HughesNet vs. Starlink (2026)
Both are satellite internet, but they work very differently. Starlink is usually the better connection; HughesNet can be cheaper for a year.
Pick Starlink if it serves your address: from $55/mo, no contract, and much lower latency. HughesNet Lite at $39.99/mo for 12 months is the cheaper first year for light use, but speeds and latency are far behind.
Side by side
Which to choose
- Starlink for video calls, gaming, remote work or a busy household.
- HughesNet if Starlink has a waitlist or surcharge in your area and you mostly browse and email.
- Check 5G and fixed wireless first: the best rural internet.
Reviews: Starlink · HughesNet. Full three-way comparison: Starlink vs. HughesNet vs. Viasat.
Who are HughesNet and Starlink?
Both sell satellite internet: a dish at your home talks to satellites instead of a cable in the street. It is mainly used in rural areas that cable and fiber don't reach. The big difference is how far away the satellites are.
Satellite internet from Hughes, a Maryland company owned by EchoStar. Its parent filed for Chapter 11 in August 2026 and says service continues.
Satellite internet from SpaceX, Elon Musk's rocket company. Open to the public since 2020.
Why latency matters more than speed
Latency is the delay before data starts moving. HughesNet's geostationary satellites sit about 22,000 miles up, so every request makes a long round trip and latency is around 600 ms or more. You notice it as a pause before pages load, lag on video calls and online games that feel unresponsive. Starlink's satellites orbit much lower, so the delay is short enough for calls and most gaming.
Data and speed in practice
HughesNet plans include a set amount of priority data each month; after it's used, you keep an unlimited connection at standard speeds, which can be slower at busy times. Starlink's Residential plans have no allowance, but the 100 and 200 Mbps plans are deprioritized when the network is busy. For a household that streams video every evening, Starlink is usually the better experience.
Equipment and installation
- HughesNet includes free professional installation for lease customers; the dish is mounted and aimed by a technician.
- Starlink is self-install with an app-guided setup; professional installation is $99 on the 100 Mbps plan and free on higher plans.
- Both need a clear view: HughesNet toward a fixed point in the southern sky, Starlink a wide view of open sky.
Switching from HughesNet to Starlink
- Check your HughesNet agreement for an early termination fee before you cancel.
- Install and test Starlink first, then cancel HughesNet once it works.
- Return any leased HughesNet equipment to avoid unreturned-equipment charges.
Questions
Is HughesNet cheaper than Starlink?
For the first year, yes: HughesNet Lite is $39.99/mo for 12 months, then standard rates. Starlink starts at $55/mo with no promo period.
Why is HughesNet slower than Starlink?
HughesNet uses geostationary satellites about 22,000 miles up, which adds latency of around 600 ms or more. Starlink's satellites orbit much lower.
Can I game on HughesNet?
Turn-based and offline games are fine, but fast online games feel laggy because HughesNet's latency is around 600 ms or more. Starlink is much better for online gaming.
Sources (1)
- Plan pages and Broadband Facts labels from Starlink Residential, HughesNet, checked Oct 2026
- Company filings and announcements for customer counts (SpaceX June 2026, Viasat FY2026 annual report, EchoStar Q2 2026)
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.