AT&T and Verizon are two major providers in this market. There are multiple features on which Verizon and AT&T are comparable. Each provides its clients with the fastest internet access with ideal deals. These top carriers offer different plans, prices, and extra features, so choosing one entails more considerations than just price.
We will examine the specifics of Verizon and AT&T services, comparing their internet packages, network coverage, and unlimited plans, that will help you choose the ideal provider. Whether you are a digital nomad, or looking for a suitable internet deal for your family in the confusing world of network providers, this comparative analysis will help you pick the best.
- AT&T
- Verizon
- Internet Service Comparison – AT&T vs Verizon
- Plans & Pricing Details – AT&T vs Verizon Internet
- Additional Costs – Verizon vs AT&T Internet
- Perks – AT&T vs Verizon Internet
- Better Option for Gaming – AT&T or Verizon?
- Wider Coverage Area – AT&T or Verizon?
- Better Customer Service – AT&T or Verizon?
- Final Verdict – Is AT&T Better Than Verizon Internet?
AT&T
AT&T is one of the best and most trusted brands in the telecommunications industry and the most accessible fiber internet service provider throughout the US, connecting over 20.7 million customers to hyperfast speeds.
AT&T deals in three main types of internet services. AT&T Fiber (delivered over a fiber-rich network), Internet Protocol Broadband (IPBB), using a hybrid fiber-copper cable system, and AT&T Air, which is a mass market fixed wireless broadband internet delivered over cellular 5G network.
Pros
- Budget-friendly plans
- High customer satisfaction
- No data caps
Cons
- IPBB speeds are slower
- Fiber is not widely available
Verizon
Verizon is a well-known internet service provider that offers a variety of home internet services nationwide to over 10.7 million broadband customers.
It provides its clients with three primary categories of internet services. First and foremost, there is Verizon Fios, a 100% fiber-optic network that powers millions of homes with lightning-fast internet speeds. Next is Verizon 5G Home Internet, a basic wireless home internet service fueled by 5G Ultra Wideband; and lastly, there is LTE Home Internet, a broadband internet service that extends Verizon’s 4G LTE network into your home. In places where 5G is not accessible, it is typically available.
Pros
- 5G speeds are very fast
- No data limitations
- Less additional costs
Cons
- Availability of fiber internet is limited
- 5G home internet cost is high
Internet Service Comparison – AT&T vs Verizon
| Features | AT&T | Verizon |
|---|---|---|
| Contracts | No | No |
| Speed | 10 Mbps – 5 Gbps | 300 Mbps – 2 Gbps |
| Prices | $55.00 – $250.00/mo. | $49.99 – $109.99/mo. |
| Types Of Internet | IPBB, Fiber, Fixed Wireless | Fiber-optic, Fixed Wireless |
| Data Cap | No** | No |
| Equipment | Included | Included |
| Bundles | Available | Available |
| ACSI Score | 80/100 | 75/100 |
**A data cap of 1.5 TB applies on plans equal to or slower than AT&T Internet 75.
Plans & Pricing Details – AT&T vs Verizon Internet
Verizon and AT&T provide low-cost internet, top-class customer support, and fast download speeds. AT&T provides more alternatives for rural internet connectivity, while Verizon 5G Home Internet is a relatively new service that has been helping to close the digital divide in the country.
Compare the costs of each plan offered by the two providers to determine which one best suits your needs.
AT&T Internet Plans
| Plans | Starting Price | Max Speed | Type |
| AT&T Fiber | |||
| Internet 300 | $55.00/mo. | 300 Mbps | Fiber |
| Internet 500 | $65.00/mo. | 500 Mbps | Fiber |
| Internet 1 Gig | $80.00/mo. | 1 Gbps | Fiber |
| Internet 2 Gig | $150.00/mo. | 2 Gbps | Fiber |
| Internet 5 Gig | $250.00/mo. | 5 Gbps | Fiber |
| AT&T Internet Protocol Broadband (IPBB) | |||
| Internet 25 | $55.00/mo.* | 25 Mbps | IPBB |
| Internet 50 | $55.00/mo.* | 50 Mbps | IPBB |
| Internet 75 | $55.00/mo.* | 75 Mbps | IPBB |
| Internet 100 | $55.00/mo.* | 100 Mbps | IPBB |
| AT&T 5G Home Internet | |||
| AT&T Internet Air | $55.00/mo.** | 75 – 225 Mbps | 5G |
**Standalone price for AT&T Internet Air.
All prices quoted in the table above are with AutoPay and paperless billing discounts.
Verizon Internet Plans
| Plans | Starting Price | Max Speed | Type |
| 5G Home Internet | |||
| 5G Home | $35.00/mo.* | 50 – 300 Mbps | 5G |
| 5G Home Plus | $45.00/mo.* | 85 – 1,000 Mbps | 5G |
| Fios Home Internet | |||
| 300 Mbps | $24.99/mo.* | 300 Mbps | Fiber-optic |
| 500 Mbps | $44.99/mo.* | 500 Mbps | Fiber-optic |
| 1 Gig | $64.99/mo.* | 1,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic |
| 2 Gig** | $84.99/mo.* | 2,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic |
**Availability of Verizon Fios 2 Gig plan is limited to select markets.
Additional Costs – Verizon vs AT&T Internet
| Provider | Equipment | Installation | ETF |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $0.00 | $99.00 | $0.00 |
| Verizon | $0.00 | $99.00* | $0.00 |
Perks – AT&T vs Verizon Internet
There are several benefits that AT&T and Verizon, as internet service providers, give to their clients.
AT&T and Verizon not only offer non-contractual service to their customers, but they also cover their early termination fee from the previous providers through Contract Buyout offers.
With Verizon’s “Contract Buyout” policy, new customers can receive up to $500 in early termination fee coverage when they decide to quit their present provider and switch to Verizon home internet. Similarly, AT&T gives its customers Visa Reward Cards (rounded off to the nearest $10 increments) to pay off their early termination fees.
AT&T and Verizon’s month-to-month plans include multi-product discounts and savings for enrolling in AutoPay and paperless billing services. For example, the price of AT&T Internet Air is $60 per month. But when you register for AutoPay and e-billing, you get a $5 discount on the plan, and if you bundle the wireless home internet with an eligible wireless phone service, you will get $20 off each month. Similarly, bundling Verizon Fios plans with an unlimited 5G mobile plan allows you to save $25 each month.
However, Verizon’s perks exceed AT&T’s by a notch. Unlike AT&T, Verizon offers 5-year price guarantees and Target GiftCards of up to $300 in value on its Fios and 5G Home Internet plans.
Better Option for Gaming – AT&T or Verizon?
Fiber is the ideal option for gaming because it offers fast and symmetrical upload and download speeds and lower latency compared to other types of internet connections.
Both, Verizon Fios and AT&T Fiber offer 100% fiber connection with the lowest average latencies, making them top-performing internet service providers for gaming. However, for the same speed tier, 2 Gig speed, Verizon Fios’s typical latency is 6.19 ms. Whereas, AT&T Fiber offers a latency of 13 ms on its 2 Gig plan.
However, Verizon Fios is available only in the Northeast region of the country, and its 2 Gig plan is limited to selected markets. In contrast, AT&T Fiber is more accessible. Therefore, it will be a great alternative for gaming – if it’s available where you reside.
Wider Coverage Area – AT&T or Verizon?
AT&T and Verizon’s coverage area is not comparable. AT&T is widely available in 100+ metro areas across 22 states of the US, but Verizon Fios’ availability is limited to 8 states and Washington, D.C.
Currently, the non-availability of Verizon Fios across the US is its only drawback. However, the company plans on expanding its fiber locations to 18 million by 2025.
AT&T Fiber is available in one state of the Northeast (Pennsylvania) and the other 21 states, which makes its total fiber coverage area 3 times more than that of Verizon Fios.
Better Customer Service – AT&T or Verizon?
AT&T and Verizon are two of the top-rated internet service providers in the US. Through the ASCI score, which ranks each service provider annually based on their performance and customer satisfaction throughout the year, we analyze their customer satisfaction.
With a score of 80 out of 100, AT&T Fiber won the game. However, Verizon also scored well in terms of customer satisfaction and is comparable to AT&T in terms of overall customer satisfaction.
Final Verdict – Is AT&T Better Than Verizon Internet?
When considering metrics like service availability and cost, AT&T stands victorious. However, you will find it quite difficult to decide which service provider to select if you can find both Verizon and AT&T in your area.
Both offer multigigabit speeds, but AT&T Fiber’s top-tier plan delivers speeds up to 5 Gigs. Whereas, Verizon Fios limits it to 2 Gigs. However, Verizon’s service includes slightly superior benefits and performance.
Therefore, it would be wise to compare plans when deciding between AT&T and Verizon to see which one best suits your needs and those of your household. Think over how the advantages of each provider fit your demands in terms of lifestyle and personal needs.
