HughesNet vs Viasat
HughesNet ranks higher on our formula, 32 to 26 on each provider's best plan. HughesNet is cheaper over two years (from $50/mo all-in), and both top out at 100 Mbps.
Prices last checked September 2026.
Side by side
HughesNet and Viasat compared
Real cost is the two-year monthly average with the promo step-up, equipment rental and installation folded in.
| Measure | HughesNet | Viasat |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Satellite | Satellite |
| Fastest plan | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Upload on fastest plan | 5 Mbps | 5 Mbps |
| Lowest advertised price | $50/mo | $100/mo |
| Lowest real cost | $50/mo | $100/mo |
| Price steps up after promo | No | No |
| Data caps | On some plans | None |
| Contracts | On some plans | On some plans |
| Equipment fee | Included | Included |
| States served | Nationwide | Nationwide |
| Our rating (best plan) | 32/100 | 26/100 |
Plans
Every plan from both
HughesNet
SatelliteNot yet checked- Select50 Mbps · $50/mo · real $50
- Elite100 Mbps · $75/mo · real $75
- Fusion100 Mbps · $90/mo · real $90
Viasat
SatelliteNot yet checked- Unleashed 5050 Mbps · $100/mo · real $100
- Unleashed 100100 Mbps · $150/mo · real $150
Honest assessment
Where each one wins
HughesNet
- Nationwide availability
- Lower entry price than Viasat
- Fusion plans blend satellite with wireless to cut latency
- High latency on standard plans
- Speeds throttle after the priority allowance
- 24-month contract
Viasat
- Available at essentially every US address
- No hard data cutoff on Unleashed plans
- Free standard installation
- 600+ ms latency — video calls and gaming suffer
- Speeds slow during peak hours
- 24-month contract
Questions
HughesNet vs Viasat, answered
Is HughesNet or Viasat better?
HughesNet ranks higher on our formula, 32 to 26 on each provider's best plan. HughesNet is cheaper over two years (from $50/mo all-in), and both top out at 100 Mbps.
Which is cheaper, HughesNet or Viasat?
HughesNet has the lower real cost: $50 a month averaged over two years with fees included, against $100 for Viasat. The advertised entry prices are $50 for HughesNet and $100 for Viasat.
Which is faster, HughesNet or Viasat?
HughesNet sells the faster top plan, at 100 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up. Viasat tops out at 100 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up. For most households upload speed matters more than the headline download figure.
Where can I get both HughesNet and Viasat?
Both are sold in every state, which makes them the usual alternatives to each other wherever wired service is limited.
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