Compare Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum

Is Verizon Fios or Spectrum better for you?

At Allconnect®, we’ve done the research on Verizon Fios and Spectrum bundles, internet speeds, TV plans and more. Depending on what you’re looking for in your new TV and internet service, you may find that either Fios or Spectrum better fits your internet and TV needs.

As ranked by Reviews.com as of 9/28/18 and 10/18/18.

• Best for fiber internet: Verizon Fios fiber internet speeds start at 100 Mbps and you can enjoy discounts with a term agreement. Plus, Verizon has no data cap, excellent customer service and great bundle promotional deals.
• Best for cable internet: In most areas, Spectrum internet speeds start at 100 Mbps and go up to 940 Mbps. Plus, all internet plans come without a data cap.
• Best for customizable TV packages: Verizon Fios offers a skinny channel package, a custom TV plan that lets you choose from specific interests, Latino packages, premium add-ons and more.

Reviews.com is owned and operated by an affiliate of Allconnect, Inc. However, Allconnect, Inc. is not involved in or responsible for the production of Reviews.com content, including the rankings cited on this page.

*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 12/14/18.

Check out a full comparison of Spectrum vs. Fios bundles, TV packages and internet plans to find the best services for your home.

Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum quick comparison

*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 12/14/18.

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Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum availability

Verizon offers Fios internet, TV and phone services in select areas of 9 states. Spectrum offers internet, TV and home phone services in select areas of 41 states.

Regions where the two providers overlap include parts of Queens and Manhattan in New York City, parts of Poughkeepsie, New Jersey, areas around Buffalo, New York, and other regions.

States where they differ majorly include most of the West since Spectrum offers cable internet and TV in regions all over the country while Verizon Fios provides service in the Northeast.

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Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum packages

Verizon and Spectrum both offer high-speed internet, TV and home phone bundles. However, Verizon Fios uses fiber connections and Spectrum uses cable.

Fiber can offer clearer TV and internet connections than cable, and it often gives more consistent internet speeds and picture quality. Fiber can be more expensive than cable depending on the provider and where you live. However, Verizon Fios is often cheaper than Spectrum.

*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 12/14/18.

With Verizon Fios, you get far greater bundle savings. Since Verizon’s bundle offer is the same price as a Fios Gigabit internet-only plan, you essentially get TV and home phone service for free.

Not only does Spectrum’s Internet GIG plan cost more than Verizon’s gigabit internet plan, but they also offer fewer cost savings for bundling services. You get fewer channels with Spectrum’s TV Select plan than with any of Verizon’s Custom TV plans (220-270+) and pay more for similar download speeds.

What shoppers should consider

Spectrum offers packages that don’t require any service term agreement. Most Verizon Fios packages don’t require a contract, but some special offers do. To enjoy the low internet and TV bundle rate of $79.99/mo.*, you must sign a two-year service agreement.

*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 12/14/18.

You should also consider that even though both providers offer fast gigabit speeds, fiber internet is unique. A fiber connection lets upload and download speeds be nearly the same, but cable upload speeds can’t match download speeds. Spectrum’s internet upload speeds max out at 35 Mbps.

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Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum internet

Compare Spectrum vs. Fios internet speeds based on lowest starting price

	Starting price	Starting speeds	Fastest speeds	Data caps	Wi-Fi hotspots
	$54.99/mo.*	100 Mbps	940 Mbps	None	None
	$44.99/mo.*	Up to 100 Mbps	940 Mbps	None	More than 250,000 nationwide

*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 12/14/18.

Fios fiber internet and Spectrum both offer fast starting speeds and plans that range up to 940 Mbps. Spectrum’s starting price is lower than Verizon’s starting rate. However, in some areas of the country, Spectrum internet plans may come with slower starting speeds for the same monthly rate of $44.99.*

The two providers differ most in the type of service offered since Fios is fiber and Spectrum sells cable internet. The price difference between their gigabit speed internet is significant, as well. Finally, Charter Spectrum has a Wi-Fi hotspot network while Fios does not.

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Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum cheap internet plans

If both Verizon and Spectrum service your area, a normal starting Fios internet plan will cost more than Spectrum’s starting plan. Neither provider requires a contract, and both require you to rent a router or purchase your own.

The largest difference between Spectrum vs. Fios internet pricing is the cost of setup and installation. Spectrum charges less, but both providers may waive the fee with specific orders.

*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 12/14/18.

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Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum fastest internet

Verizon and Spectrum both offer internet plans with speeds up to 940 Mbps.

Spectrum started rolling out gigabit internet speeds in April 2018. In most regions, you can upgrade from 100 Mbps to 940 Mbps for an additional fee. However, Spectrum’s upload speeds do not mirror the fast download speeds. With a Spectrum Gig internet plan, your upload speeds go up to 35 Mbps.

Because Verizon Fios uses a fiber internet connection, upload speeds for gigabit internet reach up to 880 Mbps. Plus, Fios gigabit internet-only plans come with a three-year price guarantee.

*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 12/14/18.

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Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum TV

As you compare Spectrum vs. Fios packages pricing, consider these plan features and costs:

Comparing these factors can help you find the best TV provider and plan for you.

Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum TV costs

Spectrum’s starting TV plan costs less than Verizon’s standard starting plan, but Charter Spectrum also charges higher monthly fees. Another difference between the two providers is you can purchase Spectrum TV Select by itself in select areas while Verizon doesn’t offer Fios TV unless you pair it with internet service.

*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 12/14/18.

Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum TV channel packages

Verizon offers more customizable TV channel packages than Spectrum. Spectrum has 3 channel packages while Verizon offers 7 different channel packages.

One of Verizon’s Fios TV plans, the Custom TV package, lets you choose between 7 custom channel lineups, including a Sports & News package. The sports-centric Custom TV plan includes some sports channels you must pay extra for with Spectrum such as NHL Network and MLB Network.

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Verizon Fios vs. Spectrum customer satisfaction

In 2018, the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) ranked Verizon Fios at 68/100 for TV providers, 10 points ahead of Spectrum who got a 58/100 for TV providers. In ACSI’s internet service provider rankings, Verizon Fios received a 70/100 rating and Spectrum received a 60/100.

Verizon Fios has a 1.7 star rating on ConsumerAffairs while Spectrum has a 1.8 star rating.

Verizon is known for having good customer service, but many people across the U.S. rank television service providers as some of the lowest in customer service.

Last updated 12/14/18.