EarthLink
Internet service provider
HughesNet
Satellite internet everywhere
EarthLink vs HughesNet
Quick Answer
HughesNet is better than EarthLink for most users in 2026. HughesNet reaches up to 100 Mbps from $50/mo, compared to Varies from Contact for pricing on EarthLink — significantly more headroom for streaming, gaming, and multi-device households.
Compare speeds, pricing, coverage, and features to find the best provider for your needs.
EarthLink and HughesNet 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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EarthLink vs HughesNet: Key Findings
- HughesNet is faster with speeds up to 100 Mbps vs Varies
- HughesNet is more affordable starting at $50/mo vs Contact for pricing
- HughesNet has wider coverage: 29,334 vs 0 ZIP codes
- Technology: EarthLink uses Various, HughesNet uses Satellite
- Data caps: EarthLink has a Varies cap; HughesNet has a 100 GB cap
- Overall winner: HughesNet (3 of 5 categories)
How EarthLink and HughesNet Compare
EarthLink and HughesNet are both major internet service providers, but they take different approaches to delivering broadband. EarthLink primarily uses various technology, while HughesNet relies on satellite. This fundamental difference affects speed consistency, latency, and upload performance.
On raw speed, HughesNet leads with a maximum of 100 Mbps compared to EarthLink's Varies. However, the fastest plan isn't always the best value — consider whether you actually need speeds above 500 Mbps for your household. 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.
From a cost perspective, HughesNet has the edge with plans starting at $50/mo versus Contact for pricing. EarthLink stands out here by not requiring a contract, while HughesNet does require one. Both providers impose data caps (Varies for EarthLink, 100 GB for HughesNet), so heavy users should factor in potential overage charges.
Quick Verdict
HughesNet
- Faster speeds (100 Mbps)
- Lower starting price ($50/mo)
- Wider coverage (29,334 ZIPs)
EarthLink
- No contract required
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.
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. HughesNet is a geostationary satellite internet provider available across all 50 U.S. states, offering speeds up to 100 Mbps for rural and remote areas.
| Feature | EarthLink | HughesNet |
|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | 5 Gbps | 100 Mbps |
| Starting Price | $50/moPrice verified August 2026 | $50/moPrice verified August 2026 |
| Technology | Fiber, DSL, Fixed Wireless | Geostationary Satellite |
| Contracts | No | Yes |
| Data Caps | No | Yes |
EarthLink vs HughesNet: Provider Details
| Detail | EarthLink | HughesNet |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Technology | Fiber, DSL, Fixed Wireless | Geostationary Satellite |
| Top Speed (Down/Up) | 5 Gbps | 100 Mbps down / 3 Mbps up |
| Starting Price | $50/mo | $50/mo |
| Coverage | National — 50 states | National — 50 states |
| Contract | No contract | Contract required |
| Data Caps | None | 100 GB |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia | Germantown, Maryland |
| Notable Features | No data caps • No throttling • Dedicated customer service | Available anywhere in contiguous U.S. • Built-in Wi-Fi • No hard data limits (deprioritized after cap) |
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.
HughesNet Service & Install
Customer service: Mon-Fri 8AM-1AM ET, Sat-Sun 9AM-10PM ET; 24/7 technical support; MyHughesNet portal and app for account management
Installation: Professional installation required ($199-$399, often discounted with promotions). Technician mounts satellite dish, runs cable, and configures modem (2-3 hours). Appointments within 3-7 business days.
Plans Compared: EarthLink vs HughesNet
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.
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 |
HughesNet plans
| Plan | Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Imagine Networks Fiber Starter | 150 Mbps | $54.95/mo |
| Imagine Networks Residential Standard | 6 Mbps | $59.95/mo |
| Imagine Networks Fiber Deluxe | 500 Mbps | $74.95/mo |
| Imagine Networks Residential Burst | 12 Mbps | $74.95/mo |
| Imagine Networks Residential Ultra | 25 Mbps | $89.95/mo |
| Imagine Networks Fiber Elite | 1 Gbps | $94.95/mo |
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | EarthLink | HughesNet | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | Varies | 100 Mbps | HughesNet Wins |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $50/mo | HughesNet Wins |
| Coverage (ZIP Codes) | 0 | 29,334 | HughesNet Wins |
| Primary Technology | Various | Satellite | Depends on needs |
| Contract Required | No | Yes | EarthLink Wins |
| Data Cap | Varies | 100 GB | 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
Which Provider Should You Choose?
Choose EarthLink if:
- You don't want to commit to a contract
- EarthLink is available at your address
Choose HughesNet if:
- You need the fastest speeds available
- You want the lowest starting price
- HughesNet is available at your address
The Bottom Line
Choose HughesNet if raw speed is your priority (up to 100 Mbps). Choose HughesNet for a more budget-friendly option (starting at $50/mo). Ultimately, the best provider depends on availability at your address, your speed requirements, and whether you prefer no-contract or contract plans.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Methodology
This EarthLink vs HughesNet 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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