The decision between Verizon and Spectrum depends on fiber and cable options. Spectrum is famous for cable internet, offering faster speeds than DSL, where fiber isn’t available.

Some areas have Spectrum fiber but are limited to regions without competing fiber providers.

Choose Verizon Fiber if it’s available. Customers rate Verizon higher in satisfaction, and it often costs less while providing faster speeds than Spectrum.

Verizon vs. Spectrum: Pricing and Plans

Verizon and Spectrum offer similar prices for 300Mbps, 500Mbps, and gigabit plans. However, unlike Spectrum, Verizon stands out by not increasing prices after a year. It also provides faster download speeds compared to Spectrum.

Verizon’s Pricing and Plans:

Verizon provides fewer wired internet plans than Spectrum. Spectrum currently lacks cable or fiber options with multi-gig speeds. If high-speed internet is your priority, Verizon is faster and more affordable.  

Verizon includes fixed wireless plans with speeds reaching 1,000Mbps. Spectrum does not have fixed wireless options.

Spectrum pricing and plans:

Verizon serves mainly the northeastern region, while Spectrum operates across the country.

Spectrum is best known for cable internet but offers fiber-to-the-home in new areas where other fiber providers are absent. 

Even with cable internet, only the final connection uses cable TV lines, as Spectrum’s leading network relies on fiber.

Spectrum’s primary issue is its price increases. It offers low promotional rates for 12 months, but prices can rise by up to $25 monthly afterward. Verizon avoids promotional discounts and provides affordable rates from the beginning.

Verizon vs. Spectrum: Offers and Discounts

Extra Charges: Verizon vs Spectrum

Spectrum does not include a modem rental fee. It applies a $7 monthly charge for WiFi, whether using its router or a wireless gateway. Avoid the charge by purchasing your router.

Spectrum has removed the $199.99 activation fee and reduced the monthly cost for gigabit internet.

The plan is now more budget-friendly for those needing gigabit speeds in areas without Verizon fiber. Verizon remains the faster, cheaper, and more dependable choice if available.

A recent survey ranks Verizon as the second-best among 15 internet providers for overall satisfaction. Customers gave it the top rating for reliability, likely because fiber is more dependable than cable or DSL.

Its lowest scores are in speed and price satisfaction. However, Verizon still ranks in the top three in all survey categories. Customers trust Verizon’s fiber internet for solid performance.

Spectrum ranks seventh out of 15 providers in overall satisfaction in the same survey. It also holds seventh place in most categories, except for speed satisfaction, where it is sixth. 

Pricing remains a concern with Spectrum, especially when compared to AT&T, Verizon, or Frontier, which avoid price increases after the first year. Spectrum raises prices by about $25 after 12 months.

Top TV and Internet Packages

Verizon does not provide a standard discount for combining services. You can include TV, streaming, and other benefits with your internet plan.

The perks available through Verizon include Walmart+ (with Paramount+), Unlimited Cloud Storage, and additional options.

Spectrum does not give a discounted rate for bundling TV and internet. You can combine its TV Select package with two internet plans.

Both services have lower prices for the first 12 months, but premium channels require extra payment.

Types of Internet: Verizon vs. Spectrum

Verizon offers the slowest speeds with its DSL service. It relies on existing phone lines and has a maximum download speed of 140Mbps. New customers cannot sign up for DSL with Verizon.

Spectrum’s cable internet is faster than DSL. It can technically reach speeds up to 10,000Mbps, but the highest available plan is currently 1,000Mbps.

Spectrum plans to upgrade to 10G Platform technology in the coming years, similar to Mediacom.

Fiber internet from both Spectrum and Verizon delivers the best performance. Verizon’s fiber plans are faster and stay the same prices after 12 months, unlike Spectrum.

Data Caps: Verizon vs. Spectrum

Verizon and Spectrum currently avoid using data caps, but Spectrum’s approach might shift in the coming years.

2016 Charter agreed with the FCC to avoid data caps and usage-based pricing. The agreement supported Charter’s acquisition of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.

That agreement expires in May 2023. Charter tried to end the deal two years early but later withdrew the request. In its response to the FCC, Charter suggested that data caps and usage-based pricing could benefit customers.

Contracts: Verizon vs. Spectrum

Verizon and Spectrum do not require annual contracts or charge early termination fees. Spectrum provides discounted rates for the first 12 months based on your location. 

You can cancel the discounted plan anytime after the first month without extra charges. These are promotional offers designed to attract new customers to Spectrum.

Installation: Verizon vs Spectrum

Verizon does not offer a self-install kit. You can avoid the professional installation fee by ordering Verizon service online. Spectrum does not provide a similar installation discount.

Spectrum recommends its self-install kit for new customers instead of professional installation. A technician is sent only for new installations, modem relocation, or rewiring tasks.

Availability: Verizon vs Spectrum

Verizon offers DSL internet in most of its coverage areas. Its fiber network is more petite and serves major cities in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Spectrum has more comprehensive coverage across North America. It delivers cable and fiber internet in states like California, Florida, Kentucky, Maine, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and many others.