When it comes to high-speed internet providers in the United States, WOW and Comcast Xfinity are two of the biggest names. Both offer cable internet with speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second in select areas. But how do WOW and Xfinity compare when you look at factors like availability, pricing, speeds, and customer satisfaction?
This comprehensive guide examines the key differences between WOW and Comcast to help you determine which may be the better option in your area.
| Provider | WOW | Comcast Xfinity |
| Availability | Select regions in Midwest and Southeast US | Nationwide |
| Max Download Speeds | 1 Gigabit | 1 Gigabit |
| Contract Requirements | No contracts | 12 month contracts |
| Data Caps | No data caps | 1.2 TB data cap |
| Customer Satisfaction | Mixed reviews | Lower than WOW |
| Starting Prices | $40/month | $30/month |
One of the first factors to consider is whether WOW or Comcast service is actually available in your location.
WOW primarily operates in the Midwestern and Southeastern regions of the United States. States with WOW coverage include:
Comcast Xfinity has a much broader nationwide coverage footprint, with service in 40 states plus the District of Columbia. Comcast offers cable internet in major metro areas and surrounding suburbs.
So in a majority of regions in the U.S., Comcast Xfinity will be the only option available between the two providers. WOW availability is limited to the Midwest and South. You can enter your address on their websites to see if service is available.
When it comes to internet speeds, both WOW and Comcast now offer max download speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second in select areas.
The entry level speed tier for WOW starts at 200 Mbps in many regions. Other speed tiers offered are 400 Mbps and 600 Mbps in some markets.
Comcast Xfinity speed tiers include:
So the maximum speeds offered are similar between WOW and Comcast, though WOW seems to have fewer options for slower speed tiers. With both providers, gigabit fiber speeds are available only in certain neighborhoods.
Actual speeds can vary depending on the time of day and network traffic in your area. Both WOW and Comcast use shared bandwidth cable networks. This means speeds may slow during peak usage times when more customers are online.
WOW differentiates itself by not requiring any contracts or commitments for new customers. You can cancel anytime without early termination fees. Comcast Xfinity requires 12 month contracts when you sign up for service. If you cancel early, you will face up to a $10 per month fee for the remainder of your term.
When it comes to installation and equipment fees, WOW offers free standard setup and doesn’t charge a modem rental fee when you use your own compatible modem. Comcast charges installation fees ranging from $35 to $99, and also tacks on a $14 per month modem rental fee unless you provide your own.
So WOW certainly wins in terms of contract flexibility and upfront fees. Just keep in mind Comcast promotions are frequently available that waive installation or hardware charges, so the actual costs may end up similar between the two providers.
A key difference between WOW and Comcast is their policy regarding data caps. WOW does not currently enforce any data caps, so you can use as much data as you want without penalty.
Comcast Xfinity enforces data caps in most of their service regions. The limit is 1.2 terabytes of data per month. If you exceed the cap, you’ll be charged $10 for each additional 50 GB block of data used, up to a maximum of $100 per month. This can make Comcast a poor choice for heavy bandwidth users.
Both WOW and Comcast cable internet services are prone to occasional outages. Internet goes down for maintenance or due to network issues. Power outages can also disrupt service.
However, WOW tends to have higher customer satisfaction when it comes to reliability. They score higher marks for efficient outage response and communication when issues arise. Comcast has a reputation for poor customer service, long hold times, and extended outage periods.
Here are reliability and customer service highlights for each provider:
Watch the video!
So WOW appears to have an edge when it comes to customer service reputation and responsiveness. But keep in mind WOW’s smaller customer base versus the millions of Comcast subscribers nationwide.
Pricing for internet-only plans is fairly comparable between WOW and Comcast Xfinity. Here’s an overview of starting prices for entry-level packages from each:
Faster speed tiers are available from both providers for added costs. And promotional pricing is usually offered for the first 12 months with either ISP.
When you factor in equipment, installation fees, and data overage charges from Comcast, the total costs end up being very similar. WOW has no data caps and provides modem rental at no charge. But Comcast extras can often be waived with promotions.
Bundles with TV and other services generally run $80-$150 per month with either provider. Overall, pricing is competitive between WOW and Comcast, with regular promotional offers from both.
Also Read: Differences Between iMon And Mediacom.
WOW and Xfinity offer very comparable internet service overall. Both cable providers can deliver speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second. WOW just has fewer options for slower tiers versus Comcast.
When it comes to customer satisfaction, WOW does rate higher than Xfinity in many surveys and reviews. Comcast has earned a poor reputation with bad customer service over the years. But Xfinity still remains a decent option for internet.
One key advantage of WOW is no data caps and no contracts required. Comcast enforces caps and makes you sign 12 month agreements. But Xfinity more than counters this with far wider availability across the country. Unless you live in their service states, WOW is not an option.
For most users, WOW and Xfinity will provide a similar internet experience. WOW just offers a bit more flexibility if you live in one of their coverage regions. Both represent quality cable internet options.
WOW and Comcast Xfinity use very similar hybrid fiber-coaxial cable network technology to deliver high speed internet. But WOW and Comcast operate as completely independent companies.
Some key differences between the two providers:
Ownership: WOW is owned by private equity firms while Comcast is a public company.
Service areas: WOW only operates in the Midwest and South. Comcast has nationwide availability.
Scale: Comcast is one of the largest ISPs with over 31 million customers. WOW remains regional with under 1 million subscribers.
Service bundling: WOW offers internet and cable TV. Comcast provides additional options for home phone and home automation.
The WOW and Comcast internet services are very comparable. But Comcast is a much larger telecom and media conglomerate overall. WOW focuses just on providing internet and cable TV offerings.
WOW can be an excellent internet provider for cable connectivity. They offer fast speeds up to 1 Gigabit without data caps or contracts.
Reviews of WOW highlight the easy setup, good value, and responsive customer support. Even their slower speed tiers are plenty fast for most households. Solid technology and customer service make WOW a leading option – if available in your area.
The biggest drawback of WOW is limited availability. WOW internet is accessible to only a fraction of addresses versus leading national providers. Unless you live in one of their Midwestern or Southeastern states, WOW won’t be an option.
But for those able to get WOW service, they represent one of the better cable internet providers on the market today. Lack of data caps and contracts provide nice perks many cable companies don’t offer.
WOW internet delivers fast and reliable speeds that work very well for streaming TV, movies, music, and more. Even their base 200 Mbps service exceeds the 25 Mbps minimum recommended for 4K Ultra HD streaming.
With WOW, you can stream on multiple devices at once without buffering or quality concerns. Online gaming and video conferencing also perform smoothly thanks to low latency. Their 1 Gigabit speed tier provides even more headroom for households with many connected devices.
Positive reviews of WOW highlight the performance for streaming HD and 4K content from Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and other services. Their cable network offers solid consistency compared to struggling DSL providers.
Just note that WOW availability is limited. So even though their speeds support smooth streaming, you’ll need to confirm WOW services your address first. For streaming and beyond, WOW delivers fast and responsive internet ideal for cutting cable cord cutters.
When comparing WOW and Comcast Xfinity, we see two cable internet providers offering similar speeds and capabilities overall. Both WOW and Xfinity deliver low latency connections ideal for streaming, gaming, and work from home.
However, there are some notable differences between these two brands:
If WOW services your address, they merit strong consideration thanks to great speeds, no caps or contracts, and quality customer service. But Xfinity still brings fiber-fast internet to far more locations across the country. For most United States households, Comcast will be the better option due to their unmatched availability and network reach.
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