Satellite Internet Showdown: Comparing Viasat vs HughesNet

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About the author

Caroline Lefelhoc

Caroline Lefelhoc is a seasoned writer, copywriter, and editor with over five years of experience creating engaging, informative content. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from the University of Akron. Notably, she has served as the copywriting director and lead copy editor for the luxury media conglomerate Haute Media Group. In addition to her leadership roles, Caroline is a freelance writer for businesses of all sizes across various industries, including many internet-based companies. Her expertise extends to the technology sector, where she has crafted content for tech startups and SaaS businesses. For CompareInternet.com, she provides helpful insight for consumers on internet technology, trends in remote work and learning, digital opportunity, software and Wi-Fi. Outside work, she enjoys testing new Pinterest recipes and spending time with her family—her husband, their one-year-old daughter, an enthusiastic golden retriever named Beckham, and two cats, Gryffindor and Toast.

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Satellite Internet Showdown: Comparing Viasat vs HughesNet

When you live beyond the reach of cable and fiber, your internet options narrow fast. For millions of rural Americans, the choice often comes down to two giants: Viasat and HughesNet. Both send internet from space to your rooftop dish, but they take very different approaches to speed, pricing, and data limits.

So which dish deserves a spot on your roof? Let’s break down everything you need to know to make the right call.

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What Makes These Satellite Internet Providers Different?

Viasat and HughesNet dominate the satellite internet market for good reason—they’ve spent decades perfecting the art of delivering connectivity to places other providers won’t touch. But similarities end there.

Viasat internet positions itself as the performance leader. The company operates a fleet of geostationary satellites, including the powerful ViaSat-3 series, to deliver speeds up to 150 Mbps in select areas [1]. Viasat recently simplified its offerings with the Unleashed plan—a no-contract, no-hard-data-cap option designed to compete with newer satellite providers [2]. To learn more about Viasat internet, you can speak with a representative at 1-833-926-2709.

HughesNet internet has evolved significantly with its Jupiter 3 satellite [3]. Plans now deliver speeds ranging from 50-100 Mbps, meeting the FCC’s current broadband standard of 100 Mbps download [4]. HughesNet also introduced Fusion plans that combine satellite with wireless ground technology to reduce latency—a major innovation that addresses satellite internet’s biggest weakness [5]. To learn more about HughesNet internet, you can speak with a representative at 1-833-926-2709.

The real question is which provider fits YOUR specific needs and budget.

The Speed Test

Speed matters when you’re comparing internet providers for rural areas.

Viasat’s Speed Advantage

Viasat pushes download speeds up to 150 Mbps in select areas, though availability varies by location. Most areas receive speeds between 50 and 100 Mbps, which puts Viasat within striking distance of many cable internet connections. That’s fast enough to stream 4K video, join Zoom calls, and keep multiple devices running at one time.

Upload speeds hover around 3-5 Mbps across most Viasat plans. Not stellar for content creators or frequent file uploaders, but workable for most everyday tasks.

HughesNet’s Competitive Performance

HughesNet now offers speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps, depending on your plan and service area. This is a massive upgrade from their older service, which typically only reached 25 Mbps.

Upload speeds land around 3-5 Mbps, matching Viasat’s performance. The game-changer is HughesNet’s Fusion plans, which combine satellite with wireless technology to deliver latency as low as 100ms—dramatically better than the 600-700ms you get with standard satellite service.

These speeds work well for households that browse, stream HD and 4K content, work remotely, and run multiple devices. Both providers deliver legitimate broadband speeds, making satellite internet a viable option for modern internet use.

Cost of connection

What You’ll Pay for Satellite Internet

Satellite internet has never been cheap. Understanding the real cost helps you compare internet providers effectively.

Viasat Pricing Structure

Viasat’s Essentials plan starts at $39.99 per month for the first three months, then jumps to $69.99. This plan is best for light data users because it includes 150 GB of high-speed data with a 12-month contract.

The Unleashed plan costs $69.99 for the first three months, then jumps to $99.99 per month (pricing varies by region) with no contracts and no hard data caps. This is a good plan for streamers.

Pricing and specials are as of October 2025, subject to change [6].

HughesNet Pricing Model

HughesNet takes a more straightforward approach. Entry-level plans start at $39.99 per month for the first 12 months with speeds up to 25 Mbps. Mid-tier options deliver speeds up to 100 Mbps for $64.99 per month. The top-tier plan, Fusion, is $94.99 per month during the promotional period. All prices above are promotional rates.

After the promotional period ends, prices increase to standard rates but remain fixed for the duration of your two-year contract—a price lock guarantee that provides stability.

Pricing and specials are as of October 2025, subject to change.

Hidden Costs to Watch

Both internet providers near you may charge early termination fees for each month remaining on your contract if you cancel early. However, Viasat’s newer no-contract Unleashed plan eliminates this concern entirely.

Professional installation matters with satellite internet—poor dish alignment causes constant issues—so the fee often proves worthwhile if not waived.

Data Caps

Here’s where satellite internet gets tricky. Both providers use “soft" data caps that slow your speeds rather than cutting you off entirely or charging overage fees.

How Viasat Handles Data

Viasat’s Essentials plan includes 150 GB of high-speed priority data. Once you exceed that threshold, you will continue to receive unlimited standard data; however, Viasat may prioritize other customers during network congestion, which may result in slower speeds.

The Unleashed plan offers truly unlimited high-speed data for typical residential users. “Typical" currently means staying under 850 GB in any 30-day period. Exceed that threshold, and you may experience reduced priority during busy times; however, you will maintain connectivity [7].

This approach makes Viasat ideal for remote workers, streamers, and households with heavy internet demands.

HughesNet’s Data Approach

HughesNet offers unlimited standard data across all plans, but you get a set amount of priority data monthly—either 100 GB or 200 GB, depending on your plan. Once you burn through your priority data allotment, speeds drop to 1-3 Mbps for the rest of your billing cycle [8].

The silver lining? Every plan includes bonus data between 2 AM and 8 AM, known as the Bonus Zone [9]. Schedule large downloads, software updates, and cloud backups during this window to preserve your priority data for daytime use.

HughesNet’s Fusion plans offer the same data structure but with significantly lower latency, making throttled speeds less frustrating for basic tasks.

Both providers sell data tokens to restore full speeds mid-cycle—a pricey solution that should be your last resort.

Contract Terms

Most satellite internet providers lock you into contracts, though options are evolving in 2025.

Viasat’s Essentials plan requires a 12-month minimum service term. The Unleashed plan offers month-to-month service with no contract—a major advantage if you’re uncertain about long-term needs or anticipate other internet options becoming available soon.

HughesNet typically requires 24-month contracts with early termination fees of $15 per remaining month. Their price lock guarantee means your base rate stays fixed for the full contract period, providing budget predictability.

Consider your situation carefully. If fiber or cable internet providers might expand to your area soon, Viasat’s no-contract option provides flexibility. If you’re living long-term in a rural location, HughesNet’s fixed pricing offers better value.

Professional installation recommended

Installation

Both providers follow a similar installation. A professional technician mounts a dish on your roof or property with clear southern sky visibility, aligns it precisely with the satellite, and connects everything to a WiFi modem inside your home.

Installation takes 2-4 hours on average. Quality matters enormously—proper dish alignment and weatherproof connections prevent constant troubleshooting headaches.

Customer Reviews

HughesNet earned recognition from U.S. News & World Report in 2024 as the Best Satellite Internet Service Provider and one of the Best Rural Internet Service Providers [10]. Customer reviews are mixed, but lean more toward the negative side. Many users state inconsistent and unreliable service, especially during peak hours. Others say their data caps were so low, they would have their speeds throttled only a few days into the new month of data [11, 12].

Viasat reviews fall in a similar fashion, with the scale leaning towards the negative side. Users report issues with slow speeds, poor customer service, and inconsistent internet access [13, 14]. Viasat is frequently rated higher than Hughesnet, but falls below competitors like Starlink and 5G internet options.

Both companies offer phone support, live chat, and email assistance during business hours. Response times vary widely based on issue complexity and time of day.

Weather Performance

Satellite internet faces one unavoidable weakness: weather interference. Heavy rain, snow, and thick clouds can disrupt your signal, causing slowdowns or complete outages during severe storms.

Both Viasat and HughesNet experience “rain fade"—signal degradation during extreme weather. Neither has a magic solution for punching through a thunderstorm. These interruptions are usually brief, lasting only while the storm directly affects your dish’s line of sight to the satellite.

If weather reliability is your top priority, consider exploring whether fixed wireless or DSL internet providers are available in your area, even if they may offer slower speeds.

Which Provider Fits Your Life?

Choose Viasat if you:

Need the fastest speeds available from satellite internet providers (up to 150 Mbps)
Want no-contract flexibility with the Unleashed plan
Use heavy amounts of data monthly (500+ GB)
Stream 4K video, work from home, or run multiple bandwidth-intensive devices
Value unlimited high-speed data over the lowest monthly price
Can afford $100-120 monthly for premium performance

Choose HughesNet if you:

Want more affordable entry-level pricing ($40-50 monthly promotional rates)
Prefer fixed pricing with a price lock guarantee
Can work within 100-200 GB monthly priority data limits
Take advantage of off-peak bonus data for large downloads
Need lower latency with Fusion plans (where available)
Value award-winning service recognition and straightforward plan structures

The Verdict

There’s no universal winner—your best internet provider depends entirely on your situation and priorities.

Viasat takes the performance crown. With speeds up to 150 Mbps, no-contract options, and higher data allowances, Viasat delivers the best satellite internet experience for households with demanding internet needs.

HughesNet wins on value and innovation. With speeds now reaching 100 Mbps, more affordable pricing, price lock guarantees, and groundbreaking Fusion technology that reduces latency, HughesNet offers competitive performance at better price points.

Both vastly outperform having no internet at all, the reality for many rural Americans. When you’re comparing internet providers and these are your only satellite options, either choice beats mobile hotspots, driving to town for WiFi, or struggling with dial-up speeds.

Find the Best Internet Providers Near You

Ready to get connected? The best internet providers vary by location, and satellite options aren’t always your only choice. Some rural regions now have access to 5G home internet, fixed wireless, Starlink, or even new fiber buildouts that were not available a year ago.

Enter your zip code below to see which internet providers serve your address. You’ll get a complete breakdown of available plans, speeds, and pricing from Viasat, HughesNet, Starlink, and any other providers in your area. Compare internet providers side-by-side and find the service that fits your needs and budget.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is satellite internet good for gaming?

Traditional satellite internet has high latency (600+ ms), making real-time gaming difficult. However, newer low-Earth orbit satellites, such as Starlink, offer significantly lower latency (20-50 ms), making gaming more viable. Fiber or cable is still preferred for serious gaming.

Which internet providers work in rural areas?

Enter your zip code here to see which rural internet options are available in your location. Our lookup tool will show you providers like HughesNet and Viasat (satellite internet), T-Mobile and Verizon (5G home internet), local fixed wireless providers, and any cable or fiber companies that extend service to your rural area.

What happens if I go over my data limit with HughesNet or Viasat?

Neither provider cuts you off or charges overage fees. HughesNet slows speeds to 1-3 Mbps after you use your priority data (100-200 GB). Viasat Essentials throttles after 150 GB during congestion, while Unleashed maintains speeds until 850 GB monthly. Both sell data tokens to restore speeds ($10-15 for 3-5 GB), but that’s pricey.