Connection type
DSL internet plans the budget wired option.
DSL travels over existing phone lines. It is slower than fiber or cable, but it is often the cheapest wired plan available and it reaches addresses other technologies skip.
- $30/mo
- Plans from
- 10 Mbps – 100 Mbps
- Typical speeds
- 4
- Providers compared
Compare plans by ZIP
Free and no obligation. Providers confirm exact availability and final terms.
What matters most
Best for: Small households in areas without fiber or cable coverage.
Low monthly price
DSL plans routinely land under $50 a month with no contract.
Broad footprint
If a home has a phone line, DSL is usually an option.
Simple pricing
Fewer promo cliffs than cable — what you sign up for is what you pay.
Upside
- Cheapest wired option
- Wide rural availability
- Stable, dedicated line
Trade-offs
- Low top speeds
- Speed drops with distance from the hub
- Being phased out for fiber
Providers to compare
Ranked by our composite score of value, speed and satisfaction.
CenturyLink
3.8Flat, no-contract pricing with a price-for-life promise — the rate you sign up at is the rate you keep.
From $30/mo · up to 940 Mbps
EarthLink
4.0A nationwide reseller that layers unlimited data and privacy-focused service on top of partner networks.
From $40/mo · up to 5 Gbps
Windstream Kinetic
3.9Kinetic fiber and DSL across rural and suburban markets, with unlimited data and no contract on most plans.
From $40/mo · up to 2 Gbps
Brightspeed
3.9Rapidly building fiber into small and mid-size markets that were stuck with legacy DSL for years.
From $39/mo · up to 2 Gbps
Prices are illustrative entry-level estimates — providers control pricing, terms, and availability.
DSL internet FAQs
Is DSL fast enough to stream?
A 50–100 Mbps DSL plan handles HD streaming on two or three screens. 4K on multiple TVs will struggle.
Should I switch off DSL?
If fiber has arrived at your address, yes — it is usually faster for a similar price. We flag it the moment it is available.
See dsl internet options at your address
One free ZIP search compares illustrative prices, speeds and terms from providers with footprints in your area.