EarthLink vs. Cox

EarthLink is the largest residential DSL provider in the U.S. and they offer a variety of premium internet plans for businesses and residential customers. Their HyperLink internet plans use ultra-high-speed fiber-optic technology, supplying affordable fiber service to approximately 22 million people. As of today, EarthLink does not offer TV or phone services with their internet service.

As the third-largest residential cable provider in the U.S., Cox Internet offers a wide range of internet plans and numerous bundle and triple play options that can include high-speed internet, cable TV (with premium channels), phone service, and smart home services. As a result, they offer a very large assortment of prices and plans, making their services quite affordable. Like EarthLink, Cox Internet also supplies fiber internet with speeds up to 940 Mbps.

EarthLink vs Cox: Extra Fees and Contracts

Installation

When signing up with EarthLink, the installation process can be completed in one of two ways.

You can choose between self-installation or professional installation. EarthLink’s self-installation costs a one-time fee of $19.95 that includes modem shipping and a self-install kit. All HyperLink plans include professional installation for $69.95.

Cox Internet offers two options for installation: self-installation or professional installation.

Professional installation $100 per service, though you may get a discount on that fee if you sign up for a bundle. The installation process with Cox is fairly simple, you can opt for self-installation for a one-time fee of $20.

Contracts, Equipment Fees & Fine Print

EarthLink requires a 12-month contract for the majority of their plans.

In the event of early cancellation of the contract, there is an Early Termination Fee (EFT) of up to $200. Regarding equipment, you must use the modem provided by EarthLink during installation for a monthly rental fee of $6.95/month.

Generally, Cox Internet requires a contract agreement ranging from 12-24 months.

If you decide to end your contract early, be prepared to face early termination fees up to $240. Cox Internet customers can either purchase the modem and router for a one-time fee of $129.99 or pay a monthly fee of $10.99/month.

Data Caps

EarthLink is a great option for those in need of the highest speeds and minimal data caps. Their Hyperlink internet plans do not have data cap restrictions, which means you have access to unlimited monthly data.

Cox Internet has a data cap of 1 TB for most of its residential internet plans, which is a huge amount of data. Most households will not go over the monthly data allowance but if you do, there is no penalty fee. Though, excessive overages may result in having to upgrade to a more robust plan.