But, today internet has become one of the important means of communications amongst families to keep them connected. People living in cities have access to prominent internet providers, which are using DSL, cable, and fiber technologies.

Rural areas might not have access to such broadband internet providers. But, even in such areas, you can find the satellite internet providers. HughesNet and Viasat are the two satellite providers who are popular in US. They have a full coverage in US including the rural areas of US.
Let us try to compare the two satellite providers, HughesNet and Viasat to choose between the two for your needs.
Which is Better – HughesNet or Viasat?
The monthly pricing of the plans for HughesNet ranges between $49.99 and $129.99. But, for Viasat, it ranges between $50 and $100.
When you take up the download speed provided by Viasat, it ranges between 12 Mbps to 100 Mbps for the price range of $50 to $100. There are wide range of pricing offered by Viasat, from which the customers can choose.
The download speed provided by HughesNet is 25 Mbps, whatever may be the price range you choose. Moreover, HughesNet is able to provide a reliable internet service. It is also able to maintain the advertised internet speed until the data cap is reached.
But Viasat is able to reach only 71% of the speed it has mentioned. For your home needs, the 25 Mbps speed provided by HughesNet would be sufficient. Instead of going for high speed internet and paying for more, but getting lesser than what is advertised, it might be better to opt for HughestNet, unless you have some specific needs for heavy browsing or downloading activities.
Is Viasat Faster than HughesNet?
Though the starting download speed provided by Viasat is 12 Mbps, there are certain plans which provide a higher download speed. The maximum download speed which Viasat can offer is up to 100 Mbps, which is highly impressive compared to HughesNet, which is able to provide only 25 Mbps.
If you require higher download speeds for performing specific tasks like heavy browsing, online gaming or streaming activities, you can go ahead with Viasat. Otherwise, you can opt for HughesNet.
Is Satellite as Fast as Cable?
Viasat is faster and better in speeds compared to HughesNet. But 100 Mbps speed is nothing compared to DSL, cable, and fiber providers, which are able to provide up to 1 Gbps speed.
But, when you are in some rural area, where you do not have access to such broadband internet providers, you can go for satellite internet providers.
Depending on the speed that you require and your budget, you can choose the plan accordingly.
How About their Data Caps?
HughesNet has a data cap of 10 GB to 50 GB, whereas, for Viasat it is 35 GB to 150 GB. When you opt for Viasat, even its starting plan, provides higher data cap. Price would be more or less the same. So, Viasat offers more data compared to HughesNet.
When your usage has reached up to the data caps, both the providers reduce their speed.
How is the Customer Service?
Customer support is generally excellent, when there is a good competition in the industry. Providers try to give their best support to the users by resolving their queries immediately to gain satisfactory customers.
But, it is not the same with the satellite internet providers. This is because of the reason that people choose the satellite providers only when they have no other option. So, customer support becomes the bottommost priority, when it comes to satellite internet providers.
Both HughesNet and Viasat are popular providers. They provide 24/7 technical support related to service issues, for which they get faster response. At the same time, customer support options are provided at a minimum monthly fee.
HughesNet offers two options for customer support, namely, basic and premium. Viasat provides EasyCare option for customer support.
Both the providers have areas where they can concentrate on, explore, and improve with respect to customer support. Both HughesNet and Viasat are trying to make continuous efforts to improve the support extended by them so that they can increase their customer base.
Conclusion
When it comes to internet speed, HughesNet provides 25 Mbps even for the starting plans. This becomes advantageous for customers with limited to medium usage. For high-end users, Viasat might help.
Starting plans of both the providers are budget-friendly, but the starting plans provide lower speed with Viasat, which might not be worthy to take. Moreover, customers requiring higher data caps can go for Viasat.
But, customer support offered remains the same for both. So, it is the need which is going to decide on whom to go about, HughesNet or Viasat.


