Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum Internet
We’ve researched everything from coverage maps to download speeds to tell you the best internet provider.
Price: $49.99–$109.99/mo. (w/ Auto Pay)†
Download speeds: 300–2,300 Mbps
Upload speeds: 200 Mbps–840 Mbps
Price: $49.99–$109.99/mo. (w/ Auto Pay)†
Download speeds: 300–2,300 Mbps
Upload speeds: 200 Mbps–840 Mbps
Price: $30.00–$140.00/mo.
Download speeds: Up to 100–7,000 Mbps°
Upload speeds: 20 Mbps–35 Mbps
Price: $30.00–$140.00/mo.
Download speeds: Up to 100–7,000 Mbps°
Upload speeds: 20 Mbps–35 Mbps
Verizon Fios is an excellent option if you need high-performance internet at a reasonable cost. But if you’re already in a home that’s been wired for cable internet, and you need immediate service, Spectrum can quickly get you online.
Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum: pros and cons
Verizon Fios
✓ Fast download and upload speeds
✓ No contract price hikes
✗ Limited availability in nine states
Spectrum
✓ Free Internet modem
✓ Low-cost Wi-Fi router rental
✗ Price hikes after one year
Deals and promotions
Verizon Fios deals and promotions
With Verizon, you can save big when you add select Verizon home internet plans to select Verizon 5G mobile plans. Verizon also often offers deals that include free equipment (which normally requires a $15 monthly rental fee) and free streaming service subscriptions.
Spectrum deals and promotions
If you want to break the contract with your current home internet service provider (ISP), Spectrum’s deals include reimbursing you for up to $500 to cover early termination fees.^
How are Verizon Fios and Spectrum different?
Verizon Fios and Spectrum head-to-head
| Provider | Type of service | Price | Download speeds | Data cap | Contract | Installation fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios | Fiber | $49.99–$109.99/mo. (w/ Auto Pay)† | 300–2,300 Mbps | Unlimited | None | $99.00, waived with online order | View Plans for Verizon |
| Spectrum | Cable | $30.00–$140.00/mo. | Up to 100–7,000 Mbps | Unlimited | None |
Pro installation: $70.00 Self-installation: $40.00 |
Check Availability |
Data effective as of post date. Not all offers available in all areas.
†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 Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet.
Verizon Fios offers higher upload speeds for about the same prices as Spectrum, but Spectrum is available in far more states than Verizon Fios. Let’s break down the fine print for both ISPs.
Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum prices and plans
Verizon Fios pricing and plans
Data effective as of post date. Not all offers available in all areas.
†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 Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet.
Verizon Fios’s listed download speeds fall in line with most ISPs, and thanks to the Fios fiber network, you’ll also get excellent maximum upload speeds. Fast upload speeds will make it easier to back files up into the cloud or do your Sunday night family Zoom call.
Verizon Fios doesn’t require contracts, so you’ll have flexibility if you want Verizon Fios service for less than a year. Unlike most ISPs, Verizon Fios won’t automatically increase prices after a year, so you’ll save money if you’re a long-term Verizon customer and won’t need to jump between ISPs to chase the lowest possible deal.
The biggest issue with Fios is Verizon’s limited coverage. If you’re not on a small chunk of the eastern seaboard of the United States, you won’t be getting Fios at the moment. Nine states currently have Verizon Fios coverage:
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- Washington, DC
And for customers in certain areas in New York, you might be eligible for better speeds at the same prices. To find out what plans are available near you, enter your zip code below.
Spectrum Internet pricing and plans
Spectrum Internet Plans and Pricing
| Package Name | Price | Download speeds up to | Upload speeds up to | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Spectrum Internet® 100 | $30/mo. for 1 yr. | Up to 100 Mbps | Up to 4 Mbps | Cable-fiber |
Spectrum Internet® 500 | $40/mo. for 1 yr. | Up to 500 Mbps | Up to 20 Mbps | Cable-fiber |
Spectrum Internet® 1 Gig | $60/mo. for 1 yr. | Up to 1000 Mbps | Up to 1000 Mbps | Cable-fiber |
Spectrum Internet® 2 Gig | $80/mo. select markets only | Up to 2000 Mbps | Up to 35 Mbps | Cable-fiber |
Spectrum Internet® 7 Gig | $140/mo. select markets only | Up to 7000 Mbps | Up to 7000 Mbps | Cable-fiber |
Spectrum Internet 500 is the best option for most customers because it offers better home internet speeds for the price. With maximum download speeds of 500 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary), more people in your house can download files or watch Netflix without a hiccup.
Spectrum Internet 1 Gig can be a fit if your house has multiple heavy internet users, and it’s priced less than Verizon Fios’s gigabit plan (though Spectrum doesn’t have the same fast upload speeds). Spectrum 2 Gig and 7 Gig are only available in limited areas, but those speeds are overkill for a home internet plan, anyway.
Like with most cable internet providers, Spectrum’s upload speeds are decent, but nothing to write home about. Spectrum’s coverage area stretches across 41 states including Texas, New York, and California.
Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum fees and extra charges
Verizon Fios fees and extra charges
| Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Router rental | $15.00/mo., $299.99 to buy |
| Installation | $99.00, waived with online order |
Most Verizon Fios customers will have to plan only for the router rental fee, since it’s easy to avoid Verizon’s hefty $99 installation fee by subscribing online. You can also skip the router rental fee by paying for Fios 1 Gig, which includes a Verizon router.
Spectrum fees and extra charges
| Fees | Amount |
|---|---|
| Professional installation | $70.00 ($50 for install fulfillment, $20 for service activation) |
| Self-installation | $40.00 ($20 for self-install, $20 for service activation) |
| Spectrum Wi-Fi router rental | $10.00/mo. |
Spectrum’s installation fee is fairly affordable among ISPs, and the company includes a free cable internet modem with its plans.
The ISP’s router rental and self-installation fees are slight inconveniences, but besides the installation and activation charges, it’s easy to bypass the expenses.
You’ll save in the long run by buying your own wireless router, and the Wi-Fi activation fee applies only when Spectrum sends a technician to your home.
Customer satisfaction
In CableTV.com’s customer satisfaction survey, Verizon Fios earned top overall marks and beat Spectrum thanks to Verizon Fios’s low pricing, strong customer service, and network performance.
Spectrum subscribers were fans of the ISP’s free modem and simple installation process. But the ISP landed at eleventh-place in our customer survey and fell behind Verizon Fios because of its prices and network reliability.
Bundling with TV
| Provider | Additional monthly cost | Channels | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | 85–230+ | Check Availability |
| Verizon Fios | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | 60–425+ | View Verizon Fios Bundles |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
When you’re ordering Verizon Fios internet, you can add Verizon’s TV packages: Your Fios TV, More Fios TV, and The Most Fios TV.
On paper, you’ll get more channels from Verizon compared to Spectrum, but popular sister channels like Disney XD and CBS Sports Network are behind The Most Fios TV package. You’ll have to upgrade to The Most Fios TV to get as many of the best channels compared to Spectrum, but with Verizon’s no-contract pricing, you won’t have to worry about surprise price hikes after a year.
Spectrum’s internet and TV bundles add 85–230+ cable TV channels on its TV Lite, Stream TV Signature, Stream TV Pro, and Stream TV Platinum packages for an additional $40.00–$145.00/mo.. After one year, your monthly price for your TV package will go up around $20.
If you’re on a budget, we definitely recommend Spectrum’s internet and TV bundles, since Verizon doesn’t offer bundle discounts. You can add à la carte channel packs to bulk up your TV package the way you like, and even the premium channels come at an affordable price.
Is Verizon Fios or Spectrum internet more worth it?
If you’re in one of the nine states with Verizon Fios internet coverage, Verizon Fios’s low prices, fast internet packages, and strong customer service ratings make Fios the best high-speed internet recommendation. Compared to cable internet, fiber internet through Verizon Fios is a great long-term investment that will grow with your home’s future internet needs.
Although Spectrum Internet packages are a step behind Verizon’s, the ISP’s free modem and easy installation are upsides if you need internet service and aren’t covered by a fiber internet provider.
Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum FAQ
Is Verizon Fios better than Spectrum?
Yes, Verizon Fios is generally better than Spectrum because Verizon Fios plans have better upload speeds than Spectrum, using Verizon Fios’s higher-performance fiber internet network. However, if you're looking for faster download speeds, Spectrum offers high download speeds for the same price.
Is Verizon Fios really faster than cable internet?
Yes, Verizon Fios’s download speeds are comparable to cable internet providers, but its plans offer faster upload speeds of up to 880 Mbps. By comparison, cable internet upload speeds usually top off at around 30 to 40 Mbps.
Do Verizon Fios routers work with Spectrum?
No, Verizon Fios routers won’t work with Spectrum because Verizon uses its own fiber network and hardware. Spectrum uses cable internet modems, which will not communicate with Verizon’s fiber-optic network.
Does Spectrum use fiber or cable internet?
Spectrum is a cable internet provider that is powered by fiber.
Why you should trust us
Our experts crunched the fine print on Verizon Fios and Spectrum, rating both ISPs on areas including cost, TV plans, and value. We also used our annual customer satisfaction survey to see how real customers felt about Verizon and Spectrum. For more information on our methodology, check out our How We Rank page.
Disclaimer: °Speed based on wired connection. Available Internet speeds may vary by address. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem
*Spectrum TV: Limited-time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum service in past 30 days). Standard rates apply after promo period or service change. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Activation fee additional; taxes may apply. SPECTRUM STREAM TV: Streaming apps included with qualifying residential Spectrum Stream TV plans. Equipment may be required; fees apply. Channel availability varies by package and location. Terms and conditions apply, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.
**Spectrum Internet: Limited-time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum service in past 30 days). Standard rates apply after promo period or service change. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Activation fee additional; taxes may apply. Gig speeds require a compatible modem; see spectrum.net/modem for list. Terms and conditions apply, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Spectrum Internet® is powered by fiber and connected to the premises by coaxial lines.
^To qualify for the Contract Buyout Program, a customer must order and install a qualifying Triple Play or limited Double Play promotion; offers not available in all areas. Offer available to qualifying customers only who have no outstanding obligations to Charter. Payment amount will be determined by the Early Termination Fee on the final bill from the previous provider, not to exceed $500. For Contract Buyout qualifications, go to Spectrum.com/buyout.
