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.
| Category | Verizon Home Internet | Spectrum |
| Best For | Speed | Availability |
| Price | $49.99-$109.00/month (Auto Pay) | $25-$70/month |
| Customer Rating | 3.9/5.0 | 3.7/5.0 |
| Speed Range | 300-2,300 Mbps | 50-1,000 Mbps (wireless varies) |
| Internet Type | Fiber, DSL | Cable, Fiber |
| Contract Requirement | None | None |
| Data Cap | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Strengths | Ultra-fast fiber speeds | There is no extra charge for the modem |
| No yearly contracts | No yearly contracts | |
| No data limits | No data limits | |
| Weaknesses | Service available in limited areas | Extra monthly fee for WiFi |
| No DSL for new customers | Fiber coverage is limited. | |
| Prices go up after one year |
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:
| Plan | Price (with Auto Pay) | Speed | Connection Type |
| Fios 1 Gig | $89.99/month | Up to 940 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fios 300 Mbps | $49.99/month | 300 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fios 500 Mbps | $74.99/month | 500 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fios 2 Gig | $109.00/month | 1,500-2,300 Mbps | Fiber |
| 5G Home | $60.00/month | Up to 300 Mbps | Fixed Wireless |
| 5G Home (with 5G plans) | $35.00/month | Up to 300 Mbps | Fixed Wireless |
| 5G Home Plus | $80.00/month | Up to 1,000 Mbps | Fixed Wireless |
| 5G Home Plus (with 5G) | $45.00/month | Up to 1,000 Mbps | Fixed Wireless |
| LTE Home | $60.00/month | Up to 50 Mbps | Fixed Wireless |
| LTE Home Plus | $80.00/month | Up to 50 Mbps | Fixed Wireless |
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:
| Plan | Price | Speed | Connection Type | Eligibility |
| Internet Assist | $25/month | Up to 50 Mbps | Cable | For qualifying households |
| Internet Advantage | $30/month (12 mos) | Up to 100 Mbps | Cable | For qualifying households |
| Internet Premier | $60/month (12 mos) | Up to 500 Mbps | Cable and Fiber | Open to all |
| Internet Gig | $70/month (12 mos) | Up to 1,000 Mbps | Cable and Fiber | Open to all |
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
| Provider | Offer Details |
| Verizon | Get a free Xbox Series S, Xbox gaming bundle, or one year of Xbox Gaming Bundle with select plans (valid until Dec. 1). Switch to Verizon and receive up to $500 for covered cancellation fees. |
| Spectrum | Enjoy a 90-day free trial of Peacock Premium with eligible internet plans. |
Extra Charges: Verizon vs Spectrum
| Category | Verizon Home Internet | Spectrum |
| Equipment Fees | No equipment fee | $7.00/month for WiFi (free with Internet Gig plan) |
| Equipment Fees | $3.00/month per WiFi Pod | |
| Equipment Fees | There is no charge for the modem or gateway | |
| Installation | $99.00 for setup (free if ordered online) | $59.99 for professional installation |
| Installation | $24.99 for self-installation and activation | |
| Installation | $49.99 for WiFi Pod installation | |
| Other Fees | $7.00 phone payment processing fee | $5.00 phone payment processing fee |
| Other Fees | $9.00 late payment fee | $8.95 late payment fee (applies after 21 days) |
| Other Fees | $25.00 for insufficient funds | |
| Other Fees | $9.99 to reconnect internet service | |
| Other Fees | $4.99 to reconnect TV service | |
| Other Fees | $19.99 to upgrade equipment for the Internet Gig plan |
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.
| Category | Verizon | Spectrum |
| Overall Score | 3.9 | 3.7 |
| Reliability | 4 | 3.7 |
| Customer Support | 3.9 | 3.7 |
| Internet Speed | 4 | 3.9 |
| Pricing | 3.6 | 3.3 |
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
| Package Name | TV Channels | Internet Speed | Monthly Price |
| Verizon Fios + Fios TV | 325+ | 300-2,300 Mbps | $159.98 with AutoPay |
| Verizon Fios + YouTube TV | 100+ | 300-2,300 Mbps | $112.98 with AutoPay |
| Internet Premier + TV Select | 150+ | Up to 500 Mbps* | $125 for 24 months |
| Internet Gig + TV Select Plus | 160+ | Up to 1,000 Mbps* | $145 for 24 months |
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
| Provider | Internet Type |
| Verizon Home Internet | Fiber, DSL |
| Spectrum | Cable, Fiber |
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
| Provider | Data Caps |
| Spectrum | No limits |
| Verizon Home Internet | No limits* |
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
| Provider | Contract Required |
| Spectrum | No contract |
| Verizon Home Internet | No contract |
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
| Provider | Installation Type | Cost |
| Verizon | Standard Installation | $99 (free for online orders) |
| Spectrum | Professional Installation | $59.99 |
| Spectrum | Self-Installation | $24.99 (includes activation) |
| Spectrum | WiFi Pod Installation | $49.99 |
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.
