Best Satellite Internet Provider of 2024

If you live in a rural area, a mountain community, on a ranch, or anywhere beyond the reach of cable and fiber, satellite internet may be your best path to fast, reliable connectivity. And in 2026, satellite internet is better than it"s ever been.

Starlink has 10 million+ subscribers worldwide and continues to deliver shockingly faster speeds and lower latency than traditional satellite providers. Viasat has dropped its contract requirement and now offers unlimited data (seriously!). Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) is launching a residential service in late 2026, introducing the first true competition to Elon Musk"s Starlink in the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite market.

Satellite internet speeds range from 12 Mbps to 350 Mbps, with plans starting around $40 per month. The best satellite internet provider right now is Starlink. At CompareInternet.com, we help you compare internet providers, including satellite, fiber, cable, fixed wireless, and DSL, so you can find the best internet plan for your location and budget.

Below, we cover everything you need to know about satellite internet in 2026: how it works, who the top providers are, what it costs, and how to choose the right plan.

What Is Satellite Internet?

Satellite internet is a wireless internet connection that transmits data as radio signals between a small satellite dish at your home, a network of satellites orbiting Earth, and a ground station operated by your internet service provider (ISP). Because it doesn"t rely on cables, wires, or cell towers, satellite internet can reach virtually any location in the United States, including the most rural and remote areas where no other internet type is available.

There are two types of satellite internet technology in use today. Traditional geostationary (GEO) satellite providers like Viasat and HughesNet use satellites positioned approximately 22,000 miles above Earth. These satellites provide broad, reliable coverage but produce higher latency (typically 600+ milliseconds) because the signal travels such a great distance. Low-Earth orbit (LEO) providers like Starlink use constellations of thousands of smaller satellites orbiting just 340 miles above the surface. LEO satellites deliver significantly faster speeds and much lower latency (typically 25–60 milliseconds), making them suitable for activities like video calling and online gaming that were previously impractical on satellite internet.

Satellite internet plans in 2026 range from 12 Mbps to 350 Mbps in speed, and from $40 to $200+ per month in price. Availability is nearly universal; Viasat covers 100% of the U.S., while Starlink covers approximately 99%.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Satellite Internet

Benefits

Available almost everywhere

This is the defining advantage of satellite internet. If you live in a rural or remote area where fiber, cable, and fixed wireless aren"t options, satellite internet can get you connected. All you need is a clear view of the sky.

Constantly improving technology

Satellite internet has improved drastically in the past few years. Starlink"s LEO constellation has pushed download speeds above 200 Mbps in many areas, with latency low enough to support video conferencing and online gaming. Viasat"s ViaSat-3 satellite is expanding capacity. And Amazon Leo is preparing to enter the market in 2026.

No ground infrastructure required

Satellite doesn"t depend on underground cables or utility poles. This makes it resilient during natural disasters and ideal for RVs, boats, and off-grid living. Starlink even has dedicated plans for nomads to stay connected while on the go.

Drawbacks

Higher latency than wired connections

Regardless of the provider you use, satellite latency will be higher than with any other connection type. Starlink"s LEO network has a latency of 25–60 ms, compared to under 10 ms for fiber. GEO providers like Viasat and HughesNet have a latency of 600+ ms, which makes real-time gaming and video calls feel impossible.

Data caps and deprioritization

HughesNet limits priority data to 100–200 GB per month. Starlink deprioritizes users who exceed their plan"s priority data allotment. Only Viasat"s Unleashed plan offers truly unrestricted unlimited data.

Weather sensitivity

Heavy rain, snow, or dense cloud cover can temporarily degrade satellite signal quality, especially for GEO providers. Disruptions are usually brief but noticeable.

Higher cost than wired alternatives

Satellite internet plans tend to cost more per Mbps than fiber or cable. Starlink also requires a high upfront equipment purchase ($349–$599).

Best Satellite Internet Providers of 2026

The satellite internet market is more competitive in 2026 than at any point in its history. Starlink"s explosive growth, Viasat"s contract-free unlimited plans, and Amazon Leo"s imminent launch are all reshaping the industry.

Viasat

Plans: 2

Starting at: $39.99/month for 50 Mbps

Top Speed: 150 Mbps

Latency: 600+ ms

Equipment: $15/month lease or ~$250 purchase

Contract: None (Unleashed) or 12-month (Essentials)

Viasat is the most established GEO satellite internet provider and has made significant improvements heading into 2026. The company has dropped its mandatory two-year contract on its flagship Unleashed plan, which now offers truly unlimited data with no hard caps, no throttling, and no overage fees; offering month-to-month service that you can cancel anytime.

Viasat download speeds reach up to 150 Mbps in select areas, though most customers will see speeds in the 25–100 Mbps range depending on location and plan. The main limitation, as with any satellite provider, is latency. GEO satellite signals must travel 22,000 miles to the satellite and back, resulting in 600+ ms latency. This makes Viasat unsuitable for real-time online gaming and can cause noticeable lag on video calls. Viasat offers 2 plans with prices from $39.99 to $69.99/month. Viasat also offers the lowest equipment costs among satellite providers, with a $15/month lease option or a one-time purchase of approximately $250. Viasat is available to 100% of U.S. households.

Starlink

Plans: 3

Starting at: $50/month for 100 Mbps

Latency: 25–60 ms

Equipment: $349–$599 (rental available in select areas)

Contract: None

Data: Unlimited (with deprioritization)

Starlink by SpaceX has fundamentally changed what satellite internet can deliver. With over 10 million subscribers worldwide as of February 2026, up from 4.6 million at the end of 2024, Starlink is the fastest-growing internet service provider on the planet. Its constellation of over 9,000 LEO satellites delivers download speeds up to 350 Mbps (some users reporting higher) with a latency of 25–60 ms, putting it in a different performance category than traditional GEO satellite providers.

Starlink offers 3 residential plans. The lower Residential plan costs $50/month with unlimited data (though heavy users may experience deprioritization during peak hours). No contracts are required. The main drawbacks are the upfront equipment cost ($349 for a Standard kit, $599 for a Starlink Mini) and the fact that speeds vary depending on your location and local satellite cell congestion. Starlink now offers rental kits in select areas, with the Standard kit available for as little as $20 shipping cost. Prices range from $50 to $120/month, depending on the plan tier.

Up and Coming Satellite Internet Provider

Amazon Leo

Amazon Leo is the most anticipated new entrant in the satellite internet market. Rebranded from Project Kuiper in November 2025, Amazon"s LEO satellite constellation aims to provide fast, affordable broadband to underserved communities worldwide. Amazon has launched over 200 production satellites and plans to deploy 3,236 total, with service rolling out to five initial countries (including the U.S.) in 2026.

Amazon Leo will offer three customer terminal tiers. Pricing hasn"t been announced yet.

Amazon Leo has already secured commercial partnerships with JetBlue, DirecTV Latin America, Sky Brasil, and Australia"s NBN. For consumers, a public waitlist is open at leo.amazon.com. While Amazon Leo isn"t available for residential use yet, it"s worth watching closely; it stands to be the first real competitive alternative to Starlink in the LEO space.

How to Choose the Best Satellite Internet Provider

When comparing satellite internet providers, focus on these key factors:

Determine What"s Available at Your Address

Viasat is available virtually everywhere, and Starlink has a small number of unserved areas. Enter your zip code in the search tool at the top of this page to see which satellite internet providers serve your address, and whether faster alternatives like fiber or cable might also be available.

Prioritize Speed or Budget

If speed and low latency are your priorities, Starlink is the clear winner. If you want truly unlimited data with no usage restrictions, Viasat Unleashed is the best choice.

Understand Data Policies

Data caps and deprioritization are the most common sources of frustration with satellite internet. Viasat Unleashed is the only plan with no restrictions. Starlink offers unlimited standard data but deprioritizes heavy users during congestion. Match your data plan to your actual usage; streaming video and large downloads consume data quickly.

Factor in Total Cost

The monthly plan price isn"t the whole picture. Add equipment costs, installation fees, and any price increases after promotional periods. As far as contracts, Starlink and Viasat Unleashed are month-to-month.

Check for Alternatives First

Satellite internet is the best option for remote locations, but it shouldn"t be your first choice if other internet types are available. Fiber and cable offer faster speeds, lower latency, and lower prices. 5G home internet is expanding rapidly in semi-rural areas. Enter your zip code above to compare internet providers of all types before committing to satellite.

How Does Satellite Internet Work?

Satellite internet works by relaying data between three points: your home dish, a satellite orbiting Earth, and a ground station connected to the internet backbone.

When you load a webpage, send an email, or start a stream, your dish transmits a radio signal to the satellite overhead. The satellite relays that signal to a ground station, which routes it through the terrestrial internet to retrieve the requested data. The data then makes the reverse trip, from the ground station to the satellite to your dish, completing the round trip in milliseconds.

The key difference between satellite providers comes down to orbit type. GEO satellites (used by Viasat and HughesNet) orbit at approximately 22,000 miles above Earth. They provide consistent coverage over a fixed region, but the enormous distance results in high latency, typically 600+ ms round-trip. LEO satellites (used by Starlink and the upcoming Amazon Leo) orbit at just 340–400 miles above Earth. The much shorter distance reduces latency to 25–60 ms and enables faster data throughput. However, LEO constellations require thousands of satellites working in coordination, constantly handing off signals as they move across the sky.

Satellite Internet Installation

Installation is straightforward for all major satellite internet providers:

A technician (or you, in Starlink"s case) mounts a dish or flat-panel antenna on your roof, wall, or a ground mount in a location with a clear view of the sky. For GEO providers (Viasat), the dish must face south. Starlink"s dish automatically adjusts to track LEO satellites.

The technician connects the dish to an indoor modem/router, configures your Wi-Fi network, and ensures the connection is working. Starlink"s equipment is designed for self-installation, so most users set it up in under 30 minutes.

The installer verifies speeds and signal quality before completing the visit. You"ll receive information about your plan details, data policies, and account management.

Satellite Internet vs. Fiber, Cable, DSL, & Fixed Wireless

If other internet types are available at your address, here"s how they compare:

Satellite vs. Fiber Internet

Fiber is superior in every performance metric. Faster speeds (up to 10000 Mbps), lower latency (under 10 ms), symmetrical speeds, and typically unlimited data. Fiber plans also tend to cost less per Mbps. However, fiber is only available to about 60% of U.S. households. If fiber is available at your address, we recommend you choose fiber.

Satellite vs. Cable Internet

Cable delivers faster and more consistent speeds (up to 2000 Mbps) with much lower latency than satellite. Cable also costs less per month for comparable speeds. But cable requires ground infrastructure and isn"t available in many rural areas where satellite thrives.

Satellite vs. DSL Internet

DSL speeds max out around 100 Mbps and degrade with distance from the provider"s hub. In areas where DSL is slow or unreliable, satellite internet (especially Starlink) may actually deliver better performance. Compare options at your specific address by entering your zip code at the top of this page.

Satellite vs. Fixed Wireless

Fixed wireless 5G from T-Mobile and Verizon offers faster speeds and lower latency than satellite, where available, typically for $50–$60/month. However, 5G home internet coverage is still limited in rural areas. If it"s available at your address, it"s usually a better choice than GEO satellite, though Starlink may compete favorably in terms of speed and latency.

Satellite Internet FAQ

How much does satellite internet cost in 2026?

Satellite internet plans range from $40 to $200+ per month. Enter your zip code at CompareInternet.com for exact pricing at your address.

Which satellite internet provider is the best?

Starlink offers the fastest speeds and lowest latency of any satellite provider, making it the best overall choice if performance is your priority. Viasat Unleashed is the best for truly unlimited data with no contract.

Is satellite internet fast enough for streaming?

Yes, with the right plan. Starlink delivers speeds of 50–200+ Mbps with low enough latency for buffer-free 4K streaming. Viasat can handle HD streaming at speeds up to 150 Mbps in select areas. For the best streaming experience on satellite, Starlink is the top choice.

Can I use satellite internet for gaming?

Starlink is the only satellite provider suitable for real-time online gaming. Its LEO network delivers latency of 25–60 ms, which is low enough for most multiplayer games, though not competitive with fiber"s sub-10 ms latency. GEO satellite providers (Viasat) have a latency of 600+ ms, which makes real-time online gaming impractical. Turn-based or single-player games work fine on any satellite connection.

Will the weather affect my satellite internet?

Heavy rain, snow, or dense cloud cover can temporarily reduce signal quality, a phenomenon known as "rain fade." This affects GEO providers (Viasat) more noticeably, since signals travel farther through the atmosphere. Starlink"s LEO signals travel a much shorter path and are less affected, though severe weather can still cause brief interruptions. Disruptions are typically short-lived and resolve as the weather clears.

What if better internet options become available in my area?

This is one of the biggest advantages of choosing a no-contract satellite plan. Both Starlink and Viasat Unleashed let you cancel anytime without penalties, so you can switch to fiber, cable, or 5G the moment a better option becomes available at your address. Enter your zip code regularly at CompareInternet.com to check for new internet providers in your area.

Find the Best Satellite Internet Provider Near You

Satellite internet in 2026 is faster, more affordable, and more competitive than ever before. Whether you"re in a rural community, an RV, or anywhere off the beaten path, satellite internet providers like Starlink and Viasat can keep you connected. And with Amazon Leo on the horizon, even more options are coming soon.

At CompareInternet.com, we make it easy to compare internet providers of every type so you can find the best internet plan for your home. Enter your zip code below to see which satellite internet providers serve your address and find exclusive deals in your area.