Verizon 5G Home Internet is the more affordable option, but Optimum offers a wider range of download speeds.
Optimum Internet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet: Which One Is Worth Your Money?
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11 min readOptimum Internet offers both cable and fiber internet services. Optimum's cable internet plans have wider coverage throughout the country than its fiber plans, however, Optimum fiber plans deliver faster speeds up to 8,000Mbps. Here’s a rundown of Optimum Internet’s features:
- Internet, mobile, and TV bundles
- Low-income internet plans
- Router included
- No contracts
Verizon 5G Home Internet offers fixed wireless internet plans for an affordable price. The 5G provider is known for its wide availability throughout the country, easy installation, and entertainment perks that sweeten the deal. Here’s what you can expect from a Verizon 5G Home Internet plan:
- Two-to-three year Price Guarantee
- Router included
- Unlimited data
- Free self-installation
- No contracts
Both Optimum Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet are great options. For the speed-conscious household, Optimum is a better choice and provides a more stable connection. However, Verizon 5G Home Internet’s simple, all-inclusive prices provide great long-term value.
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Optimum vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet: Plans, pricing, and deals
Optimum Internet plans and prices
Provider | Plan | Price | Download speed | Details |
| 300 Mbps Internet | $40/mo.* | Up to 300 Mbps | View Plans | |
| 500 Mbps Internet | $60/mo.* | Up to 500 Mbps | View Plans | |
| 1 Gig Internet | $70/mo.† | Up to 940 Mbps | View Plans | |
| 300 Mbps Fiber Internet | $40/mo.* | Up to 300 Mbps | View Plans | |
| 500 Mbps Fiber Internet | $60/mo.* | Up to 500 Mbps | View Plans | |
| 1 Gig Fiber Internet | $70/mo.† | Up to 940 Mbps | View Plans | |
| 2 Gig Fiber Internet | $90/mo.‡ | Up to 2000 Mbps | View Plans | |
| 5 Gig Fiber Internet | $120/mo.‡ | Up to 5000 Mbps | View Plans | |
| 8 Gig Fiber Internet | $280/mo.^ | Up to 8000 Mbps | View Plans |
*
w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Terms apply.
†
w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection up to 940 Mbps. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Terms apply.
‡
w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply.
^
w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. Max auto renews after 12 months at then prevailing rate (currently $16.99/mo). Price sbjct to change. Terms apply. 8 Gig Fiber Internet is currently available in portions of NY, NJ & CT. Fiber Internet is not available in all areas.
Verizon 5G Home Internet plans and prices
Provider | Plan | Price | Download speed | Details |
| 5G Home | $50/mo. w/ AutoPay° | Up to 300 Mbps |
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| |
| 5G Home Plus | $70/mo. w/ AutoPay° | Up to 1000 Mbps |
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|
°
w/ Auto Pay. Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon's terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet.
Optimum Internet offers cable internet plans from 300 to 1,000Mbps for $40 to $60 monthly for the first 12 to 24 months of service. Optimum also offers fiber internet plans from 300 to 8,000Mbps for $40 to $280 monthly. This is a great deal to start, but plan for the provider to raise your bill annually in $15 increments. All Optimum plans include equipment and unlimited data. Don't miss any Optimum internet promos that could sweeten the deals.
Verizon 5G Home Internet offers fixed wireless internet plans from 300Mbps to 1,000Mbps for $50 to $70 monthly, with maximum speeds varying depending on the area. All plans are eligible for a $15 monthly discount if you bundle with a Verizon mobile line, plus other amazing Verizon internet deals and add-ons. Plans are all-inclusive, so you don’t have to pay extra for a router, self-installation, or additional fees.
Optimum vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet: Fees for modem and installation
Optimum plans include a router and a $5 monthly discount for Autopay and paperless billing. Optimum also offers several bundle deals when you sign up for internet, mobile, and/or TV services. Optimum mobile plans cost just $15 to $55 monthly, with 1GB to 50GB premium data. Or you can add Optimum TV, either through a streaming option or cable TV from as low as $12 monthly.
Verizon 5G Home Internet plans come with a myriad of perks such as streaming and entertainment add-ons for $10 monthly, such as Netflix and Max. Customers get a two to three-year price guarantee and a router rental.
Optimum Internet add-ons and perks
Sign up for a 1 Gig Optimum Fiber Internet plan and get an Optimum Prepaid Mastercard with $100 in value (not available in all areas)
Sign up for an Unlimited Mobile line with your Optimum Internet plan
Add Unlimited Mobile and trade in your device for iPhone 16.
Verizon 5G Home Internet add-ons and perks
Bundle with your postpaid Verizon mobile plan
Sign up for autopay and paper-free bill payments
Add to your Verizon 5G Home Internet plan
Add to your Verizon 5G Home Internet plan
Add to your Verizon 5G Home Internet plan
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What makes this review legit?
Our fact-based research process centers on interviews with internet customers across the country, helping us understand how internet services hold up against diverse needs and challenges.
To put together this review, we looked at results from our speed test, pulled data from customer satisfaction surveys, and pored over the fine print to compare prices and speeds between the two providers. To flesh out our analysis, we also interviewed Optimum and Verizon 5G Home Internet customers to get their firsthand insights. We let their experiences guide our research and shape our conclusions. We also speak with ISP spokespeople and industry experts to get insights into connection types, speed capabilities, and other technical issues related to internet service.
The matchup: How we rate Optimum vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
For all our internet reviews, we give a rating based on three main criteria—speed and reliability, dollar value, and customer experience—which we then average to make an overall score.
Here, we compare those ratings face to face. We then offer some analysis and context for important factors to keep in mind.
Want to know more? Read our full-length Optimum review and Verizon 5G Home Internet review.
Speed and reliability
Optimum Internet
3.3/5.0
Verizon 5G Home Internet
4.0/5.0
Optimum has the potential for incredibly fast service thanks to its fiber offering that reaches download speeds of up to 8,000Mbps. However, according to a 2024 report to shareholders, 92% of Optimum customers have cable connections rather than fiber. This is why Optimum speed tests averaged just over 200Mbps download speed. While cable customers are getting reliable speeds, they can’t quite get those superfast speeds.
If you do have Optimum fiber in your area, you could get download speeds of up to 8,000Mbps. However, most people will be perfectly fine with 1,000Mbps for things like video streaming, video calls, and web browsing. Optimum’s fiber plans get you symmetrical download and upload speeds, whereas its cable plans will not.
Verizon 5G Home Internet is based entirely on a wireless 5G connection, so its speeds are a little unpredictable. Verizon does offer other types of internet connections, such as Verizon Fios; however, here, we’re only discussing Verizon’s 5G plans. Through Verizon 5G Home Internet, you get an option of two download speeds: One plan with up to 300Mbps and one plan with up to 1000Mbps. That said, keep in mind that 5G connections aren’t necessarily as reliable as fiber connections, so you may not get those maximum download speeds, and speeds may vary depending on the time and number of people connected to Verizon’s network in your area. Additionally, you may only have the option of a 300Mbps plan if Verizon doesn’t think that it can deliver the faster speed plan in your area. Unlike a fiber internet plan, Verizon 5G Home Internet plans do not offer symmetrical download and upload speeds. Instead, the upload speeds are relatively low—Verizon quotes upload speeds as being up to 37Mbps. For that reason, Verizon 5G Home Internet may not be the best choice for those who game online or stream on a service like Twitch. Note that Verizon still offers wireless home internet for those who don’t live in an area with Verizon 5G just yet—but it’s probably not worth signing up for Verizon LTE Home Internet unless you really don’t need fast speeds.
Verizon, in general, tops HighSpeedInternet.com’s list of reliable providers in its 2023 Customer Satisfaction survey. Verizon speed tests also place it as the country's second-fastest provider in the nation. However, both the survey and speed test are for Verizon’s service as a whole, not specifically its 5G service. 5G internet connections do have some issues with reliability compared to fiber or cable, but according to the survey, 72% of Verizon 5G Home Internet customers note that they “never” or “rarely” experience outages. In the same survey, Optimum came second to last out of 15 providers in reliability. In fact, many of the customers we spoke to noted that they rarely get the download speeds they’re actually paying for.
Dollar value
Optimum Internet
4.0/5.0
Verizon 5G Home Internet
4.5/5.0
At face value, Optimum’s promotional prices may seem reasonable. However, Optimum is known for increasing prices after 12 months of service. According to Optimum, customers should expect an increase of $10–$30 per month after the first year.
Those on the fiber plan may find that the price is still worth the cost considering the high speed and reliability of fiber. However, remember that most Optimum customers are not eligible for fiber in their area. Optimum does have some promotions and deals, but it also charges $10 extra for things like modem rental, a Wi-Fi extender, and professional installation if you need it.
On the flip side, Verizon 5G Home Internet offers excellent value for money, especially for those who don’t want to spend much on their internet service in the first place. Unlike cable providers, Verizon 5G doesn’t charge you extra for things like installation, and your monthly fee includes equipment, so you don’t have to pay for the specialized 5G equipment. That makes Verizon 5G an excellent deal for those who want a flat monthly rate.
Additionally, Verizon offers a two-year or three-year price guarantee, so if you do eventually get your prices raised, it won’t be for the first few years. And if you have a Verizon cellular plan, you can sign up for Home Internet for as little as $35 per month with AutoPay. Even Verizon’s more expensive 1,000Mbps plan is a solid deal, at only $45 per month with AutoPay for those with a Verizon cellular plan, or $70 per month with AutoPay for those without a Verizon mobile plan.
Ultimately, Optimum offers decent value for those eligible for its fiber plans, however it’s hard to beat the excellent value on offer by Verizon 5G Home Internet.
Customer experience
Optimum Internet
4.3/5.0
Verizon 5G Home Internet
4.5/5.0
Internet service providers are known for their poor customer service, and Optimum is a perfect example of this. Optimum scored low in HighSpeedInternet.com’s Customer Satisfaction Survey, and it came in dead last in the American Customer Satisfaction Index for non-fiber internet service providers. We spoke to a number of customers who note they experience outages frustratingly often and that they get slower upload or download speeds than they’re paying for. Not only that, but a number of customers were frustrated by Optimum’s $80 fee for a technician to come and fix any issues.
Verizon, on the other hand, scores well among customers. Customers we spoke to note that installation is very easy and that their service offers relatively consistent speeds and almost no outages. We did speak to a customer who has a number of issues with improper billing, which haven’t been resolved. That said, HighSpeedInternet.com’s survey ranks Verizon second among major internet providers when it comes to overall customer satisfaction, beaten only by T-Mobile.
Overall quality: Which internet provider should you pick?
Optimum Internet
3.9/5.0
Verizon 5G Home Internet
4.3/5.0
While Optimum has some things going for it, overall, Verizon 5G Home Internet offers better value and a better customer experience. Those who want even relatively fast speeds and a reliable connection should go for Verizon over Optimum.
However, things get a little more complicated for those who have access to Optimum’s fiber service. Optimum’s fiber plans are faster and more reliable than its cable plans, and those who need high-speed internet and have access to the fiber option might want to go for it instead. However, if you live in an area where Verizon 5G Home Internet is available and only Optimum’s cable plans are available, Verizon is the better way to go.
Optimum vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet: What do customers think?
We spoke to a number of Optimum customers and found that they have mixed experiences. Some customers note that Optimum regularly hikes its prices and can get away with doing so, considering the fact that there weren’t any other major options in the area.
Geoffrey Turbeville, an Optimum customer in Brooklyn, New York, felt that he wasn’t able to switch. “I don’t have any bargaining power,” says Turbeville, who has been an Optimum customer for six years and spoke to us for our full-length Optimum review. “We really only have one option.”
Josh Michael, however, was able to negotiate a lower rate after another provider became available in his area. “Once Verizon Fios came to my street, it changed things,” notes Michael. Michael said in our interview with him (also for the ISP review) that he told Optimum reps that he would switch providers if he didn’t continue getting promotional pricing—a tactic that has worked for three years.
Some other customers find that Optimum offers a decent price, but that its internet service isn’t reliable. “It’s a good value, but you get what you pay for,” says Courtney Joan, an Optimum customer in Beacon, New York, who works from home and uses her internet to take video calls. “I don’t like the speed and the irregularity of it. There are certain times Wi-Fi just drops out.”
“If there were multiple providers available, companies could really start on really making sure customers are happy instead of making promises they can’t keep.” –Luther Shoultz, an Optimum customer in New Jersey.
We spoke to a number of Verizon 5G Home Internet providers who had positive feelings bout their experience with the company. Customers are happy with the speeds on offer and found the service generally easy to set up.
“I like how it gives us fast speeds without a video throttle cap, so we can watch 4K shows,” says Johnothy Michael, who works in IT and accounting in Robinson, Illinois. As we write in our full review of Verizon 5G Home Internet, Michael had T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, before switching to Verizon in 2023.
Not all customers are thrilled with the service though. Clare Messink, a teacher in Salt Lake City, Utah, told us in a recent interview that her Verizon 5G service is a little expensive at $50 a month—at least compared to what she’s used to. “I moved back to the States last June after being overseas for a long time,” she says. “I sort of feel like, ‘Man, this should be $25 a month,’” Messink says. “But also the last time I paid for home internet in this country, it probably was $25 a month.”
Angelo Ilumba is a new Verizon 5G Home Internet customer, and had to switch from a fiber plan after moving to a rural area. Still, he’s happy with his service overall, and notes that he gets download speeds in the 300Mbps range, as advertised.
“It’s nothing fancy, but I don't need fancy.” —Clare Messink
Want Optimum or Verizon 5G Home Internet? Find it in your area.
Verizon 5G Home Internet offers better customer service and a more reliable connection. Most users who have the option of both providers should go for Verizon over Optimum, especially those who don’t mind the slower upload speeds.
Optimum may be better for those who have access to fiber internet plans, though, especially those who do need faster upload speeds for things like online gaming and online streaming.
Type in your zip code below to find Optimum Internet or Verizon 5G Home Internet near you.
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Speed and reliability
Spectrum Internet
4.0/5.0
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
4.0/5.0
For speed and reliability, Spectrum is a little better than T-Mobile 5G Home Internet.
Spectrum is a mostly-cable service provider, and cable internet is one of the best options for a fast and steady connection. The copper cable creates a physical bond between your home and Spectrum’s wider network. Spectrum averages over 200Mbps download speed in our speed test, placing it among the top five fastest providers in the US.
As a wireless provider with lower-than-typical speeds, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet isn’t entirely on Spectrum’s level in terms of speed and reliability. (Unlike T-Mobile's new fiber service, which is now available in eight states.) Its maximum speed is just a quarter of Spectrum’s and the wireless-only connection makes things a bit more shaky (especially in areas with weak cell service). T-Mobile gets the job done but may fall short in certain online activities, like gaming.
Dollar value
Spectrum Internet
3.8/5.0
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
4.8/5.0
These providers both give you a good bang for your buck—even though Spectrum initially looks like a better deal than T-Mobile.
After the first 12 to 24 months, Spectrum’s prices automatically jump, while T-Mobile has a Price Lock guarantee. And each Spectrum bill includes additional rental fees, something T-Mobile 5G Home Internet doesn’t have.
However, even though you ultimately pay more with Spectrum, you’re also getting a faster and more stable internet experience than with T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. So in the end, with either service, you pay for what you get.
Customer experience
Spectrum Internet
4.0/5.0
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
5.0/5.0
Unsurprisingly, Google Fiber also beats out Spectrum in terms of reliability. Fiber infrastructure is newer than cable and isn’t vulnerable to electromagnetic interference in the same way that coaxial cables are. Google’s fiber-to-the-home connection ensures that you get smooth speeds around the clock, while a cable connection with Spectrum may be slightly more unstable.
That said, cable internet has been around a long time and is widely known to deliver dependable service for millions of customers. Most of the Spectrum customers who spoke with us were satisfied with their speeds and reliability, and the provider also got above-average rankings for speed in HighSpeedInternet.com’s 2023 customer satisfaction survey. “It’s fast and we’ve never had an outage,” Anna Harsanyi, a Spectrum customer in New York City, told Reviews.org.
Overall quality: Which internet provider should you pick?
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
Spectrum Internet
3.8/5.0
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
4.8/5.0
When we put Spectrum and T-Mobile toe-to-toe, it's quickly apparent that they’re options of similar value, just with different strengths.
As a cable internet provider, Spectrum is faster and less likely to experience outages. But as a disruptor on the ISP scene, T-Mobile costs less money overall and has a more customer-friendly approach.
