EarthLink vs Optimum by Altice Internet

Compare EarthLink and Optimum by Altice internet service in 2023

9 Plans Available
EarthLink internet
price range
$59.95 - $189.95/month
*Prices may vary depending on the plan.

PROVIDER DETAILS

  • 100 Mbps - 5 Gbps
  • DSL, Fixed Wireless, Fiber
  • $15 a month equipment fees
  • Unlimited Data
View Plans & Pricing
26 Plans Available
Optimum internet
price range
$40 - $280/month
*Prices may vary depending on the plan.

PROVIDER DETAILS

  • 300 Mbps - 8 Gbps
  • Cable, Fiber
  • $10 a month equipment fees
  • 0 GB
View Plans & Pricing (844) 910-2593

Learn more about EarthLink and Optimum:

EarthLink has 9 plans:
View Plans & Pricing
Optimum has 26 plans:
(844) 910-2593 View Plans & Pricing

Learn more about EarthLink and Optimum

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 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: 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)
  • $40 for 300 Mbps Cable
    • 300 Mbps ↓ and 20 Mbps ↑
    • Rate includes $5/mo. AutoPay and Paperless Billing discount.
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 486-3566 to setup service.
    (844) 910-2593
  • $40 for 300 Mbps Fiber
    • 300 Mbps ↓ and 300 Mbps ↑
    • w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 486-3566 to setup service.
    (844) 910-2593
  • $60 for 500 Mbps Cable
    • 500 Mbps ↓ and 20 Mbps ↑
    • Rate includes $5/mo. AutoPay and Paperless Billing discount.
    • Includes $50 Prepaid Card in select areas
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 486-3566 to setup service.
    (844) 910-2593
  • $70 for 940 Mbps Fiber
    • 940 Mbps ↓ and 940 Mbps ↑
    • w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill
    • Includes $200 Visa® Prepaid Card | 1 Month Free Internet at Month 6
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 486-3566 to setup service.
    (844) 910-2593
  • $70 for 940 Mbps Cable
    • 940 Mbps ↓ and 35 Mbps ↑
    • Rate includes $5/mo. AutoPay and Paperless Billing discount.
    • Includes $200 Prepaid Card | 1 Month Free Internet applies to 6th mo. of service.
    • 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 ↑
    • w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill
    • Includes $300 Visa® Prepaid Card | 1 Month Free Internet at Month 6
    • 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 ↑
    • w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 486-3566 to setup service.
    (844) 910-2593
  • $280 for 8 Gbps Fiber
    • 8,000 Mbps ↓ and 8,000 Mbps ↑
    • w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 486-3566 to setup service.
    (844) 910-2593
Show All Deals (26)

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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 Internet Review

We asked BroadbandNow users to review EarthLink based on four core attributes: Customer Service, Reliability, Speed, and Value.

BroadbandNow readers submitted 52 for EarthLink. EarthLink earned an average score of 4.12 out of 5.

Read EarthLink Customer Reviews
As of October 2023, BroadBandNow’s editorial team has not been able to survey enough Optimum customers to provide a comprehensive understanding of how this service is meeting customers’ needs or expectations.

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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.