Best satellite internet providers of 2025: Starlink, Hughesnet and Viasat compared

• Satellite internet is a vital option for rural and remote households, with plans starting at $39.99.
• Starlink offers the fastest speeds, Hughesnet has the most affordable plans, and Viasat provides a middle ground with wide availability.
• While reliable, satellite internet can have higher costs and latency compared to wired connections like fiber or cable.

Satellite internet is a vital option for households in rural and remote areas where cable and fiber connections aren’t available. In 2025, the top satellite providers in the United States are Starlink, Hughesnet and Viasat. All three providers offer service nationwide, helping close the digital divide. 

Plans start at $39.99 per month with speeds reaching up to 250 Mbps, depending on the provider and location. While each service comes with its own strengths and drawbacks, satellite internet continues to be one of the most dependable ways to stay connected when other high-speed options aren’t within reach.

Which satellite internet providers are best in 2025?

Starlink, Hughesnet and Viasat are the only nationwide satellite providers with active U.S. residential service. Each company has strengths that make them suitable for different types of users:

• Hughesnet: Most affordable plans, with prices starting at $39.99 per month
• Starlink: Fastest speeds, up to 250 Mbps download and 25 Mbps upload
• Viasat: Longest-established provider with wide availability

Here’s a closer look at all three providers:

Hughesnet

• 3 plan tiers with prices from $39.99*–$94.99 per month
• Speeds from 25–100 Mbps download/3–5 Mbps upload
• Priority data ranges from 100 GB to 200 GB per month depending on plan 
• Free professional installation with equipment lease or promo
• Offers bundles with satellite phone service
• Nearly 100% availability

Read our full Hughesnet review.

* Promotional pricing

Starlink

• 4 plan tiers with prices from $50–$160 per month
• Speeds from 45–250 Mbps download/10–25 Mbps upload
• No hard data or speed caps*
• Equipment costs $175, plus $199 for professional installation
• Limited availability in densely populated areas and high-demand regions

Read our full Starlink review.

* Heavy users may be subject to deprioritization.

Viasat

• 2 residential plans available from $49.99  to $119.99 per month
• Speeds from 25–150 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload (in select areas)
• Priority data from 150 GB per month to unlimited, depending on plan*
• Free standard installation for qualifying customers, though additional fees may apply
• Widely available to 99% of the United States

Read our full Viasat review.

* Heavy users may be subject to deprioritization.

How do satellite internet speeds and pricing compare?

Equipment costs

Equipment costs are not included in the monthly plan prices.

• Hughesnet: Rental $14.99 per month or purchase for $449.99 ($19.99 per month or $549.99 for Fusion)
• Starlink: Purchasing Starlink equipment starts at $175, and a monthly rental option is available in specific areas. 
• Viasat: Lease for $15 per month or purchase for about $250 to $299.99, depending on the deal

What is satellite internet and how does it work?

Satellite internet is a type of broadband connection that delivers service through satellites orbiting the Earth instead of traditional cables or phone lines. Unlike fiber or cable networks that require physical infrastructure to each home, satellite internet can reach almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky.

Here’s how it works: internet data travels from a network operations center on the ground to satellites in orbit, then back down to a dish installed at your home. The dish connects to a modem that delivers Wi-Fi to your devices. Because signals travel such long distances, satellite internet can have higher latency than wired connections, but it remains one of the most reliable ways to get online in rural or remote areas.

What are the key differences between Starlink, Hughesnet and Viasat?

Starlink, HughesNet and Viasat are the three leading satellite internet providers in 2025, but they differ in important ways. 

• Starlink uses low-Earth orbit satellites to deliver the fastest speeds (often 100–250 Mbps) with much lower latency, making it the best choice for streaming, gaming and video calls, though it requires a higher equipment cost and has limited availability in high-demand areas. 
• Hughesnet is the most affordable option, with plans starting around $39.99 and wide rural availability, but speeds top out at 100 Mbps and data is limited to 100–200 GB of “priority data” before slowing. 
• Viasat sits in between, offering speeds up to 150 Mbps and broader plan flexibility, with 150 GB to “unlimited” data, though like Hughesnet it uses geostationary satellites with higher latency. 

In short, Starlink is best for performance, Hughesnet for budget rural households, and Viasat as a middle ground for coverage and plan variety.

How does latency affect satellite internet performance?

Latency measures the delay in internet response. Lower latency is better for activities like gaming or video calls.

• Starlink: 30–40 ms (lower latency)
• Viasat: Around 605 ms (higher latency)
• Hughesnet: Higher latency, not specified

Starlink's low-orbit satellites reduce latency compared to Hughesnet and Viasat.

Who should consider satellite internet?

Satellite internet is suitable for:

• Rural residents without cable or fiber service
• Individuals needing internet for general browsing and limited streaming
• RV or boat owners requiring mobile internet access

What are the pros and cons of satellite internet?

Pros

• Available in nearly all locations, including rural and remote areas
• Can provide internet for boats and RVs
• Does not require hard-wired infrastructure

Cons

• Higher equipment and installation costs
• Data thresholds and high latency, especially for gaming or streaming
• Not suitable for most apartments or condos

Are there alternatives to satellite internet for rural users?

Satellite was once the only option in outlying communities. Now, fixed wireless and 5G home internet are expanding in rural areas. 

Fixed wireless internet is available to about 78% of U.S. households, making it a fairly accessible option in both urban and rural areas.Performance can vary widely by location, with some areas reaching speeds up to 1,000 Mbps while others see much lower maximums.

If you have access to fiber, cable or 5G home internet, those options are usually better than satellite because they offer faster speeds, lower latency, and unlimited data.

How reliable is satellite internet in bad weather?

Satellite internet can be affected by heavy rain, snow, or dense cloud cover, which may cause slower speeds or temporary signal loss. Light weather conditions usually have little impact, but severe storms can interrupt service more noticeably.

What are the cheapest satellite internet plans?

Hughesnet is the most budget-friendly satellite internet provider, with promotional plans starting around $39.99 per month for speeds up to 25 Mbps and 100–200 GB of priority data before speeds slow. 

Viasat follows with its Essentials plan starting at about $49.99 per month, which includes around 150 GB of high-speed data before deprioritization. 

Starlink is generally more expensive, with its entry plan starting at $80 per month, but it offers faster speeds and no hard data caps, making it a stronger option for heavy users despite the higher cost.

What is the best satellite internet for RVs, boats, and travelers?

For RVs, boats, and frequent travelers, Starlink Roam is the best option. It’s built for mobility, featuring portable kits (like the Starlink Mini) that fit in a vehicle, plans that let you pause and resume service for seasonal travel, and in-motion usage for RVs or watercraft. 

For those on a budget who just need basic connectivity — email, navigation, and light streaming — Hughesnet Lite can be sufficient if cellular or Starlink aren’t feasible or are too expensive. But if you stream in HD, upload files often, make live video calls, or need better responsiveness while moving, a more robust satellite option or other mobile-optimized services will likely be worth the extra cost.

Bottom line

Satellite internet remains an essential option in 2025 for households and travelers in areas where cable, fiber or 5G home internet aren’t available. Starlink is the best choice for speed and lower latency, HughesNet offers the most affordable plans with dependable rural coverage, and Viasat provides broad availability with flexible data options. While all three providers have trade-offs in cost, speed, and performance, they continue to deliver reliable connectivity to communities and users who would otherwise struggle to get online.

FAQs about satellite internet

Is satellite internet available everywhere in the U.S.?

Yes. Satellite internet can reach any location with a clear view of the southern sky. Unlike cable or fiber, it does not require hard-wired infrastructure, making it a reliable option for rural residents.

What should you know about contracts and installation?

Satellite internet contracts and installation policies vary by provider:

• HughesNet: Requires a 24-month contract, includes a price increase after 12 months, and charges an early termination fee
• Starlink: No contracts, with a self-install kit or optional professional setup for $199
• Viasat: No contract required, with professional installation that may be free or cost $99.95

Can you use satellite internet for gaming or streaming?

Yes, you can use satellite internet for gaming and streaming, but performance varies. Streaming generally works well, especially in HD, while online gaming is more challenging due to higher latency, making fast-paced or competitive games less reliable.

Contributing: Lisa Iscrupe, Hannah Whatley, Allconnect

This article was edited with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication.Learn more about Gannett’s AI guidelines and policy here.