Which is better, EarthLink or XFINITY?

EarthLink is better rated, cheaper to start and available to more people. Where both are offered (about 112.8 million people), each has the faster top speed for about half the homes.

FasterToo close to callEach has the faster top speed for about half the homes where both are offered (48% and 52%).

Cheaper to startEarthLinkFrom $39.95 a month, vs $45.

Better ratedEarthLink3.4 of 5 from 15 reviews, vs 3.4 from 2,356.

Available to more peopleEarthLink267.1 million people in 49 states, vs 126.2 million in 41 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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XFINITY
Price: $45.00 - $119.00 / mo.
Speed: 100 - 2,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (2296)
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EarthLink vs. XFINITY at a glance

Measure	EarthLink	XFINITY
Available to	267.1 million people in 49 states	126.2 million people in 41 states
Main technology	Fixed wireless 84%, fiber 43%, DSL 42%	Cable 98%, fiber 4%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	5,000 Mbps	2,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	5,000 Mbps	1,200 Mbps down, 25 Mbps up
Starting price	$39.95 a month	$45 a month (promotional), then $90
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$959 (100 Mbps plan)	Not listed
Customer rating	3.4 of 5 (15 reviews)	3.4 of 5 (2,356 reviews)
Rated for speed	2.9 of 5	3.8 of 5
Rated for price	2.9 of 5	3.0 of 5
Where both are offered	About 112.8 million people (89% of XFINITY's area); each is faster for about half of them

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 XFINITY are available

EarthLink and XFINITY 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.

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, XFINITY serves 126,644,422 residents in 11,730 cities and 934 counties in 41 states, with a presence in population centers such as Chicago, IL; Houston, TX; and Philadelphia, PA.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: EarthLink coverage map and XFINITY coverage map.

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

EarthLink vs. XFINITY Speeds and Technology

EarthLink and XFINITY 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, XFINITY offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,783 Mbps compared to EarthLink’s average speed of 1,526 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, XFINITY’s top-tier Fiber is available to 4.0% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

EarthLink vs. XFINITY Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for EarthLink and XFINITY, 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.

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. XFINITY Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate EarthLink and XFINITY 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 XFINITY maintains a 3.35 / 5 rating from 2374 reviews. EarthLink outperforms XFINITY by 0.0 points in overall satisfaction. EarthLink’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.67 / 5 stars, compared to XFINITY’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 3.50 / 5 stars.

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. XFINITY 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.

XFINITY

From 1,470 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Fast speeds: praised in 507 of 1,470 written reviews (230 call it slow). "I really appreciate how fast our connection is"
• Reliable connection: praised in 424 of 1,470 written reviews (305 report outages). "Reliability in my area is very good"
• Easy installation: praised in 90 of 1,470 written reviews (45 had install trouble). "The installation process was smooth and professional"

Cons

• Expensive for what you get: a complaint in 431 of 1,470 written reviews (334 call it good value). "more expensive than it should be"
• Poor customer service: a complaint in 333 of 1,470 written reviews (269 praise the service). "very bad when it comes to Customer Service"
• Bills that go up: a complaint in 278 of 1,470 written reviews; its starting price rises from $45 to $90 after the promotion. "The rate increased after a year without the company telling me"
• Slow uploads: 25 Mbps up on its 1,000 Mbps plan.

EarthLink vs. XFINITY Top Cities

EarthLink serves 41,582 cities while XFINITY is available in 11,730 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.