EarthLink Review 2026: Plans, Pricing, App, installation, Customer Service, User Experience And FAQs

ICON POLLS Overall Rating: 3.2 / 5

EarthLink has been around since the early days of the internet, and for many Americans, the name brings back memories of dial-up connections and those familiar startup sounds. But we are well past that era, and EarthLink has tried to reinvent itself as a modern internet service provider offering fiber, fixed wireless, and satellite internet across 48 states. The question we wanted to answer at ICON POLLS is simple: does EarthLink deliver enough value to compete in 2026, or is it coasting on a name that used to mean more than it does now?

Our team spent several weeks digging into EarthLink from every angle that actually matters to someone picking an internet provider. We looked at pricing, tested the app and website, reviewed real customer experiences with installation and support, and stacked it all up against what the competition is doing right now. Here is what we found.

EarthLink Website

The EarthLink website (earthlink.net) is functional but not particularly impressive. The homepage is clean enough and does a reasonable job of directing you toward checking plan availability in your area. You plug in your zip code, and it shows you what is available. That part works fine.

Where we ran into some friction is in the details. Finding specific information about contract terms, early termination fees, and the full breakdown of additional charges requires more clicking than it should. Several of our reviewers noted that the Internet Service Agreement was not easy to locate on the site, which is a concern when you are about to commit to a 12-month contract. The site also pushes you toward calling a sales number rather than letting you complete the full sign-up process online, which feels like an unnecessary extra step in 2026.

That said, the website loads quickly, works well on mobile browsers, and the support chat is accessible from most pages. It is not a bad website by any stretch, but it could do more to earn your trust by putting the fine print where you can actually see it.

EarthLink App

EarthLink offers two apps: the main EarthLink Connect app for account management and the myEarthLink Mail app for email. Both are available on iOS and Android. The Connect app is supposed to let you manage your account, pay bills, upgrade services, and chat with support. But user feedback tells a different story.

App store reviews throughout 2025 and into early 2026 are full of complaints about login failures, where users report being suddenly locked out of the app even though their credentials have not changed. Password reset emails sometimes never arrive, which makes the problem worse. Some users have reported that useful features, like the ability to change modem passwords or view past usage data, have been removed in recent updates.

The myEarthLink Mail app has its own issues. Users report getting logged out randomly, problems with the reply function placing the cursor in the wrong location, and an odd glitch where apostrophes get turned into question marks in outgoing emails. For a company that has been in the email business for decades, this is hard to overlook.

We would rate the app experience as below average for the industry right now. It needs real investment if EarthLink wants users to actually manage their accounts through the app instead of picking up the phone.

EarthLink Login Experience

Logging into your EarthLink account, whether through the app or the web portal, should be straightforward. For many users, it is. But there is a notable pattern of complaints from customers who experience sudden credential errors, even when they have not changed their passwords. EarthLink has acknowledged login issues on their social media, offering the standard advice to double-check credentials and reset passwords.

The problem goes deeper for some users. When the password reset process relies on email delivery and those reset emails do not arrive, you end up in a frustrating loop. Your only option at that point is to contact customer service, which (as we will discuss below) is not always a quick resolution.

When the login does work, the account portal gives you a decent overview of your billing, current plan, and basic account settings. The interface itself is fine; it is the reliability of the authentication process that needs fixing.

EarthLink Prices and Plans

EarthLink offers three main types of internet service: fiber, wireless home internet, and satellite. Pricing starts at $39.95 per month for the entry-level Fiber 100 Mbps plan and goes up to around $189.95 per month for the Fiber 5 Gig plan. Wireless home internet runs from about $49.95 to $84.95 per month. Satellite pricing varies depending on the partner providing the infrastructure.

EarthLink Fiber Plans (as of February 2026)

Now, here is the catch. EarthLink does not own the networks it operates on. It leases infrastructure from providers like AT&T, Lumen (formerly CenturyLink), and others. So you are paying a middleman, and the prices show it. Compared to going directly with AT&T Fiber or a regional provider, EarthLink plans tend to cost more for the same speeds.

There are also additional fees that add up. Fiber installation runs $24.95, while DSL installation is $79.95. The modem rental fee is $14.95 per month regardless of your plan type. Wireless home internet customers also face a one-time processing and handling fee of $49.95. These are not hidden exactly, but they are easy to miss if you are focused on the advertised monthly rate.

What does work in EarthLink's favor is the 12-month price lock, unlimited data on all fiber and DSL plans, and no early termination fee if you decide to upgrade to a faster plan. The $200 gift card offer for new fiber customers signing up at 300 Mbps or above is also a solid perk.

Installation

EarthLink installation experiences are mixed, and that inconsistency is baked into the business model. Since EarthLink relies on third-party technicians (usually from whatever provider owns the local network), the quality of your installation depends heavily on where you live.

Fiber installation requires a professional visit, and EarthLink charges $24.95 for it. Some customers report smooth, quick installs with friendly technicians. Others describe missed appointments with no communication, rescheduled visits without being asked, and long waits to get connected. We came across multiple reports of technicians simply not showing up for scheduled installation windows, with EarthLink failing to notify the customer until days later.

Wireless home internet is a different story. These plans come with self-installation, which means EarthLink ships you a modem and you set it up yourself. For many users, this is genuinely easy. You plug it in, connect your devices, and you are online. The catch is that wireless home internet performance depends entirely on cell tower coverage in your area, and some customers have found that the service does not work as promised despite being told it would.

If you are in a well-served fiber area, installation is likely to go smoothly. If you are in a more rural or less covered area, be prepared for potential hiccups and factor that into your decision.

Customer Service

This is the area where EarthLink has always hung its hat. Industry surveys have consistently ranked EarthLink at or near the top for customer satisfaction, and the company has built a reputation for going the extra mile when customers run into trouble. The pitch is straightforward: yes, you pay more, but you get better support when things go sideways. 

The reality in 2026 is a bit more complicated. While some users continue to praise EarthLink's support team and report quick, helpful interactions, there is a growing number of complaints that tell a different story. Long hold times, difficulty reaching the right department for cancellations, and support agents who seem unable to resolve billing disputes are common themes in recent reviews. Several customers have described being transferred multiple times only to have the call drop.

EarthLink does offer 24/7 support through phone, chat, and text, which is a plus. The chat feature in the app and on the website provides a convenient alternative to calling, though some users have experienced delayed responses through those channels as well.

Bottom line on support: EarthLink's customer service is still better than what most big ISPs offer, but that lead is shrinking. If the company wants to keep charging higher prices based on the strength of its support, it has to clean up the inconsistencies that are popping up more and more in recent reviews.

What We Liked and What Needs Work

Strengths

Wide coverage across 48 states, including rural areas that have limited options from other providers.

Unlimited data on all fiber and DSL plans with no throttling.

12-month price lock so your bill stays predictable during the contract period.

Fiber speeds up to 5 Gbps for users who need serious bandwidth. 

No early termination fee when upgrading to a faster plan. 

Security add-ons through Norton and Bark for families concerned about online safety.

Weaknesses

Higher prices than competitors offering the same speeds, since EarthLink is reselling other providers' infrastructure.

The mobile app is unreliable and lacks features that users expect in 2026. 

Installation experiences are inconsistent and depend heavily on the local network partner. 

Monthly modem rental fee of $14.95 adds up quickly over the life of a contract. 

Login issues and password reset problems persist without a clear fix. 

Finding contract details and fine print on the website requires more effort than it should.

ICON POLLS Final Verdict

EarthLink sits in a weird spot in the internet provider world. It does not own the cables or towers that bring internet to your home, and that one fact shapes everything about what you get. You are paying extra for what is basically a service layer on top of someone else's network, and the whole value proposition comes down to whether that service layer is worth the markup. 

When EarthLink's support team delivers, and they often do, the higher cost can feel justified. There is something to be said for calling your ISP and actually getting help from someone who cares. But when the support falls flat, and that is happening more than it used to based on what we have seen in recent reviews, you are stuck paying more for the same internet you could get straight from the network owner.

The app and website both need work. The pricing runs high. Installation can be a coin flip depending on where you live. But wide coverage, unlimited data on fiber, and a support team that still outperforms most of the competition keep EarthLink relevant for people who have had bad experiences with the bigger ISPs.

We are giving EarthLink a 3.2 out of 5 for 2026. It does some things well, but there is plenty of room for improvement. If you live in an area with solid fiber coverage and responsive support matters more to you than saving every last dollar, EarthLink deserves a look. For everyone else, shop around and compare what is available at your address before signing anything.

Frequently Asked Questions About EarthLink (2026)

1. Is EarthLink a legitimate internet provider? 

Yes, EarthLink is a legitimate and established internet service provider that has been operating in the United States since 1994. It is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and currently offers fiber, wireless home internet, and satellite plans across 48 states. What makes EarthLink different from most ISPs is that it does not own the physical networks it uses. Instead, it leases infrastructure from companies like AT&T and Lumen, then resells internet service under its own brand with its own customer support team.

2. How do I log into my EarthLink account?

You can log into your EarthLink account through the EarthLink Connect app (available on iOS and Android) or through the web portal at myaccount.earthlink.net. You will need your EarthLink email address and password. If you are having trouble logging in, try resetting your password through the forgot password option. If the reset email does not arrive, contact EarthLink support directly by phone at 888-327-8454 or through the chat feature on their website.

3. Why is EarthLink more expensive than other internet providers? 

EarthLink does not own the fiber lines, DSL networks, or wireless towers it uses to deliver internet service. It rents space on networks operated by other major ISPs and then provides its own customer service and billing layer on top. That reseller model means you are essentially paying for two companies instead of one. EarthLink justifies the higher price by offering what it considers a superior customer experience, including 24/7 support and account management tools. Whether that tradeoff is worth it depends on how much you value customer service versus getting the lowest possible monthly rate.

4. Does EarthLink have data caps?

It depends on the plan type. EarthLink fiber and DSL plans come with truly unlimited data, meaning there are no caps and no throttling. Wireless home internet plans, however, do have data limits ranging from 50 GB to 150 GB per month depending on the plan you choose. Once you hit your data limit on a wireless plan, your speeds will slow down significantly. Satellite plans also come with data allowances. If you use a lot of data for streaming, gaming, or working from home, fiber is the better option when it is available at your address.

5. How does EarthLink installation work?

For fiber and DSL plans, EarthLink sends a professional technician to your home. Fiber installation costs $24.95 and DSL installation costs $79.95. The technician will set up the necessary equipment and make sure your connection is working. For wireless home internet plans, EarthLink ships a modem to your door and you install it yourself. Self-installation is straightforward for most users. Just plug in the modem, connect your devices, and follow the setup instructions. Keep in mind that the technician who shows up for fiber or DSL installation is typically employed by the local network partner, not EarthLink directly.

6. Is the EarthLink app worth downloading?

The EarthLink Connect app can be useful for quick tasks like paying your bill or checking your account balance, but it has significant reliability issues as of early 2026. Many users report login problems, missing features, and a generally buggy experience. If you need to manage your account, the web portal may be a more stable option. The myEarthLink Mail app has similar issues with random logouts and formatting glitches. We would recommend downloading the apps for convenience but keeping the customer service phone number handy as a backup.

7. Can I cancel EarthLink without paying a fee?

That depends on your plan and how far into your contract you are. EarthLink fiber and DSL plans come with a 12-month contract, and canceling before the term is up may result in an early termination fee of up to $200. Wireless home internet plans do not require a contract, so you can cancel those at any time without a penalty. If you are upgrading to a faster EarthLink plan, there is no early termination fee. Before signing up, make sure you understand the terms of your specific plan, and keep in mind that some customers have reported difficulty finding the full contract terms on the EarthLink website. 

8. How fast is EarthLink internet in 2026?

EarthLink fiber plans offer speeds ranging from 100 Mbps up to 5,000 Mbps (5 Gbps), with matching upload speeds on fiber connections. Wireless home internet plans top out at around 100 Mbps. Satellite internet speeds go up to about 100 Mbps as well, though latency is higher. Keep in mind that actual speeds can vary based on your location, the condition of the local infrastructure, and how many devices you have connected. Since EarthLink uses other providers' networks, your real-world performance will largely depend on the quality of the underlying network in your area.

9. Does EarthLink offer bundle deals with TV service? 

EarthLink does not offer traditional TV and internet bundles the way providers like Xfinity or Spectrum do. However, EarthLink has partnered with DishLATINO to offer a TV option alongside internet service in some areas. The selection is limited compared to what you would find with a cable provider, so if bundling TV and internet is a priority for you, EarthLink may not be the best fit. Most EarthLink customers pair their internet with a separate streaming service instead. 

10. Is EarthLink good for working from home? 

If you can get EarthLink fiber at your address, it can work well for remote work. The unlimited data, solid upload speeds, and reliable fiber connection are all well suited for video calls, file transfers, and other work tasks. However, if your only option is EarthLink wireless or satellite internet, working from home may be more challenging due to data caps, lower speeds, and higher latency. Some wireless customers have reported that their data allowance runs out within days of heavy use, which would be a serious problem for anyone relying on their connection for a full workday.