HughesNet internet plans and prices reviewed

Q: What is HughesNet?

HughesNet is a broadband satellite internet service . With HughesNet satellite technology, you can stay connected no matter where you live.

By Ari Howard Last updated: November 17, 2022

HughesNet the satellite internet provider offering nationwide availability and up to 100GB data plans

Speeds up to 25 Mbps starting at:
$64.99/mo.
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Last updated 02/01/2022.
Shop HughesNet
or call to order: (844) 451-2720 (844) 451-2720

HughesNet home internet review

HughesNet is one of the best internet options available to residents of rural areas where a cable or fiber optic connection isn’t available. Satellite internet from HughesNet is also faster than DSL, another popular rural internet choice, in many areas, but is likely to be higher priced than most DSL plans.

Introducing HughesNet Fusion

HughesNet Fusion plans were introduced in the fall of 2022 and are available in select areas of the U.S. The plans combine satellite and wireless technologies to deliver a high-speed, low-latency, reliable internet. HughesNet Fusion plans are 50 GB or 100 GB with 25 Mbps download speeds.

Availability is the biggest advantage of HughesNet service, but it also comes with other perks such as broadband speeds, Wi-Fi capabilities and flexible data options. Check out our review of HughesNet to discover if the service is right for your home.

HughesNet internet rating

Allconnect Rating

2.10 / out of 5 stars

This score is based off of the 4 plans HughesNet has available

Rating breakdown

Affordability
2.70 / 5
Performance
1.90 / 5
Value
1.00 / 5
Customer satisfaction
1.16 / 5

What we like

Available anywhere – HughesNet is available in all 50 states.
Bonus Zone data – Enjoy an extra 50GB of data each month available between the hours of 2-8 a.m.
Actual vs. advertised speeds – In a 2018 broadband report, the FCC scored HughesNet among the highest for actual vs. advertised speed performance.

Things to consider

Two-year contract – HughesNet requires a two-year service agreement, and changing or canceling service before it’s up can result in early termination fees.
High latency – Satellite internet has high latency, which makes online gaming impractical.
One download speed – HughesNet plans all come with max download speeds of 25 Mbps and upload speeds of 3 Mbps.

HughesNet internet plans and pricing

Plan name	Best for	Starting price*	Download speeds**	Monthly data allowance
15 GB	Single-subscribers who browse	$64.99/mo.	25 Mbps	15GB
30 GB	Small households that don’t stream video	$74.99/mo.	25 Mbps	30GB
50 GB	Mid-sized households who stream some TV	$89.99/mo.	25 Mbps	45GB
100 GB	Households who work and learn from home	$149.99/mo.	25 Mbps	75GB

All HughesNet Internet Plans come with equal max speed

HughesNet plans all come with max download speeds of 25 Mbps and upload speeds of 3 Mbps. Speeds meet the minimum requirement to be considered broadband internet and may offer a faster connection than DSL, especially in rural areas.

Shop HughesNet plans

HughesNet delivers high-speed internet with widespread availability.

Order online

or call us today: (844) 451-2720 (844) 451-2720

Choosing a HughesNet data plan

Your best HughesNet internet plan depends on the type of internet activities you enjoy and the amount of time you spend online. HughesNet internet plans are categorized by monthly data allotment. Here’s what you can do with each HughesNet internet plan:

15GB
With 15GB of data, you can do one of the following each month:
- Stream 208 hours of audio
- Stream 21 hours of DVD-quality video
- Stream six hours of HD-quality video
- Browse Facebook for 96 hours
- Participate in nine hours of Zoom meetings
30GB
With 30GB of data, you can do one of the following each month:
- Stream 416 hours of audio
- Stream 43 hours of DVD-quality video
- Stream 12 hours of HD-quality video
- Browse Facebook for 192 hours
- Participate in 19 hours of Zoom meetings
50GB
With 50GB of data, you can do one of the following each month:
- Stream 624 hours of audio
- Stream 62 hours of DVD-quality video
- Stream 18 hours of HD-quality video
- Browse Facebook for 288 hours
- Participate in 28 hours of Zoom meetings
100GB
With 100GB of data, you can do one of the following each month:
- Stream 1,042 hours of audio
- Stream 107 hours of DVD-quality video
- Stream 30 hours of HD-quality video
- Browse Facebook for 481 hours
- Participate in 47 hours of Zoom meetings

Make the most of your Bonus Zone data

HughesNet plans come with “Bonus Zone” data, which is an additional 50GB of data included at no extra cost each month available between the hours of 2-8 a.m. Obviously, this isn’t the most convenient time to be shopping online or streaming a TV show, but strategically setting a movie or large file to download during this time is a smart way to take advantage of the extra free data.

What if I go over my data limit?

HughesNet plans are “unlimited” in that they won’t cut your connection or charge you extra for going over your monthly data allowance. They will, however, reduce your speeds to somewhere in the range of 1-3 Mbps for the remainder of the billing period.

If you don’t want to wait until the next billing period to bring your speeds back up, consider purchasing Data Tokens. These extra data blocks do not expire and are available until you have used them in full.

HughesNet Wi-Fi equipment and fees

HughesNet equipment has built-in Wi-Fi capabilities so that you can connect Wi-Fi-enabled devices to your network. Your HughesNet plan includes a modem and router in one device, available for purchase or rental. The tradeoff between purchasing and renting your equipment is that you get access to free equipment upgrades when you rent; however, you can save $14 if you buy your equipment.

HughesNet monthly equipment rental fee: $14.99/mo. for 24 months ($359.76 total)
HughesNet equipment purchase fee: $449.99 ($99 activation waived when you purchase your equipment; totals $345.99)

Is HughesNet’s equipment good?

Score: 5/5

HughesNet offers top-notch Wi-Fi equipment, featuring 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Its modem and router are as fast and advanced as any equipment you’ll find from most other providers, so it’s worth using and it’s probably worth sticking with their equipment instead of buying your own equipment.

Other HughesNet internet fees

Aside from equipment fees, taxes and various government fees for service, there aren’t many extra fees you’ll have to worry about with HughesNet. Even though there are data limits with every HughesNet plan, you will never receive an overage fee since HughesNet will just slow your internet speeds to 1-3 Mbps until the month is over. Therefore, HughesNet is one of the better providers regarding straightforward pricing.

Standard installation: Included with your order
Activation fee: $99 (unless you buy your equipment)
Data tokens: Starting at $9
Early termination fee: $400 if you cancel within the first 90 days, fee decreases by $15 for each month of active service thereafter

How does HughesNet internet service compare to Viasat?

HughesNet is an option for internet in your area, but it may not be the only one. Find out which providers are in your area and compare pricing, speeds and more with Allconnect.

HughesNet	Viasat
Starting price at
$64.99/mo.*	$69.99/mo.*
Internet Speeds
25-25 Mbps	12 Mbps – 100 Mbps
Data cap
No hard data caps	Unlimited
Contract
Two years	2-year contract

Provider: HughesNet
Starting price at: $64.99/mo.*; $69.99/mo.*
Internet Speeds: 25-25 Mbps; 12 Mbps – 100 Mbps
Data cap: No hard data caps; Unlimited
Contract: Two years; 2-year contract

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 02/01/22. **Actual speeds may vary and are not guaranteed. ***If you exceed your monthly plan data, you will experience reduced data speeds, which are typically in the range of 1-3 Mbps, until your next billing period.

HughesNet internet FAQs

What is HughesNet?

HughesNet is a broadband satellite internet service. With HughesNet satellite technology, you can stay connected no matter where you live.

Can I get HughesNet high-speed internet in my area?

Yes! HughesNet is available coast to coast in the U.S. All you need is a clear view of the southern sky.

Do HughesNet plans have hard data caps?

All HughesNet plans have no hard data limits. That means if you reach your data limit, you can still use the internet at reduced speeds of 1 to 3 Mbps. You also have the option to purchase extra data, called Data Tokens, to bring your speed back up to 25 Mbps.

Does HughesNet support gaming?

HughesNet service can support “turn-based” strategy games and apps like chess or Candy Crush. However, real-time, multiplayer games like Destiny and Overwatch will not work with satellite internet service. This is due to the half-second delay that occurs when your computer communicates with the satellite, making it difficult to maintain a continuous connection with the gaming server.

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Written by:

Ari Howard

Associate Writer, Broadband & Wireless Content

Ari is an Associate Writer for the Allconnect team. She primarily writes about broadband news and studies, particularly relating to internet access, digital safety, broadband-related technology and the digital d… Read more