Rain vs Afrihost: Which Internet Provider Should You Go For?
A comprehensive comparison between Rain and Afrihost in 2025: plans, performance, pricing, and real user experience in South Africa.
Choosing the right internet provider can feel like decoding binary in a thunderstorm. On one hand, there’s Rain – the bold upstart offering 4G/5G data-only packages. On the other, Afrihost – the seasoned ISP championing fibre, LTE, mobile, and web hosting. Let’s unpack both contenders to see who reigns supreme.
1. Service & Technology
Rain:
- Mobile‑only data on 4G and standalone 5G, leveraging its own 3,000 towers plus MTN/Vodacom infrastructure.
- Launched SA’s first standalone 5G network in 2019; rolled out ~1,500 towers by mid-2020.
- No fibre option – CGNAT limits hosting capabilities.
Afrihost:
- Full-stack ISP: fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), fixed wireless LTE, ADSL/VDSL, mobile (via MTN), VoIP, web hosting.
- Operates on major fibre networks like Vumatel and Openserve; continues innovating via its acquisition of Cool Ideas.
2. Speed & Consistency
Rain:
- Ookla’s last ranking (2021) placed Rain low in fixed ISP consistency—39% consistency score and poorest latency among peers.
- Customers report unreliable speeds: “unusable until you phone them,” slow 4G/5G despite nearby towers.
Afrihost:
- In Q1 2024, ranked No. 1 ISP overall with 74% customer satisfaction.
- Ookla data: 35.79 speed score, No. 2 fastest ISP (behind Cool Ideas).
- Fibre offers low latency (~5 ms) and strong consistency (~65%).
3. Pricing & Packages
Rain:
- “5G for the Home” plans starting ~R479/month for around 30 Mbps; premium at R699/month (first 3 months discounted).
- Advantages: no infra installation, flexibility in setup; disadvantage: speeds/weather prone and poor service consistency.
Afrihost:
- Vumatel fibre plans from ~R697/month for 20 Mbps up to 1 Gbps for ~R2,297/month .
- Bundles may include LTE backup and MTN mobile services; ADSL & VDSL options often cheaper.
- Known to include LTE as backup for fibre during outages.
READ: Affordable Uncapped WiFi 2025
4. Customer Experience
Rain:
- Trustpilot: mixed 4.4-star average from ~1,500 reviews.
- Positive notes: prompt responses and smooth activations.
- Complaints: unreliable connectivity, billing issues, weak support.
- Forums lament: “connection useless… they don’t call you back”.
Afrihost:
- Consistently wins MyBroadband ISP of the Year (2023–2025).
- High ratings in Analytico and MyBroadband reports for satisfaction and service.
- Reddit users report zero complaints on fibre; speed dips only tied to Openserve outages.
5. Pros & Cons Summary
| Feature | Rain | Afrihost |
|---|---|---|
| Network type | 4G/5G mobile only | Fiber, fixed LTE, mobile, ADSL |
| Max speed | ~30–100 Mbps | Up to 1 Gbps fibre |
| Latency | High (~24 ms) | Low (~5 ms) |
| Consistency | Low | High |
| Coverage need | Good 4G/5G reception | Fibre/LTE coverage required |
| Customer satisfaction | Mixed (Trustpilot 4.4★) | High (Awards + reports) |
| Price range | R479–699/month | R697–2,297/month (for fibre) |
| Support quality | Questionable responsiveness | Award-winning support |
Who Should Choose What?
Pick Rain if:
- You need a quick, wireless setup without fibre installation.
- You’re okay riding out inconsistent performance for lower cost.
- Your area has strong 5G reception.
Pick Afrihost if:
- You want fast, reliable fibre with stellar consistency.
- You value top-rated customer service backed by awards.
- You require backup connectivity and versatile services (e.g., hosting, mobile).
Final Verdict
Afrihost clearly outshines Rain in everything from speed and reliability to customer satisfaction. However, Rain may appeal if fibre isn’t available or you want a quick, wireless solution. Ultimately, for most Gautengers seeking performance, dependability, and top-notch support, Afrihost is the winner.
Also read: In-Flight WiFi: When Will Local Flights Offer WiFi? – Here’s What We Know
