Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios Comparison
- Xfinity at a Glance
- Verizon Fios at a Glance
- Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios Head-to-Head
- Plans and Pricing
- Connection Types
- Availability
- Customer Support
- Customer Reviews
- Contracts and Data Caps
- Additional Considerations
- Key Differences Between Xfinity and Verizon Fios
- Key Similarities Between Xfinity and Verizon Fios
- Xfinity vs. Verizon Fios Verdict
- More Internet Provider Comparisons
- Methodology: How We Selected Internet Providers
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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
Xfinity at a Glance
Verizon Fios at a Glance
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
Xfinity Comparisons
Verizon Fios 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.