Xfinity TV vs. Verizon Fios TV Review 2021

Xfinity TV and Verizon Fios TV are two of the best cable TV providers on the market.

Xfinity is the most widely available cable provider in the US, and it’s reliable. Fios is a fiber-optic TV provider that is speedy and gives you the most channels any TV provider can provide.

But Xfinity ends up being pricier in the long run and has tons of fees. Fios is only available in nine states, and that’s a big deal.

Let’s help you find out which cable TV provider is best for you and your home.

Xfinity TV vs. Verizon Fios TV price comparison

Off the bat, Verizon Fios takes the win on this one

At first glance, Xfinity seems to have less expensive prices than Verizon Fios, but that’s not the case over the long haul.

Xfinity offers inexpensive pricing if you order the Extra or Preferred Plus plans, which require a 1-year contract. (Then your pricing will increase to the regular pricing similar to Digital Starter and Digital Preferred).

Verizon Fios doesn’t require a contract and gives you straightforward pricing throughout your service.

Fios offers 80 more channels in its More Fios TV plan than Xfinity’s Digital Preferred plan, and they’re both the same price. And 425 channels for $96 per month is the best channel-to-dollar ratio you’ll find in the TV industry.

<sup>Data effective 9/8/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
* + taxes & equipment charges. For new TV res. custs. $12/mo. STB and $15/mo. router charges apply.
** + taxes
$99 setup & taxes & terms may apply. Subj. to credit approval & may require a deposit. Fios avail. in select areas.</sup>

Check out our Fios TV Review if you’re interested in Spanish-language plans para tus padres y tu.

Xfinity TV vs. Verizon Fios TV contracts

Xfinity gives you the option to sign a 1-year contract for cheaper pricing. So if you like the idea of saving money for your first year, get either the Extra or Preferred Plus plan.

After your 1-year contract ends, your monthly pricing will increase to the non-contract pricing similar to the Digital Starter and Digital Preferred plans.

Or if you don’t like the idea of being tied down, you can pay an extra $20–$30 per month to be contract-free with the Digital Starter and Preferred plans.

Verizon Fios doesn’t have a contract. Yup, Verizon wins the trophy on this one.

Xfinity TV vs. Verizon Fios TV hidden fees

Simply put: Xfinity TV has one of the longest lists of fees in the TV industry, while Verizon Fios has one of the shortest.

With Fios, you have about four different fees:

• Your first set-top box
• A second set-top box for your bedroom
• DVR fee
• Fios router fee

(We recommend buying the Fios router if you plan on keeping this cable TV provider for more than two years.)

With Xfinity, expect to pay six fees that could add up to $75 (no, Xfinity, no). Verizon Fios’ fees will be around the $59 range, further making it the least expensive option.

^{Data effective 4/6/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.}

Xfinity TV vs. Verizon Fios TV channels

Verizon Fios has a more complete lineup than Xfinity

We’ve named Xfinity as our favorite cable TV provider, but until recently, we’ve noticed Xfinity’s channels have been slacking.

Xfinity no longer has ESPN, HGTV, or NFL Network (what kind of absurdity is that?).

You can get Nicktoons and ESPNews in the Extra and Starter plans, and you can find Nick Jr. in the Preferred packages.

But you won’t have to worry about missing out on your favorite channels with Fios. Fios has all of the channels under the sun in your lineup, so you’ll get a good variety to satisfy any mood you’re in.

^{Data effective 4/6/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.}

Xfinity TV vs. Verizon Fios TV premium channels

Xfinity and Verizon Fios offer all of the premium channels, but they go about their pricing differently.

Xfinity has a set price for each premium channel, and the pricing is average compared to other TV providers. How can you miss out on your Westworld, Billions, or The Undoing? You just can’t.

Although Xfinity lacks some popular channels, it has recently added HBO Family and four STARZ channels to the entry-level plans (Extra and Starter). We’ll take it, but it’d still be nice to have our HGTV and ESPN.

^{Data effective 4/6/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.}

Fios is a rarity and charges its premium channels by the number. You could get all five premium channels for only $40/mo. if you get the More or Most Fios TV plans (making them $8 each).

With Your Fios TV, you can only get two premium channels at the most. You’ll want HBO Max if you’re stoked for the new Mortal Kombat movie.

^{Data effective 4/6/2021. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.}

Xfinity TV vs. Verizon Fios TV sports channels

Xfinity lacks in sports channels, and Verizon Fios takes the championship belt because it offers way more sports channels.

Xfinity offers eight sports channels in its entry-level package, but it doesn’t include ESPN, NFL Network, or FS1.

We don’t recommend upgrading to the Preferred plans because you’ll only get three sports channels. Xfinity is the only TV provider that offers that little of sports channels, and we think that’s a foul for a #1 cable TV provider.

With Fios, we noticed a couple of things that stood out amongst the sports channel lineup. Keep in mind, the More Fios TV plan doesn’t have the Golf Channel or NBC Sports Network.

And if you’re a Shohei Ohtani fan, you’ll have to get the Most Fios TV plan to get MLB Network and MLB Strike Zone. You’ll also want this plan if you want to enjoy NBA TV and the greatest channel of all, the NFL RedZone Channel.

With Verizon Fios, you can get over 40 sports channels with the Most Fios TV package. Most TV providers only give you around 20.

Xfinity TV’s Extra and Starter plans have the following sports channels:

Xfinity TV’s Preferred plans have the following sports channels:

• BeIN Sports en Español
• Fox College Sports
• Outdoor Channel

Verizon Fios’ Your Fios TV plan includes the following sports channels:

Verizon Fios’ More Fios TV plan includes the following sports channels:

Verizon Fios’ Most Fios TV plan includes the following sports channels:

Xfinity TV vs. Verizon Fios TV DVR

Xfinity wins in this realm. Xfinity’s DVR service is $5–$10 less per month than Verizon’s (if you get DVR service for more than one set-top box).

Not only is Xfinity’s X1 DVR the cheaper option, but its DVR also has a little more storage space.

But Fios isn’t far off, and you’d still be saving more money overall with this cable TV provider.

Xfinity doesn’t mention how many streams can be used at once while using the Xfinity app, but it does say you can record five shows at once. This can save a lot of home disputes, honestly.

^{Data effective 4/6/2021.}

Recap: Verizon Fios TV is the winner

As long as Verizon Fios is available in your area though

• Pricing: Let’s hypothetically say you want the most channels possible. If you were to get Verizon Fios’ Most Fios TV plan and two set-top boxes with DVR service, you’d expect about a $145 monthly bill. If you get Xfinity’s 1-year contract Preferred Plus plan, two set-top boxes with DVR service, and the rest of the fees, you’ll need to budget for $135 per month for the first year and $165 for the second and onward. Over two years, you’ll only save $120 with Verizon Fios, and it’s worth it if you want a complete channel lineup with 425 channels instead of 220.
• Contracts: Xfinity has a 1-year contract option and a no-contract option that’s $20–$30 more per month. Verizon Fios doesn’t have contracts whatsoever. We recommend Xfinity’s 1-year contract options, but if you just want the entry-level package, you might as well get Verizon Fios’ Your Fios TV plan for the same price as Xfinity’s Extra plan but without the contract.
• Fees: Verizon has four fees, while Xfinity has six. Verizon requires you to order their Fios router to use the TV service, and Xfinity charges HD, broadcast, and regional sports fees. In the end, Verizon’s fees are about $16 less per month than Xfinity.
• Channels: Verizon Fios, hands down. Fios’ channel lineup is the main reason Fios is better than Xfinity. Verizon Fios not only offers a total of 425 channels, but every package has the popular channels most people want. You can’t go wrong with Fios’ entry-level package, Your Fios TV, but you won’t find all of your favorite channels in one package with Xfinity. You’ll have to pick and choose which channels you really need since Xfinity divides its popular channels into two.

If you’re still unsure of either of these providers, check out our more in-depth reviews on Xfinity TV and Verizon Fios TV.

If neither sounds like the right service for you, check out our Best TV Service Providers of 2021.

What do you think?

Do you have Xfinity TV or Verizon Fios TV? What’s your experience with it been? Or do you like a different provider better? Drop us a comment below!