Verizon Fios vs. Optimum: Broadband internet review

Compare Verizon Fios and Optimum

There are plenty of things to consider when comparing Verizon Fios with Optimum’s home internet service, and it goes beyond just speed and price. You’ll have to consider what’s available for your home and how much it’ll cost you to get equipment. Here’s everything you need to know:

Verizon Fios overview

Verizon Fios, Verizon’s fiber optic home internet, is affordable, offers fast speeds and is beloved by customers. You can choose from plans starting at just $49.99, but if you use autopay and have a qualifying mobile plan, you can get that down to $24.99/mo. Verizon rewards its customers by offering deals if you bundle Verizon services, so you could be saving tons of money each month by turning to Verizon for all your tech needs.

Verizon Fios also has no contracts to tie you down, no data caps to be found, and a price guarantee for at least two years (up to four if you get a faster plan). One downside of Verizon Fios is that it’s not widely available quite yet, but Verizon is actively adding more locations all the time. 

Optimum overview

Optimum internet, which is available in three plans, also comes with a low price tag if you use autopay and a qualifying phone plan. Prices start at $45/mo. and increase from there as you get into the faster internet speeds. Those speeds range from 300 Mbps to a gig (940 Mbps), though the upload speeds are a bit on the slow side, especially compared to Verizon Fios. Optimum’s upload speeds top out at 35 Mbps.

Like Verizon, though, Optimum also offers no contracts or data caps, giving you freedom as a customer. What you need to watch out for, though, is a price hike after your first 12 months of service. The price change varies based on the plan you have, but it could be significant.

Internet prices and speed comparison

*w/ Auto Pay + taxes & equip. charges

**Pricing per month for 12 mos. with auto pay, paperless billing and unlimited mobile plan. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 02/0723.

Verizon Fios vs Optimum availability

Verizon Fios is rapidly expanding in its availability and is currently available widely in the Northeast. You’ll find it in the metro areas in the following states:

• Delaware 
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Virginia
• Washington, DC

Optimum’s serviceability is a little more limited. You can only find it in a few states, including:

• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Connecticut
• West Virginia

You can check the availability of Verizon Fios here and the availability of Optimum here.

Additional variables to consider

Depending on which plan you choose, there will be more variables to that differentiate Verizon and Optiumum. While Verizon’s and Optimum’s contracts and data caps are the same across the board, you’ll be looking at some differences, especially in the pricing plans.

Equipment and Installation

Verizon Fios includes Wi-Fi rental in your monthly fee, and with the 1Gig plan, you also get a Whole Home Wi-Fi, which is basically a Wi-Fi extender. You’ll also usually be looking at a $99 setup fee, but Verizon frequently runs deals to waive that (like if you order online or you live in a building where Fios is new). 

With Optimum, you will be looking at a monthly fee of $13.50 on top of your subscription. You can, however, choose to use your own router and avoid paying the company extra to rent theirs. For installation, you’ll likely pay upwards of $59 (though it could be more) to have a technician hook everything up for you.

With both companies, you can choose to self-install to save money, but if you’re not savvy with something like this, it’s probably easier to pay the fee to have a professional do it. 

Contracts

You won’t see any contracts with Verizon Fios or Optimum, giving you the freedom to change your service if you so choose.

Data caps

Neither Verizon Fios nor Optimum has any data caps.

Price increases

Verizon Fios launched its Price for Life Guarantee last year (which was only good through January), locking the price for 10 years. The provider has now gone back to the standard two to four year guarantee, depending on which plan you get.

Optimum, on the other hand, will increase your price after your first 12 months, and the price varies based on which plan you’re subscribed to. It’s definitely something to figure into your pricing plan while shopping around.

Verizon Fios vs. Optimum customer satisfaction

Verizon Fios has only seen its customer satisfaction increase in the past couple years, according to the American Customer Service Index. For 2022, its ACSI score went up to 72/100, making it the top-ranked internet service provider on the market. For reference, the overall average score among all ISPs is 64 as of 2022. 

In contrast, Optimum’s 2022 score was a 59/100, which puts it just below the market average, but well below Verizon Fios.  

Our final verdict: Verizon Fios

While Optimum has some solid internet plans to choose from, Verizon Fios wins this round. The provider offers better upload speeds for a better price. What we really like, though, is the customer satisfaction. Not only did we score Verizon Fios over Optimum, but year after year, the customers themselves have ranked Verizon Fios at the top of the charts for internet service providers. 

The best bang for your buck is Verizon Fios’ 1 Gig plan, which comes with a four-year price guarantee, with a bunch of other streaming and subscription perks. Shop Verizon plans here.

Verizon Fios vs. Optimum FAQs