EarthLink vs. WOW Internet Providers Compared

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EarthLink Vs WOW

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Rosslyn Elliott

Written by Rosslyn Elliott - Pub. Jul. 27, 2023 / Updated Oct. 16, 2024

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EarthLink Vs WOW

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Plans starting at: $49.95

Popular Package: EarthLink Fiber 5Gx5G

Download speeds up to: 5 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber

Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

Plans starting at: $30

Popular Package: Fiber 5 Gig

Download speeds up to: 5 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber & Cable

Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

EarthLink Staff rating

3.5

Earthlink is known for great customer service but higher initial prices

Earthlink’s chief difference from most other national ISPs is that Earthlink is a third-party seller. In other words, Earthlink is partnering with other major internet companies who actually provide the technology for your internet service. Your service through Earthlink might come from AT&T, CenturyLink, Frontier, Verizon, or Viasat. That means your type of connection through Earthlink can vary from super-fast fiber internet all the way to slower satellite internet. You will know which type of internet connection you are purchasing when you sign up for service. Just as with any other provider, you will have an idea of your approximate speed and performance when you buy. The catch is, you will pay more because Earthlink doesn’t own the networks it uses. Why would you choose a service that costs more? Well, Earthlink is known for very solid customer service in an industry that has historically struggled in that area [1]. And Earthlink offers service in less-populated areas without many other providers. That means there may be some places where Earthlink is one of your top options for internet speed or reliability.

PROS

Widespread coverage across the nation High ratings for customer service No data caps on fiber plans

Cons

As a 3rd party seller, tech outcomes will vary Prices are higher than most Plans vary significantly by region
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

WOW Staff rating

4.0

WOW! delivers fast, reliable internet with attractive pricing

WOW! (WideOpenWest) serves customers in 6 states and is the smallest cable internet provider on our list [1]. WOW! serves over 538,000 subscribers, which is a small base compared to industry cable internet giants like Xfinity and Spectrum [2]. But WOW! provides a model of good internet performance, operational success, and general customer satisfaction. WOW! uses a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network, like the biggest national cable providers. That technology allows WOW! to provide up to 5000 Mbps download speed and 50 Mbps upload speed. WOW! also features very low introductory plan prices, far lower than most cable internet providers. Though prices will rise after the first year, you’ll still pay about $20 less for most WOW! plan speeds than you would with Spectrum or Xfinity.  And WOW! scores above average for customer satisfaction too. WOW is also building out some all-fiber service, but that is still only available to a small percentage of their total customer base.

PROS

Best prices for cable service Good customer satisfaction Gigabit download speeds

Cons

Limited area of coverage Data caps Slower upload speeds
Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

EarthLink Pricing

3.0

Earthlink will charge you more initially, but prices even out by the second or third year

Many internet service providers will offer you a great promotional price for a year or two, but then raise prices much higher. Earthlink will not offer you initial promotional prices, so their plans may initially give you sticker shock. For initial prices, Earthlink will charge you more for every type of internet service: fiber, fixed wireless, or satellite. But in some cases, over the course of a few years, you may even end up saving a little money with Earthlink. Only a head-to-head comparison of specific providers in your area will tell you, so check out our price plan comparisons using your zip code.

Pricing will also vary significantly based on your internet connection type

The biggest difference between Earthlink plans is whether your chosen plan has a data cap. Earthlink Fiber internet won’t have data caps. Earthlink satellite internet and fixed wireless (4G LTE or 5G) will have data caps. If you have a plan with data caps, you may end up having to buy extra data at the end of the month. Because of these unpredictable charges, satellite pricing and fixed wireless pricing for Earthlink are less stable than for their other plans. But here’s an unusual benefit of Earthlink Wireless Home Internet. Most Earthlink plans require a one-year contract, but Earthlink’s Wireless Home Internet plans do not require a contract [2].
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

WOW Pricing

4.0

WOW’s prices are so low they’ll WOW you

If there’s any way that WOW! can claim to have truly earned its name, it’s with low pricing. The first-tier plan will give you 300 Mbps download speed for only $30 a month. That's on the very low end of cable ISP pricing. A lightning-fast, multi-gigabit speed of 5000 Mbps from WOW! will run you $185. That’s considerably cheaper than several other major cable providers’ multi-gigabit speed plans. WOW!’s lower-speed plans do have a couple of drawbacks that may increase their otherwise excellent prices. Those drawbacks are data caps and a $14/month modem rental fee. Fortunately, the equipment rental fee is optional, meaning that you can skip it if you provide your own modem/router instead. And the data caps are fairly high for the lowest-tier plans (1.5 TB/month) and very high for the 500 Mbps (2.5 TB) and 1 Gig (3 TB) plans. The high caps for the faster plans make it very unlikely that you will exceed your data caps. So, just don’t go crazy and have 40 gamers play at your house for a month. The vast majority of households will not ever approach the limits of a 2.5 TB data cap.
Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

EarthLink Reliability and Performance

3.5

Earthlink’s performance depends completely on the networks of major partners

One of Earthlink’s claims to fame is having “the largest network,” because Earthlink serves 90% of the United States [1]. The reality is that Earthlink does have a very large coverage area, but Earthlink does not own the networks in those areas. Differences between Earthlink’s partner networks will mean that your internet speed and performance will vary if you sign up with Earthlink. Just like Earthlink’s pricing, the quality of the service they can deliver depends on other providers. Most of the time, this works out fine because Earthlink partners with reputable ISPs. But Earthlink does not have control over your service, and that can be a disadvantage if something goes wrong. If you get Earthlink Fiber, you are probably going to be happy with your speed and reliability. Fiber is known for these advantages. Earthlink satellite or fixed wireless will often be too slow for real-timeactivities such as real-time gaming or videoconferencing. Reliability issues are going to be more likely with Earthlink’s satellite internet or Wireless Home Internet. Both satellite and wireless internet can be affected by weather. Fixed wireless can also slow down at peak times when thenetwork is congested with more traffic. Satellite internet tends to have high latency, which means a slight lag in the transmission of a signal. Latency is not noticeable for many internet activities but may affect real-time data transfer for gaming and videoconferencing.
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

WOW Reliability and Performance

4.0

WOW! cable is a fast, strong choice with gigabit download speeds but slower upload speeds

Internet performance from WOW! matches the stats of the largest cable providers in the nation such as Spectrum and Infinity. You will get fast speeds from WOW!’s high-end plans that will support streaming and gaming with multiple devices. The chief disadvantage of cable internet is that upload speeds are so slow compared to the symmetrical speeds of fiber internet. If you want to do large uploads or real-time gaming on 10 devices at once in your home, there’s no question that you’ll be better off with fiber’s lightning-fast uploads. But for most households with average internet usage, a fast cable plan like WOW! internet will be good enough.
Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

EarthLink Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

3.0

Earthlink’s installation fees and equipment fees vary

We can't give a score for any kind of consistent pricing or equipment fees because of Earthlink's 3rd party seller business model. Earthlink’s lower rating from us in this category results from the lack of simple, freely available information on pricing and fees on their website, as well as their higher prices for equipment and installation. This lack of transparency is one of the weaknesses of the telecom industry. We recommend that Earthlink, along with other internet providers, begin to be much more straightforward about which services are available across the United States and how much they cost in each area. Satellite equipment will cost you considerably more if you buy it upfront, which is typical of satellite. Earthlink will offer you the option to rent the equipment if that is more feasible. Satellite equipment will come from Viasat, Earthlink’s satellite internet partner. Because Viasat’s equipment fees are $12.99/month or $299.99 prepaid, consumers should estimate that Earthlink’s fees for Viasat equipment will be similar or slightly higher [3]. Earthlink’s bonus services include Easy Tech for unlimited tech support at $9.95 a month. Earthlink Guardian provides parental monitoring, Earthlink Protect gives security protection, and Earthlink Online Backup will protect you from data loss.
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

WOW Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

4.0

Equipment rental fees are optional, self-installation is free for WOW!

All WOW! plans come with a free self-installation kit. If for any reason you’re not comfortable with self-installation, you can get pro installation for $50. Though most plans will allow you to rent a modem/router from WOW! for about $14/month, you also have the option to supply your own equipment. This choice may be better for your budget if you plan to have service for more than a year. Just make sure you check with WOW! to be sure your router has compatible specs.
Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

EarthLink Experience & Support

4.5

Earthlink is known above all for superior customer service

When you research Earthlink online, you will see that Earthlink survives on its customer service. The company gets good, solid ratings for customer service, where many ISPs fall far short. That means that if you call Earthlink, odds are that you will be satisfied with what they do for you. There are just a couple of caveats to that recommendation. First, some customers report that their customer service has been routed to Earthlink’s partner providers, which removes the whole point of having Earthlink service if you’re seeking their brand of better customer service. Second, Earthlink acknowledged beginning to “reshore” its service in September 2021, which implicitly reveals that the company had offshored its customer service [4]. Offshoring customer service to foreign countries is not only potentially frustrating for the customer, but worse for U.S. workers. Many internet providers now base their customer service in the United States, and we hope Earthlink will be sure to provide its own customer support from within the country.
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

WOW Experience & Support

4.0

WOW! outperforms larger ISPs for customer satisfaction

WOW! offers the same customer support amenities as the largest national ISPs [4]. You will get an online portal to allow you to manage your account. Telephone help is available 24/7. Online chat is available every day between 7:00 AM and 11:45 PM EST. In the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study, WOW! outperformed much larger ISPs such as Cox [5]. That strong performance indicates WOW! customers are pretty happy with their service.
Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

EarthLink FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit EarthlinkDeals.com.
Earthlink provides a variety of internet technologies in different regions. Earthlink’s offerings include fiber and DSL connections, with fiber providing much higher speeds than DSL. Earthlink is a third-party provider, which means they are using infrastructure owned by other companies to manage your internet service. The infrastructure they use varies from location to location.
If you have any inquiries or need assistance, you can easily contact Earthlink's customer service. They offer multiple channels of support, including phone, email, and online chat on their website. Their dedicated team is ready to help you with any concerns you may have. Earthlink is known for having one of the best customer support systems in the industry.
No, Earthlink does not impose data caps on their fiber and DSL internet plans. You can enjoy unlimited data usage without worrying about additional charges or restrictions on your internet usage.
Earthlink’s installation fee will vary based on your internet type. The fee is often between $40 and $80, which is lower than some competitors’ fees.
To check the availability of Earthlink internet in your area, simply enter your zip code here at CompareInternet.com. You can find out if Earthlink services are accessible in your location and determine the best internet plan for your needs. Because Earthlink uses the infrastructure of other ISPs, they have wide availability in 48 states.
Yes, Earthlink will support your home Wi-Fi. Earthlink supplies a Wi-Fi modem combo that will ensure compatibility.
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

WOW FAQ's

WOW! does not provide a static IP address for your home internet account. But WOW! does offer home business accounts that can provide you with a static IP address.
WOW! offers security on a network level, which means you don’t have to manage it yourself. Network Security helps guard your internet connection against phishing, viruses and malware.
WOW! Internet and WOW! Whole-Home Wi-Fi can be self-installed.
Yes, you can. As long as a technician has completed the outside installation or there is an existing WOW! connection, you will be able to install and activate service using your own modem.
Take our internet speed test to find your actual upload and download speed.
The eero devices that support your Whole-Home Wi-Fi provide up to 1500 square feet of coverage per device.
Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

EarthLink Accolades

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1-844-534-0561

WOW Accolades

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EarthLink Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
EarthLink Fiber 5Gx5GFiber InternetUp to 5,000 Mbps Only $189.95
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
EarthLink Fiber 2Gx2GFiber InternetUp to 2,000 Mbps Only $129.95
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
EarthLink Fiber 1Gx1GFiber InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $79.95
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
EarthLink Fiber 300Mx300MFiber InternetUp to 300 Mbps Only $49.95
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
EarthLink Fiber 100Mx100MFiber InternetUp to 100 Mbps Only $59.95
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
EarthLink Fiber 500Mx500MFiber InternetUp to 500 Mbps Only $64.95
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

WOW Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
Visa $300 Rewards Card
Fiber 5 GigFiber InternetUp to 5,000 Mbps Only $185
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Visa $300 Rewards Card
Fiber 3 GigFiber InternetUp to 3,000 Mbps Only $100
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Internet 1 GigCable InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $60
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Internet 600Cable InternetUp to 600 Mbps Only $45
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Internet 300Cable InternetUp to 300 Mbps Only $30
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259

EarthLink Customers Review

3.0
Pricing
3.0
3.5
Reliability & Performance
3.5
3.0
Equipment, Installation & Features
3.0
4.5
Customer Experience & Support
4.5
3.5
Overall Rating
3.5
Mary Floyd
2.3
from Clarkston, GA on April 2025
Can not work laptop when television is on. No reception reception
Jeff A
1.3
on January 2025
I want unlimited high speed
Brian Wick
1.0
from Springfield, VA on October 2024
I decided to try Earthlink as I am at least average tech savvy and did not mind that they would just mail me a box with instructions on connecting. In any event, I saw they had a service guarantee. I followed the install instructions to the letter, but no matter where I moved the device I still only received a blinking blue light, never a single green light showing some connectivity. I concluded that my apartment was not able to receive the signal from the tower. I then proceeded to call to cancel the service (unable to cancel on the app directly it seems, hmm). The customer service person was rude, talking over me multiple times until I called out their behavior and began talking over them. They insisted that I allow them to centrally activate my device. I told them I had no confidence in the service since I was not able to get a single green bar showing any sign of connectivity potential, and the fact that they can temporarily boost power to activate my device was not reassuring. I wanted to avoid an activated device that nevertheless could not receive the internet signal under normal conditions. I then cancelled the service over the phone, even as the representative admonished me for not letting them activate the device, and warned me that the $85 is nonrefundable. I then had to (successfully) dispute the charge, and got all my money back as the credit card company agreed that Earthlink did not provide the service they promised, and tried to not honor their guarantee. So a fair bit of time wasted, and if you cannot get a single green bar yourself I recommend you dispute the service like I did. Or better, try all other options first—to save yourself time and frustration dealing with indignant and self-righteous customer service representatives. I hope this review saves you time and effort!
Steve B
1.5
from Bishopville, SC on August 2023
This company sucks
Regina C
5.0
from Memphis, TN on July 2023
Love it!
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

WOW Customers Review

4.0
Pricing
4.0
4.0
Reliability & Performance
4.0
4.0
Equipment, Installation & Features
4.0
4.0
Customer Experience & Support
4.0
4.0
Overall Rating
4.0
Vickie Eller
2.5
from Charlotte, MI on April 2025
Prices go up every month started at 50 then it went to 64.99 now it's at 83.99 I need different internet in my area
Jocelyn Peck
3.3
from Atlanta, GA on March 2022
Sonia Fry
2.8
from Warren, MI on January 2022
Tyler Martinez
4.8
from Evans, GA on November 2021
Lucas Foster
4.0
from Unknown, AL on May 2021
Call today & find the best WOW internet deals
1-833-864-0259