Advertiser Disclosure: We may earn commissions when you buy through links on our site. Learn more

EarthLink vs. Ziply

Whether you’re researching EarthLink vs. Ziply 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)

View Plans

Ziply
Price: $45.00 - $900.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 10,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber, DSL, and fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): (60)

View Plans

EarthLink and Ziply compete directly in approximately 1.14% of their service areas, with EarthLink covering 268,204,138 people nationwide and Ziply serving 4,092,428. EarthLink primarily delivers internet through a DSL connection; Ziply specializes in fiber connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of EarthLink and Ziply's availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

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

EarthLink vs. Ziply | Pros & Cons

EarthLink Logo

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

View Plans

Ziply Logo

Pros:

  • Multi-gig speeds available
  • Offers discounted intro pricing
  • Wide range of plan options
  • Highly rated by customers

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Installation fees apply
  • Contracts required for best pricing

View Plans

EarthLink vs. Ziply | Availability

EarthLink and Ziply 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 | Ziply 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, Ziply serves 4,092,428 residents in 722 cities and 73 counties in 5 states, with a presence in population centers such as Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; and Spokane, WA.

EarthLink has particularly strong coverage nationwide, where they serve 0 cities and 0 zip codes. Their Rural Coverage Ratio of 14 indicates they focuses heavily on urban areas, with limited service available in rural communities..

Ziply is prominent in the Pacific Northwest with service to 722 cities and 479 zip codes. With a Rural Coverage Ratio of 18, Ziply 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 Ziply at your location, use our address search tool:

EarthLink vs. Ziply | Speeds & Technology

EarthLink and Ziply 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. Ziply relies on fiber technology, which comprises 68.0% of their network, with DSL available in 38.3% of their service locations.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Ziply offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 4,056 Mbps compared to EarthLink's average speed of 1,411 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, Ziply delivers faster speeds in 14.04% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 3.20%, and slower speeds in 82.77%.

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, Ziply's top-tier Fiber is available to 68.0% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

EarthLink vs. Ziply | Plans & Pricing

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Ziply, 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 Ziply plan details below to help you understand their offerings while we await EarthLink's compliance with federal transparency requirements.

Ziply Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Fiber 100/100$20.00 ($45.00 after 12 months)100 Mbps100 MbpsFiber
Fiber 300/300$40.00 ($65.00 after 12 months)300 Mbps300 MbpsFiber
Fiber Gig$60.00 ($85.00 after 12 months)1000 Mbps1000 MbpsFiber
Fiber 2 Gig$70.00 ($90.00 after 12 months)2000 Mbps2000 MbpsFiber
Fiber 5 Gig$120.005000 Mbps5000 MbpsFiber
Fiber 10 Gig$300.0010000 Mbps10000 MbpsFiber
Fiber 50 Gig$900.0050000 Mbps50000 MbpsFiber

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

Ziply 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. Ziply | Customer Ratings & Reviews

Compare how real customers rate EarthLink and Ziply 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 Ziply maintains a 4.02 / 5 rating from 60 reviews. Ziply outperforms EarthLink by 0.35 points in overall satisfaction. EarthLink's best-rated service is their fiber offering at 4.20 / 5 stars, compared to Ziply's highest-rated service, fiber, at 4.22 / 5 stars.

EarthLink Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 4.20 of 5 stars

5

Cable

Cable: 2.67 of 5 stars

3

DSL

DSL: 3.75 of 5 stars

4

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.

Ziply Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 4.22 of 5 stars

51

Cable

Cable: 4.00 of 5 stars

2

DSL

DSL: 2.57 of 5 stars

7

Ziply has an overall rating of 4.02 out of 5, with a total of 60 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them higher than other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Ziply's ratings, their fiber service (85% of reviews) averages 4.22 / 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 Ziply Internet Reviews page.

EarthLink vs. Ziply | 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.

Ziply 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 Ziply directly or reviewing their terms of service documentation.

EarthLink Service

Fee

Not Provided by EarthLink

Ziply Service

Fee

Wi-Fi router rental (optional)

$10/mo

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. Ziply | Top Cities

EarthLink serves 40,546 cities while Ziply is available in 722 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

EarthLink Cities

New York, NY
  • Availability: 93.53%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,625 Mbps
Los Angeles, CA
  • Availability: 94.20%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,484 Mbps
Chicago, IL
  • Availability: 96.73%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,124 Mbps
Dallas, TX
  • Availability: 93.66%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 2,867 Mbps
Houston, TX
  • Availability: 93.43%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 3,310 Mbps

Overlapping Cities

Seattle, WA
  • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 51 Mbps
  • Ziply Avg. Speed: 5,268 Mbps
Portland, OR
  • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 46 Mbps
  • Ziply Avg. Speed: 5,531 Mbps
Spokane, WA
  • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 51 Mbps
  • Ziply Avg. Speed: 94 Mbps
Beaverton, OR
  • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 50 Mbps
  • Ziply Avg. Speed: 5,695 Mbps
Everett, WA
  • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 50 Mbps
  • Ziply Avg. Speed: 5,850 Mbps

Ziply Cities

Seattle, WA
  • Availability: 28.71%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 5,195 Mbps
Portland, OR
  • Availability: 30.78%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 5,444 Mbps
Spokane, WA
  • Availability: 87.51%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 123 Mbps
Beaverton, OR
  • Availability: 93.01%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 5,672 Mbps
Everett, WA
  • Availability: 97.49%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 5,807 Mbps