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Our Verdict
EarthLink has a long history as an internet service provider and has established a reputation of providing straight-forward pricing. EarthLink tends to receive favorable reviews from customers and continues to reinvent itself to remain relevant. EarthLink receives criticism for higher prices but an unlimited data cap paired with high-speed plans makes it an attractive ISP option.
Pros
- Prices rarely vary
- Good customer service
- Unlimited data
Cons
- Plans vary by location
- Higher prices
- Doesn’t directly handle outages
On EarthLink's Website
3.7
Our star ratings are based on a range of criteria and are determined solely by our editorial team.
Lowest Price Plan Available
$49.99
Customer Rating
Poor
States Available
48
Table of Contents
- Earthlink Internet at a Glance
- Other Benefits
- Fine Print
- How Earthlink Stacks Up
- Is Earthlink Internet Right for You?
- Methodology
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Earthlink Internet at a Glance
Yes, EarthLink still exists, which is a testament to the company’s ability to adapt. EarthLink started in 1994 and became the second-largest ISP behind America Online by 2000. While that conjures memories of the sound of dial-up internet, EarthLink has innovated to remain relevant. Thrive Capital purchased the company back in 2019 and EarthLink underwent a period in the 2010s where it acquired IT security companies.
EarthLink uses networks from partners: AT&T, CenturyLink, Frontier, Verizon and Viasat to provide internet access across 48 states, though that availability can vary within those states.
EarthLink became known for its flat-rate fee for internet service and it continues to provide that today. But that flat rate can vary based on location and ISP partner EarthLink uses.
Earthlink State Availability
EarthLink is available in 48 states because it partners with other internet service providers, but availability within a state can vary.
Other Benefits
- Digital marketing services available
- EarthLink Protect+ can provide real-time protection, dark web monitoring and a secure VPN
- EarthLink Online Backup: EarthLink can automatically backup and sync your files across multiple devices
- EarthLink Guardian: Provides protection for online lives of your children
- EarthLink EasyTech: EarthLink has product experts available to help solve any issues with smart devices
- Satellite internet and wireless internet connections available
Fine Print
- EarthLink has an expensive early termination fee of up to $200
- EarthLink does not provide its own equipment, modem rentals can cost $6.95 a month and to purchase the modem can cost $74.95
- EarthLink Wireless Home Internet comes with its own high-speed router
- Fiber internet requires pro installation
How Earthlink Stacks Up
| Company | companylogo | Lowest Price Available | Customer Rating | Number of States Serviced | Learn More CTA text | Learn more CTA below text | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earthlink | | $49.95 | Poor | 48 | Learn More | On EarthLink's Website | |
| Cox Internet |  | $29.99 | Great | 18 | Learn More | On Cox' Website | |
| T-Mobile Home Internet |  | $50 | Great | 49 | Learn More | On T-Mobile's Website |
Is Earthlink Internet Right for You?
Customers like EarthLink because of its flat-fee pricing. Although it uses other ISPs for its networks, it won’t increase your monthly fee as often as those ISPs. But EarthLink might have a higher monthly fee than those ISPs, which can offer low introductory rates for a short time.
EarthLink differentiates itself from those ISPs by offering unlimited data. So while EarthLink and another provider might service your locale, the other provider might have a data cap while EarthLink won’t with its service.
EarthLink can offer speeds from 10 Mbps to 1 GB of fiber, but finding the upload speeds can prove a little more difficult. EarthLink’s 1 GB fiber service rate of $59.99 a month compares favorably with CenturyLink, which offers it for $65 a month and Frontier, which starts at $74.99 a month.
Methodology
To determine the best internet provider ranking, the Forbes Home Improvement editorial team analyzed third-party data on almost 20 major companies, with each company’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
- Customer reviews (20%)
- Customer support options (20%)
- Number of states covered (15%)
- Other services (10%)
- Lowest price plan available (10%)
- Highest price plan available (10%)
- Pro installation? (5%)
- Unlimited data plans available? (5%)
- Bundle plans available? (5%)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is EarthLink worth it?
Determining whether EarthLink is worth it for you depends on where you live and the type of internet service you need. EarthLink’s fiber service (if available in your area) looks attractive because of its price, speed and unlimited data.
If you live in a rural area, fiber isn’t as available and other providers have lower prices than EarthLink. Mobile carriers have become increasingly attractive for rural users but can have data caps. Satellite internet can also provide quality internet access in rural areas, too. Consult our list of the best rural internet providers for more information.
Is EarthLink internet unlimited?
Yes, EarthLink does not have data caps with its plans.
Can I use Earthlink without a phone line?
You do not need a phone line to use EarthLink internet. EarthLink offers fiber internet, which does not use a phone line. EarthLink also offers EarthLink Wireless Home Internet, which has LTE home wireless internet data plans of 50 GB, 75 GB, 100 GB or 150 GB per month. There is a router fee of $14.95 per month and an activation fee of $79.95. Monthly fees range from $64.95 a month to $149.95 per month.
EarthLink also offers satellite internet through its relationship with Viasat.
