Spectrum
Verizon Fios

Spectrum vs Verizon Fios: Side-by-Side Comparison

Compare Spectrum and Verizon Fios Internet services in 2023.

Spectrum has 7 plans:
Verizon Fios has 4 plans:

Spectrum and Verizon Fios Service in 2022:

Spectrum has 7 plans:
Verizon Fios has 4 plans:

View Spectrum and Verizon Fios Service in 2022:

Spectrum and Verizon Fios are prime Internet providers in the U.S. with various plans, prices, and speeds. Spectrum is a cable Internet provider that also offers packages that include its TV and phone services. Verizon Fios is a fiber-optic Internet provider that delivers fast speeds. Customers who don’t live in Verizon Fios’s fiber coverage zones can opt for Spectrum’s cable Internet.

Location is an important factor when it comes to finding an Internet provider that offers the right plans, prices, and speeds. We note the differences between Spectrum and Verizon Fios below.

Spectrum vs Verizon Fios Overall Comparison

Spectrum vs Verizon Fios Overall Comparison

  • Speed

    300 Mbps -1 Gbps

  • Pricing

    $49.99 - $89.99/mo.

  • Service Type

    Cable, Fiber

  • Equipment Fee

    $0 a month

  • Data Cap

    Unlimited Data

  • Speed

    300 Mbps -940 Mbps

  • Pricing

    $49.99 - $89.99/mo.

  • Service Type

    Fiber

  • Equipment Fee

    $0 a month

  • Data Cap

    Unlimited Data

Spectrum offers cable Internet in 42 states and is available to approximately 110.6 million people. As the second-largest cable provider in the U.S., Spectrum has the greatest coverage area in North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Spectrum offers packages that pair TV and phone services with Internet service.

Verizon Fios is the second-largest fiber-optic Internet provider by coverage area in the U.S. and is available to approximately 38.2 million people. Verizon Fios services 9 states on the East Coast, with the greatest coverage in Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Maryland. Aside from standalone Internet plans, Verizon Fios also offers bundle options, including Internet, Fios TV, Fios Digital Voice, and wireless service.

Spectrum vs Verizon Fios: Best Deals

Internet Deals

Spectrum vs Verizon Fios: Extra Fees and Contracts

Installation

Customers who opt for Spectrum can choose between professional installation or self-installation. Professional installation fees vary, ranging between $49.99-$199.99. WiFi activation is free when opting for professional installation. However, self-installation has an activation fee of $24.99, but no other setup fees. Professional installation can take anywhere between 1-3 hours. Self-installation can be done via Spectrum’s support page where a step-by-step guide is available.

Professional installation and self-installation are available with Verizon Fios. Customers who order their service online may be able to waive the professional installation fee, which costs $99. Self-installation requires a kit, which Verizon Fios will mail, or you have the option to pick it up at a local Fios location. After receiving the kit, you can follow the step-by-step instructions on either the My Verizon online account or the My Fios app.

Contracts, Equipment Fees & Fine Print

Spectrum does not require an annual contract. As a result, there are no early termination fees (ETFs). Spectrum even has a contract buyout program of up to $500 when you switch to its service. Spectrum also gives you a modem for free, so there aren’t any equipment fees.

Like Spectrum, Verizon Fios does not require an annual contract. No contract means no early termination fees. On the other hand, Verizon Fios does implement equipment fees except for the Fios Gigabit Connection plan. The equipment rental fee for the router is $15 per month.

Data Caps

Spectrum Internet® plans include unlimited data. So, there are no data overage fees to worry about. Speeds vary by location, so it’s important to check with Spectrum to see what’s available in your area.

Verizon Fios does not implement data caps with its plans. If you’re worried about data overage fees, you won’t encounter them when you sign up for Verizon Fios. With fiber-optic Internet, you can enjoy fast speeds without limiting your Internet use.

Spectrum vs. Verizon Fios Internet Review

As of February 2021, BroadBandNow’s editorial team has surveyed 283 Spectrum customers and asked them to rate Spectrum on 6 different criteria - Reliability, Speed, Equipment, Support, Interaction, and Value.

Overall Spectrum customers rated them a 3.4 out of 5, which is ranked 4th of the 10 internet provider customers we surveyed in our study.

As of February 2021, BroadBandNow’s editorial team has surveyed 205 Verizon Fios customers and asked them to rate Verizon Fios on 6 different criteria - Reliability, Speed, Equipment, Support, Interaction, and Value.

Overall Verizon Fios customers rated them a 4 out of 5, which is ranked 10th of the 10 internet provider customers we surveyed in our study.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spectrum and Verizon Fios

  • Is Spectrum cheaper than Verizon Fios?

    Pricing varies by location for both Spectrum and Verizon Fios. Spectrum’s plans range between $49.99$89.99 per month for 12 months, while Verizon Fios’s plans range between $49.99–$89.99 per month. Prices are also based on promotional rates, which might change depending on where you live.

  • Who has faster speeds? Spectrum or Verizon Fios?

    Spectrum offers download speeds up to 1 Gbps (wireless speeds may vary), while Verizon Fios offers high speeds of up to 940 Mbps. While Spectrum’s cable Internet download speeds are faster, the Verizon Fios network provides much faster upload speeds.

  • Do Spectrum and Verizon Fios have unlimited data?

    Both Spectrum and Verizon Fios have unlimited data. Therefore, there are no data overage fees and no need to pay for additional data. You can experience unrestricted data usage from both Internet providers.