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Dial-up internet service providers

By Camryn Smith Last updated: October 29, 2024

Dial-up internet is still available in some rural areas, but it doesn’t support streaming or other high-speed internet activities.

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How does dial-up internet work?

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, which results in low speeds that do not qualify as broadband.

Despite dial-up internet’s slow speeds, about 375,000 people were still using dial-up in 2023, thanks to its high availability and relatively low price. If availability and price are also your concerns when shopping for internet, we can help you find the internet plan that’s right for you. Check out our guide to low-cost internet options, or click the button below to shop 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 dial-up internet in your area. It’s a great option for those living in rural areas without access to cable or fiber internet and do not want satellite internet.

Top dial-up internet providers

*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. As of 10/29/24.

The dial-up services listed above are likely to offer up to 56 Kbps. Some of these internet providers, such as NetZero and Juno, offer accelerated dial-up speeds up to five times faster than basic dial-up internet, but for 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.

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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 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 DSL 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

Who is dial-up internet best for?

To most, dial-up internet feels more like a throwback technology than a viable option for internet service. However, for those who only use the internet sparingly in their home or for those in rural areas that lack good internet options, dial-up is still an attractive option, especially because of its lower prices. If all you need for internet access is to check your email once a day, then dial-up internet may be the service for you. Check out other cheap internet providers and compare the most affordable options.

Alternatives to dial-up internet

Fiber, cable, satellite, 5G and DSL are the other internet technology options you can explore if you decide dial-up isn’t for you. It’s important to understand that apart from satellite internet, these internet types 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 cellular towers, but DSL delivers the slowest speeds besides dial-up, and many providers have begun to phase out DSL service. 

Always enter your address when searching for a dial-up alternative to find out what’s available at your home.

Dial-up internet vs. other connection types

There are various alternatives to dial-up internet, but they will most likely cost you more per month. The bright side is that each offers faster speeds than dial-up. You can use the internet for streaming and working from home on as little as 100 Mbps in a small household.

For many Americans living in rural parts of the country, satellite internet, DSL and dial-up are their only options for internet service. Although dial-up internet is considerably less expensive than satellite internet, it is not a better alternative for most consumers who only have these two choices. It only reaches about 56 Kbps, which isn’t enough to properly load most modern websites, so checking email might be the extent of your internet activity.

Satellite internet offers considerably faster speeds than dial-up internet and allows consumers to use the internet for popular activities like streaming videos. However, it generally has high latency and low speeds compared to cable and fiber, which are the fastest and most reliable types of internet available.

DSL internet also uses your home phone line to carry the signal to a modem in your home that converts the signals to internet service, but DSL speeds also lack in comparison to cable and fiber. 5G internet is a newer technology that uses cellular towers to deliver internet. It can be a suitable alternative to dial-up since it provides speeds up to 1,000 Mbps but again lags compared to cable and fiber reliability.

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.

Both transmit data via phone lines, but DSL uses a digital subscriber line, which allows for more data to flow and doesn’t tie up the phone line. DSL does share many of the benefits of dial-up internet, such as availability and price.

Dial-up internet can offer speeds up to around 56 kilobits per second (Kbps). Most internet 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.

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.

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.

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Camryn Smith

Written by:

Camryn Smith

Camryn Smith Writer I since July 2022 About Camryn: Camryn Smith started writing for Allconnect in 2022 and has developed broadband expertise across the landscape, including home internet providers, plans, p… Read more

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