Verizon Fios vs. Verizon 5G: Which home internet service is better?

If you’re shopping for a Verizon internet plan, you should know the differences between Verizon 5G and Verizon Fios plans.

Verizon Fios is a fixed, wired internet service that operates on a fiber-optic network, the fastest available internet connection. In contrast, Verizon 5G Home Internet is a fixed wireless service that uses radio signals from cellular towers to deliver internet access.

In our article, we’ll detail, compare and explain the two plans to help you discover which one better fits your needs. If you’re interested in learning more about other internet service providers (ISPs) in your area, read our article about the best internet providers of 2024.

Verizon Fios vs. Verizon 5G at a glance comparison

Ultimately, the choice between Verizon Fios and Verizon 5G depends on your location. If you live in one of the eight eastern states where Fios is accessible, Fios is the better option. However, if Fios isn’t available in your area and you’re near Verizon’s cell tower, 5G Home Internet might suffice your needs. Both Verizon Fios and Verizon 5G offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the service risk-free.

What are the main differences between Verizon Fios and Verizon 5G?

Fixed wired connection vs. fixed wireless connection

The internet connection is the main difference between Verizon Fios and Verizon 5G. Verizon Fios is a fixed, wired internet service that operates on a fiber-optic network, considered the fastest internet connection. Verizon 5G Home Internet is a fixed wireless service that uses radio signals from 5G cellular towers to provide internet access.

Service reliability and speeds

Fiber optic internet, such as Verizon Fios, is renowned for its speed and reliability, offering faster and more consistent connections. However, Verizon 5G can be a viable option in areas where Fios is unavailable. However, its performance may fluctuate based on area competition among home and mobile customers on the same network and proximity to Verizon cell towers, which affects connectivity.

Fios, as a fiber-optic network, delivers near-symmetrical download and upload speeds. In contrast, Verizon 5G Home has download speeds that vary between 50 and 300 Mbps and upload speeds that max out at 75 Mbps.

Location

Another difference between Verizon Fios and Verizon 5G is where these services are available. Fios offers more reliable connections and faster speeds but only serves eight states and Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, Verizon 5G is available in 47 states. Whether it’s available at your address depends on your proximity to Verizon’s cellular towers.

Verizon Fios

At a glance

Verizon Fios is a fiber-optic service that delivers high-speed internet, TV and phone plans with symmetrical download and upload speeds.

Plans & pricing

If you live in Washington, D.C., or one of the eight states with access to Fios, consider yourself fortunate because Fios internet service is hard to beat.

Fios offers straightforward plans with four tiers (of speed and price): 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gig and 2 Gig. Unlike many ISPs, which provide promotional rates that expire after 12 months, Fios guarantees prices for up to four years. Compared to the cost of other ISPs, Fios is also among the most affordable.

Add-ons

When you sign up for any Verizon Fios internet plan, you’ll get extra features based on the current promotion. At the time of writing, Verizon has offered $400 off Samsung home appliances at The Home Depot to those who sign up for a 1 Gig or 2 Gig plan.

As a Fios adopter, you can also select any of the below for an added monthly fee:

Fine Print

Regardless of your internet service provider or plan, review the terms and conditions to avoid unexpected fees or commitments. Verizon plans have no contracts or data caps.

Verizon has no recurring monthly fees, but a one-time $99 installation fee applies to the 300 Mbps and 500 Mbps plans. The company waives the installation fee if you order the 1 Gig or 2 Gig plan online. Although Verizon guarantees prices for up to four years depending on the plan, you may see a price increase after this time elapses.

Pros and cons

Verizon Fios offers reliably fast internet speeds. With no data caps or contracts, customers enjoy flexibility, though a one-time $99 installation fee applies to 300 and 500 Mbps plans. Despite the company’s high customer service ratings, some customers say the online account setup process could be smoother. Unfortunately, Fios has limited availability across the country — and no availability west of the Mississippi.

Pros

Cons

Verizon 5G

At a glance

Verizon 5G Home internet spans 47 states and operates wirelessly via a receiver that captures Verizon’s signal and broadcasts it as a Wi-Fi network.

Fast facts

Plans & pricing

According to Verizon, the 5G Home plan has maximum download speeds of up to 100 Mbps, with typical download speeds ranging from 50 to 85 Mbps and upload speeds from 5 to 10 Mbps.

Verizon’s superior streaming quality sets 5G Home Plus apart from competitors. With this plan, maximum download speeds reach up to 300 Mbps, with typical speeds ranging between 85 to 300 Mbps. Upload speeds range between 10 to 20 Mbps. However, much of your speed depends on your location. Verizon 5G is also among the more affordable internet providers, with prices similar to Fios.

Add-ons

You get most other add-ons and optional features only if you sign up for a mobile plan. For an additional monthly fee, you can add the same streaming services and add-ons as Fios.

If you have Verizon 5G Home internet, you can add Verizon Home Device Protect as an optional feature. Verizon Home Device Protect (VHDP) covers various eligible home technology equipment, including TVs, gaming systems, computers, printers, tablets, smart home products, wearables and Wi-Fi-enabled home healthcare devices. The warranty, which costs $25 a month, protects devices from mechanical and electrical failures that result from production or material defects, normal use and power surges.

5G Home Internet customers with VHDP receive a complimentary professional setup for their 5G Home equipment and qualify for free installation of eligible home tech devices like security cameras, thermostats and doorbells.

VHDP also provides repairs or replacements for eligible home tech products, coverage for a second residence, 24/7 expert help, in-home expert visits and comprehensive tech care for devices such as laptops and gaming consoles.

Fine Print

Verizon 5G Home internet plans are pretty straightforward. The 5G service does not require contracts, impose data caps or charge added equipment or activation fees.

If you sign up for Verizon 5G Home Plus, you’ll get a router with Verizon’s Whole-Home Wi-Fi, which includes a Wi-Fi Health Check feature in the My Verizon app. It optimizes your network and a Wi-Fi Extender to boost signal strength in hard-to-reach areas.

Verizon notes that if you cancel your service or downgrade your plan, you must return the Verizon-owned Wi-Fi Extender or the company will charge you an unreturned equipment fee.

Verizon 5G pros and cons

Verizon has several advantages over its competitors, including its national availability, lack of data caps, no contracts and faster download speeds compared to other fixed wireless service providers. In some areas, Verizon 5G’s speeds reach up to 1,000 Mbps.

However, your Verizon 5G connection strength depends on a user’s proximity to Verizon’s cell towers. Also, home and mobile customers compete for internet access on the same network, sometimes resulting in unreliable and fluctuating connections. While fiber connection is faster than 5G with minimum speeds of 1,000 Mbps, 5G is a quality alternative in areas with no available fiber service.

Pros

Cons

Verizon 5G vs. Verizon Fios: Which is better for your home?

Verizon Fios is the superior choice if you’re a heavy internet user or serious gamer due to its faster speeds and more reliable connection.

For small to medium households with multiple devices engaged in general browsing, emailing, streaming videos, downloading files, video conferencing and online gaming, Fios’ cheapest plan of 300 Mbps is sufficient. The higher-tier plans accommodate more users and devices. The Fios 1 Gig and 2 Gig plans are ideal for large households with high internet usage demands, such as serious gamers, video content creators and those handling extensive data.

Verizon 5G is a great alternative to Fios if unavailable in your location. The 5G Home plan, offering speeds up to 100 Mbps, meets the needs of small households engaged in internet basics like general browsing, emailing, streaming videos, light online gaming, video conferencing and file downloading.

The Verizon 5G Home Plus plan is sufficient for small to medium households with multiple devices for general browsing and emailing, streaming movies and shows, online gaming, videoconferencing and downloading files. The Home Plus plan lets you stream movies, shows and sports in Ultra HD 4K resolution instead of 1080p HD video streaming.

Lucas Wyland, Founder of Steambase, a platform for game analytics, has extensive experience in PC gaming and software development. He recommends Verizon Fios for households with heavy internet usage, such as streaming and gaming.

“Verizon Fios is the better choice because of its reliable fiber-optic technology. It provides consistent speeds and lower latency, making it ideal for demanding activities such as large-scale streaming and gaming,” Wyland said. “However, if Verizon Fios is unavailable in your area and you have good 5G coverage instead, Verizon 5G Home Internet is a viable alternative.”

As an expert in professional gaming, Wyland recommends a minimum download speed of 100 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps. “These speeds ensure smooth online gaming, low latency and seamless streaming while playing,” he said.

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