Fiber internet vs DSL internet
Deciding between fiber internet and DSL is mainly a question of speed—fiber packages tend to start at DSL’s maximum speed. Fiber is also more reliable and generally more cost-effective than DSL. Unfortunately, it’s not nearly as available—many rural customers won’t have to worry about which is better because DSL is all that’s available.
That said, if you do have a choice, fiber almost always offers more speed for the same or less money, and we highly recommend it. Read on for all the details.
Fiber internet vs DSL: pros and cons
Fiber
- Fast speeds
- Symmetrical speeds—uploads equal to downloads
- Highly reliable
- Excellent speed-to-price ratio
- Somewhat limited availability
DSL
- Wide availability
- Simple installation (usually)
- Slow maximum speeds
- Expensive for the speed you get
Is fiber internet better than DSL?
Yes—in almost all cases, fiber internet is a better option than DSL. We don’t normally give such a cut-and-dried statement, but there’s really no way around it here. There may be a few (very) niche situations where available DSL plans beat available fiber options, but these would be pretty rare.
There are a few reasons for this, but they all come back to the technology. Fiber internet uses fiber optic cables—long, thin strands of ultra-pure glass that transmit light signals. DSL, on the other hand, relies primarily on old-school phone lines to transmit data. In practice, this means that fiber lines can carry a lot more data over much longer distances without losing signal strength.
For the consumer, this means that fiber internet (usually) offers faster speeds (up to 10 Gbps) at better prices than any other type of internet service. DSL, on the other hand, has max speeds of around 100 Mbps and is often rather expensive for what you get.
What’s the difference between fiber and DSL internet?
Speed
The single largest difference between fiber and DSL is speed. Fiber plans commonly offer speeds up to 1 Gbps, with providers like AT&T offering speeds up to 5 Gbps. DSL, on the other hand, tops out at around 100 Mbps. That’s a drastic difference.
To put that into perspective, 1 Gbps is enough for a full household of HD streaming and video calls, while 100 Mbps will likely struggle with more than a single HD stream (keep in mind, these advertised speeds are theoretical maximums—real-world performance is often worse).
Additionally, these are only download speeds we’re talking about. Many fiber providers also offer what’s known as symmetrical speeds—upload speeds equal to download speeds. So the 1 Gbps fiber plan may well have 1 Gbps upload speeds, which is fantastic for sharing media and large files and makes video calls much smoother. DSL doesn’t have the bandwidth for this—typical upload speeds for DSL are 10 Mbps or less.
Price
You would think that the faster speeds of fiber would come with higher prices attached, but this isn’t the case. Fiber is almost always less money for equivalent speeds. A 100 Mbps DSL plan and a 300 Mbps fiber plan are likely to cost the same amount—for example, AT&T’s 100 Mbps DSL service is about $50 per month, but for the same price, you can get Verizon Fios’s 300 Mbps fiber internet. That’s kind of a no-brainer.
Reliability
Fiber is generally more reliable than other types of internet, including DSL. It’s less prone to slowdowns as a result of congestion and heavy use, and it’s also less prone to interference from bad weather or other signal disturbances. This extra reliability is largely due to the technology used—the fiber optic cables can transfer enormous amounts of data with very little signal loss.
Availability
Perhaps the one area where DSL wins out is availability. Although fiber is growing, it’s still available in limited areas. Additionally, some of the best providers—Verizon Fios and Google Fiber—operate in very small markets.
DSL, on the other hand, is pretty much everywhere. This is mainly because it’s built on an existing technology—phone lines. If you only have one type of internet available in your area, there’s a good chance it’s DSL.
Best fiber internet providers
- Competitive fiber plans
- Solid customer support
- Excellent reliability
- Expensive installation fees
- Few TV bundling options
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers
AT&T
AT&T is our pick for the best fiber provider, thanks to exceptionally fast speeds, reasonable pricing, and a solid customer service experience. The fastest AT&T plans reach up to 5 Gbps, which is more than enough for pretty much any size family or use case.
- Reliable, symmetrical speeds
- No contracts
- Limited availability
- No plan above 1 gig
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply.
Verizon Fios
Verizon Fios is another excellent pick, with fast speeds, great customer service, and affordable pricing. There are no contracts with Verizon plans, and the provider guarantees prices for up to four years. Verizon tops out at 1 Gbps, which should be plenty for most users (though admittedly, less than competing providers).
- Fast, reliable speeds
- Affordably priced
- Super-simple plan selection
- Limited availability
- No budget plans
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply.
Google Fiber
Google Fiber is known for its affordable prices, fast speeds, and simple billing. Google lets you know well in advance of any price changes, and with only two plans and very few fees, you always know what you’re getting. The main downside is a lack of a true budget plan.
Best DSL internet providers
- Good rural coverage
- No data caps
- No contracts
- Limited fiber availability
- So-so customer service
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers
Windstream
Windstream is our best DSL internet provider. It's cheaper than most other DSL providers and offers at least 25 Mbps in more places too. On top of that, you get unlimited data and you can lock in your price for a year—without having to sign a contract. However, if top-notch customer service is important to you, Windstream might not be your best option.
- Unlimited data across all plans
- Fast fiber connections in select markets
- No contracts
- Limited fiber availability
- Much slower DSL internet speeds
- Below-average customer service
Disclaimer: Availability and pricing are subject to location. Conditions apply. For offer details, view disclaimers
CenturyLink
CenturyLink is one of the most widely available DSL providers, particularly in rural areas. In fact, it has coverage in 36 states, making it one of the most widespread ISPs of any type. Speeds offered range from less than 25 Mbps up to 100 Mbps, depending largely on location.
- Well-priced fiber plans
- Fast speeds
- No data caps
- Limited fiber availability
- Some customer complaints
Disclaimer: Subject to availability. Cannot be combined with other offers. Other restrictions, Frontier policies and service terms apply. For a list of terms, view disclaimers
Frontier
Frontier is quite similar to CenturyLink in terms of available DSL speeds and coverage. However, we rate Frontier higher in customer experience, which may be enough to sway you in its direction. Depending on where you live, we generally recommend going with the provider that offers the best deal.
Frequently asked questions
Why is DSL more expensive than fiber?
DSL is sometimes more expensive than fiber for two reasons: first, fiber lines are so much more efficient at carrying data that internet service providers can afford to charge less for a given speed. Second, areas where DSL is popular tend to have fewer options for internet, and this slower market can inflate prices.
What is the main advantage of fiber over DSL?
Speed is the main advantage of fiber over DSL internet. Fiber is significantly faster, with maximum speeds up to 10 Gbps, whereas DSL caps out at about 100 Mbps. Fiber also offers much faster upload speeds on most plans, and (as if that’s not enough) tends to be more reliable.
Is DSL still used?
DSL remains widely available, particularly in rural areas. This is because it operates over phone lines, which are present basically everywhere. Fiber, on the other hand, needs a new type of line to be installed and run to homes, which is expensive for internet providers.
Dave Schafer is a freelance writer with a passion for making technical concepts easy for anyone to understand. He’s been covering the world of gadgets, tech, and the internet for over 8 years, with a particular focus on TV and internet service providers. When he’s not writing, Dave can be found playing guitar or camping with his family and golden retriever, Rosie.
Bri Field has a background in academia, research writing, and brand marketing. She has edited scientific publications, conference papers, digital content, and technical communications. As Assigning Editor, she enjoys ensuring all content is accurate, clear, and helpful. In her free time, you can find her in the kitchen trying a new recipe, out on a hike, or working through her massive TBR list.