Which is better, CenturyLink or Zirrus?

Zirrus is better rated where you can get it, but CenturyLink reaches 317 times as many people, so at most addresses CenturyLink is the one on offer (and it is faster). They do not serve the same areas, so you will not usually choose between them.

FasterCenturyLinkTop speed 8,000 Mbps vs 6,000 Mbps.

Cheaper to startToo close to callWe do not list plans for both yet.

Better ratedZirrus4.4 of 5 from 11 reviews, vs 3.2 from 181.

Available to more peopleCenturyLink39.8 million people in 20 states, vs 125,583 in 1 state.

CenturyLink
Price: $55.00 - $75.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 8,000 Mbps
Internet Type: DSL and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (177)
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Zirrus
Price: Unavailable, please see site for details
Speed: 10 - 6,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (11)
View Plans

CenturyLink vs. Zirrus at a glance

Measure	CenturyLink	Zirrus
Available to	39.8 million people in 20 states	125,583 people in 1 state
Main technology	DSL 96%, fiber 19%	Fiber 100%, DSL 67%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	8,000 Mbps	6,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	940 Mbps down, 940 Mbps up	Not listed
Starting price	$55 a month	Not listed
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$1,320 (100 Mbps plan)	Not listed
Customer rating	3.2 of 5 (181 reviews)	4.4 of 5 (11 reviews)
Rated for speed	3.2 of 5	4.6 of 5
Rated for price	3.4 of 5	4.3 of 5

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 Zirrus are available

CenturyLink and Zirrus 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, Zirrus serves 125,751 residents in 45 cities and 7 counties in 1 state, with a presence in population centers such as Winston-Salem, NC; Charlotte, NC; and Mocksville, NC.

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

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

CenturyLink vs. Zirrus Speeds and Technology

CenturyLink and Zirrus 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, Zirrus offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 5,966 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, Zirrus’s top-tier Fiber is available to 99.4% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

CenturyLink vs. Zirrus Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for CenturyLink, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table. Unfortunately, Zirrus has not complied with FCC requirements to provide their broadband label data, limiting transparency and the ability for consumers to make direct comparisons.

If you represent Zirrus, getting listed is simple: publish your machine-readable broadband label file, or send your current plan lineup through our contact page, and your plans will appear here shortly after verification.

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. Zirrus Customer Ratings and Reviews

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

When comparing customer satisfaction, CenturyLink earns an overall rating of 3.23 / 5 stars from 183 customer reviews, while Zirrus maintains a 4.36 / 5 rating from 11 reviews. Zirrus outperforms CenturyLink by 1.1 points in overall satisfaction. CenturyLink’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.81 / 5 stars, compared to Zirrus’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 4.36 / 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. Zirrus 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"

Zirrus

From 7 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Reliable connection: praised in 3 of 7 written reviews. "have never had an outage"
• Fast speeds: praised in 3 of 7 written reviews. "The speeds are unbelievably fast and reliable"

Cons

CenturyLink vs. Zirrus Top Cities

CenturyLink serves 5,326 cities while Zirrus is available in 45 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.