Provider comparison
HughesNet vs Starlink: Which Is Better in 2026?
What you get here
Side-by-side plan facts from the Konecteaze database
Missing fields omitted — never estimated
Use-case verdicts for gaming, streaming, and budget
Links to both provider hubs and the live comparison tool
HughesNet vs Starlink at a glance
| Spec | HughesNet | Starlink |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $99.99/mo | $120/mo |
| Price range (tracked plans) | $99.99–$145/mo | — |
| Fastest download | 200 Mbps | 1 Gbps |
| Fastest upload | 15 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| Plans tracked | 3 | 2 |
| Customer rating | 2.9/5 | 3.8/5 |
Figures are the plan fields we track for each provider nationally; pricing and availability are address-specific, so confirm details on the provider checkout.
Plan highlights
HughesNet
HughesNet Fusion 200 hybrid
$99.99/mo · 50 Mbps down · 5 Mbps up
HughesNet Fusion hybrid 100 Mbps
$99.99/mo · 100 Mbps down · 15 Mbps up
HughesNet Fusion hybrid 200 Mbps
$145/mo · 200 Mbps down · 5 Mbps up
Starlink
Starlink Residential
$120/mo · 300 Mbps down · 10 Mbps up
Starlink Residential
$120/mo · 1 Gbps down · 50 Mbps up
Which is better for you: HughesNet or Starlink?
Gaming
Starlink's fastest tracked plan lists 50 Mbps uploads versus 15 Mbps for HughesNet — more upload headroom helps with game updates, streaming your play, and voice chat.
Streaming
Starlink tops out at 1 Gbps versus 200 Mbps for HughesNet — the higher ceiling helps when several screens stream at once.
Budget
On price, HughesNet starts at $99.99/mo while Starlink's cheapest tracked plan is $120/mo.
HughesNet vs Starlink: FAQs
Is HughesNet or Starlink cheaper?
Based on plans tracked in the Konecteaze database, HughesNet has the lower entry price at $99.99/mo, compared with $120/mo for Starlink. Promotional pricing, fees, and regional offers can change the real monthly total, so confirm at checkout.
Is HughesNet or Starlink faster?
On the fastest plans we track, Starlink reaches 1 Gbps download versus 200 Mbps for HughesNet. These are advertised plan speeds — real-world performance varies by address, wiring, and network load.
Can I get both HughesNet and Starlink at my address?
Sometimes — provider footprints overlap in many markets but coverage is decided block by block, and our plan records are provider-level, not an address-level serviceability check. Enter your ZIP code on Konecteaze or run each provider's address checker to confirm which one (or both) actually serves your home.
How do I switch from HughesNet to Starlink (or the other way)?
Order the new service first and confirm an installation date before cancelling the old one, so you are never offline. On installation day, verify speeds, then cancel the old plan, return any rented equipment to avoid fees, and check your final bill for proration. If you are under contract, ask about early-termination charges before scheduling.
Where does this HughesNet vs Starlink comparison data come from?
Plan names, prices, and speed fields come from the Konecteaze provider database — the same records behind our provider pages and comparison tool. We currently track 3 HughesNet plans and 2 Starlink plans. Fields we cannot verify are omitted rather than estimated, and affiliate relationships never change the data shown.
Which has better customer ratings, HughesNet or Starlink?
Starlink rates higher in our database at 3.8/5, compared with 2.9/5 for HughesNet. Ratings reflect reviews collected on Konecteaze and are one signal among the plan facts above.