Which is better, Verizon or Nextlink?

Nextlink is faster and cheaper to start where you can get it, but Verizon reaches 24 times as many people, so at most addresses Verizon is the one on offer (and it is better rated). Where both are offered (about 9.8 million people), Nextlink has the faster top speed for 84% of homes.

FasterNextlinkTop speed 5,000 Mbps vs 2,300 Mbps; faster for 84% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startNextlinkFrom $40 a month, vs $49.99.

Better ratedVerizon3.8 of 5 from 802 reviews, vs 3.0 from 19.

Available to more peopleVerizon282.2 million people in 49 states, vs 11.6 million in 12 states.

Verizon
Price: $49.99 - $119.99 / mo.
Speed: 25 - 2,300 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (772)
View Plans

Nextlink
Price: $40.00 - $90.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (18)
View Plans

Verizon vs. Nextlink at a glance

Measure	Verizon	Nextlink
Available to	282.2 million people in 49 states	11.6 million people in 12 states
Main technology	Fixed wireless 93%, fiber 15%	Fixed wireless 99%, fiber 2.4%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	2,300 Mbps	5,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	5,000 Mbps down, 5,000 Mbps up	1,000 Mbps
Starting price	$49.99 a month	$40 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$1,200 (300 Mbps plan)	$960 (100 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	3.8 of 5 (802 reviews)	3.0 of 5 (19 reviews)
Rated for speed	4.0 of 5	2.7 of 5
Rated for price	3.5 of 5	3.0 of 5
Where both are offered	About 9.8 million people (84% of Nextlink's area); Nextlink is faster for 84% of them, the same top speed for 2.6%

Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.

Where Verizon and Nextlink are available

Verizon and Nextlink have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

Verizon currently offers internet service in 41,951 cities and 2,829 counties across 49 states, reaching approximately 282,939,228 residents. Their service area includes major markets like New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; and Chicago, IL. By comparison, Nextlink serves 11,613,400 residents in 5,036 cities and 498 counties in 12 states, with a presence in population centers such as Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; and Omaha, NE.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: Verizon coverage map and Nextlink coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether Verizon, Nextlink or both are offered at your home.

Verizon vs. Nextlink Speeds and Technology

Verizon and Nextlink utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Nextlink offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 527 Mbps compared to Verizon’s average speed of 499 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Verizon’s premium Fiber service reaches 14.7% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Nextlink’s top-tier Fiber is available to 2.4% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Verizon vs. Nextlink Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Verizon and Nextlink, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

Verizon vs. Nextlink Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate Verizon and Nextlink based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

When comparing customer satisfaction, Verizon earns an overall rating of 3.77 / 5 stars from 812 customer reviews, while Nextlink maintains a 3.00 / 5 rating from 19 reviews. Verizon outperforms Nextlink by 0.8 points in overall satisfaction. Verizon’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.88 / 5 stars, compared to Nextlink’s highest-rated service, Fixed Wireless, at 3.29 / 5 stars.

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

Verizon vs. Nextlink Pros and Cons

Verizon

From 455 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Fast speeds: praised in 205 of 455 written reviews (61 call it slow). "overall speeds are fast"
• Reliable connection: praised in 189 of 455 written reviews (58 report outages). "My provider gives me reliable service"
• Good value: praised in 137 of 455 written reviews (95 call it overpriced). "the robust performance and stability make it well worth the investment"

Cons

• Bills that go up: a complaint in 30 of 455 written reviews. "It goes up every year"

Nextlink

From 12 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Fast speeds: praised in 3 of 12 written reviews. "Our internet speed has always been very good"
• Faster where both are offered: the faster top speed for 84% of those homes.
• Cheaper to start: $40 a month, vs $49.99 from Verizon.

Cons

• Outages and drops: a complaint in 8 of 12 written reviews. "My internet has been down for an entire week"
• Poor customer service: a complaint in 6 of 12 written reviews. "No one has called or come by to get it fixed"

Verizon vs. Nextlink Top Cities

Verizon serves 41,951 cities while Nextlink is available in 5,036 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.