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CenturyLink

Fiber expanding nationwide

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Verizon 5G Home

Internet service provider

CenturyLink vs Verizon 5G Home

Quick Answer

CenturyLink is the better choice for most users in 2026. CenturyLink delivers fiber internet up to 940 Mbps starting at $50/mo, while Verizon 5G Home tops out at Varies on Various from Contact for pricing. Fiber offers faster uploads, lower latency, and more consistent speeds.

By Pablo Mendoza, Lead Analyst|Updated April 2026

Compare speeds, pricing, coverage, and features to find the best provider for your needs.

SpeedCenturyLink
PriceCenturyLink
CoverageVerizon 5G Home

CenturyLink and Verizon 5G Home are two of the most searched internet providers in the United States. Below, we compare their plans, pricing, speeds, coverage, and customer satisfaction to help you choose the best option for your home internet needs.

Quick Answer

CenturyLink wins the CenturyLink vs Verizon 5G Home comparison in 2026. CenturyLink offers Fiber/DSL internet starting at $50/mo/mo with speeds up to 940 Mbps (no contract) and unlimited data. Verizon 5G Home offers Various internet starting at Contact for pricing/mo with speeds up to Varies (no contract). The price difference is $949/mo at entry level. The faster provider reaches 940 Mbps vs Varies.

CenturyLink vs Verizon 5G Home: Key Findings

  • CenturyLink is faster with speeds up to 940 Mbps vs Varies
  • CenturyLink is more affordable starting at $50/mo vs Contact for pricing
  • Verizon 5G Home has wider coverage: 28,412 vs 4,888 ZIP codes
  • Technology: CenturyLink uses Fiber/DSL, Verizon 5G Home uses Various
  • Data caps: CenturyLink has no data caps; Verizon 5G Home has a Varies cap
  • Overall winner: CenturyLink (4 of 5 categories)

How CenturyLink and Verizon 5G Home Compare

CenturyLink and Verizon 5G Home are both major internet service providers, but they take different approaches to delivering broadband. CenturyLink primarily uses fiber/dsl technology, while Verizon 5G Home relies on various. This fundamental difference affects speed consistency, latency, and upload performance.

On raw speed, CenturyLink leads with a maximum of 940 Mbps compared to Verizon 5G Home's Varies. However, the fastest plan isn't always the best value — consider whether you actually need speeds above 500 Mbps for your household. For most households of 2-4 people, a plan in the 200-500 Mbps range handles HD streaming, video calls, and general browsing with room to spare.

From a cost perspective, CenturyLink has the edge with plans starting at $50/mo versus Contact for pricing. Neither provider requires a long-term contract, giving you the flexibility to switch if you find a better deal. CenturyLink offers unlimited data, while Verizon 5G Home has a Varies cap — an important consideration for households that stream frequently.

Quick Verdict

Winner

CenturyLink

  • Faster speeds (940 Mbps)
  • Lower starting price ($50/mo)
  • No contract required
  • No data caps
Runner-up

Verizon 5G Home

  • Wider coverage (28,412 ZIPs)
  • No contract required

Head-to-Head Comparison

CenturyLink vs Verizon 5G Home feature comparison
FeatureCenturyLinkVerizon 5G HomeWinner
Max Speed940 MbpsVariesCenturyLink Wins
Starting Price$50/moContact for pricingCenturyLink Wins
Coverage (ZIP Codes)4,88828,412Verizon 5G Home Wins
Primary TechnologyFiber/DSLVariousDepends on needs
Contract RequiredNoNoTie
Data CapNoneVariesCenturyLink Wins

Pros & Cons

CenturyLink

Pros

  • Faster max speeds (940 Mbps)
  • Lower starting price ($50/mo)
  • No contract required
  • No data caps

Cons

  • Less coverage than Verizon 5G Home

Verizon 5G Home

Pros

  • Wider coverage (28,412 ZIP codes)
  • No contract required

Cons

  • Slower than CenturyLink
  • More expensive starting price
  • Has data cap (Varies)

Which Provider Should You Choose?

Choose CenturyLink if:

  • You need the fastest speeds available
  • You want the lowest starting price
  • CenturyLink is available at your address

Choose Verizon 5G Home if:

  • Verizon 5G Home is available at your address

The Bottom Line

Choose CenturyLink if raw speed is your priority (up to 940 Mbps). Choose CenturyLink for a more budget-friendly option (starting at $50/mo). Ultimately, the best provider depends on availability at your address, your speed requirements, and whether you prefer no-contract or no-contract plans.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, CenturyLink or Verizon 5G Home?
CenturyLink offers faster maximum speeds at 940 Mbps compared to Verizon 5G Home's Varies. CenturyLink uses Fiber/DSL technology while Verizon 5G Home uses Various. Actual speeds you experience may vary based on your location and plan.
Which is cheaper, CenturyLink or Verizon 5G Home?
CenturyLink has a lower starting price at $50/mo compared to Verizon 5G Home at Contact for pricing. However, the total cost depends on the plan speed, promotional pricing, equipment fees, and contract terms. Always compare the specific plan you need rather than just the starting price.
Do CenturyLink and Verizon 5G Home have data caps?
CenturyLink does not have data caps. Verizon 5G Home has a data cap of Varies. CenturyLink is the better choice if unlimited data is important to you.
Do CenturyLink or Verizon 5G Home require a contract?
Neither CenturyLink nor Verizon 5G Home requires a contract, so you can cancel or switch providers at any time without penalty.
Which has better coverage, CenturyLink or Verizon 5G Home?
Verizon 5G Home has wider coverage. CenturyLink serves 4,888 ZIP codes while Verizon 5G Home serves 28,412 ZIP codes. However, coverage varies by location, so enter your ZIP code to check which providers are available at your address.
Is CenturyLink or Verizon 5G Home faster?
CenturyLink is faster than Verizon 5G Home. CenturyLink delivers up to 940 Mbps using Fiber/DSL, while Verizon 5G Home tops out at Varies on Various. For the fastest available speeds, CenturyLink is the better choice.
Is CenturyLink cheaper than Verizon 5G Home?
Yes, CenturyLink is cheaper than Verizon 5G Home. CenturyLink starts at $50/mo compared to Contact for pricing for Verizon 5G Home. That's a savings of $949 per month at the entry level. Final costs depend on the speed tier, equipment fees, and promotions.
Which is better, CenturyLink or Verizon 5G Home?
CenturyLink is the better choice for most customers because of faster speeds (940 Mbps vs Varies), lower starting price ($50/mo vs Contact for pricing), no data caps. However, the best provider depends on your location and priorities — CenturyLink uses Fiber/DSL while Verizon 5G Home uses Various, and availability varies by address.
Can I get CenturyLink and Verizon 5G Home at the same address?
In many areas, yes. CenturyLink (Fiber/DSL) and Verizon 5G Home (Various) use different network infrastructure, so they often overlap in the same neighborhoods. Enter your ZIP code above to check which providers are available at your specific address.
Should I choose CenturyLink or Verizon 5G Home?
The best choice depends on your priorities. Choose CenturyLink for the fastest speeds (940 Mbps). CenturyLink is more affordable starting at $50/mo. Consider factors like data caps, contract requirements, technology type, and availability at your address when making your decision.

Sources & Methodology

This CenturyLink vs Verizon 5G Home comparison uses pricing, speed, and coverage data from FCC Broadband Data Collection filings, provider-published broadband nutrition labels, and Ookla speed test measurements. Plans and pricing are verified against each provider's current public offerings. Pricing, speeds, and availability are verified against provider broadband nutrition labels and may vary by location. For a detailed explanation of our data collection and scoring process, see our methodology page.

Last verified: April 2026. InternetProviders.ai is an independent resource. We may earn commissions from partner links — this does not affect our editorial recommendations. See our methodology for details.

Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, December 2024

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