Quick Answer: Claro vs Vivo
Claro is Brazil’s fixed broadband market leader with nearly 30% share, serving 114 million combined subscriptions. Owned by America Movil, Claro offers fiber and cable plans starting at BRL 79.90 per month for 250 Mbps with MESH routers included.
Vivo is Brazil’s largest telecom company with 102 million mobile lines and the widest fiber footprint reaching 447 cities. Owned by Telefonica, Vivo offers fiber starting at BRL 99.99 for 300 Mbps and launched 10 Gbps fiber in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Quick verdict: Claro for lower entry pricing and cable coverage. Vivo for the widest fiber network and fastest maximum speeds.
Side-by-Side Comparison
The table below compares the main differences between Claro and Vivo across key attributes.
| Feature | Claro | Vivo |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Company | America Movil (Mexico) | Telefonica (Spain) |
| Combined Subscribers | 114 million | 102.4 million |
| Fixed Broadband Share | ~30% (#1) | #2 (largest fiber footprint) |
| Founded | 2003 | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Sao Paulo | Sao Paulo |
| Max Download Speed | 1 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
| Connection Types | Fiber + Cable (HFC) | Fiber only |
| Starting Price (Fiber) | BRL 79.90 (250 Mbps) | BRL 99.99 (300 Mbps) |
| 5G Coverage | 27 state capitals | 27 state capitals |
| MESH Wi-Fi Included | Yes (500 Mbps+) | No (standard router) |
| Award | None | Opensignal 2025 Best Broadband |
| Investment Plan | BRL 40 billion (2024-2029) | Ongoing expansion |
Test Your Claro Speed | Test Your Vivo Speed
Speed Comparison
Fiber Broadband Speed
Both providers deliver competitive fiber speeds, but Vivo offers higher maximum tiers and won independent speed awards.
Claro Fiber Plans:
- 250 Mbps: BRL 79.90/month
- 500 Mbps: BRL 99.90/month
- 1 Gbps: BRL 149.90/month (500 Mbps upload)
Vivo Fibra Plans:
- 300 Mbps: BRL 99.99/month
- 500 Mbps: BRL 119.99/month
- 1 Gbps: BRL 199.99/month
- 10 Gbps: Available in Sao Paulo and Rio (XGS-PON)
Note: Claro’s 1 Gbps upload is capped at 500 Mbps. Not symmetrical. Vivo also offers the Fibra LITE annual plan at BRL 90/month for 500 Mbps.
Winner: Vivo for maximum speed (10 Gbps) and independent quality recognition. Claro for lower pricing.
Cable vs Fiber Performance
Claro also provides cable internet via HFC (DOCSIS) in areas with former NET Virtua wiring. Cable speeds range from 50-300 Mbps and are more susceptible to evening peak congestion. Upload speeds on cable are limited to 30-50 Mbps versus fiber’s higher uploads.
Run Speed Test Now to check your actual connection speed.
Coverage Comparison
Fiber Coverage
Vivo has the widest fiber-to-the-home footprint in Brazil, while Claro covers more total addresses by combining fiber with cable infrastructure.
Claro:
- Fiber available in major cities across 21 states
- Cable (HFC) from former NET Virtua covers additional addresses
- BRL 40 billion investment (2024-2029) expanding fiber and 5G
- 5G FWA home internet in select state capitals
Vivo:
- Vivo Fibra covers 447 cities
- 30.1 million homes passed with FTTH
- 10 Gbps available in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro
- Fibra LITE plan for self-install in FTTH-ready buildings
Winner: Vivo for fiber-only coverage breadth. Claro for total broadband availability (fiber plus cable).
5G Mobile Coverage
Both carriers operate standalone 5G in all 27 Brazilian state capitals. Typical 5G download speeds range from 100-500 Mbps depending on location and congestion. Both also offer 5G fixed wireless access for home internet.
Pricing Comparison
All prices are in BRL (R$). Prices may vary by region and promotional period.
Fiber Plan Comparison
| Speed Tier | Claro | Vivo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | R$ 79.90 (250 Mbps) | R$ 99.99 (300 Mbps) | Claro R$ 20 cheaper |
| Mid Tier | R$ 99.90 (500 Mbps) | R$ 119.99 (500 Mbps) | Claro R$ 20 cheaper |
| Gigabit | R$ 149.90 (1 Gbps) | R$ 199.99 (1 Gbps) | Claro R$ 50 cheaper |
| Budget Option | N/A | R$ 90.00 (500 Mbps LITE) | Vivo only |
| Ultra Speed | N/A | Available (10 Gbps) | Vivo only |
Claro is consistently BRL 20-50 cheaper per speed tier. Vivo’s Fibra LITE annual plan at BRL 90 per month for 500 Mbps is competitive for budget users willing to commit for 12 months.
Pros and Cons
Claro Advantages
- Cheapest entry at BRL 79.90 for 250 Mbps
- MESH Wi-Fi routers included free on 500 Mbps and above plans
- Cable broadband available where fiber has not been deployed
- Largest fixed broadband market share at nearly 30%
- BRL 40 billion investment plan expanding fiber and 5G
Claro Disadvantages
- Maximum fiber speed of 1 Gbps (Vivo offers 10 Gbps)
- Cable connections slower during peak evening hours
- Upload on 1 Gbps plan capped at 500 Mbps
- Cable infrastructure is aging in some areas
- Fiber availability varies by address even in large cities
Vivo Advantages
- Largest fiber footprint reaching 447 cities and 30.1 million homes
- 10 Gbps XGS-PON fiber with Wi-Fi 7 in Sao Paulo and Rio
- Won Opensignal 2025 best residential broadband award
- Fibra LITE annual plan at BRL 90 for 500 Mbps
- Widest 5G standalone coverage across state capitals
Vivo Disadvantages
- Higher entry pricing at BRL 99.99 for 300 Mbps
- 10 Gbps limited to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro initially
- No coverage in many smaller cities where regional ISPs dominate
- Customer service response times can be slow during peak hours
- No MESH routers included by default
Which Should You Choose?
The table below matches common use cases to the better provider in Brazil.
| Use Case | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest monthly cost | Claro | BRL 79.90 for 250 Mbps vs Vivo’s BRL 99.99 |
| Fastest fiber speed | Vivo | 10 Gbps available in SP and Rio |
| No fiber at address | Claro | Cable backup through NET Virtua infrastructure |
| Best proven quality | Vivo | Opensignal 2025 best broadband award |
| Whole-home Wi-Fi | Claro | MESH routers included free on 500 Mbps+ |
| Budget 500 Mbps | Vivo | Fibra LITE at BRL 90/month (annual) |
| Mobile + fiber bundle | Either | Both offer mobile bundle discounts |
| Small city coverage | Check both | Coverage varies by address |
How to Run a Fair Speed Test
To compare Claro and Vivo accurately, test under the same conditions.
Test steps:
- Connect to your router with an ethernet cable. Wi-Fi limits your test results.
- Close all background applications, streaming, and downloads.
- Run 3 tests during off-peak hours and 3 during evening peak (7-11 PM).
- Compare download, upload, and latency together.
- For cable connections (Claro HFC), expect lower peak-hour speeds than fiber.
If you are on Claro cable and considering Vivo fiber (or vice versa), test both at the same time of day for a fair comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster, Claro or Vivo?
Both offer 1 Gbps fiber plans. Vivo launched 10 Gbps XGS-PON fiber with Wi-Fi 7 in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Vivo also won the Opensignal 2025 award for best residential broadband in Brazil. Real-world speeds depend on your connection type, plan, and location. Test your connection to see actual performance.
Is Claro cable the same as NET Virtua?
Yes. Claro absorbed the NET Virtua brand in 2019. Former NET Virtua cable customers now receive Claro-branded service on the same HFC infrastructure. Claro is upgrading these areas to fiber where possible. Contact Claro to check if fiber is now available at your address.
Which provider has better customer service?
Both Claro and Vivo receive mixed reviews for customer support. Vivo’s 1 Gbps plan includes priority customer service. Claro’s main support line is 10621 and Vivo’s is 10315. Both have self-service apps for basic account management and troubleshooting.
Can I get Vivo’s 10 Gbps plan?
The 10 Gbps plan is currently available only in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Your building must have XGS-PON fiber infrastructure and you need a compatible Wi-Fi 7 modem. Vivo is expected to expand 10 Gbps to other major cities over time.
Are there cheaper alternatives to Claro and Vivo?
Regional ISPs like Brisanet, Algar Telecom, and Desktop often offer competitive fiber pricing in smaller cities. In areas where Claro only has cable, regional fiber providers may deliver better performance at similar or lower prices. Check local availability before committing.
Summary
Claro leads Brazil’s fixed broadband market with nearly 30% share thanks to its combined fiber and cable infrastructure. Starting at BRL 79.90 for 250 Mbps with included MESH routers, Claro offers the most affordable entry point among the two largest providers. Cable coverage from the former NET Virtua network reaches areas where fiber is not yet available.
Vivo has the widest fiber footprint in Brazil, reaching 447 cities and 30.1 million homes. The Opensignal 2025 award for best residential broadband confirms strong network quality. Vivo’s 10 Gbps XGS-PON fiber in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro sets the speed benchmark for the country.
Choose Claro for lower pricing and cable availability. Choose Vivo for the widest fiber coverage, fastest maximum speeds, and proven quality. Check both providers at your specific address before deciding.
Test Claro Speed | Test Vivo Speed
Last Updated: February 12, 2026 Data Sources: Claro.com.br, Vivo.com.br, America Movil investor reports, Telefonica Brasil investor relations, Opensignal Brazil, Anatel