EarthLink Internet review 2024: Top plans and offers
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100 Mbps
500 Mbps
1 GB
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What is Earthlink internet?
EarthLink is an internet service provider (ISP) offering fiber, fixed wireless, DSL and satellite internet to most of the country, depending on which service you choose. EarthLink internet offers fiber speeds up to 5,000 Mbps and fixed wireless and satellite internet speeds up to 100 Mbps.
Whether you want fiber, satellite or fixed wireless internet, EarthLink internet reviews indicate that it has a variety of high-speed plans to fit your needs.
What internet services does EarthLink offer?
- Fiber: EarthLink’s fiber internet plans range from 100–5,000 Mbps and start at $59.95/mo. for 100 Mbps. This is a higher starting price for a lower speed than most internet providers — Frontier Fiber offers 500 Mbps for less than EarthLink’s 100 Mbps plan. Even so, EarthLink is widely available since it uses the already existing networks of other providers like AT&T, Frontier and Verizon.
- Fixed wireless: EarthLink internet also offers five data plans for its fixed wireless service, from 100–300 GB per month or unlimited data. EarthLink will never disconnect you if you exceed your data limit but will instead throttle your speed.
- Satellite: If satellite internet is the best choice for you, EarthLink provides up to 100 Mbps of internet speed with its satellite service, competitive with other satellite provider speeds like Hughesnet, Viasat and Starlink.
EarthLink Internet plans and prices
| Plan | Starting price* | Download/Upload speeds | Standard rate* | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Mbps | $59.95/mo. | 100/100 Mbps | $59.95/mo. | Fiber |
| 300 Mbps | $69.95/mo. | 300/300 Mbps | $69.95/mo. | Fiber |
| 500 Mbps | $79.95/mo. | 500/500 Mbps | $79.95/mo. | Fiber |
| 1,000 Mbps | $89.95/mo. | 1,000/1,000 Mbps | $89.95/mo. | Fiber |
| 2,000 Mbps | $129.95/mo. | 2,000/2,000 Mbps | $129.95/mo. | Fiber |
| 5,000 Mbps | $189.95/mo. | 5,000/5,000 Mbps | $189.95/mo. | Fiber |
| 100–300 GB | Varies | Up to 100 Mbps | Varies | Fixed wireless |
| Unlimited | Varies | Up to 100 Mbps | Varies | Fixed wireless |
EarthLink internet speeds
EarthLink high-speed internet can vary drastically depending on location, which makes it difficult to compare EarthLink internet services across various areas. To check if EarthLink can provide a good internet speed for your home, first test your address to find out which service and speeds are available.
Then, consider the speed that would suit your household based on your online activities and the number of connected devices.
- Light internet activity and fewer than five wireless devices should function fine with internet speeds of 100 Mbps or less. Both satellite and fixed wireless from EarthLink typically provide speeds up to 100 Mbps.
- Opt for internet speeds greater than 100 Mbps if you connect 5–10 devices simultaneously.
- Internet speeds of 1 GB or more is the best internet plan if you are streaming, gaming and doing other high-bandwidth activities while connecting over 10 devices at once.
Methodology
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.
EarthLink internet review
Our EarthLink reviews gave the provider a 3.7 out of 5 based on our ranking criteria. The ISP scored well in the categories of speed, availability and connection type, but underperformed in fees and overall price.
EarthLink offers multiple types of internet connections, based on where you live. Prices start at $59.95/mo. for 5G internet service and $69.95/mo. for fiber. While plans typically have no contracts, EarthLink may charge for installation or modem and router equipment, depending on the type of service available at your location.
It’s also important to note that EarthLink is a white-label reseller. This means it uses the existing infrastructure of other internet service providers to deliver internet service. For instance, if AT&T Fiber and EarthLink Fiber are available in your area, the EarthLink service will likely use AT&T’s lines. Therefore, if you are switching from your local ISP, consider whether you were satisfied with the quality of their service because you will generally have a similar experience if EarthLink is using the same grid.
Best EarthLink internet plans
The following EarthLink fiber plans can provide reliable internet that can support essentially all residential internet needs. While EarthLink does provide other types of internet services depending on the area, these pros and cons and subsequent plan breakdowns are specific to the fiber-optic internet available in many EarthLink coverage areas.
Pros
Equal download and upload speeds.
No contracts or extreme price hikes.
Speeds up to 5,000 Mbps.
Cons
Higher starting prices.
Installation and equipment fees may apply.
EarthLink is not directly responsible for outages or infrastructure maintenance.
300 Mbps – Best overall
EarthLink’s 300 Mbps fiber plan is one of its most popular home Wi-Fi plans since it is equipped to handle small to mid-sized homes. While the $69.95/mo. price tag could seem high upfront, keep in mind that this is EarthLink’s standard rate, so it won’t increase after a year like many other provider rates.
Who fits this plan?
Average internet users who want to keep their monthly internet costs low should choose the 300 Mbps fiber plan. EarthLink claims this is their best internet deal for customers who want to try out fiber.
Who doesn’t fit this plan?
This plan is not a good fit for homes with more than 10 wireless devices, as the Wi-Fi speed might be insufficient when spread out among all the connections.
500 Mbps – Best for mid-sized homes
EarthLink’s fiber 500 Mbps plan for $79.95/mo. is ideal for mid-sized homes. Whether you are streaming, gaming or working from home, EarthLink’s 500 Mbps plan will have you covered.
Who fits this plan?
Homes with over 10 connected devices, including cell phones, laptops and other smart devices, should choose this EarthLink internet plan. This fiber option is also good for internet activities that use more bandwidth (streaming, gaming, etc.) due to its symmetrical download and upload speeds.
Who doesn’t fit this plan?
This plan won’t work as well for ultra-connected homes with 40 devices or more. Conversely, this plan is excessive for homes with lighter internet usage who could save money with a more basic internet option.
2,000 or 5,000 Mbps – Best for fastest speeds
EarthLink’s multi-gigabit internet plans provide up to 2,000 or 5,000 Mbps and can handle any internet activities, such as heavy gaming or using many connected devices at once. For $129.95 or $189.95/mo., these multi-gigabit plans are competitively priced to connect your smart home with the internet speed you need.
Who fits this plan?
The fastest EarthLink speeds are best for those who want the quickest possible fiber speeds to connect virtually any number of wireless devices.
Who doesn’t fit this plan?
2 GB or 5 GB internet speeds are much faster than most homes require and would lead to most average internet users overpaying if they sign up for this service.
EarthLink internet and live TV bundles
Internet and TV bundles include EarthLink Live TV and are only available to EarthLink Fiber customers. If this applies to you, you can save on your internet bill if you add an EarthLink Live TV plan to your existing fiber service.
| Plan | Starting price* | No. of live channels |
|---|---|---|
| EarthLink Plus | $64.95/mo. | 110+ |
| EarthLink Premium | $84.95/mo. | 150+ |
EarthLink Internet vs. other providers
The clearest disadvantage between EarthLink and its competitors is EarthLink’s expensive starting prices. Compared to other providers, EarthLink’s fiber and DSL plans are definitely on the expensive side — but keep in mind that these are the standard rates. While other providers have price increases after the first year, EarthLink’s rate stays the same.
| Provider | Speed range | Starting price* | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EarthLink | 100–5,000 Mbps | $59.95–$189.95/mo. | Fiber, fixed wireless, satellite, DSL |
| AT&T Fiber | 300–5,000 Mbps | $65–$255/mo. | Fiber |
| CenturyLink | 100–940 Mbps | $30–$75/mo. | Fiber, DSL |
| Frontier | 200–5,000 Mbps | $39.99–$154.99/mo. | Fiber, DSL |
| T-Mobile 5G Home | up to 245 Mbps | $60/mo. | 5G |
EarthLink availability
EarthLink offers internet service to the 48 states in the continental U.S. Not every service is available everywhere — expect its fiber availability to differ from its other internet services like fixed wireless.
EarthLink Fiber is primarily available in the Eastern U.S. in states like New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware.
EarthLink customer service
EarthLink offers 24/7 customer support. You can reach them by calling, texting, chatting online or using the EarthLink app. Pay your bill, manage your account, transfer service or receive tech support with EarthLink’s customer support team and website.
EarthLink’s main customer service number is available to call or text 24/7 at (888) 441-9144. Chat with the EarthLink sales team at (888) 327-8454.
EarthLink bill pay
You can pay your bill online through your account with EarthLink. If you’d rather do it over the phone, call (888) 441-9144.
Earthlink internet FAQs
How much is EarthLink internet?
EarthLink has more expensive starting prices than most providers but no price increases after one year, which is an uncommon perk. Your EarthLink internet price per month will range from $59.95 to $189.95/mo.
How do I set up EarthLink Wi-Fi?
If you’re an EarthLink Fiber customer, you’ll need to schedule an appointment for professional installation. If you are a fixed wireless customer, you can use the EarthLink mobile app to walk you through installation once your equipment arrives or visit the Wireless Home Internet portal.
Is EarthLink Fiber or fixed wireless better?
EarthLink Fiber provides the fastest and most reliable service. If it is available near you, it is a better internet option than EarthLink fixed wireless.
Is EarthLink Wi-Fi good for gaming speeds?
EarthLink’s Fiber service is the best internet service for gamers. The symmetrical download and upload speeds make it ideal for the bandwidth required for heavy internet activities like streaming, gaming and working from home.
Who owns EarthLink?
Private equity firm Trive Capital acquired EarthLink in 2019.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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