Verizon 5G
Verizon 5G has no contracts, data caps or added equipment fees. A wide service area and fast-speed internet make this provider a top contender for homeowners, particularly those who live in rural areas.
Our rating: 4.6 out 5
Best for: Rural internet speed, 5G bundles
Average plan cost: $35 to $80
Verizon 5G at a glance
One of the top internet service providers, Verizon 5G Home Internet spans 47 states. It operates wirelessly via a receiver that captures Verizon’s signal and broadcasts it as a Wi-Fi network.
Fast facts
- Verizon introduced its 5G internet service in 2019. Verizon 5G Home Internet is now available in 47 states and Washington, D.C.
- Verizon 5G is a sound selection for rural residents with limited fiber or cable internet access.
- Verizon doesn’t require contracts, impose data caps or charge added equipment or activation fees for 5G service.
- Customers enjoy transparent plan terms and pricing but complain about fluctuating internet speeds.
What we like
We like that Verizon 5G Home’s internet terms are easy to understand. Monthly rates include all taxes and fees and cut extra equipment charges that are common on plans from other providers. Verizon doesn’t subject customers to annual contracts, early termination fees or data caps. If you move to Verizon from another provider and incur an early termination fee, Verizon will reimburse you for that fee up to $500.
Verizon 5G Home Internet is worth considering for rural residents in 47 states. (It’s not available in California, Florida or Texas.) Because some rural areas lack broadband access, they can rely on fixed wireless internet services like 5G.
What we don’t like
While Verizon 5G Home internet may be available in your area, there’s no guarantee you can get it at your address. Service requires proximity to Verizon’s 5G cell towers and a consistently strong signal. Because of potential connectivity fluctuations, we don’t recommend Verizon 5G for people who need a fast, reliable internet connection, such as professionals who work from home or online students.
Verizon 5G pros and cons
Verizon offers many advantages, including its national availability, lack of data caps and contracts and faster download speeds than other fixed wireless service providers. In some areas, Verizon 5G’s speeds reach up to 1,000 Mbps, surpassing T-Mobile’s peak of 245 Mbps.
However, the strength of Verizon 5G’s connection depends on a user’s proximity to Verizon’s cell towers. Also, home and mobile customers compete for internet access on the same network, resulting in unreliable and fluctuating connections. While fiber connection is faster than 5G with minimum speeds of 1,000 Mbps, 5G is a quality alternative in areas with no available fiber service.
Pros
- Available in most states
- Faster download speeds than other fixed wireless services
- No data caps or contracts
Cons
- Proximity to Verizon cell tower affects connectivity
- Home and mobile customers compete for internet on the same network and speeds fluctuate
- Upload speeds are comparable to cable but fall short of fiber
How much does Verizon 5G cost?
Verizon 5G Home internet has two plans: 5G Home and 5G Home Plus. Neither has data caps or contracts. The promotional pricing depends on whether you’re an existing Verizon cellular service customer.
The monthly price for 5G Home for an existing customer starts at $35 with a two-year price guarantee. After a promotion ends or if you’re not a current Verizon cellular customer, the cost is $60 per month.
For 5G Home Plus, if you’re an existing customer, the promotional price is $45 per month with a three-year price guarantee. After that, it’s $80 per month. Like other ISPs, AutoPay yields a $10 discount. Plus, you can always test Verizon’s service with a 30-day price guarantee.
|
Price per month
|
Type of connection
|
Max speeds
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 5G Home | $35 to start, $60 after promotional period |
5G |
Up to 100 Mbps |
| 5G Home Plus | $45 to start, $80 after promotional period |
5G |
Up to 300 Mbps |
Savings and discounts
Verizon 5G offers multiple ways to save money through discounts, promotions and added rewards. Remember that these promotions change frequently, so your available offers may differ slightly. As of writing, the discounts are:
- You can save $25 to $35 on Verizon 5G Home Internet if you’re an existing Verizon cellular service customer.
- Verizon’s current promotions offer a two-year price guarantee.
- You can save $10 a month if you sign up for AutoPay.
- If you change your current provider and incur an early termination fee, Verizon will cover that cost (up to $500).
What plans and services does Verizon 5G offer?
Verizon 5G offers two plans, the Verizon 5G Home and Verizon 5G Home Plus. Each has two- to three-year price guarantees and neither requires a contract, has data caps or has extra equipment fees. Other details include:
- The 5G Home plan includes a wireless router, while the 5G Home Plus plan includes a router and whole-home Wi-Fi system.
- The 5G Home Plus plan also offers Verizon Cloud Unlimited, which promises unlimited storage of photos, videos, documents and more for up to five users and unlimited eligible devices. (The service is valued at $19.99 per month.)
|
Max speeds
|
Equipment fee
|
Data cap
|
Contract
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5G Home | 100 Mbps download, 10 Mbps upload |
None |
None |
None |
| 5G Home Plus | 300 Mbps download, 20 Mbps upload |
None |
None |
None |
Verizon 5G add-ons and optional features
If you have Verizon 5G Home Internet, you can add Verizon Home Device Protect as an optional feature. Most other add-ons and optional features come only with a mobile plan.
Verizon Home Device Protect
Verizon Home Device Protect (VHDP) covers a wide range of eligible home technology equipment, including TVs, gaming systems, computers, printers, tablets, smart-home products, wearables and Wi-Fi-enabled home healthcare devices. The warranty protects devices from “mechanical or electrical failures” stemming from production or material defects, from normal use and from power surges. The cost is $25 a month.
5G Home Internet customers with VHDP receive a complimentary professional setup for their 5G Home equipment and qualify for free installation of eligible home tech devices like security cameras, thermostats and doorbells.
VHDP also provides repairs or replacements for eligible home tech products, coverage for a second residence, 24/7 expert help, in-home expert visits and comprehensive tech care for devices such as laptops and gaming consoles.
Verizon 5G customer service and experience
Reaching out to Verizon 5 G’s customer service team is convenient. Its website has a live 24/7 chat option and is available for calls Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET
I recently contacted Verizon about its plans, prices, speeds and available promotions. I reached out via chat and phone between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on a Tuesday. Connecting with a representative via chat took less than a minute, and a representative promptly addressed my questions. The hold time on the phone was also minimal, with the entire process of answering my questions taking only eight minutes. Overall, the customer service experience was smooth and significantly quicker than other providers.
Customer feedback
However, Verizon 5G has a 1.4 out of 5-star rating on Trustpilot. Here is what customers said:
Other considerations about Verizon 5G
In addition to no contracts or data caps, Verizon 5G does not impose any activation or equipment fees.
pro tip
- Despite the recent termination of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), Verizon provides reduced-cost internet through Verizon Forward, which is available to eligible new or existing customers. The cost of Verizon Forward’s home internet starts at $20 per month.
How does Verizon 5G compare with competitors?
Like Verizon, AT&T does not require annual contracts and has no installment or equipment fees. However, AT&T’s top download speed is 225 Mbps, compared to Verizon’s 300 Mbps, making Verizon 5G a preferable choice for faster internet speeds.
If you live in an area without access to fiber or cable, your next best choice is T-Mobile’s Home Plan. T-Mobile Home Internet leverages its 4G and 5G networks to make its wireless connection widely available wherever a T-Mobile cellular signal reaches. T-Mobile’s coverage spans 50 states, just surpassing Verizon’s 47-state coverage. However, T-Mobile’s max download speeds are slower, peaking at 245 Mbps compared to Verizon’s faster speeds.
Ultimately, deciding which provider is right for you depends on service availability in your area and which cell phone provider you use. Bundling mobile service with home internet usually brings significant discounts.
Verizon 5G vs. competitors
|
Our score (out of 5 stars)
|
Availability
|
Plan price range
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon 5G | 4.6 |
47 states? |
$35 - $80 |
| AT&T Internet | 5 |
21 states |
$55 - $250 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | 4.8 |
50 states |
$40 - $60 |
| Optimum | 4.8 |
21 states |
$70 - $300 |
| Comcast Xfinity | 4.7 |
41 states |
$20 - $300 |
| Kinetic by Windstream | 4.7 |
18 states |
$40 - $325 |
| Mediacom Xtream | 4.5 |
22 states |
$20 - $70 |
Methodology
We evaluated 22 companies based on their plan features, connection speeds, availability, customer service reputation, data privacy offerings and more to help you find the best internet service provider for your needs. We weighed several factors in each category to create our impartial star rating system. Companies that offered the most options, convenience and best speeds at the lowest prices scored the highest.
All our reviews are impartial and independently verified. We conducted extensive research, including in-depth analysis, comprehensive studies and interviews with industry experts on various broadband and internet companies.
Bottom line
If you live in an area with limited access to fiber or cable, Verizon 5G Home Internet is a smart choice because it has download speeds that could rival cable and fiber. With only two plans and transparent pricing, it stands out for its simplicity and value, especially if you’re already a Verizon cellular customer. Consider a 30-day trial to test the signal strength in your area.
