Best DSL Internet Providers of 2021

Choosing an internet service provider can be a daunting task, whether you have many options for service in your area or very few. One common type of internet service is DSL, which stands for Digital Subscriber Line. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), about 88% of people in the U.S. have access to one or more DSL internet service providers (ISPs).

But is DSL fast, reliable, and affordable? What kind of equipment do you need to get the service up and running? And how does it compare to other connection types, like cable and fiber optic internet? This buying guide will help you find out.

Our Best DSL Internet Provider Rating

#1 CenturyLink
#2 Frontier

What Is DSL Internet?

DSL uses traditional telephone lines to connect you to the internet. It is widely available because most homes are wired for landline telephone service. You can use DSL internet and the telephone at the same time. That’s because voices are transmitted using low frequencies, while data are transmitted on a different, higher-frequency band.

There are two main types of DSL. Asymmetrical DSL (ADSL) has a faster speed for downloading (receiving) data than for uploading (sending) data. Most people download more information than they send. Symmetrical DSL (SDSL) has equal download and upload speeds. It’s geared mainly to businesses that share large files and do a lot of videoconferencing.

“DSL is an older technology that provides service over your old copper phone lines and is being phased out due to its relatively slower speeds,” says Mark Lubow, a veteran cable and telecommunications expert who heads the Cloud11 consultancy in Atlanta.

Traditional telephone companies provide DSL service. To compete with faster cable internet in key markets, telecom companies are replacing DSL with fiber internet, which uses fiber optic cable to provide high-speed internet connections.

The Best DSL Internet Providers of 2021

Three companies made our ratings of the Best DSL Internet Providers of 2021. Ratings are based on a 5-point scale with 5 the highest score possible. Advertised plan prices do not include taxes, fees, surcharges, or equipment rental, and may be for new residential customers only.

CenturyLink has a DSL internet plan that starts at $49 per month and has a download speed of up to 100 Mbps. The upload speed is not posted. The plan caps out at 1 TB of data. The company provides DSL and fiber broadband in 36 states. These services are accessible to more than 16% of the U.S. population, and DSL is available in more than 99% of the areas where CenturyLink offers coverage, reports the FCC. CenturyLink took the seventh spot in our Best Internet Service rating with an overall score of 3.8. Read more in our review of CenturyLink internet or check out the top CenturyLink promo codes.

Frontier offers broadband in 33 states. Its services are available to nearly 12% of the U.S. population, and its DSL service is available in almost every area the company serves, according to the FCC. The company has one DSL service plan for $27.99 per month download/upload speeds of 6 Mbps. Data are not capped. In our Best Internet Service of 2021 rating, Frontier placed No. 8 with an overall score of 3.7. Read more in our review of Frontier internet or check out the top Frontier promo codes.

Which DSL Internet Service Is Near Me?

To find the DSL internet service near you, examine our DSL availability map. The FCC’s Fixed Broadband Deployment locator is another good tool. You can also visit the service provider’s website to verify coverage in your zip code. Most internet service providers have a “check availability” button that opens a form, allowing you to enter your address and see what services are available for your home.

In 2019, more than 33.2 million Americans subscribed to DSL broadband, according to Leichtman Research Group, which analyzes the broadband industry. By comparison, 68 million people in the U.S. subscribed to cable internet.

The Best DSL Internet Providers in our rating offer coverage across the U.S., but they may not offer DSL service plans in every community in which they operate. CenturyLink operates in 36 states; Frontier in 33 states.

Read our Internet Providers Guide to explore other types of internet service that may be available in your area.

Check out our best local internet service providers by city.

How Fast Is DSL Internet?

Internet Speed of Fiber vs DSL vs Cable vs Satellite

DSL internet is faster than satellite internet and dial-up, but not as fast as cable and fiber internet. Some service plans don’t meet the FCC’s definition of high-speed broadband, set at a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps and upload speed of 3 Mbps.

Distance affects DSL speed. The further you live from the DSL service provider’s central office, the greater the line interference and the weaker the connection. In a 2018 report on measuring broadband performance, the FCC noted that “ISPs using DSL technology also frequently failed to deliver advertised service rates.”

Still, DSL works well for many households with moderate internet usage. The top-rated DSL internet providers in our rating have plans that provide speeds fast enough to simultaneously play online games, post to social media, and watch video. But typically, DSL is not ideal for the most demanding internet activities. “If you’re a heavy streamer, it’s not necessarily going to work,” says Bruce Leichtman, a broadband industry authority who leads Leichtman Research Group in Durham, New Hampshire.

Latency, which causes applications to lag, also is an issue. “DSL service typically had higher latencies than either cable or fiber,” the FCC said in its report.

How Much Is DSL Internet?

Consumers say they spend $61 a month on average for DSL internet, says Bruce Leichtman, a broadband industry authority.

That’s more than the advertised monthly rates charged by our top-rated DSL providers, which range from $27.99 to $50 a month as of the date of this review. However, note that these prices don’t include taxes, surcharges, or fees. Read the “understanding your bill” section of your internet provider’s website for a complete list of additional fees.

Buying a “bundle” of services — combining DSL with home phone or TV service in one package — may lower your monthly internet bill. Here is what you can expect to pay for monthly service from our best DSL internet providers:

The CenturyLink Internet plan starts at $49 per month. Renting equipment costs up to $15 per month. Installation fees vary. No contract is required, and the company does not charge for canceling service. The plan has a 1-TB data limit, but the company does not charge customers for excessive data usage.

Frontier's DSL plan costs $27.99 a month. Monthly equipment rental starts at $10 per month, and the installation fee begins at $75. Frontier offers no-contract internet plans, although entering a service agreement may provide a discount. The early contract termination fee begins at $9.99. Plans have no data cap.

How Do I Get DSL Internet?

What Do I Need for DSL Internet Service?

Should I Buy or Rent Equipment for DSL Internet Service?

You should buy equipment for DSL internet service to save money and enjoy a bigger selection. You can recover the upfront cost of equipment within a year or two by not paying rental fees, and third-party retailers often run sales. For example, Best Buy and Walmart carry CenturyLink-branded modems. Before you buy, make sure the equipment is compatible with DSL, your provider, and your plan speed.

Buying equipment also makes it easier to switch ISPs because you have one less thing to set up. But, if your equipment breaks or becomes outdated, you’ll likely have to pay to replace it as warranties and tech support are limited.

You should rent equipment for DSL internet if you want convenience. Tech support is provided for as long as you rent. If the equipment stops working, your internet company replaces it, and there’s never a question that the equipment will work with your plan speed. That said, you’ll pay more over time than the upfront cost of buying equipment. Monthly rental fees may increase, and rented equipment must be returned if you terminate service or you’ll pay a fee.

How Do I Install Equipment for DSL Internet Service?

Self-installing equipment for DSL internet takes about 30 minutes and is the best choice for straightforward jobs that don’t involve putting in extra phone lines, phone jacks, or wall-mounted filters. Self-installing can be more convenient for busy people, as you don’t need to set aside time to meet with a technician. Plus, you save money: the fee for professional installation starts at $75 for one of our top-rated DSL providers. If you rent a modem, the internet provider may send a kit containing everything you need for installation.

Professional DSL installation is best if you have limited technical know-how, like the convenience of having someone take care of this task, and can set aside time to meet a technician at your home. It’s also best for more complex installation jobs. The technician can address any surprises that pop up and ensure the DSL internet is operating smoothly, and they may assist in setting up your email account. ISPs occasionally offer discounts for professional installation or may waive the fee.

DSL vs. Cable Internet

DSL internet is best for households with fewer people using the internet at the same time, who have fewer connected devices, and who's online activities depend less on high speed and low latency. DSL is a dedicated connection, which means it won’t slow down during peak internet use times.

Cable is the best choice for households with heavy internet use and where multiple people use the internet simultaneously. It’s also better for data-rich activities such as streaming high-definition video, playing real-time games, and video chatting. Cable is a shared connection, so its speed will slow when all the neighbors are online.

DSL vs. Fiber Internet

DSL is a good choice for households with light to moderate internet use. It supports a range of online activities, but fewer connected devices and simultaneous users of high-demand applications.

Fiber internet has more than double the average speed of DSL and a significantly lower latency (or delays). It is the best choice for households with multiple internet users, where one might be watching high-definition videos at the same time another is playing real-time multiplayer video games. Fiber internet supports multiple connected devices and telecommuters who video conference and share large files.

Other Internet Service Providers

Other Guides from 360 Reviews

Other Products to Consider

In addition to the companies in our rating of the Best Internet Service Providers, here are some others to consider:

How U.S. News Evaluated Internet Service Providers

We explain what matters when it comes to internet service by sourcing experts and professional reviewers. Then we provide an unbiased evaluation of internet service providers. Our goal is to empower consumers with the information and tools they need to make informed decisions. More information about our 360 Reviews methodology for evaluating internet service providers is here.