Which is better, CenturyLink or Luminate?

Luminate is faster where you can get it, but CenturyLink reaches 1,345 times as many people, so at most addresses CenturyLink is the one on offer (and it is cheaper to start). Where both are offered (about 28,716 people), Luminate has the faster top speed for 92% of homes.

FasterLuminateFaster for 92% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startCenturyLinkFrom $55 a month, vs $60.

Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (181 and 1).

Available to more peopleCenturyLink39.8 million people in 20 states, vs 29,568 in 1 state.

CenturyLink
Price: $55.00 - $75.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 8,000 Mbps
Internet Type: DSL and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (183)
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Luminate
Price: $60.00 - $90.00 / mo.
Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber and fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): (1)
View Plans

CenturyLink vs. Luminate at a glance

Measure	CenturyLink	Luminate
Available to	39.8 million people in 20 states	29,568 people in 1 state
Main technology	DSL 96%, fiber 19%	Fiber 100%, fixed wireless 10%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	8,000 Mbps	1,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	940 Mbps down, 940 Mbps up	1,000 Mbps down, 1,000 Mbps up
Starting price	$55 a month	$60 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$1,320 (100 Mbps plan)	$1,440 (100 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	3.2 of 5 (181 reviews)	5.0 of 5 (1 reviews)
Rated for speed	3.2 of 5	5.0 of 5
Rated for price	3.4 of 5	5.0 of 5
Where both are offered	About 28,716 people (97% of Luminate's area); Luminate is faster for 92% of them, the same top speed for 8%

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 Luminate are available

CenturyLink and Luminate 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, Luminate serves 29,568 residents in 10 cities and 2 counties in 1 state, with a presence in population centers such as Steamboat Springs, CO; Craig, CO; and Hayden, CO.

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

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

CenturyLink vs. Luminate Speeds and Technology

CenturyLink and Luminate 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, Luminate offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,000 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, Luminate’s top-tier Fiber is available to 100.0% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

CenturyLink vs. Luminate Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for CenturyLink and Luminate, 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. Luminate Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate CenturyLink and Luminate 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 Luminate maintains a 5.00 / 5 rating from 1 reviews. Luminate outperforms CenturyLink by 1.8 points in overall satisfaction. CenturyLink’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.81 / 5 stars, compared to Luminate’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 5.00 / 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. Luminate 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"

Luminate

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

Pros

• Faster where both are offered: the faster top speed for 92% of those homes.
• Mostly fiber: 100% of the homes it serves, vs 19% for CenturyLink.

Cons

CenturyLink vs. Luminate Top Cities

CenturyLink serves 5,326 cities while Luminate is available in 10 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.