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EarthLink Internet: Plans, Prices & Review
Updated on October 6, 2026
7 min read
EarthLink internet is a provider that resells fiber, 5G home, and DSL service, offering symmetrical fiber up to 5 Gig and a contract-free 5G Home plan. Fiber plans run $39.95 to –49.95 a month, with the 500 Mbps and 1 Gig tiers starting on a three-month promotional price, a 12-month term and a $200 early termination fee; 5G Home pricing varies by address and has no contract. EarthLink is one of the oldest names in U.S. internet.
Best for most households: EarthLink makes sense where it resells symmetrical fiber at your address and the local fiber owner’s own plans cost more; otherwise, compare its 5G Home plan against T-Mobile and Verizon 5G home internet, which often include the equipment. Because EarthLink resells other networks, the speed, price and support you get depend on the network behind your address — check what serves your address first.
Prices checked October 6, 2026 on a live EarthLink Fiber quote at a McKinney, Texas address (75071) and EarthLink’s FCC broadband labels. Fiber plans add a $14.95 monthly modem fee and a $24.95 setup fee; the 5 Gig label lists latency of 2–42 ms and unlimited data.
TL;DR — key takeaways
- Type: resold fiber (symmetrical), 5G Home wireless, and DSL, depending on address.
- Plans: Fiber 100 Mbps to 5 Gig; 5G Home up to ~425 Mbps.
- Price: fiber $39.95––49.95/mo (12-mo term, $200 ETF); 5G Home varies by address (no contract).
- Fees: modem rental $14.95/mo; unlimited data on fiber.
What is EarthLink internet?
EarthLink internet is a nationwide reseller that packages fiber, 5G fixed-wireless, and DSL from underlying networks under its own brand and support. Its fiber plans are 100% symmetrical, while its 5G Home plan uses cellular networks and requires no contract. Availability and technology depend on your address.
EarthLink plans and prices
| Plan | Speed | Typical price* | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber 100 | 100 / 100 Mbps | $39.95/mo | One or two light users |
| Fiber 500 | 500 / 500 Mbps | $39.95/mo for 3 months, then $49.95 | Busy households, the value pick |
| Fiber 1 Gig | 1,000 / 1,000 Mbps | $49.95/mo for 3 months, then $64.95 | Families, remote work |
| Fiber 2 Gig | 2,000 / 2,000 Mbps | $109.95/mo | Power users |
| Fiber 5 Gig | 5,000 / 5,000 Mbps | $149.95/mo | Multi-gig homes (select areas) |
| 5G Home | Varies | Varies by address | Areas without fiber; no contract |
*Fiber plans include a 12-month agreement; a modem rents for $14.95/mo and setup is $24.95. Confirm the current offer on EarthLink’s site.
Who owns EarthLink?
EarthLink is a privately held internet company (owned by Trive Capital) that has operated since the 1990s. Rather than building its own last-mile network, it resells and packages service from partner fiber and wireless providers.
Is EarthLink internet good and worth it?
EarthLink internet can be worth it where its fiber is available — you get symmetrical speeds and unlimited data, plus a single bill and support. The watch-outs are the 12-month fiber agreement, the modem rental fee, and pricing that jumps after the promo period, so read the terms before signing.
How much does EarthLink cost per month?
EarthLink fiber runs $39.95 a month for 100 Mbps; the 500 Mbps and 1 Gig tiers start at $39.95 and $49.95 for three months, then rise to $49.95 and $64.95, plus a $14.95/mo modem fee. The 5G Home plan varies by address and has no contract. Data is unlimited on fiber plans.
Is EarthLink better than AT&T?
EarthLink often resells the same fiber lines as carriers like AT&T, so raw speeds can be similar. AT&T tends to be cheaper and contract-flexible on its own fiber, while EarthLink’s value is bundling multiple technologies and service under one provider — useful where you want a single point of contact.
Does EarthLink require a contract, deposit, or have a data cap?
EarthLink’s fiber plans require a 12-month agreement with an early termination fee, while its 5G Home plan has no contract. Fiber includes unlimited data; fixed-wireless plans may have limits. A modem rental fee applies, and a credit check may be required.
How do I cancel or contact EarthLink?
You can cancel EarthLink by contacting EarthLink customer service by phone or online, but note fiber plans may carry an early termination fee within the term; return leased equipment to avoid charges. To start service, use the EarthLink website. Comparing options? See our roundup of the best internet providers for 2026.
Is your plan keeping up?
If your results are lower than you’re paying for, you may have faster options at your address. Compare internet plans available where you live — fiber, cable, and 5G, side by side.
EarthLink for business: EarthLink Business fiber, dedicated fiber and fixed wireless
EarthLink Business resells four connectivity products — Business Fiber on shared fiber networks, Dedicated Fiber private lines, Fixed Wireless and wholesale — and names four Business Fiber tiers: Essential (50 Mbps), Professional (100 Mbps), Enterprise (1 Gbps) and Ultra Enterprise (5 Gbps). As of September 28, 2026 it publishes no monthly prices and no SLA or static-IP detail; it promises “flexible contract terms” and quotes by phone (844-356-5249), form or booked consultation. Because EarthLink rides other carriers’ fiber, the quote you get is the underlying network’s business product plus EarthLink’s support layer — compare it against that carrier’s own business page before signing.
| Business product | Price | Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Business Fiber — Essential 50 Mbps / Professional 100 Mbps | Quoted | Shared fiber; flexible contract terms |
| Business Fiber — Enterprise 1 Gbps / Ultra Enterprise 5 Gbps | Quoted | Shared fiber; flexible contract terms |
| Dedicated Fiber / Fixed Wireless | Quoted | Private line or wireless where fiber is absent |
Source: the provider’s own business pages (Sparklight: FCC broadband label F0003474327SPG2B10024999B0), read September 28, 2026. Business pricing is quoted by address and term; treat these as the published starting points.
What the business plan adds over the residential one: a service-level agreement with priority repair, static IP options, commercial-use terms and business support. If downtime does not cost you money, the residential plan at the same address is the cheaper answer — see business internet providers compared and what business internet costs.
Compare business internet at your address
Business plans are quoted by address and term. See which providers reach your storefront or office before you sign anything.
Frequently asked questions
Is EarthLink internet good?
Yes where its fiber is available — EarthLink internet offers symmetrical speeds and unlimited data. Watch for the 12-month fiber term, modem fee, and post-promo price increase.
How much is EarthLink internet per month?
Fiber is $39.95 for 100 Mbps, and $39.95 (500 Mbps) or $49.95 (1 Gig) for the first three months before rising to $49.95 or $64.95, plus a $14.95/mo modem fee; 5G Home varies by address with no contract.
Who owns EarthLink?
EarthLink is privately held (owned by Trive Capital) and resells fiber and wireless service under its own brand.
Does EarthLink have a data cap?
Fiber plans include unlimited data; fixed-wireless plans may have data limits. Fiber requires a 12-month agreement.
Is EarthLink fiber or wireless?
Both — EarthLink offers resold fiber where available and a 5G Home wireless plan elsewhere, plus DSL in some areas.
Confirm current plans and pricing for your address on the provider’s official site and the FCC Broadband Facts label.
Does EarthLink offer business internet?
Yes. EarthLink Business sells Business Fiber in Essential (50 Mbps), Professional (100 Mbps), Enterprise (1 Gbps) and Ultra Enterprise (5 Gbps) tiers, plus Dedicated Fiber and Fixed Wireless, with flexible contract terms. As of September 28, 2026 all pricing is quoted; EarthLink resells underlying carriers’ networks.
Compare internet, energy & home security at your address
Is EarthLink internet good in 2026?
It depends on which network EarthLink resells at your address. Where it sells fiber, speeds are symmetrical and reliable, but fiber plans carry a 12-month agreement and modem rental, which the underlying fiber provider may not charge directly. Its 5G Home plan has no contract, but speeds vary with local tower load. Compare EarthLink against the provider that actually owns the line at your address.
Why choose EarthLink over the fiber provider that owns the line?
Mainly for price or contract terms when EarthLink’s promotion beats the network owner’s, or for EarthLink’s privacy positioning. Otherwise, going direct to the fiber owner usually gets you the same line without a reseller in the middle, and support issues are fixed by the company that runs the network.
Does EarthLink have data caps?
No. EarthLink fiber and 5G Home plans include unlimited data. Its 5G Home plan, like other cellular home internet, can slow during network congestion.
