Best Satellite Internet Providers of 2024: Starlink and Beyond

Best satellite internet
Starlink
Starlink
3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7
Starts at$50/mo
  • pro
    Download speeds: Up to 220 Mbps
  • pro
    Fastest satellite internet option with multiple portable options
Best signup terms
Viasat
Viasat Internet
3.3 out of 5 stars
3.3
Starts at$69.99/mo
  • pro
    Download speeds: Up to 100 Mbps
  • pro
    Lowest-priced equipment and no contracts
Best for budget users
HughesNet
HughesNet Internet
3 out of 5 stars
3.0
Starts at$49.99/mo
  • pro
    Download speeds: Up to 100 Mbps
  • pro
    Lowest monthly plan prices but decent speeds
Brianne Sandorf
Nov 15, 2024
Icon Time To Read7 min read

The best satellite internet provider is Starlink. End of speech.

The SpaceX-owned internet service gives you the fastest speeds over a satellite internet connection while also delivering generous data allotments. The prices start at reasonable rates, and you can get portable internet options like Starlink Mini that you can take on the road or even carry in a backpack.

But of course, Starlink isn’t the only satellite internet provider out there—though sometimes the media makes it seem that way. The two other satellite providers in the United States, Viasat and Hughesnet, may be a better fit for your home than Starlink, depending on what you need when you’re looking for rural internet. Let’s find out.

Starlink: Best satellite internet

Starlink
3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7
Prices
$50-$5000
Speed and reliability
3/5
Dollar value
3.3/5
Customer experience
4/5

Our take: Starlink takes an old technology and makes it new again. The company boasts 1,500 to 2,000 times more satellites than its competitors, and those satellites fly in a lower orbit. All of that makes Starlink fast and reliable—or at least faster and more reliable than a typical satellite connection. Starlink has lower latency than other satellite internet providers, and it’s also incredibly flexible. You can use it at home, but you can also use Starlink Roam in a car or boat and Starlink Mini in your backpack.

It’s worth noting that Starlink is intrinsically linked to SpaceX’s founder, Elon Musk. That’s a plus for some potential customers but a massive drawback for others. But while Musk remains a decisive figure, that doesn’t change the fact that Starlink delivers the best satellite service around. Read our Starlink review.

How expensive is Starlink?

Starlink’s prices are mostly par for the course for satellite internet. Its residential plans cost about the same as Viasat and Hughesnet but with faster speeds. However, the equipment is quite pricey (starting at $349), and the Roam plans can cost as much as a semester at some colleges.

Is Starlink faster than 5G?

No, Starlink is actually slower than the 5G internet services we recommend.

Does Starlink work in bad weather?

Starlink sometimes goes out in bad weather, according to customer Jonas Zook Jr. in Pennsylvania. He experiences “occasional service interruptions during severe weather.”

Starlink internet plans and prices

Plan
Price
Download speed
Details
Residential$120/mo.*Up to 150 Mbps
Roam 50GB$50/mo.Up to 100 Mbps
Priority 1TB$250/mo.*Up to 220 Mbps
Priority 40GB$140/mo.Up to 220 Mbps
* Plus hardware, shipping & handling fees, and tax. Fully refundable. Depending on location, some orders may take 2 weeks or more to fulfill.
Users on Mini Roam are limited to 50GB of Mobile Data and can use in-motion beyond 100mph.
Starlink isn’t for everyone
Heads Up

With Starlink's advent, some tech enthusiasts say fiber, cable, and 5G internet services are no longer needed. But like all internet services, Starlink has its limits. It can’t conceivably handle the internet load of the entire planet, at least not in its current iteration.

Customers who have the option of getting non-satellite internet should generally choose that route over Starlink. Non-satellite ISPs can usually offer faster speeds and more reliable service, all at a lower cost.

Viasat: Best signup terms

Viasat
3.3 out of 5 stars
3.3
Prices
$69.99-$149.99
Speed and reliability
2.25/5
Dollar value
3.5/5
Customer experience
3.4/5

Our take: With Viasat, customers pay less for equipment: $15 a month or a flat fee of $250. Customers also cut through the annoying fees associated with old-school internet, as Viasat doesn't have data overage fees (because it provides unlimited data) or cancellation fees (because there's no contact). And customers with the Viasat Unleashed plan don't pay for installation, either.

It's a good thing Viasat customers save money on fees because the plans are the most expensive in the satellite realm. Still, when you add up what you save with Viasat, you get a pretty good deal. Read our Viasat review.

Which Viasat plan is the best deal?

Viasat Unleashed is the best deal by far. You get 150Mbps for $120 a month, compared to other Viasat plans, which cost between $70 and $150 each month but provide only 12Mbps download speeds.

Is Viasat fast enough for Netflix?

Viasat Unleashed is fast enough for Netflix as long as you aren’t overloading your network with other devices that consume a lot of internet data, like home security cameras. And the other Viasat plans may not be fast enough for most users.

Why is Viasat so slow at night?

Viasat is likely slower at night because the network is overloaded with users. Many internet services slow down during peak use periods in the evening hours, when most people are home watching television or playing video games. 

Viasat internet plans and prices

Plan
Price
Download speed
Details
Viasat Unleashed$119.99/mo.Up to 150 Mbps
Unlimited Bronze 12$69.99/mo. for 3 mos.^Up to 12 Mbps
Unlimited Silver 12$99.99/mo. for 3 mos.^Up to 12 Mbps
Unlimited Gold 12$149.99/mo. for 3 mos.^Up to 12 Mbps
Prices, speeds and availability vary by location. Prices are subject to change. No annual contract or installation fees are required. Monthly equipment lease fees and taxes may apply.
^ Prices and speeds vary upon location. Offer available to new qualifying customers. One-time standard installation fee may be due at checkout. Minimum 24-month service term required. Equipment lease fee is $14.99/mo. Taxes apply. Speeds are “up to,” will vary and are not guaranteed. Service is not available in all areas. Offer may be changed or withdrawn at any time.

Hughesnet: Best for budget users

HughesNet
3 out of 5 stars
3.0
Prices
$49.99-$94.99
Speed and reliability
1.5/5
Dollar value
3/5
Customer experience
2/5

Our take: Hughesnet knows satellite internet is stupidly expensive, and it's here to help. Hughesnet plans start at just $50, and although those prices increase over time, they stay pretty low for a satellite internet provider. The plans also include unlimited data and a monthly “soft cap.” Customers’ speeds get throttled once they've used a certain amount of high-speed data, but they don’t get their internet cut off or have to pay an overage fee.

Our Reviews.org speed test shows that although Hughesnet's advertised speeds are similar to Viasat's, its actual upload and download speeds are the slowest of all three internet providers. But that doesn't mean you should count Hughesnet out—satellite internet is slow in general. Read our Hughesnet review.

How much does Hughesnet cost?

Hughesnet plans start at $49.99 a month and go up to $94.99 a month. However, these are introductory prices—they increase after 12 months. You also pay $14.99 each month or a flat fee of $299.99 for the equipment.

What are the disadvantages of Hughesnet?

Hughesnet's biggest disadvantage is that it's slow, even for a satellite provider. But at least the slower speeds are accompanied by lower prices.

Is Hughesnet good for streaming?

Hughesnet's speeds are sufficient for streaming at 50–100Mbps. "Good" might be a stretch, though, as we typically recommend 300–500Mbps for avid streamers.

Hughesnet internet plans and prices

Plan
Price
Download speed
Details
Select$49.99/mo. for 12 mos.°Up to 50 Mbps
Elite$64.99/mo. for 12 mos.°Up to 100 Mbps
Fusion$94.99/mo. for 12 mos.°Up to 100 Mbps
° Offer for 12 months. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra.

Compare the best satellite internet providers: Plans and prices

Provider
Prices
Speeds
View plans
StarlinkStarlink
$50-$5000**100-220 Mbps
ViasatViasat
$69.99-$149.99††12-150 Mbps
HughesNetHughesnet
$49.99-$94.99‡‡50-100 Mbps
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
** Plus hardware, shipping & handling fees, and tax. Fully refundable. Depending on location, some orders may take 6 months or more to fulfill.
†† Offer available to new qualifying customers. One-time standard installation fee may be due at checkout. Minimum 24-month service term required. Equipment lease fee is $12.99/mo. Taxes apply. Service is not available in all areas. Offer may be changed or withdrawn at any time.
‡‡ Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Pricing not available in all areas.

How do these three satellite options compare to one another?

True to its name, Starlink shines against the other two satellite internet providers. Its speed range starts where Viasat's and Hughesnet's end, and it's the only provider that doesn't have an automatic price hike after signing up. Starlink is also one of the only internet providers worldwide that offers truly reliable and consistent portable internet services for vehicles, travelers, and others on the go. It’s not common to get portable internet with the generous data allotments and high speeds that Starlink gives.

Meanwhile, Viasat has the advantage of fewer fees and lower equipment costs. And 93% of customers are eligible for Viasat Unleashed, its considerably better (though more expensive) plan.

As for Hughesnet, it’s a true moneysaver. Even when you add in equipment costs and price hikes, most of its plans cost much less in the long run compared to Starlink and Viasat. It’s the only satellite internet provider that still requires a two-year contract when you sign up. So if you don’t intend to stick with it long term, try Starlink or Viasat instead.

What makes this guide legit? How we picked the best satellite internet providers

There are only three satellite internet options in the U.S. To inform this review, I used the research from my Starlink and Viasat reviews and the Hughesnet research from my colleague, Kelly Huh. That research includes extensive conversations with customers who actually use these services every day. All of that went into ranking the three providers.

how we review products and services

As the fastest provider with the best bang for the buck, Starlink is a shoo-in for the top recommendation. After that, I like Viasat for its slightly more rapid speed and higher data caps. And I put Hughesnet last as it generally has worse speeds and customer service than the other two, although it does offer lower prices, which is beneficial for budgeters.

At Reviews.org, we believe boring internet is usually the best internet. Most customers just want dependable service for an affordable price, so that's what we look for in the best internet providers. If you want to know more about how we review internet providers, see our How We Test internet guide for a full rundown.

What if I can’t get any of the internet providers on this list?

You should have the option to sign up with at least one of these satellite internet providers. They're all available practically anywhere—a definite benefit of a service that relies on a signal beamed down from space.

If you live somewhere with additional, non-satellite internet options, a satellite ISP may not be your best bet, even if one's available. Satellite service is best for people who live in remote places and don't have other choices. If you have multiple providers available, consider something else before going with a satellite provider.

Not sure what internet service providers are present where you live? You can run a search with your zip code below to see what internet options are available in your area.

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Find the best internet near you.

Shopping for satellite internet? Here’s what you need to know

Satellite internet is … not great compared to other internet options. It's slow, often unreliable, and expensive, considering that the average internet cost for Americans is $81 a month. So, if you're looking for fiber speeds or cable prices, you don't get that from satellite internet—no way, no how.

But satellite internet has its place. In 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture estimated that 14% of Americans live in rural areas (in other words, non-metropolitan places). Those living in these rural areas usually have alternative internet options, like satellite or 5G, instead of traditional physical connections such as cable and fiber. And that's where satellite internet comes in: It's pretty much for people who have literally no other options.

With that in mind, picking a satellite internet provider is sometimes more about finding the least terrible option than the best—although satellite internet is improving.

"New technologies and new satellites have allowed satellite providers to offer faster connections with lower latency, giving satellite customers better value for their monthly cost," says internet expert Peter Christiansen from HighSpeedInternet.com.

So what should you look at to know you’re getting the right satellite internet provider for you? Try this.

Affordable pricing. Look at the monthly price and equipment fees to make sure you can afford the cost.

Adequate speeds. Satellite internet speeds tend to be slow in general, so you typically want the fastest satellite plan you can afford.

Latency. Not to be confused with other, similar-sounding words (like latex or lactation), latency is essentially how quickly pages load. (High latency can contribute to your internet running more slowly, but it is a separate measurement from speed.) Satellite providers tend to have generally high latency, although Starlink’s tends to be lower.

Reasonable data limits. Unlimited data is ideal, but not all satellite internet providers give you completely unlimited data with no soft limits. Look into the provider’s data policy to see how much you get per month.

Contracts that are month to month. Only Hughesnet still requires a long-term contract agreement, and if you go that route, you can’t switch without paying a cancellation fee. Starlink and Viasat are much better options in this regard because they don’t require annual or two-year commitments.

Portability. Are you living in an RV or camping a lot? Then consider signing up for Starlink Mini or another portable internet option because it gives you steady and reliable internet service while you’re on the road or even on a mountaintop.

FAQ about the best satellite internet providers

What is the best internet provider for satellites?

Our top pick for satellite providers is Starlink. It offers the fastest speeds and the best value for your money.

Who is the biggest satellite internet provider?

In the U.S., Starlink is the biggest satellite internet provider (despite being the newest), with over 4 million subscribers.

Who is Starlink’s biggest competitor?

Starlink’s biggest competitors are other global satellite communications companies with thousands of satellites in the sky, like Telesat.

So which satellite internet service should you get?

Starlink should be your first choice for satellite internet since it's cost effective and versatile. But getting something other than satellite—like fiber or cable service—would be better.

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Brianne Sandorf
Written by
Brianne has a degree in English and creative writing from Westminster College. She's spent the last 10+ years writing professional, research-based content about technology, luxury retail brands, chicken sandwiches, and everything in between. Before joining Reviews.org, Brianne wrote safety and security content for ASecureLife.com. Her pieces and quotes are published across the web, including on MSN.com, Social Catfish, and Parents.com. Brianne loves to read, write, travel, cook, and spend time with her family. Contact her at brianne@reviews.org.

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