Fiber vs. 5G Home Internet: Which Is Better?
Choose fiber for speed, but 5G for bundle deals
Jan 22, 2026 | Share 
Technology
Fiber internet is the best internet type, but 5G home internet is a solid contender. Fiber gets you the fastest speeds and most reliable service—and usually at a decent price. 5G home internet, by comparison, isn’t as fast nor nearly as reliable. However, it’s perfect for budget users because it comes at a bargain price, especially if you bundle with mobile phone service.
Not sure which internet connection type to choose? Keep reading for a full breakdown of how these two connection types differ and which is best for your needs.
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Fiber vs. 5G home internet—At a glance
Fiber internet has much faster speeds than 5G home internet, and you may be able to get a plan for as little as $50 per month. You can get symmetrical internet speeds on fiber, meaning your uploads are just as fast as your downloads—a technical capability that just isn’t available on 5G home internet.
You also have a better chance of finding fiber internet than 5G home internet in your area. Although both services have limited availability nationwide, fiber has been around longer, and it’s increasingly available in rural areas thanks to local cooperatives and municipal enterprises that have built up local fiber networks. 5G is growing, but still limited to areas where cell towers have excess capacity. If you don’t sign up at the right time, you might not be able to get it even if your neighbor has it.
Still, customers seem very happy with 5G home internet. According to our annual customer satisfaction survey, 5G home internet providers got better scores than fiber internet providers for price and customer service. 5G tied with fiber for overall satisfaction, a remarkable feat considering how new 5G is.
Looking for an easy way to test your internet speed?
Take our internet speed test or download our free speed test app to see how fast your fiber or 5G internet is right now.
Then, download our free, easy-to-use speed test app for quick and reliable results from anywhere.
Fiber in a nutshell: Extremely fast, mostly affordable, but not always available
How fiber internet works
Fiber internet uses fiber-optic cables that are either buried under the ground or strung on telephone poles. That means it’s much less vulnerable to interference than 5G internet, which you get over the air.
Fiber-optic cable consists of bundled strands of glass. Inside those strands, photon signals bounce along at the speed of light (or something close to it). This type of cable isn’t vulnerable to electromagnetic interference like older technologies, and much of the cabling is newer than cable or DSL.
Fiber is fast, but not always easy to find
All the technological advantages mentioned above make fiber the fastest, most reliable type of internet you can get. Simply put, you can’t do any better than fiber. It’s the preferred connection for gamers, influencers, and high-end remote workers, and it’s an excellent choice for large households too.
Still, building a fiber network from scratch is costly, so it’s not yet available everywhere. According to a report sponsored by the Fiber Broadband Association, more than 60% of homes were wired for fiber in 2026.
Fiber prices are more than fair
On average, expect to pay about $65 per month for a decent fiber internet plan. That’s more expensive than 5G home internet, but it’s not too bad, and the higher price is well worth it because you’re getting top-tier service.
Most fiber internet plans come with unlimited data and free installation, and in some cases, you may get a break on the price of a gateway (modem and router) as well. So don’t worry about getting burned with extra fees on a fiber plan.
Pro tip: Start with the cheapest fiber option
Fiber is so reliable, you can get away with slower max speeds than you might need with a cable or 5G home internet connection. We recommend choosing the cheapest (and slowest) plan on offer from your local fiber internet provider. You probably won’t run into bandwidth issues, but it’s easy to upgrade later on if you do.
Fiber internet pros and cons
Pros:
- Symmetrical speeds
- Lots of plan and price options
- Multi-gigabit speeds
Cons:
- Some homes still aren’t wired for fiber
Best fiber internet plans
| Plan | Price | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Google Fiber Core 1 Gig | $70/mo.* | 1,000Mbps |
| T-Mobile Fiber 1 Gig | $75/mo.** w/ Auto Pay | 1,000Mbps |
| AT&T Internet 300 | $55/mo.† | 300Mbps |
| Verizon Fios 500 Mbps | $74.99/mo.‡ w/ Auto Pay | 500Mbps |
| CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Fiber Internet up to 940 Mbps | $75/mo.§ | 940Mbps |
Data as of 01/22/2026. Availability and speed may vary by location, and prices are subject to change. See disclaimers.
Looking for fast internet?
If you want the fastest speeds possible, consult our Fastest Internet Providers guide to see which providers give you the most bang for your buck.
5G in a nutshell: Super cheap, moderately fast, but kinda unpredictable
How does 5G home internet work?
5G home internet uses the 5G network towers of a cellular company to give you internet over a fixed wireless connection.
Radio transmitters and “small cell” nodes peppered around a neighborhood, and one inside your home, allow a 5G router to pick up the signals to give you Wi-Fi. 5G networks use previously underutilized radio waves, giving your internet a ton of capacity to carry data.
Low prices and ample perks make 5G ideal for budget users
The biggest plus with 5G home internet is that it’s cheap. Whether you’re getting a plan from Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, or Starry, in most cases, you’re only going to have to pay $50 a month—and you can get better pricing when you bundle with select phone plans.
Most plans offer unlimited data and don’t require an annual contract or paying extra for installation or equipment. On top of all that, Verizon and T-Mobile often run promotions for new customers that provide discounts, free streaming trials, and other goodies.
5G loses points for unreliability
We’ve had multiple staffers at HighSpeedInternet.com try out 5G home internet, with mixed results. One team member had to bail on Verizon 5G Home Internet because of recurring outages and restarts. But another team member loves his T-Mobile 5G Home Internet setup and gets plenty of bandwidth to support gaming, streaming, and remote work in his two-person household.
5G home internet delivers solid Wi-Fi speeds on the whole but can end up bogged down by technical issues and recurring slowdowns in areas with poor cell service. A lot of factors can play a role in slowing down the signal, including network congestion, geographic landmarks, and even inclement weather.
5G home internet pros and cons
Pros:
- Flat monthly rate with no extra fees
- Lots of promotions and bonuses for new customers
- Solid speeds
Cons:
- Availability varies based on local cell towers
- Slowdowns and outages on some connections
Best 5G home internet plans
| Plan | Price | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Plus | $60/mo.* w/ AutoPay | Up to 500Mbps |
| T-Mobile All-In Internet | $70/mo.† w/ AutoPay, plus taxes & fees. | Up to 498Mbps |
| AT&T Internet Air | $60/mo.§ | Up to 300Mbps |
Data as of 01/22/2026. Availability and speed may vary by location, and prices are subject to change. See disclaimers.
Our verdict: Get fiber if you need top-quality Wi-Fi, but choose 5G to save cash
Fiber really is the way to go. No matter which way you look at it, fiber beats out 5G home internet (and every other type of internet). Fiber is faster, more reliable, and not too expensive.
That said, if you’re really looking for a budget bargain, then go for 5G home internet. You can get some sweet deals on 5G, and you don’t have to worry about data caps or extra fees either. Also, a lot of places in the United States have 5G home internet access where fiber isn’t available.
If that’s your situation, we recommend giving 5G home internet a go before signing up for a costly cable internet plan.
FAQ
Is 5G home internet faster than fiber?
Will 5G home internet replace fiber-to-the-home internet?
Is 5G home internet the same as 5 gigs or 5GHz?
Can you take 5G home internet on the road?
Disclaimer
Best fiber internet plans (return to top)
*Google Fiber
Plus taxes and fees. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.
**T-Mobile Fiber
w/AutoPay. Guarantee exclusions like taxes and fees apply.
†AT&T
Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes & fees. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install chrg may apply. Ltd. avail/areas.
‡Verizon
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.
§CenturyLink
Limited availability. Service and rate in select locations only. Paperless billing required. Taxes and fees apply.
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).
Best 5G home internet plans (return to top)
*Verizon
w/ Auto Pay. Available in select areas. 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.
†T-Mobile
Guarantee exclusions like taxes and fees apply.
§AT&T
$60/mo after $5 discount when enrolled in Autopay. Paperless billing req’d. Not available in NY. Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. . Service subj. to Internet Terms of Service at att.com/internet-terms. Offers may be modified, or discontinued, at any time without notice. Other conditions may apply to all offers. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For more info, go to www.att.com/speed101.
Author - Chili Palmer
Chili Palmer covers home tech services, with a special focus on understanding what families need and how they can stay connected on a budget. She handles internet access and affordability, breaking news, mobile services, and consumer trends. Chili’s work as a writer, reporter, and editor has appeared in publications including Telecompetitor, Utah Business, Idaho Business Review, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, and Switchful.com.
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