We recommend Hughesnet because it has better prices and lets you roll over purchased data, unlike its satellite competitor, Viasat. Even if it's not super fast, Hughesnet's 50–100Mbps plans are plenty to search the web, pay bills, shop online, and even stream TV.
Both Hughesnet and Viasat offer unlimited standard data, but if you run through your allotted priority data you may experience major slowdowns, so those amounts are something to consider if you’re a heavy data user. Hughesnet’s biggest advantage is its availability and affordability. It’s often the only available internet connection in rural communities as an alternative to cable and DSL phone lines.
Hughesnet has two types of plans: Hughesnet satellite-only plans, which offer 50–100Mbps speeds, and Hughesnet Fusion plans, which offer a max of 100Mbps. 50Mbps isn't super fast, but its plans are more affordable than Viasat’s single plan, which starts at only 25Mbps in some areas for a higher price point—but features unlimited data.
Hughesnet Fusion's max 100Mbps speeds are supplemented by wireless technology, making it much more reliable than satellite-only in terms of your TV streaming and internet-using capacities. The drawbacks are that it’s the most expensive plan and it’s not available everywhere unlike the satellite-only plans.
But as long as you have a plan with enough data for your needs, Hughesnet internet speeds should support most online activities—barring multiplayer online gaming, 4K TV streaming, or tons of teleconferencing. Satellite internet generally has a hard time with these internet-heavy activities, especially with its higher latency and when weather interferes with the satellite connection.
We recommend Hughesnet for its availability and affordable prices, but Viasat has it beat when it comes to not having a priority data cap and a higher top speed of 150 Mbps. Just keep in mind that you’ll be paying a lot more for the extra room.
For more, check out our Viasat Internet Review.
Starlink has the best speeds and lowest latency of available satellite internet providers, and most rural internet options for that matter, but has the most expensive rates up-front equipment costs, not to mention it suffers from network congestion and has raised its prices every year. Also, while offering such high-priority data caps that it’s practically unlimited for most users, but can still throttle customers that use too much data.
Starlink’s satellite constellation is fully built out but is continually launching next-generation technology, so speeds could continue to increase and network congestion could balance out.
For now, keep in mind that in the next few years, Hughesnet and Starlink are continually improving their technology and launching new satellite systems that will deliver increased internet speeds, reduced latency, and more data to their customers.