DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) delivers high-speed internet through existing telephone lines, offering a big upgrade from older dial-up connections. With speeds up to 100 Mbps, it’s much faster than dial-up and doesn’t block your phone line. Because it uses existing infrastructure, DSL is widely available and remains one of the most affordable broadband options.
While DSL can meet basic broadband needs (25 Mbps or higher), it’s slower than cable or fiber, making it better suited for everyday tasks like browsing, emailing, and online bill payments rather than heavy streaming or gaming.
Many internet service providers are phasing out DSL, and some no longer accept new customers. However, it still serves millions of users reliably and will remain a valuable option in many areas as the US continues to upgrade its internet networks.

With download speeds exceeding 1,000 Mbps, cable internet is among the fastest options available in the US. Using the same infrastructure as cable TV, it’s accessible to about 88% of Americans through more than 200 providers nationwide. This mix of speed and availability makes cable internet a practical choice for many households.
The main drawback is slower upload speeds compared to fiber. However, for most users, this isn’t a major concern since everyday activities—like streaming, browsing, and downloading—rely more on download speed than upload speed.
Cable internet outperforms DSL and satellite in both speed and reliability, and it’s often easier to find in your area than fiber. If you already have cable TV lines, installation is usually quick and simple, with many providers offering easy self-install options.
Check out our DSL vs. Cable and Fiber vs. Cable guides to see if cable internet is the right fit for you, or explore our full comparison of internet types for a broader overview.

Fiber internet is a high-speed broadband connection that uses light signals through fiber-optic cables to deliver multi-gigabit upload and download speeds. It’s the fastest, most reliable internet available, with most plans offering transparent pricing and Wi-Fi equipment included. While fiber now reaches over half of U.S. households, it’s still harder to access in rural or underserved areas.
With the lowest latency of any internet type, fiber is ideal for gaming, video conferencing, and other real-time activities. It’s also the only technology with symmetrical speeds—uploads are just as fast as downloads—making it perfect for remote work, HD streaming, content creation, and live game streaming.
In fact, fiber’s reliability is so trusted that it forms the backbone of the global internet, connecting continents through massive undersea fiber-optic cables. If it’s good enough for the world’s digital infrastructure, it’s certainly the best choice for powering your home connection.

Satellite internet connects your home to the web using signals from an orbiting satellite, making it available almost anywhere in the country—especially in rural areas without DSL, cable, or fiber access. Instead of relying on ground cables, a small satellite dish installed on or near your home sends and receives the signal. Leading providers include Viasat, Hughesnet, and newer entrants like Starlink.
Most satellites are positioned in geostationary orbit (GSO), staying fixed over one spot in the sky. In the U.S. and other parts of the northern hemisphere, satellite internet works almost anywhere with a clear view of the southern sky.
Low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites operate much closer to Earth and move quickly across the horizon, requiring large networks of satellites for uninterrupted coverage. Some providers, like Hughesnet, are also testing hybrid satellite-and-wireless solutions to combine the wide reach of GSO satellites with faster, more responsive performance.

Mobile wireless—also known as mobile broadband—connects you to the internet through a network of cell towers, using 4G or 5G signals. These radio waves carry everything from calls and texts to streaming videos and browsing data, all without the need for cables.
Nearly every American uses mobile wireless daily. In fact, over half rely solely on their cell phones for communication, and one in five depend on their mobile plans for internet access. While smartphones are the most common way to connect, many providers also offer mobile hotspots, letting you create your own portable Wi-Fi network wherever you go.