07/29/2019
FROM: Reviews.org
Viasat: Best overall satellite internet 2019
Viasat has seriously stepped up its game this year. Last year, it was easy to rule it out thanks to HughesNet’s standardized pricing and higher speeds—but things have changed since then. Viasat now gives you faster speeds for less money (depending on where you live), and it has unlimited data (sort of).
There’s no way around it: satellite internet is pricey. But of our two competitors, Viasat gives you more data and Mbps for your money than HughesNet. And those are huge ranking factors for us, because, well, we tend to quality.
Both Viasat and HughesNet aren’t accepting new installations in certain areas in the US. But for the most part, you can get one of these plans no matter where you live. After all, that’s the benefits of satellite internet.
What about data caps?
Good news! Viasat doesn’t have data caps anymore. Its “unlimited” plans are available almost everywhere, so it doesn’t charge you extra when you go over some absurdly low data limit.
That’s great because low data caps are one of the biggest downsides of satellite internet. But don’t think you’re out of the woods yet.
Viasat might not charge you extra, but it does say it can prioritize other internet users above you if you use more than a certain amount of data per month (40, 60, 100, or 150 GB depending on your plan). So your speed probably will go down if you use more than that.
Viasat data guidelines
40 GB — $50–$70/mo.
60 GB — $70–$100/mo.
100 GB — $100–$150/mo.
150 GB — $150–$200/mo.
We don’t love the lack of transparency, but even if Viasat does lower your internet speed after the set data amount, Viasat still offers higher data allotments than your other satellite option, HughesNet. (And HughesNet outright promises to lower your speeds if you go over the limit.)
The bottom line
As satellite internet goes, Viasat is about as good as it gets. Compared to HughesNet, which is your only other option, you get more data and higher speeds for your money.
We realize Viasat’s speeds still aren’t that high (especially considering latency) and the price is very high for what you get, but if you have no other rural internet options, Viasat is the way to go.
