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EarthLink vs. Cityside Fiber

Whether you’re researching EarthLink vs. Cityside Fiber 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.

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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Cityside Fiber
Price: Unavailable, please see site for details
Speed: 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber
Rating (Reviews): (0)

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EarthLink and Cityside Fiber compete directly in approximately 0.05% of their service areas, with EarthLink covering 269,769,206 people nationwide and Cityside Fiber serving 127,861. EarthLink primarily delivers internet through a fiber connection; Cityside Fiber specializes in fiber connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of EarthLink and Cityside Fiber’s availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

Jump to: Availability | Speeds | Plans & Pricing | Customer Reviews | Fees

EarthLink vs. Cityside Fiber | Pros & Cons

EarthLink Logo

Pros:

  • Gigabit speeds available
  • Widespread national availability
  • Up-front month-to-month pricing
  • No contracts required

Cons:

  • Limited plan variety
  • Customers report speed issues
  • Performance depends on local infrastructure

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Cityside Fiber Logo

Pros:

  • Multi-gig speeds available
  • Extensive fiber network
  • Includes standard security features
  • Works with smart home devices

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Higher speeds require premium pricing
  • Performance depends on local infrastructure

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EarthLink vs. Cityside Fiber | Availability

EarthLink and Cityside Fiber 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 | Cityside Fiber Available | No Coverage

EarthLink currently offers internet service in 41,344 cities and 2,917 counties across 48 states, reaching approximately 269,769,206 residents. Their service area includes major markets like New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; and Chicago, IL. By comparison, Cityside Fiber serves 127,861 residents in 20 cities and 1 counties in 1 state, with a presence in population centers such as Los Angeles, CA; Tustin, CA; and Mission Viejo, CA.

EarthLink has particularly strong coverage nationwide, where they serve 0 cities and 0 zip codes. Their Rural Coverage Ratio of 15 indicates they focuses heavily on urban areas, with limited service available in rural communities..

Cityside Fiber is prominent in State with service to 0 cities and 0 zip codes. With a Rural Coverage Ratio of 1, Cityside Fiber focuses heavily on urban areas, with limited service available in rural communities.

Internet availability can vary significantly even within specific cities and zip codes. For the most accurate information about EarthLink and Cityside Fiber at your location, use our address search tool:

EarthLink vs. Cityside Fiber | Speeds & Technology

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

Across their service areas, EarthLink primarily delivers internet through fiber, available to 0.0% of their customers. They also offer DSL to less than 1% of their coverage area. Cityside Fiber relies on fiber technology, which comprises 0.0% of their network, this is the only connection type they offer.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Cityside Fiber offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 5,000 Mbps compared to EarthLink’s average speed of 1,532 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, Cityside Fiber delivers faster speeds in 0.00% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 26.58%, and slower speeds in 73.42%.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. EarthLink’s premium Fiber service reaches 42.7% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Cityside Fiber’s top-tier Fiber is available to 100.0% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

EarthLink vs. Cityside Fiber | Plans & Pricing

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for EarthLink, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table. Unfortunately, Cityside Fiber has not complied with FCC requirements to provide their broadband label data, limiting transparency and the ability for consumers to make direct comparisons.

If you represent Cityside Fiber, getting listed is simple: publish your machine-readable broadband label file, or send your current plan lineup through our contact page, and your plans will appear here shortly after verification.

EarthLink Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Fiber 100$39.95100 MbpsNot listedFiber
Fiber 300$49.95300 MbpsNot listedFiber
Unlimited 5G Home Internet$59.95300 Mbps30 MbpsFixed Wireless
18 Mbps Internet$64.9518 MbpsNot listedDSL
45 Mbps Internet$64.9545 MbpsNot listedDSL
Fiber 500$69.95500 MbpsNot listedFiber
Fiber 1 Gig$79.951000 MbpsNot listedFiber
Fiber 2 Gig$109.952000 MbpsNot listedFiber
Fiber 5 Gig$149.955000 MbpsNot listedFiber

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.

EarthLink Plans

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. Cityside Fiber | Customer Ratings & Reviews

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

EarthLink Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 3.67 of 5 stars

(6)

DSL

DSL: 3.20 of 5 stars

(5)

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless: 3.25 of 5 stars

(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.

EarthLink vs. Cityside Fiber | Fees & 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.

Cityside Fiber has not provided standardized fee information through their FCC broadband label data. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to assess their true service costs beyond advertised rates. For current fee information, we recommend contacting Cityside Fiber directly or reviewing their terms of service documentation.

EarthLink Service

Fee

Not Provided by EarthLink

Cityside Fiber Service

Fee

Not Provided by Cityside Fiber

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. Cityside Fiber | Top Cities

EarthLink serves 41,344 cities while Cityside Fiber is available in 20 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

EarthLink Cities

New York, NY
  • Availability: 94.04%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,933 Mbps
Los Angeles, CA
  • Availability: 91.49%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,613 Mbps
Chicago, IL
  • Availability: 96.90%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,256 Mbps
Dallas, TX
  • Availability: 92.32%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 3,066 Mbps
Houston, TX
  • Availability: 93.48%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 3,487 Mbps

Overlapping Cities

Los Angeles, CA
  • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 1,613 Mbps
  • Cityside Fiber Avg. Speed: 5,000 Mbps
Tustin, CA
  • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 1,168 Mbps
  • Cityside Fiber Avg. Speed: 5,000 Mbps
Mission Viejo, CA
  • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 222 Mbps
  • Cityside Fiber Avg. Speed: 5,000 Mbps
Lake Forest, CA
  • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 411 Mbps
  • Cityside Fiber Avg. Speed: 5,000 Mbps
Dana Point, CA
  • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 1,141 Mbps
  • Cityside Fiber Avg. Speed: 5,000 Mbps

Cityside Fiber Cities

Los Angeles, CA
  • Availability: 0.97%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 5,000 Mbps
Tustin, CA
  • Availability: 51.12%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 5,000 Mbps
Mission Viejo, CA
  • Availability: 22.98%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 5,000 Mbps
Lake Forest, CA
  • Availability: 23.95%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 5,000 Mbps
Dana Point, CA
  • Availability: 58.48%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 5,000 Mbps