Which is better, i3 Broadband or Buckeye?

i3 Broadband is better rated and cheaper to start; Buckeye is faster, and i3 Broadband is available to more people. They do not serve the same areas, so you will not usually choose between them.

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

Cheaper to starti3 BroadbandFrom $29.99 a month, vs $49.99.

Better ratedi3 Broadband3.9 of 5 from 29 reviews, vs 3.0 from 29.

Available to more peoplei3 Broadband947,947 people in 3 states, vs 868,089 in 5 states.

i3 Broadband
Price: $29.99 - $75.00 / mo.
Speed: 2,000 - 8,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber and cable
Rating (Reviews): (27)
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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)
View Plans

i3 Broadband vs. Buckeye at a glance

Measure	i3 Broadband	Buckeye
Available to	947,947 people in 3 states	868,089 people in 5 states
Main technology	Fiber 95%, cable 5.1%	Cable 81%, fiber 54%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	8,000 Mbps	10,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	2,000 Mbps down, 2,000 Mbps up	1,000 Mbps
Starting price	$29.99 a month	$49.99 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$720 (100 Mbps plan)	$1,200 (200 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	3.9 of 5 (29 reviews)	3.0 of 5 (29 reviews)
Rated for speed	4.2 of 5	3.5 of 5
Rated for price	3.9 of 5	2.6 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 i3 Broadband and Buckeye are available

i3 Broadband 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.

i3 Broadband currently offers internet service in 99 cities and 15 counties across 3 states, reaching approximately 947,947 residents. Their service area includes major markets like St. Louis, MO; Chicago, IL; and Peoria, IL. 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: i3 Broadband coverage map and Buckeye coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether i3 Broadband, Buckeye or both are offered at your home.

i3 Broadband vs. Buckeye Speeds and Technology

i3 Broadband 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, i3 Broadband offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 7,694 Mbps compared to Buckeye’s average speed of 5,781 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. i3 Broadband’s premium Fiber service reaches 94.9% 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.

i3 Broadband vs. Buckeye Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for i3 Broadband 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.

i3 Broadband vs. Buckeye Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate i3 Broadband and Buckeye based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

When comparing customer satisfaction, i3 Broadband earns an overall rating of 3.90 / 5 stars from 29 customer reviews, while Buckeye maintains a 2.97 / 5 rating from 29 reviews. i3 Broadband outperforms Buckeye by 0.9 points in overall satisfaction. i3 Broadband’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.96 / 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.

i3 Broadband vs. Buckeye Pros and Cons

i3 Broadband

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

Pros

• Reliable connection: praised in 11 of 24 written reviews (6 report outages). "internet we receive is very reliable"
• Helpful customer service: praised in 10 of 24 written reviews (4 fault the service). "Their customer services (from call center to techs) team is friendly and patient"
• Fast speeds: praised in 9 of 24 written reviews. "I was very happy with the speed"

Cons

• Billing errors: a complaint in 3 of 24 written reviews. "I had a few issues with my bill at the very beginning"

Buckeye

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

Pros

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"

i3 Broadband vs. Buckeye Top Cities

i3 Broadband serves 99 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.