Updated September 30, 2026 · TariffCue Editorial Team
Astound vs Webafrica
Where Astound and Webafrica differ
| Compare | Webafrica ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Top download speed (Mbps) | 5,000Higher | 1,000 |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 5,000Higher | 5 to 1,000 |
| Price from | $19.95 | ZAR 319 |
| Reference plan prices | 150 Mbps: $19.95/mo, 150 Mbps, no contract; 1 Gig WiFi: $40/mo, 1000 Mbps, no contract; 1.5 Gig WiFi: $60/mo, 1500 Mbps, no contract | Web Connect 10/5 Mbps: R319 per month, month-to-month, uncapped | MetroFibre Nexus 500/500 Mbps: R899 per month, month-to-month, uncapped | Frogfoot Peak 1000/1000 Mbps: R1499 per month, month-to-month, uncapped |
| Setup fee | $0 | ZAR 0 |
| Exit fee terms | No cancellation penalty; change or cancel anytime | R999 termination fee on cancellation |
| Router | Whole Home WiFi powered by eero included with Gig plans; eero Max 7 with 5 Gig | Fully insured Free-to-Use router |
| Address checker | https://www.astound.com/check-for-service/ | https://www.webafrica.co.za/fibre/ |
| Markets | US | ZA |
| Mid-contract price rises | Price for Life rate locked while service kept; other promos valid 12 mos then regular rates | Not confirmed |
| Social tariff | Yes | Not confirmed |
| FCC broadband label | https://www.astound.com/labels/ | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Astound scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.3.
- Top download speed (Mbps) is higher at Astound: 5,000 vs 1,000.
- Upload speed (Mbps) is higher at Astound: 5,000 vs 5 to 1,000.
- Technology: only Astound offers Cable.
- Technology: only Webafrica offers Fwa, 5G.
- Markets: only Astound offers US.
- Markets: only Webafrica offers ZA.
Our verdict on each
Astound
Astound suits US households that want matching download and upload speeds, a low entry price and no contract to be tied into, and the same account can carry mobile lines. Entry pricing starts at $19.95 a month, Gig tiers arrive with Whole Home WiFi included, and the setup fee is $0.
Webafrica
Webafrica suits South African households wanting rolling uncapped fibre with nothing to pay for setup. Entry pricing starts at ZAR 319 a month, contract terms run 1 month, and the strongest plans in the reference range reach 1,000 Mbps with Fully insured Free-to-Use router included.
Score breakdown
| Area | Astound | Webafrica |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6Entry price of $19.95 a month and a setup fee of $0 put cost near the top of the range. | 9.6Entry price of ZAR 319 with a setup fee of ZAR 0, on month-to-month plans. |
| Offer | 9.3HigherNo cancellation penalty; change or cancel anytime, and Whole Home WiFi arrives included with Gig plans. | 8.9Uploads of 5 to 1,000 Mbps and downloads up to 1,000 Mbps across an uncapped range. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.6Operating since 1997 from ZA, with support across chat, phone and help centre and an insured Fully insured Free-to-Use router. |
How they place
| Ranking | Astound | Webafrica |
|---|---|---|
| Broadband providers | 2 of 124 | 40 of 124 |
| Full fibre providers | 2 of 107 | 26 of 107 |
| Broadband without a long contract | 2 of 46 | 16 of 46 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Astound | Webafrica |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Cable, Fttp | Fttp, Fwa, 5G |
| Contract length | 1 | 1 |
| Legal entity | Radiate HoldCo, LLC d/b/a Astound Broadband | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | United States | South Africa |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1997 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre | Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Mobile plans
| Fact | Astound | Webafrica |
|---|---|---|
| Seller type | Reseller | Not confirmed |
| SIM-only | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Billing | Rolling | Not confirmed |
| Unlimited plan price | $30 | Not confirmed |
| 5G | Yes | Not confirmed |
| eSIM | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Wi-Fi calling | Yes | Not confirmed |
| EU roaming | Paid | Not confirmed |
| Data rollover | No | Not confirmed |
| Hotspot sharing | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Credit check required | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Multi-line discount | Yes | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Astound | Webafrica | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top download speed (Mbps) | 5,000highest quarter | 1,000at the median | 1,000 |
| Upload speed (Mbps) | 5,000highest quarter | 5 to 1,000above the median | 900 |
Median across 116 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Astound
Pros
- Download of 5,000 Mbps matches upload of 5,000 Mbps, so sending a large file is as quick as downloading one.
- The setup fee is $0, and it ranks 1 of 86 on that measure, ahead of every other brand compared.
- Service runs on cable and fttp, so one provider can cover a cable street or a fibre to the home street.
Cons
- EU roaming is paid, so European travel is billed separately.
- Data rollover is no, so unused mobile allowance does not carry into the next cycle.
- A credit check is required on the mobile side, which adds a step before a line is active.
Webafrica
Pros
- Entry price of ZAR 319 puts Webafrica near the front of our price ranking.
- The setup fee of ZAR 0 leaves nothing to budget for installation.
- Contract lengths of 1-month mean every plan rolls month to month, so nothing is locked in.
Cons
- Service covers ZA only, so it is not an option outside South Africa.
- Cancelling early carries R999 termination fee on cancellation, which takes the saving out of leaving.
- Abissnet runs on fttp alone, while Webafrica's fttp, fwa and 5G mix makes the top speed at an address depend on the access type that reaches it.
Who each suits
Astound
Who it suits
- Households in US whose street already has cable or fibre to the home and who want equal download and upload speeds.
- Families adding mobile lines to the same account, where a multi line discount and rolling billing apply.
- Renters and short-stay households, since No cancellation penalty; change or cancel anytime.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want a fibre to the home provider and nothing else, because cable and fttp includes cable while Abissnet and Kinetic list fibre to the home alone.
- Homes a wired network does not reach, where EarthLink adds fttp, 5G and satellite options.
- Travellers who expect European roaming to come included, since EU roaming is paid.
Webafrica
Who it suits
- South African households wanting uncapped fibre on rolling monthly terms
- Renters and short-stay households avoiding an installation charge
- Shared homes needing matched download and upload speeds for calls and backups
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers wanting a single dedicated fibre line: Abissnet runs on fttp only.
- Homes where only fixed wireless or satellite reaches: Earthlink covers fttp, 5G and satellite.
- Addresses fibre has not reached: Astound pairs cable and fttp, so cable is an option.
Country by country
| Country | Astound | Webafrica |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | No | Yes |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Astound
How much does Astound broadband cost a month?+
Plans start at $19.95 a month on the entry tier. The listed lineup then steps up through Gig and multi-Gig WiFi plans, and every plan shown is on no-contract terms, so the monthly figure is the whole commitment. Whole Home WiFi is included with Gig plans rather than sold as an extra.
Is there a setup or installation fee with Astound broadband?+
Setup costs $0 to add, and in this comparison the brand ranks 1 of 86 for setup fee, ahead of every other brand measured on that point. Equipment also counts: Whole Home WiFi is supplied with Gig plans, with the top tier hardware paired to the quickest speeds.
Webafrica
How much does Webafrica broadband cost per month?+
Plans start at ZAR 319 per month on Web Connect, the entry plan. MetroFibre Nexus sits above that figure, and Frogfoot Peak pairs the highest speeds with the highest monthly figure. All are billed month to month and uncapped, so the figure you join on keeps running.
Is there a contract to sign?+
Contract lengths are listed as 1 month, so plans here run rolling rather than tying you in for a fixed term. Cancelling early has a price attached, since the cancellation terms apply R999 termination fee on cancellation when you cancel a service, which is worth reading before switching.
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