EarthLink Internet Review

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Fast Internet Speeds
Customizable Plans
No Data Caps or Throttling

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With more and more of the world moving online, many people are looking to make sure they’ve got the right internet service provider (ISP) to meet their needs. In 2025, providers publish standardized Broadband Facts labels that disclose typical speeds, fees, and contract terms, making it easier to compare plans for Zoom calls, streaming, gaming, smart-home devices, and more.

Some of the major positives uncovered during the Earthlink internet review were no data caps on fiber, multi-gig speeds, and several different plans to choose from. In many markets, higher-speed fiber pricing is competitive or even notably cheaper than comparable tiers from other major providers. EarthLink now focuses on Fiber Internet (symmetrical tiers from 100 Mbps up to 5 Gbps) and Wireless Home Internet (fixed wireless/5G). Typical 2025 pricing: fiber roughly $55–$190 per month depending on speed, and wireless home internet about $65–$90 per month. Common add-ons include a ~$14.95/mo equipment lease, up to ~$79.95 one-time activation/installation, and a 12-month agreement with an ETF up to around $200—verify your exact terms on EarthLink’s legal pages and Broadband Facts label, and see third-party overviews from CNET and HighSpeedInternet.com.

Like most providers, though, the company doesn’t offer service in all areas of the country. Availability is address-specific and changes as networks expand. For the most current status at your home, use EarthLink’s availability checker and the FCC National Broadband Map to confirm whether fiber or fixed wireless is offered at your location.

Overall, EarthLink looks to be a decent ISP option, depending on where you live and what types of speed you’re looking for. Its fiber service is strongest where available (including symmetrical multi-gig tiers), while fixed wireless can be a solid alternative in locations without wired builds. Always review the plan’s Broadband Facts label for price, fees, data policy, and contract details before you decide.

EarthLink Internet Overview

In business since:
1994
JD Power Score: J.D. Power scores are based on surveys for customer satisfaction and product quality.
NA
BBB Rating: The BBB rates companies based on trustworthiness and performance. The company uses a variety of factors, including how the company handles customer complaints.
B
States served:
47

In general, reviews of EarthLink internet remain mixed across platforms. BBB letter grades are not consumer star ratings and can change over time based on complaint history and responsiveness; check the company’s current profile and consider multiple sources for a balanced view. In the bigger picture, U.S. customer satisfaction has improved since pandemic-era lows, and consumers increasingly value recent reviews and company responses—especially as regulators and platforms intensify enforcement against deceptive reviews. See current guidance from the ACSI, BBB, BrightLocal, the FTC, and Trustpilot.

Additionally, relying on a fixed state count can be misleading. EarthLink aggregates multiple network partners, and availability varies by address. Use EarthLink’s availability tool and the FCC National Broadband Map to verify what’s at your exact location before choosing a plan.

PROS

  • Fast internet speeds Solutions for residential and business customers looking for fast internet speeds
  • Customizable plans Customizable plans and no teaser rates, ensuring no billing surprises down the line
  • No data caps No data caps or throttling based on data usage

CONS

  • Service is not available in all states
  • Service is not available in all cities in the states serviced
  • Lower-speed plans are more expensive than some competitors

EarthLink Internet Plans and Prices

PlanDownload SpeedPriceNumber of Devices Supported
1100 Mbps (Fiber) $  55.00 N/A
2300 Mbps (Fiber) $  60.00 N/A
3500 Mbps (Fiber) $  70.00 N/A
41000 Mbps (Fiber) $  90.00 N/A
52000 Mbps (Fiber) $  130.00 N/A
65000 Mbps (Fiber) $  190.00 N/A
*Data accurate as of Nov 2025; availability and pricing vary by address. Check EarthLink’s plan page and the Broadband Facts label for your location.

EarthLink Speeds and Data Caps

Plan Upload SpeedDownload SpeedData Cap
1100 Mbps (symmetrical fiber)100 MbpsNo Cap (fiber)
2300 Mbps (symmetrical fiber)300 MbpsNo Cap (fiber)
3500 Mbps (symmetrical fiber)500 MbpsNo Cap (fiber)
41000 Mbps (symmetrical fiber)1000 MbpsNo Cap (fiber)
52000 Mbps (symmetrical fiber)2000 MbpsNo Cap (fiber)
65000 Mbps (symmetrical fiber)5000 MbpsNo Cap (fiber)
*Date effective as of Nov 2025. Fiber tiers shown; Wireless Home Internet speeds vary by location and network conditions.

EarthLink estimated speeds

When it comes to the speeds of EarthLink internet, your options depend heavily on where you live. EarthLink Fiber Internet offers symmetrical tiers from 100 Mbps up to 5 Gbps (upload speeds match downloads), while Wireless Home Internet performance varies by signal and network. A realistic upload range for fixed wireless is roughly 10–35+ Mbps, aligning with typical ranges disclosed by national 5G home internet providers (T-Mobile) and (Verizon). For your address, confirm typical speeds on the plan’s Broadband Facts label.

Overall, the faster plans are on par with the rest of the industry. For people who want to save on internet costs and don’t need much speed, it’s helpful to see multiple tiers offered. Just note that availability of each tier varies by market and underlying network partner.

Data caps

One nice thing to see during the EarthLink reviews is that EarthLink fiber plans have no data caps. For Wireless Home Internet, policies and performance vary; review the plan’s Broadband Facts label and EarthLink’s legal pages for the details that apply at your address.

Our Picks for EarthLink Internet Plan

  • 1,000 Mbps (or higher multi-gig) plan — Best for gamers, content creators, and heavy 4K/8K streaming households
  • 300–500 Mbps plan — Best middle-of-the-road option for most homes

EarthLink Internet Highlights

Contracts and Fees
Customer Service
Additional Features

EarthLink’s website does not detail minimum contract lengths. Additionally, you’ll need to go through an extensive service check and pre-sign up with the company’s customer support to learn what contractual options are available in your area. Based on past reviews and the lack of advertising for month-to-month plans, it’s safest to assume that most geographical areas require at least a one-year service contract.

To learn more about the true cost of internet service, make sure to check out guides on hidden costs and calculating the cost of an ISP.

Notable fees:

  • Early termination fee: If you cancel your service early, you may be subject to the fee outlined in your service agreement.
  • Variable equipment fees: For those who need a modem or other internet service devices, they’re available through the company for an additional charge.

While internet reviews can be polarized, a quick look at the BBB complaints website did show several recent issues from customers on a myriad of different issues. However, it looks like the company is active on the forum and has responded to every complaint with some attempt to rectify the situation.

If you need help as a customer of EarthLink, there are several helpful ways to get assistance. EarthLink provides 24/7 phone support, live online chat, and helpful FAQs and self-help guides to assist with the most common issues.

You can get some nice additional features with your plan. These include up to eight traditional email addresses, up to 10 anonymous email addresses, automatic antivirus protection, spam protection, and a customizable internet homepage to enhance your overall experience.

EarthLink vs. Competitors



Starting PriceAvailabilityDownload SpeedsConnectionContract
EarthLinkfrom ~$55 (fiber) or ~$65 (wireless)Varies by address100 Mbps – 5 Gbps (fiber); variable on wirelessDSl, FiberNo info available
AT&T$55 (300 Mbps fiber)varies by address (~21 states)300 Mbps – 5 GbpsDSL, Fiber1 year
CenturyLink$50 (Quantum Fiber 500 Mbps)varies by address500 Mbps – multi-gig (select areas)DSL, FiberNone
Xfinityvaries by market (promotional)36 states200 Mbps – 2 Gbps (market dependent)Cable, Fiber1 year
Spectrumabout $49.99 promo (market dependent)41 states300 Mbps – 940 MbpsCableNone

*Prices for stand-alone internet service, current as of Nov 2025. Prices, speeds, and contract length vary by location; confirm details via each provider’s address checker and Broadband Facts label.

Is EarthLink Internet Any Good?

Answering the question of whether EarthLink internet is any good depends on what you’re looking for. Where fiber is available, EarthLink delivers symmetrical speeds from 100 Mbps up to 5 Gbps and generally competitive pricing on 1 Gbps (~$90 before equipment/fees) with higher-cost multi-gig options—verify at your address on EarthLink’s plan pages and Broadband Facts labels and compare with independent summaries from CNET and HighSpeedInternet.com.

However, value varies at lower speeds and in areas limited to fixed wireless. Competing fiber or cable providers may offer lower entry pricing or different promotions. Compare the total monthly cost (service + equipment + any activation fees) and any contract/ETF terms on the Broadband Facts label before choosing.

The company also offers a host of additional services that may be helpful for businesses. These include things like website design, reputation management, and broader digital marketing solutions. While you might be better off sourcing these services individually from a company that specializes in the service, the options are there if you’re looking for a true one-stop-shop.

EarthLink FAQ

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