
Starlink offers high speeds and low latency, ideal for streaming and gaming.
HughesNet provides affordable plans with reliable rural coverage.
Viasat excels with generous data caps for heavy internet users.
Satellite internet is a game-changer if you live where cable or fiber isn't an option. Starlink, Hughesnet, and Viasat are the main choices, and each has its good points for connecting homes in the sticks. Starlink is all about speed, Hughesnet is about being cheap, and Viasat gives you a lot of data.
This article looks at how fast they are, what they cost, how reliable they are, and what else they offer to see which one is the best for rural internet.
Starlink is the fastest, with download speeds from 50 to 250 Mbps. This is because their satellites are close to Earth (LEO), only 340-745 miles up. This means less lag (20-40 ms), which is great for streaming, gaming, and video calls. HughesNet gets you speeds up to 100 Mbps, but their satellites are way up there (22,236 miles), so you get a lot of lag (600-800 ms).
That can make things feel slow when you're trying to do something fast. Viasat can get you up to 150 Mbps, but they also have that high lag (600-700 ms), so it's not great for gaming. If you need speed, Starlink wins. HughesNet and Viasat are okay if you just want to browse and stream.
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The cost is a big deal. Starlink starts at $120 a month for unlimited data, but you have to pay $599 for the dish and router. There are no contracts, which is good, but that upfront cost can hurt. HughesNet has plans from $50 to $95 a month, but they limit your data to 100-200 GB. The equipment is $99-$449, or you can rent it for $15 a month.
You have to sign a two-year contract to get those prices, which is good if you're on a budget. Viasat's plans are $100 to $150 a month, with 40-500 GB of data. The equipment is $299, or you can rent. They also have month-to-month plans. HughesNet is the cheapest, but if you use a lot of data, Starlink's unlimited data might be worth the extra money.
Data limits matter if you have a lot of devices. Starlink is the best because they give you unlimited data, so they won't slow you down, even when everyone's online. But if the network is busy, your speed might drop a little. HughesNet slows you down a lot after you hit 100-200 GB, but you can still use the internet.
Viasat gives you more data (up to 500 GB), but they'll still slow you down after that, which will make streaming or downloads take forever. If you stream or play games a lot, Starlink is the way to go. Viasat is okay if you don't use that much data, and HughesNet is best if you barely use the internet.
How easy it is to set up and what gear you need varies. Starlink comes with a kit that you can set up yourself. It's easy, and the dish finds the satellites for you. They also offer free professional installation in some places. HughesNet and Viasat make you get it installed by a pro, which costs $100-$299. HughesNet will install it for free if you rent their equipment. Their dishes need to be pointed just right, which is tricky.
Starlink also has a portable Mini dish for $599, and plans from $50-$165 a month. You can take it with you. HughesNet and Viasat are only for homes. If you want to be able to move your internet around or set it up yourself, go with Starlink. HughesNet and Viasat are for people who stay in one place.
All three work almost everywhere in the country if you have a clear view of the sky. Starlink has a lot of satellites (7,000+), so they're steady, but some areas have to wait to get it. HughesNet is reliable, with speeds that stay the same wherever you are, even if the weather is bad. Viasat works in a lot of places, but the speed can change from 10 to 50 Mbps depending on where you are.
Rain or snow can mess with any of them, but Starlink's satellites are closer, so it's not as bad. HughesNet also has a Fusion plan that uses both satellite and fixed wireless. That cuts down on lag a little. If you want something dependable, HughesNet is good. If you live where the weather is bad, Starlink might be better.
Starlink is the best for speed, low lag, and unlimited data. It's great if you have a lot of people using the internet, like for streaming in 4K or playing games. It costs more, but it's worth it if you want the best performance. HughesNet is good if you're on a budget and just need basic internet for browsing or streaming a little. It's cheaper and reliable.
Viasat is in the middle, with a balance of speed and data. It's good if you stream a lot but don't need super-fast responses. It all depends on what you need and what you're willing to pay.
Basically, Starlink, Hughesnet, and Viasat are all different for rural internet. Starlink is the fastest, Hughesnet is the cheapest, and Viasat gives you the most data. You need to think about what's important to you to find the right one.