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***Monthly Fee reflects the applied $5 savings for ACHⓘ enrollment. Enroll before the 2nd billing cycle for continued savings. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra.
***Monthly Fee reflects the applied $5 savings for ACHⓘ enrollment. Enroll before the 2nd billing cycle for continued savings. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra.
***Monthly Fee reflects the applied $5 savings for ACHⓘ enrollment. Enroll before the 2nd billing cycle for continued savings. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra.
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Compare the top satellite internet providers
Compare the speeds, prices and data of the best satellite internet providers that are available nationwide in the following table.
*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. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary.
Methodology
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2025. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.
Cheapest satellite plans
Cheapest satellite internet plan: The Hughesnet Select plan is $49.99/mo. for the first 12 months when you enroll in autopay. In month 13, the monthly Hughesnet price increases by $25/mo. — still cheaper than rival satellite internet providers Viasat and Starlink.
Next cheapest plan: Viasat Unleashed is $99/mo. in certain markets and offers more data and faster speeds than Hughesnet.
Satellite internet is not necessarily cheap internet, but economical options are available. Remember that monthly prices do not include equipment costs, which add an additional $14.99–$19.99/mo. for Hughesnet or Viasat.
High-speed satellite internet
Fastest satellite internet plan: The Starlink Residential plan reaches up to 250 Mbps download and 25 Mbps upload speed, depending on your area.
Next fastest plan: Viasat Unleashed maximum speed is usually 150 Mbps, based on your area.
A note about latency: Latency, a measurement of internet buffering and lag time, is much lower with Starlink than with Viasat. Measured in milliseconds (ms) (with a lower number being better), Starlink provides a latency between 30–40 ms, while Viasat’s typical latency is 605 ms.
Starlink’s plentiful low-orbit satellites enable the internet signal to travel a shorter distance, which is why it can provide better download and upload speeds and less latency than Hughesnet and Viasat.
Hughesnet internet plans
Plans:
Standard satellite starting at $49.99/mo.
Fusion (satellite/wireless hybrid technology) starting at $94.99/mo.
Speed: Hughesnet’s standard plans feature up to 100 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload speeds, with varying monthly prices depending on the data amount.
Data cap: Your Hughesnet internet service will not be shut off if you exceed your monthly data plan, but your internet will be throttled until the next month.
Contracts: All Hughesnet internet packages have a 24-month agreement, with an increase in price after 12 months and a prorated early termination fee (ETF) that starts at $400.
Equipment: The satellite dish, modem and router can be rented for $14.99/mo. or purchased for $449.99 ($19.99/mo. and $549.99 for Fusion).
Plan
Starting price*
Standard price
Download speeds
Data Amount
Select
$49.99/mo.
$74.99/mo.
Up to 50 Mbps
100 GB
Elite
$64.99/mo.
$89.99/mo.
Up to 100 Mbps
200 GB
Fusion
$94.99/mo.
$119.99/mo.
Up to 100 Mbps
200 GB
Disclaimer
*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. Video streaming services with minimum speed requirements may not operate properly. Monthly Fee reflects the applied $5 savings for ACH enrollment. Enroll before the 2nd billing cycle for continued savings. Save $25 per month for 12 months. Offer not valid on 15 GB plan. After 12 months, plans revert to the standard monthly fee. New residential subscribers only. Limited-time offer. Other terms may apply. Last updated 12/19/23.
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. $120 price point is sample of pricing in West Virginia. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of 11/09/23.
Plan: Viasat Unleashed, starting at $99.99/mo.,depending on area.
Speed: Up to 150 Mbps; actual speed determined by location.
Equipment: $15/mo. modem rental fee.
Installation: Professional installation is free for qualified customers; may cost $99.95 or more in certain instances.
Contracts & data: Viasat has no contracts; 850 GB monthly data threshold.
Plan
Starting price*
Standard price*
Download speeds (up to)
Data amount
Viasat Unleashed
$99.99–$119.99/mo.
$99.99–$119.99/mo.
150 Mbps
850 GB
Disclaimer
*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. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary.
While even the best satellite internet has some limitations compared to other internet providers, it is still an ideal Wi-Fi solution for rural or hard-to-reach areas.
Your online activities include general web browsing and limited streaming.
You need Wi-Fi for an RV or boat.
Satellite internet pros and cons
Pros
Good internet option for rural areas.
Internet signal available virtually everywhere.
Can provide Wi-Fi for boats and RVs.
Cons
Expensive installation and equipment.
Data thresholds and high latency.
Not suitable for most apartments/condos.
A common concern with satellite internet companies is speed and data restrictions. While data is technically unlimited, Hughesnet and Viasat specify data thresholds, after which speed throttling will occur. However, Starlink does not have a defined data cap.
Satellite internet availability
Satellite broadband has one thing that other types of internet connections do not: 100% availability. Most internet providers use cable, fiber-optic or copper lines to deliver the internet, but satellite doesn’t require hard-wired lines. Therefore, it can reach any location with a clear view of the southern sky, making it perfect for rural internet.
Satellite internet vs. other technology types
Satellite was once the only Wi-Fi in outlying residential communities, but fixed wireless and 5G have become increasingly available in rural areas. These connection types use radio towers to transmit the internet signal.
Pros and cons of fixed wireless internet:
Offers 78% nationwide availability.
Typically unlimited data, but speed throttling still common.
Can provide faster speeds than satellite, up to 1,000 Mbps in some areas.
Overall, if fiber, cable or 5G internet are available at your home, these are usually better options for home Wi-Fi. Compared to satellite, these connection types can supply faster speeds, greater reliability and unlimited data.
Satellite internet FAQs
Can you bundle satellite internet with TV?
Yes. You can bundle DirecTV with Viasat Internet or DISH TV with Hughesnet internet. Bundling internet and TV will combine both services into one monthly bill. Combine DISH TV and Hughesnet for $10/mo. discount for the first six months.
Does satellite internet have data caps?
Satellite internet has no hard data limits, so your internet will not be cut off for data use. However, your speed may be throttled after a certain amount of data usage as specified in your internet plan. If this happens, your download speed will be significantly slower and could make it difficult to carry out online activities such as streaming.
Can you stream on satellite internet?
Yes. You can stream on satellite internet, but you will use up your high-speed data quicker. Streaming in standard definition (SD) or downloading streaming content during off-peak hours (midnight to 5:00 a.m. for Viasat; 2:00–8:00 a.m. for Hughesnet) can help extend your monthly data. Starlink’s standard internet plan can support unlimited streaming.
Does satellite internet get affected by the weather?
Weather can affect satellite internet signals by creating a barrier between your home and the primary satellite. Light clouds or rain won’t affect the signal as much as storms and snow. Inclement weather may cause you to temporarily lose the satellite signal completely.
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Lisa Iscrupe is a senior writer helping readers understand the complexities of broadband, internet and other home services, including energy and renewable products. Her work appears on SaveOnEnergy.com and CNET.com, with national sources such as CNN, The Daily MBA and The Media Bulletin referencing her articles.
Hannah Whatley is an editor who enjoys collaborating with writers to offer readers the most relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information for their home purchases. She has previously edited for The Motley Fool, The Modest Wallet, Grammarly, JoinCake.com and SaveOnEnergy.com, gaining expertise in several industries. Hannah has a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State University. When she isn’t editing, she enjoys studying linguistics and languages.
