EarthLink
Spectrum

EarthLink vs Spectrum: Side-by-Side Comparison

Compare EarthLink and Spectrum services in 2023.

EarthLink and Spectrum Service in 2022:

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 than 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 second-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 5 Gbps. EarthLink provides Internet, phone, and TV services.

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 phone service. Package availability varies by location.

EarthLink vs Spectrum: Best Deals

Internet Deals

EarthLink vs Spectrum: Extra Fees and Contracts

Installation

EarthLink’s installation setup is dependent on the type of Internet plan. Installation fees vary from $39.95-$79.95. EarthLink Fiber plans have a $39.95 installation fee, while EarthLink Wireless Home Internet has a $79.95 installation charge. All EarthLink installation packages include WiFi service.

Spectrum Internet® customers are offered a free modem with both self-installation and professional installation options. Professional installation is a one-time fee of $49.99. Customers may also opt for the self-installation option for a one-time WiFi activation charge of $24.99. 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. EarthLink contracts require that customers use the company-provided modem for a rental fee of $12.95 per 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. 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.

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About EarthLink and Spectrum Internet Services

  • Is EarthLink cheaper than Spectrum?

    EarthLink Internet plans start at $59.95 per month, while Spectrum Internet plans start at $49.99 per month for 12 months.

  • Who has faster speeds? EarthLink or Spectrum?

    EarthLink Fiber is faster than Spectrum with download speeds up to 5 Gbps. That said, Spectrum Internet supplies speeds up to 1 Gbps (wireless speeds may vary).

  • Do EarthLink and Spectrum have unlimited data?

    Both providers offer unlimited data on all of their Internet-only plans.

  • 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 doesn’t require contracts.