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Hughesnet review 2025


Hughesnet is one of the best satellite internet providers. It is available in all 50 US states and Latin America, and what makes it unique is that it offers satellite internet.

Thanks to its satellite technology, Hughesnet’s internet service works in rural areas where fiber and cable internet aren’t available. It lets you stay connected, stream movies, and play games online from anywhere.

Like other satellite internet providers, Hughesnet’s performance varies depending on your location, how well the dish is positioned, and the weather. Still, Hughesnet is considered one of the best internet service providers for rural areas of the US where the infrastructure isn’t available for cable or fiber internet.

I worked with the Cybernews research team to analyze Hughesnet closely. Keep reading this detailed Hughesnet review to discover my verdict on this satellite internet service.

Availability in the US:In all 50 states
Monthly cost range:$49.99-$94.99/month
Download/upload speeds:50Mbps-100Mbps/5Mbps
Data cap:None
Latency:600-650ms
Equipment fees:$299.99-$449.99
Contract length:24 months

Hughesnet satellite internet: Pros and cons

Hughesnet has a lot to offer, but there are some areas it’s lacking. Here’s a brief overview of the pros and cons of this service.

Hughesnet plans and pricing

Before we delve into Hughesnet’s plans and pricing, I should point out that it is one of the most affordable satellite and wireless Internet providers available today. Now, let’s compare Hughesnet’s plans:

Plan namePrice per monthMaximum download/upload speedsFees and service detailsBest for:
Select $49.99/month50Mbps/5Mbps
  • Unlimited data and 100GB of priority data
  • $14.99 monthly equipment lease
  • 24-month contract with a $400 early termination fee
  • $199.99 professional installation fee
  • Small households
  • Browse, shop, social media
  • Stream music/podcasts
  • HD streaming
Elite $64.99/month100Mbps/5Mbps
  • Unlimited data and 200GB of priority data
  • $14.99 monthly equipment lease
  • 24-month contract with a $400 early termination fee
  • $199.99 professional installation fee
  • Active households
  • Browse, shop, social media
  • Stream music/podcasts
  • HD streaming
  • Video-conferencing
  • Strategy/role-playing games
Fusion $94.99/month100Mbps/5Mbps
  • Unlimited data and 200GB of priority data
  • $19.99 monthly equipment lease
  • 24-month contract with a $400 early termination fee
  • $199.99 professional installation fee
  • Browse, shop, social media
  • Stream music/podcasts
  • HD streaming
  • Video-conferencing
  • Multi-player, real-time gaming

Hughesnet offers affordable data plans. Compared to some of the best satellite internet providers, like Viasat and Starlink, whose plans start at $129.99 and $120 per month, respectively, its satellite internet plans start at $49.99/month.

Hughesnet plans include unlimited data and a 1-year discount. However, they come with a 24-month contract and high equipment rental or purchasing fees. If you lease the equipment, you’ll pay $14.99/month, while the purchase fee is $299.99.

Hughesnet’s Fusion plan combines satellite and fixed wireless internet. It offers faster speeds and the lowest latency but is also the most expensive. The plan costs $94.99/month. You can rent the equipment for $19.99/month or purchase it for $449.99.

What is Hughesnet Fusion?

Hughesnet Fusion is a hybrid internet service that combines satellite and terrestrial wireless connections. This model addresses and solves the most significant issue with satellite internet: the incredibly high latency that arises from sending data thousands of miles into space and back.

Hughesnet Fusion includes equipment that helps you connect to local wireless networks for latency-sensitive activities, such as gaming or video calls. Therefore, it can significantly reduce lag. With the Fusion plan, your internet service is much faster and more responsive, perfect for time-sensitive applications or activities.

Satellite internet installation and equipment

Hughesnet has high installation and equipment fees. However, this internet provider offers a solution. You can lease the equipment to avoid paying $299.99 to purchase in its satellite plans (or $449.99 in the Fusion deal).

You need to pay $14.99/month to lease Hughesnet equipment if you opt for one of its beginner satellite plans. However, the leasing fee for its Hughesnet Fusion plan is $19.99/month. There is also an installation fee of $99, regardless of your chosen plan.

However, the monthly lease costs are more expensive than the one-time purchase fee. So, I recommend purchasing Hughesnet’s equipment if you plan to use this internet service for 2 years or more.

Unfortunately, there are a few additional fees. If you decide to terminate your Hughesnet contract before it ends, you must pay an early termination fee of $400. On top of this, the lease option has a $300 fee if you don’t return the equipment.

Overall, the installation process for each Hughesnet plan includes a technician visit to set up your satellite dish and Wi-Fi modem. While some of the best internet providers have a self-installation option, Hughesnet doesn’t.

How does Hughesnet compare with competitors?

Now that you know a bit about Hughesnet, its availability in your area, and what it offers, let’s put it head-to-head with other satellite internet providers, such as Viasat and Starlink. Check out the comparison table below to see the key differences between these providers in terms of their speed, pricing, coverage, and features:

ProviderSpeedPricingCoverageFeatures
Hughesnet50-100Mbps$49.99-$94.99/monthAll 50 US states
  • Unlimited data
  • Professional installation
  • Satellite + wireless Internet plan
Viasat 52Mbps$129.99/monthAll 50 US states
  • Unlimited data
  • No contract
  • Professional installation
  • Live customer support
Starlink 30-150Mbps$120/monthAll 50 US states
  • No contract
  • Unlimited data
  • 30-day trial

Hughesnet user reviews

To provide you with the most accurate Hughesnet review, I made it a point to check user reviews on sites like Trustpilot and Reddit. Here are my findings:

  • Common praises. Most positive reviews about Hughesnet mention its reliable and helpful customer support team. Users say that Hughesnet’s customer service was always happy to assist them regardless of their issues. Some users also praised Hughesnet for delivering the same speed as advertised.
  • Common complaints. Unfortunately, many users complain about Hughesnet prices, especially the additional fees I’ve discussed above (installation, equipment, etc). Also, there are some complaints about its speeds, particularly about data throttling, even though Hughesnet claims it has no data caps.

Hughesnet: Our verdict

Hughesnet is a popular satellite internet service available in all US states. It’s a perfect option for rural areas without fiber-optic or cable internet. However, various factors can affect satellite internet performance. So, if you choose this provider, I recommend its Fusion deal, which also offers wireless connections.

Hughesnet might not be ideal for people on a tight budget who want 5G speeds. However, it is a relatively decent internet provider, mainly because it is available in rural areas, where many providers don’t have coverage. It also stands out from its competitors by offering a hybrid satellite and wireless internet plan.

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