Cox vs Starry: Which Internet Provider Is Better in 2025?

Choosing the right internet provider is one of the most important household decisions you will make. A fast, reliable connection powers everything from remote work and online education to streaming entertainment and smart home devices. In this comprehensive comparison, we put Cox Communications and Starry Internet head to head across every factor that matters: speed, pricing, technology, coverage, customer satisfaction, and overall value.

This is a comparison of traditional cable vs fixed wireless apartment internet. Cox and Starry take completely different approaches to home internet. Cox uses cable and fiber infrastructure requiring professional installation. Starry beams fixed wireless to equipped apartment buildings with self-install simplicity. Starry's limited availability makes this comparison relevant only in select urban markets.

Company Overview

Speed Comparison

Cox has a significant speed advantage with up to 2 Gbps compared to Starry at up to 200 Mbps. For households with multiple simultaneous streamers, gamers, or remote workers, Cox provides considerably more headroom.

Here is how each provider handles common internet activities:

Remember that advertised speeds are maximums. Real-world performance depends on network congestion, equipment quality, wiring in your home, distance from infrastructure, and how many devices are connected. We recommend running a speed test after installation to verify you are receiving the speeds you are paying for.

Pricing Comparison

Starry wins on entry-level pricing at $30-$50/mo compared to $50-$150/mo for Cox. You would save $240 per year by choosing Starry at the starting tier.

When evaluating the true cost of internet service, look beyond the advertised monthly rate:

• Equipment fees: Modem and router rental typically adds $10-$15 per month. Buying your own compatible equipment saves $120-$180 annually.
• Installation charges: Professional installation ranges from free (on promotions) to $99. Self-install kits are often available at no cost.
• Promotional pricing: Most introductory rates last 12-24 months before increasing. Always calculate what you will pay after the promotion ends.
• Data overage fees: Providers with data caps may charge $10-$15 per additional 50 GB block if you exceed your monthly allowance.
• Early termination fees: If a contract is required, leaving early typically costs $10-$15 per remaining month.

To get the most accurate comparison, calculate total cost over 24 months including all fees, equipment, and post-promotional pricing increases.

Technology and Coverage

Cox delivers service using Cable, Fiber technology across 18 states. Cox Communications provides cable internet over DOCSIS 3.1 and is deploying fiber in select markets. Plans range from 100 Mbps to 2 Gbps with a 1.25 TB monthly data cap (unlimited add-on available).

Starry relies on Fixed Wireless technology, serving customers in Select metro areas (Boston, NYC, LA, DC, Denver, Columbus). Starry uses proprietary fixed wireless technology with rooftop receivers to beam internet to apartment buildings and multi-dwelling units. It offers a wireless alternative to traditional cable.

Understanding internet technology types helps explain the performance differences you will experience:

• Fiber optic transmits data as light through glass strands, delivering the fastest speeds (up to 10 Gbps), lowest latency (under 5 ms), and most reliable connections. Fiber provides symmetrical upload and download speeds, making it ideal for video conferencing, cloud backups, and content creation.
• Cable (DOCSIS 3.1) uses existing coaxial television infrastructure to deliver strong download speeds with wide availability. Upload speeds are typically 10-20% of download speeds, and performance can dip during peak evening hours due to shared neighborhood bandwidth.
• DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) runs over telephone copper wires with speeds degrading based on distance from the provider's central office. Reliable but limited, with maximum speeds generally below 100 Mbps.
• Fixed wireless and 5G transmit data over radio frequencies from nearby towers. Performance varies significantly based on tower proximity, obstacles, and network load. Latency is higher than wired connections but lower than satellite.
• Satellite reaches virtually any location but introduces 600+ ms latency due to the signal traveling to space and back. Data caps and throttling are common. Best as a last resort when no terrestrial option exists.

Customer Satisfaction

Starry rates higher in customer satisfaction with an ACSI score of 70/100 versus Cox's 62/100. These independent benchmarks reflect thousands of real customer experiences with each provider.

The J.D. Power U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study measures performance reliability, cost value, billing transparency, communication quality, and customer service interactions on a 5-point scale. Ratings above 3.5 indicate above-average satisfaction.

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) polls thousands of verified customers annually on a 100-point scale. The ISP industry average sits around 65/100, so providers scoring above this threshold offer a better-than-average experience. Scores below 60 indicate notable customer frustration.

Keep in mind that satisfaction scores represent national averages. Your local market may have better or worse service than what these aggregate scores suggest, depending on infrastructure investment and regional support staffing.

Pros and Cons

Which Provider Should You Choose?

Our analysis gives Starry the overall edge when looking at speed, pricing, and satisfaction together. That said, Cox wins if you live in a house or an apartment building not equipped with starry and need cox's broader availability.

Choose Cox If:

• You live in a house or an apartment building not equipped with Starry and need Cox's broader availability
• You are in Cox's 18 states coverage area with access to their best technology
• No contracts on most plans aligns with how you prefer to manage your internet service
• You are customers wanting reliable cable or emerging fiber service in Cox markets

Choose Starry If:

• Your apartment building has Starry and you want the most affordable, hassle-free internet with no data caps
• You live within Starry's Select metro areas (Boston, NYC, LA, DC, Denver, Columbus) service territory
• No contracts works for your lifestyle and how long you plan to stay at your current address
• You are apartment dwellers in supported cities wanting affordable, no-hassle internet

No matter which provider you are leaning toward, always check availability at your exact address first. Coverage maps show general service areas, but actual plan options and speeds can vary street by street. Enter your ZIP code or full address on each provider's website to see exactly what is available before making a final decision.

Related Comparisons and Resources

• Cox Full Review
• Starry Full Review
• How to Choose an Internet Provider
• Internet Speed Guide: How Much Speed Do You Need?
• Internet Jargon Glossary
• AT&T vs Cox Comparison