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Verizon vs Astound in Boston
Astound’s cheaper cable plan claims higher download speeds, but Verizon’s fiber counters with a much stronger upload ceiling and slightly wider Boston coverage.
Astound is the value winner here: for $20/mo it advertises up to 1,500 Mbps download and posts a higher speed score (82 vs 69), making it the easy pick for most Boston households. Verizon’s fiber costs more at $35/mo and tops out lower at 1,000 Mbps, but it edges Astound on citywide coverage (87% vs 86%) and offers a stronger upload ceiling at 75 Mbps. Choose Astound if you want the cheapest fast plan; choose Verizon if you upload a lot or Astound doesn’t reach your block.
At a glance
Verizon vs. Astound, side by side.
| Provider | Type | Top speed | City coverage | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon |
Fiber | 1 Gig 75 Mbps upload |
87% | $35/mo | Solid fiber option |
| Astound |
Cable | 1 Gig 50 Mbps upload |
86% | $20/mo | Budget-friendly |
Coverage map
Two different questions, two views. Top speed shows who offers the faster plan where you can actually get it. Coverage shows who reaches more of each ZIP. Or pick a single provider to see just its footprint.
Neighborhood breakdown
Coverage is close citywide (~87% Verizon, ~86% Astound), but neither reaches every block, so the real winner often comes down to your exact address. Some Boston streets get both providers, others only one, and the fastest plans reach fewer homes than the coverage numbers suggest. Always run an address check before deciding.
| ZIP | Neighborhoods | Coverage | Top speed | Speed Score | Winner | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon | Astound | Verizon | Astound | Verizon | Astound | |||
| 02118 | South End, Blackstone/Franklin Squares | 60% | 91% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 67 | 84 | Astound |
| 02116 | Back Bay, South End, Copley Square | 44% | 94% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 64 | 84 | Astound |
| 02115 | Fenway, Longwood Medical Area, Symphony, Museum of Fine Arts | 32% | 90% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 62 | 84 | Astound |
| 02215 | Fenway, Kenmore Square, Audubon Circle, West Fens | 65% | 99% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 68 | 85 | Astound |
| 02108 | Beacon Hill, Boston Common, Downtown | 30% | 57% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 61 | 77 | Astound |
| 02114 | Beacon Hill, West End | 42% | 74% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 64 | 80 | Astound |
| 02109 | North End, Waterfront, Financial District | 56% | 70% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 66 | 80 | Astound |
| 02210 | Seaport District, Fort Point, South Boston Waterfront | 21% | 87% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 59 | 83 | Astound |
| 02110 | Financial District, Waterfront, Custom House District | 37% | 94% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 63 | 84 | Astound |
| 02111 | Chinatown, Leather District, Downtown Crossing | 44% | 94% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 64 | 84 | Astound |
| 02113 | North End, Little Italy | 86% | 73% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 72 | 80 | Astound |
| 02112 | Downtown Boston | 30% | 94% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 61 | 84 | Astound |
| 02196 | Back Bay, Prudential Center | 30% | 94% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 61 | 84 | Astound |
| 02205 | Downtown Boston | 30% | 94% | 1 Gig | 1 Gig | 61 | 84 | Astound |
Speed Score (0–100) blends each provider’s coverage and top speed in that specific ZIP, so it moves as availability changes street to street.
Which is better for…
The right pick comes down to what you actually do online.
Get connected
Pick your provider and check availability at your address.
- 1 Gig down · 75 Mbps up Licensed Fixed Wireless
- 1 Gig down · 1 Gig up Fiber
- 1 Gig down · 50 Mbps up Cable
See what’s actually available at your address
Coverage changes from one street to the next. Check your exact address in seconds.
Check my addressFrequently asked questions
Is Verizon or Astound available at my address in Boston?
Verizon covers about 87% of Boston and Astound about 86%, so most addresses have both but neither reaches every block. Enter your exact street address on each provider’s site to confirm which plans, including the fastest tiers, actually reach your home.
Which is cheaper in Boston, Verizon or Astound?
Astound is cheaper at $20/mo versus Verizon’s $35/mo. Note these are promotional starting rates, so before signing confirm the post-promo price, any equipment fees, and whether a contract is required for either provider.
Which is faster and is it enough for gaming and 4K?
Astound advertises up to 1,500 Mbps download and scores higher on speed (82 vs 69), while Verizon fiber tops out at 1,000/75 Mbps where available. Both are more than enough for 4K and gaming, but pick Verizon if you upload heavily thanks to its 75 Mbps upload ceiling.
More Boston comparisons
How Boston’s other qualifying providers stack up head-to-head.