EarthLink
Optimum by Altice

EarthLink vs Optimum by Altice

A Side-by-Side Comparison of EarthLink and Optimum by Altice Internet Service in 2023

EarthLink has 9 plans:
(844) 916-1660 View Plans & Pricing
Optimum by Altice has 18 plans:
(844) 910-2593 View Plans & Pricing

EarthLink and Optimum by Altice Service in 2022:

EarthLink has 9 plans:
(844) 916-1660 View Plans & Pricing
Optimum by Altice has 18 plans:
(844) 910-2593 View Plans & Pricing

View EarthLink and Optimum by Altice Service in 2022:

EarthLink and Optimum by Altice are among the leading internet providers in the U.S. Where EarthLink offers DSL and fiber internet to its customers, Optimum supplies both cable and fiber internet. Optimum’s service is available in four states while EarthLink’s coverage spans across 42 states. Although both EarthLink and Optimum offer internet plans with unlimited data and speeds up to 1000 Mbps, several key differences set the two providers apart. Below are a variety of comparisons that point out these differences to help customers decide which provider is right for them.

EarthLink vs Optimum by Altice Overall Comparison

EarthLink vs Optimum by Altice Overall Comparison

  • Speed

    100 Mbps -5 Gbps

  • Pricing

    $59.95 - $189.95/mo.

  • Service Type

    DSL, Fixed Wireless, Fiber

  • Equipment Fee

    $15 a month

  • Data Cap

    Unlimited Data

  • Speed

    300 Mbps -5 Gbps

  • Pricing

    $40 - $180/mo.

  • Service Type

    Cable, Fiber

  • Equipment Fee

    $10 a month

  • Data Cap

    0 GB

EarthLink offers a wide range of internet plans powered by DSL and fiber broadband networks. They are the largest residential DSL provider in the U.S. with their service available in 43 states. EarthLink is the third-largest fiber provider in the U.S. by coverage alone, as 22 million people have access to this service. EarthLink does not supply phone or TV services with its internet plans.

Optimum by Altice offers its cable internet services to 12.4 million people, making it the fourth-largest U.S. provider of cable internet. Its fiber internet service coverage is significantly less than Earthlink’s at 360,000 people. Unlike EarthLink, Optimum customers can bundle their internet with TV and phone services.

EarthLink vs Optimum by Altice: Best Deals

Internet Deals

  • $59.95 for 100 Mbps Fiber
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • Setup: $59.95 (Includes professional installation.)
    • Modem: $12.95/mo
    • Call (844) 916-1660 to setup service.
    (844) 916-1660
  • $64.95 for 100 Mbps Fixed Wireless
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 15 Mbps ↑ w/ a 50 GB/mo data cap
    • Download speeds between 25 Mbps and 100 Mbps and upload speeds between 5 Mbps and 15 Mbps.
    • Setup: $79.95 (Includes activation fee.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $14.95/mo
    • Call (844) 916-1660 to setup service.
    (844) 916-1660
  • $79.95 for 100 Mbps Fixed Wireless
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 15 Mbps ↑ w/ a 75 GB/mo data cap
    • Download speeds between 25 Mbps and 100 Mbps and upload speeds between 5 Mbps and 15 Mbps.
    • Setup: $79.95 (Includes activation fee.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $14.95/mo
    • Call (844) 916-1660 to setup service.
    (844) 916-1660
  • $79.95 for 500 Mbps Fiber
    • 500 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • Setup: $39.95 (Includes professional installation.)
    • Modem: $12.95/mo
    • Call (844) 916-1660 to setup service.
    (844) 916-1660
  • $89.95 for 1 Gbps Fiber
    • 1,000 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • Setup: $39.95 (Includes professional installation.)
    • Modem: $12.95/mo
    • Call (844) 916-1660 to setup service.
    (844) 916-1660
  • $99.95 for 100 Mbps Fixed Wireless
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 15 Mbps ↑ w/ a 100 GB/mo data cap
    • Download speeds between 25 Mbps and 100 Mbps and upload speeds between 5 Mbps and 15 Mbps.
    • Setup: $79.95 (Includes activation fee.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $14.95/mo
    • Call (844) 916-1660 to setup service.
    (844) 916-1660
  • $129.95 for 2 Gbps Fiber
    • 2,000 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • Setup: $39.95 (Includes professional installation.)
    • Modem: $12.95/mo
    • Call (844) 916-1660 to setup service.
    (844) 916-1660
  • $149.95 for 100 Mbps Fixed Wireless
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 15 Mbps ↑ w/ a 150 GB/mo data cap
    • Download speeds between 25 Mbps and 100 Mbps and upload speeds between 5 Mbps and 15 Mbps.
    • Setup: $79.95 (Includes activation fee.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $14.95/mo
    • Call (844) 916-1660 to setup service.
    (844) 916-1660
  • $189.95 for 5 Gbps Fiber
    • 5,000 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • Setup: $39.95 (Includes professional installation.)
    • Modem: $12.95/mo
    • Call (844) 916-1660 to setup service.
    (844) 916-1660
Show All Deals (9)

Check EarthLink Availability by Address:

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  • $40 for 300 Mbps Fiber
    • 300 Mbps ↓ and 300 Mbps ↑
    • Advertised price reflects $5 discount for enrolling in Auto Pay & Paperless Billing.
    • Free standard installation with online orders.
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 486-3566 to setup service.
    (844) 910-2593
  • $40 for 300 Mbps Cable
    • 300 Mbps ↓ and 20 Mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • Rate includes $5/mo. AutoPay and Paperless Billing discount.
    • Free Wi-Fi extender if needed
    • Setup: Free self-install (not available at all addresses).
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 486-3566 to setup service.
    (844) 910-2593
  • $60 for 500 Mbps Fiber
    • 500 Mbps ↓ and 500 Mbps ↑
    • Advertised price reflects $5 discount for enrolling in Auto Pay & Paperless Billing.
    • Free standard installation with online orders. | Includes $100 Visa® Prepaid Card.
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 486-3566 to setup service.
    (844) 910-2593
  • $60 for 500 Mbps Cable
    • 500 Mbps ↓ and 20 Mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • Rate includes $5/mo. AutoPay and Paperless Billing discount.
    • $100 Visa Gift Card | Free Wi-Fi extender if needed
    • Setup: Free self-install (not available at all addresses).
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 486-3566 to setup service.
    (844) 910-2593
  • $80 for 940 Mbps Fiber
    • 940 Mbps ↓ and 940 Mbps ↑
    • Advertised price reflects $5 discount for enrolling in Auto Pay & Paperless Billing.
    • Free standard installation with online orders. | Includes $300 Visa® Prepaid Card.
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 486-3566 to setup service.
    (844) 910-2593
  • $80 for 940 Mbps Cable
    • 940 Mbps ↓ and 35 Mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • Rate includes $5/mo. AutoPay and Paperless Billing discount.
    • $300 Visa Gift Card | Free Wi-Fi extender if needed
    • Setup: Free self-install (not available at all addresses).
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 486-3566 to setup service.
    (844) 910-2593
  • $100 for 2 Gbps Fiber
    • 2,000 Mbps ↓ and 2,000 Mbps ↑
    • Advertised price reflects $5 discount for enrolling in Auto Pay & Paperless Billing.
    • Free standard installation with online orders. | Includes $200 Visa® Prepaid Card.
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 486-3566 to setup service.
    (844) 910-2593
  • $180 for 5 Gbps Fiber
    • 5,000 Mbps ↓ and 5,000 Mbps ↑
    • Advertised price reflects $5 discount for enrolling in Auto Pay & Paperless Billing.
    • Free standard installation with online orders.
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 486-3566 to setup service.
    (844) 910-2593
Show All Deals (18)

Check Optimum by Altice Availability by Address:

Unable to Confirm
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Sorry, we're unable to confirm Optimum by Altice is available at this address. Please call a representative at (844) 910-2593 to confirm.

Available!
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Optimum by Altice is available at this address. Explore plans below or call (844) 910-2593 to get started.

Please enter a valid address.

EarthLink vs Optimum: Extra Fees and Contracts

Installation

EarthLink’s internet plans charge a self-installation fee of $19.95 and a professional installation fee of $69.95.EarthLink’s set-up fee for self-installation includes the shipping fee for the modem as well as a self-install kit. Professional installation is required for EarthLink’s Hyperlink plans.

Optimum customers are offered three installation options: free self-installation, standard installation, and premium installation.Optimum’s standard installation costs $99, which comes with a coaxial cable, one wireless device, and the set-up of two outlets. For a one-time fee of $149, their premium installation includes the necessary hard-wiring for various in-home systems such as Smart TV, computers, alarm systems, and gaming systems.

Contracts, Equipment Fees & Fine Print

EarthLink requires a one-year-long contract for all of its internet plans. Depending on the plan chosen, EarthLink customers can expect to pay early termination fees ranging from $90-200 if they decide to end their contract early. Regarding equipment, EarthLink customers can lease a modem for a monthly fee of $6.95.
Optimum by Altice does not require a contract for its internet plans but offers a promotional rate with 1-year agreements. If Optimum customers who opt for a contract end their agreement early, they will face early termination fees that vary according to the plan chosen. Similar to EarthLink, customers can expect to pay $10/month to rent a modem, although there is no fee for the router.

Data Caps

EarthLink does not have data cap restrictions on its internet plans.
Similar to EarthLink, Optimum’s internet plans do not employ any data caps.

EarthLink vs. Optimum by Altice Internet Review

As of February 2021, BroadBandNow’s editorial team has surveyed 24 EarthLink customers and asked them to rate EarthLink on 6 different criteria - Reliability, Speed, Equipment, Support, Interaction, and Value.

Overall EarthLink customers rated them a 4.1 out of 5, which is ranked 9th of the 10 internet provider customers we surveyed in our study.

Read EarthLink Customer Reviews

As of February 2021, BroadBandNow’s editorial team has surveyed 54 Optimum by Altice customers and asked them to rate Optimum by Altice on 6 different criteria - Reliability, Speed, Equipment, Support, Interaction, and Value.

Overall Optimum by Altice customers rated them a 3.4 out of 5, which is ranked 2nd of the 10 internet provider customers we surveyed in our study.

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Frequently Asked Questions about EarthLink & Optimum by Altice Internet Services

  • Is EarthLink cheaper than Optimum?

    EarthLink’s cheapest internet-only plan which is priced at $14.95/month is less expensive than Optimum’s at $44.99/month, but with significantly slower speeds. However, Optimum’s most expensive internet-only plan is $74.99/month, which is cheaper than EarthLink’s at $99.95/month.

  • Who has faster speeds? EarthLink or Optimum?

    EarthLink’s internet plans offer speeds starting at 3 Mbps whereas Optimum’s speeds start at 200 Mbps. However, both providers offer plans with speeds up to 1000 Mbps.

  • Do EarthLink and Optimum have unlimited data?

    Both internet providers offer internet plans equipped with unlimited data.

  • Do EarthLink and Optimum require a contract?

    EarthLink requires a one-year contract for all of its internet plans. Optimum by Altice, however, does not require contracts for its plans and offers month-to-month options.