Brightspeed
Internet service provider
EarthLink
Internet service provider
Brightspeed vs EarthLink
Quick Answer
Brightspeed and EarthLink are both strong choices in 2026. Brightspeed leads on speed (up to Varies) while Brightspeed offers the lower entry price (from Contact for pricing). Best pick depends on availability at your address.
Compare speeds, pricing, coverage, and features to find the best provider for your needs.
Brightspeed and EarthLink are two of the most searched internet providers in the United States. Below, we compare their plans, pricing, speeds, coverage, and customer satisfaction to help you choose the best option for your home internet needs.
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Brightspeed vs EarthLink: Key Findings
- Both providers offer the same max speed of Varies
- Both start at the same price of Contact for pricing
- Both serve a similar number of areas
- Technology: Brightspeed uses Various, EarthLink uses Various
- Data caps: Brightspeed has a Varies cap; EarthLink has a Varies cap
- Overall: Tie across all categories
How Brightspeed and EarthLink Compare
Brightspeed and EarthLink are both major internet service providers, but they take different approaches to delivering broadband. Both providers use various technology, so the real differentiation comes down to pricing, plan options, and service quality in your area.
Both providers top out at Varies, so speed alone won't be the deciding factor. Focus instead on pricing, contract terms, and availability at your address. For most households of 2-4 people, a plan in the 200-500 Mbps range handles HD streaming, video calls, and general browsing with room to spare.
Both providers start at Contact for pricing, putting them on equal footing for budget-conscious shoppers. Neither provider requires a long-term contract, giving you the flexibility to switch if you find a better deal. Both providers impose data caps (Varies for Brightspeed, Varies for EarthLink), so heavy users should factor in potential overage charges.
Quick Verdict
It's a tie!
Both providers score equally on speed, price, coverage, contracts, and data caps
Check availability at your address
See which of these providers — and others — actually serve your exact address, with real speeds and pricing from FCC broadband data.
Brightspeed is a fiber and DSL internet provider formed in 2022 from former CenturyLink/Lumen territories, serving 20 states across the South and Midwest. EarthLink is a national internet service provider offering fiber, DSL, and fixed wireless internet across all 50 states, with speeds up to 5 Gbps and a focus on customer privacy and reliable service since 1994.
| Feature | Brightspeed | EarthLink |
|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | 2 Gbps | 5 Gbps |
| Starting Price | $50/moPrice verified August 2026 | $50/moPrice verified August 2026 |
| Technology | Fiber (FTTH), DSL | Fiber, DSL, Fixed Wireless |
| Contracts | No | No |
| Data Caps | No | No |
Brightspeed vs EarthLink: Provider Details
| Detail | Brightspeed | EarthLink |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Technology | Fiber (FTTH), DSL | Fiber, DSL, Fixed Wireless |
| Top Speed (Down/Up) | 2 Gbps | 5 Gbps |
| Starting Price | $50/mo | $50/mo |
| Coverage | Regional — 20 states | National — 50 states |
| Contract | No contract | No contract |
| Data Caps | None | None |
| Headquarters | Charlotte, North Carolina | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Notable Features | Expanding fiber network • No contracts • No data caps | No data caps • No throttling • Dedicated customer service |
Brightspeed Service & Install
Customer service: Mon-Fri 8AM-9PM ET, Sat 9AM-6PM ET; online chat and support; Brightspeed app for billing & account management
Installation: Fiber requires professional installation (free on most plans, 2-3 hours). DSL self-install kit available. Fiber network actively expanding — check address at brightspeed.com for availability.
EarthLink Service & Install
Customer service: Mon-Fri 8AM-11PM ET, Sat-Sun 8AM-10PM ET; US-based customer support; online chat available
Installation: Professional installation available (varies by technology). Fiber installation requires technician visit. DSL self-install kits available. Fixed wireless gateway ships with easy setup guide.
Plans Compared: Brightspeed vs EarthLink
Verified monthly pricing and typical download speeds for each provider's residential plans, sourced from their FCC broadband label filings. Promotional and address-specific pricing may vary.
Brightspeed plans
| Plan | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber Internet 200 Mbps | 216 Mbps | $49/mo |
| Internet Up To 40 Mbps | 40 Mbps | $50/mo |
| One Label Internet 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | $50/mo |
| One Label Internet 200 Mbps | 216 Mbps | $50/mo |
| One Label Internet Up To 1.5 Mbps | 1 Mbps | $50/mo |
| One Label Internet Up To 10 Mbps 1 Mbps | 10 Mbps | $50/mo |
EarthLink plans
| Plan | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber 100 | 100 Mbps | $54.95/mo |
| Fiber 300 | 300 Mbps | $59.95/mo |
| Fiber 500 | 500 Mbps | $69.95/mo |
| Fiber 1 Gig | 1 Gbps | $79.95/mo |
| Fiber 2 Gig | 2 Gbps | $99.95/mo |
| Fiber 5 Gig | 5 Gbps | $154.95/mo |
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Brightspeed | EarthLink | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | Varies | Varies | Tie |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing | Tie |
| Coverage (ZIP Codes) | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Primary Technology | Various | Various | Depends on needs |
| Contract Required | No | No | Tie |
| Data Cap | Varies | Varies | Tie |
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you order through links on this page. Pricing, speeds, and availability vary by address and are subject to change; verify current terms with the provider before ordering.
Pros & Cons
Brightspeed
Pros
- No contract required
Cons
- Has data cap (Varies)
EarthLink
Pros
- No contract required
Cons
- Has data cap (Varies)
Which Provider Should You Choose?
The Bottom Line
Both providers offer comparable maximum speeds. Both providers start at a similar price point. Ultimately, the best provider depends on availability at your address, your speed requirements, and whether you prefer no-contract or no-contract plans.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Methodology
This Brightspeed vs EarthLink comparison uses pricing, speed, and coverage data from FCC Broadband Data Collection filings, provider-published broadband nutrition labels, and Ookla speed test measurements. Plans and pricing are verified against each provider's current public offerings. Pricing, speeds, and availability are verified against provider broadband nutrition labels and may vary by location. For a detailed explanation of our data collection and scoring process, see our methodology page.
How We Score Providers
Our analysts rate every provider on a composite 1–5 scale using five weighted criteria, applied consistently across all reviews and comparisons:
- Price (30%) — advertised plan pricing verified monthly against each provider's broadband nutrition labels.
- Speed (25%) — advertised tiers cross-checked with third-party real-world speed test data.
- Reliability (20%) — technology type, uptime signals, and FCC complaint data.
- Coverage (15%) — FCC Broadband Data Collection availability records.
- Customer Service (10%) — published satisfaction indices and verified support channels.
Data Sources
InternetProviders.ai is an independent resource. We may earn commissions from partner links — this does not affect our editorial recommendations. See our methodology for details.
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, June 2025
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