Dial-Up Internet

Dial-up internet service providers

Camryn Smith

Edited By

Anine Sus

Last updated: April 24, 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.

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Key takeaways

Dial-up internet service via a phone line is mostly available in rural areas
Dial-up internet is only suitable for the most simple online tasks, since dial-up speeds are less than 1 Mbps
Dial-up internet plans are outdated and can’t handle most modern websites — you will have a better connection with virtually any other internet technology

Allconnect’s pick: NetZero

Our broadband experts recommend NetZero as our top dial-up provider. It offers one of the most affordable entry points to dial-up internet — choose from a free dial-up internet plan with 10 hours of monthly usage, or try their $29.95/mo. Accelerated Dial-up plan with unlimited usage. NetZero is best for very basic internet use (can support email and light browsing; does not support streaming video or audio) and offers rural households a way to stay connected when other broadband options are unavailable.

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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 here are likely to offer up to 56 Kbps. Some internet service providers, such as NetZero and Juno, offer accelerated dial-up speeds up to five times faster than basic dial-up, but at a higher price. Select a tab to learn more about which provider is ideal for your household. If you’re looking for other cheap internet options, click “View internet plans” to find what’s available in your area.

– 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

– 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

– 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 $29.95/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 04/24/26.

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How does dial-up internet work?

Dial-up internet uses a phone line to transmit data instead of voice; however, it is outdated and extremely slow, making it suitable only for basic use.

The amount of data that dial-up internet can transfer via the phone line is very limited.

Still, an estimated 163,400 people are still using dial-up internet, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data. If you’re searching for affordable internet near you, check out our guide to low-cost internet options, or enter your ZIP code to shop for available providers in your area.

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Does dial-up internet service still exist?

Yes, and with a phone line and the right equipment, you can likely get cheap 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

Dial up service vs. other internet types

If fiber, cable, satellite, 5G or DSL are available at your home, you are better off choosing one of these technologies, as they will all provide a better experience than dial-up.

Satellite internet is available virtually anywhere, but cable, fiber, 5G and DSL aren’t. Cable or 5G are the next most available internet connection types, while fiber still has limited availability outside of urban and suburban areas. DSL is still available in many rural areas, and generally delivers speeds between 25 and 100 Mbps.

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 plans are 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 audio 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). You may also not be able to view or download email attachments, or access sites with increased security, such as online banking.

If activities like telehealth visits, online shopping or banking, or the occasional YouTube video are important to you, try checking out other cheap internet providers that can support these tasks.

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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.