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3.9

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: May 26th, 2023

For almost two decades Net Zero has been bringing their customers a variety of internet service options. Currently, they offer internet networks through two different technologies: dial-up, and DSL broadband. They also offer customers phone, and entertainment services to go along with the internet networks. Their service area and customer base have grown exponentially. This can be attributed in part to their reliability, and time in the industry. NetZero's positive reputation has led them to continually give their customers the same positive experience.

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The Bad

  • Slow Speeds
  • Lack of Transparency

Slow Download Speeds

The internet is used for many different needs daily, most uses require accessing content from the internet. That type of use requires fast downloading speeds. This is why many customers are concerned with the speeds that are available through their internet service provider. This is also why potential customers might be disappointed with the speeds available through NetZero's networks.

Each specific location has a different speed possible, so there are no guarantees for any customer. If the customer decides to use the DSL broadband network, the highest speed the customer can receive is 6 Mbps, which is extremely slow across the industry. Most other internet service providers offer speeds that are much higher than that to meet the customer's' needs, some speeds as high as 1 Gbps.

Lack of Transparency

NetZero's website is lacking a great deal of information that we use to rank companies in this industry. Some of the information we would like to see is uploading speeds, if contracts are required, state availability, and data limits. Not only does it make it difficult for us to rank them, it makes it difficult for customers who are shopping around for internet services.

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The Bottom Line

The technologies used by NetZero (dial-up, and DSL broadband) to provide their internet networks are becoming outdated. It can be difficult to compare the service packages offered by NetZero to packages offered through other internet service providers. One of the major drawbacks of these service packages is that the speeds available do not match up to their competitors.

NetZero's speeds vary depending on the exact location, but only go up to 6 Mbps. That is a very low top speed in the industry. However, the prices for all of the packages are very low and reasonable. Customers will definitely be able to fit that cost into any budget. NetZero also gives their customers some extra bonuses such as free protection software. Because of the lacking information and low speeds, we cannot recommend NetZero's services at this time.

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Star Rating

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2.4

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13 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

15%

4 grade

8%

3 grade

23%

2 grade

8%

1 grade

46%

Sentiment Criteria

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Quality

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david milster City of Saint Peters, MO

I've been using Netzero Email for over 20 years. I recently experienced a technical problem with the email service and posted to their tech support for help. This resulted in over 50 emails back and forth and the problem is STILL NOT RESOLVED. Their tech support must either be an automated computer generated response looking for keywords in the message I send them or their tech support people cannot READ. EG: They ask me to perform the steps that create the problem and provide screenshots. THEN I do that and send them. They respond that it doesn't do it on their end and ask me to do the EXACT same thing I just sent them. I tell them that it doesn't matter whether I'm on my OLD XP machine, or my WIN 10 desktop or my WIN 10 laptop. They ask me to try a different computer... DUH! That's three computers that do the same thing AND the laptop does it no matter what WIFI I'm connected to so that rules out my firewall and internet provider doesn't it.

6 years ago

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david milster City of Saint Peters, MO

I've been using Netzero Email for over 20 years. I recently experienced a technical problem with the email service and posted to their tech support for help. This resulted in over 50 emails back and forth and the problem is STILL NOT RESOLVED. Their tech support must either be an automated computer generated response looking for keywords in the message I send them or their tech support people cannot READ. EG: They ask me to perform the steps that create the problem and provide screenshots. THEN I do that and send them. They respond that it doesn't do it on their end and ask me to do the EXACT same thing I just sent them. I tell them that it doesn't matter whether I'm on my OLD XP machine, or my WIN 10 desktop or my WIN 10 laptop. They ask me to try a different computer... DUH! That's three computers that do the same thing AND the laptop does it no matter what WIFI I'm connected to so that rules out my firewall and internet provider doesn't it.

6 years ago

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Jennifer Ogden, UT

Overall just OK. The service seemed to be slow at times but the price was probably a good indicator that it would be slower. I found the technician pleasant and polite. If you don't have any great needs for fast internet they might be a good option but otherwise I would go with another provider.

4 years ago

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Doyal Stewart Salt Lake City, UT

I had Netzero a long time ago, it was extremely slow, and did not compare with the others. It was the cheapest option at the time and it was when I didn't need the internet for very much. Boy, has that changed! I'm surprised they are still around.

6 years ago

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Kristin Melrose, MA

Was one of the first Internet providers I ever used. Terrible lengthy connection process and absolute spammed my home mailbox with those CD ROMs back in the day. I know that's ancient but it still left a bad taste in my mouth to this day.

10 months ago

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Bridget Walker New York, NY

NetZero is an average internet provider. I personally needed more than they had to offer. But it is great for someone needing basic service.

1 year ago

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James Tuttle Kingman, AZ

When I did use there service It was great. Very affordable . A Tad slow but reliable .

1 year ago

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Cynthia Carman American Fork, UT

It's been a while since I have had this internet provider, but at the time it worked well for my family's needs.

4 years ago

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Jess Root Gilbert, AZ

It was very cheap, but the ads were annoying and it wasn't even the cheapest. Reasonably reliable connection

5 years ago

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Peter Erickson Newton, NC

Netzero is a poor service. All advertisement and very little service to get on to my email. PBE.. .

7 years ago

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You Dallas, TX

Friendly customer service and reasonable prices

1 year ago

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Kate Gregory Pleasant Grove, UT

NetZero was the worst internet company ever, although ee really shouldn't have expected a lot at that low cost.

4 years ago

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Jack

I bought netzero Hotspot for $80 they just stopped the service!? Not reliable at all.

7 years ago