Satellite internet has become an increasingly viable option for people living in rural areas, remote locations, or places where traditional broadband infrastructure simply doesn’t reach. But one of the most common questions potential customers ask is: how much does satellite internet actually cost per month? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might hope, as pricing varies significantly between providers and depends on several factors beyond just the monthly service fee.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about satellite internet costs, from monthly plans to hidden fees, equipment expenses, and how these prices compare to other internet options. Whether you’re considering Starlink, Viasat, HughesNet, or another provider, this article will help you understand the true cost of staying connected via satellite.
Understanding Satellite Internet Pricing Basics
Before diving into specific numbers, it’s important to understand what influences satellite internet pricing. Unlike cable or fiber internet that relies on physical infrastructure running to your home, satellite internet beams data between a satellite dish at your property and satellites orbiting Earth. This technology comes with unique cost considerations.
The primary factors affecting your monthly satellite internet bill include the provider you choose, the speed tier you select, data allowances or caps, contract requirements, and your geographical location. Additionally, you’ll need to account for one-time costs like equipment and installation, which can significantly impact your first-year expenses.
Monthly Service Costs by Major Provider
Let’s examine what the leading satellite internet providers charge for their monthly services.
Starlink Pricing
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has rapidly become one of the most popular satellite internet options due to its high speeds and relatively low latency. As of 2025, Starlink offers several service tiers with different pricing structures.
The standard Starlink residential service typically costs around $120 per month. This plan provides unlimited data with download speeds ranging from 25 to 220 Mbps, though speeds can vary based on network congestion and your location. There are no contracts required, giving customers the flexibility to cancel anytime without penalties.
For customers who need internet on the go, Starlink offers a mobile plan called Roam, which costs approximately $150 per month. This service allows you to use your Starlink system while traveling, making it popular among RV owners and boaters. There’s also a Mobile Priority plan for around $250 monthly, offering faster speeds and higher priority on the network.
Business customers have access to Starlink Business, which costs significantly more at roughly $500 per month but includes higher priority service, faster speeds, and better customer support tailored to commercial needs.
Viasat Pricing
Viasat is one of the established players in the satellite internet market, offering various plans to suit different usage needs. Their monthly costs typically range from $70 to $150 depending on the plan you choose.
The entry-level Viasat Unleashed plan starts around $70 per month for speeds up to 50 Mbps with 100 GB of high-speed data. After you exceed your data allowance, speeds are reduced during peak hours but return to normal during off-peak times.
Mid-tier plans cost approximately $100 to $120 monthly and offer speeds up to 100 Mbps with data allowances ranging from 150 GB to 300 GB. The highest-tier plans can reach $150 per month, providing speeds up to 150 Mbps with unlimited data, though speeds may be deprioritized after a certain threshold.
It’s worth noting that Viasat often requires a two-year contract, and early termination fees can be substantial, sometimes reaching several hundred dollars depending on how much time remains on your agreement.
HughesNet Pricing
HughesNet is another long-standing satellite internet provider, generally offering lower prices than some competitors but with more restrictive data caps and slower speeds.
HughesNet plans typically range from $50 to $100 per month. Their basic plan starts around $50 monthly for 15 GB of data with speeds up to 25 Mbps. Mid-range options cost about $75 for 50 GB of data at the same speed, while their highest plan costs roughly $100 per month for 100 GB of data.
One unique feature of HughesNet is their bonus data offering, which provides an additional 50 GB of data usable only during off-peak hours (typically 2 AM to 8 AM). This doesn’t expand your daytime data allowance but can be useful for large downloads or updates.
Like Viasat, HughesNet typically requires a 24-month contract, with early termination fees that decrease gradually over the contract period.
Equipment and Installation Costs
Monthly service fees only tell part of the story. Equipment and installation represent significant upfront costs that can greatly impact your first-year expenses.
Starlink Equipment Costs
Starlink requires a one-time equipment purchase of approximately $599 for the standard residential kit. This includes the satellite dish (affectionately called “Dishy”), a Wi-Fi router, cables, and mounting hardware. The equipment is yours to keep, and installation is designed to be straightforward enough for self-installation, saving you professional installation fees.
For the mobile Roam service, equipment costs remain the same at $599. However, Starlink Business equipment costs significantly more, around $2,500 for the larger, more powerful business-grade dish and associated hardware.
Viasat Equipment Costs
Viasat’s approach to equipment differs from Starlink’s. Typically, they offer leased equipment as part of your service plan, with fees ranging from $10 to $15 per month added to your bill. Alternatively, you can purchase the equipment outright for approximately $300 to $500, though prices vary by location and current promotions.
Professional installation is usually required with Viasat and can cost anywhere from $100 to $300, though they sometimes offer promotional periods with free installation. The installation includes mounting the dish, running cables, and setting up your modem and router.
HughesNet Equipment Costs
HughesNet similarly offers equipment leasing for around $15 per month or outright purchase options ranging from $350 to $450. Like Viasat, professional installation is typically mandatory and costs between $100 and $200, though free installation promotions are occasionally available.
Hidden Fees and Additional Costs to Consider
Beyond the advertised monthly rate and equipment costs, several additional fees can surprise new satellite internet customers.
Data Overage Charges
For providers with data caps like Viasat and HughesNet, exceeding your monthly allowance can result in additional charges. HughesNet charges approximately $15 for each additional 25 GB data token you purchase after exhausting your monthly allocation. Viasat doesn’t charge overage fees per se, but instead throttles your speeds during peak hours once you’ve used your high-speed data.
Taxes and Regulatory Fees
Like most telecommunications services, satellite internet bills include various taxes, surcharges, and regulatory fees that can add 10-20% to your base monthly rate. These vary by state and locality but should be factored into your budget.
Early Termination Fees
If you sign a contract with Viasat or HughesNet and need to cancel early, expect to pay early termination fees. These typically start at $300 to $400 and decrease by approximately $15 per month as you progress through your contract.
Shipping Costs
While Starlink’s equipment price includes shipping to most locations, some remote areas may incur additional shipping charges. Other providers typically include shipping in their installation package.
Comparing Satellite Internet Costs to Other Options
To put satellite internet pricing in perspective, it’s helpful to compare it with other internet service types.
Cable internet typically costs between $50 and $100 per month for similar speeds, often with higher data caps or truly unlimited data. However, cable infrastructure doesn’t reach rural areas where satellite internet is most needed.
Fiber optic internet, where available, offers superior speeds of 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps for roughly $60 to $100 monthly. But like cable, fiber availability is limited primarily to urban and suburban areas.
DSL internet is often the cheapest option at $30 to $60 per month, but speeds are significantly slower, typically maxing out around 25 Mbps, and quality degrades with distance from the provider’s infrastructure.
Fixed wireless internet from providers like T-Mobile Home Internet or Verizon 5G Home Internet costs around $50 to $70 monthly with no data caps, but availability depends on having strong cellular coverage at your location.
When satellite internet is your only option for reliable high-speed connectivity, the higher costs become more justifiable. The key is determining whether the speeds and data allowances meet your household’s needs.
How to Calculate Your True Monthly Cost
To accurately estimate your monthly satellite internet expense, follow these steps:
First, determine your base monthly service cost based on the plan that matches your speed and data needs. Add any monthly equipment lease fees if you choose not to purchase equipment outright. Factor in an estimated 15% for taxes and regulatory fees. If your provider has data caps, honestly assess whether you’re likely to exceed them based on your usage patterns.
For your first year specifically, calculate the upfront equipment cost and divide it by 12 to understand its impact on your effective monthly rate. For example, if you pay $599 for Starlink equipment, that adds approximately $50 per month to your first-year costs.
Consider also that promotional rates often apply only to the first 12 months, after which prices may increase. Always check what the standard rate will be after any promotional period ends.
Tips for Reducing Your Satellite Internet Costs
While satellite internet isn’t cheap, several strategies can help minimize your expenses:
Choose a plan that matches your actual usage rather than over-buying. If you primarily use internet for browsing and email rather than 4K streaming, a lower-tier plan may suffice.
Take advantage of off-peak hours if your provider offers bonus data during these times. Schedule large downloads, software updates, and system backups for the middle of the night.
Consider purchasing equipment outright rather than leasing if you plan to keep the service long-term. Over a two-year period, purchase typically costs less than leasing.
Monitor your data usage carefully using your provider’s app or account portal. Understanding your patterns helps you choose the right plan and avoid overages.
Ask about available discounts. Some providers offer reduced rates for veterans, seniors, or customers who participate in government assistance programs.
Is Satellite Internet Worth the Cost?
Ultimately, whether satellite internet justifies its cost depends on your specific situation and alternatives.
If you live in an area with absolutely no other high-speed internet options, satellite internet provides invaluable connectivity for remote work, online education, telemedicine, and staying connected with family and friends. In these cases, even the higher costs deliver significant value.
For households with moderate internet needs who can manage within data caps and don’t require the absolute fastest speeds, satellite internet can work well. Streaming in standard definition rather than 4K, for instance, dramatically reduces data consumption.
However, if you have access to cable, fiber, or even good quality DSL service, those options typically offer better value for money. Satellite should generally be considered when it’s your only viable choice for reliable broadband-speed internet.
The Future of Satellite Internet Pricing
The satellite internet landscape is evolving rapidly. Starlink’s entrance to the market has disrupted traditional pricing models and pushed established providers to improve their offerings and adjust their rates. As more low-Earth orbit satellite constellations come online, competition should drive prices down while improving service quality.
Technologies like laser inter-satellite links and improved ground station infrastructure promise to reduce operational costs, savings that may eventually be passed to consumers. However, the significant capital required to launch and maintain satellite networks means prices are unlikely to drop to the levels of terrestrial broadband options anytime soon.
Making Your Decision
When evaluating satellite internet costs, remember that the cheapest option isn’t always the best value. Consider total costs over your intended service period, including equipment, installation, potential overage fees, and contract obligations.
Read the fine print carefully before committing to any service. Understand exactly what speeds you can expect, what happens when you reach data limits, what customer support looks like, and what your obligations are if you need to cancel.
Check for recent customer reviews specific to your area, as satellite internet performance can vary significantly by location due to factors like weather, network congestion, and line-of-sight issues.
If possible, talk to neighbors or others in your area who use satellite internet to get real-world perspectives on reliability and whether advertised speeds match actual performance.
Satellite internet monthly costs typically range from $50 to $150 for residential service from traditional providers like HughesNet and Viasat, while newer options like Starlink cost around $120 monthly. When you factor in equipment costs, installation fees, taxes, and potential overage charges, your true monthly expense can be significantly higher, especially in the first year.
Despite the costs, satellite internet serves a crucial role in bridging the digital divide for rural and remote communities. For many households, it represents the only path to reliable high-speed internet access essential for modern life.
Before committing to a satellite internet service, carefully evaluate your needs, understand all costs involved, compare available options in your area, and choose a plan that balances cost with performance. With the right choice and realistic expectations, satellite internet can provide the connectivity you need, even if it comes at a premium price compared to urban internet options.
Edward Cullen is a technology writer focused on satellite internet and space-based connectivity. He shares clear, practical insights to help readers understand how modern space technology is transforming internet access, especially in remote and underserved areas.
