Top Satellite Internet Providers for 2024

Top Satellite Internet Providers for 2024: Through satellite, Hughesnet, Viasat, and Starlink are the best internet service companies (ISPs) in the United States. Plans for satellite internet start at $49.99 a month and offer speeds of up to 200 Mbps. Find out more about satellite Wi-Fi by reading on.

Top Satellite Internet Providers for 2024

Hughesnet internet plans – Cheapest satellite internet plans

Score all around: 2.3 out of 5.

Hughesnet offers two types of internet connections: regular satellite and Fusion, which is a mix of satellite and wifi technology. For a higher price, Fusion plans offer more data, faster speeds, and less delay.

Hughesnet’s basic plans offer download speeds of up to 25 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 3 Mbps. The weekly costs change based on the amount of data used. HughesNet won’t cut you off if you go over your monthly data limit, but your service will slow down, and speeds will not return to normal until the following month.

HughesNet Internet contracts last for 24 months. After 12 months, the price goes up, and there is an early termination fee (ETF) that starts at $400. You can rent the satellite dish, modem, and router for $14.99 a month or buy them for $449.99 ($19.99 a month and $549.99 for Fusion).

Check Out: Top Prepaid Internet Providers for 2024

Starlink internet plans

Score all around: 3.2 out of 5.

Starlink is a relatively new satellite internet service provider. The company began giving service in late 2019 and is still growing its reach. Upload speeds (5–25 Mbps) are faster than with many other services. Download speeds can go up to 200 Mbps. Starlink plans don’t have contracts, installation fees, or data caps like Hughesnet and Viasat plans do.

The Standard plan, which costs $120 a month, is the best deal for homes. Speeds will rely on where you live. This Starlink map shows the speeds that work in your area. Starlink also has two plans for traveling satellite internet that can be used in RVs or boats.

Starlink’s equipment fees are higher than those of Hughesnet or Viasat, and you can’t rent equipment by the month. Starlink gives you the equipment to set up yourself, but you might need to hire a technician in your area to connect you to the internet and set up the equipment.

Viasat – Fast speeds with plans

Score all around: 2.1 out of 5.

Viasat has four main internet plans and covers almost the whole country of the United States. Viasat lets you choose a plan based on how fast you want your internet to be or how much data you need. More data comes with faster speeds, but once you reach your monthly data limit, all plans will slow down your connection. Uplink speeds for all Viasat plans are limited to 3 Mbps, which can make it hard to play games in real time or upload big files.

Viasat also charges a modem rental fee of $9.99 per month and an installation fee of $99.95 for new customers, though approved customers don’t have to pay for installation. Most Viasat internet deals come with a two-year contract that costs an extra $15 per month after the first year.

Check Out: Top Prepaid Internet Providers for 2024

Who should get internet through satellite?

If your home doesn’t have access to fiber or cable internet, satellite internet is a good choice. Because a satellite has to be put on top of a building to provide service, this type of internet connection is not good for places with multiple units, like flats or condos.

When shopping for satellite internet, think about what you do on the internet. Less expensive internet deals, like Hughesnet’s $49.99 standard plan, are fine for browsing the web. If you want to connect a lot of gadgets in your home at once, Viasat plans with more data and faster speeds will work. Starlink’s unlimited standard data plan will work better for your home if you use your satellite home Wi-Fi to watch. Skylink’s mobile satellite internet is the best choice if you need satellite internet for a boat or RV.

Access to satellite internet

Satellite internet is always on, which is something that other types of internet don’t offer. Cable, fiber-optic, or copper lines are what most internet companies use to send the signal to your home. One good thing about satellite internet is that it can reach anywhere with a clear view of the southern sky. Satellites provide internet to many homes in rural areas that are in tough terrain, like mountainous areas.