Fiber vs. cable: Is fiber really better?
Fiber is faster and more reliable than cable, but cable is much more available and usually cheaper than fiber. Fiber is the clear winner when it comes to speed and performance, but its limited availability makes it off limits for most folks. That said, fiber and cable are the two best internet types out there, so really you’ll be happy with either—as long as you get the internet speed you need.
If you have access to fiber internet, you’re in a lucky group: only 42% of the US population has access to at least one fiber provider and only 22% has access to a fiber provider that offers speeds of 1,000 Mbps or faster. Access to cable is more common: about 89% of the population has access to a cable provider. (1)
Fiber vs. cable: pros and cons
Fiber
- Fastest internet speeds available (up to 10,000 Mbps)
- Symmetrical upload and download speeds
- Supreme reliability
- Limited availability
- Plans can be more expensive
- Little competition among providers
Cable
- Availability practically everywhere in the US
- Affordable internet plans with cable TV bundling options
- Fast speeds up to 3,000 Mbps
- Slower upload speeds than fiber
- Congestion during peak-usage times (usually evenings and weekends)
- Lower max upload speeds available
Is fiber better than cable?
Fiber is definitely better than cable when it comes to internet performance, but fiber might not be the better choice for you. Fiber internet is usually your best bet for Mbps per dollar, but cable often has more affordable plans. Top speeds will be slower, but cable's middle-of-the-road speeds are enough for the average internet user. It might be annoying to have your internet slow down occasionally during peak usage hours, but that’s less likely to happen if you get an internet speed that’s fast enough to leave some wiggle room for your household activities. If the thought of your Netflix show getting stuck loading at 75% once or twice a week makes you die inside, though, it’s probably a better idea to splurge on fiber.
Fiber is the most seamless internet experience you can get. With the possibility of symmetrical upload and download speeds, you can upload content to YouTube just as fast as you can watch it. Fiber is also the safest choice for online gamers who need an extremely reliable and fast connection when milliseconds of latency make all the difference. Check out our best internet for gamers.
What’s the difference between fiber and cable?
Technology
The main difference between fiber and cable is how the technology works: fiber internet is based on fiber-optic cables that are made from glass or plastic, and cable is based on coaxial cables with a copper core. Although both are great at transferring data to homes quickly, fiber is less prone to slowdowns and weather interference. Fiber internet is also capable of reaching faster speeds simply because of how it’s built.
Many cable internet networks use fiber as the foundation of their network in some areas. The difference is the line that goes directly to your home will be cable—but with fiber, it’s fiber all the way.
Why don’t all internet providers use fiber?
Fiber internet infrastructure is extremely expensive to install. So expensive, in fact, that even Google has run into cost-prohibitive setbacks during its Google Fiber expansion (2). Expense is the number-one reason why fiber internet is primarily available in metro areas—internet companies aren’t willing to invest in fiber unless they can count on lots of people signing up for it.
Speed
Fiber internet is also substantially faster than cable internet. Fiber reaches astounding max speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps (with Google hinting at speeds up to ten times that, at 100 Gbps) (3), while purely cable connections tops out around 3,000 Mbps or 3 Gbps. That said, this difference between fiber and cable might not be as significant as it seems—at least for most people. Unless you’re running a secret hacking operation in your basement with a team of hundreds, 3,000 Mbps is more than enough internet speed to keep your streaming, smart home devices, music, and gaming humming at a comfortable pace. Furthermore, the most widely available fiber plans max out at 1–2 Gbps (1,000–2,000 Mbps), so the speed difference between your available fiber and cable plans is probably pretty small. Paying for more speed than you need is something you want to avoid—there are more exciting ways to spend your money.
Price
Although fiber internet is known for being amazing, it’s not necessarily known for being cheap. You’ll pay between $25–$300 per month for a fiber plan, while most cable plans fall between $20–$125 per month. It’s true that you’ll get what you pay for when it comes to fiber, but all that speed might not be worth the extra monthly squeeze on your wallet.
Availability
Like we mentioned earlier, fiber internet is available to a very select group of folks in the US. Fiber infrastructure is incredibly expensive to install, so internet providers aren’t exactly paving the streets with fiber—even though it’s by far the superior internet tech type. Cable, on the other hand, is available to virtually all suburban and metro areas, with the exception of many areas in rural America.
Best fiber internet providers
- Plans starting at $55.00 - $180.00
- Download speeds up to 5000Mbps
- Upload speeds up to 5000Mbps
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers
AT&T is our top provider or fiber Internet, and our top 2023 home internet provider overall. It offers speeds up to 5 Mbps and has affordable plan options. Fiber customers also get unlimited data, free equipment, and the best customer service in the business.
The company also offers DSL in some areas, so make sure your home qualifies for fiber before signing up. Either way, though, you get access to a national network of hotspots so you can stay connected on the go.
There are also installation costs to consider. If you're home is wired for fiber, you can do it yourself but you'll be charged a $49 activation fee. If you need to have a pro come out, you'll be charged nearly $100 and have to wait for an appointment. We think it's worth the money, but it can be a little more complicated than just plugging in a new cable modem.
- Plans starting at $49.99 - $110.00
- Download speeds up to 940 Mbps
- Upload speeds up to 880 Mbps
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply.
Verizon Fios is another strong contender when it comes to fiber internet, and it's widely available in metro areas on the East Coast, including New York City, Boston, and Pittsburg. (4) The footprint may look small, but it's available to 10 times more households than Google Fiber.
Plans start at just $30 per month for 300 Mbps, which is faster than most households will ever need. To get a full gigabit, you'll pay $100 per month, which is pretty comparable to most cable providers but about $30 more than Google Fiber. That price is locked for 10 years and there's no contract, plus free installation.
Unfortunately, you can't get speeds faster than 1 Gbps with Verizon Fios. However, that blazing-fast speed can handle almost anything you can throw at it, so we aren't too concerned.
- Plans starting at $70.00 - $100.00
- Download speeds up to 2000 Mbps
- Upload speeds up to 1000 Mbps
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply.
If you have Google Fiber available in your area, you should get it. The plans are incredibly simple and straightforward—you won’t be surprised with any unwanted price hikes or hidden fees. They'll even let you know months in advance if you local taxes are going up.
You’ll also get a mesh Wi-Fi network included with your service along with no data caps, installation fees, or annual contracts. Unfortunately, you may have to wait months or years for installation, and customer service is hard to reach by telephone.
We've also heard from serious gamers and WFH afficianados that the equipment provided by Google Fiber can't keep up with the advertised speeds. If you really need the 2 Mbps on offer, check the equipment stats ahead of time and consider purchasing your own gear.
Best cable internet providers
- Plans starting at $19.99 - $600.00
- Download speeds up to 6000 Mbps
- Upload speeds up to 6000 Mbps
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, visit the provider's website.
Xfinity offers the best cable internet overall at the fastest speeds for the best prices. Xfinity has also recently dialed in its customer service and buyflow, so it’s a far cry from what it used to be back when it had a not-so-good reputation.
You can get download speeds up to 6 Gbps (6,000 Mbps) in some areas, but you'll pay more than three times what you'd pay for the fastest plan from Fios.
For the price, you'll be locked into a contract but will get access to a free 4K Flex streaming device. It may be a nice perk for some, but we found ourselves leaving it unplugged in favor of native apps from the various streaming providers on our smartphones and laptops.
- Plans starting at $29.99 - $169.97
- Download speeds up to 1 Gbps
- Upload speeds up to 35 Mbps
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers
Spectrum is another nationwide cable provider that offers solid service for relatively straightforward prices. Just like Xfinity, Spectrum also offers a good selection of plans and prices so you can pick the one that’s most suited to what you need without overpaying.
The company doesn't require a contract, but watch for price hikes in your second year. It also skips the data caps, unlike top competitor Xfinity, but there are lots of small hidden fees to keep an eye on. That includes a self-installation fee of about $20 or a pro installation fee of $50. Not awful, but free is better.
There are costs for equipment, too. You can bring your own (and most routers and modems are compatible, depending on your service tier), or borrow a modem for free and rent a router for $5 per month. For an additional $3 each month, you can rent Wi-Fi extenders called Pods.
- Plans starting at $15.00 - $195.00
- Download speeds up to 940 Mbps
- Upload speeds up to n/a
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers
If neither Xfinity nor Spectrum are available in your area, Cox and Optimum are the next-best options when it comes to cable internet. You likely won’t have to choose between the two since they offer coverage in different areas.
Frequently asked questions
Is fiber really faster than cable?
Yes, fiber internet is faster than cable internet. Fiber internet speeds go up to 10,000 Mbps in some cases but typically fall between 1,000–2,000 Mbps, while purely cable internet speeds max out at 3,000 Mbps (with upload speeds of just 35 Mbps). That said, some cable plans are faster than some fiber plans. Just because you have a fiber internet plan doesn’t automatically mean it’s faster than all cable internet.
Does fiber internet have Wi-Fi?
Yes, fiber internet has Wi-Fi. When you sign up for fiber internet, you’ll get an ONT (optical network terminal) and a router. This device will take the fiber internet signal that comes to your home and transfer it into a Wi-Fi signal that you can access with your devices.
Do I need a special router for fiber internet?
No, you don’t neccesarily need a special router for fiber internet. You can use any router for fiber internet that is capable of connecting to your wall via Ethernet and supports max speeds compatible with your fiber internet plan. You will, however, need an ONT (optical network terminal) instead of a classic modem. Your provider will almost always supply this equipment for you.
What type of internet connection is the best?
Fiber internet is the best type of internet connection. Fiber offers the fastest speeds, the lowest latency, and the most reliable network. The only issue with fiber is that it’s not widely available, and fiber plans can be more expensive than what you would typically pay for a cable or DSL internet plan.
Rebecca Palmer has been writing about tech and consumer finance since 2010. Her work has been featured in the Deseret News, Idaho Business Review, TopTenReviews.com, and more. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, and lives in Salt Lake City with her exceptionally delightful pup, Nymeria.
Cara Haynes has been writing and editing about internet service and TV for six years. Previous to contributing to Helpful, she worked on HighSpeedInternet.com and SatelliteInternet.com. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your lifespan.
Bri Field has a background in academia, research writing, and brand marketing. She has edited scientific publications, conference papers, digital content, and technical communications. As Assigning Editor, she enjoys ensuring all content is accurate, clear, and helpful. In her free time, you can find her in the kitchen trying a new recipe, out on a hike, or working through her massive TBR list.
Endnotes and sources
- “Compare Broadband Availability in Different Areas,” Federal Communications Commission. Accessed 29 June 2022.
- “Whatever Happened to Google Fiber?” CNET. Accessed 29 June 2022.
- "Google Fiber touts 20Gbps download speed in test, promises eventual 100Gbps." ArsTechnica. Accessed 14 Oct. 2022.
- "Say connected with the Fios network." Verizon. Accessed 14 Oct. 2022.