Cox vs. Verizon Internet – Which is Better?

The two providers are as polar apart as their contrasting personalities. On one hand, we have Verizon, bold and disruptive, the one to “build it right”, always. On the other hand, we have Cox Communications, devoted and nurturing, the one “bringing people closer”. 

Both are contesting in this “Battle of Bandwidths”. Join us as we light the fire in this Cox vs. Verizon comparison blog and declare a winner based on price, discounts, coverage, and customer service.   

Cox 

Cox Communications is the third largest cable internet provider in the United States. With over 6.5 million customers, it offers hybrid fiber-cable connections to homes and businesses in 19 states. 

Starting in 1962 as a family-owned business, Cox Communications gradually expanded to become the nation’s largest broadband provider. Cox’s coverage area includes more than 647 residential communities, connecting approximately 152.7 million Americans to high-speed broadband services.  

Cox offers five home internet plans, starting at $50 per month and delivering download speeds of up to 2 Gbps. Cox’s last-mile connectivity relies on coax cables. Hence, the download and upload speeds are asymmetric. Moreover, Cox imposes a data cap of 1.25 terabytes (TB) per month, and in the case of exceeding the data limit, customers must pay a data overage fee. 

Let’s look at some pros and cons of Cox Internet to see how it fares against Verizon. 

Pros

• A cable and fiber internet provider
• Wide-scale availability in 19 states 
• Download speeds of up to 2 Gigs
• A 30-day money-back guarantee
• Contract-free service 
• Cost-saving bundles 
• Panoramic Wi-Fi equipment included 
• Access to over 4 million Wi-Fi hotspots 

Cons 

• Plans include a 1.25 TB data cap 
• A data overage fee is applicable 
• 2 Gbps speeds are available in select areas
• Prices are subject to change after 24 months

Verizon 

Verizon is the second-biggest telecommunications company in the USA by revenue. Its wireless footprint covers 99 percent of the US population. However, its wired broadband service is limited to 8 states, including the capital, Washington, D.C. Over 9.1 million American households are actively using Verizon’s broadband services, of which 7 million have subscribed to fiber-rich Fios plans. Currently, Verizon residential customers can use Fios, 5G Home Internet, and DSL services for broadband connectivity. 

Verizon’s diverse broadband portfolio allows it to serve customers from all walks of life and target rural and urban markets with varying price points. Verizon Fios offers four month-to-month plans with equal upload and download speeds of up to 2 Gbps. Whereas, on the Verizon 5G Home Internet connections, customers can receive download speeds of up to 300 Mbps via two monthly plans. 

In the outskirts and rural communities, Verizon’s DSL service continues to be popular for its reliability. DSL customers can receive download speeds of up to 11.32 Mbps for a starting price of $64.99 per month. 

Scroll down Verizon’s pros and cons to see what this bigwig offers. 

Pros 

• A fiber, DSL, and wireless home internet provider
• Symmetrical internet speeds of up to 2 Gigs
• Installation fee waivers on online orders 
• Up to 4 years of price guarantees 
• Up to $300 on Target GiftCards 
• Router rental is included in the monthly fee
• Unlimited data 
• No annual contracts 
• Up to $500 in early termination fee coverage 
• Monthly savings of up to $25 on Fios and 5G mobile bundles

Cons 

• Availability of Verizon Fios is limited to 8 states 
• Verizon 2 Gig plan is only available in 4 states 

Internet Service Comparison – Cox vs. Verizon 

Features	Cox Communications	Verizon
Type of Internet	Fiber and Cable	Fiber, DSL, and 5G Home
Coverage Area	19 states of the USA	8 states of the USA
Price Range	$50.00/mo. to $150.00/mo.	$49.99/mo. to $109.99/mo.
Speed Range	100 Mbps to 2,000 Mbps	0.84 Mbps to 2,000 Mbps
Contracts	Not required	Not required
Data Caps	1.25 TB	Unlimited data
Installation Fee	$100 for professional installation	$99 for professional installation
	A free self-installation kit is available	Free expert installation on online orders
Equipment Fee	Included	Included
Bundles	Available	Available
Perks	A 30-day money-back guarantee	Up to $300 Target GiftCard
Customer Rating	3.65 out of 5 stars	3.85 out of 5 stars
Best For	Remote work and learning/ UHD streaming	Pro-level gaming/ UHD streaming

Internet Plans – Cox vs. Verizon 

Comparing Cox and Verizon is like comparing apples to oranges. The two providers have very different approaches to offering broadband services. Cox Communications uses a simpler model for internet transmission. In the first leg of delivery, internet signals leave the data centers in fiber-optic cables. But in the last mile, the signals are transferred to coaxial cables, from where they reach individual homes. It is because Cox’s fiber-exclusive network is around 30,000 miles long, whereas its hybrid fiber-coax network covers over 200,000 miles, reaching more neighborhoods and homes. 

As a result, Cox offers five straightforward month-to-month plans on its dual cable network.

Cox’s Fiber-Powered High-Speed Internet Plans
Plan	Price	Download Speed	Upload Speed
Go Fast	$50.00/mo.	100 Mbps	10 Mbps
Go Faster	$70.00/mo.	250 Mbps	25 Mbps
Go Even Faster	$90.00/mo.	500 Mbps	50 Mbps
Go Super Fast	$109.99/mo.	1,000 Mbps	100 Mbps
Go Beyond Fast	$150.00/mo.	2,000 Mbps	100 Mbps

In contrast, Verizon has separated its broadband offerings into 3 types – DSL, fiber-optic, and wireless 5G home internet. All three services have their separate transmission networks, plans, and coverage areas, which are discussed as follows:  

Verizon Fios Home Internet Service

Verizon’s fully fiber-optic internet plans are available in metro areas of 8 states, including Washington, D.C. Most Fios customers can receive mirrored upload and download speeds of up to 1 Gbps. However, selected neighborhoods in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania can receive symmetrical internet speeds of up to 2 Gbps. 

Customers of Verizon Fios can choose between four-speed tiers to enjoy reliable fiber internet access at their preferred monthly rates. 

Verizon Fios Internet Plans
Plan	Price	Speed	Price Guarantee
Fios 300	$49.99/mo.	300 Mbps	2 years
Fios 500	$69.99/mo.	500 Mbps	3 years
Fios 1 Gig	$89.99/mo.	940 Mbps	4 years
Fios 2 Gig	$109.99/mo.	2,300 Mbps	4 years

Verizon 5G Home Internet Service 

Apart from its ultrafast fiber-rich plans, Verizon also offers wireless 5G home internet service to the ones embracing a cordless life. Its 5G Ultra Wideband network covers metros in 41 states, delivering download speeds of up to 300 Mbps on two exclusive 5G home internet plans. 

Verizon 5G Home Internet Plans Powered By 5G Ultra Wideband
Features	5G Home Plan	5G Home Plus Plan
Lowest Price	$35.00/mo.	$45.00/mo.
Price without Discounts	$60.00/mo.	$80.00/mo.
Download Speed	100 Mbps	300 Mbps
Upload Speed	50 Mbps	85 Mbps
Streaming Quality	HD (1080p)	UHD 4K
Equipment	Wireless router included	Router + Whole-home Wi-Fi included
Price Guarantee	2 years	3 years
Extras	N/A	Verizon Cloud Unlimited &A $200 Target GiftCard

Verizon DSL Internet Service 

Unfortunately, Verizon’s digital subscriber line (DSL) internet service is not as well advertised as the ‘New Age’ Fios and 5G home internet plans. Based on our research, Verizon’s DSL internet service is concentrated in the northeast of the country, servicing nearly 748 locations. You can receive download speeds between 0.84 Mbps and 11.32 Mbps for a starting price of $64.99 per month. However, you should contact Verizon customer service for more details on their DSL internet plans.  

Standalone and Bundle Prices

Both, Cox and Verizon offer monthly savings on their bundle deals. When customers combine their broadband internet plans with an eligible mobile phone plan, they can get discounts of up to $45 per month with Cox and $35 per month with Verizon. 

See the tables below for details. 

Super Savings on Cox Internet + Mobile Bundles
Speed	Standalone Price	Bundled Price	Savings
100 Mbps	$50.00/mo.	$35.00/mo.	$15.00/mo.
250 Mbps	$70.00/mo.	N/A	$0.00/mo.
500 Mbps	$90.00/mo.	$45.00/mo.	$45.00/mo.
1,000 Mbps	$109.99/mo.	$65.00/mo.	$44.99/mo.
2,000 Mbps	$150.00/mo.	$105.00/mo.	$45.00/mo.

Now, let’s check out Verizon’s mega-saver bundle deals. 

Verizon Fios and Unlimited 5G Mobile Phone Bundles
Speed	Standalone Price	Bundled Price	Savings
300 Mbps	$49.99/mo.	$24.99/mo.	$25.00/mo.
500 Mbps	$69.99/mo.	$44.99/mo.	$25.00/mo.
940 Mbps	$89.99/mo.	$64.99/mo.	$25.00/mo.
2,300 Mbps	$109.99/mo.	$84.99/mo.	$25.00/mo.

AND…

Verizon 5G Home Internet + Unlimited 5G Phone Bundles
Speed	Standalone Price	Bundled Price	Savings
100 Mbps	$60.00/mo.	$35.00/mo.	$25.00/mo.
300 Mbps	$80.00/mo.	$45.00/mo.	$35.00/mo.

So, the prime philosophy for saving money with Cox and Verizon bundle deals is that “the more you add, the cheaper it gets”. 

Installation Charges 

Whichever provider you choose, Verizon or Cox, you will get two installation options upon service enrollment. You can opt for professional installation or order a free self-installation kit based on your technical expertise. 

In the case of Cox, standard expert installation costs $100 (a one-time charge). But when it comes to Verizon, you can get a waiver on the otherwise $99 expert installation by ordering the service online. Verizon Fios customers can request a self-installation kit only if their home was previously equipped with fiber internet. 

Equipment Fees

The equipment rental for Cox and Verizon home internet is included in the monthly fee. Regardless of the provider and the type of internet connection, you will receive compatible and cutting-edge modem-router gateways for the service. For example, Cox internet plans come with an all-in-one Panoramic Wi-Fi gateway, free for 24 months. But in the third year of service, you will be charged an additional $15 per month for its lease. 

Similarly, Verizon Fios plans include routers and whole-home Wi-Fi equipment. While the 5G Home internet customers get a wireless router and whole-home Wi-Fi system to support 5G connectivity. The only condition is to the equipment to Verizon upon service cancellation to avoid incurring an equipment non-return fee. 

Early Termination Fee 

Cox and Verizon offer non-contractual broadband services to their customers. Since you are not under any legal obligation to continue service with the provider for a specified duration, you can switch plans or cancel the service without prior notice. It also saves you from paying penalties known as early termination fees. Providers that make annual contracts compulsory charge their customers a hefty early termination fee for walking away in the middle of the term agreement. 

Thankfully, this is not the case with Cox and Verizon. You can move to greener pastures and better providers when Cox or Verizon can no longer serve your needs. 

Data Caps 

Now, this is where Verizon takes the lead. Verizon offers unlimited monthly data on all of its broadband services. Be it a blazing-fast Fios plan or a turtle-slow DSL internet connection, Verizon customers can rest assured that their data usage will be uncapped. It gives subscribers the freedom to enjoy unlimited downloads and other data-intensive online activities. 

On the other hand, Cox restricts its users to 1.25 TB of data usage per month. It is a lot of data, especially when you consider that an average American household consumes up to 600 GB of data in a month. But when it comes to multi-device connectivity, ultra-high-definition streaming, and professional online gaming, nothing is enough. Moreover, users who exceed this data limit are charged an additional $10 per month for every 50 GB of excess data. 

So, if you want to live without restrictions, then Verizon is the one to pursue.  

Bundle Deals – Cox vs. Verizon 

Cox and Verizon broadband plans can be bundled with mobile phone plans, home phone lines, and TV packages for optimal value at the lowest monthly rates. 

We have already discussed that Cox customers who stack a Mobile service on their high-speed broadband plan can save up to $45 per month. Now, let’s look at some other exciting Cox bundles. 

Cox Internet and TV Bundles

Cox Internet plans can be combined with TV streaming and cable TV services. In the case of an add-on Contour streaming service, you can watch over 140 channels, including popular networks like HGTV, ESPN, and Food Network, as well as top broadcasting networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and more. On top, you can access renowned preinstalled applications like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and Disney+ to watch thousands of movies and shows. A voice-activated remote control is part of the deal. 

Valued-Added Cox Internet and TV Bundles
Price	Cox Internet	Cox TV	Contract
$55.00/mo.	100 Mbps (down)	Contour Stream Player	Not required
$75.00/mo.	250 Mbps (down)	Contour Stream Player	Not required
$95.00/mo. For 12 months	500 Mbps (down)	Contour Stream Player	1 year
$114.99/mo. For 12 months	1,000 Mbps (down)	Contour Stream Player	1 year
$162.00/mo.For 12 months	100 Mbps (down)	140+ channels	1 year
$221.99/mo. For 12 months	1,000 Mbps (down)	140+ channels	1 year

Cox 3-in-1 Bundles 

Subscribers of Cox Internet, TV, and Home Phone bundles can enjoy download speeds of up to 1 Gbps, over 140 TV channels, and more than 14 advanced calling features for as low as $182 per month. 

Popular Cox Internet + TV + Home Phone Bundles
Price	Cox Internet	Cox TV	Cox Phone
$182.00/mo. For 12 months	100 Mbps (down)	140+ channels	14+ features
$222.00/mo. For 12 months	500 Mbps (down)	140+ channels	14+ features
$241.99/mo. For 12 months	1,000 Mbps (down)	140+ channels	14+ features

Similarly, Verizon Fios plans can be bundled with the Fios TV packages and Fios Home Phone service for added perks and value. 

Verizon Fios and Fios TV Bundles 

You can receive ultrafast internet speeds of up to 2 Gbps, watch over 425 TV channels, and get combined credits of up to $500 on Target and Verizon gift cards with Fios Internet and TV deals. 

Verizon Fios Internet + Fios TV Deals
Price	Fios Internet	Fios TV	Combined Perks
$134.99/mo.	300 Mbps	125+ channels	$50 TGC + $50 VGC
$154.99/mo.	500 Mbps	125+ channels	$100 TGC + $50 VGC
$174.99/mo.	1 Gig	125+ channels	$200 TGC + $50 VGC
$194.99/mo.	2 Gig	125+ channels	$300 TGC + $50 VGC
$158.99/mo.	300 Mbps	300+ channels	$50 TGC + $50 VGC
$178.99/mo.	500 Mbps	300+ channels	$100 TGC + $50 VGC
$198.99/mo.	1 Gig	300+ channels	$200 TGC + $50 VGC
$218.99/mo.	2 Gig	300+ channels	$300 TGC + $50 VGC
$178.99/mo.	300 Mbps	425+ channels	$50 TGC + $200 VGC
$198.99/mo	500 Mbps	425+ channels	$100 TGC + $200 VGC
$218.99/mo.	1 Gig	425+ channels	$200 TGC + $200 VGC
$238.99/mo.	2 Gig	425+ channels	$300 TGC + $200 VGC

You can add a Verizon Fios Home Phone line to the above bundles for just $25 more each month. With the Fios home phone service, you can enjoy unlimited countrywide calling and free international calls to at least 120 countries.  

Perks and Specials – Cox vs. Verizon 

Cox and Verizon may differ in several ways, but both have taken a customer-centric approach by providing special extras on internet plans. Cox Internet customers can test drive the service for the first 30 days. It is known as Cox’s “Worry-Free Promise”. If unsatisfied with the service, they can cancel it and get their money back in full. Moreover, Cox offers its customers free access to more than 4 million Wi-Fi hotspots across the country, allowing them to enjoy wireless connectivity on the go.     

Verizon takes it up a notch. The perks on Verizon Fios and 5G Home internet plans include Target GiftCards of up to $300, unlimited cloud storage, and even 6 months of free access to Disney+ Premium on the Fios 1 Gig plan. 

Availability – Verizon vs. Cox 

The countrywide availability of Verizon dwindles as we move up the speed tiers from DSL to fiber-optic internet service. According to some estimates, Verizon offers its DSL internet service in at least 14 states, covering around 748 locations. In contrast, its fiber-powered Fios plans can be accessed in just 8 states and the capital of the USA, Washington D.C. By this standard, nearly 15 million homes in the mid-Atlantic and New England regions fall under the Fios Internet coverage area. You can look at the table below for clarity. 

The coverage of Verizon 5G Home Internet wireless service extends to 41 states, covering the most densely populated metros like Orlando (Florida), Los Angeles (California), Chicago (Illinois), and Austin (Texas). You can refer to the Verizon coverage map to check the availability of 5G Ultra Wideband service in your area.

Even in terms of service availability, Cox keeps it simple. It offers coverage in 19 states and narrows it to 647 service areas. Let’s zoom in for clarity. 

All the States where Cox’s Hybrid Fiber-Cable Internet is Available
Arkansas			Florida			Kansas			North Carolina
Arizona			Georgia			Louisiana			Nebraska
California			Iowa			Massachusetts			Nevada
Connecticut			Idaho			Missouri			Ohio
Oklahoma				Rhode Island				Virginia

Customer Service – Cox vs. Verizon

Both, Verizon and Cox are award-winning telecommunications companies. Verizon has consistently topped the charts with above-average customer satisfaction scores to become the Best Overall Internet Service Provider in the USA in 2024, as per U.S. News and World Report. In the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study, Verizon bagged the first position in the East with a score of 760 out of 1,000 points. It was Verizon’s 11th consecutive win in the East region. 

Similarly, in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) 2023, Verizon Fios scored 75 on a 100-point scale in the fiber internet providers category.   

In comparison, Cox has scored 64 out of 100 points on the ACSI 2023 in the non-fiber internet service providers category and 706 out of 1,000 points in East in the J.D. Power study. 

Based on these scores, we can say that Verizon’s customer service is slightly better than Cox’s. Hence, we have rated Verizon a 3.85-star internet provider and given 3.65 stars to Cox. 

Which is Better for Gaming? Cox or Verizon? 

When it comes to online gaming, latency, and jitter matter more than the upload and download speeds of an internet connection. It is conventional wisdom that the latency of fiber internet is lower than the latency on coaxial cable networks. Professional gamers don’t mind paying extra for ultra-low latency as long as it reduces lag times and ensures glitch-free gameplay and live streams. 

The good news is that Verizon’s 1 Gig and 2 Gig plans are cheaper than Cox’s gigabit and multigigabit tiers. Also, the latency averages between 6 and 10 milliseconds (ms) compared to Cox’s average latency of 36 ms. So, the answer is crystal clear. Out of Cox and Verizon, the latter takes the trophy for superior performance during online gaming. 

Best Overall – Cox or Verizon? 

We get it. Verizon and Cox’s coverage overlaps in a few states, offering speeds of up to 2 Gbps at market-competitive rates. So, naturally, you are divided between the two. But at the core, the two providers are worlds apart and deliver a unique experience to their subscribers. Verizon delivers ultra-fast and symmetrical speeds on its fiber network. Whereas, Cox uses a hybrid transmission model, fiber-coaxial, to distribute download speeds of up to 2 Gbps while the upload speeds max out at 100 Mbps. 

Moreover, Verizon offers better value through its technologically advanced equipment, above-average customer service, and better perks. However, there is one arena in which Cox has taken the lead. Cox offers monthly savings of up to $45 on its bundle deals. Verizon is on the same trajectory, but the discounts are limited to $35 per month.

So, in this Cox vs. Verizon debate, we will declare Verizon the best overall internet service provider and hand out a participation certificate to Cox with the words “Better Luck Next Time”.