Cox vs Verizon Fios: Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Cox and Verizon Fios plans, pricing, internet speeds, and available services to find the best home service provider for your area.
Cox vs Verizon Fios: Our Verdict
Cox and Verizon Fios represent cable versus fiber in one of the clearest technology matchups among major internet providers. Verizon Fios delivers 100% fiber-to-the-premises service with symmetrical upload and download speeds starting at $50/mo for 300 Mbps up to $110/mo for 2.3 Gbps, with no data caps and no annual contracts. Cox relies on hybrid coaxial cable technology with plans from $39.99/mo for 100 Mbps to $99.99/mo for 1 Gbps, but imposes a 1 TB data cap and offers significantly slower upload speeds.
Our Pick
Verizon Fios
Recommendation
Verizon Fios is the superior choice for nearly every type of internet user thanks to its symmetrical fiber speeds, absence of data caps, and consistent real-world performance that cable simply cannot match. Cox is only the better option if Verizon Fios is unavailable at your address, which is common since Fios is limited to parts of the Northeastern United States.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Cox | Verizon Fios |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $15.00/mo | $49.99/mo |
| Max Internet Speed | 2000 Mbps | 2000 Mbps |
| Available Plans | 10 plans | 15 plans |
| Internet | ||
| TV | ||
| Mobile | ||
| View Cox Plans | View Verizon Fios Plans |
Featured Plans
Cox
Cox Gigablast
Contour TV Preferred
Cox Mobile Gig Unlimited
Verizon Fios
Verizon Unlimited Plus
Fios 1 Gig
Your Fios TV
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Verizon Fios upload speeds compare to Cox?
Verizon Fios offers fully symmetrical speeds, meaning its 300 Mbps plan provides 300 Mbps both downstream and upstream, and its 1 Gbps plan delivers 1 Gbps in both directions. Cox's cable technology provides severely asymmetrical speeds, with upload speeds typically limited to 5-35 Mbps even on plans with download speeds of 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Fios upload speeds can be 10 to 100 times faster than Cox at comparable download tiers.
Is Verizon Fios more reliable than Cox internet?
Verizon Fios fiber optic cables are significantly more reliable than Cox's coaxial cable infrastructure. Fiber is immune to electromagnetic interference, doesn't degrade over distance as significantly as coaxial cable, and is not affected by weather conditions the way copper-based connections can be. Fios also doesn't suffer from the neighborhood congestion that cable networks experience during peak usage hours. Independent studies consistently rank Verizon Fios among the top providers for network reliability.
Can I get Verizon Fios if I currently have Cox?
Whether you can switch depends entirely on your geographic location. Verizon Fios is available only in parts of the Northeastern United States, covering portions of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Cox serves 18 states with the heaviest presence in Arizona, Virginia, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. There is limited overlap primarily in parts of Virginia and Connecticut.
Which is a better deal for gigabit internet, Cox or Verizon Fios?
Verizon Fios charges approximately $90/mo for its Gigabit Connection plan offering symmetrical 1 Gbps speeds with no data cap, while Cox charges $99.99/mo for its Gigablast plan with asymmetrical speeds and a 1 TB data cap. Fios provides substantially more value at a lower price: symmetrical speeds and no data cap. Fios also offers a 2.3 Gbps plan at $110/mo, a tier that Cox does not match.
Does Verizon Fios or Cox offer better TV and phone bundles?
Both Cox and Verizon Fios offer comprehensive TV and phone bundles. Verizon Fios offers its Fios TV package with customizable channel lineups, while Cox offers Contour TV with a range of packages. Verizon also offers Verizon Wireless integration that can provide additional savings for mobile customers, while Cox lacks a mobile phone offering. For customers who want to consolidate internet, TV, and mobile service under one brand, Verizon has a significant ecosystem advantage.