Verizon FiOS vs Optimum in 2023

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By
Rob Webber
Rob Webber

Rob Webber

Founder

About Rob

Rob has 15+ years experience running price comparison & review websites that empower consumers to find the cheapest cell phone services, cell phone deals, home phone, and internet providers available. He has been published in Forbes, US News, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc.

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5G wireless networks, cell phone plans, cell phone deals, MVNOs, internet services, tablets, comparison shopping, money saving, reviewing telecom products & services

- Last updated on January 23rd, 2023

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If you're moving or dissatisfied with your current internet service, then you'll probably be interested to find out who offers the best internet service in your area.

Verizon FiOS and Optimum Cable might be offered, so you could very well be making a decision on which provider would suit you best.

So between Verizon FiOS and Optimum Cable, which provides the better service?

Inside this review, you'll find overviews of the both Verizon FiOS and Optimum, including the coverage map, internet service, and more. This will allow you to make an informed decision as to who wins the Verizon FiOS vs Optimum battle.

Verizon FiOS vs Optimum

Verizon vs Optimum: features comparison

Verizon FiOS

Optimum

Monthly Price

$79.99-124.99

$59.95-104.95

Contract Terms

2-year contract

no contract

Setup

$99

$99

Channels

425+

220-420

Max HD Channels

160+

varies

DVR Storage

Up to 200 hours

300 HRs

Download Speeds

100-940 Mbps

450 Mbps

Upload Speeds

100-880 Mbps

50 Mbps

Availability

10 states

4 states


Verizon vs Optimum: internet deals

Both Verizon FiOS and Optimum offer similar internet plans.

Verizon internet deals

Call to order now: (888) 512-1582
Download
300-940 Mbps
Channels
Calls
Monthly Price
$50-90
30 User Reviews

Pros

  • 100% fiber network

  • Speed options up to Gigabit

  • Equal upload and download speeds

  • No contracts

  • Good customer service reputation

Cons

  • Limited availability

  • Fees can add up

Verizon FiOS offers internet, TV & landline services with plans starting at $50.

Plans

Verizon FiOS Internet Only Plans

Package

Internet

TV

Phone

Price

Fios Internet 300 Mbps

300 Mbps

$49.99

Fios Internet 500 Mbps

500 Mbps

$69.99

Fios Gigabit Internet

940 Mbps

$89.99

Verizon FiOS TV Plans

Package

Internet

TV

Phone

Price

Your Fios TV

125 Channels

$70.00

More FIos TV

300 Channels

$90.00

The Most Fios TV

425 Channels

$110.00

Verizon FiOS Triple Play Bundles

Package

Internet

TV

Phone

Price

Your Fios TV + Internet 300 + Home Phone

300 Mbps

125 Channels

Unlimited

$139.99

More Fios TV + Internet 300 + Home Phone

300 Mbps

300 Channels

Unlimited

$159.99

The Most Fios TV + Internet 300 + Home Phone

300 Mbps

425 Channels

Unlimited

$179.99

Verizon internet only plans

Package Speed Price

Verizon FiOS Fios Internet 300 Mbps

300 Mbps

$49.99

Verizon FiOS Fios Internet 500 Mbps

500 Mbps

$69.99

Verizon FiOS Fios Gigabit Internet

940 Mbps

$89.99

Verizon FiOS internet brings you incredibly fast speeds via an optic fiber. The slower-tiered speeds, while by no means slow, are far more affordable than the speedier options available.

Overall, FiOS is a great value for your dollar, but only until you reach 150 Mbps connection speeds. Unfortunately, there is a rapid increase in price between the 150/150 and 300/300 tiers.

So if you're a personal user, you may want to stave off from the 300 Mbps and 500 Mbps tiers. Most likely, you'll need no more than the 150 Mbps download and upload speeds.

Optimum internet deals

Call to order now: (888) 492-9415
Download
300-1,000 Mbps
Channels
Calls
Monthly Price
$40-80
73 User Reviews

Pros

  • No data cap

  • No contracts

  • Price for life option

  • Speed choices up to Gigabit

  • Access to over 2 million hotspots

Cons

  • Services only a few states

  • Limited plan selection

Optimum offers internet & TV services with plans starting at $40.

Plans

Optimum Internet Only Plans

Package

Internet

TV

Phone

Price

Internet 300

300 Mbps

$39.99

Internet 500

500 Mbps

$59.99

Internet 1 GIG

1000 Mbps

$79.99

Optimum TV Plans

Package

Internet

TV

Phone

Price

Core TV

200 Channels

$74.99

Select TV

290 Channels

$99.99

Premier TV

340 Channels

$119.99

Optimum internet only plans

Package Speed Price

Optimum Internet 300

300 Mbps

$39.99

Optimum Internet 500

500 Mbps

$59.99

Optimum Internet 1 GIG

1000 Mbps

$79.99

Optimum's internet packages now offer standard pricing, though a while back there used to be a base price for internet service, then you will be charged extra depending on your desired speed.

With the free smart router, you are saving more money, so if you're aiming for faster download speeds at lower prices - unless you're concerned about the upload speeds - then you should consider Optimum Cable.

With that being said, you'll receive a better bargain with Verizon FiOS if you opt for anything lower than the 200 Mbps download tier, especially when you factor in the symmetrical upload speeds.


Verizon vs Optimum: bundle deals

Let's see how the bundles hold up.

Verizon bundle deals

Verizon triple play packages

Package SpeedChannelsPhone Plan Price

Verizon FiOS Your Fios TV + Internet 300 + Home Phone

300 Mbps125Unlimited

$139.99

Verizon FiOS More Fios TV + Internet 300 + Home Phone

300 Mbps300Unlimited

$159.99

Verizon FiOS The Most Fios TV + Internet 300 + Home Phone

300 Mbps425Unlimited

$179.99

The FiOS bundles from the fiber-optic network company are nothing to scoff at either, especially the triple play bundle.

With the Triple Play bundle, you can receive 150 Mbps internet speeds, plus Custom TV (which is highly flexible and thus more desirable) and unlimited home phone service, all at an affordable price - well, during the two-year agreement, anyway.

After that, it will be a bit more expensive. As the cherry on top, you can access your Verizon FiOS service from your mobile device.

Optimum bundle deals

Package SpeedChannels Price

Optimum Internet 300 + Basic TV

300 Mbps50

$75

Optimum Internet 1000 + Basic TV

1000 Mbps50

$90

Optimum Internet 500 + Basic TV

500 Mbps50

$90

Optimum Internet 300 + Core TV

300 Mbps200

$115

Optimum Internet 300 + Select TV

300 Mbps290

$135

Optimum triple play packages

When it comes to bundling, Optimum also has your back. When you enter your address, you will be provided with a variety of different packages to choose from. You can choose between Double Play or Triple Play bundles before you customize them.

Some bundles may even include promotional benefits. For instance, there are some Triple Play packages, such as the Optimum 200, Preferred Cable TV (Optimum TV service), and home phone service (Optimum Voice), that will toss in a $200 Gift Card.

Overall, the fact that you can customize your Optimum Voice, Optimum Online, and Optimum TV service packages is a major incentive.


Verizon vs Optimum: internet speed

Price and value are strong influences on deciding whether to join Verizon FiOS or Optimum cable, but there are other factors to consider, such as the customer service score and the speeds you'll truly receive compared to what is advertised.

So what can be gathered from the data at the beginning of the comparison is that while Verizon FiOS' high-speed internet offers speeds up to 500 Mbps and boasts the highest ACSI score available in the industry, its actual speed vs. advertised speed percentage is lower compared to Optimum Cable, meaning that you are earning more for your dollar with Optimum Cable than Verizon FiOS.

That being said, the particular data point is rather inaccurate, as the 50 Mbps option no longer exists; unfortunately, the data was measured in 2015 by the FCC. So while the actual speed vs. advertised speed isn't exactly as reliable, the ACSI score most certainly is. Optimum Cable has the second-best scores in the industry, just five points above the industry average of 64.


Verizon vs Optimum: coverage

Unfortunately, Verizon FiOS only covers nine states and 14 total areas, with the most extensive coverage blanketing Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.

Optimum Cable, while a good option for many, is unfortunately limited to four states: New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

That means that FiOS, while limited to nine states, covers more area than Optimum Cable. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to check to see if Optimum is available in your location.

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Verizon vs Optimum: customer service

FiOS offers the best customer service in the industry, even if the industry is notorious for poor customer service. Nevertheless, the service boasts an American Customer Satisfaction Index score of 73, which is nine points higher than the industry average of 64.

Concerning customer service ratings, Optimum is right behind Verizon FiOS with an ACSI score of 69, a 13 percent gain over the previous year, so you'll receive decent customer service if you decide to join Optimum.


Verizon vs Optimum FAQs

Is Verizon better than Optimum?

Verizon can offer faster speeds and reliable service, but Optimum offers high-speeds at lower prices.

Is Verizon cheaper than Optimum?

No, Optimum offers cheaper plans overall.

Does Optimum have a fiber optic network like Fios?

Currently Optimum does not have a fiber optic network.


Recap

While Verizon FiOS offers speedier packages, more reliable customer service, and better pricing at slower tiers, Optimum Online is a better bargain at faster tiers, complete with a free modem and better-than-average customer service.

If you're looking for faster connection speeds and if it's available in your area, then Verizon FiOS is the better choice.

Otherwise, it's best to go with Verizon FiOS, especially for the symmetrical upload speeds.

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