Xfinity TV vs. Verizon Fios TV Review

Xfinity has less expensive prices than Verizon Fios, which is perfect for those who don't want to spend over $100 for cable TV. But if you'd like more than 300 channels, Verizon Fios offers this number for an unbeatable price.

Like Xfinity, Verizon Fios doesn’t require a contract, but Verizon gives you straightforward pricing throughout your service.

Your Fios TV plan offers the same number of channels as Xfinity’s Popular TV plan for $25 more, but you'll be paying less in fees with Verizon Fios. And 425 channels for $119 per month is the best channel-to-dollar ratio you’ll find in the TV industry.

Fios TV Test Drive offers 425+ channels but will only be for 60 days. After 60 days, Verizon will recommend a Fios TV plan for you based on your viewing throughout the test.

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

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 three different fees:

• 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 five fees that could possibly add up to $79 (no, Xfinity, no). Verizon Fios’ fees could hit a max of $69, further making it the least expensive option.

We’ve named Xfinity as our favorite cable TV provider because it has a channel lineup with popular sports, entertainment, kids, news, and lifestyle channels. Not to mention, Xfinity TV is widely available across the US.

You won’t have to worry about missing out on your favorite channels with Fios either. 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.

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.

Fios is a rarity and charges its premium channels by the number. You could get all five premium channels for only $40/mo.! That's the best premium channel deal we've seen in the TV industry.

With Most Fios TV, you can add MAX or Cinemax to your service. No need to order SHOWTIME, STARZ, or MGM+ because you'll have them in your channel lineup already!

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

Xfinity offers nine sports channels in its entry-level package, but unfortunately, it doesn’t include NFL Network (while most entry-level cable packages do).

So, if it's sports channels you're after, we highly recommend upgrading to the Ultimate TV package. For $10 more, you'll get access to 22 sports channels. Worth it.

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.

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 Popular TV plan has the following sports channels:

Xfinity TV’s Ultimate TV plan includes all of the above and the following sports channels:

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:

When it comes to the DVR, both Xfinity TV and Verizon Fios TV have their ups and downs.

Both of Xfinity's plans come with a 20-hour DVR storage for no extra cost. Although that might not be sufficient for most families, you'll have to upgrade to Fios' $100/month plan to get free DVR service.

But we can't forget that Xfinity has more fees than Fios, which could potentially make up for the pricing differences.

With Fios, the higher the plan you order, the less you have to pay on DVR fees:

• Your Fios TV: $10 for 50 HD hours, $20 for 100, $30 for 200
• More Fios TV: 50 hours included, $8 for 100, $18 for 200
• The Most Fios TV: 100 hours included, $10 for 200

Xfinity's DVR fees are a little more straightforward.

Both of its plans include a 20-hour DVR storage. If you agree that this is ridiculously small because you want to record more than three movies and 10 TV episodes, you can upgrade to 150 hours for $10 per month or 300 hours for $20. 

• 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 $137 monthly bill. If you get Xfinity’s Ultimate TV plan, two set-top boxes with DVR service, and the rest of the fees, you’ll need to budget for $150 per month. You'll save more with Verizon Fios, and it’s worth it if you want a complete channel lineup with 425 channels instead of 185.
• Contracts: Both Xfinity TV and Verizon Fios TV don’t have contracts whatsoever. Yay!
• Fees: Verizon requires you to order their Fios router to use the TV service, and the DVR can get pricey if you order the entry-level package. Xfinity charges astronomical broadcast and regional sports fees. In the end, Verizon’s fees are about $10 less per month than Xfinity's.
• 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, and you'll only get up to 185 channels with Xfinity. But you get what you pay for.

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 2023.