NetZero
NetZero is a value-priced consumer internet service provider, founded in 1998 and operating as a subsidiary of United Online, delivering dial-up, DSL, mobile broadband, and VPN services to individual consumers across more than 6,500 cities in the United States and Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersWoodland Hills, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What NetZero does
NetZero is a value-priced consumer internet service provider founded in 1998 and headquartered in Westlake Village, California, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of United Online within the corporate group that also controls the Juno and MySite brands. The company delivers internet access services across more than 6,500 cities in the United States and Canada through direct-to-consumer channels (web, 1-800-NETZERO call center, and CD-ROM distribution). Its technology stack spans dial-up internet over telephone lines, accelerated dial-up branded as HiSpeed (advertised up to 5x faster over existing phone jacks without new hardware), DSL broadband, professionally installed TurboStream broadband with a 12-month commitment, and wireless mobile broadband. Network infrastructure for DSL, mobile broadband, and VPN services is sourced from third-party providers under partnership agreements, while NetZero controls the customer relationship, billing, and proprietary front-end such as the NetZero Message Center webmail, ZeroPort access tool, and Platinum Toolbar/Companion.
The company's business model is a freemium-plus-subscription hybrid. A free ad-supported dial-up tier (up to 10 hours per month) generates advertising revenue via cookies and web beacons used for behavioral targeting, while paid tiers include Platinum Internet at $11.95/month, HiSpeed at $14.95/month, and HiSpeed Premium at $20.95/month. Recurring subscription revenue is augmented by equipment rental/sales (modems, USB modems, hotspot devices), installation and setup fees, and an add-on catalog including Norton 360 security ($9.95/month), WiFi Security/VPN ($6.95/month), MegaMail enhanced email, and an Entertainment Pack ($7.95/month). NetZero Wholesale, branded NetZero Wireless, Inc., handles the wireless and VPN operations as a separate California-incorporated entity under the same parent.
Customer segments are horizontal and consumer-focused: individual budget-conscious users seeking affordable access (compared explicitly to AOL, EarthLink, and MSN at less than half the price), families needing multi-user access with parental controls, and users in areas with limited broadband options where dial-up remains functional. The company holds a registered trademark on the "NetZero" name and logo and maintains active web properties with copyright notices extending through 2026, but operates without disclosed funding events, named enterprise customers, or third-party AI/ML differentiation, reflecting a mature, niche-positioned consumer ISP within a legacy segment.
NetZero firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NetZero
- Legal name
- NetZero, Inc.
- Website
- http://www.netzero.net/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- NetZero is a value-priced consumer internet service provider, founded in 1998 and operating as a subsidiary of United Online, delivering dial-up, DSL, mobile broadband, and VPN services to individual consumers across more than 6,500 cities in the United States and Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NetZero industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Dial-Up and Broadband Internet Services
- NAICS
- Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171)
- SIC
- Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- DSL/Copper-Based ISPs (xDSL Retail Providers) (HDAIADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- DSL Broadband Providers (xDSL) (HDAIABAD), Wireless Networking Services (Wi‑Fi, Private LTE/5G) (BPAEAEAE)
Keywords
Where NetZero is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Woodland Hills
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
NetZero business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Subscription Internet Services: Monthly subscription fees for dial-up internet access services ranging from basic to premium tiers. Platinum Internet costs $11.95/month and HiSpeed costs $14.95/month. Revenue is recurring on a monthly basis with auto-renewal.
- Advertising Revenue: Free ad-supported service supported by targeted advertising. NetZero uses cookies and web beacons to deliver targeted advertisements based on user behavior and demographics.
- DSL and Broadband Services: DSL broadband and TurboStream services with monthly subscription fees, equipment rental charges, and installation fees.
- Mobile Broadband Services: Wireless mobile broadband services with free and paid plan options. Paid plans include data allocations that can be topped up.
- Equipment and Hardware Sales: Sale or rental of modems, routers, USB modems, and wireless hotspot devices for use with NetZero services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free Ad-Supported Dial-Up |
| Subscription | Monthly | Platinum Internet - $11.95/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | NetZero HiSpeed - $14.95/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | NetZero HiSpeed Premium - $20.95/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | DSL Broadband |
| Freemium | Monthly | Mobile Broadband Free |
| Subscription | Monthly | Norton 360 Security - $9.95/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | WiFi Security/VPN - $6.95/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Entertainment Pack - $7.95/month |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
NetZero product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NetZero provides value-priced consumer internet access services spanning free ad-supported dial-up (up to 10 hours/month), paid Platinum Internet ($11.95/month, no banner ads), accelerated HiSpeed dial-up ($14.95/month, up to 5x faster), DSL broadband, TurboStream higher-speed broadband with professional installation, and mobile broadband with free and paid plans. Coverage extends across more than 6,500 cities in the United States and Canada, with POP/web-based email, VPN, and add-on security and entertainment services layered on top of the core connectivity products.
Product overview
NetZero is a value-priced Internet Service Provider offering a portfolio of consumer internet access services centered on dial-up and broadband connectivity. The core offerings include free ad-supported dial-up, paid dial-up (Platinum Internet and HiSpeed accelerated), DSL broadband, TurboStream broadband, and mobile broadband. The company operates a modular product architecture where premium tiers build upon foundational services—HiSpeed includes Platinum, and broadband services bundle email and security features. Add-on services span email enhancement (MegaMail), security products (Norton 360, VPN), and entertainment (Games, Learning). Email access is provided through both the web-based Message Center and dedicated email programs. Services are available across more than 6,500 cities in the United States and Canada.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NetZero HiSpeed: Accelerated dial-up internet service delivering up to five times faster web surfing through existing phone jack.
- NetZero TurboStream
- Platinum Internet
- MegaMail
- ZeroPort
Products and services
- NetZero Platinum Internet Value-priced dial-up internet service for individual consumers offering ad-free connections, POP and web-based email, instant messaging compatibility, and access to search, news, sports, shopping, and financial services; priced at $11.95/month and marketed at less than half the cost of AOL, EarthLink, and MSN.
- NetZero HiSpeed Accelerated dial-up internet service for consumers delivering up to five times faster web surfing through existing phone jacks without additional hardware; includes Platinum benefits, pop-up blocker, no advertising banners, and personalized My NetZero Start page. Priced at $14.95/month, with a Premium unlimited variant at $20.95/month.
- Free Ad-Supported Dial-Up Internet Service Free dial-up internet service offering up to 10 hours per month of web access with POP and web-based email, supported by targeted banner advertising based on user behavior and demographics.
- NetZero DSL Broadband Digital Subscriber Line broadband internet service for consumers providing high-speed connectivity through telephone lines with various monthly plan options.
- NetZero TurboStream Higher-speed DSL broadband service for consumers including professional installation, a 12-month service commitment, setup and coordination fees, and equipment provided on a monthly rental basis.
- NetZero Mobile Broadband Wireless mobile broadband internet service offering free entry-level plans with limited data allocations on eligible equipment, plus paid top-up data plans for consumers needing mobile connectivity.
- WiFi Security (VPN) Virtual Private Network service for consumers providing secure WiFi connections and data protection, priced at $6.95/month.
- Norton 360 All-in-one cybersecurity subscription for consumers including multi-layered device protection, secure VPN, and identity theft protection, offered in partnership with Norton and priced at $9.95/month.
- MegaMail Premium email subscription service for NetZero users offering enhanced storage (approximately 1 GB), Junk Mail Filters, and Sort & Delete Settings, with a Plus upgrade option for additional storage and features.
- Entertainment Pack Monthly subscription bundle of games and entertainment content for NetZero subscribers, priced at $7.95/month.
Quantifiable outcome
- Available in over 6,500 cities across the United States and Canada
Companies that use NetZero
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
NetZero technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
NetZero partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Norton (Symantec)coreNetZero partners with Norton to offer Norton 360 security products to their customer base. NetZero markets Norton 360 as an add-on service with multi-layered device protection, VPN for secure connections, and identity theft protection. Customers can sign up by calling 1-800-NETZERO with first month free promotional offers.
- Third-Party Network Service ProviderscoreNetZero contracts with third-party providers for DSL broadband services, wireless mobile broadband services, and VPN services. These partners provide network infrastructure, equipment, installation services (including professional installation for TurboStream), and billing/provisioning services.
- United OnlinecoreNetZero is a subsidiary of United Online, Inc. (NASDAQ: UNTD). United Online provides corporate infrastructure, investor relations, and shared services including Juno brand operations.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
NetZero competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- EarthLink: EarthLink is a direct peer — a US-based consumer and business ISP offering dial-up, DSL, fiber, and fixed wireless services. Like NetZero, EarthLink has a dial-up heritage and serves budget-conscious and rural consumers, making it the most directly comparable value-priced ISP.
- PeoplePC: PeoplePC is a value-priced dial-up and DSL ISP targeting similar budget-conscious consumer segments. It shares the legacy dial-up business model and serves an overlapping niche.
- Juno: Juno is a sister brand under United Online offering dial-up internet and email services — a direct peer sharing the same parent, customer segment, and dial-up/ISP business model.
Emerging players
- Viasat: Viasat is a satellite internet provider competing for rural and remote US broadband customers — the same segment NetZero targets with dial-up and DSL in geographies where terrestrial broadband is limited.
- HughesNet: HughesNet provides satellite-based internet primarily to rural and underserved US consumers — an alternative connectivity solution for the same budget-conscious, rural customer segment NetZero serves via dial-up and DSL.
Broad incumbents
- AT&T Internet: AT&T is a major US ISP offering DSL, fiber, and mobile broadband. It competes with NetZero in DSL and mobile broadband segments, though at much greater scale and broader coverage.
- T-Mobile Home Internet: T-Mobile's 5G home internet service competes directly with NetZero's mobile broadband offering in budget-conscious and rural segments, with the major advantage of owning the underlying wireless network.
- Frontier Communications: Frontier is a DSL and fiber broadband provider with strong rural and suburban US coverage, competing directly with NetZero's DSL offering in the value-priced broadband segment.
- Lumen Technologies (CenturyLink): Lumen operates the CenturyLink residential DSL and fiber ISP business, competing directly with NetZero's DSL broadband offerings in many of the same geographies.
- AOL (Yahoo): AOL was NetZero's primary dial-up era competitor and is named explicitly as a higher-priced benchmark. Now part of Yahoo/Apollo, AOL still operates dial-up and email services, making it a closely comparable legacy ISP.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
NetZero social profiles
Digital presenceNetZero financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NetZero leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
NetZero subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
NetZero funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NetZero M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NetZero
What does NetZero do?
NetZero provides value-priced consumer internet access services spanning free ad-supported dial-up (up to 10 hours/month), paid Platinum Internet ($11.95/month, no banner ads), accelerated HiSpeed dial-up ($14.95/month, up to 5x faster), DSL broadband, TurboStream higher-speed broadband with professional installation, and mobile broadband with free and paid plans. Coverage extends across more than 6,500 cities in the United States and Canada, with POP/web-based email, VPN, and add-on security and entertainment services layered on top of the core connectivity products.
Is NetZero a public or private company?
NetZero is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was NetZero founded?
NetZero was founded in 1998. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is NetZero based?
NetZero is headquartered in Woodland Hills, United States, in the North America region.
How does NetZero make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Subscription Internet Services are the primary driver. The others are advertising Revenue, DSL and Broadband Services, mobile Broadband Services and equipment and Hardware Sales.
Who are NetZero's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are EarthLink, PeoplePC and Juno. Emerging players are Viasat and HughesNet. Broad incumbents are AT&T Internet, T-Mobile Home Internet, Frontier Communications, Lumen Technologies (CenturyLink) and AOL (Yahoo).
Does NetZero have an API?
No public API is recorded for NetZero.
What industry is NetZero in?
NetZero's product category is Dial-Up and Broadband Internet Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIADAG, DSL/Copper-Based ISPs (xDSL Retail Providers), with a secondary code of HDAIABAD, DSL Broadband Providers (xDSL). Its NAICS code is 517111 and its SIC code is 4813.