EarthLink's No-Price-Hike Promise, Explained

Most internet deals come with a timer. The price is great for 12 months, then it jumps — sometimes by $20 or $30 — and the bill you budgeted for isn't the bill you get. EarthLink's whole pitch is the opposite: the price you sign up for is the price you keep. No promo cliff, no annual contract on most plans, no credit check. It sounds too good to be true, so let's look at what it actually costs and where the catches are. ## What EarthLink actually costs Prices verified November 6, 2026 — and note that EarthLink pricing varies by address, so treat these as the range, not a quote: - **Fiber 100 — from $39.95/mo** — 100 Mbps down and up, good for one or two people - **Fiber 300 — around $49.95–$54.95/mo** — the sweet spot for a typical household - **Fiber 1 Gig — around $74.95–$89.95/mo** — for heavy streamers, gamers, and work-from-home setups - **Fiber 5 Gig — up to $189.95/mo** — overkill for most homes, but it exists Every fiber plan is symmetrical — your upload speed matches your download — with unlimited data and no data caps. There's also a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it without being locked in. ## What "no price hikes" really means Here's the part that matters: with most providers, the cheap price is a 12-month intro rate. After that, you're paying the regular rate, which is often much higher. EarthLink doesn't do that. The price doesn't rise after 12 months because there is no intro rate — the price is the price. That's the real comparison to make. A $50/mo plan that stays $50 is cheaper over two years than a $40/mo plan that jumps to $70 in month 13. When you're comparing providers, always ask what the bill looks like in year two, not just month one. [Check what's available at your address](https://isp.betterconnect.ai/start) and compare the full picture, not just the headline number. ## The catches (there are always catches) **1. EarthLink doesn't own the lines.** EarthLink is a reseller — it delivers fiber over partner networks, including AT&T fiber in many areas. That means availability depends entirely on what's already built at your address. If no partner fiber reaches your home, EarthLink can't sell you fiber there. [Check what's available at your address](https://isp.betterconnect.ai/start) before you get your heart set on it. **2. Don't confuse fiber with DSL.** EarthLink still sells older DSL service in some areas, with speeds as low as 25 Mbps. Make sure the plan you're looking at says "Fiber" — the price and the experience are completely different. **3. The headline price is a starting price.** The exact number depends on your address and what's available there, and modem rental and installation fees may apply. Get the real number for your address before you decide. **4. It's not the cheapest gigabit on paper.** [Brightspeed's fiber](https://isp.betterconnect.ai/provider-plans/brightspeed) starts lower, and [Xfinity's 5-year guarantee](https://isp.betterconnect.ai/provider-plans/xfinity) locks $45/mo for 300 Mbps. EarthLink's value isn't the lowest number — it's that the number never moves. ## Who it's a good fit for If you've been burned by a bill that jumped after the promo ended, or you just don't want to think about your internet price again for years, EarthLink is built for you. It's also a strong option if you don't want a credit check or a contract — you can sign up month to month and walk away. If you want the absolute cheapest gigabit and you're happy to renegotiate every year, another provider may win on price. But if you want a bill you can set and forget, EarthLink's no-hike promise is one of the few in the industry that actually holds up. ## Bottom line EarthLink won't win a race to the lowest headline price. It wins the race that matters more: the price in year two, year three, and year four is the same as the price in month one. Confirm it's fiber at your address, confirm the exact price, and you'll know in two minutes whether the no-hike promise is worth it for you. [Check what's available at your address](https://isp.betterconnect.ai/start) — it takes about a minute, and you'll see every provider that actually serves your home, including [EarthLink's current plans](https://isp.betterconnect.ai/provider-plans/earthlink).