You might think that satellite internet is pretty much the same no matter which internet service provider you pick, but that isn’t really the case. Starlink and HughesNet are both satellite internet providers, but they have more differences than you might guess.

HughesNet vs Starlink Side-by-Side Comparison

Category Starlink HughesNet
Installation Price $499 $449
Monthly Price $99 From $60-$150
Service Contract None 2 years
Data Limits None Based on monthly price. From 10GB-50GB
Cancellation Fee None Up to $400
Max Download Speed 200Mbps 25Mbps
Average Latency 20-30ms 600-1200ms

Price and Limitations

When it comes to choosing an internet service provider, one thing most people want to know is how much it’s going to cost. This is one area where HughesNet and Starlink don’t seem to differ very much, but make sure you watch out for some hidden costs. With Starlink, the installation price is $499, unless you need to have your satellite dish anywhere above ground-level. The included base is only designed for ground-level installation, so if you need to mount it to a pole or a roof, you’re going to need to purchase additional equipment. Starlink internet is designed to be self-installed, so if you can’t install it yourself, you may have to pay someone who can. HughesNet may seem more straightforward at first, but that is only until you decide you don’t want it anymore and you realize you signed a two-year contract with them. You can then expect a cancellation fee of up to $400. HughesNet also has data-limits. If you go over them, your internet speed will plummet. You can, however, purchase additional data from HughesNet to bump your speed back up.

Performance

The other thing most people will be considering is how fast and reliable the internet will be. With Starlink and HughesNet, the differences here couldn’t be clearer. Starlink offers only one service level that advertises speeds between 100-200Mbps with no data limits, no contract, and a latency less than 20ms. HughesNet only offers a top speed of 25Mbps, and many customers report actual speeds much lower. HughesNet has a mandatory two-year contract and has a latency between 600-1200ms. When it comes to performance, Starlink blows HughesNet out of the water. But there is one more thing to consider.

Availability

While there may be one of these two that seems like the better option to you, it still has to be available to your address in order to use it. HughesNet is available almost anywhere, but Starlink is still growing its coverage area and may not be available to you. The only way to know for sure is to enter your address on their website and see if you get put on the waiting list. Be aware though, many people have reported having to wait years to have Starlink shipped to them.

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