Spectrum vs. Verizon Fios: Battle for the Best Broadband in the Northeast

Verizon FIOS and Spectrum internet

James Martin/CNET

Spectrum vs. Verizon Fios: Which is better for your home?

If you're located in the Northeast, chances are you've heard of these providers. Given a choice between the two, I'd have to go with Verizon Fios, largely due to the technology. Spectrum uses a cable or cable-fiber hybrid network, while Verizon Fios utilizes a 100% fiber-optic network, which offers faster upload speeds and a more reliable connection. Spectrum has its own unique advantages, so the best provider for you depends on what exactly you're looking for. 

Many U.S. households are limited to two or three practical broadband options often consisting of one cable internet provider and one fiber provider. If Spectrum and Verizon Fios happen to be the cable and fiber providers, respectively, in your area, consider yourself lucky -- they're two of the best options you could have.

CNET's Trey Paul gave both providers high marks for fast speeds, competitive pricing and favorable service terms -- Spectrum received a 7.2 out of 10, while Verizon Fios scored a 7.6, higher than any of the two dozen or so providers we've reviewed to date. Both earned a place on our list of the best internet providers, too.

Read on for a full breakdown of both providers and how they compare on availability, speeds and pricing, service terms and customer satisfaction.

Our take - Spectrum keeps things simple with only two tiers: 500 megabits per second and a gigabit service (or 1,000Mbps). All plans have unlimited data and no contract requirements. The entry-level plan comes with a $10 monthly equipment fee if you choose to rent a router.

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Or call to learn more: (844) 210-1783

Our take - Unlike Spectrum, Verizon Fios service comes with more speed tier options -- 300Mbps, 500Mbps, 1,000Mbps and a 2Gbps plan for select markets. Unlike Spectrum, Verizon Fios plans offer symmetrical or near-symmetrical upload speeds.

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Or call to learn more: (844) 416-4412

Spectrum vs. Verizon Fios: Which fares better in availability?

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FCC/Mapbox

Spectrum has a larger coverage area and Verizon Fios has greater coverage density. What does that mean, exactly? Spectrum is the second-largest cable internet provider behind Comcast Xfinity, and its coverage map extends across 41 states in the U.S., including Hawaii. As the orange on the map above shows, Spectrum coverage is fairly sporadic in most states and centered around select cities and regions. 

Meanwhile, Verizon is available in just nine states, but the provider does a good job extending coverage throughout the area, thanks to a large fiber-optic network. According to the most recent FCC data, Verizon Fios provides only 8% of unit coverage as shown in the map above (blue). These customers are eligible for fiber-optic, or Verizon Fios, service. If you have access to Verizon Fios, then go for it. But for most households that don't fall under Verizon's fiber footprint, go with Spectrum.

Enough about availability. If you're comparing the two providers, you probably already have a good idea that they're available in your area, so let's get to the good stuff: plan pricing and speeds.

Spectrum vs. Verizon Fios: Plans and pricing

You'll have up to four speed tiers to choose from with Verizon Fios and two from Spectrum. Pricing and upload speeds are slightly different for both. Spectrum boasts a one-year price lock for its internet-only introductory rates, whereas Verizon Fios features a two to four-year price lock.

Spectrum Internet plans

Spectrum pricing for both plans increases by $30 after your promo period. Before the price increase, Spectrum's gigabit plan is middle-of-the-road compared to most providers but is on equal footing with Verizon Fios' pricing, at least for the slower tiers. Spectrum's gigabit service isn't the cheapest in the market, but the free equipment cost helps offset the higher pricing. 

Verizon Fios internet plans

Verizon doesn't do promotional pricing, so your monthly rate won't automatically go up after a year as it will with most internet providers. That's not to say that Verizon won't ever change its prices, but a company spokesperson tells CNET that customers will be informed well in advance if new rates are ever in the works. 

I wouldn't be too concerned about the risk of a price increase. Verizon has a stellar customer satisfaction track record, which indicates that things like steep, arbitrary price hikes are uncommon. Even if Verizon decides to raise prices, those prices will likely still be lower than Spectrum's pricing on comparable plans after 12 months. 

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Both Spectrum (orange) and Verizon (blue) offer internet service in New York City.

FCC/Mapbox

Verizon Fios is faster in the Big Apple

Verizon Fios is especially enticing in the New York City metro area for those in Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island and the northern part of the Bronx, where Verizon and Spectrum share service areas. In addition, Verizon unveiled its Fios 2 Gigabit Connection in the New York City market. 

Service terms with Spectrum and Verizon Fios

Spectrum Internet comes with a modem at no extra cost for both plans. The 500Mbps plan requires a router rental fee of $10 per month, but you can skip the equipment fee altogether by using your own compatible router. The gigabit plan comes with the modem and router included at no extra cost.

With Verizon, your modem and router are included in your monthly rate. The 1 and 2-gig plans also include Wi-Fi extenders, if needed.

No data caps, contracts or installation fees (probably)

Neither provider enforces data caps, and neither requires you to sign a service contract to get the lowest pricing. Plenty of providers, including Cox, Mediacom and Xfinity, may have contracts and data caps, so it's nice to know you don't have to worry about either of those headaches with Spectrum or Verizon.

Signing up for Spectrum or Verizon could come with installation fees, but most likely not. Verizon waives the Fios installation fee ($99) when you order online. This fee may be waived if you order the gigabit service. Spectrum charges a $65 standard installation fee. You save a bit by opting for the $30 self-installation kit.

Verizon Fios steals the show in customer satisfaction

J.D. Power

Organizations like the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power that track customer satisfaction have consistently ranked Verizon Fios at the top. 

Spectrum did not perform as well with the ACSI or J.D. Power, but I wouldn't say its customer satisfaction scores are particularly bad, either. Spectrum received a score of 68 out of 100 in the recent ACSI report, which is lower than Verizon Fios and slightly below the industry average. J.D. Power also puts Spectrum below the region's average in the East, with a score of 492 out of 1,000. That's slightly below that of rival cable providers Xfinity and Cox in the same East region that Verizon Fios topped. 

ACSI

If I had to guess, I'd attribute the gap in customer satisfaction between Spectrum and Verizon Fios to technology. A 100% fiber-optic connection, like the one you get with Verizon Fios, boasts superior reliability and connection quality over cable internet. A cable connection, like the one you get with Spectrum, is more susceptible to speed fluctuations and reliability issues, especially during peak usage times. 

What's the bottom line on Verizon Fios and Spectrum: Fios is our pick

Spectrum and Verizon Fios have similar speed tiers and service terms, but Verizon Fios will likely be the cheaper, faster (in terms of upload speeds) and more reliable option. There are some cases where Spectrum could be marginally less expensive, at least for the first 12 months and only if you factor in equipment costs, but overall, Verizon Fios will deliver the better value. That said, both providers are excellent choices for home internet service, so consider yourself broadband blessed if you have an option between the two.

Spectrum vs. Verizon Fios FAQs