Starlink vs HughesNet: latency, contracts, data and cost

I'm a Starlink customer, and Starlink gives me a referral credit when someone who qualifies orders through my link at the top of this page. I have no deal with HughesNet or Viasat.

Latency: at least about 480 ms through HughesNet's geostationary satellites

HughesNet's page on how satellite internet works says "Hughesnet® uses geostationary satellites (GEO), which remain fixed over one point on the Earth’s surface, allowing us to provide broad internet coverage across the United States" (checked November 2026), and a round trip through a geostationary satellite takes at least about 480 ms at the speed of light.

NASA's catalog of Earth satellite orbits puts a geostationary satellite "about 36,000 kilometers from Earth’s surface" (checked October 2026), and a round trip through one covers that height at least four times; the satellite internet comparison works through the arithmetic, and why that floor, set beside a typical figure, favors the geostationary side.

Starlink's Residential label file, read in October 2026, lists a typical latency of 25 to 50 ms in the continental US and 60 to 90 ms outside it. Those are Starlink's own figures, not a test run for this page.

HughesNet's FAQ says "With satellite internet, requests travel a long distance from your device to a satellite and back." and "Satellite plans are not recommended for time-sensitive applications due to a small degree of latency." (both checked November 2026). None of HughesNet's pages read gives a latency figure.

For time-sensitive use, HughesNet's FAQ points to Fusion: "Hughesnet offers Fusion plans that combine satellite and wireless technologies for a low-latency, more responsive internet experience to engage in time-sensitive applications." Its blog on internet speeds says the Fusion plan is "Available in select locations" (both checked November 2026), and neither page gives Fusion a latency figure.

Real-time games, and a game server at home on Starlink

In October 2026, a Minecraft Java server at home on a Starlink connection answered 30 of 30 server-list pings through a TCP relay on a free-tier cloud VM, sent over the public internet from the same home connection. The relay leg, from the VM to the server and back, was a median of about 20 ms (the three sittings' medians ran from 17.9 to 23.6 ms), estimated as the round trip through the relay less the round trip to the VM and the server's answer time; a round trip through a geostationary satellite takes at least about 480 ms. The test covered status pings, not play, in three short sittings on one connection, and one UDP packet sent to the relay's game port got no answer, so a game that uses UDP needs a relay that carries UDP (the game-server guide).

On games, HughesNet's buyer's guide says "Hughesnet is not recommended as a full-time video streaming replacement for TV service or console-based gaming activities because they quickly consume your Priority Data. Multiplayer games requiring rapid response are only supported with Hughesnet Fusion plans.", and its FAQ says "Online games where you take turns, such as casino or chess, turned-based role-playing games and Facebook games work well with all plans." (both checked November 2026). None of HughesNet's pages read gives a latency figure for Fusion, and HughesNet's service wasn't tested for this page.

Which to choose, on these figures

On these figures, choose Starlink for real-time online games: its Residential label gives 25 to 50 ms typical latency in the continental US (October 2026), a round trip through one of HughesNet's geostationary satellites takes at least about 480 ms, and HughesNet's buyer's guide says multiplayer games requiring rapid response "are only supported with Hughesnet Fusion plans", for which none of its pages read gives a latency figure (November 2026). Choose Starlink, too, if you want no minimum term: its label lists no contract and a $0 early termination fee (October 2026), where HughesNet's Move Program page says "All service plans have a minimum term required." (November 2026). Choose HughesNet if you'd rather lease than buy a kit: it supplies the equipment, with free standard professional installation for new lease subscribers as what its plans page calls a "Limited-time offer", against $349 for equipment on Starlink's label, while Starlink's help pages disagree on whether a $0 kit with a 12-month commitment is still offered (below). HughesNet's pages read give no lease price, so this page sets no HughesNet monthly total beside Starlink's $120. Starlink doesn't suit a server that others reach on a public IPv4 address from a Residential plan: its help page says the default CGNAT "does not allow inbound traffic", and a public IPv4 address is a Local and Global Priority option (October 2026); the hosting section has the tested way around.

I'm a Starlink customer, and Starlink gives me a referral credit when someone who qualifies orders through my link at the top of this page. I have no deal with HughesNet or Viasat.

Where HughesNet wins

HughesNet offers its equipment on a lease, so you needn't buy a kit: its FAQ says "Hughesnet provides all necessary equipment, including the Wi-Fi Modem and satellite dish.", and its plans page says "Free standard professional installation applies to new Lease subscribers only. Not valid with Purchase option. Limited-time offer." (both checked November 2026). Starlink's Residential label lists an Equipment Cost of $349 and shipping and handling that "Varies By Location" (October 2026), and its Terms make you "responsible for the installation of the Starlink Kit"; Starlink's own professional installation, and what it costs, is on the installation page. Starlink's help page Additional FAQs - Service Plans says the "$0 Starlink Kit with 12-Month Commitment" option "is only available to new customers in select locations at this time", while its help page on the 12-month option says "This service plan is discontinued for new activations." (both checked October 2026). Its Terms say "You will receive a free Kit in connection with the Service Commitment." (version published August 2026), and that commitment's minimum term and change fee are in contracts. Starlink also charges a one-time activation charge, with no figure on its help page and refunded on a return within 30 days, and a demand surcharge "may apply" where demand is high (the activation fee page).

The lease has terms of its own: none of HughesNet's pages read gives its price without an address, its Move Program page says "You specifically agree that any Equipment provided to you may be new or refurbished as new." (checked November 2026), and the leased modem, power supply and radio go back when you leave (leaving), under a plan with a minimum term (contracts).

HughesNet's plans page says "Plans starting at $39.99/mo." for 12 months (checked November 2026), and its speeds blog names its plans, among them Lite, Select and Elite, with "up to" speeds and no prices. Starlink's $120 is its label's price for Residential, one of the plans its help pages say "have been renamed in the US", and they say US Residential pricing "varies by region" (October 2026); with no lease price on HughesNet's pages read, this page sets no HughesNet monthly total beside $120, and the plans and prices page has every price on Starlink's labels.

For real-time games, HughesNet's own answer is Fusion: its buyer's guide says "Multiplayer games requiring rapid response are only supported with Hughesnet Fusion plans.", and its speeds blog says Fusion combines "satellite and wireless technologies for a low-latency, more responsive internet experience" and is "Available in select locations" (both checked November 2026). None of HughesNet's pages read gives Fusion's latency or price, so this page sets no Fusion figure beside Starlink's 25 to 50 ms.

HughesNet and Starlink, side by side

Each line below is in the provider's own words, HughesNet's from its US pages read in November 2026 and Starlink's from its Residential label read in October 2026 unless the line says otherwise; HughesNet's label page asks for an address before it shows a broadband label, so no HughesNet figure here is a label figure, and nothing in the table was tested for this page.

Line	HughesNet, in its words (November 2026)	Starlink, its Residential label (October 2026) unless noted
Latency	HughesNet, in its words (November 2026)no figure on the pages read; satellite plans "are not recommended for time-sensitive applications"	Starlink, its Residential label (October 2026) unless noted25 to 50 ms typical in the continental US; 60 to 90 ms outside it
Download	HughesNet, in its words (November 2026)"up to" 25 Mbps on Lite, 50 on Select, 100 on Elite and Fusion	Starlink, its Residential label (October 2026) unless noted50 to 150 Mbps typical
Upload	HughesNet, in its words (November 2026)none on the pages read	Starlink, its Residential label (October 2026) unless noted5 to 25 Mbps typical
Data	HughesNet, in its words (November 2026)"a set amount of Priority Data each month", the amount not given, then "unlimited Standard Data", which "may be slower than other traffic during high-traffic periods"	Starlink, its Residential label (October 2026) unless noted"Unlimited", with the network management clause in data
Term	HughesNet, in its words (November 2026)"All service plans have a minimum term required."	Starlink, its Residential label (October 2026) unless notedno contract; a Service Commitment only if you select one at checkout (Terms, August 2026)
Early termination	HughesNet, in its words (November 2026)a Service Termination Fee "of up to $400"	Starlink, its Residential label (October 2026) unless noted$0; a Service Commitment's change fee, $249 or $325 (Terms, August 2026)
Equipment	HughesNet, in its words (November 2026)on a lease, or bought under the "Purchase Option"; no price given; "may be new or refurbished as new"	Starlink, its Residential label (October 2026) unless notedEquipment Cost $349; shipping and handling "Varies By Location"; its help pages disagree on whether the "$0 Starlink Kit with 12-Month Commitment" is still offered (October 2026)
Installation	HughesNet, in its words (November 2026)free standard professional installation for new lease subscribers, a "Limited-time offer"	Starlink, its Residential label (October 2026) unless notedyours, under the Terms; Starlink's professional installation is on the installation page
Monthly price	HughesNet, in its words (November 2026)"Plans starting at $39.99/mo." for 12 months; no lease price	Starlink, its Residential label (October 2026) unless noted$120, for a plan Starlink's help pages say "have been renamed in the US", with pricing that "varies by region"
Leaving	HughesNet, in its words (November 2026)modem, power supply and radio back "within 45 days" or a $300 fee ($500 for Fusion after the term); "the antenna, mount, or any cables" stay	Starlink, its Residential label (October 2026) unless notedkit back within 30 days for a full refund; shipping and handling "are non-refundable" (Terms, August 2026)
Sky view	HughesNet, in its words (November 2026)"a clear view of the southern sky"	Starlink, its Residential label (October 2026) unless noted"a clear view of the sky. A partial view is often enough." (help page, November 2026)
Static IP	HughesNet, in its words (November 2026)"With the new Hughesnet, Static IP is not available."	Starlink, its Residential label (October 2026) unless notedpublic IPv4 only on Local and Global Priority; CGNAT by default (help page, October 2026)

Contracts: a minimum term and a fee of up to $400

HughesNet's Move Program page says "All service plans have a minimum term required." and sets a Service Termination Fee "of up to $400" for cancelling before the term ends (checked November 2026); Starlink's Residential label says no contract and a $0 early termination fee (October 2026), and its Terms of Service describe a Service Commitment that applies if you select one at checkout, with "a $249 or $325, as applicable, change fee" (version published August 2026).

HughesNet's Move Program page, checked November 2026, gives the fee under two headings. Under "Early Termination: Purchase Option (equipment and standard installation purchased upfront)", it says "If you cancel after activation but before the end of your term commitment, you will be charged a Service Termination Fee of up to $400. The exact amount of the Service Termination Fee will be $400 for the first ninety (90) days after activation of the Hughesnet service. After 90 days, the amount will decrease by $15 per month for Select, Elite and Fusion plan and decrease by $30 per month for Lite plan for each month of active service." Under "Early Termination: Lease Option", it says "If you cancel after activation but before the end of your term commitment, you will be charged a Service Termination Fee of up to $400. The exact amount of the Service Termination Fee will be $400 for the first ninety (90) days after activation of the Hughesnet Service. Thereafter, the amount will decrease by $15 per month for each month of active Service." Neither answer says whether the monthly decrease counts from activation or from the end of the first 90 days, so this page works out no month-by-month fee.

For a term that has ended, the same page says "If you cancel after the end of your 24-month term commitment, you must return your Hughesnet modem, power supply, and radio in good condition within 45 days of cancellation date or be charged a $300 unreturned equipment fee for Select and Elite plans and a $500 unreturned equipment fee for Fusion plan." (checked November 2026).

A Starlink Service Commitment applies only if you choose one, and section 1.2 of Starlink's Terms of Service, in the version published August 2026, says that under one "you agree to continuously subscribe to the Services specified in your Order for a minimum of 12 or 24 months, as applicable". The contract page sets out the rest of its terms.

Data: Priority Data, Standard Data and Starlink's unlimited

HughesNet's buyer's guide says "Your service plan comes with a set amount of Priority Data each month, which is always prioritized ahead of Standard Data on the network.", and its page on how satellite internet works says "Standard Data may be slower than other traffic during high-traffic periods." (both checked November 2026).

HughesNet's blog on internet speeds says "Hughesnet offers plans with fast speeds and unlimited Standard Data.", its buyer's guide says "There's no limit on how much Standard Data you can use, so you'll never get cut off or pay overage fees.", and its FAQ says "Hughes assigns an amount of Priority Data to each service plan that may be downloaded or uploaded within a one-month period. Subscribers who exceed their Priority Data amount automatically receive unlimited Standard Data until their next billing cycle. During high-traffic periods, subscribers using Standard Data may experience a temporary reduction of speed." (all checked November 2026). None of HughesNet's pages read gives a plan's Priority Data amount. The buyer's guide also says HughesNet isn't recommended "as a full-time video streaming replacement for TV service or console-based gaming activities because they quickly consume your Priority Data".

Starlink's Residential label lists data as "Unlimited" (October 2026), and section 1.4 of its Service Plan Descriptions, in the version published October 2026, says for Residential "If bandwidth patterns consistently exceed what is allocated to a typical residential user, Starlink may take network management measures, such as reducing a customer's speeds, to prevent or mitigate congestion of the Services."; the data caps page sets each Starlink plan's data term beside its clause.

If you're leaving HughesNet: equipment and the 45-day return

HughesNet's Move Program page says that on a lease "you must return your Hughesnet modem, power supply, and radio in good condition within 45 days of cancellation date or be charged a $300 Unreturned Equipment Fee ($100 for the modem and power supply and $200 for the radio transmitter)", and that "You are not required to return, and Hughes is not obligated to de-install the antenna, mount, or any cables." (checked November 2026).

After a 24-month term commitment ends, the same page sets "a $300 unreturned equipment fee for Select and Elite plans and a $500 unreturned equipment fee for Fusion plan" for equipment not returned within 45 days (contracts quotes the sentence whole), and it says "For customers eligible or required to return equipment, Hughes will provide instructions on how to de-install and return the required equipment." (checked November 2026). None of HughesNet's pages read gives cancellation steps or a cancellation window.

On Starlink's side, section 6.3 of the Terms of Service, in the version published August 2026, says "You may return an undamaged, untampered and unmodified Starlink Kit and any accessories purchased on starlink.com within 30 days of the Payment Due Date for a full refund for any reason, including the inability to receive Services due to field-of-view issues", and the terms add "Shipping and handling charges will apply and are non-refundable." Starlink's help page Where should I install my Starlink? says "Starlink works best with a clear view of the sky. A partial view is often enough." (checked November 2026). What a return within those 30 days costs and refunds is on the 30-day trial page.

Hosting a server: static IP and CGNAT

HughesNet's FAQ says "With the new Hughesnet, Static IP is not available." (checked November 2026), and none of HughesNet's pages read says whether a residential plan's IPv4 address is public or behind CGNAT.

Starlink's help page says its default IPv4 configuration uses carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT) and "does not allow inbound traffic", and that "The Starlink public IPv4 policy is an optional configuration available to Local and Global Priority customers." (October 2026). That page, What IP address does Starlink provide?, points anyone who needs inbound IPv4 to "a Starlink service plan with the public IPv4 option" (checked October 2026).

From a VPS in October 2026, none of 8 TCP ports on a home Starlink connection's public IPv4 address answered within 6 seconds, and a trace from a computer on the home network passed a private address inside Starlink's network before any public one, which fits CGNAT without proving it (the guide to self-hosting without a public IPv4 address). The tested way around it is a relay: the game-server guide reached a Minecraft Java server at home through a TCP relay on a free-tier cloud VM, the test in the gaming section. Inbound IPv6 wasn't tested, and the leaving page has what Starlink says its public IPv4 option changes.

What this page doesn't cover

Tests of HughesNet service: none were run, and every figure for HughesNet on this page is HughesNet's own.

Prices and availability at a particular address. HughesNet's plans page says "Offer and plan availability may vary by geographic area.", and its label page says "Find labels for plans available where you live:" above a form for an address (both checked November 2026), so none of HughesNet's broadband labels is on this page.

HughesNet Fusion's price and latency.

The Priority Data amount on each HughesNet plan.

HughesNet's Fair Access Policy and its Subscriber Agreement, which its buyer's guide names ("All plans are subject to the Hughesnet Subscriber Agreement.", checked November 2026); neither was read.

How to cancel HughesNet service.

HughesNet's business, government and aviation services.

Other countries.

Viasat's service: the Viasat comparison sets Viasat's own terms beside Starlink's.

Starlink is a trademark of Space Exploration Technologies Corp. HughesNet and Viasat are trademarks of their owners. The names identify the services only; none of these companies endorses this site.