Verizon Fios
Premium fiber experience
Viasat
High-speed satellite internet
Verizon Fios vs Viasat
Quick Answer
Verizon Fios is the better choice for most users in 2026. Verizon Fios delivers fiber internet up to 2.3 Gbps starting at $50/mo, while Viasat tops out at 150 Mbps on Satellite from $70/mo. Fiber offers faster uploads, lower latency, and more consistent speeds.
Compare speeds, pricing, coverage, and features to find the best provider for your needs.
Verizon Fios and Viasat 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
Verizon Fios wins the Verizon Fios vs Viasat comparison in 2026. Verizon Fios offers Fiber internet starting at $50/mo/mo with speeds up to 2.3 Gbps (no contract) and unlimited data. Viasat offers Satellite internet starting at $70/mo/mo with speeds up to 150 Mbps (contract required). The price difference is $20/mo at entry level. The faster provider reaches 2.3 Gbps vs 150 Mbps.
Verizon Fios vs Viasat: Key Findings
- Verizon Fios is faster with speeds up to 2.3 Gbps vs 150 Mbps
- Verizon Fios is more affordable starting at $50/mo vs $70/mo
- Verizon Fios has wider coverage: 28,412 vs 26,093 ZIP codes
- Technology: Verizon Fios uses Fiber, Viasat uses Satellite
- Data caps: Verizon Fios has no data caps; Viasat has a Varies by plan cap
- Overall winner: Verizon Fios (5 of 5 categories)
How Verizon Fios and Viasat Compare
Verizon Fios and Viasat are both major internet service providers, but they take different approaches to delivering broadband. Verizon Fios primarily uses fiber technology, while Viasat relies on satellite. This fundamental difference affects speed consistency, latency, and upload performance.
On raw speed, Verizon Fios leads with a maximum of 2.3 Gbps compared to Viasat's 150 Mbps. 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, Verizon Fios has the edge with plans starting at $50/mo versus $70/mo. Verizon Fios stands out here by not requiring a contract, while Viasat does require one. Verizon Fios offers unlimited data, while Viasat has a Varies by plan cap — an important consideration for households that stream frequently.
Quick Verdict
Verizon Fios
- Faster speeds (2.3 Gbps)
- Lower starting price ($50/mo)
- Wider coverage (28,412 ZIPs)
- No contract required
- No data caps
Viasat
- Satellite technology
Verizon Fios is a premium fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) internet service available in 9 northeastern U.S. states, offering symmetric upload and download speeds up to 2.3 Gbps. Viasat is a geostationary satellite internet provider serving all 50 U.S. states, offering speeds up to 150 Mbps with plans designed for rural and underserved communities.
| Feature | Verizon Fios | Viasat |
|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | 2.3 Gbps | 150 Mbps |
| Starting Price | $50/moPrice verified April 2026 | $70/moPrice verified April 2026 |
| Technology | Fiber (FTTP) | Geostationary Satellite |
| Contracts | No | Yes |
| Data Caps | No | Yes |
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Verizon Fios | Viasat | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | 2.3 Gbps | 150 Mbps | Verizon Fios Wins |
| Starting Price | $50/mo | $70/mo | Verizon Fios Wins |
| Coverage (ZIP Codes) | 28,412 | 26,093 | Verizon Fios Wins |
| Primary Technology | Fiber | Satellite | Depends on needs |
| Contract Required | No | Yes | Verizon Fios Wins |
| Data Cap | None | Varies by plan | Verizon Fios Wins |
Pros & Cons
Verizon Fios
Pros
- Faster max speeds (2.3 Gbps)
- Lower starting price ($50/mo)
- Wider coverage (28,412 ZIP codes)
- No contract required
- No data caps
- Fiber technology (fastest, most reliable)
Cons
Viasat
Pros
Cons
- Slower than Verizon Fios
- More expensive starting price
- Less coverage than Verizon Fios
- Contract required
- Has data cap (Varies by plan)
Which Provider Should You Choose?
Choose Verizon Fios if:
- You need the fastest speeds available
- You want the lowest starting price
- You want fiber reliability and low latency
- You don't want to commit to a contract
- Verizon Fios is available at your address
The Bottom Line
Choose Verizon Fios if raw speed is your priority (up to 2.3 Gbps). Choose Verizon Fios 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 contract plans.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster, Verizon Fios or Viasat?
Which is cheaper, Verizon Fios or Viasat?
Do Verizon Fios and Viasat have data caps?
Do Verizon Fios or Viasat require a contract?
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Is Verizon Fios or Viasat faster?
Is Verizon Fios cheaper than Viasat?
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Sources & Methodology
This Verizon Fios vs Viasat 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.
Data Sources
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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