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 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

*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

*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+	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	$59.99/mo.**	125+	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 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 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

*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.