Hughesnet Internet Review: Hughesnet Plans, Prices, and Bundles

Hughesnet internet
HughesNet
  • $74.99–$109.99/mo.
  • 99% availability
  • 50–100Mbps speeds
  • Unlimited standard data
  • 200GB max priority data

🔥 Order now and receive a $100 Prepaid Card via rebate (terms apply). Offer expires 3/27/24.

*Offer not valid for 15GB plan. New residential subscribers only.

**Offer ends 3/27/24. $100 prepaid card via rebate applies to new Hughesnet residential subscribers only. Hughesnet equipment and service must be purchased or leased between 6/1/23 and 6/28/23 and must remain active for a minimum of 31 days to qualify. Card expires six months from date issued.


Mikayla Rivera
Jan 26, 2024
Icon Time To Read7 min read

Is Hughesnet good?

Hughesnet Internet is one of the three largest satellite internet providers, and it's our recommended choice because it offers above broadband speeds anywhere in the US. It also offers unlimited data—and either satellite-only plans or Hughesnet Fusion (satellite and wireless) plans that have lower latency and faster speeds.

In late 2023 Hughesnet’s internet services got a significant speed boost thanks to the launch of its newest satellite. Both its minimum and maximum download speeds doubled, putting Hughesnet’s service on par with Viasat and Starlink. With 50Mbps to 100Mbps, you’ll have more than enough speed for web browsing, social media, and video streaming. Check out more about Hughesnet plans below.

Hughesnet plans and pricing

Data plan
Price
Speed
Select$49.99/mo.Up to 50 Mbps
Elite$64.99/mo.Up to 100 Mbps
Fusion$79.99/mo.Up to 100 Mbps

Data as of 01/2/2024 Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Offer for 12 months. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra.

Hughesnet plans are divided up by Hughesnet internet services: Hughesnet (satellite) and Hughesnet Fusion.

Hughesnet plans offer satellite internet service at mostly the same speeds (the cheapest is 50Mbps, but all the rest are 100Mbps); Hughesnet's plans all have unlimited data, so the choice is mainly between a satellite plan or a Fusion plan.

Unlike Hughesnet satellite plans, the Hughesnet Fusion plan isn't available everywhere, but if you can get it, go for it. It's a bit more expensive but has more speed available. Plus, Hughesnet reviews agree that Fusion's combo of satellite internet and wireless internet makes the service more reliable.

Scroll down for the juicy details on Hughesnet’s prices, deals, and additional fees.

Enter your zip code to see all the best internet providers in your area.

Hughesnet prices

Hughesnet offers a $25 discount for its two satellite-only plans for the first 12 months. For the Fusion plan, Hughesnet offers a $30 discount for the first 12 months. After the first year of service, the monthly will revert to the regular amount.

Hughesnet’s new satellite, the Jupiter 3, has made the service the fastest and most reliable yet, so if you’re looking for its rural internet service, there’s never been a better time to sign up. Hughesnet offers both satellite-only and satellite and fixed-wireless combination internet plans.

Check out all of Hughesnet’s plans below:

Hughesnet satellite-only plans

Plan
Price
Speed
Priority Data
See more
Select$49.99/mo.Up to 50 Mbps100GB
Elite$64.99/mo.Up to 100 Mbps200GB

Hughesnet satellite-only plans are some of the cheapest among satellite internet providers, and they’re available to 99 percent of the US. They offer unlimited standard data on every plan, so select your plan based on how much speed you want and how much priority data you need.

Hughesnet Fusion plans

Plan
Price
Speed
Priority Data
Details
Fusion$109.99/mo.100Mbps200GB

Hughesnet Fusion is a winning combination of satellite and wireless signal technology. Because of this, it isn't available everywhere like Hughesnet satellite-only internet plans, but Fusion does offer lower latency and more reliable internet speeds than satellite-only.

Hughesnet business plans

Plan
Price
Speed
Priority Data
See more
Select Pro$84.99/mo.50Mbps100GB
Elite Pro$99.99/mo.100Mbps100GB
Fusion Pro$119.99/mo.100Mbps200GB

The exact Hughesnet business plans available to you depend on your area, but Hughesnet internet service itself is available to 99 percent of the USA, so you should be able to get Hughesnet service for your small business.

Just like its residential plans, Hughes offers a promotional price for the first 12 months of $25 off per month for Select Pro and Elite Pro and $30 off per month for Fusion Pro.

Enter your zip code to see all the best Hughesnet plans available in your area.

Hughesnet Voice and Internet bundles

Plan
Minutes
Price
Home Voice (24-month Commitment)Unlimited calls to US and Canada$29.95/mo.
Home Voice (No Commitment)Unlimited calls to US and Canada$39.95/mo.
International 200 (add-on)200 min. to 60 countries$9.95/mo.
International Unlimited (add-on)Unlimited calls to 60 countries$22.95/mo.

Hughesnet Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) service, or just Hughesnet Voice, is the company’s phone service option. You can bundle it easily with your Hughesnet internet service, though you won’t get a discount for combining them—just two great services and one convenient bill.

Hughesnet fees

Fee
Price
Hughesnet modem/router$14.99-$19.99/mo. with one-time $99.99 setup fee
Hughesnet installation feeFREE if you choose to lease equipment, OR an installation payment of $199.99 if you want to outright purchase the equipment
Hughesnet early termination feeUp to $400.00
Hughesnet unreturned equipment feeUp to $300.00 for Satellite-only plans($100.00 for the modem and power supply, $200.00 for radio transmitter) and $500 for Fusion plan
Hughesnet moving feeLeased equipment: $99.00 activation fee at new location
Purchased: $249.00 hardware fee and $199.00 installation fee at new location

When you start up with Hughesnet, you have the choice of leasing your equipment (modem, wifi router, and antenna) for a monthly fee on top of your bill. Alternatively, you can purchase the equipment for $299.99 for Satellite-only or $449.99 for Fusion. It’s a hefty sum including a $199.99 installation fee so we recommend leasing, but if you feel like you’ll be a Hughesnet user for the long haul, then you may save money.

Hughesnet fees are broken down primarily into equipment fees and early termination fees. Hughesnet moving fees are their own beast, but you don’t have a fee specifically for moving your service, just for activating your service in a new area. Check out our Transfer Hughesnet internet service guide for more details.

Hughesnet’s early termination fee (ETF) works like most other internet service providers across the industry. If you cancel before your installation, you’ll be refunded the whole amount paid so far.

If you cancel after installation and within the first 90 days of service, it’ll cost the full $400 to get out of your contract. If you cancel after the first 90 days, your early termination fee will cost $15 less for each month of service continued thereafter. Equipment needs to be returned in good condition within 45 days of cancellation to avoid additional fees.

You can also purchase Hughesnet data tokens for the prices above if you want more priority data in any given pay period.

For more on what fees to expect when signing up for Hughesnet, check out our Hughesnet installation page.

What satellite does Hughesnet use?

Hughesnet Internet uses geostationary (GEO) satellites, which are at a higher altitude than Starlink's low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Hughesnet's Jupiter 1 and Jupiter 2 GEO satellites don't offer the same low latency as LEO providers, but with the recent launch of its Jupiter 3 satellite, Hughesnet has been able to speed up its service significantly.

Hughesnet discounts

Deal
Details
Get it
$100.00 prepaid Mastercard via rebate*● Applies to new residential Hughesnet customers only.
● Offer valid only until 3/27/24
$25.00/mo. off a Hughesnet plan for the first 6 mos.** ● After 12 mos., plans revert to the standard monthly fee.
● New residential and business subscribers only.
Norton™ 360 Deluxe$5.99/mo for 5 devices or 6.99/mo for 10 devices. First month is free.***
*Get $25/mo. off a Hughesnet Select or Elite plan for the first 12 months. Get $30/mo off a Fusion Plan for the first 12 months.
 **Get a $100 prepaid Mastercard via rebate.
***After the first month, plans revert to the standard monthly fee.

For more, check out our guide to Hughesnet Deals.

Hughesnet speed test

Once you have your Hughesnet internet service up and running, run yourself a Hughesnet speed test below and see where your download speed, upload speed, and latency are clocking in at.

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Not fast enough?

For a better breakdown of what these numbers mean for your internet service and for the difference Hughesnet’s new Jupiter 3 satellite makes, read our Hughesnet speed test breakdown.

Hughesnet speeds

Hughesnet used to offer only 25Mbps download speed, but fortunately, Hughesnet gen 5 technology and the new Jupiter 3 satellite have made 100Mbps possible.

Still, we need to put an emphasis on the “up to” in “up to 100Mbps.” Like all internet providers, Hughesnet promises up to a certain speed measurement, but it’s possible and even likely your Mbps will drop below that level depending on your Hughesnet data usage, the weather’s effect on your satellite dish, and network congestion.

Is Hughesnet fast enough to stream TV?

Hughesnet offers up to 100Mbps, which is fast enough to stream TV. You need at least 5Mbps to stream TV consistently with most streaming services, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines high-speed broadband internet as 25Mbps.

If you want to stream a lot with Hughesnet, we suggest you keep your content on standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) max. Constant 4K streaming will put a strain on your internet and data.

Is 5G faster than Hughesnet?

5G internet can reach anywhere from 33Mbps to 1,000Mbps in some places and some providers, whereas Hughesnet plans top out at 100Mbps. So yeah, 5G internet is usually faster than Hughesnet satellite internet service, but it’s not nearly as widely available.

For more on 5G home internet, check out our T-Mobile Home Internet vs. Verizon Home Internet breakdown.

Hughesnet vs. Viasat

Provider
Monthly price
Speed
High-speed data
See more
Hughesnet$74.99–$109.99/mo.50-100Mbps100–200GB
Viasat$99.99–$119.99/mo.25–150MbpsUnlimited*

*After typical monthly usage, estimated to be 850GB per 30 days, download speeds may be deprioritized during times of network congestion. 

We’d suggest Hughesnet satellite plans for people in hard-to-reach areas who need a reliable way to access the web for less money. A steady stream of 100Mbps will let you email, scroll social media, browse the internet, and even do some SD streaming, especially if you get Hughesnet’s Fusion plan.

Viasat is for the person who wants faster speeds and lots of data—and who has the wallet room for both. Viasat is more expensive than Hughesnet, especially with its higher startup costs. However, Viasat does not require a two-year contract like Hughesnet does.

Both these satellite internet service providers have the widest availability among ISPs, so the likelihood is that, no matter where you are, you can get one of them. But not all Viasat plans are available in all areas, you’ll have to check which ones are available to you by calling a representative or by using your zip code on the website.

For a deeper dive into Hughesnet vs. Viasat internet service, check out our full Hughesnet vs. Viasat breakdown.

Enter your zip code to see all the best Hughesnet plans available in your area.

Hughesnet vs. Starlink

Provider
Monthly price
Speed
See more
Hughesnet$74.99–$109.99/mo.50–100Mbps
Starlink$120–$5000/mo. plus a one-time hardware fee of $599 or $2,50025–220Mbps

Hughesnet’s prices above are for its residential satellite-only and Fusion plans, while Starlink’s include its Residential, Business, and Mobility plans. Starlink’s pricing tiers are based on the amounts of priority data purchased. For a deeper breakdown of these satellite internet providers, check out our Hughesnet vs. Starlink review.

Enter your zip code to see all the best Hughesnet plans available in your area.

Hughesnet customer service

Hughesnet customer service can be reached using the Hughesnet phone number, Hughesnet email, or Hughesnet live chat, depending on your preference. Hughesnet live chat usually has a shorter waiting time than calling the Hughesnet phone number, and you should get a Hughesnet email response within 24 hours of sending a request.

For more details on Hughesnet technical support and customer support, check out our Hughesnet customer service guide.

Hughesnet offers an Express Repair Service. This add-on service means you’re a high-priority customer and a Hughesnet technician will get to you faster to make on-site repairs. It’s $8.99/mo for the basic plan which is two business days or $12.99/mo for the premium version which is one business day. Repairs cost a $24.99 fee. It’s a pricey service, but if you’re a business owner or someone who works from home who’s dependent on reliable internet, then it may be worth it.

If you’re specifically interested in moving your Hughesnet internet service to a new address, check out the Hughesnet section of our Transferring Internet Service guide.

Hughesnet phone number

Hugesnet’s phone number for customer service is 833-602-0507. You can call them for Hughesnet bill pay issues, to review your Hughesnet internet services, to help troubleshoot your Hughesnet internet, or even to upgrade your Hughesnet plan.

You can also contact Hughesnet customer service using the Hughesnet email and Hughesnet live chat mentioned above.

The truth about Hughesnet

Hughesnet is one of the top three satellite internet providers in the USA, and it offers the cheapest satellite service plans for the right amount of data that rivals its competitors. Hughesnet is a solid satellite provider that will allow you to use to stay connected in rural areas.

Hughesnet internet FAQ

Netflix recommends at least 5Mbps to stream its service. Hughesnet offers 50–100Mbps, so it’s certainly fast enough for Netflix (as long as you’re not experiencing weather issues or throttling). But you’ll want to consider whether you have enough Hughesnet data for the amount of Netflix you want to stream. If you stream in high definition, you may run through your data quickly.

You can use any streaming device with Hughesnet internet service, including Roku products.

As an internet service, Hughesnet internet service should work with any streaming service and device.

Heavy rain, strong winds, and deep snows can all interrupt your Hughesnet internet service. This is the same for most internet providers, but especially satellite internet providers. Try reading our How to Keep Snow off Satellite Dish guide to combat the snows during winter, at least.

Hughesnet offers its own modem and router combo for $14.99-$19.99 a month if you want to rent your equipment, but you can also purchase it outright. Normally we suggest a third party router for faster stats and cheaper prices in the long run, but Hughesnet, like other satellite internet providers, requires special satellite-enabled equipment to run. That said, Hughesnet’s router is your best and only option.

There are a few ways to boost your Hughesnet internet signal, like using a Wi-Fi extender if you’re losing reception in certain places in your house, upgrading to a large data plan if you’re experiencing throttling, or cleaning off your satellite dish if bad weather has affected it. For more options, check out our Hughesnet Troubleshooting guide.

For more Hughesnet internet details, check out our full Hughesnet FAQ.

Mikayla Rivera
Written by
Mikayla Rivera
Mikayla Rivera has worked as an editor for nine years on websites like Reviews.org, HowtoWatch.com, and CableTV.com. As someone who grew up with little to no internet access, she knows how vital it is for education, work, and even play. She’s now determined to help readers get reliable internet speeds, wherever they live. Her passion for internet accessibility, memes, and ethical marketing is rivaled only by her dedication to The Chicago Manual of Style. When Mikayla isn’t managing SatelliteInternet.com, she’s writing novels of her own.