Xfinity Vs. Verizon Fios – Which Is Best For You?

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Deciding on a reliable and affordable home internet service can be difficult when every company has different plans, fine print and pricing. Verizon Fios and Comcast’s Xfinity are two of the top providers in the country, ranking high on our best internet providers list for 2024. We’re comparing the pros and cons of each company to determine how they stand up against one another so you can decide whether Xfinity or Verizon Fios is best for you.

Key Takeaways

  • In the nine states it services, Verizon Fios outperforms Comcast’s Xfinity as the better internet service provider.
  • Xfinity has widespread service and offers a diverse range of internet plans, but it’s held back by contracts and data caps.
  • Verizon Fios offers fiber-optic, high-speed internet at varying price points but has extremely limited service areas.

Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios Comparison

CompanyFORBES HOME RATING CONNECTION TYPE SPEED RANGE PRICE RANGE STATE AVAILABILITY LEARN MORE
Xfinity4.34.5-removebg-preview-1-e1625735940152Hybrid fiber-coaxial
  • Upload speed (Mbps): 10 – 208.58
  • Download speed (Mbps): 57.17 – 1302.26
$19.99 – $95.00 35Learn MoreOn Xfinity's Website
Verizon Fios4.24-removebg-preview-2-1Fiber
  • Upload speed (Mbps): 300 – 1500
  • Download speed (Mbps): 300 – 2300
$24.99 – $84.99 9Learn MoreOn Verizon's Website

Xfinity at a Glance

Xfinity

On Xfinity's Website
4.3
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Lowest Priced Plan
$19.99
States Serviced
35 (including D.C.)
Speed Range
Upload speed (Mbps): 10 – 208.58, Download speed (Mbps): 57.17 – 1302.26
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons

Verizon Fios at a Glance

Verizon Fios

On Verizon's Website
4.2
All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Lowest Priced Plan
$24.99
States Serviced
9
Speed Range
Upload speed (Mbps): 300 – 1500, Download speed (Mbps): 300 – 2300
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons

Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios Head-to-Head

Comcast’s Xfinity and Verizon Fios ranked high on our best internet service providers of 2024 list, meaning they are both quality companies to choose between. But when it comes down to it, some nuances set them apart. Between pricing, contracts, availability and data caps, here’s how the companies stack up against each other.

Plans and Pricing

Both Xfinity and Verizon Fios offer several plan options based on customers’ budgets and internet use needs.

Comcast’s Xfinity has several different plans, all of which, inlcuding speed, pricing, and availability, will depend on where you live. Plan names may also change depending on where you live, so Xfinity’s internet pricing could be confusing to understand. Here’s a sample of a few Xfinity plans we found in our research.

XFINITY
Internet Essentials 50Mbps
$9.95 / month
11.67 – 57.17 Mbps
Internet Essentials Plus 100Mbps
$29.95 / month
23.37 – 115.59 Mbps
150 Mbps Internet
$20.00 / month
114.98 – 175.96 Mbps
300 Mbps Internet
$40.00 / month
114.98 – 351.04 Mbps
500 Mbps Internet
$65.00 / month
114.98 – 583.13 Mbps
800 Mbps Internet
$80.00 / month
114.98 – 922.42 Mbps
1000 Mbps Internet
$90.00 / month
114.98 – 1141.94 Mbps
Gigabit Extra
$95.00 / month
208.58 – 1302.26 Mbps

Verizon Fios, on the other hand, has more transparent and consistent plan pricing.

VERIZON FIOS
300 Mbps
$24.99 / month
300 Mbps
500 Mbps
$44.99 / month
500 Mbps
1 Gig
$64.99 / month
880-940 Mbps
2 Gig
$84.99 / month
1500-2300 Mbps

Connection Types

Xfinity offers plans on their hybrid fiber-coaxial network, which combines fiber and cable connections to offer competitive upload and download speeds. Verizon Fios uses a 100% fiber-optic network for fast and symmetrical uploading and downloading speeds.

Availability

Comcast’s Xfinity is available in 35 states and Washington, D.C.

XFINITY AVAILABILITY
Alabama
Kentucky
Oregan
Arizona
Louisiana
Pennsylvania
Arkansas
Maine
South Carolina
California
Maryland
Tennessee
Colorado
Massachusetts
Texas
Connecticut
Michigan
Utah
Delaware
Minnesota
Virginia
Florida
Mississippi
Vermont
Georgia
Missouri
Washington
Illinois
New Hampshire
District of Columbia
Indiana
New Jersey
West Virginia
Kansas
New Mexico
Wisconsin

Verizon Fios is only available in nine states and Washington, D.C.

VERIZON FIOS AVAILABILITY
District of Columbia
New Jersey
South Dakota
Delaware
New York
Virginia
Maryland
Pennsylvania
Massachusetts
Rhode Island

Customer Support

Verizon Fios and Xfinity have comparable in customer support options. There is a live chat with a customer support rep available on Verizon Fios’ website, as well as a phone line that’s open during business hours. Xfinity also has a live chat available with a bot and a phone line with unspecified hours. Both companies have blogs, FAQ pages, a community forum and a mobile app for customer support.

Customer Reviews

Reviews are an important consideration before settling on an internet company. Comcast’s Xfinity is a bit mixed when it comes to customer reviews. The Better Business Bureau does not accredit it, but the company does hold an A+ rating. Xfinity has a 3.8 on Google Reviews, with negative reviews focusing on customer service and pricing. Verizon Fios is accredited by the BBB and has an A+ rating. It has a 3.6 on Google Reviews, with negative reviews focusing on customer service.

Contracts and Data Caps

Some Xfinity plans, like the Internet Essentials 50Mbps plan or Gigabit Extra plan, do not come with a term contract or have an optional contract. However, most Xfinity plans require a contract, usually ranging from 12 to 24 months. This means that, after the contract period, prices and internet speeds could change. Also, Xfinity’s internet plans come with a 1.2 TB internet data cap- unless you opt for the unlimited data option.

Plans with Verizon Fios are more straightforward. Verizon Fios doesn’t have annual contracts or data caps.

Additional Considerations

Bundling services with internet (like TV or home security) can be a great way to save money every month with both Xfinity and Verizon Fios. Both also offer promotional deals or discounts. Xfinity, for example, has a discount of $10 a month on select plans if you opt for auto-pay and paperless service. Verizon Fios has entertainment deals where customers can save on subscriptions with Netflix, Disney+ and more. The company also offers special opportunities to receive gift cards (for places like Target andor Home Depot) on select plans.


Key Differences Between Xfinity and Verizon Fios

  • Xfinity covers many more states than Verizon Fios, which only operates nine.
  • Xfinity has more plan options than Verizon Fios.
  • Verizon Fios uses a 100% fiber connection, while Xfinity uses a hybrid fiber-coaxial network.
  • Verizon Fios doesn’t have annual contracts or data caps. Procuring internet service from Xfinity is a little more complicated, as it typically requires a contract and does have a 1.2 TB cap.

Key Similarities Between Xfinity and Verizon Fios

  • Both companies have relatively similar price points, depending on the internet speed.
  • Xfinity and Verizon Fios both have an A+ rating from the BBB with generally mixed reviews.
  • The customer support options for both companies are also quite similar, with only slight differences in the live chat and phone line support.
  • Neither company has an activation fee.

Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios Verdict

If you reside within one of the nine states it services, Verizon Fios may be the better internet service provider for you. Verizon Fios does most of what Comcast’s Xfinity does, with slightly better speeds at a similar, if not lower, price point. Verizon Fios doesn’t require contracts, has no data caps or seemingly no hidden fees, and it provides great promotional incentives. The only catch is, again, the limited availability.

If Verizon Fios isn’t available in your state, Xfinity has plenty of quality plans to choose from so you can find the right price and internet speed to meet your household needs.

What We Like About Xfinity

  • Xfinity has more plan options, including pre-paid and budget-friendly plans.
  • Xfinity is much more widely available.
  • Xfinity offers a solid connection to an unlimited number of devices.

Learn more: Xfinity review

What We Like About Verizon Fios

  • Verizon Fios has straightforward plans and pricing, with seemingly no hidden fees, contracts or caps.
  • Verizon Fios uses higher speed, 100% fiber-optic internet.
  • Verizon Fios also has competitive pricing for the internet speed on offer.

Learn more: Verizon Fios review

More Internet Provider Comparisons

Methodology: How We Selected Internet Providers

To determine the best internet providers, the Forbes Home editorial team compared 22 major internet providers across 39 different metrics, such as average monthly cost, download speed and fiber availability.

You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates internet providers in our detailed methodology page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is FiOS better?

A fiber optic network, like Verizon Fios, is considered to be better because it offers high-speed and reliable internet compared to cable internet. Fiber optics also usually offer symmetrical (or the same) uploading and downloading speeds.

Who is Xfinity's biggest competitor?

Verizon Fios and AT&T are often viewed as Xfinity’s biggest competitors as they have fiber-optic or DSL internet services and competitive pricing in similar markets.

Is Xfinity worth the price?

As one of America’s biggest cable internet providers, Xfinity is trusted by many Americans. It has numerous plans at various prices, ranging from as low as $9.95. The company’s services can be worth the price if they’re reliable in your area. Just beware of the likely price hike after your contract term expires.

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