BroadbandNow is supported by commissions from some of the providers listed on our site. Learn More

Cox vs Verizon Fios: Side by Side Comparison

Enter your zip code below to see if Cox or Verizon Fios offers service in your area.

Cox vs Verizon Fios

While Verizon Fios has caused a lot of excitement amongst broadband “power users” thanks to their 100% fiber network, offerings from Cox communications are often similarly priced, and sometimes even win out on speed and quality of service. Ultimately, picking a provider comes down to figuring out which has a stronger network in your area, and which has the best offers so far as add-on subscriptions and customer service.

Cox Communications AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (855) 534-4847
  • Support: (800) 234-3993
(855) 534-4847

$29.99-99.99/mo.

10-940 Mbps

1.0-35 Mbps

63%63%

Cable

5th ↑ (+1)

Verizon Fios AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (866) 775-4717
  • Support: (800) 837-4966
(866) 775-4717

$39.99-79.99/mo.

75-940 Mbps

75-880 Mbps

73%73%

Fiber

2nd (0)

Cox OVERVIEW

Cox Communications is a broadband company offering home WiFi, cable TV, and telephone packages in addition to connected home security and automation systems in some states.

Verizon Fios OVERVIEW

Verizon Fios is a company that offers fiber broadband Internet, television, and telephone services. Fios was one of the earliest providers in the fiber market.

Cox INTERNET DEALS †

  • $29.99 for 10 mbps Cable
    • 10 Mbps ↓ and 1.0 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $44.99.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with up to $120 ETF
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10.99/mo
    • Call (855) 534-4847 to setup service.
  • $39.99 for 30 mbps Cable
    • 30 Mbps ↓ and 3.0 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $65.99.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with up to $120 ETF
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10.99/mo
    • Call (855) 534-4847 to setup service.
  • $59.99 for 150 mbps Cable
    • 150 Mbps ↓ and 10 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $83.99.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with up to $120 ETF
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10.99/mo
    • Call (855) 534-4847 to setup service.
  • $79.99 for 300 mbps Cable
    • 300 Mbps ↓ and 30 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $104.99.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with up to $120 ETF
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10.99/mo
    • Call (855) 534-4847 to setup service.
  • $99.99 for 940 mbps Cable
    • 940 Mbps ↓ and 35 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $119.99.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with up to $120 ETF
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10.99/mo
    • Call (855) 534-4847 to setup service.
Show All Deals (15)
Last updated on 1/15/2020

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with Cox.

Verizon Fios INTERNET DEALS †

  • $39.99 for 100 mbps Fiber
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 100 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • Auto Pay & paper-free billing required.
    • Get Disney+ for 12 months.
    • Setup: Setup fee waived when you order online ($99.00 value).
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $15/mo or one-time $299.99
    • Call (866) 775-4717 to setup service.
  • $59.99 for 300 mbps Fiber
    • 300 Mbps ↓ and 300 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • Auto Pay & paper-free billing required.
    • Get Disney+ for 12 months.
    • Setup: Standard setup charge is waived ($99 value) when ordered online.
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $15/mo or one-time $299.99
    • Call (866) 775-4717 to setup service.
  • $79.99 for 940 mbps Fiber
    • Up to 940 Mbps download and 880 Mbps upload w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • Auto pay and & paper-free billing required.
    • Get Disney+ for 12 months & $100 Visa Prepaid Card!
    • Setup: Standard setup charge is waived ($99.00 value) when you order online.
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $0/mo or one-time $299.99
    • Call (866) 775-4717 to setup service.
Show All Deals (4)
Last updated on 1/9/2020

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with Verizon Fios.

Cox: DATACAPS From 1024 GB/mo.

We have found plans that include datacaps. Cox offer plans with data caps regionally or nationwide. Be sure to verify plan details before purchasing.

Verizon Fios: NO DATACAP FOUND

We have not found plans that include data caps. This doesn't mean Verizon Fios doesn't have data caps, just that we haven't found them when collecting their plans. Always verify plan details before purchasing.

Cox's TECHNOLOGY

Cox provides broadband Internet service via their coaxial cable network. Cox sends signal via fiber lines, which terminate at nodes in neighborhoods. Then, service branches off via coaxial lines to reach local customer locations.

Cable bandwidth is shared in local areas. As a result, speeds frequently be reduced when many users are streaming. This may impact streaming when the whole local area uses streaming services at the same time.

Verizon Fios's TECHNOLOGY

Verizon Fios was one of the first companies to extend fiber. While Verizon sold large parts of their network to Frontier in 2015, Verizon Fios is still available in a handful of locations.

Unlike cable, Fiber to the Home services carry signal over fiber cables for the full distance to a subscriber’s house. Fios only changes to ethernet or coax inside your building.

FTTH plans offer much better speeds than DSL and cable.

Cox INSTALLATION

Self-installation is a good choice for Cox Internet-only subscribers. If a building has already been wired for Cox service, setting it up yourself is straightforward. Self-installation will be cheaper for cost-conscious buyers.

Alternately, if a building hasn’t been wired for cable previously, customers have to schedule a time for professional installation through the provider.

Verizon Fios INSTALLATION

If a home or business has already had Fios then you may be able to self-install WiFi service. For most consumers, technician install is recommended.

For customers who choose a technician install, a Fios installer will use fiber cables to wire your location to the Fios network. The techie installs an "ONT" (Optical Network Terminal) that switches the signal to your home's ethernet wiring to connect to the Internet. Depending on your location’s existing wiring, the techie may need to install ethernet lines in the wall to get you setup.

Cox COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

Cox Communications Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
Customize map

Verizon Fios COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

Verizon Fios Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
Customize map

Triple play vs double play

Bundle to get the most bang for your buck

Shopping for broadband Internet quickly gets complicated when you realize that it comes from the same companies offering TV and phone service. While Americans are shedding landlines and traditional TV service at a record rate, providers still want to sell it, and will often offer steep discounts to keep their TV and phone customers on board.

This is great for shoppers who also want home phone and TV service. If you’re in this camp, keep an eye out for “double play” and “triple play” offers, usually referring to combination Internet/TV or Internet/TV/phone plans. In some cases, bundling more services will even result in a cheaper overall monthly bill — just make sure the price is locked in so you don’t get stuck paying for services you don’t use.

Look into the fine print

Early termination fees and hidden costs can add up

Speaking of extra fees, there are two “small print” details to keep an eye on when comparing plans. First, ETFs (early termination fees), which penalize customers for breaking a contract early. Second, hidden fees are known to show up on bills, and often make their way onto monthly broadband bills by accident or unnecessarily.

If you see fees you don’t remember discussing when you signed up on your bill, don’t hesitate to call the provider and get an explanation. Home broadband is a serious decision, so don’t sign up without bothering to read through the fine print.[1]

REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES
  1. https://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/labels-for-broadband-services.pdf ↩
Last updated on 1/14/2020.