Best Business Satellite Internet

Cheapest
HughesNet
Hughesnet
  • Icon Yes  Light
    Starting at $84.99/mo.
  • pro
    Free installation
  • pro
    Nationwide availability
  • con
    Low priority data cap
Best overall
Viasat
Viasat
  • Icon Yes  Light
    Starting at $159.99/mo.
  • pro
    Speeds up to 150 Mbps
  • pro
    No contract
  • con
    High latency
Fastest
Starlink
Starlink
  • Icon Yes  Light
    Starting at $140.00/mo.
  • pro
    No contracts
  • pro
    Speeds up to 220 Mbps
  • con
    Upfront costs
Best for customizing
Skycasters logo
Skycasters
  • Icon Yes  Light
    Starting at $99.00/mo.
  • pro
    Highly customizable
  • pro
    Nationwide availability
  • con
    Hard data limits on all plans

Data effective 1/10/20. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.


Kristin Cooke
Feb 20, 2023
Icon Time To Read6 min read

Get small business internet with satellite

Our pick for the best business satellite internet provider is Viasat Business, thanks to its fast speeds and 96% availability rate. Starlink Business is a great second because of its high speeds and low latency--if you can get it. If you can't, better look instead at HughesNet, which can be a cost-effective solution for businesses with low data use.

Skycasters and Broad Sky Networks are satellite internet companies that utilize VSAT (very small aperture terminal) systems to deliver internet. VSAT isn’t for everyone—equipment starts around $2,000—but VSAT systems can be fully mobile in otherwise off-grid areas, which is just what some mining, government, and disaster response operations need.

What is the best satellite internet for business?

Provider
Connection type
Price*
Speed
Data cap
Learn more

Satellite

$159.99/mo.

Up to 150 Mbps

Unlimited†

Satellite

$84.99–$119.99/mo.

Up to 100 Mbps

100–200GB‡ (varies by plan)

Satellite

$140.00—$500.00/mo.

Up to 220 Mbps

60GB—2TB

Satellite and wireless

$99.00– $499.00/mo.§

Up to 20 Mbps

2 GB–8 GB, then by the gig (unlimited plans also available)

Satellite + 4G LTE

Starts at $200.00/mo.§

Up to 25 Mbps

Up to 500 GB

You can get internet for your small business, whatever its needs. But you want to go in knowing your data, equipment, customer service, price, and contractual needs. All business satellite internet companies tend to 

*Data current as of 3/1/2024. Prices and availability vary by location.

†If you reach your monthly data allotment (1000GB), your speeds may be reduced to 1 to 3 Mbps until the beginning of the next billing cycle.

‡Hughesnet has no hard data limits, so if you reach the monthly data allotment you will have uninterrupted data, but at reduced speeds (typically 1–3 Mbps).

§Price does not include VSAT equipment or installation fees, which start around $1,944.

Best overall: Viasat

viasat logo
Viasat
  • pro
    Unlimited data
  • pro
    Nationwide availability
  • pro
    No contract
  • con
    Maximum speed varies by location

*Even on unlimited plans, download speed will be slowed to 1-3 Mbps after reaching a monthly data allotment of 1000GB, depending on your plan.

Viasat has our vote as the best satellite internet for small businesses, thanks to its fast speeds. Speeding past any other satellite provider, Viasat offers download speeds up to 35 Mbps in most locations and up to 100 Mbps in select areas.

Viasat Business internet plans support a wide variety of businesses that are located off the beaten track—including furniture businesses, horse ranches, vineyards, guest lodges and hotels, and smart farms.

Viasat Unlimited Business

Plan
Speed and data
Price

Business Choice Unlimited

Up to 150Mbps and Unlimited high-speed data

$159.99/mo.

Business Backup

50Mbps and 50GB per month

$49.99/mo.

One of the things we like about Viasat is that it offers an Unlimited plan, which doesn’t have a hard data cap. Unlimited data doesn’t mean you can get as much full-speed data as you want every month. What it means is that if you reach your data allotment (1000GB) before the end of the month, you can keep using data at reduced speeds and at no additional cost. 

Cheapest: Hughesnet

HughesNet
HughesNet
  • pro
    No hard data limits
  • pro
    Nationwide availability
  • pro
    Contract-free options
  • pro
    Free standard installation
  • con
    Slower speeds than Viasat
  • con
    Confusing data allotment (data is split between daytime and evening use)

†Prices as of 2/13/2020. Requires 24 month agreement. *Even on unlimited plans, data will be slowed to 1-3 Mbps speeds after reaching monthly data allotment of priority data until the next billing cycle begins.

Hughesnet Business internet is a straightforward satellite provider with the most affordable starter internet plans. Hughesnet plans offer 50 to 100Mbps upload speeds and unlimited data. The only difference between plans is how much full-speed data you get before you’re slowed down after you hit the data cap.

Hughesnet small-business plans are good for people who run businesses in small towns or remote locations. Hughesnet can deliver a dependable internet connection if you need daily access to email, online research, VoIP, fax, video conferencing, and other common business activities but lack access to DSL, cable, or fiber internet providers. More information can be found in our Hughesnet Satellite Internet for Business Review

Hughesnet Business satellite internet plans

Plan
Speeds
Total data usage (per month)
Starting price (per month)

Select Pro

50Mbps

100GB

$84.99/mo.

Elite Pro

100Mbps

200GB

$99.99/mo.

Fusion Pro

100Mbps

200GB

$119.99/mo.

Speeds listed are for priority data. Once the monthly allotment of priority data is used up, download speeds will be slowed from 25 Mbps to 1–3 Mbps.

Although Hughesnet speeds aren’t as fast as Viasat, Hughesnet does offer unlimited data on all its plans. That means that after you reach your monthly allotment of priority data, you’ll be able to continue using the internet at reduced speeds—usually 1 to 3 Mbps—at no additional charge. So although sending emails might take a few seconds longer by the end of the month, you won’t ever run out of data or be stuck with a hefty bill for extra data charges.

Fastest: Starlink

Starlink
Starlink
  • pro
    Up to 220 Mbps
  • pro
    Low latency
  • pro
    No contracts
  • pro
    Easy self installation
  • con
    Limited availability
  • con
    High prices

Starlink Business offers robust 220 Mbps speeds to small businesses in rural areas with low latency and high data caps that are hard to resist. But you're definitely paying for the higher data cap and faster speeds. Starlink's Priority plans for business are $140—$500 per month, plus a $2,500 up-front equipment fee.

Plus, Starlink isn't available nearly as widely as Viasat and Hughesnet. Check to see if it's available in your area, and if it is, and you can afford it, we'd definitely recommend jumping on that high-speed internet opportunity for your business.  

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

Best for custom solutions: Skycasters

Skycasters logo
  • pro
    Highly customizable business internet solutions
  • pro
    Nationwide availability
  • pro
    Mobile options
  • con
    High price per GB
  • con
    Hard data limits on all plans
  • con
    Very expensive unlimited plans (up to $3,450/mo.)

†Prices as of 2/13/2020. Requires 24 month agreement.

Skycasters offers customized satellite internet services for remote or mobile businesses. Although pricey, Skycasters offers solutions for internet cafés and businesses in the oil, gas, and mining industries. Utilizing a combination of VSAT (very small aperture terminal) satellite internet and 3G fixed-wireless data, Skycasters delivers dependable internet to companies all over the US.

In addition to traditional satellite service received through equipment mounted on a building, it also offers fully mobile solutions that are used by mining companies and emergency services.

The cost for a Skycasters internet plan is prohibitive for most small businesses though—VSAT satellite dish equipment prices start around $1,400 with an $800 pole-mount installation fee.

Data cost is also quite high when compared to Viasat or HughesNet. You’ll pay $799 for 10 GB of data per month. (Gulp!) So, Skycasters definitely isn’t the solution for everybody. But if you are looking for reliable satellite internet for an oil mining operation, Skycasters might be just what you need.

Best for explorers: Broad Sky Networks

Broad Sky Networks logo
  • pro
    Long-range commercial internet solutions
  • pro
    International availability (coverage includes all of North and South America)
  • con
    High equipment cost (starting around $2,000)
  • con
    No unlimited data plans

†Prices as of 2/13/2020. Requires 24 month agreement.

Satellite internet service from Broad Sky Networks is widely available throughout the United States, including extremely remote areas. It’s often used in areas that have challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions.

Similar to Skycasters, Broad Sky offers satellite and wireless internet via VSAT technology (very small aperture terminal). Often utilized by scientists, explorers, sports teams, sailors, and vacationers, VSAT satellite dishes can be stationary or mobile.

The Broad Sky Networks satellite dish can be mounted on buildings, busses, vans, and boats. It’s expensive, though, requiring a big initial investment for custom VSAT equipment (starting at around $2,000). But, if you need a fully mobile and independent satellite internet system for a mobile laboratory or office, it could be just the ticket.

Our verdict: Most rural small businesses should go with Viasat.

Viasat Internet is our top choice for most rural or small-town businesses. With speeds up to 100 Mbps available in some areas, Viasat has the fastest satellite internet speeds in the industry, beating out HughesNet by a hefty 75 Mbps. Plus, Viasat has lower equipment costs than VSAT providers like Skycasters or Broad Sky Networks.

If you need satellite internet on a budget, we recommend HughesNet’s low data plans. We like the attractive price point of the Business 35—where else can you get business satellite internet for $69.99 per month? (Answer: nowhere.) You won't get much full-speed data with HughesNet's budget plan, but that's one way to prevent your employees from watching YouTube videos all day. ;-)

Business satellite internet FAQ

Can I get reliable internet in a rural area for a startup business?

If you have a startup business in a rural area, you can get reliable, cheap internet from Hughesnet Business, which gives you up to 200GB of monthly data at speeds up to 100Mbps for $119.99 per month. If you have a higher budget or heavier data needs, opt for Viasat Business Unlimited, which gives you unlimited data at speeds up to 150Mbps for $159.99 per month.

Can I use a VPN on satellite internet?

Using a VPN (virtual private network) with satellite internet can make your connection slower, and it isn’t usually recommended. Broad Sky recommends 4G LTE service for customers who need to use a VPN. Some providers, such as Viasat, offer specific recommendations for using a VPN, such as using SSL-based VPNs. If you must use a VPN, get a satellite plan with the fastest available speed.

Does the data cap with satellite internet count uploads and downloads?

Yes, data caps meter all data usage that's uploaded or downloaded on your satellite internet connection. So while streaming movies and downloading video games eats up a lot of data, so can uploading photos or videos to social media.

When can I get fast satellite internet from Starlink?

In mid to late 2020, Starlink (SpaceX) will be launching satellite internet service in parts of the US and Canada. Thanks to LEO (low-Earth orbit) satellites, Starlink has promised faster, better, and cheaper satellite internet service for rural areas.

How can I get satellite internet for my home?

You can get home satellite internet with Viasat or HughesNet. HughesNet has the lowest prices, while Viasat excels in delivering the fastest speeds. By 2021, you can start looking into next generation satellite service from Starlink and other companies entering the marketplace. To learn more about residential satellite internet in your area, visit our Satellite Providers page.

Kristin Cooke
Written by
Kristin Cooke
After graduating with a degree in English from the University of Utah, Kristin learned to geek speak while working as a technical recruiter, interviewing software developers and tech companies. For over 20 years, she has created award-winning content for technology, health, and finance companies. Kristin is an advocate for affordable internet for all and writes about rural internet solutions, satellite internet news, and tech products at SatelliteInternet.com. Her work has been featured in New York Post, PCMag, Forbes, Business Insider, Telecompetitor, Space.com, and The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.