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Viasat, formerly known as Exede, is a satellite internet service provider with an impressive plan lineup. Subscribers can choose from 10 different combinations of speed and data with limits far exceeding those of competitors. While Viasat plans are a bit pricier than others, you may find the cost is worth it if you need higher-bandwidth service than what is offered by other satellite providers.
Pros
✓ 10 different plans to choose from
✓ Download speeds up to 100 Mbps
✓ High data caps
Cons
✗ Same upload speed across all plans
✗ Actual speeds often lower than advertised speeds
Viasat Internet Plans and Prices
*Data effective March 22, 2020. Pricing varies by location and availability.
Estimated speeds
Six of Viasat’s lower-tier plans have the same advertised speeds: 12 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. However, as you reach the provider’s more premium plans, the speeds quickly increase. You’ll find options of 25 Mbps, 30 Mbps, 50 Mbps, and even 100 Mbps. And these higher-speed plans come with data limits high enough to let you fully enjoy them. The Unlimited Platinum 100 plan, for example, carries a limit of 150 GB per month, much higher than anything offered by competitors.
Pricing
Viasat plans start at $50 for 12 GB of data at 12 Mbps and go all the way up to $200 for 150 GB of data at 100 Mbps. The entry-level plans are pricier than comparable ones from competitor HughesNet, which offers 10 GB of data at a faster 25 Mbps at just $39.99 per month. However, if speed and data are your priority and cost is not an issue, you’ll probably find Viasat’s unparalleled top-speed plans to be worth the price.
Who is each plan best for?
- 12 Mbps – Best for a single user with 1-2 devices
- 25 Mbps – Best for two users with up to 4 devices
- 30 Mbps – Best for three users with up to 5 devices
- 50 Mbps – Best for four users with up to 6 devices
- 100 Mbps – Best for five users with up to 8 devices
How fast is Viasat internet?
Viasat advertises speeds starting at 12 Mbps and going up to 100 Mbps. Unfortunately, the Fixed Broadband Report from the Federal Communications Commission hints that these speeds may not exactly be accurate. The study found less than 60% of Viasat customers received download speeds that were at least 80% of the advertised speed. The good news is upload speeds were found to be accurate and even exceeded the advertised speed on average.
Although Viasat’s 100 Mbps isn’t available everywhere, having access to 12 to 50 Mbps is a solid connection range and should provide enough speed for small to medium-sized households.
Internet Availability
Since Viasat internet is delivered by satellite, it’s widely available across the entire United States, even in areas that can’t get standard broadband or fiber internet service. Viasat also plans to expand to other areas of North America, South America, the Caribbean, and a large part of the Atlantic Ocean. The provider notes that users on the go can also take advantage of Viasat partnerships with other satellite providers across Europe.
While Viasat is still more expensive than some cable and DSL internet options, if you live in a rural area and want access to fast speeds with reasonable data caps, Viasat is a solid option.
Other Factors to Consider
The most important thing to know when considering Viasat is that despite the wide range of plans, the availability of each plan greatly depends on your geographic area. Top speeds are not available in all locations, and we even found that some plans may be priced higher in some areas than in others. To get the most accurate pricing and plan information, enter your zip code on the Viasat website to see which plans are available in your area.
Another factor to consider is how long will you be paying your introductory price. Viasat does provide a price lock for the first two years of service, your price will increase by up to 33% after the first three months, which is due to their promotional pricing structure listed on its site. So be aware that once the introductory period ends, you will switch to paying the actual locked-in rate.
Finally, just like any other satellite provider, you may run into difficulties while using video conferencing tools or online gaming. This is a result of latency, which is the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another. With data having to travel between a satellite and your home, there may be a slight delay.
Viasat vs. HughesNet
About the Authors
The Reviews.com staff is dedicated to providing you with all the deep-dive details. Our writers, researchers, and editors came together from Charlotte, Seattle, San Juan, Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, and Chicago to put this review together.
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