Satellite internet is the one broadband connection type currently available to people in the rural areas of all 50 states. Satellite internet involves linking a home internet modem to a satellite in space as a solid alternative for those without access to DSL, cable or fiber internet.
No, it doesn’t match the internet speed capabilities of fiber or cable connections. Still, 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?
What is the best satellite internet?
Frankly, there aren’t a lot of choices out there for satellite internet. Based on our analysis, we’ve deemed that Starlink boasts the greatest potential, Hughesnet features the most reliable speeds and Viasat’s new unlimited data plan could be very attractive to customers.
We know that many people in rural America lack adequate internet access. To ensure you’re getting the best broadband experience possible, we’ve carefully examined the available options, considering speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to put together your top internet options. Here’s 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
| Provider | Speed range | Starting monthly cost | Regular monthly cost | Contract | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Hughesnet Read full review |
50-100Mbps download, 5Mbps upload | $50-$95 | $75-$120 | 2 years | $15-$20 a month or $300-$450 one-time purchase | Unlimited,100-200GB (soft cap) | 6 |
|
Starlink Read full review |
25-220Mbps download, 5-20Mbps upload | $120; $140-$1,500 (Priority); $150-$5,000 (Mobile) | $120; $140-$1,500 (Priority); $150-$5,000 (Mobile) | None | $599 one-time purchase (or $2,500 for Priority) | Unlimited, 40GB-6TB (Priority) | 6.5 |
|
Viasat Read full review |
25-150Mbps download, 3Mbps upload | $150 | $150 | None | $15 or $250 one-time purchase | Unlimited, 850GB (soft cap) | 6.1 |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Best satellite internet service providers
20 – 250 Mbps
$90 – $120 per month
Our take – When eccentric billionaire Elon Musk isn’t garnering headlines for his tumultuous X antics, he’s making noteworthy progress with his company SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet project. This satellite provider is still in its early stages, but the early results shared by CNET’s own John Kim are promising.
20 – 250 Mbps
$90 – $120 per month
Starlink internet plans and prices
| Plan | Monthly price | Max speeds | Fees and service details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $120 | 25-100Mbps download, 5-20 upload | Standard unlimited data, $599 upfront equipment fee and no contracts |
| Priority | $140-$1,500 | 40-220Mbps download, 5-20 upload | 40GB-6TB data caps (standard unlimited data thereafter), $2,500 upfront equipment fee and no contracts |
| Mobile | $150 | 5-50Mbps download, 5-20 upload | Standard unlimited data, $599 upfront equipment fee and no contracts |
| Mobile Priority | $250-$5,000 | 40-220Mbps download, 5-20 upload | 50GB-5TB data caps (standard unlimited data thereafter), $2,500 upfront equipment fee and no contracts |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
$50 – $80 per month
Our take – Hughesnet’s new plans score strong points for its download speeds and consistency. Since Hughesnet launched its JUPITER 3 satellite into orbit in 2023, customers have seen speeds of up to 100Mbps. On top of that, Hughesnet is available to all customers in most 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.
$50 – $80 per month
Hughesnet internet plans and prices
| Plan | Monthly price | Max speeds | Fees and service details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Select Plan | $50 ($75 after 12 months) | 50Mbps download, 5Mbps upload | Unlimited data (100GB soft cap), $15 monthly equipment or $300 upfront and 2 year-contract | |
| Elite Plan | $65 ($90 after 12 months) | 100Mbps download, 5Mbps upload | Unlimited data (200GB soft cap), $15 monthly equipment or $300 upfront and 2-year contract | |
| Fusion Plan | $95 ($120 after 12 months) | 100Mbps download, 5Mbps upload | Unlimited data (200GB soft cap), $20 monthly equipment or $450 upfront and 2-year contract |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
12 – 150 Mbps
$70 – $300 per month
Our take – Viasat’s Unleashed all-in-one plan is changing how customers will experience its services. The plan is simple, straightforward and quite a change from the provider’s previous approach. Viasat introduced this plan early in March 2024, which features no annual term agreements. Only new Viasat customers in certain locations can be eligible for the no-contract plan. Check your location for serviceability.
12 – 150 Mbps
$70 – $300 per month
Viasat internet plans and prices
| Plan | Monthly price | Max speeds | Fees and service details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Viasat Unleashed Read full review |
$150 | 150Mbps, 3Mbps upload | Unlimited data (850GB soft cap), $15 monthly equipment or $250 upfront, and no contracts |
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How we test satellite internet providers
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
The answer to those questions is often layered and complex, but the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
How to choose a satellite internet provider
Finding the right ISP for your household is not easy. This is especially true if you live in a rural or underserved portion of the US. We recommend carefully considering your household’s activities so you can better determine the download and upload speeds necessary to meet your needs. With that knowledge, you can better tackle plan pricing that will fit your budget and broadband demands.
For more thorough tips on finding the top internet plan for your household, check out CNET’s 10 tips to help you get the most out of your internet service.
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. Just recently, SpaceX introduced Starlink Mini, a satellite dish best suited for customers on the go. This new product is an all-in-one mini satellite dish and router. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk conducted a speed test that showed download speeds of up to 100Mbps and 11.5Mbps in uploads for the Starlink Mini. In addition, in March of this year, Starlink announced that it’s been working towards reducing median latency for customers nationwide
According to Ookla speed test data from Q3 of 2023, the latest available, Starlink’s median download speed in the US was 64.54Mbps, which was a 13Mbps increase early last year. Viasat was in distant second place with 34.72Mbps download speeds and Hughesnet was in the rear at 15.87Mbps. Ookla’s report mentions that Starlink users highly recommend the service and are happy with its internet connectivity. It’s safe to say that expectations of how satellite internet can perform are beginning to change.
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 recent optical mesh network test in space showed possible reduced latency for customers.
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.
Are there any alternative connection types besides satellite internet?
Yes. Many broadband connection options may offer faster (and possibly cheaper) service than satellite internet.
Cable
Cable internet provides connection through the same cables (often a hybrid fiber and copper line) that providers use to provide TV services. It’s more reliable than satellite internet and offers faster download speeds. Most of the time, cable internet is bundled with TV to lure consumers into buying higher-priced packages. Companies like Cox, Spectrum and Xfinity offer cable internet.
DSL
DSL, or digital subscriber line, uses telephone lines to connect users. Companies like AT&T, CenturyLink and Frontier offer DSL Internet. The good news is those copper lines are prevalent across the country. The not-so-good news is that download speeds typically fall short of what cable internet offers. In some cases, your speeds might even be slower than satellite internet.
Fixed wireless/5G home internet
5G home internet and fixed wireless go hand-in-hand: 5G home internet services are fixed wireless internet services. Not all fixed wireless services are 5G home internet offerings. Are you confused yet? Fixed wireless service means the connection between your provider and home is not wired. That fixed wireless connection can come via cellular networks (including 3G, 4G, 4G LTE and 5G) and by satellite. Fixed wireless networks tend to be slower and more laggy than wired connections. The promise of 5G home internet — from Starry, T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet — is speeds that compare favorably to cable connections.
Fiber
Fiber internet is the gold standard of the broadband world. Often referred to as “future proof,” fiber internet offers some of the fastest plans available and features symmetrical download and upload speeds. It’s more reliable than cable and is less prone to being affected by peak usage times or congestion. Companies like AT&T, Google Fiber and Verizon Fios offer fiber-optic internet.
Mobile hotspots
Mobile hotspots also use cellular networks, similar to fixed wireless internet, but they are not “fixed.” You can use a hotspot at multiple locations and they aren’t dependent on your home address.
Despite the wide range of options available, each connection type varies in terms of availability, pricing and speeds. Make sure to research and compare the different options to ensure you choose the one that best meets your needs and budget.
Satellite internet FAQs
Is satellite internet reliable?
Satellite internet is a fairly reliable internet connection option for rural or less urbanized areas. It may come with slower speeds than cable and fiber internet providers, but it doesn’t rely on underground wiring like other connection types, which makes it accessible to more locations. On the flip side, bad weather can cause outages or spotty connections to a greater degree than other modes of broadband.
Who is satellite internet best for?
If you live in a remote or rural location, satellite internet may be your best (and possibly only) option for connection. It is the one type of broadband available to people in the rural areas of all 50 states, making it a solid option when other types of connectivity are simply unavailable.
How much does satellite internet cost?
The price of satellite internet can fluctuate based on where you’re located. If you’re in an area where providers are still developing, the price might be higher for connectivity. For Hughesnet, Viasat and Starlink, prices range from $50 to $5,000. In some cases, like Starlink, the monthly price can vary based on whether you’re in a high-demand or low-demand area. We recommend inputting your address on various providers’ websites to determine which will offer you the best value at your location.
Is Starlink better than Viasat?
Potentially, yes. If you’re a current user of Starlink internet service, you’re experiencing a broadband connection with higher maximum download and upload speeds than Viasat (220Mbps/20Mbps compared to 150Mbps/3Mbps). Starlink also has lower latency than Viasat (25-60ms vs. 450-700ms), making gaming and other online activities that require fast response times much more feasible on Starlink than Viasat.
Starlink also removed its waitlist throughout the country which can be seen from its coverage map. Potential customers can now access their products without waiting several months to receive their orders.
Depending on your chosen plan, Viasat is cheaper than Starlink. Viasat customers can expect to pay $150 monthly vs. $140 to $1,500 (Priority) and $150 to $5,000 (Mobile) at Starlink. Suppose you’re in a rural or underserved area with few options for internet connectivity. In that case, Viasat can get you connected and may be a cheaper alternative, whereas Starlink could be an option down the road.
Do all satellite internet providers have data caps?
Technically, Hughesnet and Viasat do not. Each claims to offer “unlimited data” because neither charges overage fees, but each has a set data limit for its plans. If you hit that data limit before your monthly billing cycle ends, there won’t be monetary penalties, but you will experience much slower, throttled speeds for the remainder of that month. Your data may not be capped, but I would call that practice limiting.
Starlink offers truly unlimited data to its standard users. That significant advantage over its competitors changed for some customers in April 2023 when Starlink introduced its own data cap for priority users. The limit is a sizable 6 terabytes of data per month (well above the data limits of Hughesnet and Viasat), but it’s still a significant change from unlimited data.
Is Starlink faster than Hughesnet?
Yes. Starlink customers can expect download speeds from 25Mbps to 220Mbps. CNET’s John Kim tested the service and experienced average download speeds of around 78Mbps; Ookla clocked its median download speed in early 2023 at 65Mbps.
Hughesnet, which relies on satellites in a much higher orbit than Starlink uses — which means data takes a little longer to travel back and forth — offers plans with maximum download speeds of 100Mbps. That’s not as fast as Viasat’s unleashed plan with speeds of 150Mbps, but both are no match for Starlink.
What is the best satellite internet for streaming?
Since streaming videos requires more bandwidth, the best satellite internet for streaming must have a high enough download speed to support the action. We recommend Starlink for streaming since the maximum download speeds are higher than Hughesnet and Viasat’s.
What is the best satellite internet for gaming?
With gaming, you’ll want a provider with lower latency. That means a shorter delay in your data getting to the game’s server and back — less lag. Hughesnet and Viasat admit their services are not great for gaming, but Starlink boasts of lower lag (due to the lower orbit of its satellites) and claims that gamers can successfully use its service. CNET’s own John Kim tried gaming using Starlink’s service and was pleasantly surprised.
Is satellite internet affected by weather?
Regular weather, like sunny, cloudy or rainy skies, shouldn’t impact your internet. Heavy thunderstorms or snow may cause interference with your signal and cause slower speeds or a temporary loss of connection. Even if the weather is fine at your location, it might not be where the satellite is located. Your internet service should return to normal as soon as the weather passes.
