Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios Internet

The Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios match takes place primarily in the eastern US, from Massachusetts to Virginia. Xfinity Internet and Verizon Fios Home Internet offer similar download speeds and prices, but Verizon Fios has better upload speeds and no data caps.

We recommend Verizon Fios for its matched fiber internet speeds and unlimited data. But Xfinity’s still a good choice, especially if you’re looking for a small, affordable internet plan. Keep reading for all the nitty-gritty details on these service providers.

Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios Internet pros and cons

Jump to:

• Deals and promotions
• Head-to-head comparison
• Packages and prices
• Features

Deals and promotions

Both Xfinity and Verizon Fios offer sign-up incentives to tempt your hard-earned cash. Verizon’s tend to be flashier—think streaming subscriptions, gadgets, and big fat gift cards—but Xfinity often has neat deals for teachers, students, and veterans.

To see what cool stuff you can get when you sign up for Xfinity or Verizon Fios internet service right now, check out our internet deals page, which we update monthly.

Compare Xfinity and Verizon Fios head to head

Data effective as of post date. Not all offers available in all areas.

Either Xfinity or Verizon Fios could be the more affordable option for you—it depends on what internet speed range you’re looking for. Check our breakdown of each provider’s plans below to see how much the speeds you want cost.

But don’t forget that Verizon Fios’s upload speeds are much more impressive, which can be helpful if you do a lot of video calls or upload large files like videos regularly. Plus, all of Verizon Fios’s plans come without a data cap, while most of Xfinity’s top out at 1,200 GB per month.

Both Xfinity and Verizon Fios charge a bit more than we like to rent home Wi-Fi equipment. But Xfinity lets you bring your own modem and router, and we’re impressed that Verizon Fios lets you outright buy its router, which isn’t too much more than one you’d pick up on Amazon.

Either option is an excellent alternative to renting if you’re planning on sticking with Xfinity or Verizon Fios for a while.

Packages and pricing

If you need only basic speeds for one or two people, Xfinity’s got the cheapest deal with its Connect More plan (200 Mbps).

But for gigabit internet speeds, we recommend Verizon Fios Gigabit Connection (up to 940 Mbps) because of its high upload speeds (up to 880 Mbps) and unlimited data. It’s a bit more expensive than Xfinity Gigabit, but those perks—and the included router—make it worth the difference.

Xfinity internet packages and pricing

Data effective as of post date. Not all offers available in all areas. See full disclaimer regarding pricing and features for more information.
* For 12 months with 1-year term contract. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Taxes and equipment not included. Prices may vary by location.
** For 24 months with 1-year term contract. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Taxes and equipment not included. Prices may vary by location.
† For 36 months. No term contract. Includes $10/mo automatic payments and paperless billing discount. Taxes and equipment not included. Prices may vary by location.

Overall, Xfinity’s internet plans are well-priced and offer good speeds for cable internet. But cable internet technology doesn’t allow for the same high upload speeds as Verizon Fios’s fiber internet, so your video chats might not be as smooth as you’d like, and it will take extra time to post big files (like large photos or videos) online.

Plus, Xfinity has data caps that limit how much you can use the internet. Sure, they’re big data caps (1.2 TB), but we don’t like the look of that hefty overage fee.

With those drawbacks in mind, there’s no denying the appeal of the affordable Connect More plan. It’s a good option if you want cheap internet with internet speeds to support a small family.

Or you could go all out with Xfinity’s Gigabit Extra plan. Like all Xfinity plans, you can expect a price increase after 24 months—but if you don’t mind the sticker shock, it’s one of the few plans on the market at that kind of speed, which makes it our choice for fastest internet provider.

Verizon Fios internet packages and pricing

Data effective as of post date. Not all offers available in all areas.
*Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Fios plan prices include taxes & fees

Verizon Fios home internet pricing varies depending on your neck of the woods. Closer to New York, you may get more bang for your buck as Verizon Fios offers higher speeds in the area to compete with Optimum’s plans.

Verizon Fios’s perks are too essential to ignore, especially if you want a big ole plan like Fios Gigabit Connection (up to 940 Mbps). The faster your internet, the easier it is to eat up data. But with Verizon Fios’s unlimited data, your whole family can use social media, stream TV, and run smart-home devices without any overage fees.

Plus, did we mention that all Verizon Fios plans come without an annual contract? You can get no-contract plans from Xfinity, but they’ll cost you an extra $10 per month. Verizon Fios plans are the way to go if you value flexibility.

Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios fees and extra charges

On top of the monthly fees for your internet service, here are a few more charges to consider.

Xfinity fees and extra charges

Data effective as of post date.

Keep an eye out for Xfinity’s data overage fees—those stack every extra 50 GB you use beyond your monthly 1,200 GB.

Verizon fees and extra charges

Data effective as of post date.

There’s nothing too spicy in Verizon Fios’s extra charges. But note that Verizon Fios will charge you whichever late fee is higher between $5 or 1.5% of your balance due.

Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios installation

Data effective as of post date.

Signing up online is the way to go since it will save you nearly $100 in installation fees from either Xfinity or Verizon Fios.

Oh, and if you go with Xfinity, we can help you get started with our Xfinity installation guide. We’ve self-installed Xfinity a few times, and we’ve found it pretty darn simple.

Want to help us get info for installing Verizon Fios? We’re hiring folks to test Verizon Fios at home, and we’d appreciate it if you applied.

Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios equipment

Data effective as of post date.

You’ll need a wireless router for your internet service to work as a Wi-Fi network. Most internet providers will rent you a modem/router for about $10 per month, but both Xfinity and Verizon Fios charge more than that.

Xfinity has four different models of the xFi Wireless Gateway, and it will provide you with a version that works with your internet plan. With so many models, it’s hard to make a quick comparison, but you can read our full xFi Wireless Gateway review for all the deets.

Verizon Fios’s Fios router is a bit more clean cut. It comes with Wi-Fi 6 technology, the latest generation of router tech. It hits the expected tri-band frequencies, making it suitable to pair with a Wi-Fi extender rental ($5 more per month) if you have a big home.

We recommend bringing your own modem and router to your Xfinity plan, to save money. And if you’ve got the cash, paying outright for the Fios Router will pay for itself in about 20 months, which isn’t too shabby as far as these things go.

Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios bundling with TV

Both Xfinity and Verizon Fios let you bundle your internet service with TV. But Xfinity has the better bundle deals—you can save up to $20 per month when you bundle your services, and Verizon Fios doesn’t offer any bundling incentives.

Check out our Xfinity bundles review to learn more about how Xfinity bundles save you money. Or check out our Verizon Fios bundles review for recommendations on the best packages.

Is Xfinity or Verizon Fios Internet more worth it?

Overall, we think Verizon Fios is a better internet service provider. It’s a surefire win with fiber technology, matched upload and download speeds, unlimited internet, and no annual contracts. Check out our full Verizon Fios internet review if you want to dig in further.

But Xfinity is a reliable cable internet provider, and its cheap starting plan is an excellent option if it’s just you (and maybe one extra person) at home. We also have a full Xfinity internet review if you’re not sold yet.

Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios FAQ

Methodology

Our experts have been researching Xfinity and Verizon Fios for years, so putting the two head to head was no trouble at all. We examined their plans, promotions, equipment, and more, considering what kind of reader might prefer each option.

Our editorial scores focus on each provider’s bang for your buck, reliability, features, and customer satisfaction scores. To learn more about these scores, check out our How We Rank page.