WOW! vs. Surf

Maintained by:Carson WardData & methodology:Wes WardLast updated:September 18, 2026September 24, 2026

Whether you’re researching WOW! vs. Surf 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.

WOW!

Price: $25.00 - $190.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable, fiber, and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (31)
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Surf

Price: $30.00 - $95.00 / mo.
Speed: 25 - 8,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber and fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): (23)
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WOW! and Surf compete directly in approximately 0.49% of their service areas, with WOW! covering 5,265,307 people nationwide and Surf serving 786,177. WOW! primarily delivers internet through a cable connection; Surf specializes in fiber connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of WOW! and Surf’s availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

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

WOW! vs. Surf | Pros & Cons

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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Pros:

Multi-gig speeds available
Up-front month-to-month pricing
No contracts required
Extensive fiber network

Cons:

Limited service availability
Limited plan variety
Speeds fluctuate during peak usage hours

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WOW! vs. Surf | Availability

WOW! and Surf 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 | WOW! Available | Surf Available | No Coverage

WOW! currently offers internet service in 327 cities and 50 counties across 6 states, reaching approximately 5,265,307 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Detroit, MI; Tampa, FL; and Charleston, SC.

Surf is prominent in the East North Central region with service to 371 cities and 247 zip codes. With a Rural Coverage Ratio of 34, Surf primarily serves urban areas, though still maintaining moderate rural availability.

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

WOW! vs. Surf | Speeds & Technology

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

Across their service areas, WOW! primarily delivers internet through cable, available to 0.0% of their customers. They also offer fiber to less than 1% of their coverage area. Surf relies on fiber technology, which comprises 0.0% of their network, with fixed wireless available in less than 1% of their service locations.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Surf offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 5,488 Mbps compared to WOW!’s average speed of 1,517 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, Surf delivers faster speeds in 18.88% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 0.00%, and slower speeds in 81.12%.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. WOW!’s premium Fiber service reaches 9.0% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Surf’s top-tier Fiber is available to 97.4% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

WOW! vs. Surf | Plans & Pricing

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for WOW! and Surf, 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.

WOW! Internet Plans & Pricing

Plan	Monthly Price	Typical Download Speed	Typical Upload Speed	Connection Type
Fiber 300	$35.00	300 Mbps	300 Mbps	Fiber
Internet 200	$40.00	200 Mbps	10 Mbps	Cable
Internet 600	$35.00 ($55.00 regular price)	600 Mbps	50 Mbps	Cable
Fiber 500	$40.00 ($60.00 regular price)	500 Mbps	500 Mbps	Fiber
Internet 300	$25.00 ($65.00 regular price)	300 Mbps	25 Mbps	Cable
Internet 1 Gig	$50.00 ($70.00 regular price)	1000 Mbps	50 Mbps	Cable
Fiber 1 Gig	$50.00 ($90.00 regular price)	1000 Mbps	1000 Mbps	Fiber
Fiber 3 Gig	$75.00 ($100.00 regular price)	3000 Mbps	3000 Mbps	Fiber
Internet 1.2 Gig	$70.00 ($110.00 regular price)	1200 Mbps	50 Mbps	Cable
Internet 2 Gig	$110.00	2000 Mbps	250 Mbps	Cable
Fiber 5 Gig	$190.00	5000 Mbps	5000 Mbps	Fiber

Sourced directly from WOW!'s FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband label data, last verified September 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.

WOW! Plans

Surf Internet Plans & Pricing

Plan	Monthly Price	Typical Download Speed	Typical Upload Speed	Connection Type
Surf 100	$30.00	100 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
Surf 300	$55.00	300 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
5/1 Mbps	$59.95	5 Mbps	1 Mbps	Fixed Wireless
Surf 500	$75.00	500 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
Surf 1 Gig	$95.00	1000 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber

Compiled from current advertised pricing across industry sources, last verified June 2026. Typical speeds shown are the advertised tier speeds. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

Surf 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.

WOW! vs. Surf | Customer Ratings & Reviews

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

When comparing customer satisfaction, WOW! earns an overall rating of 3.16 / 5 stars from 32 customer reviews, while Surf maintains a 3.96 / 5 rating from 24 reviews. Surf outperforms WOW! by 0.8 points in overall satisfaction. WOW!’s best-rated service is their Cable offering at 3.13 / 5 stars, compared to Surf’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 4.26 / 5 stars.

WOW! Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

(1)

Cable

(30)

DSL

(1)

WOW! has an overall rating of 3.16 out of 5, with a total of 32 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 (94% of reviews) averages 3.13 / 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.

Surf Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

(19)

Fixed Wireless

(5)

Surf has an overall rating of 3.96 out of 5, with a total of 24 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them slightly higher than other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Surf’s ratings, their Fiber service (79% of reviews) averages 4.26 / 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 Surf Internet Reviews page.

WOW! vs. Surf | 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.

WOW! Service

Fee

Professional Installation

$99.00

Self-Installation Activation

$10.00

Surf Service

Fee

Not Provided by Surf

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.

WOW! vs. Surf | Top Cities

WOW! serves 327 cities while Surf is available in 371 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.