EarthLink vs. AT&T

Which is better where you live? Coverage, speed, price and customer ratings, side by side

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Whether you’re researching EarthLink vs. AT&T internet service at your current address, comparing internet options for potential locations, or just researching alternatives, this detailed comparison will help you understand which provider best suits you.

Maintained by:Carson WardData & methodology:Wes WardLast updated:October 24, 2026October 28, 2026

Which is better, EarthLink or AT&T?

EarthLink is faster; AT&T is better rated, and EarthLink is available to more people. Where both are offered (about 249.3 million people), EarthLink has the faster top speed for 10% of homes.

FasterEarthLinkFaster for 10% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startToo close to callBoth start at about the same price: $39.95 and $40 a month.

Better ratedAT&T3.6 of 5 from 1,032 reviews, vs 3.4 from 15.

Available to more peopleEarthLink267.1 million people in 49 states, vs 249.3 million in 49 states.

EarthLink

Price: $39.95 - $149.95 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless, fiber, and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (15)
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AT&T

Price: $40.00 - $180.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless, DSL, and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (994)
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EarthLink vs. AT&T at a glance

Measure	EarthLink	AT&T
Available to	267.1 million people in 49 states	249.3 million people in 49 states
Main technology	Fixed wireless 84%, fiber 43%, DSL 42%	Fixed wireless 90%, DSL 45%, fiber 30%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	5,000 Mbps	5,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	5,000 Mbps	5,000 Mbps down, 5,000 Mbps up
Starting price	$39.95 a month	$40 a month (promotional), then $55
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$959 (100 Mbps plan)	Not listed
Customer rating	3.4 of 5 (15 reviews)	3.6 of 5 (1,032 reviews)
Rated for speed	2.9 of 5	3.8 of 5
Rated for price	2.9 of 5	3.5 of 5
Where both are offered	About 249.3 million people (100% of AT&T's area); EarthLink is faster for 10% of them, the same top speed for 90%

Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.

Where EarthLink and AT&T are available

EarthLink and AT&T have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

Both Providers Available | EarthLink Available | AT&T Available | No Coverage

EarthLink currently offers internet service in 41,582 cities and 2,954 counties across 49 states, reaching approximately 270,850,292 residents. Their service area includes major markets like New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; and Chicago, IL. By comparison, AT&T serves 252,920,477 residents in 40,799 cities and 2,919 counties in 49 states, with a presence in population centers such as Los Angeles, CA; Chicago, IL; and Dallas, TX.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether EarthLink, AT&T or both are offered at your home.

EarthLink vs. AT&T Speeds and Technology

EarthLink and AT&T utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, EarthLink offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,526 Mbps compared to AT&T’s average speed of 1,352 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. EarthLink’s premium Fiber service reaches 42.5% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, AT&T’s top-tier Fiber is available to 29.1% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

EarthLink vs. AT&T Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for EarthLink and AT&T, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

EarthLink Internet Plans & Pricing

Plan	Monthly Price	Typical Download Speed	Typical Upload Speed	Connection Type
Fiber 100	$39.95	100 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
Fiber 300	$49.95	300 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
Unlimited 5G Home Internet	$59.95	300 Mbps	30 Mbps	Fixed Wireless
18 Mbps Internet	$64.95	18 Mbps	Not listed	DSL
45 Mbps Internet	$64.95	45 Mbps	Not listed	DSL
Fiber 500	$69.95	500 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
Fiber 1 Gig	$79.95	1000 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
Fiber 2 Gig	$109.95	2000 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
Fiber 5 Gig	$149.95	5000 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber

Compiled from current advertised pricing across industry sources, last verified June 2026. Typical speeds shown are the advertised tier speeds. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

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AT&T Internet Plans & Pricing

Plan	Monthly Price	Typical Download Speed	Typical Upload Speed	Connection Type
Internet 300 (Fiber 300)	$40.00 ($55.00 regular price)	300 Mbps	300 Mbps	Fiber
AT&T Internet (DSL)	$60.00	100 Mbps	20 Mbps	DSL
AT&T Internet Air	$65.00	225 Mbps	10 Mbps	Fixed Wireless
Internet 500 (Fiber 500)	$50.00 ($65.00 regular price)	500 Mbps	500 Mbps	Fiber
Internet 1000 (Fiber 1 Gig)	$48.00 ($80.00 regular price)	1000 Mbps	1000 Mbps	Fiber
Internet 2000 (Fiber 2 Gig)	$93.00 ($145.00 regular price)	2000 Mbps	2000 Mbps	Fiber
Internet 5000 (Fiber 5 Gig)	$123.00 ($180.00 regular price)	5000 Mbps	5000 Mbps	Fiber

Sourced directly from AT&T's FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband label data, last verified June 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

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Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

EarthLink vs. AT&T Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate EarthLink and AT&T based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

When comparing customer satisfaction, EarthLink earns an overall rating of 3.40 / 5 stars from 15 customer reviews, while AT&T maintains a 3.65 / 5 rating from 1032 reviews. AT&T outperforms EarthLink by 0.3 points in overall satisfaction. EarthLink’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.67 / 5 stars, compared to AT&T’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 3.87 / 5 stars.

EarthLink Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

(6)

DSL

(5)

Fixed Wireless

(4)

EarthLink has an overall rating of 3.40 out of 5, with a total of 15 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into EarthLink’s ratings, their Fiber service (40% of reviews) averages 3.67 / 5 stars, lower than their overall company rating. This similarity suggests that customers tend to have consistent experiences across their different service offerings, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our EarthLink Internet Reviews page.

AT&T Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

(531)

DSL

(300)

Fixed Wireless

(201)

AT&T has an overall rating of 3.65 out of 5, with a total of 1032 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them slightly higher than other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into AT&T’s ratings, their Fiber service (51% of reviews) averages 3.87 / 5 stars, lower than their overall company rating. This similarity suggests that customers tend to have consistent experiences across their different service offerings, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our AT&T Internet Reviews page.

EarthLink vs. AT&T Fees and Details

Beyond advertised monthly rates, additional fees and service details significantly impact your total internet costs. The tables below outline equipment charges, installation fees, contract terms, data caps, and other important factors to consider when comparing these providers. Understanding these details helps you avoid unexpected costs and choose the plan that offers the best overall value.

EarthLink Service

Fee

Not Provided by EarthLink

AT&T Service

Fee

Activation Fee

$35.00

Installation Fee

$150.00

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

EarthLink vs. AT&T Pros and Cons

EarthLink

From 11 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

Fast speeds: praised in 4 of 11 written reviews (3 call it slow). "connection speed is awesome, no buffering"
Good value: praised in 3 of 11 written reviews. "The price is manageable at around $90 per month"

Cons

Poor customer service: a complaint in 3 of 11 written reviews. "Your customer service sucks"
Slow uploads: 30 Mbps up on its 300 Mbps plan.
Data caps on some plans.

AT&T

From 593 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

Fast speeds: praised in 236 of 593 written reviews (122 call it slow). "they are the best in network speed"
Reliable connection: praised in 211 of 593 written reviews (98 report outages). "They are very reliable and accountable"
Good value: praised in 157 of 593 written reviews (107 call it overpriced). "overall, it's been worth it for the quality"

Cons

Bills that go up: a complaint in 64 of 593 written reviews; its starting price rises from $40 to $55 after the promotion. "my rates increased dramatically"
Equipment problems: a complaint in 34 of 593 written reviews (15 praise the equipment). "issues with our Wifi connection not being strong enough"
Weak or patchy service: a complaint in 33 of 593 written reviews (24 praise the signal). "connectivity issues, especially when it rains"

EarthLink vs. AT&T Top Cities

EarthLink serves 41,582 cities while AT&T is available in 40,799 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.