EarthLink vs. WOW!

Maintained by:Carson WardData & methodology:Wes WardLast updated:{{date_modified_text}}January 31, 2026

Whether you’re researching EarthLink vs. WOW! 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: Unavailable, please see site for details
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless, DSL, and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (12)
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WOW!

Price: $40.00 - $105.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable, fiber, and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (25)
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EarthLink and WOW! compete directly in approximately 1.84% of their service areas, with EarthLink covering 268,204,138 people nationwide and WOW! serving 5,135,482. EarthLink primarily delivers internet through a DSL connection; WOW! specializes in cable connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of EarthLink and WOW!'s availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

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

EarthLink vs. WOW! | Pros & Cons

Pros:

Gigabit speeds available
Widespread national availability
Extensive fiber network
Works with smart home devices

Cons:

May require credit check for service activation
Coverage strength varies within service areas
Performance depends on local infrastructure

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Pros:

Gigabit speeds available
Up-front month-to-month pricing
Wide range of plan options
No contracts required

Cons:

Limited service availability
Limited fiber availability
Installation fees apply

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EarthLink vs. WOW! | Availability

EarthLink and WOW! 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 | WOW! Available | No Coverage

EarthLink currently offers internet service in 40,546 cities and 2,905 counties across 48 states, reaching approximately 268,204,138 residents. Their service area includes major markets like New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; and Chicago, IL. By comparison, WOW! serves 5,135,482 residents in 322 cities and 49 counties in 6 states, with a presence in population centers such as Detroit, MI; Tampa, FL; and Charleston, SC.

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

EarthLink vs. WOW! | Speeds & Technology

EarthLink and WOW! 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 DSL, available to 41.6% of their customers. They also offer fiber to 41.4% of their coverage area. WOW! relies on cable technology, which comprises 93.2% of their network, with fiber available in 6.9% of their service locations.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, WOW! offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,433 Mbps compared to EarthLink's average speed of 1,411 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, WOW! delivers faster speeds in 34.45% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 1.64%, and slower speeds in 63.91%.

The availability of each provider's fastest technology varies significantly by location. EarthLink's premium Fiber service reaches 41.4% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, WOW!'s top-tier Fiber is available to 6.9% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

EarthLink vs. WOW! | Plans & Pricing

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for WOW!, sourced directly from FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband labels to ensure transparency and accuracy. Unfortunately, EarthLink has not complied with FCC requirements to provide their broadband label data, limiting transparency and the ability for consumers to make direct comparisons.

We've included the available WOW! plan details below to help you understand their offerings while we await EarthLink's compliance with federal transparency requirements.

WOW! Internet Plans & Pricing

Plan	Monthly Price	Typical Download Speed	Typical Upload Speed	Connection Type
Internet 200	$40.00	210 Mbps	10 Mbps	Fiber
Internet 300	$40.00	301 Mbps	22 Mbps	Fiber
Internet 600	$55.00	585 Mbps	41 Mbps	Fiber
Internet 1 Gig	$70.00	1,100 Mbps	51 Mbps	Fiber
Internet 1 Gig Symmetrical	$70.00	941 Mbps	936 Mbps	Fiber
Fiber 1Gbps	$80.00	1,060 Mbps	1,005 Mbps	Fiber
Internet 2 Gig	$105.00	2,207 Mbps	232 Mbps	Fiber

Note: These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas.

WOW! 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. WOW! | Customer Ratings & Reviews

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

When comparing customer satisfaction, EarthLink earns an overall rating of 3.67 / 5 stars from 12 customer reviews, while WOW! maintains a 3.04 / 5 rating from 25 reviews. EarthLink outperforms WOW! by 0.63 points in overall satisfaction. EarthLink's best-rated service is their fiber offering at 4.20 / 5 stars, compared to WOW!'s highest-rated service, cable, at 3.00 / 5 stars.

EarthLink Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Cable

DSL

EarthLink has an overall rating of 3.67 out of 5, with a total of 12 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them slightly higher than other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into EarthLink's ratings, their fiber service (42% of reviews) averages 4.20 / 5 stars, lower than their overall company rating. This difference suggests that customers have notably different experiences with their various service types, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our EarthLink Internet Reviews page.

WOW! Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Cable

DSL

Fixed Wireless

WOW! has an overall rating of 3.04 out of 5, with a total of 25 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into WOW!'s ratings, their cable service (88% of reviews) averages 3.00 / 5 stars, higher 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 WOW! Internet Reviews page.

EarthLink vs. WOW! | 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.

WOW! 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 WOW! directly or reviewing their terms of service documentation.

EarthLink Service

Fee

Not Provided by EarthLink

WOW! Service

Fee

Paper Statement Fee

Professional Installation

99.00

Self-Installation Activation

10.00

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. WOW! | Top Cities

EarthLink serves 40,546 cities while WOW! is available in 322 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.