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Spectrum vs. WOW!

Whether you’re researching Spectrum vs. WOW! 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.

Spectrum
Price: $30.00 - $120.00 / mo.
Speed: 100 - 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (1738)

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WOW!
Price: $40.00 - $105.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable, fiber, and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (25)

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Spectrum and WOW! compete directly in approximately 1.70% of their service areas, with Spectrum covering 112,960,683 people nationwide and WOW! serving 5,135,482. Spectrum primarily delivers internet through a cable connection; WOW! specializes in cable connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of Spectrum and WOW!'s availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

Jump to: Availability | Speeds | Plans & Pricing | Customer Reviews | Fees

Spectrum vs. WOW! | Pros & Cons

Spectrum Logo

Pros:

  • Fast upload speeds
  • Widespread national availability
  • Offers discounted intro pricing
  • Wide range of plan options

Cons:

  • Limited fiber availability
  • Customers report dissatisfaction with pricing
  • Installation fees apply

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WOW! Logo

Pros:

  • Gigabit speeds available
  • Up-front month-to-month pricing
  • Wide range of plan options
  • No contracts required

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Limited fiber availability
  • Installation fees apply

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Spectrum vs. WOW! | Availability

Spectrum and WOW! 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 | Spectrum Available | WOW! Available | No Coverage

Spectrum currently offers internet service in 15,566 cities and 1,287 counties across 42 states, reaching approximately 112,960,683 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Los Angeles, CA; Dallas, TX; and New York, NY. By comparison, WOW! serves 5,135,482 residents in 322 cities and 49 counties in 6 states, with a presence in population centers such as Detroit, MI; Tampa, FL; and Charleston, SC.

Spectrum has particularly strong coverage nationwide, where they serve 0 cities and 0 zip codes. Their Rural Coverage Ratio of 16 indicates they focuses heavily on urban areas, with limited service available in rural communities..

WOW! is prominent in nationwide with service to 0 cities and 0 zip codes. With a Rural Coverage Ratio of 5, WOW! focuses heavily on urban areas, with limited service available in rural communities.

Internet availability can vary significantly even within specific cities and zip codes. For the most accurate information about Spectrum and WOW! at your location, use our address search tool:

Spectrum vs. WOW! | Speeds & Technology

Spectrum and WOW! utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

Across their service areas, Spectrum primarily delivers internet through cable, available to 97.2% of their customers. They also offer fiber to 6.8% of their coverage area. WOW! relies on cable technology, which comprises 93.2% of their network, with fiber available in 6.9% of their service locations.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, WOW! offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,433 Mbps compared to Spectrum's average speed of 1,000 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, WOW! delivers faster speeds in 0.32% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 0.31%, and slower speeds in 99.37%.

The availability of each provider's fastest technology varies significantly by location. Spectrum's premium Fiber service reaches 6.8% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, WOW!'s top-tier Fiber is available to 6.9% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Spectrum vs. WOW! | Plans & Pricing

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Spectrum and WOW!, sourced directly from FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband labels to ensure transparency and accuracy. We've included both promotional and standard rates for each provider to give you a complete picture of what you'll pay over time. Plan availability and exact pricing may vary by location.

Spectrum Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Internet Advantage$30.00 ($50.00 after 12 months)100 Mbps10 MbpsCable
Internet Premier$50.00 ($80.00 after 12 months)500 Mbps10 MbpsCable
Internet Gig$70.00 ($100.00 after 12 months)1000 Mbps35 MbpsCable
Internet 2 Gig$90.00 ($120.00 after 12 months)2000 Mbps1000 MbpsCable

Note: These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas.

Spectrum Plans

WOW! Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Internet 200$40.00210 Mbps10 MbpsFiber
Internet 300$40.00301 Mbps22 MbpsFiber
Internet 600$55.00585 Mbps41 MbpsFiber
Internet 1 Gig$70.001,100 Mbps51 MbpsFiber
Internet 1 Gig Symmetrical$70.00941 Mbps936 MbpsFiber
Fiber 1Gbps$80.001,060 Mbps1,005 MbpsFiber
Internet 2 Gig$105.002,207 Mbps232 MbpsFiber

Note: These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas.

WOW! Plans

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.

Spectrum vs. WOW! | Customer Ratings & Reviews

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

When comparing customer satisfaction, Spectrum earns an overall rating of 3.28 / 5 stars from 1738 customer reviews, while WOW! maintains a 3.04 / 5 rating from 25 reviews. Spectrum outperforms WOW! by 0.24 points in overall satisfaction. Spectrum's best-rated service is their offering at 0.00 / 5 stars, compared to WOW!'s highest-rated service, cable, at 3.00 / 5 stars.

Spectrum Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 3.49 of 5 stars

175

Cable

Cable: 3.24 of 5 stars

1455

DSL

DSL: 3.78 of 5 stars

9

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless: 3.66 of 5 stars

64

Spectrum has an overall rating of 3.28 out of 5, with a total of 1738 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Spectrum's ratings, their cable service (84% of reviews) averages 3.24 / 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 Spectrum Internet Reviews page.

WOW! Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 3.00 of 5 stars

1

Cable

Cable: 3.00 of 5 stars

22

DSL

DSL: 4.00 of 5 stars

1

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless: 3.00 of 5 stars

1

WOW! has an overall rating of 3.04 out of 5, with a total of 25 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into WOW!'s ratings, their cable service (88% 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 WOW! Internet Reviews page.

Spectrum vs. WOW! | Fees & 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.

Spectrum Service

Fee

Late Fee

Up to 8.95

Professional Install

65.00

Self-Install Activation

30.00

Optional WiFi Service

10

WOW! Service

Fee

Paper Statement Fee

4

Professional Installation

99.00

Self-Installation Activation

10.00

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.

Spectrum vs. WOW! | Top Cities

Spectrum serves 15,566 cities while WOW! is available in 322 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

Spectrum Cities

Los Angeles, CA
  • Availability: 90.47%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Dallas, TX
  • Availability: 86.33%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps
New York, NY
  • Availability: 28.12%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Riverside, CA
  • Availability: 94.00%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Tampa, FL
  • Availability: 98.36%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps

Overlapping Cities

Tampa, FL
  • Spectrum Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
  • WOW! Avg. Speed: 1,540 Mbps
St. Petersburg, FL
  • Spectrum Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
  • WOW! Avg. Speed: 1,200 Mbps
Montgomery, AL
  • Spectrum Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
  • WOW! Avg. Speed: 1,200 Mbps
Orlando, FL
  • Spectrum Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
  • WOW! Avg. Speed: 5,000 Mbps
Detroit, MI
  • Spectrum Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
  • WOW! Avg. Speed: 1,289 Mbps

WOW! Cities

Detroit, MI
  • Availability: 43.94%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,237 Mbps
Tampa, FL
  • Availability: 27.32%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,538 Mbps
Charleston, SC
  • Availability: 39.70%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,200 Mbps
Augusta, GA
  • Availability: 43.40%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,200 Mbps
St. Petersburg, FL
  • Availability: 89.58%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,200 Mbps