Best DSL internet providers 2025

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Affordable DSL
- Prices: $55 per month
- Speeds up to: 100 Mbps
Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install charge may apply.
Call to order: (833) 783-8164
Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies. One time install charge may apply.

Unlimited DSL
- Prices: $64.99 per month
- Speeds up to: Call for details
Call to order: (855) 810-8504

Why trust our broadband experts

Allconnect’s team of broadband experts regularly reviews the top internet service providers in the U.S., scrutinizing each company under a rigorous scoring system to help our readers make informed internet purchases. We keep our data points accurate and up to date based on thorough research and partnership communications. Our content is not directed by partners. Visit our full methodology page and advertising disclosure to learn more.

What is DSL?

DSL, or digital subscriber line, is a dedicated internet connection that offers home Wi-Fi speeds of up to 115 Mbps. DSL internet uses copper phone lines but is much faster than dial-up and doesn’t require home phone service. Discover the best internet providers with DSL near you.

Compare the top DSL internet providers

Provider	Starting price*	Speed	Availability
CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet**	$55/mo.	Up to 100 Mbps	9%
Frontier Internet	$64.99/mo.	Up to 115 Mbps	2%
Kinetic by Windstream	$39.99/mo.	Up to 100 Mbps	2%

Disclaimers

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary.

**Speed may not be available in your area. Paperless billing required. Taxes and fees apply. Rate excludes CTL Fee not to exceed $1.50/mo./line. The CTL Fee is the Facility Relocation Cost Recovery Fee. This is neither a tax nor required by law but set by CenturyLink and may change. For information about taxes and fees, visit centurylink.com/feesandtaxes.

Methodology

We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2025. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.

DSL internet provider reviews

CenturyLink Simply Unlimited – Most available DSL

Overall score: 3.3 out of 5.

Pros

Affordable $55/mo. price.
Unlimited data.

Cons

Same price, regardless of available speed.
$15/mo. equipment fee may apply.

CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet offers no-contract plans with unlimited data. Like other DSL services, download and upload speeds vary depending on your location. Other fees include $15 for self-installation or up to $149 for professional installation.

Read the full CenturyLink review.

Frontier Internet – Fastest DSL

Overall score: 3.7 out of 5.

Pros

Unlimited data.
Equipment included in price.

Cons

$100 installation fee.
Slow upload speeds.

Frontier Internet offers no-contract plans with speeds up to 115 Mbps. Since this is not a promotional rate, prices don’t automatically increase after the initial period. Bundle internet and TV to get $10/mo. off YouTube TV for 12 months.

Read the full Frontier review.

Kinetic by Windstream – Cheapest DSL

Overall score: 3.6 out of 5.

Pros

Cheapest DSL at $39.99/mo.
1-year price guarantee.

Cons

Limited availability.
Price increase after 12 months.

Kinetic by Windstream offers the cheapest DSL, with a standard price of $49.99/mo. after the $10 increase in month 13. Windstream also provides the fastest DSL upload speeds at around 20 Mbps, compared to under 10 Mbps with most other providers. Bundling Kinetic internet and mobile with AT&T wireless can save you $20/mo.

Read the full Kinetic by Windstream review.

Who should purchase DSL internet?

DSL internet can be a good solution for you if:

You live in a rural area.
You are a light internet user.
You don’t need superfast speeds.
You connect less than five devices at once to Wi-Fi.
You already have phone lines connected to your home.
You don’t have a cable or fiber internet connection available at your home.

DSL pros and cons

Pros

Speeds up to 115 Mbps.
Available in rural and suburban areas
Affordable pricing
Unaffected by network congestion.

Cons

Slow upload speeds.
Requires copper phone lines at your home.
Installation and equipment fees may apply.
Infrastructure is not well-maintained.

DSL internet vs. other technology types

Main differences between internet connection types:

Cable vs. DSL: Cable offers speeds up to 10 times as fast as DSL for a similar cost.
Fiber vs. DSL: Fiber speeds are up to 80 times faster than DSL but fiber availability is limited in rural areas where DSL exists.
Fixed wireless vs. DSL: Fixed wireless and 5G internet offer faster speeds at a similar price point to DSL and are often in the same areas. Unlike DSL, fixed wireless speeds can vary with network congestion.
Satellite vs. DSL: Satellite internet is available anywhere since it doesn’t need wired infrastructure like DSL. However, satellite often has data limits and can cost twice as much as DSL.

Connection type	Starting price range*	Download speeds	Upload speeds	Availability
DSL	$39.99–$64.99/mo.	0.5–115 Mbps	0.3–35 Mbps	87%
Cable internet	$9.95–$94.99/mo.	50–1,000 Mbps	10–50 Mbps	50%
Fiber internet	$30–$299.95/mo.	100–8,000 Mbps	100–8,000 Mbps	20%
5G internet/ fixed wireless	$30–$70/mo.	up to 1,000 Mbps	2–200 Mbps	98%
Satellite internet	$49.99–$120/mo.	12–220 Mbps	3–100 Mbps	100%

DSL internet FAQs

Which DSL providers are available near me?

Verizon, AT&T and Brightspeed are other DSL providers to consider. Over 80% of households have DSL access since it uses copper phone lines. However, telecommunication companies are reducing maintenance of aging copper lines, and newer homes often lack DSL lines due to increased reliance on cell phones.

Is DSL internet better than satellite internet?

It depends. DSL usually has unlimited internet, while most satellite internet providers will throttle your speed if you exceed their data thresholds. However, satellite speeds may be faster than DSL, depending on the area.

Is DSL internet better than cable internet?

No. Cable offers faster speeds and unlimited data (in most cases).

How do I install DSL internet?

To set up your internet and install DSL, you’ll need to plug the modem into a phone jack and an electrical outlet. Then, either connect your computer directly to the modem with an ethernet cable or connect a router to the modem to provide Wi-Fi service in your home.

This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.

Lisa IscrupeAllconnect.com

Lisa Iscrupe is a senior writer helping readers understand the complexities of broadband, internet and other home services, including energy and renewable products. Her work appears on SaveOnEnergy.com and CNET.com, with national sources such as CNN, The Daily MBA and The Media Bulletin referencing her articles.

Hannah WhatleyAllconnect.com

Hannah Whatley is an editor who enjoys collaborating with writers to offer readers the most relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information for their home purchases. She has previously edited for The Motley Fool, The Modest Wallet, Grammarly, JoinCake.com and SaveOnEnergy.com, gaining expertise in several industries. Hannah has a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State University. When she isn’t editing, she enjoys studying linguistics and languages.

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