Astound Broadband vs. DirectLink

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

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Whether you’re researching Astound Broadband vs. DirectLink 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.

Maintained by:Carson WardData & methodology:Wes WardLast updated:October 24, 2026November 4, 2026

Which is better, Astound Broadband or DirectLink?

Astound Broadband is faster and available to more people. Where both are offered (about 27,324 people), Astound Broadband has the faster top speed for 100% of homes.

FasterAstound BroadbandTop speed 5,000 Mbps vs 1,000 Mbps; faster for 100% of homes where both are offered.

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

Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (119 and 2).

Available to more peopleAstound Broadband12.9 million people in 13 states, vs 32,199 in 1 state.

Astound Broadband

Price: $30.00 - $175.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable, fiber, fixed wireless, and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (122)
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DirectLink

Price: Unavailable, please see site for details
Speed: 10 - 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (2)
View Plans

Astound Broadband vs. DirectLink at a glance

Measure	Astound Broadband	DirectLink
Available to	12.9 million people in 13 states	32,199 people in 1 state
Main technology	Cable 86%, fiber 20%, fixed wireless 2.8%, DSL 2.1%	Fiber 100%, DSL 4.2%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	5,000 Mbps	1,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	5,000 Mbps	Not listed
Starting price	$30 a month	Not listed
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$720 (300 Mbps plan)	Not listed
Customer rating	3.3 of 5 (119 reviews)	5.0 of 5 (2 reviews)
Rated for speed	3.6 of 5	5.0 of 5
Rated for price	3.1 of 5	4.5 of 5
Where both are offered	About 27,324 people (85% of DirectLink's area); Astound Broadband is faster for 100% 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 Astound Broadband and DirectLink are available

Astound Broadband and DirectLink 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 | Astound Broadband Available | DirectLink Available | No Coverage

Astound Broadband currently offers internet service in 1,052 cities and 129 counties across 13 states, reaching approximately 12,982,649 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Chicago, IL; New York, NY; and Boston, MA.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: Astound Broadband coverage map and DirectLink coverage map.

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

Astound Broadband vs. DirectLink Speeds and Technology

Astound Broadband and DirectLink 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, Astound Broadband offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,556 Mbps compared to DirectLink’s average speed of 998 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Astound Broadband’s premium Fiber service reaches 20.1% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, DirectLink’s top-tier Fiber is available to 99.8% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Astound Broadband vs. DirectLink Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Astound Broadband, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table. Unfortunately, DirectLink 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 DirectLink, 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.

Astound Broadband Internet Plans & Pricing

Plan	Monthly Price	Typical Download Speed	Typical Upload Speed	Connection Type
Astound 300 Mbps Internet	$30.00	300 Mbps	Not listed	Cable
Astound 1 Gig Internet	$40.00	1000 Mbps	Not listed	Cable
Astound 1 Gig Internet	$40.00	1000 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
Astound 1.5 Gig Internet	$60.00	1500 Mbps	Not listed	Cable
Astound 1.5 Gig Internet	$60.00	1500 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
Astound 2 Gig Internet	$80.00	2000 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
Astound 5 Gig Internet	$175.00	5000 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber

Compiled from current advertised pricing across industry sources, last verified October 2026. Typical speeds shown are the advertised tier speeds. 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.

Astound Broadband vs. DirectLink Customer Ratings and Reviews

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

When comparing customer satisfaction, Astound Broadband earns an overall rating of 3.30 / 5 stars from 122 customer reviews, while DirectLink maintains a 5.00 / 5 rating from 2 reviews. DirectLink outperforms Astound Broadband by 1.7 points in overall satisfaction. Astound Broadband’s best-rated service is their Cable offering at 3.33 / 5 stars, compared to DirectLink’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 5.00 / 5 stars.

Astound Broadband Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

(21)

Cable

(97)

DSL

(3)

Astound Broadband has an overall rating of 3.30 out of 5, with a total of 122 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Astound Broadband’s ratings, their Cable service (80% of reviews) averages 3.33 / 5 stars, lower 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 Astound Broadband Internet Reviews page.

DirectLink Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

(2)

DirectLink has an overall rating of 5.00 out of 5, with a total of 2 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them higher than other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into DirectLink’s ratings, their Fiber service (100% of reviews) averages 5.00 / 5 stars, equal to 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 DirectLink Internet Reviews page.

Astound Broadband vs. DirectLink 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.

DirectLink has not provided standardized fee information through their FCC broadband label data. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to assess their true service costs beyond advertised rates. For current fee information, we recommend contacting DirectLink directly or reviewing their terms of service documentation.

Astound Broadband Service

Fee

Not Provided by Astound Broadband

DirectLink Service

Fee

Not Provided by DirectLink

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.

Astound Broadband vs. DirectLink Pros and Cons

Astound Broadband

From 84 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

Good value: praised in 32 of 84 written reviews (18 call it overpriced). "The value for money is excellent, as I'm getting the advertised speeds I pay for"
Fast speeds: praised in 26 of 84 written reviews (19 call it slow). "had the best speed ratings in the area"
Easy installation: praised in 14 of 84 written reviews (8 had install trouble). "I have had no issues with routers or installation"

Cons

Bills that go up: a complaint in 14 of 84 written reviews. "the rate went up again by almost $20/mo which was unacceptable"
Billing errors: a complaint in 5 of 84 written reviews. "the inconsistent pricing and random charges are very annoying"

DirectLink

Too few written reviews to sum up yet (1); these lines come from our data.

Pros

Cons

Astound Broadband vs. DirectLink Top Cities

Astound Broadband serves 1,052 cities while DirectLink is available in 17 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.