Hughesnet vs. Viasat: Which provider is better?
Choosing between Hughesnet and Viasat might feel like picking between Coke and Pepsi — a matter of taste between two largely identical products — but there are distinct differences. The best option will boil down to what’s available at your address. Hughesnet features consistent speeds across its footprint, but you may find faster speeds with Viasat. Here’s what you need to know about these two satellite internet titans.
People living in urban settings or densely populated areas have the luxury of choosing between more than one internet provider for service at their address. But those who live in more rural areas are usually stuck with just one.Typically, that option is satellite internet.
While DSL and some fixed wireless options may also be available (like offerings from Rise Broadband and Kinetic By Windstream, for example), satellite internet is usually the only option that offers at least 100 Mbps in download speeds. Though much slower, less reliable and less affordable than ground-laid cable internet or fiber-optic broadband, satellite providers can offer service pretty much anywhere and, if nothing else is available, it can be a lifeline for those who live in rural areas.
If you’re considering satellite internet, your choices boil down to Starlink, Hughesnet or Viasat. Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet has raised the bar for satellite internet providers and surged in popularity recently. By maintaining over 7,000 LEO satellites and offering speeds up to 250Mbps (plus options for customers on the go), Starlink has an obvious advantage over Hughesnet and Viasat. But it’s not for everyone.
Starlink’s monthly prices are much higher than those of Hughesnet and Viasat. Customers can sign up for Viasat’s new all-in-one plan with advertised speeds up to 150 megabits per second, though the actual speeds in the home will vary by address. Hughesnet is no slouch either. It was the first satellite internet provider to offer broadband speeds of up to 25Mbps and has grown significantly since then. Customers can now expect download speeds of up to 100Mbps. Sure, it might not match the flashiness of a multi-gigabit plan, but for satellite internet, that’s pretty good.
Hughesnet vs. Viasat overview comparison
| Hughesnet | Viasat | |
|---|---|---|
| Max speeds | 50-100Mbps download, 5Mbps upload | 25-150Mbps download, 3Mbps upload |
| Lowest promo cost | $50-$95 | $100-$150 (varies by location) |
| Regular monthly cost | $75-$120 | $100-$150 (varies by location) |
| Contract | Two years | None |
| Monthly equipment costs | $15-$20 or $300-$450 one-time purchase | $15 |
| Data allowance | 100-200GB | 850GB |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Our take – Hughesnet offers three plan tiers with a maximum download speed of 100Mbps, which is not too far off from Viasat’s offering. Monthly data allowances range from 100GB to 200GB, which is a bit low, but you won’t be fined overage fees for exceeding that limit. Unlike Viasat, Hughesnet does enforce a two-year contract agreement. If you cancel your service early, you may incur a fee of up to $400.
