AT&T Fiber internet offers extremely fast symmetrical speeds and amazing discounts. Hughesnet offers satellite internet nationwide with price locks, free installation, and unique perks.
AT&T vs. Hughesnet: Which One Is Worth Your Money?
3 min readAT&T offers 5G and fiber internet services across 26 states (with DSL set to shut down in 2029). As the largest fiber provider in the United States, AT&T gives internet customers fast speeds, predictable billing, and superior customer service ratings. Also, AT&T Fiber is known for its sweet discounts and lack of price hikes.
Here’s what you get with AT&T Fiber:
- Unlimited data
- No contracts
- No equipment fees
- 20% monthly internet and wireless bundle discount
Hughesnet is available virtually everywhere in the United States, so rural residents particularly benefit from staying connected with its satellite internet. While slower than average cable and wireless internet providers (and no comparison to fiber internet), Hughesnet still provides budget-friendly internet plans from 25Mbps to 100Mbps.
This is what you get with Hughesnet:
- Price locks
- Free professional installation
- ACH discount
- Extra perks like prepaid cash cards
Our guide to Hughesnet vs. AT&T:
Compare AT&T and Hughesnet internet prices in your area.
Share your experience and rate your internet provider
Your feedback helps others find the right internet provider. Whether your experience was great, frustrating, or somewhere in between, we want to hear about it.
AT&T vs. Hughesnet: Plans, pricing, and deals
AT&T plans and prices
Provider | Plan | Price | Download speed | Type | Details |
| AT&T Fiber Internet 300 | $55/mo.* | Up to 300 Mbps | Fiber | View Plans | |
| AT&T Fiber Internet 500 | $65/mo.* | Up to 500 Mbps | Fiber | View Plans | |
| AT&T Internet Fiber 1 GIG | $80/mo.* | Up to 1,000 Mbps | Fiber | View Plans | |
| AT&T Internet Fiber 2 GIG | $145/mo.* | Up to 2000 Mbps | Fiber | View Plans | |
| AT&T Internet Fiber 5 GIG | $245/mo.* | Up to 5000 Mbps | Fiber | View Plans |
*
Above pricing is after $10/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount with a debit card or bank account; if using a credit card, then price is $5/mo more.
Hughesnet plans and prices
Provider | Plan | Price | Download speed | Details |
| Lite | $39.99/mo. for 12 mos. | Up to 25 Mbps Mbps | View Plans | |
| Select | $49.99/mo. for 24 mos.† | Up to 50 Mbps | View Plans | |
| Elite | $64.99/mo. for 24 mos.† | Up to 100 Mbps | View Plans | |
| Fusion | $94.99/mo. for 24 mos.† | Up to 100 Mbps | View Plans |
†
24-month commitment and early service termination fees apply.
AT&T vs. Hughesnet: Fees for modem and installation
AT&T internet’s five plans cost between $55 to $245 with speeds that go from 300Mbps to 5,000Mbps. Plans include free self-installation, a router, and no annual price hikes. With no data limits and no annual contracts, AT&T draws in its customers without locking them down—and it even pays your full cancellation cost from a different internet provider if you want to switch over. Use our handy guide to lower your AT&T internet bill as much as you can.
Hughesnet plans offer the lowest satellite prices, and it can serve even the most remote locations due to its nationwide availability. Its one-year and two-year contracts come with a Price Lock Guarantee so that the monthly bill remains the same for the duration of your contract. However, customers should expect price jumps by $10–$30 after this period. While Hughesnet does offer unlimited data, its speeds slow after 100–200GB. However, during the hours of 2am to 8am, users can take advantage of 50GB extra data every month. Use our best tricks to lower your Hughesnet internet bill.
AT&T Fiber add-ons and perks
Get your cancellation fee covered in full from your current internet provider when you switch to AT&T Fiber.
Get a monthly discount on your internet bill with an AT&T Fiber and wireless bundle.
Add ActiveArmor to your internet plan to protect yourself from identity theft.
Get a reward card ranging from $50 to $150 when you sign up for AT&T Fiber and eligible wireless.
Sign up for autopay and paperless billing to get this discount.
Hughesnet add-ons and perks
Sign up for Hughesnet internet and get a prepaid card (offer ends 08/06/25).
Customers get 50GB of additional data usage per month during non-peak hours (2am–8am)
You can buy extra data (2–50GB) if you exceed your data allowance (data tokens don’t expire).
Update your payment method to direct payment from your bank account to get monthly savings
What makes this review legit?
Our fact-based research process centers on interviews with internet customers across the country, helping us understand how internet services hold up against diverse needs and challenges.
To put together this review, we looked at results from our speed test, pulled data from customer satisfaction surveys, and pored over the fine print to compare prices and speeds between the two providers. To flesh out our analysis, we also interviewed AT&T and Hughesnet Internet customers to get their firsthand insights. We let their experiences guide our research and shape our conclusions. We also speak with ISP spokespeople and industry experts to get insights into connection types, speed capabilities, and other technical issues related to internet service.
Hughesnet vs. AT&T Internet customer service ratings
AT&T earned high marks for speed and reliability, while Hughesnet customers are satisfied with delivering the speeds it promises.
AT&T was ranked the fourth-best among all ISPs in customer satisfaction scores in HighSpeedInternet.com’s latest ratings. Customers were more satisfied with AT&T Internet when it came to speed, reliability, and customer service.
In the ratings, Hughesnet was compared to Viasat, its only satellite internet competitor. Customers gave higher praise to Hughesnet for its straightforward pricing, more consistent speeds, and fewer outages.
If you do experience an outage or other issue with either ISP, keep in mind these tips for dealing with customer service. (Seriously, they’ve saved our butts a few times.)
Want AT&T or Hughesnet Internet? Find it in your area
Check if AT&T Fiber or Hughesnet is available in your area by typing your zip code in our handy availability search box. You can also compare available providers and see if there are better options and prices.
Look for AT&T or Hughesnet in your neighborhood.
Related Articles
An Honest Viasat Internet Review, According to Customers
Want to know if Viasat is worth it? See what real customers think in this...
How Does Satellite Internet Work?
Satellite internet providers offer fast speeds to remote and rural areas. But can they compete...
Can You Stream with Satellite Internet?
We’ve got answers in our guide to streaming with satellite internet. Find out right here...
Can You Game on Satellite Internet?
Can you game on satellite internet? Yes! Learn how to optimize your satellite internet for...
