Interested in a new TV or internet plan?

Enter your address to find out what providers and plans are available to you.

How does Optimum compare to Verizon Fios internet?

Curious what internet and TV plans are available locally?

Enter your address to find out what providers and plans are available to you.

Verizon Fios and Optimum both provide fast internet that isn’t subject to data limits. While Verizon Fios and Optimum internet align when it comes to speed, they have one significant difference: availability. Verizon Fios is currently available in nine states, while Optimum internet can only be found in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. What follows is a breakdown of plans, who they may work well for, how they compare to each other, what reviewers have to say, pricing and more.

Who Optimum and Verizon Fios internet are for

When comparing Verizon Fios vs Optimum internet, it’s important to note that both internet service providers (ISPs) would likely be a good fit for individuals that need fast internet, such as those that play games online or do a lot of streaming. Both ISPs would also be suitable choices for homes with multiple family members consuming significant bandwidth, as well as people who work from home.

In a potential decision between Verizon and Optimum, location is a key factor. With Optimum being an inexpensive choice for high-speed internet, particularly for customers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Verizon is also a solid choice many of these locations, particularly because even though their prices may be higher, their fiber optic internet service makes it possible to experience high speeds both when uploading and downloading. This makes Verizon Fios a reliable choice for people who have to stream high-quality video to others during online conferences and programmers who have to perform live tests of software they’re designing.

When it comes to Optimum prices vs. Verizon Fios prices, each provider does, at times, provide more value. The Optimum 300 plan, which offers speeds up to 300Mbps for $49.99/month, is a good match for smaller families where three or four people may be online at the same time, streaming high-definition content. On the other hand, if you have five or six — or more — users streaming at the same time, you may want to go with the Optimum 500 or 1 Gig plans, which can handle 500 and 1000Mbps, respectively.

When considering Verizon Fios vs. Optimum, if fiber optic internet is important to you, you may lean towards Fios due to their experience in the fiber internet space. And this experience could very well be your deciding factor, since the Verizon Fios 300Mbps plan costs $49.99/month, the same price you’ll find for 300Mbps with Optimum.

Back to top

Key considerations

In a comparison of Optimum vs. Fios internet, Verizon and Optimum provide the same tiers of speed, with both ISPs offering plans with 300, 500 and 940Mbps of download speed. The most significant difference between the two providers is their availability. While both focus on the northeastern US, Optimum only serves the four states mentioned previously.

Another significant difference in the Optimum vs. Verizon Fios internet decision is their prices. Optimum gives customers a relatively hefty amount of bandwidth for comparatively little money. For example, you can get the Optimum 1 Gig plan (with 1000Mbps) for $84.99/month, which is $5 less than Verizon’s monthly price of $89.99 for their 940Mbps plan.

Back to top

What others say about Optimum and Verizon Fios internet

While digging into Verizon internet vs. Optimum, you’ll find a range of opinions from reviewers.

Verizon Fios earns positive comments for its consistency and speed, especially when it comes to its upload bandwidth. One reviewer commented that Fios’ upload and download speeds are almost the same. It’s also been observed that Verizon Fios is a top contender for East Coast customers who are able to get it at their homes.

At the same time, Optimum gains praise for its consistent speeds. One reviewer commented that Optimum tends to be a great internet option for those who can get it at their address.

Back to top

How do Optimum and Verizon Fios internet packages compare?

Back to top

*Pricing varies by location and availability. Speeds may vary. All prices subject to change; for current pricing and availability visit our internet service page. Prices as of 2/6/22.

Back to top

Disclosure | Updater articles are based on our own data and research, independent from partner relationships. We are not compensated by partners for information and opinions presented here. Our Editorial Terms of Service can be found here.

Curious what internet and TV plans are available locally?

Enter your address to find out what providers and plans are available to you.

Internet and TV tips

Switching providers and don’t know where to start? We can help.