Verizon 5G is the MVP of internet deals and offers two budget-friendly plans, while Spectrum is a widely available cable internet provider in over 40 states with enticing entertainment add-ons.
Spectrum vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet: Which One Is Worth Your Money?
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6 min readSpectrum provides high-speed cable internet across 41 states with speeds up to 1,000Mbps. If fiber is not available to you, Spectrum’s wide availability and solid gigabit speeds are a great option compared to 5G internet providers.
This is what you get with Spectrum:
- Unlimited data
- No annual contract or early termination fees
- No extra fee for modem rental
- Spectrum Mobile line included for 12 months with a qualifying internet plan
Verizon 5G Home Internet is a relatively new fixed wireless service that is known for easy setup and affordable pricing. While speeds can fluctuate due to its fixed wireless connection, Verizon still comes in as the second-fastest internet provider in the U.S. according to our speed test data (though data from Verizon’s Fios fiber service contributes to the speed here).
Here’s what you get with Verizon:
- Price-lock guarantee
- No annual contract
- Discounts with Autopay
- $15 monthly discount when you connect a Verizon mobile line to a Verizon internet plan
Want to know if Spectrum or Verizon 5G Home Internet are available where you live? Run a search with your zip code below to find out.
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Spectrum vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet: Plans, pricing, and deals
Spectrum plans and prices
Provider | Plan | Price | Download speed | Details |
| Spectrum Internet® Premier | $50/mo. 1 yr price guarantee* | Up to 500 Mbps | View Plans | |
| Spectrum Internet® GIG | $70/mo. for 12 mos.† | Up to 1000 Mbps | View Plans |
*
Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.
†
Limited time offer; subject to change; new residential customers only (no Spectrum services within past 30 days) and in good standing with Spectrum. Taxes and fees extra in select states. SPECTRUM INTERNET: Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.
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 | $60/mo. w/ AutoPay‡ | Up to 500 Mbps |
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| 5G Home Ultimate | $75/mo. w/Auto Pay | Up to 1000 Mbps 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.
Spectrum offers cable internet packages with download speeds ranging from 500Mbps to 1,000Mbps. Customers pay between $50 to $70 per month.
Spectrum offers a more affordable plan for qualifying low-income households as well as seniors aged 65+:
- The Internet Advantage plan costs $30 a month for 100Mbps download speeds.
- See this Spectrum Low-Income Internet Guide to learn more about qualifications.
Equipment is included when you sign up for Spectrum Internet, but you do have to fork over cash for some one-time fees. There is an activation fee ($30 for self-installation or $65 for professional installation) and a $10 monthly Wi-Fi fee (though you can get around this fee by using your own equipment). Find a breakdown of all add-on costs in this review of Spectrum's hidden fees.
Like Spectrum, Verizon 5G has download speeds up to 1,000Mbps. It offers three 5G home internet packages. All home internet plans include free installation, no data limits, and no equipment fees up to $75 per month (the prices include a discount for Autopay and paper-free billing).
If you also have a qualifying Verizon mobile line, you can instantly cut your bill down by $15 per month on either of the 5G home internet plans. To get this discount, you must have a mobile line first and then connect it to your internet plan. Plus, new or existing customers may qualify for up to a $30/month discount with its Verizon Forward discount. See if you're eligible with this Verizon Low-Income Internet Guide.
Spectrum vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet: Fees for modem and installation
Spectrum add-ons and perks
Exclusive for Spectrum Internet customers on any plan
Sign up for Autopay
No fee, included in internet plans
Verizon 5G Home Internet add-ons and perks
Sign up for Verizon's 5G Home Ultimate plan
Sign up for Verizon's 5G Home Ultimate plan
Sign up for Verizon's 5G Home plan or 5G Home Plus plan
Sign up for Verizon's 5G Home Ultimate plan
Enroll in Autopay and paper-free billing
$10 value (when you connect a Verizon line to a Verizon internet plan)
Starts at $20.00/mo.
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 Spectrum and Verizon 5G 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 Spectrum 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 Spectrum review and Verizon 5G review.
Speed and reliability
Spectrum Internet
4.0/5.0
Verizon 5G Home Internet
4.0/5.0
Spectrum cable and Verizon 5G Home Internet match fairly well in speed and reliability.
Both services reach the same download speeds, though Verizon's upload speed is faster, which is a little surprising from a wireless internet connection.
Similarly, Spectrum’s physical cable connection should be more reliable than Verizon 5G’s wireless one, although Reddit user BarrelDregs, who uses both services, disagrees.
“I have Spectrum at my house,” says BarrelDregs. “It’s terrible. It’s constantly getting worked on, and it always goes down during any storm with mild wind. So I’m glad I have my 5G device as a backup.”
Dollar value
Spectrum Internet
3.8/5.0
Verizon 5G Home Internet
4.5/5.0
Verizon 5G Home Internet is a better value overall than Spectrum Internet—a little better if you don't have Verizon Wireless cell phone service and a lot better if you do.
Spectrum charges customers for installation and equipment rental, while Verizon doesn’t. Verizon also doesn't have Spectrum's automatic price hikes. So while your Verizon costs may go up eventually, they aren’t guaranteed to do so.
And if you’re a Verizon Wireless customer, your Verizon 5G Home Internet costs about 60% of Spectrum’s cable plans. That’s a significant difference!
Customer experience
Spectrum Internet
4.0/5.0
Verizon 5G Home Internet
4.5/5.0
ISP customer service isn’t usually anything to write home about. Spectrum is pretty average for the industry, while the Verizon 5G Home Internet customer experience is better than average.
Customer and critical opinions about Spectrum's experience are pretty evenly split between good and bad. Meanwhile, though we certainly ran into customers who had less-than-ideal experiences, Verizon 5G's customer service is well rated. The service even takes second place in HighSpeedInternet.com’s 2023 customer service survey.
Overall quality: Which internet provider should you pick?
Spectrum Internet
3.9/5.0
Verizon 5G Home Internet
4.3/5.0
When all’s said and done, Verizon 5G Home Internet is more affordable and more customer friendly than Spectrum. But Spectrum internet is still a solid option that users can certainly be happy with.
Spectrum vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet: What do customers think?
Customers find Spectrum dependable and satisfactory.
"I like that it works reliably most of the time, and they've been decently responsive over the years, between service requests and talking about my services, looking for discounts, etcetera," says Joel, a Spectrum customer in Hazelwood, Missouri.
"They're very affordable, and if I'm having an issue, they're very good about troubleshooting," says Sakia Anwar of New York City. "If needed, they'll send a technician out right away and get it resolved."
But the service isn't exactly winning hearts. We were hard-pressed to find many avowed Spectrum fans. Several Spectrum customers expressed to Reviews.org that they might not even be with the service if there were better internet options in their area.
“I miss ‘old Charter’ and wish there was more competition,” laments Joel.
Here’s what customers have to say about Spectrum:
● “They seem to respond quickly and take care of problems pretty fast.” —Conrad Burnham of Los Angeles, California
● “Spectrum is more effective in delivering internet experiences.” —BruceBDowns30
● “It’s not very customer friendly.” —Robyn Straw of St. Cloud, Missouri
● “They seem to respond quickly and take care of problems pretty fast.” —Conrad Burnham of Los Angeles, California
● “Spectrum is more effective in delivering internet experiences.” —BruceBDowns30
● “It’s not very customer friendly.” —Robyn Straw of St. Cloud, Missouri
Verizon 5G Home Internet customers like their ISP more than is typical. (Most people almost straight-up hate their internet providers.)
Folks are pleased with the level of service Verizon offers its internet customers, particularly the lack of outages.
"It was an affordable option, and I've had zero problems with it," says Verizon 5G customer Clare Messink.
Johnothy Michael, another customer, also states his service has never been down since he signed up in the summer of 2023.
While customers and critics generally praise Verizon 5G Home Internet customer service, some bumps are unavoidable. Reddit user and Verizon 5G customer BarrelDregs frequently experiences "improper billing" but has failed to get the issue resolved, even at Verizon retail stores.
Here’s what customers have to say about Verizon 5G:
● “It has been solid overall without being down.” —Johnothy Michael of Robinson, Illinois
● “It's a decent service, you know. I can stream on it.” —Clare Messink of Salt Lake City, Utah
● “Verizon customer service isn’t great.” —BarrelDregs
● “It has been solid overall without being down.” —Johnothy Michael of Robinson, Illinois
● “It's a decent service, you know. I can stream on it.” —Clare Messink of Salt Lake City, Utah
● “Verizon customer service isn’t great.” —BarrelDregs
FAQ
Is Spectrum Internet as good as Verizon?
Spectrum Internet isn’t quite as good as Verizon. It’s an excellent choice for cable or fiber internet, but when all’s said and done, Verizon performs a little better and has more happy customers.
Does Spectrum use Verizon 5G?
Spectrum Internet doesn’t use Verizon 5G, but Spectrum Mobile uses Verizon’s impressive 5G network.
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