EarthLink
Spectrum

EarthLink vs. Spectrum

A Side-by-Side Comparison of EarthLink and Spectrum Internet Service in 2022

EarthLink has 9 plans:
(844) 916-1660 View Plans & Pricing
Spectrum has 7 plans:
(844) 901-2981 Order Online

EarthLink and Spectrum Service in 2022:

EarthLink has 9 plans:
(844) 916-1660 View Plans & Pricing
Spectrum has 7 plans:
(844) 901-2981 Order Online

View EarthLink and Spectrum Service in 2022:

As two of the largest Internet providers in the country by coverage area, EarthLink and SpectrumⓇ are similar in many ways. Both provide reliable high-speed Internet service. However, there are a number of crucial differences in the way these rival companies operate and the service and pricing options they offer. Depending on your location and Internet needs, one Internet provider may be a better option over the other.

EarthLink vs Spectrum Overall Comparison

EarthLink vs Spectrum 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 -1 Gbps

  • Pricing

    $49.99-89.99/mo.

  • Service Type

    Cable, Fiber

  • Equipment Fee

    $0 a month

  • Data Cap

    Unlimited Data

EarthLink has the nation’s third-largest fiber network by coverage area and is also the largest provider of residential DSL Internet by coverage area. Availability for either Internet type will still vary by location. Customers with fiber connections can access Internet speeds up to 1000 Mbps. EarthLink provides Internet service only, with no phone or TV options.

Spectrum is an Internet, cable TV, and telephone provider that uses cable connections almost exclusively for residential Internet. The company is the second-largest cable provider in the United States by coverage area. Spectrum offers more than two dozen pricing options for high speed Internet service, either alone or bundled with TV and/or phone service. Package availability varies by location.

EarthLink vs Spectrum: 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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  • $49.99 for 300 Mbps Cable
    • Up to 300 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • Spectrum prices their plans regionally. We do our best to collect these regions and zip codes, but always verify pricing via phone or online in your specific zip code.
    • Eligible for Spectrum One savings.
    • Setup: $19.99 (Includes service activation.)
    • Modem included.
    • Call (855) 347-5741 to setup service.
    Order Online (844) 901-2981
  • $69.99 for 500 Mbps Cable
    • Speeds up to 500 Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • Spectrum prices their plans regionally. We do our best to collect these regions and zip codes, but always verify pricing via phone or online in your specific zip code.
    • Eligible for Spectrum One savings.
    • Setup: $19.99 (Includes service activation.)
    • Modem included.
    • Call (855) 347-5741 to setup service.
    Order Online (844) 901-2981
  • $89.99 for 1 Gbps Cable
    • Speeds up to 1 Gbps (wireless speeds may vary) w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate.
    • Spectrum prices their plans regionally. We do our best to collect these regions and zip codes, but always verify pricing via phone or online in your specific zip code.
    • Eligible for Spectrum One savings.
    • Setup: $19.99 (Includes service activation.)
    • Modem included.
    • Call (855) 347-5741 to setup service.
    Order Online (844) 901-2981
Show All Deals (7)

Check Spectrum Availability by Address:

Unable to Confirm
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Sorry, we're unable to confirm Spectrum is available at this address. Please call a representative at (844) 901-2981 to confirm.

Available!
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Spectrum is available at this address. Explore plans below or call (844) 901-2981 to get started.

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EarthLink vs Spectrum: Extra Fees and Contracts

Installation

EarthLink’s installation setup is dependent on the type of Internet plan. Installation fees vary from $19.95-69.95. Installation charges for EarthLink’s Hyperlink plans—a combined fiber/DSL connection—include a $69.95 fee for professional installation. DSL-only customers typically pay $19.95 for a self-installation kit and modem shipping. All EarthLink installation packages include WiFi service.
Spectrum customers are offered a free modem with both self-installation and professional installation options. Professional installation is a one-time fee of $49.99 with most of its Internet-only packages. The installation fee may be reduced or waived with select bundles and packages. To avoid the installation fee, customers may opt for the self-installation option for a one-time WiFi activation charge of $9.99. Households can also rent a WiFi router for a $5 monthly fee from Spectrum.

Contracts, Equipment Fees & Fine Print

Currently, all EarthLink Internet plans require a 12-month contract. Customers who cancel their service before their contract ends face early termination fees of up to $200. As with all Internet providers, local taxes and fees may also apply. EarthLink contracts require that customers use the company-provided modem for a rental fee of $6.95/month. All EarthLink equipment must be returned upon cancellation or the customer will be charged additional fees.

As a contract-free provider, Spectrum subscribers pay for their service from month to month and are not required to sign a contract of any duration. Thus, accounts may be cancelled at any time without penalty. Customers should also expect to pay a one-time $9.99 activation fee. Locally assessed taxes and fees may also apply. Spectrum often offers new customers lower promotional rates for the first 12 months followed by a rate increase of as much as $20 per month when the promotional term ends.

Data Caps

All EarthLink Internet plans allow customers to enjoy unlimited downloading, uploading, and streaming. No data caps are placed on user data. This makes EarthLink a suitable choice for households with multiple power-Internet users that may stream a lot of games, movies, or television.

Like EarthLink, Spectrum does not limit the amount of data its customers can upload or download. In fact, Spectrum is prohibited from adding data caps to its Internet plans by an agreement with the FCC in the wake of a recent merger.

EarthLink vs. Spectrum 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 283 Spectrum customers and asked them to rate Spectrum on 6 different criteria - Reliability, Speed, Equipment, Support, Interaction, and Value.

Overall Spectrum customers rated them a 3.4 out of 5, which is ranked 4th of the 10 internet provider customers we surveyed in our study.

Read Spectrum Customer Reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions about EarthLink & Spectrum Internet Services

  • Is EarthLink cheaper than Spectrum?

    The price difference between EarthLink and Spectrum depends on a number of factors such as select plans, promotional rates, location, and the consumer’s Internet needs. After promotional rates, most of EarthLink’s Internet plans are higher than Spectrum’s Internet-only plan. Currently, Spectrum’s Internet-only plan is billed at $44.99/month for the first 12 months and then at $64.99/month thereafter. The promo rate for EarthLink’s lowest-priced Internet-only plan (with speeds up to 3 Mbps) is $14.95/month for the first three months and then raised to $39.95/month.

  • Who has faster speeds? EarthLink or Spectrum?

    EarthLink’s most expensive plan—HyperLink 1 Gbps—offers speeds up to 1000 Mbps. Trailing closely behind, Spectrum Internet Gig plan supplies speeds up to 1 Gbps (wireless speeds may vary). Both Internet providers also offer a range of lower-speed, lower-priced service tiers.

  • Do EarthLink and Spectrum have unlimited data?

    Both providers offer unlimited data on all of their Internet-only plans. Although some providers still impose data caps on their lower-priced packages, plans with unlimited data are becoming increasingly common across the industry. EarthLink and Spectrum are great for power Internet users who anticipate on using large amounts of data.

  • Do EarthLink and Spectrum require a contract?

    All EarthLink plans require customers to sign a 12-month contract. Those terminating the service before the end of their agreement face an early termination fee of up to $200. Spectrum customers pay month-to-month, are not required to sign a contract, and may terminate their service at any time.