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After extensive research, we determined that Viasat and HughesNet® are the top two satellite internet providers of this year. Between their speeds and availability in rural areas, each has an impressive list of features that cater to anyone who leans toward satellite internet. Go with Viasat if speed is a priority for you. Choose HughesNet if you want a less expensive plan with the option for bonus data.
Our Picks |  |  |
Download Speeds Up To | 25 Mbps | 12 Mbps – 100 Mbps |
Starting Price | $44.99/mo. | $49.99/mo. – $149.99/mo. |
Equipment Rental | $14.99/mo. | $12.99/mo. |
Contract Required | Yes | Yes |
| 844-543-6293 | 855-339-3045 |
Our Picks | | |
Download Speeds Up To | 25 Mbps | 12 Mbps – 100 Mbps |
Starting Price | $44.99/mo. | $49.99/mo. – $149.99/mo. |
Equipment Rental | $14.99/mo. | $12.99/mo. |
Contract Required | Yes | Yes |
| 844-543-6293 | 855-339-3045 |
Our Picks | |
Download Speeds Up To | 25 Mbps |
Starting Price | $44.99/mo. |
Equipment Rental | $14.99/mo. |
Contract Required | Yes |
Our Picks | |
Download Speeds Up To | 12 Mbps – 100 Mbps |
Starting Price | $49.99/mo. – $149.99/mo. |
Equipment Rental | $12.99/mo. |
Contract Required | Yes |
*$49.99/mo. for first 3 months in select areas. Viasat Offer Details. Pricing, speeds, offers, and availability vary by service address and are subject to change at any time. Additional fees, taxes, and terms may apply. As of 12/15/21.
HughesNet Gen5 is a top choice for satellite internet, available in all 50 states. Offering robust internet solutions for residential customers, HughesNet is a reliable option for anyone looking to connect. Learn more about HughesNet below.
Have a professional install your equipment for free for a limited time when you lease your equipment through HughesNet.
Each HughesNet modem comes with WiFi built in, so you can connect your devices and stream from anywhere in your home.
None of HughesNet’s plans have hard data limits. Say goodbye to overage fees and have peace of mind about your next billing cycle.
All HughesNet Gen5 plans come with 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds, so you can live where you love and still stay connected.
50 GB/mo. bonus data for off-peak hours (2 am-8 am)
Cheaper than Viasat for same Mbps
Built-in WiFi for greater home coverage
No hard data caps
Low upload speeds
Difficult connection for gamers
Promotional price increases after first 6 months
For a limited time, new HughesNet internet customers can get 6 months of Norton 360 Deluxe on up to 5 devices for free§. Norton 360 helps protect users with features like parental control, dark web monitoring, and a password manager. Subscription will increase by $5.99 per month thereafter.
After 6 months, Norton 360 Deluxe 5 Devices plan reverts to $5.99/mo. Restrictions may apply. Offer void where prohibited. Offer ends 3/30/22.
HughesNet is a dedicated high-speed internet solution for households across the US. Learn more about HughesNet’s satellite internet packages and additional features on our HughesNet provider page.
Free standard installation applies to new Lease subscribers only. Not valid with Purchase option. Limited-time offer. The HughesNet Gen5 service plans are designed to deliver download speeds of 25 Mbps and upload speeds of 3 Mbps, but individual customers may experience different speeds at different times of the day. Speeds and uninterrupted use are not guaranteed and may vary based on a variety of factors including: the configuration of your computer, the number of concurrent users, network or Internet congestion, the capabilities and content of the websites you are accessing, network management practices as deemed necessary, and other factors. When you connect to the HughesNet service using Wi-Fi, your experience will vary based on your proximity to the Wi-Fi source and the strength of the signal. If you exceed your monthly plan data, you will experience reduced speeds, typically 1-3 Mbps, until the next billing cycle.
Viasat is a satellite internet provider in the United States that offers internet to remote locations across the country. Leveraging its satellite network, Viasat internet is prevalent among the most underserved rural communities where fiber and cable aren’t accessible. Learn more about Viasat below.
Say goodbye to data caps and have peace of mind knowing you won’t have slower speeds or overage fees.
Depending on your location, Viasat has satellite internet packages that offer up to 100 Mbps of speed.
Lock in your introductory rate for two years with Viasat’s price-lock feature.
Viasat gives you options for your data use and video resolution, all while providing a plan that fits your needs.
Speeds 3x faster than traditional DSL†
Unlimited standard data*
Great value for money
No fees for overusing data
Promotional price increases after first 3 months
3 Mbps upload speed
Can be pricey
Viasat goes above and beyond when it comes to their satellite internet speeds. Learn more about Viasat’s satellite internet packages and additional features on our Viasat provider page.
†Depending on the specific unlimited data service plan available at your location, after you use the following amount of data, we may prioritize your data behind other customers during network congestion, which will result in slower speeds: Basic 12 (15 GB), Bronze 12 (35 GB, 40 GB or 80 GB, depending on your specific plan); Silver 12 (45 GB); Gold 12 (65 GB); Bronze 25 (35 GB); Silver 25 (60 GB, 100 GB or 120 GB depending on your specific plan); Gold 30 (100 GB or 200 GB depending on your specific plan); Gold 50 (100 GB or 200 GB depending on your specific plan); Platinum 30 (150 GB), Platinum 50 (150 GB) and Platinum 100 (150 GB or 300 GB depending on your specific plan). Streaming video quality is “up to,” will vary and is not guaranteed. See Unlimited Data Policy for details.
Between hidden fees and price hikes, finding the right internet plan can feel overwhelming. To help with your search, our team of internet experts evaluates ISPs on categories including performance, affordability, and customer satisfaction to provide you with the best options near you.
Satellite internet is a wireless connection that uses space technology to send and receive data. Internet signal is transmitted between 3 different satellite dishes. One is set up at an internet provider’s main hub, one is set up on a residential property, and one in outer space. Satellite internet is available virtually anywhere in the US, but it is subject to unreliability at times due to bad weather or equipment. Satellite providers can offer high-speed internet ranging from 25-100 Mbps, which is best suited for suburban and rural areas.
It’s no secret that the pandemic has sped up the need for broader internet access nationwide. With the number of people working from home on the rise, tech giants like Elon Musk are creating low-earth-orbit internet satellite providers like Starlink. The low-orbit satellites decrease latency for consumers, meaning the signal for video calls and remote work/learning will be much stronger in rural areas.
DSL internet and satellite internet deliver comparable speeds. Both can offer speeds up to 100 Mbps, however, DSL is usually more reliable than satellite for its grounded wire technology. Satellite internet is susceptible to service interruptions due to bad weather or faulty equipment, while DSL runs along grounded telephone lines that are protected from the elements.
If you decide to go with satellite internet, you may be able to get speeds from 25 Mbps to 150 Mbps in speeds. These speeds can support low to moderate internet usage like web browsing and occasional streaming. However, everyone’s needs are unique. The internet speed you need will depend on your lifestyle.
Where available, Viasat offers the fastest satellite internet speeds with download speeds up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds up to 3 Mbps. However, in some areas, Viasat only offers speeds up to 12 Mbps.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX venture recently launched the Beta Program for its LEO satellite company, Starlink. It’s a new satellite technology that uses low-Earth-orbit satellites to deliver faster internet speeds to residential customers than traditional satellite technology can.
Right now, customers are able to receive anywhere from 50-150 Mbps depending on how far they are from satellites in the sky. However, once fully deployed, Starlink is anticipated to offer equal download and upload speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps. That’s unheard of for satellite internet like HughesNet and Viasat.
