Compare Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum
Check out a full comparison of Spectrum vs. Fios bundles, TV packages and internet plans to find the best services for your home, or use the links below to jump right to the research that most interests you.
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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.
Provider | Number of plans | Overall score | Affordability | Performance | Value | Customer satisfaction |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spectrum | 3 | 3.50/5 | 2.98/5 | 4.06/5 | 3.69/5 | 3.75/5 |
Verizon Fios | 3 | 4.03/5 | 3.49/5 | 4.36/5 | 4.48/5 | 4.25/5 |
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.
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 300 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 $129.97/mo.**
- Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps* (See offer details)
- 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
*Wireless speeds may vary. 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 8/05/22.
**Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum TV® Select promotion price is $59.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Spectrum Internet® promotion price is $49.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Spectrum Voice®: Price is $19.99/mo when bundled. Taxes, fees and surcharges (broadcast surcharge up to $21.00/mo) extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: INTERNET: Speed based on wired connection and may vary by address. Wireless speeds may vary. TV: TV equipment required; charges may apply. Channel and HD programming availability based on level of service. Account credentials may be required to stream some TV content online. HOME PHONE: Unlimited calling includes calls within the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and more. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability. ©2022 Charter Communications.
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
Spectrum plan | Download speed | Upload speed | Starting price | Price after 12 mos. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Internet | 300 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | 10 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | $49.99/mo. | $79.99/mo. |
Internet Ultra | 500 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | 20 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | $69.99/mo. | $99.99/mo. |
Internet Gig | 1,000 Mbps* (wireless speeds may vary) | 35 Mbps* (wireless speeds may vary) | $89.99/mo. | $119.99/mo. |
*Wireless speeds may vary. 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 8/05/22.
Verizon Fios internet packages
Plan name | Download speed | Upload speed | Monthly price | Allconnect score |
---|---|---|---|---|
300 Mbps | 300 Mbps | 300 Mbps | $49.99/mo. | 4.48/5 |
500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | $69.99/mo. | 4.38/5 |
Gigabit Connection | 940 Mbps | 880 Mbps | $89.99/mo.* | 4.38/5 |
*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?
Cheapest internet plans: Verizon Fios 300 Mbps and Spectrum Internet (300 Mbps)
Verizon and Spectrum both offer packages of 300 Mbps for less than $50/mo.
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 up to $59.99.
Self-installation is available for new Spectrum customers 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.
Perks compared
The final component you should consider are the perks that come with each provider. Verizon’s special offers and promotions are constantly changing, but they often include free electronic devices or credit toward one of its products.
Spectrum doesn’t offer free stuff, but they will buy you out of a contract of up to $500 if you want to switch from your provider to Spectrum.
Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum bundles
Spectrum offers one basic cable plan which allows for a variety of add-ons to create a package that includes your favorites shows, premium channels and sports. 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 $59.99/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 125+ 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* | Channel range | DVR features and costs |
---|---|---|---|
Fios TV![]() | $65.00/mo. | 85+ to 425+ | |
Spectrum TV![]() | $59.99/mo.** | 125+ |
*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 02/14/22.
**Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum TV® Select promotion price is $59.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges (broadcast surcharge up to $21.00/mo) extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: TV: TV equipment required; charges may apply. Channel and HD programming availability based on level of service. Account credentials may be required to stream some TV content online. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability. ©2022 Charter Communications.
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 Fios major metro areas
Spectrum major metro areas
Need specific data on where Verizon and Spectrum are available?
Find full availability info here.
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.
Provider/service | 2022 score | 2021 score | 2020 score | Avg. past three years |
---|---|---|---|---|
Verizon Fios internet | 72 | 70 | 73 | 71.6 |
Spectrum internet | 63 | 63 | 63 | 63 |
Our expert’s final take Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum review
Now that you have the complete 411 on how Verizon Fios and Spectrum compare on all the details, what’s the bottom line? Which one should you choose in a head-to-head fight?
Overall, we like Verizon Fios for speed, reliability and customer satisfaction rankings. The Verizon Fios Mix & Match internet and TV packages are great in terms of value for your money. Spectrum is likely only a better option if you are looking to bundle internet and TV as cheaply as possible.
Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum FAQs
Does Verizon Fios or Spectrum have the lowest-priced internet plan?
Verizon Fios offers the cheapest internet plan with a starting price of $39.99/mo.*** for 200 Mbps whereas Spectrum costs $49.99/mo.* for up to 300 Mbps.**
Does Verizon Fios or Spectrum have the fastest internet speed?
Both Verizon Fios and Spectrum offer ultra fast internet plans with download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps where available. The biggest difference is Verizon Fios is on a 100% fiber optic network while Spectrum relies on coaxial cables. Due to the differences in fiber vs. cable technology, fiber maintains faster speeds even when more people are accessing the network.
Does Verizon Fios or Spectrum offer more TV channels?
Spectrum offers more channels in their TV plan (125+ channels vs. 85+ for Verizon Fios).
Do Spectrum and Verizon Fios have unlimited data?
Yes. Both Spectrum and Verizon Fios provide internet plans without monthly data caps. However, both providers may reprioritize your data once you use a certain amount of data.
*Spectrum: Wireless speeds may vary. 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.
** Spectrum: Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum Internet ® promotion price is $49.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: INTERNET: Speed based on wired connection and may vary by address. Wireless speeds may vary. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability. ©2022 Charter Communications.
***Fios: 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.
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Written by:
Lisa IscrupeWriter, Broadband & Data Content
Lisa uses years of experience in sales and customer service for internet-TV providers to inform her writing on broadband. Her work has been referenced by CNN and other national sources. In Lisa’s Words: Ever… Read more
Edited by:
Robin LaytonEditor, Broadband Content
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