Verizon Fios Vs Xfinity: Which Internet Provider Is Best In 2024 For Home Internet?

If you are living in today’s modern world then you probably can’t be productive or even remain sane without a proper and high-speed internet connection. All aspects of our lives are connected with the internet, whether it be social interactions, jobs, or gaming. This makes choosing the right internet provider an important decision because you are one choice away from a frustrating life. As of 2024, there are nearly 3000 ISPs in the USA, which makes the selection even more difficult.

Two of the biggest players in the residential internet market in the U.S. are Verizon Fios and Xfinity by Comcast. Both companies offer extensive services, but in the competition of Verizon Fios Vs Xfinity which internet service provider has the upper hand?

That’s what we are going to discuss in this Xfinity Internet Vs Verizon comparison blog. So, without any further ado let’s start. However, before moving forward here is a quick answer.

As of 2024, Xfinity Internet is not better than Verizon Fios due to its better service, fiber infrastructure, and symmetrical speeds. 

Verizon Fios Vs Xfinity: A Brief Overview of The Two Companies

Verizon:

Verizon is a telecommunications giant that operates across the U.S. with services in wireless, broadband, and digital entertainment. The company offers various types of internet, including fiber, 5G, and 4G LTE. However, Verizon is most famous for its reliable fiber internet. Fiber internet is offered to customers under the brand “Fios“. As of June 2024, more than 7 million people in the US have subscribed to the Fios services. In this Verizon Fios Vs Xfinity blog, we will limit ourselves to just comparing the fiber internet and won’t include 5G and other types. 

Pros:

• Symmetrical upload and download speeds
• No data caps
• Good customer ratings
• Competitive pricing and plans

Cons:

• Limited availability
• Additional fees may apply

Xfinity By Comcast:

Xfinity is the largest cable internet provider in the U.S., and it is owned by Comcast. Xfinity uses a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network, which combines both fiber and traditional coaxial cables to deliver internet service. While Xfinity’s cable internet is not as fast as full-fiber services, it is more widely available. Currently, the Xfinity plans are available in 35 states across the country. We will discuss availability and coverage in more detail in the later sections. 

On the downside, Xfinity does not provide symmetric upload and download speeds, since it does not have pure fiber (FTTH ) connections. 

Pros:

• Widespread availability
• Variety of plans
• Affordable entry-level prices
• Good customer rating

Cons:

• Data caps on most plans
• Asymmetrical speeds
• Extra fees

Xfinity Internet Vs Verizon Fios: A Detailed Comparison of Plans And Pricing

When comparing internet providers, pricing and speed are usually the top considerations. But, to be honest it is a little difficult to single out a clear winner among Xfinity internet Vs Verizon Fios. That’s because Verizon has better performance, while Xfinity is more affordable. Let’s review both of them in detail. 

Verizon Fiber Internet Pricing And Speeds:

Being one of the largest Internet service providers in the United States, Verizon FiOS plans are among the best available Internet options. In total, there are 4 Fios fiber internet plans available to the customers. This might seem quite less and yes it is less, however, these internet speeds cover the needs of almost all customers.

The Fios internet plans start with a basic speed of 300 Mbps and range up to a maximum of 2 Gig. The prices start from $34.99/mo with the 300 Mbps plans and go to a maximum of $84.99 per month for the 2 Gig plan. If we compare these prices with the market average of similar fiber-optic plans, then Verizon comes at the mid-level. 

Plus, since the Fios offers pure fiber connections, all the internet plans provide symmetrical download and upload speeds. The latency of Verizon fiber internet is also very good and ranges between 4 milliseconds to 6 milliseconds.

A downside to Fios is that the 2 Gig plans are available in very limited areas. The following table summarizes all the Fios plans and pricing: Xfinity Internet Plans And Pricing:

Xfinity Internet Plans And Pricing:

On the other hand, Xfinity has a more varied range of plans, though prices and availability can fluctuate based on location. One thing to clarify here is that unlike Verizon Xfinity does not have pure fiber connections. Rather it provides its internet services via fiber coaxial cables. 

Xfinity offers a lot of internet plans, which start from a very basic speed of 50 Mbps and go to a maximum of 2,000 Mbps. However, the 2 Gig plan is available only in the Western regions of the country. 

One of the best aspects of Xfinity Internet is its affordable prices. Pricing starts with as low as $9.95/mo for the 50 Mbps plans and can range up to a maximum of $120 per month for the 2 Gigabit plan. Plus, the huge coverage of Xfinity makes it more reachable and a more practical choice for customers. The following table structurally summarizes the Xfinity plans and prices according to the region:

Xfinity Vs Verizon Fios: Comparison of The Additional Costs (Fine Print)

Beyond the advertised monthly costs, additional fees can impact the overall price of your internet service. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from both Verizon Fios and Xfinity.

Equipment Rental Fee:

Verizon has one of the best pricing structures out of all the ISPs. All the fiber plans come with free equipment. This means that you don’t have to pay any additional monthly rent or one-time heavy fee. The 300 Mbps and 500 Mbps plans include a complimentary router. But that’s not all, the 1 Gig and 2 Gig plans come with a free full-home Wi-Fi system on top of the router.

In terms of equipment fees, Xfinity loses to Verizon. Xfinity offers subscribers a choice between the xFi Gateway and xFi Complete. The xFi Gateway costs $15 per month, while upgrading to xFi Complete, which includes a whole-home Wi-Fi router, increases the fee to $20 per month.

Fee For Professional Installation:

Both Verizon Fios and Xfinity internet plans incur a one-time professional installation fee.

Similar to other providers, a one-time professional installation fee of $99 applies to Fios plans with speeds of 300 Mbps and 500 Mbps. However, Verizon handles Gigabit’s plans a little differently. If you order their Fios 1 Gig or 2 Gig plans online, this installation fee is waived. You also have the option to install the equipment yourself. Verizon provides a self-installation kit, complete with DIY instructions, and this option is free of charge. However, this method is not generally recommended.

On the other hand,  Xfinity’s professional installation fees are similar, costing about $100, though self-installation kits are available for free or at a reduced price.

Exploring Data Caps and Contracts:

Verizon wins again in this comparison.

One of Verizon’s biggest advantages is its no-data-cap policy. Customers can use as much data as they need without worrying about overage fees. Additionally, Verizon Fios does not require long-term contracts for its internet-only plans. So, naturally, there are also no early termination fees. Quite the opposite, Verizon offers ISP switching support of up to $500. 

The same cannot be said about Xfinity, Most Xfinity plans come with a 1.2 TB data cap. While 1.2 TB is sufficient for many users, heavy internet users (e.g., gamers, and streamers) may exceed this limit. Xfinity offers an option to add unlimited data for an additional fee of $10 for every 50 GB. Xfinity also often requires contracts, typically ranging from 12 to 24 months, with early termination fees (ETFs) applied for breaking the agreement early.

Verizon Vs Xfinity Home Internet: A Look At The Coverage Area In 2024

Verizon Coverage Map:

Even though it is one of the best ISPs in the country Verizon has a small coverage area when compared with other competitors. As of 2024, the Fios service is available in only 9 states. It is primarily available in the northeastern U.S., including states like New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and parts of Pennsylvania. The service is also expanding into urban areas across the U.S., including parts of California, Texas, and Florida, but rural availability remains limited. Plus, as stated above the availability of the 2 Gig plan is limited even in these 9 states. 

The following table lists all the states where Fios fiber internet is available:

Xfinity Availability And Coverage Area:

Xfinity by Comcast has one of the largest cable internet networks in the U.S. Its hybrid fiber-coaxial network spans 36 states, with particularly strong availability in metropolitan areas, suburbs, and even rural regions. This widespread coverage makes Xfinity the go-to option for many households, especially in areas where fiber-optic infrastructure isn’t available.

However, because Xfinity relies on a cable network, speeds and performance may vary significantly based on location, network congestion, and proximity to the service provider’s node. Following are all the states in which you can find Xfinity internet services:

Customer Satisfaction Status 2024: Xfinity Internet Vs Verizon Fios

According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), customer satisfaction for Verizon Fios is higher than Xfinity Fiber (Comcast). In 2024, Verizon Fios had an ACSI score of 77, while Xfinity Fiber (Comcast) had an ACSI score of 75.

Similarly, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study, Verizon ranks higher in customer satisfaction than Xfinity. Specifically, Verizon ranks highest in the East region with a score of 760, while Xfinity ranks 4th in the same region with a score of 698. However, in other regions of the country, Xfinity has a better rating. That’s probably because Verizon Fios isn’t available in these areas. 

Both sources indicate that Verizon has higher customer satisfaction ratings than Xfinity.

Final Verdict: Is Xfinity Home Internet Service Better Than Verizon Fios In 2024?

The battle of Verizon Fios vs Xfinity Internet is tough, however, after extensive research, we can deduce that Verizon Fios is a better choice for home internet in 2024. Both providers have their pros and cons, but Verizon Fios stands out for its superior speed, reliability, and overall customer satisfaction in 2024. However, if availability is a concern, Xfinity’s vast network ensures that more people can access its services, even in rural or underserved areas.