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Home / Compare Internet / Verizon vs Comcast โ€“ Whos a Better Internet Provider 2023

Verizon vs Comcast โ€“ Whos a Better Internet Provider 2024

Are you trying to determine whether Xfinity or Verizon is the best for your Internet needs? I understand it can be a daunting call because each Internet service provider (ISP) has its own strengths and weaknesses. Comcast Xfinity is regarded as the countryโ€™s largest Cable Internet provider, while Verizon is known for providing the best download and upload speeds. So, which of these two ISPs is the best for your business and home Internet needs? This brief will compare these companies in all dimensions and help you discern the winner.

comcast vs Verizon

Compare Internet Plans Table

Category Verizon Xfinity
Availability 9 states 40 states
Download speeds 200-940Mbps 15-2,000Mbps
Channel count 85+, 425+ 10+ to 260+
Contracts N/A Contract and contract-free plans
HD channels Included Included

Coverage Availability

When it comes to availability, Xfinity beats Verizon Fios. Verizon Fios is currently available in 9 states out of the 50 states, while Xfinity internet is available in 40 states out of 50 states. Xfinity is also available in rural and semiurban areas. If you live in major metropolitan areas, you are very likely to find Verizon and Xfinity plans available to you. Traditional Verizon high-speed Internet and TV is available in 11 states.

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Verizon vs. Comcast Overview

About Verizon

Verizon is a known communication company in the US-headquartered in New York City. The company was actually founded in 2000 and is mainly broken into three divisions which are Verizon Consumer Group, Verizon Business Group, and Verizon Media Group.

Verizon is famous for its wireless and all-fiber networks and a couple of business solutions the company offers. The company currently has more than 1,600 retail locations and provides a wide array of services, including Wireless Internet, Cable Internet, and phone services.

Verizon Internet is available in major metro areas in the Northeast regions, including New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington DC, and Rhode Island, among many other locations.

Verizon Service Type

Verizon offers a couple of services, but its top service is the 100% fiber-Optic network currently known as Verizon Fios Internet. Itโ€™s one of the leading providers of Fiber internet in the country. Besides Fiber Internet, Verizon also offers Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) services.

About Comcast Xfinity

Comcast Xfinity is a well-known Internet service provider in the US. The company is currently referred to as Comcast Corporation but was formally known as Comcast Holdings. Itโ€™s an American telecommunication company offering great Cable TV and Home Internet services.

Comcast Xfinity currently provides services to more than 40 states in the US and the District of Columbia. Comcast owns and operates Xfinity residential cable communication subsidiary and internet services.

Comcast Xfinity service type

Xfinity is regarded as the largest Cable Internet provider in United States. The company offers cable and fiber internet services. The services are available to more than 111 million people in the country. The customers equally have an opportunity to Bundle the Internet with TV and Phone.

Internet speed and Data

Verizon utilizes Fiber optic technology to provide Cable TV, phone services, and the internet. This internet technology is more reliable compared to coaxial cables. Xfinity is known to deliver the speeds it promises. The thing many users like about Xfinity is that it offers Internet speeds that are advertised on the site. Unfortunately, upload speeds from Xfinity are not the best. The company provides 35Mbps upload speeds in its Gigabit plan. Unless you pay for the GigaBit pro plan with symmetrical speeds, you may experience issues uploading large files.

Xfinity was seventh out of 38 internet service providers in the country for delivering the speeds as promised. It also scored 46.6 out of 100 on Reviews.org weighted score. But I have to state that this score is not a reflection of its actual download. The score is known as a combination of the average download speeds, upload speeds, and latency.

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The score of 46.6 out of 100 seems, low but itโ€™s actually pretty excellent. The best ISP in the market has a score of 75.6 out of 100, and Xfinity came second for the fastest cable internet provision. Here is a table with all the speeds, both upload and download speeds, that youโ€™ll get from Xfinity.

Download speed Upload speed
25 Mbps 2 Mbps
60 Mbps 5 Mbps
200 Mbps 5 Mbps
300 Mbps 5 Mbps
600 Mbps 15 Mbps
1000 Mbps 35 Mbps
2000 Mbps 2000 Mbps

Verizon, on the other hand, offers reliably fast Internet speeds for both upload and download. It is known for providing symmetrical download and upload speeds. Thanks to its fiber optic technology, the download speeds match the companyโ€™s upload speeds. This is good news for bloggers, Vloggers, Photographers, and Videographers who have to upload multiple contents every day. Here is a table with the speeds both the download and upload speeds that you can get from Verizon Fios.

Download speed Upload speed
25 Mbps 2 Mbps
60 Mbps 5 Mbps
200 Mbps 5 Mbps
300 Mbps 5 Mbps
600 Mbps 15 Mbps
1000 Mbps 35 Mbps
2000 Mbps 2000 Mbps

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)โ€™S REPORT, Verizon Fios has an average actual to advertised internet speed of 107.9%. This is an indication that youโ€™ll end up getting download and upload speeds above the advertised mark most of the time. That is amazing and good news for businesses that need stability and reliability in Internet connections.

Data caps

Fortunately, Verizon Fios doesnโ€™t feature any Data caps. This is an indication that you can use the internet the way you want in a month.

Xfinity, on the other hand, has data caps and can limit your Internet access monthly. I bet you donโ€™t want to think about data caps, especially if you are a serious gamer or movie streamer. Unfortunately, you may end up paying an additional $10 for 50GB of data if youโ€™re not careful.

Verizon Fios vs Comcast Contracts, equipment, and fees

Verizon features no annual contracts, and there are few surprises to worry about. This means that you will have to pay for the same amount of money every month. If you order online, your installation cost may also be waived. If you decide to grab the FiOS Gigabit connection, the equipment will be included. This is the best service and the most straightforward contract, equipment, and fees review you will get in the market.

Xfinity has some contract-free options, but you will have to pay for the installation fees and more. The prices can as well fluctuate depending on where you live. You will have to pay $10 for every remaining month if you decide to cancel before the contract ends.

Service fees

With Xfinity, you will pay $89 in Professional installation fees and $15 to get the self-installation kit. There are also many one-time fees that you are likely to pay. So make sure you understand the fees. Thereโ€™s also a 30-day money-back guarantee to cancel if you think it didnโ€™t match your needs. On the other hand, if you order Verizon services online, you may not have to pay the installation fees; otherwise, youโ€™ll pay $99. There are also no early termination fees with Verizon.

Equipment rental fees

The Xfinity Xfi Gateway rental fee is $13 per month. Verizon will charge you $15 router rental fees monthly. This is quite a high amount.

Customer service review

Comparing the customer service between Xfinity and Verizon, itโ€™s easy to notice that Verizon is well known for taking care of the customers. This is no small feat in the industry, and itโ€™s actually the reason why Verizon Fios is popular. The companyโ€™s support will answer your calls quickly and provide the needed assistance.

According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Xfinity has improved on its customer service. The company had a score of 66/100 in 2019 up from 61/100 in 2018/. However, people complain about the incompetent Xfinity customer support team and the time it takes to solve some common issues with the internet from time to time.

Is Verizon Fios or Comcast right for you?

As explained above, thereโ€™s so much needed in determining which Internet service provider is right for your Internet needs. Considering these two ISPs, you may find one as being better than the other. So, determine your internet needs to make the decision between these two Internet Service providers.

  • Best for Fiber Internet: Verizon is the best ISP for fiber internet. The company offers a 100% Fiber-Optic network. All the plans are available at a very affordable monthly rate.
  • Best for Multiple devices-Verizon Fios plans have different speeds and reliability, and for that reason, itโ€™s a good alternative for large families and Businesses.
  • Fastest Download speeds-Do you want to have the fastest download speeds in the market today? If yes, Xfinity is the best match for you. The company offers a Gig pro plan with 2Gbps.
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Internet Plan Comparison

Comcast Xfinity and Verizon Fios differ significantly in terms of Internet plans and prices. The two of them offer different plans with varying features and at different prices. But they all cover the basics of internet and the common needs of users. Verizon Fios and Comcast Xfinity all have starter plans, gamers, and larger plans.

Comcast Xfinity Internet plans

Comcast Internet plan Speeds Monthly cost
Xfinity Performance starter 15-60Mbps $29.99
Xfinity Performance plus 150Mbps $39.99
Xfinity Performance pro 250Mbps $54.99
Xfinity Blast 400Mbps $69.99
Xfinity Gigabit 1000Mbps $70

Verizon Fios Internet Plans and Prices

Verizon Fios Plan Download speed Price/month
Verizon Fios 100Mbps Internet 100Mbps $39.99
Verizon Fios 300Mbps Internet 300Mbps $59.99
Verizon Fios Gigabit Internet 940Mbps $79.99

Upon comparing Internet plans from these two ISPs, itโ€™s very easy to notice that Xfinity has cheaper Internet plans. The 1000Mbps plan from Xfinity costs $70, while 940Mbps from Verizon Fios costs $79.99. Another thing you can quickly notice is that all the lower tier plans offered by Xfinity are pricy until you hit the 200Mbps option. This plan is reasonably priced. Additionally, what lies between the 200Mbps and 1000Mbps is very expensive.

Businesses that need the fastest Internet plan, 2000Mbps from Xfinity, is a good option. Itโ€™s also a better value than the middle tier internet plans. But itโ€™s tough to justify buying such a fast Internet plan.

Fios offers blazing fast upload and download speeds through the fiber optic technology. However, their packages are costly and can only be a good option if you need high-speed internet. Along with the enormous costs from Verizon Fios, you will have to put up with setup charges, taxes, and equipment rental fees.

Comparing Bundle Options

Both Verizon and Xfinity give their customers a chance to bundle the internet with other services, including Telephone services and Digital TV. This is a money-saving option for residents. They offer Bundles such as Triple Play packages that bring you Xfinity Voice Phone service, Internet, and Xfinity Cable TV.

Verizon, on the other side, charges you $79.99 for 155 TV channels, an unlimited Phone plan, and internet speeds of 940Mbps through the Verizon Fios Gigabit+ Custom TV and Phone service. Moving forward quickly, users can buy Verizon Fios Gigabit Connection + Preferred TV and phone at the cost of $94.99 to get 280 TV channels, unlimited phone service and 940Mbps of internet. Lastly, Verizon Fios Gigabit Connection with Extreme TV and Phone costs $109.99 for unlimited Phone service, 355 TV channels, and 940Mbps internet.

Itโ€™s easy to see that all the Bundle packages from Verizon features 940Mbps internet speeds. The prices for these Bundle packages are also very reasonable.

Comcast Xfinity Bundle Deals start with Xfinity Starter XF Triple Play at the cost of $89.99. With this Bundle package, users get 150Mbps, unlimited Phone use, and 140+ TV channels. Lastly, Xfinity Preferred XF Triple Play Package has 150Mbps, 220+ TV channels, and Unlimited Phone service at the cost of $119.99.

Comparing what Verizon and Xfinity have to offer, Verizon wins for the high speeds and great prices. Additionally, Xfinity comes with a data cap, which means customers will not use more than 1TB of data every month. If you surpass that margin, Xfinity will offer you an additional 50GB at $10.

Similar providers

AT&T

This company offers Internet services to more than 21 states, but the most extensive coverage is in Florida, Texas, and California. Itโ€™s considered to be among the best Internet service provider in the market for the affordability and the best customer service. AT&T won the JD Powerโ€™s US Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction study award in 2016, 2017, and 2018. However, last year the company lost this position to Comcast Xfinity. Fortunately, the company still manages to be at the top position in the West and the southern regions.

AT&T offers a fiber-Optic network that delivers incredible upload and download speeds for Homes and Businesses. The speeds head up to 1,000Mbps in some cities. The connection type is necessary for larger households, especially those with heavier Internet activity. Unluckily, AT&T imposes 1TB data caps on all their plans.

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Frontier

Frontier is ranked the best in terms of affordability for its cheap yet fast Internet plans. Itโ€™s perfect for people looking for bare-bones internet packages. The ISP has some of the most affordable plans. You can get 6Mbps for only $27 per month. This is known as Frontier Internet and is enough for streaming videos on YouTube and normal Internet applications. Unluckily, this cheap internet is not the best for people with multiple devices.

Frontier equally presents a no-contract option with all their plans. This is actually a nice feature for people that are not willing to be tied on yearly contracts. It also means that there are no early termination costs. Most ISPSs charge hefty early contract termination fees that can be frustrating.

Furthermore, Frontier has a two-year price lock, which means you shouldnโ€™t worry about sudden rate hikes. Itโ€™s Fiber and DSL internet is available in more than 29 states, but it has the largest coverage in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Rochester.

Spectrum

Spectrum is the best Cable Internet provider in 2020. The company is the second-largest ISP in terms of coverage. Their services are available in more than 41 states, but the broadest coverage is in San Antonio, Saint Louis, Orlando, Los Angeles, and New York.

Spectrum offers fast speeds across the board. When you check its site, there are no internet plans with speeds below 60 Mbps. In some areas, Internet plans start at speeds higher than 100Mbps. This internet speed is enough for gamers and streamers. So, if you are looking for an internet provider that offers terrific contract buyout promotions, Spectrum should cross your head.

Spectrum also has some good Bundle options. With the Spectrum Triple Play package, you get free installation, which would otherwise have cost $35, Free Wi-Fi setup, which at $10, and Free DVR service, which typically costs $13 per month. Consequently, itโ€™s cheaper to sign up for the Internet, TV, and telephone services from Spectrum.

CenturyLink

Lastly, CenturyLink is the best ISP for Business internet. Are you considering getting reliable internet for your startup business? If yes, then CenturyLink has some of the best Business Internet plans that you can fish for today. CenturyLink is actually the only ISP known for compensating for downtimes. Other pros include transparent terms and contract flexibility. However, there are some cons, including slightly lower speeds than advertised and mediocre customer satisfaction.

CenturyLink currently offers Internet services in more than 35 states. Unlike most competitors, the company focuses on the North Central and West Coast regions. The company serves Saint Paul, Tucson, Denver, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.

Thereโ€™s something known as Service Level Agreement that brings some unique considerations, compensations, and solutions for times when the internet is down. Remember, loss of internet is very serious and can cost businesses a lot of money and time in terms of productivity and opportunity loss.

CenturyLink offers some of the most transparent Service Legal Agreement, which details all the generous compensation for downtimes for every second your business internet is down. For the contract, CenturyLink offers two options: a two-year agreement for businesses and a month-to-Month plan for residents and growing businesses.

FAQS

Is Comcast Faster than Verizon Fios?

Xfinity has the fastest internet available because of its premium tier of 2Gbps. However, Verizon Fios Home Internet offers 940/880 Mbps speeds, which matches most large households and businessesโ€™ needs. This indicates that the Xfinity premium tier is faster. However, if you need affordable and fast internet, Verizon will suit your needs.

What internet service is better than Comcast?

Verizon and Comcast Xfinity offer superfast internet service. Besides the fact that Xfinity has a premium tier of 2Gbps, Verizon delivers ultra-fast download and upload speeds. The Verizon Upload speeds go up to 880Mbps for the Fios Gigabit connection. Additionally, Fios has a wide array of Internet plans to choose from.

Is Verizon Cheaper than Xfinity?

Verizon is almost $7 cheaper than Xfinity. Previously, the Verizon 50Mbps service cost $54.99, which was barely more than $53.47 for the promotional rate of 25Mbps from Comcast Xfinity. This has changed, and today, Verizon is cheaper than Comcast.

Who has the best internet?

AT&T has the best internet and also offers the best customer support. However, other companies such as Verizon and Charter Spectrum have the best bundling and fiber internet.

How much is Verizon Internet a month?

Verizon Fios has some affordable alternatives starting at $39.99 per month for the 200Mbps. If you need Verizonโ€™s faster Internet plans, you will end up paying $59.99 for 400Mbps and $79.99 for 940Mbps.

Final verdict

Xfinity is a top pick because of competitive prices and high-speed plans. But when it comes to Bundle packages and Customer service, Verizon Fios beats Xfinity hands up. How we wish Xfinity would also swap to unlimited data and eliminate some of its fees. We would also like to see Verizon Fios offer a few more options when it comes to Internet speeds. Though, overall we are delighted with Verizon services.

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John
John
A tech maestro with a penchant for Android systems, John is also a self-proclaimed Mexican food critic. When heโ€™s not exploring the latest tech trends, heโ€™s likely binging on the newest series on Netflix.
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