerings, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our WOW! Internet Reviews page.

Brightspeed vs. WOW! | Fees & Details

Beyond advertised monthly rates, additional fees and service details significantly impact your total internet costs. The tables below outline equipment charges, installation fees, contract terms, data caps, and other important factors to consider when comparing these providers. Understanding these details helps you avoid unexpected costs and choose the plan that offers the best overall value.

Brightspeed Service

Fee

Not Provided by Brightspeed

WOW! Service

Fee

Paper Statement Fee

4

Professional Installation

99.00

Self-Installation Activation

10.00

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. WOW! | Top Cities

Brightspeed serves 7,239 cities while WOW! is available in 322 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

Brightspeed Cities

Raleigh, NC
  • Availability: 29.47%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 733 Mbps
St. Louis, MO
  • Availability: 11.11%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 256 Mbps
New York, NY
  • Availability: 1.46%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,006 Mbps
Houston, TX
  • Availability: 3.99%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 796 Mbps
Fayetteville, NC
  • Availability: 95.92%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 403 Mbps

Overlapping Cities

Dothan, AL
  • Brightspeed Avg. Speed: 1,671 Mbps
  • WOW! Avg. Speed: 1,223 Mbps
Headland, AL
  • Brightspeed Avg. Speed: 1,357 Mbps
  • WOW! Avg. Speed: 5,000 Mbps
Kinsey, AL
  • Brightspeed Avg. Speed: 1,773 Mbps
  • WOW! Avg. Speed: 1,256 Mbps
Webb, AL
  • Brightspeed Avg. Speed: 12 Mbps
  • WOW! Avg. Speed: 1,195 Mbps
Cowarts, AL
  • Brightspeed Avg. Speed: 1,417 Mbps
  • WOW! Avg. Speed: 1,200 Mbps

WOW! Cities

Detroit, MI
  • Availability: 43.94%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,237 Mbps
Tampa, FL
  • Availability: 27.32%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,538 Mbps
Charleston, SC
  • Availability: 39.70%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,200 Mbps
Augusta, GA
  • Availability: 43.40%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,200 Mbps
St. Petersburg, FL
  • Availability: 89.58%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,200 Mbps