EarthLink Internet Review
If you’ve ever wanted better customer service from your provider, EarthLink might be for you.
EarthLink
Price: $49.95–$189.95/mo.*
Speeds: 10–5,000 Mbps
Data cap: None (fiber and DSL)
50–150 GB (fixed wireless)
Compare all plans
◊ Provider star ratings are based on user reviews and our independent customer satisfaction survey.
Data effective 7/14/2022. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*with a 12-month contract.
Our EarthLink internet review
EarthLink’s unconventional business model is unique among internet providers. Instead of building its own infrastructure by burying cables, constructing broadcast towers, or launching satellites, EarthLink rents space on other internet service providers’ (ISP’s) networks. That gives EarthLink nationwide reach and allows the company to focus all its efforts on providing the best customer experience around.
Pros
- Highly rated customer support
- Expansive coverage area
Cons
- 1-year contracts
- Higher monthly cost
- Limited gigabit availability
Compare EarthLink internet plans and pricing
| Package | Price | Speed | Type | Shop plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EarthLink 10 Mbps Internet | $49.95/mo.* | 10 Mbps | DSL | Shop EarthLink Plans |
| EarthLink 45 Mbps Internet | $59.95/mo.* | 45 Mbps | DSL | Shop EarthLink Plans |
| Fiber 100 | $59.95/mo.* | 100 Mbps | Fiber | Shop EarthLink Plans |
| Fiber 300 | $69.95/mo.* | 300 Mbps | Fiber | Shop EarthLink Plans |
| Fiber 500 | $79.95/mo.* | 500 Mbps | Fiber | Shop EarthLink Plans |
| Fiber 1 Gig | $89.95/mo.* | 1,000 Mbps | Fiber | Shop EarthLink Plans |
| Fiber 2 Gig | $129.95/mo.* | 2,000 Mbps | Fiber | Shop EarthLink Plans |
| Fiber 5 Gig | $189.95/mo.* | 5,000 Mbps | Fiber | Shop EarthLink Plans |
| EarthLink LTE Home 25 GB | $54.95/mo. | Up to 100 Mbps | Fixed wireless | Shop EarthLink Plans |
| EarthLink LTE Home 50GB | $64.95/mo. | Up to 100 Mbps | Fixed wireless | Shop EarthLink Plans |
| EarthLink LTE Home 75 GB | $79.95/mo. | Up to 100 Mbps | Fixed wireless | Shop EarthLink Plans |
| EarthLink LTE Home 100 GB | $99.95/mo. | Up to 100 Mbps | Fixed wireless | Shop EarthLink Plans |
EarthLink ongoing deals and promotions + bundles
Get a flat rate with EarthLink with no extra charges for installation, equipment, or data.
EarthLink internet fees
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Equipment Fee | $6.95/mo. to rent or $74.95 to purchase |
| Installation Fee | $69.95 professional installation |
| Other Fees | Up to $200.00 early termination fee |
Most of EarthLink’s fees are reasonable, but it enforces a hefty early termination fee on all its standard plans if you cancel service before the end of your 1-year contract. If you plan on moving in the next 12 months, you might consider a more temporary solution.
EarthLink internet installation, equipment, and contracts
EarthLink doesn’t give a self-installation option like other providers, but it manages to keep installation and equipment costs fairly low.
EarthLink installation and equipment
EarthLink offers professional installation at a pretty reasonable price. The installation experience varies somewhat by area—like most things with EarthLink—but the ISP’s customer service ensures that most people end up very satisfied with the process.
EarthLink internet contracts
All EarthLink fiber and DSL plans come with a 1-year contract. This isn’t uncommon for an internet provider, but we definitely prefer the flexibility of no-contract plans.
EarthLink internet customer ratings
| Overall Rating | Reliability Rating | Customer Service Rating | Speed Rating | Price Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EarthLink customer satisfaction rating | 4.1/5 | 3.9/5 | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Average rating* | 3.8/5 | 3.3/5 | 3.7/5 | 3.7/5 | 3.7/5 |
*Based on our annual customer satisfaction survey
EarthLink was the undisputed champion of our 2021 customer satisfaction survey, sweeping every category by a significant margin. This is also the second year in a row EarthLink has taken the top spot. EarthLink clearly sets the standard for customer service in internet service providers.
One of the most notable results from the 2021 survey is that even in areas where EarthLink struggles, it still provides a great experience to its customers. Despite reporting more outages, EarthLink customers reported being more satisfied with the reliability of their connections than customers of other providers. And despite reporting unexpected price hikes, EarthLink customers were ultimately very satisfied with their monthly bills. If you dread having to deal with your ISP’s customer service, EarthLink might be a welcome breath of fresh air.
While all EarthLink customers love their internet, fiber customers gave EarthLink especially high marks. If EarthLink offers fiber in your area, it’s definitely worth looking into.
EarthLink vs. the competition
| Speed | Price | Customer rating* | Order online | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 10–5,000 Mbps | $49.95–$189.95/mo.† | 4.2/5 | View Plans |
 | 25–5,000 Mbps | $55.00–$180.00/mo.‡ | 3.8/5 | |
 | 25–2,000 Mbps | $20.00–$299.95/mo.§ | 3.5/5 | View Plans |
Data effective 7/14/2022. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*According to our annual customer satisfaction survey.
† with a 12 month contract.
‡ for 12 mos, plus taxes & equip fee. $10/mo equip fee applies. Incl 1TB data/mo. $10 chrg for each add’l 50GB (up to $100/mo).
Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds and based on wired connection to gateway. 1GIG speeds avail. to new customers with the latest router (“BGW320”) and recommended setup. For 5 GIG speed, single device wired speed maximum 4.7 Gbps. Actual customer speeds may vary based on a number of factors and are not guaranteed. For more information, go to www.att.com/speed101.
§ For the first 12 months with a 1-year agreement. Gigabit and Gigabit Pro plans require a 2-year agreement.
Since EarthLink uses its competition’s networks, it can’t offer higher speeds, but it can offer better customer service. Although EarthLink plans are generally more expensive than similar plans by nationwide providers like AT&T and Xfinity, 79% of EarthLink customers said that their speeds usually or always meet the speed that they were promised—the highest of any ISP.
That EarthLink has some of the most satisfied and enthusiastic customers might seem contradictory. By the usual metrics for an internet connection, like speed, price, and reliability, EarthLink seems to lag behind other major providers. Nevertheless, EarthLink customers have better experiences with their internet than customers with other ISPs.
We love having fast connections, but many would rather settle for a bit less bandwidth, rather than having to spend hours on hold trying to fix a technical problem. EarthLink focuses on what actually provides a better experience to its customers, and it seems like that effort pays off.
Read our full reviews of EarthLink vs. its main internet competitors
Is EarthLink internet right for you?
If the main things you look for in an internet plan are download speed and price, you can probably find a better deal going with a more traditional ISP than EarthLink.
On the other hand, if you’ve had bad experiences with other providers and are looking for an internet provider that will be more responsive when problems arise, then EarthLink is just what you’re looking for. Because it’s so widespread, it can provide a welcome alternative in areas where customers have limited options for internet access. It also has no data caps, which keeps internet customers happy.