Finding the Best Satellite Internet Providers in Rural Areas in 2026: Starlink vs. Viasat

Finding excellent internet connections in rural areas can be a difficult task. The countryside doesn’t always offer as many choices as major cities when it comes to infrastructure and amenities. This means residents have to rely on basic services, which can be limited or even nonexistent in some areas. So, finding high-speed internet can be a challenge for many, as nearly 66 million Americans live in rural areas. 

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HomeLinkd has curated a list of the best satellite providers across the country to give you everything you need to know about satellite internet, what works best for rural areas, and how you can get your hands on some of the best deals out there.

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What Is a Satellite Internet Service Provider?

A satellite internet service provider (“satellite ISP”) is a company that offers high-speed internet services to customers via satellite. This type of service is perfect for rural areas where other types of infrastructure, e.g., fiber, cable, or DSL, are not available. 

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Satellite ISPs use a satellite dish to connect to a satellite in space, which then relays the signal back down to Earth and into your home as an internet connection.

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Not all satellite internet works the same way, though. OG providers like Viasat and HughesNet rely on geostationary satellites parked roughly 22,000 miles above the equator. The coverage is reliable, but it has noticeably higher latency. 

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Newer entrants like Starlink use large constellations of low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites, sitting just a few hundred miles up, which cuts latency dramatically and makes satellite internet viable for things like video calls and online gaming for the first time. 

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That distinction matters more than the marketing on any single provider’s homepage, so keep it in mind as you compare plans.

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Why Is Satellite Internet Perfect for Rural Areas?

There are a few reasons satellite internet remains the go-to option for rural areas. 

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First, it’s often the only broadband-class option available—if fiber and cable haven’t yet reached your area, satellite may be your only path to real speed. 

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Second, it’s largely immune to the physical damage that can take out cable or DSL lines during storms, ice, or wildfire interference (though satellite dishes have their own weather sensitivity—heavy rains or snow can interrupt signal, particularly with older geostationary systems). 

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Finally, since the early days of satellite internet, we’ve seen tremendous improvements in speed. For instance, Viasat’s newer satellites support download speeds up to 150 Mbps. Starlink’s residential tiers range from 100 Mbps up to 300 Mbps on its top plan. Hughes net offers plans with 50 to 100 Mbps. That’s a far cry from the 25 Mbps ceiling that once were the best the category could offer. 

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Even with these improvements, satellite hasn’t caught up with fiber and cable when it comes to raw speed and latency. So, satellite internet is usually considered the strongest option when wired broadband isn’t available. 

Comparing the Best Satellite Internet Providers: HomeLinkd’s Choices

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The satellite internet landscape has changed a lot since our last update. Here’s where things stand in 2026.

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1. Starlink: Best for heavy users

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Starlink has become the default recommendation for most rural households in 2026, thanks to its low-Earth-orbit constellation.

Starlink’s plans now come in several tiers: Residential 100 (around $50/month, up to 100 Mbps), Residential 200 (around $80/month, up to 200 Mbps), and Residential Max (around $120/month, up to 300 Mbps with top network priority). 

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Starlink also offers Roam plans for RVs and mobile use, starting around $50/month for 100 GB of priority data, and a portable Mini kit for travelers.

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How much does Starlink cost beyond the monthly plan? Standard hardware runs about $349 one-time (or a monthly rental fee in some areas), while the Starlink Mini is around $249. Pricing and equipment fees vary by location and have shifted more than once in the past year, so always confirm current numbers at starlink.com before signing up.

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Is Starlink worth it? Many people without access to fiber or cable find Starlink to be the fastest, lowest-latency satellite option on the market, with median latency around 25ms (compared to the much higher lag typical of geostationary providers). It is pricier than a basic cable plan, but for rural households, it’s often the best performance-per-dollar option available.

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2. Viasat: Best for simple, no-contract pricing

In our 2022 review, Viasat was our top pick for the best satellite internet provider. And this year, it’s still a solid choice, especially since the Viasat-3 satellite launches boosted maximum speeds up to 150 Mbps in many areas. Impressive.  

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Plans generally range from around $40/month for entry-level, capped-data options up to roughly $100 – 150/month for unlimited, higher-priority plans. Viasat’s Unleashed plan offers no annual contract and unlimited standard data, which makes it one of the easier satellite providers to try without a long-term commitment.

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Starlink vs. Viasat: the biggest practical difference between these two popular choices isn’t speed. It’s latency. Because Viasat uses geostationary satellites, typical latency is simply higher than Starlink’s. This can become especially noticeable during video calls, gaming, and other activities sensitive to lag. 

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For many rural households, to be honest, that won’t make that much of a difference. And Viasat’s no-contract plan is appealing for a lot of buyers. Often, though, what it really comes down to is which service is available in your area.  

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3. HughesNet: You may have read about EchoStar’s (the parent company of HughesNet) financial maneuvers and wondered if HughesNet is still available. It is. And in fact continues to be a solid budget option, serving residential customers across the country and remaining a reasonable choice for lighter users who mainly need email, browsing, and everyday connectivity at a lower price point than Starlink or Viasat’s higher tiers. 

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It’s worth a quick check on current plan terms and support options before you sign up. Many rural households have found HughesNet a dependable, budget-friendly way to get online.

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‍Satellite Internet Plans You Need

Now that we’ve gone over the best satellite internet providers, it’s time to take a look at some of the different types of plans they offer. 

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1. Starlink plans

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Starlink’s plans are tiered by speed rather than one-size-fits-all.

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• Residential 100 is for light users 
• Residential 200 is for households with a few simultaneous users or remote work needs
• Residential Max for heavier use like 4K streaming or gaming across multiple devices. 

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Roam plans serve RVers and travelers, with an option to add portability to a residential plan instead if you only travel occasionally. 

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Starlink speeds top out around 300 Mbps on Max plans, though actual performance varies by location and how many people are currently using the internet.

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2. Viasat plans

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Viasat’s current lineup offers two main options:

• An entry plan with a capped priority-data allowance 
• The Unleashed plan with unlimited standard data and no contract. 

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Speeds range from around 12 Mbps on the most basic legacy plans up to 100 Mbps on newer Viasat-3-backed plans. It’s worth checking exactly which satellite serves your address as you compare your options.

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3. HughesNet plans

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HughesNet’s Gen5 plans remain available in most areas. And often at a lower monthly cost than Starlink or Viasat’s, even for the new higher (100 – 200 GB) tiers. 

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Again, it’s worth confirming current plan details, contract terms, and equipment costs for your specific address to compare plans.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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How does satellite internet work?

Satellite internet works by beaming a signal from a satellite in space down to a dish on your property. The dish then sends the signal to a modem, which translates it into an internet connection that you can use for browsing, streaming, calls, email, and more. 

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How can I get satellite internet?

If you’re interested in getting satellite internet, the first step is to check if it’s available in your area. You can do this by using an online availability checker or reaching out to a satellite provider directly. Once you’ve confirmed that service is available, you can choose a plan and schedule the installation. 

Is satellite internet best for rural areas?

For households without access to fiber or cable, satellite remains the most reliable way to get broadband-class speeds, especially now that low-Earth-orbit options have narrowed the performance gap and decreased the latency challenges. ‍

Is satellite better than DSL or cable internet?

It depends on what’s available to you. Satellite reaches almost anywhere in the U.S. and isn’t vulnerable to downed lines. If wired broadband is available at your address, it’s often the better choice. ‍

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Starlink vs. Viasat: which is better? 

Thanks to its low-orbit satellites, Starlink generally wins on speed and latency, making it the better fit for gaming, video calls, and heavier household use. 

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Viasat, however, can still be worth considering, especially if you specifically want a no-contract plan with predictable pricing. Plus, Starlink is not available in all areas. 

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Is Starlink worth it? 

Many rural households without fiber or cable access have found Starlink to be the a great solution. It is, however, more expensive than a typical wired plan or other satellite internet options. If you are looking for the fastest, lowest-latency satellite option, the cost may be worth it, especially now that the pricing has become more flexible with multiple tiers to choose from.

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Find the Best Satellite Internet Packages with HomeLinkd

Satellite internet plans are available from a number of different providers, each supplying different speeds, pricing, and data allowances. If you’re not sure which plan is right for you, visit HomeLinkd to find out which provider and package are best suited to you through our handy guides and easy-to-use tools.

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Get great internet access and compare providers today.

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