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Windstream vs. Cloudburst9

Which is better where you live? Coverage, speed, price and customer ratings, side by side

Whether you’re researching Windstream vs. Cloudburst9 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.

Which is better, Windstream or Cloudburst9?

Windstream is faster, cheaper to start and available to more people. Where both are offered (about 14,610 people), Windstream has the faster top speed for 98% of homes.

FasterWindstreamTop speed 2,000 Mbps vs 1,000 Mbps; faster for 98% of homes where both are offered.
Cheaper to startWindstreamFrom $19.99 a month, vs $69.95.
Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (98 and 0).
Available to more peopleWindstream8.3 million people in 19 states, vs 17,233 in 1 state.
Windstream
Price: $19.99 - $79.99 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 2,000 Mbps
Internet Type: DSL, fiber, fixed wireless, and cable
Rating (Reviews): 3.5 of 5 stars (99)

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Cloudburst9
Price: $69.95 - $99.95 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber
Rating (Reviews): No rating yet (0)

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Windstream vs. Cloudburst9 at a glance

Measure Windstream Cloudburst9
Available to8.3 million people in 19 states17,233 people in 1 state
Main technologyDSL 89%, fiber 56%, fixed wireless 6%, cable 3.4%Fixed wireless 100%, fiber 5.9%
Top download speed filed with the FCC2,000 Mbps1,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list2,000 Mbps50 Mbps
Starting price$19.99 a month$69.95 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years$480 (100 Mbps plan)$1,679 (10 Mbps plan)
Customer rating3.4 of 5 (98 reviews)No reviews yet
Rated for speed3.4 of 5No reviews yet
Rated for price3.0 of 5No reviews yet
Where both are offeredAbout 14,610 people (85% of Cloudburst9's area); Windstream is faster for 98% 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 Windstream and Cloudburst9 are available

Windstream and Cloudburst9 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 | Windstream Available | Cloudburst9 Available | No Coverage

Windstream currently offers internet service in 5,467 cities and 710 counties across 19 states, reaching approximately 8,678,961 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Charlotte, NC; Atlanta, GA; and Lexington, KY. By comparison, Cloudburst9 serves 17,233 residents in 46 cities and 7 counties in 1 state, with a presence in population centers such as Washington, IA; Sigourney, IA; and Lone Tree, IA.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: Windstream coverage map and Cloudburst9 coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether Windstream, Cloudburst9 or both are offered at your home.

Windstream vs. Cloudburst9 Speeds and Technology

Windstream and Cloudburst9 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, Windstream offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,069 Mbps compared to Cloudburst9’s average speed of 73 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Windstream’s premium Fiber service reaches 53.8% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Cloudburst9’s top-tier Fiber is available to 5.6% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Windstream vs. Cloudburst9 Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Windstream and Cloudburst9, 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.

Windstream Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Fiber 100 Mbps$19.99100 MbpsNot listedFiber
Fiber 300 Mbps$34.99300 MbpsNot listedFiber
Fiber 1 Gig$39.991000 MbpsNot listedFiber
Fiber 2 Gig$59.992000 MbpsNot listedFiber
Fiber Max 2 Gig$79.992000 MbpsNot listedFiber

Sourced from pricing published on Windstream's official website, last verified June 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

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Cloudburst9 Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
CB9 - 6 or 10 Mbps$69.9510 MbpsNot listedFixed Wireless
CB9 - 25 Mbps$84.9525 MbpsNot listedFixed Wireless
CB9 - 50 Mbps$99.9550 MbpsNot listedFixed Wireless

Sourced from pricing published on Cloudburst9's official website, last verified June 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

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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.

Windstream vs. Cloudburst9 Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate Windstream and Cloudburst9 based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

Windstream Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 3.90 of 5 stars

(40)

Cable

Cable: 3.00 of 5 stars

(2)

DSL

DSL: 3.00 of 5 stars

(52)

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless: 3.00 of 5 stars

(4)

Windstream has an overall rating of 3.35 out of 5, with a total of 99 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Windstream’s ratings, their DSL service (53% 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 Windstream Internet Reviews page.

Windstream vs. Cloudburst9 Fees and 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.

Windstream Service

Fee

Not Provided by Windstream

Cloudburst9 Service

Fee

Not Provided by Cloudburst9

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.

Windstream vs. Cloudburst9 Pros and Cons

Windstream

From 61 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

  • Fast speeds: praised in 21 of 61 written reviews (15 call it slow). "I am happy with the speed"
  • Reliable connection: praised in 19 of 61 written reviews (12 report outages). "when it's working it's fairly reliable"
  • Helpful customer service: praised in 12 of 61 written reviews (7 fault the service). "has a trustworthy customer service"

Cons

  • Bills that go up: a complaint in 9 of 61 written reviews. "We plan to keep them after the price increases"
  • Equipment problems: a complaint in 4 of 61 written reviews. "numerous issues with their Modem Router"

Cloudburst9

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

Pros

    Cons

      Windstream vs. Cloudburst9 Top Cities

      Windstream serves 5,467 cities while Cloudburst9 is available in 46 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

      Windstream Cities

      Charlotte, NC
      • Availability: 24.94%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 990 Mbps
      Atlanta, GA
      • Availability: 5.26%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 1,234 Mbps
      Lexington, KY
      • Availability: 94.07%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 630 Mbps
      Cleveland, OH
      • Availability: 13.12%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 1,521 Mbps
      Lincoln, NE
      • Availability: 92.63%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 441 Mbps

      Overlapping Cities

      Washington, IA
      • Windstream Avg. Speed: 1,599 Mbps
      • Cloudburst9 Avg. Speed: 23 Mbps
      Sigourney, IA
      • Windstream Avg. Speed: 1,575 Mbps
      • Cloudburst9 Avg. Speed: 23 Mbps
      Lone Tree, IA
      • Windstream Avg. Speed: 629 Mbps
      • Cloudburst9 Avg. Speed: 18 Mbps
      Keota, IA
      • Windstream Avg. Speed: 1,734 Mbps
      • Cloudburst9 Avg. Speed: 897 Mbps
      Brighton, IA
      • Windstream Avg. Speed: 139 Mbps
      • Cloudburst9 Avg. Speed: 19 Mbps

      Cloudburst9 Cities

      Washington, IA
      • Availability: 68.27%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 22 Mbps
      Sigourney, IA
      • Availability: 97.35%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 22 Mbps
      Lone Tree, IA
      • Availability: 74.31%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 17 Mbps
      Keota, IA
      • Availability: 98.96%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 783 Mbps
      Brighton, IA
      • Availability: 94.49%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 18 Mbps