Verizon Fios vs. Xfinity 2021 comparison

Verizon Fios Internet vs. Comcast’s Xfinity: Which is best for you?

Verizon and Comcast’s Xfinity are some of the largest internet providers in the country. Verizon’s coverage is 18% of the U.S. and it runs on a 100% fiber optic network. Xfinity’s availability, in contrast, spans across 36% of the U.S., running on cable internet. Verizon’s and Xfinity’s coverage only overlaps on the East Coast, mostly in parts of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. 

• Fastest download speeds: Xfinity’s Gigabit Pro internet plan offers some of the fastest residential speeds available, up to 2 Gbps.
• Cheapest plan: Xfinity offers the cheapest plan with the Performance Starter Plan for $24.99/mo.* for 50 Mbps. However, Verizon offers a better value with its 200 Mbps package for $39.99/mo.
• Highest customer satisfaction: Both Verizon and Xfinity rank in the top three for customer satisfaction, but Verizon scored slightly higher on the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) with a score of 71/100 in 2021. Xfinity scored 67/100.

Our scores for Verizon Fios and Xfinity internet

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Verizon Fios vs. Xfinity internet

Verizon Fios internet plans and prices

*w/ Auto Pay + taxes & equip. charges

Xfinity internet plans and prices

*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. Last updated 11/19/21.

Comcast’s Xfinity vs Verizon internet cost

Although Xfinity technically offers the cheapest starting prices, Verizon will save customers money in the long-run. Xfinity has higher price increases after the first 12 months and charges a higher price than Verizon for comparable speed plans. You can also expect slightly higher equipment fees with Xfinity.

Xfinity internet plans: In select areas, you’ll find a basic Performance Starter plan with 50 Mbps for only $24.99/mo.* But in many places the starting speed is about 100 Mbps. After 12 months, Xfinity’s 100 Mbps plan increases from $34.99/mo. to $92.95/mo., which is a much higher price increase than you’ll find with Verizon. Xfinity offers speeds up to 2,000 Mbps, but you’ll pay a pretty penny for the fastest speeds they have to offer. Additionally, even though Xfinity offers equally fast download speeds as Verizon, its upload speeds are considerably slower and all plans have a data cap of 1 TB/mo.Verizon Fios internet: Also offers a 200 Mbps internet plan for $39.99/mo. However, Verizon Fios includes unlimited data and no contracts with all of its plans. Verizon Fios offers download speeds up to 940 Mbps  and uploads speeds up to 880 Mbps. Verizon offers some of the best valued internet plans out of any internet provider when you consider its price to speed ratio and its promotional offers, such as a free streaming service or a Visa gift card.

Which internet plan should you choose?

Low-income internet options 

Both Verizon and Xfinity offer internet plans for low-income households. Verizon offers up to $20/mo. off on internet service for anyone who enrolls in the Lifeline program. Xfinity offers its own low-income discount plan, called Xfinity Internet Essentials, which offers 15 Mbps for $9.95/mo. for all qualifying households. 

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Verizon Fios vs. Comcast’s Xfinity internet fees

Fees are always a consideration when shopping for the best internet value, and you can expect added fees with both Verizon and Comcast’s Xfinity.

Equipment

Verizon’s equipment rental fee is slightly more expensive than Xfinity’s equipment, but only by a dollar ($15/mo. compared to $14/mo.). If you choose Verizon’s Gigabit plan, however, you can get your equipment fee waived. 

Both providers also give you the option to use your own equipment and save on the monthly fee, but you’ll be sacrificing some functionality and tech support.

Contracts and data caps

Verizon Fios Home Internet data cap: None

Xfinity internet data cap: 1 TB/mo. 

Verizon does not require a contract, nor does it implement hard data caps, so you don’t have to worry about any added fees there.

Xfinity has no-contract options, but you’ll likely pay an extra premium (around $10/mo.) on your plan if you choose no contract. If you do opt for a contract to get the cheaper introductory pricing, canceling before your contract expires could cost you $10 for every month left on your contract in early termination fees.

Xfinity also has a 1 TB/mo. data cap on most plans. Going over could cost you $10 per 50 GB needed to satisfy your overage. Or you can add unlimited data to your plan for an extra $50/mo.

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Verizon Fios vs Xfinity bundles 

For the most part, each provider lets you combine the speeds you want with the TV package of your choice. Both Verizon’s and Xfinity’s individual internet and TV plans are available as part of a bundle package.

Verizon makes combining services fairly simple with their Mix and Match offers that let you combine the internet and TV plans you want, without having to select from prepackaged “bundles.” The potential downside is that there are no added savings when you bundle, but that’s because the individual services are already offered at the lowest price.

Xfinity bundles do come with a discount, up to $10 off your monthly bill for each service you add (for up to $40/mo. off if you get internet, TV, home phone and home security).

Popular affordable bundle deals

• Verizon Fios

  • Package: 200 Mbps + Your Fios TV
  • Starting price: $89.99/mo.
  • Speed: 200 Mbps 
  • Channels: 125+ 
  • Contract: N/A
  • Installation: $99 set-up fee 

• Xfinity

  • Package: Standard Double Play 
  • Starting price: $79.99/mo.
  • Speed: 200 Mbps 
  • Channels: 130+ 
  • Contract: Two years with $10 price increase after first year 
  • Installation: Free self-installation kit and shipping 

Xfinity is known for its affordable bundle deals. While both providers offer an internet and TV bundle deal of 200 Mbps, Xfinity offers slightly more channels and a lower starting price. 

One benefit of Verizon Fios is that none of their bundle deals require a contract. Many of Xfinity’s bundles, on the other hand, do require a one- to two-year contract. Also, watch out for Xfinity’s hidden fees, such as the Broadcast TV fee and the regional sports fee, as those can add up quickly.

Fios TV vs. Xfinity TV channel packages

Both Verizon and Xfinity offer a wide variety of channel packages and personalized options so customers can select the plan that’s right for them.

• Fios TV

  • 85+ to 425+ channels
  • Seven Fios TV channel packages available
  • Record up to two shows at once with standard DVR, up to six shows with Multi-room DVR Enhanced Service
  • Up to 2 TB of DVR storage
  • Local channels included
  • Premium channels, sports packs and international channels available to add on
  • 170,000+ On Demand titles available with Verizon Fios TV

• Xfinity TV

  • 10+ to 260+ channels
  • Five channel packages available
  • Premium, international, subscription and nine sports add-on packages available
  • Up to three premium channels included for first 12 months with select plans
  • Record six shows at once
  • Store up to 500 GB of content
  • Local channels included

Sports fans will fare better with Xfinity TV which offers nine sports add-on options along with premium and international content. Another unique feature about Xfinity TV is that Xfinity includes the Xfinity X1 DVR, which comes with the X1 voice remote, allows customers to access live TV straight from the device and records up to five shows at a time. 

Customers that want to choose between basic and enhanced DVR capabilities and a wider range of channels may find Verizon Fios TV is the better service for their household. Verizon TV is particularly attractive to many new customers because it offers a “Test Drive” package where customers can access all available channels for 60 days, and then customize a plan with a lineup of their favorite channels.

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Verizon Fios vs. Xfinity customer satisfaction

While both Verizon Fios and Xfinity have some of the best customer satisfaction ratings when it comes to internet service providers (ISPs), Verizon Fios outranks Xfinity. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Verizon Fios scored a 71/100 on customer satisfaction in 2021, putting Verizon in first place for customer service satisfaction and Xfinity scored a 67, putting Xfinity in third place. The average score for customer satisfaction among ISPs is 65.

Verizon and Xfinity ranked 1 and 2 in the East region of the U.S. in customer satisfaction in the 2021 J.D. Power report. Verizon scored a 758/1,000 and Xfinity scored a 725/1,000.

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