The main difference between CenturyLink and Ziply Fiber is their speed capacity and service area. Ziply Fiber is a regional powerhouse in the Pacific Northwest, offering extreme multi-gigabit speeds up to 50 Gbps. CenturyLink has a much larger national footprint, but its fiber network typically maxes out at 940 Mbps. Both providers offer unlimited data and no-contract plans, but Ziply is the superior choice for raw speed if available at your address.
CenturyLink vs. Ziply Fiber: 2026 Head-to-Head Comparison
If you live in the Pacific Northwest—specifically Washington, Oregon, or Idaho—you are in the unique position of choosing between two major internet disrupters.
CenturyLink (which is currently transitioning its high-speed fiber services to the "Quantum Fiber" brand) is a massive national telecom offering both legacy DSL and reliable fiber-to-the-home. Ziply Fiber, on the other hand, is a specialized, hyper-regional provider that acquired Frontier's Northwest assets and has spent the last few years building one of the fastest fiber-optic networks on the planet.
Here is exactly how the two stack up in 2026.
Quick Comparison: Which is Better?
| Feature | CenturyLink (Fiber) | Ziply Fiber | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Download Speed | Up to 940 Mbps | Up to 50,000 Mbps (50 Gbps) | Ziply Fiber |
| Connection Types | Fiber, DSL | 100% Fiber (Some legacy DSL) | Ziply Fiber |
| Data Caps | None | None | Tie |
| Contracts Required? | No | No | Tie |
| Availability | National (36 States) | Regional (Pacific Northwest) | CenturyLink |
| Pricing Stability | "Price for Life" (Select areas) | Standard promotional pricing | CenturyLink |
Speed and Performance: The Gigabit Gap
Ziply Fiber: The Undisputed Speed King. When it comes to raw bandwidth in 2026, Ziply Fiber is operating in a league of its own. While their standard residential plans range from 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps, they have aggressively rolled out 50 Gbps tiers in select neighborhoods. Because Ziply relies almost entirely on modern Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) technology, its speeds are symmetrical (upload is as fast as download), and its latency is incredibly low. If you are a competitive gamer, a streamer, or running a business from your garage, Ziply is the gold standard.
CenturyLink: Reliable, but Capped CenturyLink’s fiber network is highly reliable, but it generally maxes out at 940 Mbps (often marketed as 1 Gig) for standard residential customers. While 940 Mbps is more than enough for a family of four streaming 4K movies simultaneously, it simply cannot compete with the multi-gigabit infrastructure of Ziply.
Warning: If you are looking at CenturyLink DSL (non-fiber), speeds drop significantly, often capping below 140 Mbps. In a matchup between CenturyLink DSL and any Ziply Fiber plan, Ziply wins effortlessly.
Pricing, Contracts, and Hidden Fees
The "No Contract" Standard. The good news for consumers is that neither CenturyLink nor Ziply Fiber forces you into a long-term annual contract. Both operate on a transparent, month-to-month basis, and neither provider enforces data caps—meaning you can stream and download as much as you want without fear of overage charges.
CenturyLink's "Price for Life" holds a unique advantage when it comes to budgeting. In many markets, they offer a "Price for Life" guarantee. This means that as long as you maintain your account and don't change your plan, your base monthly rate will never increase. This provides incredible peace of mind compared to the standard telecommunications industry practice of raising rates every year.
Ziply's Aggressive Promotions Ziply Fiber focuses heavily on customer acquisition, frequently offering entry-level fiber plans for as low as $20/month for the first year. However, customers must be aware that this is promotional pricing. After 12 months, the rate will increase to their standard pricing tier.
Final Verdict: Which Provider Should You Choose?
If you have the choice between these two providers at your specific address, the decision is straightforward:
- Choose Ziply Fiber if: You want the absolute fastest internet available in the Pacific Northwest, you require massive symmetrical upload speeds for remote work or content creation, and you don't mind navigating promotional price changes after the first year.
- Choose CenturyLink if: You prioritize long-term budget stability over extreme speed. If CenturyLink Fiber is available and they offer you a "Price for Life" guarantee at 940 Mbps, it is one of the safest, most reliable internet investments you can make.
Check Your Address Because fiber deployment happens street-by-street, one side of your neighborhood might have Ziply while the other has CenturyLink. The only way to know for sure is to use our real-time comparison tool above. Enter your zip code to see exactly which provider has wired your home and compare their 2026 promotional rates side-by-side.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Ziply Fiber faster than CenturyLink?
Yes. In areas where both providers offer fiber, Ziply Fiber offers significantly higher top-end speeds, reaching up to 10 Gbps or even 50 Gbps in select markets, whereas CenturyLink's residential fiber typically maxes out at 940 Mbps.
2. Did Ziply Fiber buy out Frontier?
Yes, in 2020, Ziply Fiber acquired Frontier Communications’ operations and infrastructure in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Since then, Ziply has heavily upgraded those legacy networks to modern fiber-optics.
3. Does CenturyLink or Ziply Fiber require a contract?
No. Neither CenturyLink nor Ziply Fiber requires an annual contract for their residential internet plans in 2026. Both operate on a month-to-month billing cycle.
4. Do I have to pay for a modem with Ziply Fiber?
Ziply Fiber typically includes the necessary Wi-Fi equipment with its multi-gigabit fiber plans, though specific promotions vary. CenturyLink DSL customers often have to pay a monthly modem rental fee, while CenturyLink Fiber customers generally get their gateway included. Always verify equipment fees at checkout.