Which is better, CenturyLink or Buckeye?

Buckeye is faster and cheaper to start where you can get it, but CenturyLink reaches 46 times as many people, so at most addresses CenturyLink is the one on offer.

FasterBuckeyeTop speed 10,000 Mbps vs 8,000 Mbps.

Cheaper to startBuckeyeFrom $49.99 a month, vs $55.

Better ratedToo close to callRated about the same by their customers.

Available to more peopleCenturyLink39.8 million people in 20 states, vs 868,089 in 5 states.

CenturyLink
Price: $55.00 - $75.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 8,000 Mbps
Internet Type: DSL and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (177)
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Buckeye
Price: $49.99 - $89.99 / mo.
Speed: 1,000 - 10,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable, fiber, and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (27)
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CenturyLink vs. Buckeye at a glance

Measure	CenturyLink	Buckeye
Available to	39.8 million people in 20 states	868,089 people in 5 states
Main technology	DSL 96%, fiber 19%	Cable 81%, fiber 54%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	8,000 Mbps	10,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	940 Mbps down, 940 Mbps up	1,000 Mbps
Starting price	$55 a month	$49.99 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$1,320 (100 Mbps plan)	$1,200 (200 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	3.2 of 5 (181 reviews)	3.0 of 5 (29 reviews)
Rated for speed	3.2 of 5	3.5 of 5
Rated for price	3.4 of 5	2.6 of 5
Where both are offered	About 174 people (0% of Buckeye's area)

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 CenturyLink and Buckeye are available

CenturyLink and Buckeye 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.

CenturyLink currently offers internet service in 5,326 cities and 574 counties across 20 states, reaching approximately 40,620,740 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Phoenix, AZ; Minneapolis, MN; and Denver, CO. By comparison, Buckeye serves 875,217 residents in 240 cities and 37 counties in 5 states, with a presence in population centers such as Toledo, OH; Sandusky, OH; and Perrysburg, OH.

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

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

CenturyLink vs. Buckeye Speeds and Technology

CenturyLink and Buckeye 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, Buckeye offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 5,781 Mbps compared to CenturyLink’s average speed of 237 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. CenturyLink’s premium Fiber service reaches 18.1% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Buckeye’s top-tier Fiber is available to 53.1% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

CenturyLink vs. Buckeye Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for CenturyLink and Buckeye, 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.

CenturyLink vs. Buckeye Customer Ratings and Reviews

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

When comparing customer satisfaction, CenturyLink earns an overall rating of 3.22 / 5 stars from 181 customer reviews, while Buckeye maintains a 2.97 / 5 rating from 29 reviews. CenturyLink outperforms Buckeye by 0.3 points in overall satisfaction. CenturyLink’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.81 / 5 stars, compared to Buckeye’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 3.00 / 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.

CenturyLink vs. Buckeye Pros and Cons

CenturyLink

From 99 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Good value: praised in 30 of 99 written reviews (8 call it overpriced). "I find the price is good compared to other options"
• No contract hassles: praised in 5 of 99 written reviews. "on no contract deal"

Cons

• Slower than promised: a complaint in 40 of 99 written reviews (22 call it fast). "slow speed, probably throttled"
• Outages and drops: a complaint in 39 of 99 written reviews (25 call it reliable). "we had an internet outage"
• Poor customer service: a complaint in 24 of 99 written reviews (9 praise the service). "Century Link customer service is terrible"

Buckeye

From 24 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Cheaper to start: $49.99 a month, vs $55 from CenturyLink.
• Mostly fiber: 54% of the homes it serves, vs 19% for CenturyLink.

Cons

• Expensive for what you get: a complaint in 9 of 24 written reviews (4 call it good value). "I feel their pricing is way too expensive"
• Poor customer service: a complaint in 8 of 24 written reviews (6 praise the service). "Waited for over 2 hours to speak with a manager who was of no help"
• Bills that go up: a complaint in 5 of 24 written reviews. "the price has increased yearly"

CenturyLink vs. Buckeye Top Cities

CenturyLink serves 5,326 cities while Buckeye is available in 240 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.