HughesNet Staff Review
$49.99
Lowest price
100 Mbps
Highest Speed
Elite 200GB
Popular Package
4.25
Customer Rating
3.3
Staff Rating
Hughesnet delivers solid satellite internet, but performance lags behind the competition
Hughesnet is the largest of three major satellite internet providers in the United States [1]. The other two are Viasat and Starlink. Satellite internet service is known for its coast-to-coast coverage and wide availability. For decades, people have relied on satellite internet as a necessity in rural areas without wired internet. You can get Hughesnet in most households in the United States and in many locations in South America. All you need to get coverage is an unobstructed view of the southern sky. Satellite internet does offer slower speeds than most other internet technologies. You’ll also have to deal with a monthly data allowance that may restrict how much HD streaming or large file transfer you can do. And satellite internet service is more expensive than cable or fiber internet. Hughesnet initially seems to offer lower prices than its main rival, Viasat. But a closer look reveals that Viasat prices are better, based on the performance you’re getting per dollar. Hughesnet speeds only go to 100 Mbps download, while Viasat’s speeds go up to 150 Mbps. In addition, Viasat offers unlimited high-speed data, while Hughesnet has soft data caps. Hughesnet has also had issues with low customer satisfaction ratings in national surveys, so overall, we recommend Viasat instead for satellite internet. But let’s break it down and see why.Pros
Satellite internet provides coverage in hard-to-reach areas
Can be more resilient to disasters than wired internet
HughesNet Fusion claims to offer lower latency with hybrid technology
Cons
Soft data caps may increase monthly pricing and affect performance
Much slower speeds than cable or fiber
Two-year contracts and higher prices than cable or fiber
Top cities with HughesNet availability
Call today & find the best HughesNet internet deals
1-833-926-2709Pricing
Hughesnet offers prices similar to Viasat, but often for slower speeds
Hughesnet offers its plans at rates that at first seem comparable to cable or fiber prices. The Hughesnet first-tier satellite internet plan starts at $49.99/month. But there are two catches. First, your initial rate is a promotional rate, and after the first six months, your prices will increase significantly for all plans. Second, you may only get an internet speed up to 50 Mbps download/5 Mbps upload, depending on your service area. This is not high-speed internet by the FCC’s definition [2]. And it is clearly not as fast as the 200-300 Mbps download speed you often get for $50-60/month from a cable or fiber internet plan.Hughesnet uses soft data caps that may affect your internet speed
A drawback to Hughesnet plans is the use of soft data caps. When you order Hughesnet service, you don’t choose a speed level as you do with other internet types. Instead, you choose your data limit for the month, ranging from 100 GB to 200 GB. If you only surf the internet lightly and use email, you can stay within a 100 GB data limit pretty easily. But if you plan large file uploads, video streaming, or online gaming, the data usage can add up fast. Hughesnet does offer some solutions to help you work with their soft data caps. Their data tokens allow you to purchase extra data at the end of each month if you need more. Nonetheless, having soft data caps will affect how you use the internet. If you consistently need more data tokens, those extra charges may affect your monthly budget. Consider carefully whether you are likely to need more or less data than Hughesnet will allow you under each of their plans. Finally, Hughesnet requires a two-year contract. If you cancel your subscription early, you will pay an early termination fee prorated by the time still left in your contract.| Plan | Service Type | Download Speed | Monthly Price | ||||||||||||
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Reliability and Performance
A Hughesnet internet connection is slower than most other ISPs
The nature of satellite internet technology means that satellite internet has always been different from wired internet in three ways. 1) Slower speeds: Hughesnet’s maximum download speed right now (100 Mbps) is much slower than speeds for fiber and cable internet that can often reach Gigabit speeds (1000 Mbps and up). 2) Weather interference: Bad weather can sometimes cause temporary slowing or outage in a satellite signal. 3) Latency: The distance of a satellite from Earth causes latency, which is a slight delay in data transmission. Despite these drawbacks, satellite service can still give you a solid connection if you live in a rural or underserved area. In today’s digital world, high-speed internet may be your ticket to education, a job, and even medical care. Satellite internet can support high enough speeds to provide you with access to these opportunities. Hughesnet has attempted to address latency with their new Hughesnet Fusion plans, which launched in 2022. This hybrid technology uses a satellite connection but can also route signals through wireless towers when necessary. Hughesnet has not released data to prove lower latency yet. They claim that the latency is 100 ms on their FCC Broadband label. Customers online report higher latency for their Fusion service [3].Call today & find the best HughesNet internet deals
1-833-926-2709Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features
Hughesnet equipment requires initial investment or monthly rental fee
Buying satellite equipment can be expensive. The dish and gateway for Hughesnet Gen 5 plans costs around $350, while Hughesnet Fusion equipment is $450. If you don’t want to invest and would rather try out service first, you can rent the equipment for $15-20 a month. Buying the equipment outright will save you money if you end up using your service for more than 2 years. Hughesnet’s installation is often free, depending on your plan and current promotions. This is a nice bonus and ensures that a technician can get the best angle for your satellite dish. The technician will connect two of your devices in addition to setting up the antenna and modem/router.Call today & find the best HughesNet internet deals
1-833-926-2709Customer Experience & Support
Hughesnet customer satisfaction below average
Hughesnet has sometimes received low customer satisfaction ratings both in national surveys and in online reviews. It’s hard to know how much of that response is related to unrealistic customer expectations about satellite internet performance. Certainly, when Hughesnet gets online comments from unsatisfied customers, they tend to focus on internet performance. Meanwhile, remember that while satellite internet service has limitations, it can still provide high-speed internet access when your only alternative is slower DSL or no internet at all.FAQ's
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Top reviews
Albert M
from Gordon, AL on June 2024
None
Mildred W
from Keithville, LA on February 2024
Great service
Jacoby Barnes
from Mount Olive, MS on September 2023
It's ok
Carla B
from Anderson, SC on August 2023
What I'm going through wasn't what I was told should be happening. The price channels service all wrong.
James H
from Twin Lake, MI on August 2023
The internet is really slow
Holly P
from Linton, IN on August 2023
Service is okay, but customer service could be worked on.
Jose B
from Hagerstown, MD on August 2023
Muy accesible
Keith M
from Winston Salem, NC on July 2023
great service
Courtney R
from Port Wentworth, GA on July 2023
It’s fair for the price!
Steven E
from Florence, AZ on July 2023
Works great!
Brenda L
from Jeanerette, LA on July 2023
I like my service
Amanda C
on July 2023
n/a
Amanda C
from Crawfordville, FL on July 2023
n/a
Jamie Lott
from East Saint Louis, IL on July 2023
Love my internet service
Mike R
from Farmerville, LA on July 2023
I've had a lot of problems with this internet. Whether it's been availability or speed, frustration is a nice way to put it. I have been promised better service going forward so we'll see.
JANICE F
from Stoystown, PA on July 2023
NO SERVICE AT ALL WAS WEEKS WITHOUT SERVICE AND HAD TO WAIT A WHOLE WEEK AND A DAY FOR SERVICE EACH TIME. INTERNET DID NOT WORK HALF TIME AND WHEN IT DID IT WAS LIKE A DIAL UP NETWORK. SIGN CONTRACT AND NOW I AM STUCK WI TH THREE YEARS SERVICE IN WHICH THEY WILL NOT LET ME BREAK
Stephen Gresko
on July 2023
none
JANICE H
on July 2023
THIS SERVICE BEYOND WORDS!!!! I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLU DOING THE WORK P;ULLING THIS WIE WITH IT AND HAVE NO SERVICE AS LONG AS A WEEK AT A TIME. WHEN YOU CALL TO REPORT IT THEY HAVE YOU PULLING THIS WIRE AND AM TOLD THAT THEY WILL SEND SOME ONE OUT TO CHECK SYSTEM IN A WEEK. THEY ONLY COME IN THIS AREA ONCE A WEEK. WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE WITH HEART AND LUNG ISSUES LIVING HERE WITH NO PHONE. STAY AWAY FROM THIS SERVICE
Darian S
from Gold Hill, NC on July 2023
Hughesnet sucks
Darian S
from Gold Hill, NC on July 2023
Hughesnet sucks
Darian S
from Gold Hill, NC on July 2023
Hughesnet isn't good service
Darian S
from Gold Hill, NC on July 2023
Internet sucks
Camisha W
from Holly Springs, MS on July 2023
Great service
Amanda Caldwell
from Crawfordville, FL on July 2023
n/a
patti
from Chambersburg, PA on July 2023
l
Dale K
from Salem, OR on June 2023
Installer was polite Professional. I'm disappointed in the internet speeds. Significantly slower than previous provider. The price isn't that much better
Shelton C
from Salem, WV on June 2023
This is great
Randall F
from Crewe, VA on June 2023
Technician was awesome
Robert W
from Sun City West, AZ on June 2023
Customers service is weak. Called in with some questions and person I was talking to wasn’t knowledgable.
Camisha W
from Holly Springs, MS on June 2023
Great service
Larry C
from Henryville, IN on June 2023
Great install
Stephen Gresko
from Bloomsburg, PA on June 2023
none
Ruby Griffin
from Kansas City, MO on March 2023
Addison Hamilton
from Richwood, WV on December 2022
Joseph Hall
from Unknown, NC on December 2022
Ivy Hoffman
from Felton, DE on October 2022
Ella Jenkins
from Unknown, WV on July 2022
Alice Howard
from Unknown, AR on March 2022
Josephine Jackson
from Unknown, TN on January 2022
Lily Johnson
from Unknown, GA on September 2021
April
from Pelahatchie, MS on July 2021
It's only worse for Netflix and YouTube. No other channels will stream. And the price is outrageous and of course your stuck in a contract.
Albert Turner
from Drums, PA on June 2021
Scarlett James
from Albuquerque, NM on June 2021
Kenneth Harris
from Unknown, TX on December 2020
Everly Hayes
from Unknown, NC on October 2020
Manny A
from Fort Lauderdale, FL on July 2020
Amazing! now I have internet not fast not slow! now i'm connected to the world
Adam Hines
from Loganville, GA on May 2020
great reviews
Kinsley Snyder
from Des Moines, IA on May 2020
great
Aniya Wall
from Charlotte, NC on May 2020
They are awful over priced bad signal and slow. The data cap was set a merely 10gb. That ran out in the first day. After that was gone the speed was unbelievably slow
claudia villa
from Dallas, TX on April 2020
great
Taylor Crawford
from Wilmington, NC on April 2020
It works really well but it’s a little expensive
Mia Jones
from Memphis, TN on November 2019
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