T-Mobile vs. EarthLink: Which Internet Provider Is Best for You?
Comparing two of the most widely available internet providers in the nation.
May 20, 2026 | Share 
Provider Comparisons (Versus)
Starting price:
$50–$70/mo.*
w/Auto Pay, plus taxes & fees
Speed range:
Up to 2,000Mbps
* Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See T-Mobile disclaimers | EarthLink disclaimers.
Compare T-Mobile and EarthLink head-to-head
Both T-Mobile and EarthLink have extensive nationwide coverage and offer 4G/5G home internet for those in rural areas that lack internet infrastructure. T-Mobile offers the best value on a wireless internet plan and is free from data caps and long-term contracts. It also offers fiber in select locations. EarthLink has more plan options, as well as a wide range of fiber and DSL plans for many areas.
Services at a glance
| Provider | Services |
|---|---|
| |
|
Pros and cons: T-Mobile vs. EarthLink
Pros
No data caps or contracts
5-year price guarantee
Lower cost
Cons
Limited 5G coverage
Limited fiber availability
Pros
Great customer service
Many plan options
Cons
Higher monthly cost
Contracts for some plans
Data caps
In this comparison:
Plans and pricing | Deals and promotions | Upfront costs | Recurring fees | Customer ratings | Final call | FAQ | Methodology
In this comparison:
Plans and pricing: T-Mobile vs. EarthLink
T-Mobile is simple, straightforward, and affordable. EarthLink plans are generally a bit more expensive, but it offers more options for you to choose the plan that best suits your internet needs. EarthLink also offers wired connections, which can provide much higher speeds, in more areas than T-Mobile fiber currently covers.
T-Mobile plans and pricing
| Select a plan | Price* | Speed | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rely Home Internet | $50/mo. w/ AutoPay, plus taxes & fees. | Up to 318Mbps | 5G Home |
| Amplified Home Internet | $60/mo. w/ AutoPay, plus taxes & fees. | Up to 498Mbps | 5G Home |
| All-In Home Internet | $70/mo. w/ AutoPay, plus taxes & fees. | Up to 498Mbps | 5G Home |
| Fiber 300 | $45/mo. w/ AutoPay, plus taxes & fees. | 300Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 1 Gig | $60/mo. w/ AutoPay, plus taxes & fees. | 1,000Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 2 Gig | $70/mo. w/ AutoPay, plus taxes & fees. | 2,000Mbps | Fiber |
* Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. See T-Mobile disclaimers.
Our favorite plan: All-In Home Internet
This plan gives plenty of speed for any online activity and is still the standout since T-Mobile’s Fiber availability is not as widespread as we’d like it to be. It also offers extra perks like streaming services included at no extra cost and advanced cybersecurity. See our methodology for more information.
T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet plans are some of the best wireless home internet plans you’ll find. You get good value in terms of speed versus cost, along with unlimited data for no extra charge. That’s something that very few wireless providers can match. You’ll get a Wi-Fi 7 gateway if you opt for an Amplified or All-In plan, or a 5G gateway with the Rely Home Internet plan.
T-Mobile puts a lot of emphasis on its very fast 5G network, but 5G is not available across its entire coverage area, especially in more rural areas where wireless connections are often the only option. This is why there’s such a large range in T-Mobile’s speed estimates. Those in more urban areas are more likely to get the 5G speeds at the high end of that range, but these areas are also more likely to have access to faster wired connections like cable and fiber.
T-Mobile Fiber’s prices are as low as its 5G prices, but with greater speed and reliability. Its prices come in slightly below those of EarthLink’s comparable fiber plans, but T-Mobile is only just beginning to dip its toes into the fiber market, so the availability of its fiber plans is pretty limited, especially when compared with its nationwide 5G network. Still, if you live in an area where it’s available, T-Mobile Fiber is a great value.
EarthLink plans and pricing
| Select a 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.
You can find EarthLink in all 50 states, as it uses other providers’ infrastructure to reach customers anywhere. This means the speed and reliability of its connections vary depending on location; however, the main value that EarthLink provides is its own highly responsive customer support.
EarthLink’s fiber plans are your best option, both for speed and reliability. They start around the same price as its DSL plans but reach speeds around 100 times faster, providing you with more value for your dollar. EarthLink also offers plans with slower fiber speeds than most internet service providers, which gives you the reliability of fiber without the cost of gigabit speeds.
Deals and promotions: T-Mobile vs. EarthLink
Get one month of 5G home internet on T-Mobile plus up to $200. Terms apply
Ends 07/01/2026
Upfront costs: T-Mobile vs. EarthLink
T-Mobile doesn’t hit you with any up-front costs, which makes switching easy. EarthLink has a few up-front equipment and installation costs for its fiber plans and a somewhat higher cost if you want professional installation for its other plans.
Installation cost
| Installation fee | |
|---|---|
| T-Mobile | |
| EarthLink |
T-Mobile 5G is easy to set up and doesn’t require any installation or activation fees. EarthLink fiber plans come with an incredibly low professional installation fee, though if you’re not getting fiber, you’ll end up paying a more standard rate for professional installation.
Want to know if T-Mobile or EarthLink is in your area?
Find out if T-Mobile and EarthLink are available where you live by entering your zip code below.
Recurring fees: T-Mobile vs. EarthLink
| Equipment fee | Other fees | |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | ||
| EarthLink |
There’s a pretty stark difference between T-Mobile and EarthLink when it comes to fees—namely that T-Mobile doesn’t have them. Equipment is included with your monthly bill, so you don’t pay any additional fees. You also don’t have to purchase any of your equipment; it’s all part of the package.
EarthLink’s fees are actually pretty reasonable when compared to many other internet providers, but it just highlights how big a deal it is that T-Mobile doesn’t try to nickel-and-dime you to death like everyone else. At HighSpeedInternet.com, we really like it when providers have clear, simple pricing that doesn’t surprise you when you get your first bill, and we hope that more of them follow T-Mobile’s lead in this one, as it’s the clear winner.
Price hikes
Neither T-Mobile nor EarthLink has price hikes, which we think is great. It’s worth noting that T-Mobile’s rates include the discount you get from signing up for autopay, so if you really like paying your bills manually, you won’t get that discount.
Ready to switch to T-Mobile or EarthLink?
Enter your zip code below to see if these two providers are available to you.
Final call: T-Mobile vs. EarthLink
When it comes to wireless internet, T-Mobile is the clear winner. It’s cheap. It’s fast. And it doesn’t have any hidden fees or unnecessary restrictions. There’s very little we’d want it to change about its current offerings other than expanding its network and bringing those 5G speeds to the areas that really need them. Its fiber plans are even better, if you’re in an area where they’re available.
Although EarthLink’s wireless plans are nothing to write home about, we’d still suggest going with EarthLink over a wireless provider if it offers fiber plans in your area. Fiber is miles ahead of 5G in terms of speed and reliability, and if anything, that gap is only getting wider.
FAQ about T-Mobile vs. EarthLink
Can you buy your own router for T-Mobile Home Internet?
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.
T-Mobile Fiber plans
Fiber 300 |Fiber 1 Gig | Fiber 2 Gig — w/AutoPay taxes and fees apply.
Fiber Founders Club — Founders Club with 10-year Price Guarantee. With AutoPay. In select locations only. Exclusions like taxes and fees apply.
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet plans
All plans — 5 year price guarantee. w/AutoPay. Guarantee exclusions like taxes and fees apply.
Deals Disclaimers
T-Mobile Home Internet, Get One Month Trial + $200 — With bill credit; plus tax. Allow 14 weeks from rebate submission.
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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