Dial-Up Internet

Dial-up internet service providers

Camryn Smith

Edited By

Robin Layton

Last updated: March 23, 2026

Dial-up internet is still available in some rural areas, but it doesn’t support streaming or other high-speed internet activities. Our broadband experts break down the best options for you.

Advertising Disclosure

View internet plans available near you

Allconnect strives to connect customers to the right internet services for their homes. While we may earn a commission from our partners, our provider reviews are our own and partners do not direct our editorial policy or coverage. Read our advertiser policy and learn how Allconnect works, including how we make money.

Advertising Disclosure

Key takeaways

Dial-up internet service via a phone line is available in mostly rural areas
Dial-up speeds top out at less than 1 Mbps
Dial-up internet is outdated and can’t handle most modern technology

Allconnect’s pick: NetZero

Our broadband experts chose NetZero as our top dial-up provider because it offers one of the most affordable entry points for dial-up internet. With a free plan for limited monthly usage and a low-cost paid option under $12.00/mo., NetZero offers an alternative way for rural households or occasional internet users to stay connected when other broadband options are unavailable.

Enter your ZIP to see if other cheap ISPs are available to you

Top dial-up internet providers

There are still a few companies that offer dial-up internet, but the speeds will be very low compared to modern connections.

The dial-up services listed below are likely to offer up to 56 Kbps. Some internet service providers, such as NetZero and Juno, offer accelerated dial-up speeds up to 5 times faster than basic dial-up, but at a higher price. If you’re looking for other cheap internet options, click “View internet plans” below to see what’s available in your area.

NetZero

Best for: Rural users who need a very low-cost internet option for basic tasks like email or light browsing

Not ideal for: Households that want to stream video, game online or run multiple devices

Juno

Best for: Budget-conscious users who want free or low-cost dial-up service for occasional internet access

Not ideal for: Users who want to use streaming platforms or cloud services

DSL Extreme

Best for: Users looking for an inexpensive dial-up option with straightforward monthly pricing

Not ideal for: Households that need faster broadband for work, gaming or streaming

Provider	Starting price*
NetZero	Free (up to 10 hours/mo.) or $11.95/mo.
Juno	Free (up to 10 hours/mo.) or $29.95/mo. for accelerated
DSL Extreme	$9.95/mo.

*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. Speeds may vary. Updated as of 03/23/26.

View internet plans

How does dial-up internet work?

Dial-up internet is an outdated and slow type of connection that uses a phone line.

Dial-up internet works by taking over the signal of an existing phone line and changing it from communicating voice to communicating data. The amount of data that dial-up internet can transfer via the phone line is very limited.

According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, an estimated 163,400 people are still using dial-up internet. Check out our guide to low-cost internet options, or click the button below to shop available providers in your area.

View internet plans

Does dial-up internet service still exist?

Yes, and with a phone line and the right equipment, you can likely get dial-up internet in your area. Though most people wonder when dial-up internet was phased out, it’s still a great option for those living in rural areas without access to cable or fiber internet and who do not want satellite internet.

Pros and cons of dial-up internet

Dial-up internet is cheap and readily available, but is it any good? Here are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing this connection type.

What we like

Availability – Since most homes have access to phone lines, dial-up is widely available
Price – Monthly costs for dial-up are generally cheaper than broadband service
Security – Dial-up service uses different IP addresses each time you log on, which is an extra layer of protection against hackers

Things to consider

Speed – Dial-up speeds top out at less than 1 Mbps, and broadband internet is at least 100 Mbps
Setup – Although dial-up uses phone lines, you will also need a specialized dial-up modem and other equipment, which could be hard to find
Load timeouts – Dial-up speed can’t keep up with today’s internet technology
Phone line use – Dial-up ties up your phone line, preventing you from sending or receiving calls when you’re online

Enter your ZIP code to view internet plans available near you

Dial up service vs. other internet types

Fiber, cable, satellite, 5G and DSL are the other available internet technology options, with cable and fiber being the fastest.

Apart from satellite internet, cable, fiber, 5G and DSL aren’t available everywhere. Cable is the most widely available behind satellite, but fiber still has limited availability. 5G is a solid choice if you live near cell towers, but DSL delivers the slowest speeds besides dial-up.

Connection type	Download speed range	Upload speed range	Starting price	Availability
Dial-up	Up to 56 Kbps	8 Kbps	$9.95/mo.	4%
5G	20 – 1,000 Mbps	10 – 50 Mbps	$30.00/mo.	Varies
Fiber	30 – 8,000 Mbps	30 – 8,000 Mbps	$29.99/mo.	46%
Cable	25 – 3,000 Mbps	10 – 50 Mbps	$19.99/mo.	82%
Satellite	15 – 350 Mbps	At least 3 Mbps	$49.99/mo.	100%
DSL	Up to 100 Mbps	5 – 35 Mbps	$39.99/mo.	80%

Who is dial-up internet best for?

Dial-up internet is best as a last resort for rural residents or someone who doesn’t access the internet beyond occasionally checking email.

With a range of 40 to 50 Kbps, you will not be able to stream shows or play games with a dial-up connection, especially with streaming services recommending a minimum of 3 Mbps for standard definition (SD) and 5 Mbps for high definition (HD).

Check out other cheap internet providers and compare the most affordable options.

The future of dial-up

Dial-up services will not expand in the future, but it most likely won’t disappear anytime soon. The rural and unserviced areas that need broadband do rely on it.

Dial-up internet is often used by some business or personal customers as an internet backup in case of a cable, satellite or fiber outage.

DSL is the next level of internet connection above dial-up, but it is also being phased out by ISPs, replaced by cable, fiber and 5G.

AOL was a popular dial-up service that stopped providing internet in September 2025.

Dial-up internet FAQs

Can I send or receive phone calls with dial-up internet?

Not when you’re logged in. Dial-up internet uses the phone line while you’re online, preventing you from sending or receiving phone calls. You can, however, use your phone when not using your internet service.

How fast is dial-up internet?

Dial-up internet can offer speeds up to around 56 kilobits per second (Kbps). Most internet service providers measure speed by megabits per second (Mbps). 1 Mbps is equivalent to to 1,000 Kbps. 56 Kbps equals 0.056 Mbps, which is many times slower than speeds you’ll get with other types of internet.

Can I stream TV or music with dial-up internet?

Not likely. The speeds you get with dial-up internet aren’t fast enough for an enjoyable experience. A dial-up connection can, however, give you enough speed to download music as long as you download songs one at a time.

Why does dial-up internet make that noise?

That’s the sound of your dial-up modem connecting with the network. The first few sounds you hear are the dial tone and dialing. Once your modem makes a connection, the remaining sounds you hear are your modem communicating with the network to determine connection quality and speeds.