EarthLink vs. Spectrum: Which Internet Provider is Best for You?
We compared these two widespread wired internet options
May 15, 2026 | Share 
Provider Comparisons (Versus)
Starting price:
$30/mo.* for 1 yr.
Speed range:
Up to 100–2,000Mbps
(wireless speeds may vary)
* Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See EarthLink disclaimers | Spectrum disclaimers.
Compare EarthLink and Spectrum head-to-head
EarthLink’s main focus is on its customer service. EarthLink plans generally cost more than Spectrum plans with similar speeds, so the question for EarthLink customers is whether they find the added support worth the extra cost.
Both EarthLink and Spectrum offer wired internet connections to huge areas of the country. EarthLink offers fast and reliable fiber connections in some areas, though in others, it offers only slower DSL plans. Spectrum splits the difference with cable internet, giving you a more consistent experience regardless of where you live within its coverage area.
Services at a glance
| Provider | Services |
|---|---|
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Pros and cons: EarthLink vs. Spectrum
Pros
Great customer satisfaction
Expansive coverage
Fiber in some areas
Cons
Higher monthly cost
Variable network quality
Pros
Rent-free modem, gateway, or SONU
No data caps
No contracts
Cons
Price hikes
Less fiber availability
In this comparison:
Plans and pricing | Deals and promotions | Upfront costs | Recurring fees | Final call | FAQ | Methodology
In this comparison:
Plans and pricing: EarthLink vs. Spectrum
Both EarthLink and Spectrum have large coverage areas and a decent range of speeds. EarthLink offers speeds up to 1Gbps (1,000Mbps), and Spectrum has speeds of up to 2Gbps (2,000Mbps). However, both gigabit plans have their caveats. Although EarthLink has a larger coverage area, its gigabit fiber plan isn’t available in all areas. Spectrum uses a hybrid fiber-coaxial network, so you may get cable or fiber, depending on where you live. EarthLink is the only one of the two with multi-gigabit plans for those who want more speed than they could possibly use.
EarthLink plans and pricing
| Plan | Price* | Speed | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Mbps Internet | $64.95/mo. | 18Mbps | DSL |
| 24 Mbps Internet | $64.95/mo. | 24Mbps | DSL |
| 45 Mbps Internet | $64.95/mo. | 45Mbps | DSL |
| 75 Mbps Internet | $64.95/mo. | 75Mbps | DSL |
| Fiber 100 | $39.95/mo. | 100Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 300 | $49.95/mo. | 300Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 500 | $64.95/mo. | 500Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 1 Gig | $74.95/mo. | 1,000Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 2 Gig | $119.95/mo. | 2,000Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 5 Gig | $189.95/mo. | 5,000Mbps | Fiber |
| 100 GB | $59.95/mo. | Up to 100Mbps | Fixed wireless |
| 150 GB | $84.95/mo. | Up to 100Mbps | Fixed wireless |
| 200 GB | $109.95/mo. | Up to 100Mbps | Fixed wireless |
| 300 GB | $159.95/mo. | Up to 100Mbps | Fixed wireless |
| WFH Unlimited GB | $79.95/mo. | Up to 25Mbps | Fixed wireless |
| Unlimited 5G Home Internet | $59.95/mo. | Up to 425Mbps | 5G Home |
* Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See EarthLink disclaimers.
Our favorite plan: Fiber 500
This plan offers a reliable fiber connection and enough speed for a full household without breaking the bank. See our methodology for more information.
EarthLink is available in all 50 states. It rents space on other providers’ networks to reach its customers, which means the speed and reliability of its connections vary depending on location. The main value that EarthLink adds in this deal is its focus on customer support.
EarthLink’s fiber plans offer the best value for both speed and reliability. They start around the same price as its DSL plans but reach speeds around 100 times faster. EarthLink also offers plans with slower fiber speeds than most internet service providers, which is handy if you like the reliability of fiber but don’t want to pay for gigabit speeds.
Spectrum plans and pricing
| Plan | Price* | Speed | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet® Advantage | $30/mo. for 12 mos. | Up to 100Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | Cable, fiber |
| Spectrum Internet® Premier | $40/mo. for 12 mos. | Up to 500Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | Cable, fiber |
| Spectrum Internet® Gig | $50/mo. for 12 mos. | Up to 1,000Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | Cable, fiber |
| Spectrum Internet® 2 Gig | $70/mo. for 12 mos. | Up to 2,000Mbps (wireless speeds may vary) | Cable, fiber |
* Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See Spectrum disclaimers.
Our favorite plan: Spectrum Internet® Premier
Spectrum Internet® Premier comes in at a surprisingly low monthly cost while also providing enough speed to do whatever you want online. See our methodology for more information.
Spectrum’s plans start at 100Mbps (wireless speeds may vary), which is faster than most of EarthLink’s DSL plans. This makes even the cheapest Spectrum plan a decent speed for most internet activities.
If you need faster download speeds to meet your household needs, Spectrum offers 500Mbps and 2,000Mbps speeds. Most of what Spectrum offers is cable internet, although Spectrum’s fiber-to-the-home service can be found in “green” markets, such as new neighborhoods not claimed by other fiber providers.
Deals and promotions: EarthLink vs. Spectrum
Add two mobile lines to your 500Mbps Spectrum Internet plan, and if you don't save $1,000 in the first year, you'll get a refund. Terms apply
Upfront costs: EarthLink vs. Spectrum
EarthLink has few up-front costs for its fiber plans, though professional installation for its other plans will set you back a bit. Spectrum, on the other hand, gives you a lot of options, but nickel-and-dimes you for features that many providers include for free.
If you like having a lot of options or you like doing things your own way, Spectrum’s approach might work well for you. You might even be able to save some money if you already have your own Wi-Fi router. On the other hand, if you just want simple, straightforward pricing, EarthLink is the clear winner.
Installation cost
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Spectrum beats EarthLink in terms of installation costs, saving you money on professional installation as well as offering a self-installation option for some plans. Spectrum encourages self-installation since most customers already have cable TV lines entering the home, but pro installs are available upon request or when your home needs new internet service.
Want to know if EarthLink or Spectrum is in your area?
Find out if EarthLink and Spectrum are available where you live by entering your zip code below.
Recurring fees: EarthLink vs. Spectrum
| Equipment fee | Other fees | |
|---|---|---|
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EarthLink has low equipment rental fees and gives you the option to buy.
Spectrum doesn’t charge you to use its modem, but you’ll see a fee for using its router or the Wi-Fi in its gateway. Advanced WiFi costs $10 per month for customers on the Advantage and Premier plans—it’s included with Gig and 2 Gig. Invincible WiFi costs another $20 per month (Advantage, Premier, Gig only), adding 5G backup connectivity and a battery backup accessory. Customers who don’t have Advanced WiFi can get Invincible WiFi for $30 (Advantage, Premier) or $20 (Gig) per month—it’s included with the 2 Gig plan. Read our comparison to see which Wi-Fi service is best for you.
You can get around the WiFi fee by purchasing your own standalone router or mesh system. Check out our guide about the best Wi-Fi routers to see what’s the best you can get based on our tests.
The other important fees to call out are the big (and possibly unexpected) ones. EarthLink requires a 12-month contract when you sign up, which comes with a hefty fee if you decide to cancel your service early.
Spectrum doesn’t require long-term contracts, and its fees are lower across the board. The price increases after the first 12 months, depending on the plan, which we don’t love, but in general, you’ll encounter fewer unexpected costs with Spectrum.
Price hikes
Spectrum plans all come with promotional pricing when you first sign up, which later increases after the first year. Spectrum price hikes are only $25 at the most, which means that Spectrum plans are often still cheaper after the increase than comparable prices from other providers. The most important thing is that Spectrum doesn’t force you into long-term contracts, so if the price hike doesn’t fit into your budget, you’re free to switch at any time.
Although we’re not fans of price hikes here, Spectrum’s are some of the more manageable ones.
Ready to switch to EarthLink or Spectrum?
Enter your zip code below to see if these two providers are available to you.
Final call: EarthLink vs. Spectrum
Both EarthLink and Spectrum have a lot of features we really like, but if you’re in an area where EarthLink offers only DSL connections, we suggest going with Spectrum’s faster, more reliable cable plans. If it’s fiber vs. fiber, the decision comes down to which has a plan that most closely matches your budget.
More about EarthLink and Spectrum
FAQ about EarthLink vs. Spectrum
Why do wireless speeds vary?
Does EarthLink offer fiber internet?
What other services come with EarthLink internet?
Methodology
Our HighSpeedInternet.com editorial team bases our analyses on customer input from our Annual Internet Service Provider Review, results from our speed test tool, and proprietary internet provider data on speeds and pricing. To strengthen our research, we look closely at provider contracts to get hard-to-find information on price hikes, data caps, and extra fees, and we keep tabs on the latest news reports and online reviews. When applicable, we also rely on our personal experiences testing these services.
Our favorite plan
The average household needs internet speeds of at least 300Mbps but not more than a gig (1,000Mbps), so the best plan we recommend for each provider is always within that range. We also consider plan specifics, like added costs or included perks, and compare all the options from each provider to national averages. Finally, we account for tech type differences, since you might not need as much speed on a fiber plan as you would on a less-reliable fixed wireless or cable plan. Learn more about how much speed you need, and enter your zip code in our provider lookup tool to see what you can get in your neighborhood.
A note about pricing
The prices you see may not reflect the standard rates these providers could charge after an introductory period. You’ll see the standard rates on broadband nutrition labels displayed during checkout, along with equipment fees, installation fees, contract requirements, and data caps (if any). Always view this information before you sign up for internet service.
Plans disclaimers
EarthLink DSL plans
All DSL plans — with a 12 month contract. Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas
EarthLink fiber plans
All fiber plans — with a 12 month contract. Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas
EarthLink FW/5G plans
Unlimited 5G Home Internet — Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas. Exclusions, taxes, fees, or modem service charges may apply. Not available in all areas. Limited-time offer; subject to change.
100 GB | 150 GB | 200 GB | 300 GB — Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas. Exclusions like taxes & fees apply. Not available in all areas. Limited-time offer; subject to change.
WFH Unlimited GB — With the Work From Home Unlimited Plan, you’ll enjoy speeds up to 25 Mbps for the first 300 GB of data usage each month; speeds will reduce if usage exceeds 300 GB within that month.
Spectrum plans
Internet Advantage | Internet Premier | Internet Gig — Standard rates apply after promo period. Additional charge for installation. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds (including wireless) vary and are not guaranteed. Capable modem required for all Gig speeds. For a list of capable modems, visit Spectrum.net/modem. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.
Internet 2 Gig — N/A
Deals Disclaimers
Spectrum, Bundle and Save $1,000 Per Year — GUARANTEED SAVINGS: Offer applies to new Internet and Mobile customers. Savings calculated against comparable Internet, WiFi, and Mobile services including taxes and fees. Must submit bill statement(s) from current Internet and Mobile provider within 60 days of installation to receive credit. Comparable Mobile providers limited to Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T. If savings are less than $1,000 the difference will be applied as bill credits in equal increments over the first year of service. If any of the qualifying services are not maintained for a full year, any remaining credits will be forfeited. Certain mobile services not eligible for savings offer.
Author - Peter Christiansen
Peter Christiansen writes about telecom policy, communications infrastructure, satellite internet, and rural connectivity for HighSpeedInternet.com. Peter holds a PhD in communication from the University of Utah and has been working in tech for over 15 years as a computer programmer, game developer, filmmaker, and writer. His writing has been praised by outlets like Wired, Digital Humanities Now, and the New Statesman.
Editor - Jessica Brooksby
Jessica loves bringing her passion for the written word and her love of tech into one space at HighSpeedInternet.com. She works with the team’s writers to revise strong, user-focused content so every reader can find the tech that works for them. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in English from Utah Valley University and seven years of creative and editorial experience. Outside of work, she spends her time gaming, reading, painting, and buying an excessive amount of Legend of Zelda merchandise.
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