Verizon Fios vs. Optimum Internet
Our experts apply their years of expertise to compare Verizon Fios and Optimum internet prices, speeds, and availability so you can choose the best service.
$49.99–$109.99/mo. (w/ Auto Pay)
$49.99–$109.99/mo. (w/ Auto Pay)
$40.00–$280.00/mo.
$40.00–$280.00/mo.
If you live in the parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut (plus Lemoyne, Pennsylvania) where Verizon Fios and Optimum intersect, you’re one lucky internet-lover.
We think Verizon Fios offers superior internet service, and it’s our top pick for the fastest internet provider in the US. But Optimum knows Verizon Fios is its direct competitor—so Optimum offers monthly savings if you choose its gigabit plan over Verizon Fios’s.
Compare Verizon Fios or Optimum to other providers
Prices starting at
$49.99 (w/ Auto Pay)/mo.
Max download speeds up to
940 Mbps
Service Type
Fiber
Prices starting at
$40.00/mo.
Max download speeds up to
8000 Mbps
Service Type
Fiber
Pricing, speed and availability not guaranteed. Subject to change.
Verizon Fios vs. Optimum prices and plans
Based on numbers alone, Optimum offers faster speeds for lower prices. Verizon Fios, on the other hand, has the superior infrastructure.
Verizon Fios’s fiber network offers the ideal of fast and reliable internet service. But in locations where Optimum hasn’t entirely switched to fiber, it shored up its cable network’s weaknesses with a strong fiber backbone. Assisted by fiber, its cable internet matches the download speeds (but not upload speeds) you’d typically find only from fiber internet.
To decide if Optimum’s low prices beat out Verizon Fios’s top technology, we recommend you get familiar with the plans each offers in your area.
Verizon Fios internet pricing and plans
| Packages | Price* | Max. download speed | Max. upload speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fios 300 Mbps | $49.99/mo. (w/ Auto Pay) | 300 Mbps | 300 Mbps |
| Fios 500 Mbps | $74.99/mo. (w/ Auto Pay) | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps |
| Fios 1 Gig | $89.99/mo. (w/ Auto Pay) | 940 Mbps | 880 Mbps |
*See full disclaimer.
Data effective as of post date. Not all offers available in all areas.
Any of Verizon Fios’s plans are fast enough for most families—so you have to decide if you want fast internet or superfast internet.
Verizon Fios offers faster plans in designated areas around New York than it does in its other locations, which makes us think Optimum is giving Verizon Fios a run for its money.
If you’re a New Yorker, that competition spells good news for you, particularly with Verizon’s Fios 300 and 500 plans, which look suspiciously similar to Optimum’s prices and speeds.
In general, we recommend Verizon Fios’s plans over Optimum’s—not only because its fiber network beats out Optimum’s cable network, but also because it’s a fan favorite in our customer survey.
However, Verizon Fios doesn’t entirely leave Optimum in the dust, especially if you’re in an area with Optimum Fiber.
Optimum internet pricing and plans
| Packages (East) | Price* | Max. download speed | Max. upload speed | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum 300 | $40.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | 35 Mbps | Cable |
| Optimum 500 | $60.00/mo. | 500 Mbps | 40 Mbps | Cable |
| Optimum 1 Gig | $70.00/mo. | 940 Mbps | 50 Mbps | Cable |
| Fiber Internet 300 | $40.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | 300 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber Internet 500 | $60.00/mo. | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber Internet 1 Gig | $70.00/mo. | 940 Mbps | 940 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber Internet 2 Gig | $90.00/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber Internet 5 Gig | $120.00/mo. | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber Internet 8 Gig | $280.00/mo. | 8,000 Mbps | 8,000 Mbps | Fiber |
*See full disclaimer.
Data effective as of post date. Not all offers available in all areas.
Optimum’s plans are similar to Verizon Fios’s, since Verizon upped its speed to compete with Optimum where the two providers overlap.
Optimum’s cable network doesn’t have the upload speeds to match, though, so Verizon Fios will be better for video calls and big file uploads. But Optimum’s fiber network comes with matched upload speeds, making it difficult to call a clear winner.
What is clear: Optimum’s 1 Gig plan is $20 per month cheaper than Verizon Fios’s Fios 1 Gig. If you’ve gotta have near gig speeds, Optimum is the more affordable way to go.
What do real customers think of Verizon Fios and Optimum?
In our most recent customer satisfaction survey, Verizon Fios tied for fifth place out of all the major internet providers for overall customer satisfaction. Folks were fans of its internet speeds, reliability, customer support, and service value.
- 79% of Verizon customers felt Verizon could effectively meet their internet needs.
- 79% of Verizon customers also were satisfied with their Fios installation.
- But only 58% of customers felt Fios’ pricing was competitive compared to other providers.
I was able to connect everything myself and did not have to have anyone in my home. The service is also reliable and fast. The only thing lacking is the phone customer service needs to be improved a bit. I had an issue and had to speak with 3 people to get it resolved.
Our Optimum customers weren’t quite so enamored with their service. Optimum got low marks (22nd out of 25 ISPs), and the most standout factoid was that Optimum customers were the most likely to bundle their internet service with TV.
- Only 50% of Optimum customers were satisfied with their customer service.
- 43% of respondents felt Optimum’s internet quality was worth its price.
- 43% of Optimum customers also enjoyed their customer service interactions with Optimum.
Difficult to talk to customer service. We have had three appointments for service update and three times the technicians could not do the update. We were told they needed additional assistance.
How reliable is Verizon Fios and Optimum internet?
| Verizon Fios | Optimum | |
|---|---|---|
| Average latency | 10.9 milliseconds | 17.2 milliseconds |
| Internet reliability satisfaction rating | 76% positive | 56% positive |
| Internet speed satisfaction rating | 77% positive | 58% positive |
Verizon Fios blew Optimum out of the water when it comes to internet reliability and satisfaction, as it outpolled the cable internet provider by a 20% margin in our speed and reliability satisfaction polling.
Is Verizon Fios or Optimum internet available in your neighborhood?
Optimum maintains a respectable 20-state footprint, but if you’re split between Optimum and Verizon, you’re likely in the New York tri-state area. Verizon Fios is practically a regional ISP with its modest 9-state coverage area, but it covers a decent swath of the Atlantic Coast region.
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Verizon Fios vs. Optimum: specs and features
We trust Verizon Fios’s strong network and well-priced plans above most other internet options. But Optimum still has a lot to offer. If you find a stellar Optimum deal, we say snag it. After all, neither Optimum nor Verizon Fios forces you into an annual contract, so it’s easy to switch between them if you ever wonder about the grass being greener on the other side.
Let’s break down everything else you’ll need to know about Verizon and Optimum internet.
Does Verizon Fios or Optimum have good internet deals?
Verizon Fios internet deals
Verizon Fios is a deal machine. It regularly delivers top-tier incentives to sign up, like streaming service subscriptions, Visa gift cards, and included equipment on select plans. Plus, Verizon offers up to $500 to offset any cancellation fees from your old provider when you switch to Verizon. We love to see that flexibility.
For more promotions, check out our Verizon deals page. We update it every month.
Optimum internet deals
We’ve seen Optimum offer some pretty impressive bonuses, including Visa gift cards, when you sign up for one of its plans. Who would say no to some extra cash?
And if you switch to Optimum before your contract with another internet provider has run out, Optimum will give you up to $100 to buy out your old contract. That’s not $500, but it’s pretty helpful! Check out our Optimum deals guide for the latest savings.
Verizon Fios vs. Optimum fees and extra charges
Verizon Fios fees and extra charges
| Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Router rental | Included |
| Standard setup charge | $99.00 (waived with online order) |
Verizon Fios and Optimum’s plans are incredibly straightforward, with no equipment charges when you order online. Verizon Fios doesn’t charge for installation when you order online, too.
Optimum fees and extra charges
| Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gateway rental | Included |
| Installation fee | $99.00–$149.99 |
And luckily, you won’t have to worry about hidden fees with Verizon Fios and Optimum. Data caps and overage fees are common among other internet providers, but Verizon Fios and Optimum are data-cap-free.
Verizon Fios vs. Optimum installation
| Provider | Setup charge | Type of installation |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios |
Order online: free Standard: $99.00 |
Schedule an installation |
| Optimum |
Standard: $99.00 Premium: $149.99 |
Schedule an installation |
Data effective as of post date. Not all offers available in all areas.
You can save on Verizon Fios standard setup charge by ordering online. That’s one more reason not to wait on a phone line.
And while both Optimum’s installation methods won’t require that you get off your duff, you’ve got a choice between standard and premium installation.
For the standard installation, your Optimum technician will connect your Optimum gateway to the wall, but you’ll be in charge of connecting your Wi-Fi devices. With premium installation, the tech will hardwire one device (within six feet of your gateway) and connect up to six Wi-Fi devices.
While Optimum’s premium installation isn’t anything you couldn’t do with a little research, it might save you some time and headache if you don’t consider yourself tech savvy.
Bundling with TV
If you want to bundle your internet with TV, Optimum will save you a bunch of money. Its TV and internet deals are about $50 per month cheaper than the services would be separately.
Is that because Optimum overprices its TV plans to begin with? Eh . . . probably a little bit.
But Optimum includes premium channels in its Select and Premier plans, which most other providers will charge you $10 to $15 more per month for. For premium channel fans, bundling with Optimum is a top-notch deal.
Verizon Fios’s TV service is more affordable than Optimum’s, but Optimum offers a discount when you bundle. Overall, Optimum’s bundles will be the way to go if you want to save some cash on TV and internet.
Verizon Fios vs. Optimum FAQ
Is Verizon Fios more reliable than Optimum?
In our customer survey, customers rated Verizon Fios as more reliable than Optimum. Parts of Optimum’s network use cable internet technology, which isn’t as fast or reliable as Verizon Fios’s fiber technology.
However, Optimum has started offering fiber internet in some areas, making it more able to compete with Verizon Fios’s fast, reliable speeds.
Is Fios really faster than cable?
Fios, shorthand for fiber-optic internet service, is capable of speeds cable doesn’t offer.
But fiber internet providers miser over small portions of this lightning-fast speed to make more cash, and cable internet providers use fiber backbones to speed up their old cable internet. That leaves us with fiber and cable internet providers offering similar speeds to their customers.
Should I switch from Verizon Fios to Optimum?
Optimum is a reliable service, and it tries everything it can to beat out Verizon Fios. But at the end of the day, we believe Verizon Fios’s superior technology is the victor. There’s not much Optimum has that Verizon Fios can’t also offer at the same level or better.
Why you should trust us
Our experts dozens of hours on research in this article digging into the nuances Verizon Fios and Optimum’s overlapping service area. We compared the services based on bang for your buck, reliability, features, and customer satisfaction.
For more information on our methodology, check out our How We Rank page.
Disclaimer
Optimum: 300 Mbps Internet- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Terms apply.
500 Mbps Internet- For 1 yr. w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 6 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
1 Gig Internet- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
300 Mbps Fiber Internet- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Terms apply.
500 Mbps Fiber Internet- For 1 yr. w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 6 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
1 Gig Fiber Internet- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
2/5/8 Gig Fiber Internet- w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
Verizon: Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon’s terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet.
