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Best DSL Internet Provider
Best DSL Internet Provider for Rural Areas
Best for cheap DSL internet
The best for clear pricing
Once a viable option for a cheap broadband connection, DSL internet has become more of a last resort before signing up for satellite internet. Speeds are relatively slow, below what is now considered broadband, while prices are as high or higher than what you would pay for cable, fiber, or fixed wireless internet.
Still, for people in rural areas where internet options are more limited, DSL internet can be the cheapest, most readily available, and most practical way to get online. Some providers are better than others when it comes to speeds, prices, and terms of service. We’ve compiled a list of the best DSL providers to give you an idea of what to look for.
10 – 100 Mbps
$55 per month
Our opinion – AT&T Internet, a “copper-based” service, is available to more people than any other DSL Internet provider. AT&T Internet also has the best broadband speed availability — now defined as speeds of 100Mbps down and 20Mbps up — of any DSL provider.
10 – 100 Mbps
$55 per month
10 – 140 Mbps
$55 per month
Our opinion – Like AT&T, CenturyLink’s DSL service has one price, but there may be multiple speed options available. Opting for a lower Internet connection speed, anything under the 80 and 100 Mbps plans, can save you some money up front on setup fees, but other than that, there seems to be no reason to choose a slower plan if the monthly price is the same.
10 – 140 Mbps
$55 per month
100 – 1,000 Mbps
€40 – €70 per month
Our opinion – Kinetic by Windstream has the lowest starting price of any major DSL internet provider at $50 per month for download speeds ranging from 15 to 100 Mbps or higher. The service comes with unlimited data and no contract requirements. However, equipment is not included and the rental fee adds about $10 to your monthly bill.
100 – 1,000 Mbps
€40 – €70 per month
500 – 5,000 Mbps
€50 – €155 per month
Our opinion – At $65 per month for the fastest speeds available, Frontier’s DSL service is more expensive than most, but it’s also more transparent with its pricing than other internet providers, DSL or otherwise. Frontier includes equipment rental and unlimited data in its monthly fee – both of which aren’t offered by the other providers on this list.
500 – 5,000 Mbps
€50 – €155 per month
Top DSL Internet Providers Compared
Keep in mind that the plans below reflect the fastest available speed from each provider, which may not be available in your area. In general, the best choice for you — and the most cost-effective plan — may be another tier or provider that offers faster speeds for a higher price, but a better value. To better understand this value-based approach, check out CNET’s guide to examining cost per Mbps.
| Plan | From monthly price | Maximum download speed | Cost per Mbps | Equipment costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet Read the full review | $55 | 100 | 55 cent | No |
| CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Read the full review | $55 | 140 Mbps | 39 cent | $15 (optional) |
| Border internet Read the full review | $65 | 100 | 65 cent | No |
| Kinetic fast internet | $50 | 100 | 50 cent | $11 (optional) |
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Best DSL Providers: Honorable Mentions
These DSL providers all have a significant footprint in the US, but they lack the speed, value, or consistency of other providers to make our list of the best. They’re still worth checking out if they’re available in your area.
Clear speed
Brightspeed, a new DSL/fiber internet provider, recently acquired networks from Lumen Technologies (parent company of CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber) in many markets east of the Mississippi. Despite the new name, speeds, prices and terms of service appear relatively unchanged.
EarthLink
EarthLink has built a fairly large DSL customer base by acquiring or piggybacking on other providers’ networks. DSL internet plans start at $45 per month for speeds around 25 Mbps, but prices and internet speeds can vary widely by location.
Ziply fiber
Although “fiber” is in the name, Ziply Fiber also offers DSL service in parts of the Northwest previously served by Frontier. Plans start at $40 per month, but download speeds are “variable.”
Summary of the best DSL providers
DSL internet is a common internet option thanks to its high availability in rural areas and low prices, but the slow speeds will almost always be far below cable or fiber internet plans. That said, all of the DSL providers on our list offer speeds of up to 100 Mbps or higher in certain areas, which is sufficient for HD streaming and online gaming. Most providers also come with favorable terms of service, such as unlimited data or high data caps, contract-free service, and price guarantees.
Frequently Asked Questions about DSL Internet
Is DSL better than cable internet?
In most locations, no. Cable typically offers higher speeds and lower costs per Mbps than DSL. Some high-speed DSL providers, such as Kinetic, can deliver speeds that rival the low- or mid-range speeds available from a fiber or cable provider.
Why is DSL internet slow?
DSL speeds are like the sound level at a concert. The closer you are to the stage, the louder it will be. With DSL, providers often use fiber optic or coaxial cables to route service to local service hubs, and from there they use a phone line to bring service to your home. These service hubs are like the stage at a concert. The closer your address is to a provider’s service hub, the faster your speeds are likely to be. This is why residents of more remote, rural areas are often stuck with the slowest DSL speeds.
Is DSL just a dial-up connection?
Although DSL also uses your phone line for service, DSL and dial-up are two completely separate Internet connections. DSL uses the phone line differently than dial-up or your home phone service, allowing for an “always on” connection and simultaneous use of your home phone to make calls.
To learn more about DSL internet and how it compares to other internet types and providers, check out our list of the best internet providers of 2024.
