CenturyLink vs. Verizon: Which Internet Provider Is Best for You?
CenturyLink is more wallet-friendly, but Verizon has the better reputation
Oct 16, 2026 | Share 
Brand Guides, Provider Comparisons (Versus)
Starting price:
$49.99/mo.* w/ Auto Pay
Speed range:
300–2,300Mbps
* Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See CenturyLink disclaimers | See Verizon disclaimers
Compare CenturyLink and Verizon head-to-head
CenturyLink and Verizon are two strong competitors. Both offer fiber and DSL internet, with Verizon also bringing fixed wireless to the table. For budget shoppers, CenturyLink has the lower-priced plans, but if you’re looking for great customer service and solid reliability, Verizon pulls ahead.
Let’s break it down. Keep reading to compare plans, discuss hidden fees, and check out real customer ratings on price, reliability, and more.
Services at a glance
| Provider | Services |
|---|---|
 | |
|
|
Pros and cons: CenturyLink vs. Verizon
Pros
No fees for fiber plans
Low-cost options for fiber
Cons
Limited fiber availability
Inconsistent DSL speeds
Pros
Great customer service
Incredibly high-speed fiber plans
Wide variety of connection types
Cons
Limited fiber availability
In this comparison:
Plans and pricing | Deals and promotions | Up-front costs | Recurring fees | Customer ratings | Final call | FAQ | Methodology
In this comparison:
Plans and pricing: CenturyLink vs. Verizon
When it comes to low prices, both providers offer affordable plans with speeds starting at 300Mbps and 500Mbps. For fiber and DSL plans of similar speeds, CenturyLink runs cheaper, but it has fewer options to pick from.
Comparing the two only based on high speeds, Verizon is a clear winner with availability for speeds up to 5Gbps, though it will cost you a pretty penny, and most people don’t need speeds that high.
CenturyLink plans and pricing
Centurylink Internet Plans
| Plan | Price* | Download Speed | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|
Simply Unlimited Fiber Internet Up to 500 Mbps | $50/mo. | Up to 500Mbps | Fiber |
Simply Unlimited Fiber Internet Up to 940 Mbps | $75/mo. | Up to 940Mbps | Fiber |
Simply Unlimited Internet Up to 140 Mbps | $55/mo. | Up to 140Mbps | DSL |
* Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See CenturyLink disclaimers.
Our favorite plan: Simply Unlimited Fiber Internet Up to 500 Mbps
Speeds of 500Mbps—especially on fiber internet—are a great choice for almost every household. With such a low monthly price, this plan is an easy favorite. See our methodology for more information.
CenturyLink plans are cheaper than Verizon by a long shot and could save you a pretty penny, even on similar speeds and connection types. Most internet users only need 300–500Mbps, so it would be nice to see a plan with lower speeds. Though for a decent monthly price, it’s hard to resist the extra Mbps.
Verizon plans and pricing
Verizon Internet Plans
| Plan | Price* | Download Speed | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|
5G Home | $50/mo. w/Auto Pay | Up to 300Mbps | Fixed Wireless |
5G Home Plus | $60/mo. w/Auto Pay | Up to 500Mbps | Fixed Wireless |
5G Home Ultimate | $75/mo. w/Auto Pay | Up to 1,000Mbps | Fixed Wireless |
Fios 300 Mbps | $49.99/mo. | Up to 300Mbps | Fiber |
Fios 500 Mbps | $74.99/mo. | Up to 500Mbps | Fiber |
Fios 1 Gig | $89.99/mo. | Up to 940Mbps | Fiber |
Fios 2 Gig | $109.99/mo. | Up to 2,300Mbps | Fiber |
Fios 5 Gig | $119.99/mo. | Up to 5,000Mbps | Fiber |
Verizon Home Internet Lite Extra | $80/mo. | Up to 25Mbps | Fixed Wireless |
* Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See Verizon disclaimers.
Our favorite plan: Fios 300 Mbps
Most households thrive on only 300Mbps. When paired with the technology of fiber internet, this speed is a great, affordable choice for gaming, streaming, Zoom calls, and browsing the web. See our methodology for more information.
One of the best things about Verizon is the abundance of options. You can decide between 5G home internet, fiber, or DSL with great speeds. We love seeing slower plans with only 300Mbps, because that is typically plenty of speed for the average household.
If you have the need for speed, Verizon can definitely supply. Plans with up to 5,000Mbps of internet speed are hard to come by, but Verizon has options.
The only thing to be wary of is the price difference between similar plans with Verizon compared to CenturyLink. For similar speeds and connection types, you could end up saving a good amount per month with CenturyLink.
Deals and promotions: CenturyLink vs. Verizon
Get $50–$100 for you and a friend when you refer them to CenturyLink. Terms apply
Get Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, or a Ring bundle from Verizon for 12 months. Terms apply
Up-front costs: CenturyLink vs. Verizon
When it comes to up-front costs, CenturyLink and Verizon won’t charge you to activate your account, which is refreshing to see. Installation costs are the only fees you might see, depending on your internet plan, though there is a way around most of those.
Installation cost
| Installation fee | |
|---|---|
CenturyLink | |
Verizon |
If you’re planning on selecting a fiber internet plan, CenturyLink waives installation fees altogether, and Verizon offers to waive them so long as you order online, or else it will cost you $99. Verizon also won’t charge you for installation on any 5G or LTE home internet plans since you set it up yourself.
The only unavoidable installation fee is for CenturyLink DSL plans. For Standard installation, it will cost you $25. You’ll receive a kit in the mail with everything you need to DIY your internet setup. If you don’t want to do it yourself, you can opt for a professional installation. That will run you $129, with the potential to go up if the technician needs to lay any additional wiring underground.
Want to know if CenturyLink or Verizon is in your area?
Find out if CenturyLink and Verizon are available where you live by entering your zip code below.
Recurring fees: CenturyLink vs. Verizon
| Equipment fee | Other fees | |
|---|---|---|
CenturyLink | ||
Verizon |
Luckily, Verizon and CenturyLink don’t require contracts, so you don’t have to worry about any early termination fees. Equipment fees are minimal, with Verizon charging nothing and CenturyLink only charging for DSL. If you’re a fiber customer, there is no equipment fee.
The only additional fee you need to be aware of is the late fee. Both providers charge a late fee, and these vary in price depending on your plan. Verizon charges $10 or 5% of the unpaid balance—whichever is greater. CenturyLink late fees range quite a bit, either being a flat rate of $5 or some percentage of your bill.
On the positive side, CenturyLink and Verizon both offer unlimited data with no data caps, so you can rest easy knowing you won’t be charged for overuse.
Price hikes
Both Verizon and CenturyLink deserve a gold star for avoiding price hikes. While you might see an occasional rate change as services and technology improve, there is no looming bill in the distance that you need to remind yourself of.
Customer ratings: CenturyLink vs. Verizon
| CenturyLink | Verizon | |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | 5.2/10 | 3.9/5 |
| Most reliable | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Customer's choice | 7/10 | 6.9/10 |
| Best value | 4.9/10 | 4.4/10 |
| Fastest | 137Mbps | 231Mbps |
Data based on our Annual Internet Service Provider Review.
It’s clear—Verizon’s reputation in the home internet world is well-deserved, with faster speeds and better reliability. CenturyLink doesn’t fall too far behind in most categories, though, even taking the lead in value and customer choice.
Though CenturyLink’s overall score is a bit low, its fiber customers tend to really enjoy their service. CenturyLink boasts much lower prices than Verizon and has reported better customer value, so it’s important to compare actual prices to customer feedback.
Ready to switch to CenturyLink or Verizon?
Enter your zip code below to see if these two providers are available to you.
Final call: CenturyLink vs. Verizon
All in all, both providers offer similar perks with no data caps, installation fees, and minimal equipment fees, so the decision comes down to connection type and availability.
CenturyLink is our favorite for fiber internet service because of the low price and solid options for speed. However, CenturyLink and Verizon’s fiber footprints don’t typically overlap, so we recommend signing up for fiber if either provider can offer it to you.
If you’re comparing Verizon’s 5G to CenturyLink’s DSL, Verizon takes the cake with excellent reliability and customer service.
More about CenturyLink and Verizon
FAQ about CenturyLink vs. Verizon
Is CenturyLink cheaper than Verizon?
Does Verizon offer fiber internet?
Does CenturyLink charge an equipment fee?
How do I know if CenturyLink or Verizon is available at my address?
Is CenturyLink or Verizon better for gaming?
Methodology
Our HighSpeedInternet.com editorial team bases our analyses on customer input from our Annual Internet Service Provider Review, results from our speed test tool, and proprietary internet provider data on speeds and pricing. To strengthen our research, we look closely at provider contracts to get hard-to-find information on price hikes, data caps, and extra fees, and we keep tabs on the latest news reports and online reviews. When applicable, we also rely on our personal experiences testing these services.
Our favorite plan
The average household needs internet speeds of at least 300Mbps but not more than a gig (1,000Mbps), so the best plan we recommend for each provider is always within that range. We also consider plan specifics, like added costs or included perks, and compare all the options from each provider to national averages. Finally, we account for tech type differences, since you might not need as much speed on a fiber plan as you would on a less-reliable fixed wireless or cable plan. Learn more about how much speed you need, and enter your zip code in our provider lookup tool to see what you can get in your neighborhood.
A note about pricing
The prices you see may not reflect the standard rates these providers could charge after an introductory period. You’ll see the standard rates on broadband nutrition labels displayed during checkout, along with equipment fees, installation fees, contract requirements, and data caps (if any). Always view this information before you sign up for internet service.
Plans disclaimers
CenturyLink internet disclaimers
Centurylink Internet Disclaimers
| Plan | Disclaimer |
|---|---|
Simply Unlimited Fiber Internet Up to 500 Mbps | Limited availability. Service and rate in select locations only. Paperless billing required. Taxes and fees apply. |
Simply Unlimited Fiber Internet Up to 940 Mbps | Limited availability. Service and rate in select locations only. Paperless billing required. Taxes and fees apply. |
Simply Unlimited Internet Up to 140 Mbps | Paperless billing or prepay required. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Get the fastest internet speed available at your location (max speed is up to 140 Mbps). |
Verizon internet disclaimers
Verizon Internet Disclaimers
| Plan | Disclaimer |
|---|---|
5G Home | Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon's terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet. |
5G Home Plus | Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon's terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet. |
5G Home Ultimate | |
Fios 300 Mbps | Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon's terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet. |
Fios 500 Mbps | Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon's terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet. |
Fios 1 Gig | Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon's terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet. |
Fios 2 Gig | Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon's terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet. |
Fios 5 Gig | Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans. 5 year price lock. Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon's terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet. |
Verizon Home Internet Lite Extra | 4 year price lock guarantee. Verizon Home Internet Lite: Verizon Home Internet Lite Extra plan at $55/mo. when combined with postpaid Verizon mobile phone plan (excludes business and data-only plans). Auto Pay & paper-free billing req’d. Availability varies. Subject to credit approval. |
Deals Disclaimers
CenturyLink, Refer a Friend; Get $100 Each — Customer Referral Program (“program”) is available to current and new residential customers of CenturyLink or non-customer individuals (“referrers”) referring new, potential customers (“referees”) to CenturyLink for residential internet service. Referrers must meet eligibility requirements described at https://centurylink.aklamio.com (“website”) and receive referral code in order to participate; current employees/representatives, sales agents/leasing agents or partners/affiliates of CenturyLink and Lumen are not eligible for this program. Referrers must complete the registration process at website prior to the first referral that results in a completed sale. Qualified referrals for internet for all speeds up to 99Mbps are eligible for a $50 cash reward; qualified referrals for internet for all speeds ranging from up to 100Mbps to up to 940Mbps are eligible for a $100 cash reward. Referrers and referees will receive payment (a deposit to PayPal) after the referral has been qualified and audited and service activated for 60 consecutive days. Program maximum payout is a total of $500 for the referrer per calendar year and $100 for the referee per calendar year. Once the referrer has received the $500 maximum payout in the calendar year, no additional qualifying referrals will be rewarded or rolled to the following calendar year and includes referrals made for Quantum Fiber internet. Only registered referrers with qualifying referral and completed sales that include the referrer’s referral code will be eligible for cash reward; any referrals outside of the process or missing referral code are void. Participation in more than one referral program through Lumen is prohibited. Duplicate referrals of same person and address will only be paid one-time and to the first referrer to refer that referee/address. CenturyLink may change, cancel, or substitute the program, or vary it by service area, at its sole discretion without notice. Enrollment, cash reward and payment details, and terms and conditions are located at Website, executed by Aklamio. Additional restrictions apply.
Verizon Home Internet, Get Free Disney+ or a Ring Security Bundle with Verizon Internet — Disney+, Hulu, & ESPN+ (With Ads): Limited time offer. Requires a Fios 5 Gig, Fios 2 Gig (or Fios 1 Gig in areas where 2 Gig and 5 Gig unavailable), or 5G Home Ultimate Verizon Home Internet (VHI) plan; must activate/install VHI service, enroll in perk w/in 60 days after plan purchase and then register the perk directly with Disney w/in 90 days of enrollment. $12/mo perk credit ends after 12 mos or if perk is canceled or VHI plan is moved to an ineligible plan during the 12 mo promo period. After 12 mos, perk bills as $12/mo unless perk is canceled or unregistered. Must be 18 yrs or older. Cancel anytime. One offer per eligible VHI plan. Add’l terms apply. EXISTING DISNEY+, HULU, OR ESPN+ Subscribers: Offer will not automatically replace existing subscription(s). Managing subscriptions may be required to avoid multiple subscriptions and corresponding charges. Ring Home Security Bundle: Limited-time offer; offer subject to change. For new home internet customers who install and maintain eligible Fios 1 Gig plan (except in areas where 2 Gig and 5 Gig are available), Fios 2 Gig plan, or Fios 5 Gig plan in good standing for 65 days. Redemption terms apply. Bundle includes Ring Battery Doorbell 2k and Spotlight Cam 2k (MSRP: $269.98). Verizon reserves the right to charge back the $269.98 value of the bundle if eligible service is cancelled within 365 days of service activation. Limit one offer per Verizon account. While supplies last.
Author - Morgan McDougal
Editor - Jessica Brooksby
Jessica loves bringing her passion for the written word and her love of tech into one space at HighSpeedInternet.com. She works with the team’s writers to revise strong, user-focused content so every reader can find the tech that works for them. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in English from Utah Valley University and seven years of creative and editorial experience. Outside of work, she spends her time gaming, reading, painting, and buying an excessive amount of Legend of Zelda merchandise.
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