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. And if your job has recently moved remote, it’s that much more important to support things like Zoom calls, virtual meetings, and more.
Some of the major positives uncovered during the Earthlink internet review were no data caps, speeds up to a gigabyte, and several different plans to choose from. Additionally, the faster plans were notably cheaper compared with other major service providers.
Like most providers, though, the company doesn’t offer service in all areas of the country. Even in the states where service is advertised, not all cities have coverage. And even in the cities that make the service list, there are addresses that don’t offer service. But if you contact customer support, a technician can run a test to tell you what’s available in your area in a matter of minutes.
Overall, EarthLink looks to be a decent ISP option, depending on where you live and what types of speed you’re looking for.
EarthLink Internet Overview
In general, the reviews on EarthLink internet are a bit mixed. While the company does have an OK rating of a B with the Better Business Bureau, a quick search for company complaints turns up a decent-sized list of unhappy customers. While it’s common to see polarized reviews that only show the over-the-top good or bad experiences, it’s still something to take note of to consider.
Additionally, the number of states serviced is a bit misleading. While the company has active pages for 47 of the 50 states, it doesn’t mean there’s blanket coverage across the state. In fact, a lot of the states leave you hard-pressed to find any cities that offer service, even though the page claims service in the state.
PROS
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
| Plan | Download Speed | Price | Number of Devices Supported |
| 1 | 10 Mbps | $ 49.95 | N/A |
| 2 | 30 Mbps | $ 59.95 | N/A |
| 3 | 80 Mbps | $ 69.95 | N/A |
| 4 | 100 Mbps | $ 79.95 | N/A |
| 5 | 200 Mbps | $ 89.95 | N/A |
| 6 | 1000 Mbps | $ 99.95 | N/A |
| *Data accurate as of 9/21/2020 |
EarthLink Speeds and Data Caps
| Plan | Upload Speed | Download Speed | Data Cap |
| 1 | Not listed | 10 Mbps | No Cap |
| 2 | Not listed | 30 Mbps | No Cap |
| 3 | Not listed | 80 Mbps | No Cap |
| 4 | Not listed | 100 Mbps | No Cap |
| 5 | Not listed | 200 Mbps | No Cap |
| 6 | Not listed | 1000 Mbps | No Cap |
| *Date effective as of 9/21/2020 |
EarthLink estimated speeds
When it comes to the speeds of EarthLink internet, your options depend heavily on where you live. In some areas, you can get upwards of 1,000 Mbps, which is on par with the “Gig” internet speed options many companies advertise. While EarthLink is very forthcoming with download speeds, you won’t find upload speeds listed for any of the available plans, which isn’t ideal.
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 nice to see some slower plans available. But the higher-tiered options aren’t available everywhere, which is disappointing.
Data caps
One nice thing to see during the EarthLink reviews is the company has no data caps on any of the accounts. Additionally, there is no throttling of accounts, which lowers speeds for heavy data users. Out of everything we looked at during the review, EarthLink’s data policy was the biggest highlight.
Our Picks for EarthLink Internet Plan
- 1,000 Mbps plan — Best for gamers and video streaming
- 100 Mbps plan — Best middle-of-the-road option
EarthLink Internet Highlights
EarthLink vs. Competitors
| Starting Price | Availability | Download Speeds | Connection | Contract | |
| EarthLink | $50 | 47 states | 10-1,000 Mbps | DSl, Fiber | No info available |
| AT&T | $50 | 21 states | 0.768 – 940 mbps | DSL, Fiber | 1 year |
| CenturyLink | $49 | 36 states | 1.5 Mbps – 940 Mbps | DSL, Fiber | None |
| Xfinity | $20 | 40 states | 25 Mbps – 940 Mbps | Cable, Fiber | 1 year |
| Spectrum | $50 | 46 states | 30 Mbps – 940 Mbps | Cable | None |
*Prices for stand-alone internet service, current as of 9/20/2020. Prices and contract length may vary by location.
Is EarthLink Internet Any Good?
Answering the question of whether EarthLink internet is any good depends on what you’re looking for. For customers looking for the fastest internet, the company delivers. Speeds are available up to 1 gig (1,000 Mbps), and the associated price in the areas checked is competitive with other major providers.
However, EarthLink’s internet plans don’t seem quite as valuable at slower speeds. Other providers offer similar or cheaper plans for the same speeds.
The company also offers a host of additional services that may be helpful for businesses. These include things like website design, custom branding, reputation management, and free business listings. 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
About the Authors
Jason Lee is a seasoned writer with a passion for writing about insurance, banking, and personal finance. As a Las Vegas local and area business owner for a decade, he knows the ins and outs of the city better than anyone.
