HughesNet – Best satellite internet provider for reliable speeds
- Prices from $50 – $150 per month
- Speeds from 25Mbps
- No hard data cap
Viasat – Best satellite internet provider for versatility of plans
- Prices from $70 – $300 per month
- Speeds from 12 – 150Mbps
- No hard data cap
Starlink – Best potential among satellite internet providers
- Prices from $20 – $80 per month
- Speeds from 20 – 250Mbp
- 1TB data limit
Elon Musk’s Starlink is the satellite internet service provider that’s been grabbing the majority of headlines lately, whether unveiling internet services for private jets or partnering with T-Mobile to help provide greater cellular connectivity across the US. But Musk’s ISP is just one small part of the picture.
We know that many in rural America lack adequate internet access. There’s disagreement on the exact numbers, but a growing number agrees the US has work to do to increase and expand its internet infrastructure. The good news? The White House aims to make our internet connections less expensive by partnering ISPs with the government’s Affordable Connectivity Program.
In the meantime, satellite internet is the one broadband connection type currently available to people in the rural areas of all 50 states. No, it doesn’t match the internet speed capabilities of fiber or cable connections. But satellite broadband can play a key role when internet access is vital (and the pandemic shed light on just how critical it is). Which of the satellite internet providers is best?
Frankly, there aren’t many choices out there. But here’s what you’ll find when you explore satellite internet access, starting with a quick look at how the best satellite internet providers compare.
Read more: Could 5G Home Internet Be the Answer to Your Broadband Needs?
Satellite internet providers comparison
| HughesNet | Starlink | Viasat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max speeds | 25Mbps download, 3Mbps upload | 25-220Mbps download, 5-20Mbps upload | 12-150Mbps download, 3Mbps upload |
| Lowest monthly cost | $50-$150 | $90-$120; $250-$1,500 (Priority) | $50-$300 |
| Regular monthly rate | $65-$175 | $90-$120; $250-$1,500 (Priority) | $70-$400 |
| Contract | 2 years | None | 2 years |
| Monthly equipment costs | $15 or $350 one-time purchase | $599 one-time purchase (or $2,500 for Priority) | $15 or $300 one-time purchase |
| Data allowance | 15-200GB | Unlimited; 1-6TB (Priority) | 60-500GB |
Show more (1 item)
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Let’s dig a little deeper to see what each satellite internet provider brings to the table.
Best satellite internet providers
HughesNet
Best satellite internet provider for reliable speeds
Product details
Price range $50 – $150 per month Speed range 25Mbps Connection Satellite Highlights No hard data cap, nationwide availability
HughesNet scores strong points for its download speed consistency. Whereas other satellite internet providers’ speeds might vary from location to location, HughesNet’s max download speed — though not as fast on the top end as others — is available to all customers in all remote areas. Moreover, a Federal Communications Commission report on broadband (the last time HughesNet participated in the FCC study) noted that HughesNet fared best among all participating providers for delivering actual median download speed at 150% or higher of the advertised speed.
Things to consider? While HughesNet has no hard data limits, you’ll find its speeds reduced to 1 to 3 megabits per second once you hit your monthly data allowance. HughesNet also came up short in J.D. Power’s US Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study, landing in last place in the South region for overall customer satisfaction.
HughesNet satellite internet plans and prices
| HughesNet Fusion | HughesNet Fusion | HughesNet Fusion | HughesNet Fusion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max speeds | 25Mbps download, 3Mbps upload | 25Mbps download, 3Mbps upload | 25Mbps download, 3Mbps upload | 25Mbps download, 3Mbps upload |
| Starting monthly cost | $65 | $50 | $75 | $150 |
| Regular monthly rate (after six months) | $65 | $75 | $100 | $175 |
| Contract | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Data allowance | 15GB | 30GB | 100GB | 200GB |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Viasat
Best satellite internet provider for versatility of plans
Product details
Price range $70 – $300 per month Speed range 12 – 150Mbps Connection Satellite Highlights No hard data cap, nationwide availability
Viasat satellite internet lets you choose an internet plan that best fits your needs. Those internet service plans include some slower than you’ll find with HughesNet and several faster. Packages also come with more data — up to 500GB — though, similar to HughesNet, you may find your data “deprioritized” if you exceed your monthly data allowance.
Viasat swerved in 2022 when it came to equipment. It used to be the case that Viasat didn’t allow you to buy equipment. That might have seemed like a bonus when you consider that HughesNet charges $350 if you want to buy your gear (which includes installation costs), and Starlink devices cost $599. But that also meant you couldn’t avoid the additional monthly equipment rental fee of $15. But now, you can buy your Viasat equipment for a one-time purchase of $300, cheaper than its rivals.
Viasat satellite internet plans and prices (not available in all markets)
| Choice 25 | Choice 50 | Choice 75 | Choice 100 | Choice 125 | Choice 150 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max speeds | 25Mbps download, 3Mbps upload | 50Mbps download, 3Mbps upload | 75Mbps download, 3Mbps upload | 100Mbps download, 3Mbps upload | 125Mbps download, 3Mbps upload | 150Mbps download, 3Mbps upload |
| Starting monthly cost | $70 | $90 | $150 | $200 | $300 | $300 |
| Regular monthly rate (after 3 months) | $100 | $150 | $200 | $300 | $400 | $400 |
| Contract | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Data allowance | 40GB | 60GB | 100GB | 150GB | 300GB | 500GB |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Starlink
Best potential among satellite internet providers
Product details
Price range $20 – $80 per month Speed range 20 – 250Mbp Connection Satellite Highlights 1TB data limit, no term contract, low latency
When eccentric billionaire Elon Musk isn’t garnering headlines for his tumultuous Twitter antics, he’s making noteworthy progress with his company SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet project. Granted, this satellite provider is still in its early stages — there’s a waiting list at present and currently just over 500,000 active users across the globe — but the early results, as shared by CNET’s own John Kim, are promising.
First, at 25 to 220Mbps, the max download speeds are higher than HughesNet and Viasat’s. It also features a latency of between 25 and 50 milliseconds, compared to HughesNet and Viasat’s more typical range of 450 to 700ms.
Second, Starlink keeps things simple by going with only two satellite internet plans — Starlink Standard and Starlink Priority. The Priority tier offers a different satellite dish and equipment for higher download speeds but comes at a heftier price.
Lastly, while the equipment fee of $599 — and a whopping $2,500 for Starlink Priority — are steeper than those charged by HughesNet or Viasat, Starlink does not require a two-year contract. Though standard users get unlimited data, it did institute a still-generous 1TB cap in April (up to 6TB if you spend $1,500 monthly) for priority users, after which their speeds will be throttled until the end of the billing cycle. Once you consider the decent upload speed, these are considerable upgrades for anyone stuck with satellite internet. Those facts could undoubtedly change as Starlink grows, but they’re intriguing aspects of the pitch that could help set it apart from the competition.
Starlink satellite internet plans and prices
| Plan | Max speeds | Starting monthly cost | Regular monthly rate | Contract | Data allowance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starlink Standard | 100Mbps download, 15Mbps upload | $90-$120 | $90-$120 | None | Unlimited standard data |
| Starlink Priority | 250Mbps download, 30Mbps upload | $250-$1500 | $250-$1500 | None | 1-6TB |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Watch this: Testing Out SpaceX Starlink Satellite Internet
What’s next for satellite internet providers?
Stay tuned to CNET for the latest developments with Starlink as it presses further into its plans and aims to expand its coverage.
According to Ookla speed test data from Q3 of 2022, Starlink was a clear winner as the fastest satellite provider on average. Its median download speed in the US was 53Mbps, while Viasat was a distant second place with 28Mbps download speeds. HughesNet brought up the rear at 21Mbps download speed. It’s safe to say that Starlink is beginning to change expectations of how satellite internet can perform. Indeed, HughesNet recently revealed plans to get its speeds up to 50 and 100Mbps before the end of the year.
It should also be mentioned that further disruption may come from another multibillionaire, Jeff Bezos, as Amazon’s Project Kuiper also aims to enter the field. While nowhere near the stage that Starlink has achieved thus far, Project Kuiper did turn some heads when its prototype delivered speeds up to 400Mbps in some iterations.
Innovations from low Earth orbit satellites will be just one piece of the puzzle of better delivering the internet to the millions of households still unable to find a reliable broadband source. We’ll keep this post updated as your options (hopefully) improve.
Satellite internet provider FAQs
Is Starlink better than Viasat?
Do all satellite internet providers have data caps?
Will Starlink be faster than HughesNet?
Best Satellite Internet Providers for 2023 – CNET
Source: Media Star Philippines
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