Compare Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum

Is Verizon Fios or Spectrum better for you?

If Spectrum and Verizon Fios are both in your area, your best bet is likely Verizon Fios. Verizon uses fiber optic internet for its connections, which is faster and more reliable than the cable internet that Spectrum uses. Both options will get you the speeds you need for a reasonable price, but Verizon edges out Spectrum in just about every category.

• Allconnect Rating

  4.03 / 5

  Best for symmetrical speeds 

  If you’re looking for the symmetrical upload and download speeds needed for real-time gaming, Verizon Fios is just what you need. 

• Allconnect Rating

  3.50 / 5

  Best for flexibility and hotspots 

  If you are always on the move due to school or work, Spectrum’s no-contract plans that come with tons of local, secure Wi-Fi hotspots is the way to go.

Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum quick comparison

Verizon Fios overview

• Available in nine states and the District of Columbia
• Download speeds from 200 Mbps to up to 940 Mbps
• Channel counts from 85+ to 425+
• Record up to two shows at once with standard DVR, up to six shows with Multi-room DVR Enhanced Service
• No annual contract
• HD channels included

Spectrum overview

• Available in 41 states
• Triple play bundles starting at $99.97/mo.*
• Speeds from 200 Mbps to 940 Mbps
• Channel counts from 125+ to 200+
• Record up to two shows at once with DVR
• No contract or one-year price guarantee with select plans
• Internet modem included

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. 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 10/14/21.

Compare Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum internet plans

The good news is that both Verizon Fios fiber internet and Spectrum offer similarly-priced, no-contract plans with fast starting download speeds and plans that range up to 1 Gig. However, Verizon is slightly less expensive and offers better upload speeds.

Spectrum internet packages

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. 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 10/14/21.

Verizon Fios internet packages

*w/ Auto Pay + taxes & equip. charges

You also won’t have to worry about data caps with either provider, although you’ll find statements in your terms and conditions regarding congestion and excessive use. Although you won’t have a monthly data cap, you should be mindful of pushing your plan to its limit. Once you hit a certain data allotment, either Spectrum or Verizon Fios will reprioritize your network traffic in order to assist with congestion. This reprioritization may feel like your speeds have slowed, much like when you hit your data allotment with a wireless plan. 

Which internet plan should you choose?

Best overall internet plan: Verizon Fios 200 Mbps

Verizon’s 200 Mbps plan is the cheapest plan available when comparing Spectrum and Verizon and offers sufficient speeds for most households. If you are looking for a great deal and have a household of four or fewer people, this is a good option for you.

Cheapest internet plans: Verizon Fios 200 Mbps and Spectrum Internet (200 Mbps)

Verizon and Spectrum both offer packages of 200 Mbps for less than $50/mo. Verizon’s cheapest plan is a slightly better deal, however, because it is $10/mo. cheaper than Spectrum and offers symmetrical download/upload speeds. 

Fastest internet plans: Verizon Gigabit Connection and Spectrum Internet Gig

Verizon and Spectrum offer similar Gig plans; however, we would still recommend going with Verizon due to its lower starting price and its faster upload speeds. 

Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum internet fees 

Neither Verizon nor Spectrum impose data caps or require long-term contracts so you only have to consider equipment and professional installation fees when comparing additional costs. 

Equipment compared

Verizon charges $15/mo. for a wireless router, whereas Spectrum only charges $5/mo. for equipment. This makes Spectrum a little more competitive with Verizon.

You may rent a router with either provider, but you can also purchase your own if you’re looking to invest and avoid monthly rental fees. Check out some routers that are compatible with Verizon Fios or Spectrum to be sure you are investing in the right equipment. 

Installation compared

Spectrum also has Verizon beat when it comes to professional installation fees. While Verizon charges a $99 setup fee, Spectrum only charges $49.99. 

Self-installation is available for new Spectrum customers who are looking for a cheaper alternative. Spectrum doesn’t recommend one method over the other, however customers who opt for self-installation will have thorough instructions, tutorials and online resources at their disposal. 

Perks compared

The final component you should consider are perks that come with each provider. Verizon’s special offers and promotions are constantly changing, but they often include free electronic devices or credit towards one of their products. 

Spectrum doesn’t offer free stuff, but they will buy you out of a contract of up to $500 if you are looking to switch from your provider to Spectrum. 

Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum bundles

When it comes to TV options, Spectrum offers three TV plans — Spectrum TV Select, Spectrum TV Silver and Spectrum TV Gold — that you can bundle with any Spectrum internet plan. Although Verizon’s internet plans tend to be a better deal, Spectrum is a much more attractive option if you are looking to bundle TV since it offers a lower starting price for TV than Verizon. For instance, both Verizon and Spectrum offer a TV package with 125+ channels; however, Verizon charges $65/mo. for this plan and Spectrum only charges $44.99/mo. 

If you are looking for a bundle plan with the highest channel count, you will want to go with Verizon, since Verizon offers TV packages with as many as 425+ channels. Spectrum’s channel count only reaches 200+ channels. 

Additionally, Spectrum’s higher channel packages are also not particularly good deals so only choose to bundle with Spectrum if you are opting for the 125+ channel package. Verizon’s higher channel packages, in contrast, are much better value than its most basic TV plan.

Both providers offer streaming options as well. Watch all of your favorite programming on the go with the Spectrum TV app or the Verizon Fios TV app.

Provider	Starting price*	# of package options	Channel range	DVR features and costs
Fios TV	$49.99/mo.	Seven	85+ to 425+	Record up to two shows at once with standard DVR, up to six shows with Multi-room DVR Enhanced Service Fios TV One set-top boxes cost $12/mo. The first device is included with some plans
Spectrum TV	$44.99/mo.	Three	125+ to 200+	DVR service is included, record up to two shows at once DVR equipment costs $4.99/mo.* for one device, $9.99/mo.* for two devices

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. 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 10/14/21.

Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum availability

Verizon offers Fios internet, TV and phone services in select areas of nine states, plus the District of Columbia. Spectrum offers internet, TV and home phone services in select areas of 41 states.

Top Verizon Fios and Spectrum service areas include:

Verizon vs. Spectrum customer satisfaction

The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) scores internet providers based on customer evaluations on the quality of products and services. Here’s how Verizon Fios and Spectrum scored over the past three years.

Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum FAQs

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. 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 10/14/21.

Fios: Offer valid thru 3.17.21 for eligible new res. custs. $15/mo. router charge  applies. $99 setup and taxes & terms may apply. Auto Pay & paper-free billing required. Subj. to credit approval & may require a deposit. Fios avail. in select areas. Wired speeds advertised. Wireless speeds may vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors. See Verizon.com/yourspeed for more info. © 2021 Verizon.