How does EarthLink compare to CenturyLink internet?
Want fast internet speeds for remote workers and pro gamers or affordable internet plans for individual users? No problem! EarthLink and CenturyLink are well-known internet service providers (ISPs) that offer unlimited internet plans, so they won’t restrict your speeds. Plus, these internet providers have different additional fees and offerings and are widely available. EarthLink provides service to 43 states, while CenturyLink is currently available in 39 states.
- Who EarthLink and CenturyLink internet are for
- Key considerations
- What others say about EarthLink and CenturyLink internet
- How do EarthLink and CenturyLink internet packages compare?
Who EarthLink and CenturyLink internet are for
Students who use the internet for their assignments and online lessons will get the speeds they need with a CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet plan, which is delivered over DSL. Plus, CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet provides a high download speed for music and standard video streaming. If you want HD video streaming, you’ll need a plan with more speed and a higher price tag.
If you are a remote worker, you probably need a higher upload speed to send large files, back up your files to the cloud, video chat, stream, attend Zoom meetings, and more. CenturyLink’s Fiber plan and EarthLink’s fastest plan, Hyperlink 1 Gig, provide a fast, reliable fiber internet connection with upload and download speeds up to 1000Mbps to do these activities faster than using DSL internet. Plus, these high-speed plans let you connect multiple devices simultaneously.
If you are a professional gamer and want to avoid lag, you need the fastest internet plan you can get. CenturyLink and EarthLink both offer 1000Mbps plans, which is the speed you need to have the best gaming experience. These plans are also a good choice for homeowners with many different devices or smart home appliances that require quite a bit of bandwidth.
Key considerations
Installation fees
CenturyLink offers free installation for fiber plans and has a $99 professional installation fee for DSL plans, while EarthLink charges you $79.95 for the same service. For customers looking to save on installation costs, CenturyLink has a low self-installation fee of $15 for Simply Unlimited Internet, while EarthLink has a self-installation kit for $19.95 for the same service.
Modem fees
CenturyLink charges you a modem fee of up to $15/month, or you can opt to buy a modem for a one-time fee of $200. However, if you choose a fiber internet plan from CenturyLink, you’ll receive a free modem as well as free professional installation. EarthLink has a lower equipment fee of $9.95/month but may charge an extra shipping fee depending on your location.
Early termination fees
CenturyLink doesn’t charge you an early termination fee. Meanwhile, EarthLink charges you up to $200 to cancel before your contract is up.
What others say about EarthLink and CenturyLink internet
The J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study measures overall customer satisfaction based on responses from 27,181 customers of different internet providers. This study measured customer satisfaction of internet performance and reliability, cost of service, communications and promotions, billing and payment, and customer service. CenturyLink scored below the industry average, which is 712/1000 score, with a 641 score out of 1,000 in the North Central region. However, this customer satisfaction outlet omits EarthLink in its report.
According to the Better Business Bureau, EarthLink has an A-plus rating, which is an excellent score and means the company handles customer complaints well, but the company has a 1/5 customer review score. Most of the customers that filed a complaint and rated this company complains about inconsistent speeds and the early termination fee. CenturyLink got a C customer satisfaction score and a 1.05/5 customer review score, which is lower than other companies, and may mean that they struggle to resolve customer complaints. Plus, most of the complaints are about they don’t like the customer service.
How do EarthLink and CenturyLink internet packages compare?
*Pricing varies by location and availability. Speeds may vary. All prices subject to change; for current pricing and availability visit our internet service page. Prices as of 2/9/22.
Disclosure | Updater articles are based on our own data and research, independent from partner relationships. We are not compensated by partners for information and opinions presented here. Our Editorial Terms of Service can be found here.
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